Southern Westchester refers to the southern portion of Westchester County, New York, a dense inner-ring suburban area north of New York City. The Westchester County Department of Planning divides the county into North, Central and South geographical sub-regions. Municipalities in Westchester are often referenced in connection to the geographical half of the county they are in; either northern or southern. Municipalities Map showing the different areas of Northern (blue) & Southern (red) Westchester In New York State, there are three types of political subdivisions (i.e. municipalities) of counties: cities, towns, and villages. While cities are incorporated entities, towns are not. However, areas within a town can incorporate; when this occurs, the said area is called a "village". Villages have their own additional level of government along with the government of the town the village lies within. Sometimes a town contains a village with the same name; this village usually contains the town's center. Furthermore, certain areas of the incorporated (non-village) part of a town often develop their own identity, based around perhaps a school district or zip code; this unofficial formation is known as a hamlet and may or may not be acknowledged by the United States Census for statistical purposes. No matter how closely its residents may identify with their hamlet, a hamlet is not technically a town and has no political meaning. Rather, it could be described as a "mock village". A hamlet can incorporate into a village if a charter is drawn up and the state government approves. Ardsley Bronxville Dobbs Ferry Eastchester Hartsdale Harrison Hastings-on-Hudson Irvington Larchmont Mamaroneck Town Mamaroneck Village Mount Vernon New Rochelle Pelham Town Pelham Village Pelham Manor Port Chester Purchase Rye Town Rye Brook Rye City Scarsdale Tuckahoe White Plains Valhalla Yonkers The Bronx was part of Westchester County until the late 19th century (the West Bronx being given to New York County in 1874 and East Bronx given to it in 1895); as such, it was considered "Southern Westchester" for much of its history. Notable residents Kenneth Chenault, CEO of American Express (New Rochelle) M. Farooq Kathwari, chairman & owner of Ethan Allen (New Rochelle) Ang Lee, Oscar-winning director (Larchmont) The Lox, platinum-selling hip hop group composed Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch (Yonkers) DMX, Grammy-nominated hip hop artist (Yonkers) See also Northern Westchester References Geography of Westchester County, New York