Situated along the eastern bank of the Hudson River in Greene County, Cementon, New York is a compact hamlet of roughly 305 residents occupying just 0.33 square miles within the town of Catskill. Its identity is inseparable from its industrial past — the Alsen American Portland Cement Company plant, established here in the early 20th century, produced Portland cement that went into major infrastructure projects stretching from Albany to New York City. That legacy sets Cementon apart from neighboring river towns like Catskill and Saugerties, which developed along different economic lines.

Today, that same industrial heritage is being reimagined. In 2025, New York State awarded $400,000 through the FAST NY program to fund the Cementon Rebirth Plan, a public-private initiative targeting high-tech manufacturing and community development on the hamlet's underutilized riverfront land. Families here are served by the Catskill Central School District, and outdoor enthusiasts benefit from proximity to the RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary, a 436-acre tidal marsh preserve just to the north. With a median home price of $111,700 — well below regional averages — and genuine revitalization momentum building, Cementon represents a rare opportunity to invest early in a Hudson Valley community on the cusp of meaningful transformation.

Tucked along the Hudson River in Greene County, this small hamlet of 216 residents tells a compelling story of stability, commitment, and community pride. With a median age of 59 and fully half the population aged 65 or older, Cementon is a genuinely established community — one where long-term roots run deep and neighbors tend to know one another by name. That sense of permanence is reflected in a remarkable homeownership rate of 88.5%, far exceeding the national average of 65.5% and signaling that people who come here tend to stay.

The community's financial footing is quietly solid. A median household income of $68,821 sits comfortably close to the national benchmark, and perhaps most striking of all, the hamlet reports a 0% poverty rate and 0% uninsured rate — a combination that speaks to genuine economic security across the board. With a labor force participation rate of 41.9%, many residents here are comfortably retired, enjoying the slower pace that the Hudson Valley's rolling landscape and river views naturally invite. Nearly 1 in 5 residents — 19.9% — is a veteran, lending the community a grounded, service-oriented character. With just 87 housing units spread across a low-density setting, Cementon offers the rare combination of affordability, tranquility, and a true sense of belonging.

Outdoor Recreation & Nature

Despite its compact size, Cementon sits at the heart of some of the Hudson Valley's most rewarding natural scenery. The Hudson River forms the hamlet's eastern boundary, offering residents and visitors direct waterfront access for fishing, birdwatching, and quiet contemplation along the riverbank. Just to the north, the RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary — a 436-acre protected landscape of tidal marshes, swamps, and upland forests — provides interpretive trails and exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. This sanctuary is part of the broader Hudson River Estuary ecological network, and its wetlands attract migratory birds throughout spring and fall. The surrounding Columbia-Greene North Scenic Area of Statewide Significance adds riverfront hiking paths and NYSDEC-managed wildlife sites within easy reach.

History & Culture

Cementon's industrial past is itself a point of fascination. The hamlet takes its name from the Portland cement industry that once defined life here, anchored by the Alsen American Portland Cement Company plant established in the early 1900s. The materials produced here helped build infrastructure stretching from Albany to New York City. History enthusiasts will appreciate exploring the visible remnants of this legacy along the riverfront, and the ongoing Cementon Rebirth Plan — backed by $400,000 in state funding — promises to transform these storied industrial sites into a new chapter for the community.

Day Trips & Regional Attractions

Cementon's location within the Town of Catskill puts residents minutes from the Village of Catskill's galleries, shops, and dining scene, which has blossomed into a genuine arts destination over the past decade. The Catskill Mountains rise dramatically to the west, offering world-class hiking, skiing, and fall foliage viewing within a short drive. The Hudson River towns of Hudson and Saugerties — both within roughly 15 minutes — add antique markets, farmers' markets, and acclaimed restaurants to the weekend itinerary.

Family Activities & Seasonal Life

The hamlet's rural character and proximity to the river make it naturally suited to outdoor family life across all four seasons. Summer brings kayaking and fishing along the Hudson, while autumn transforms the surrounding hills into a vivid tapestry of color. Winter offers access to nearby ski areas in the Catskills, and spring's return awakens the tidal marshes with birdsong. Greene County's agricultural landscape also supports seasonal farm stands and pick-your-own operations just a short drive away, rounding out a genuinely active, nature-centered lifestyle.

From Smith's Landing to Cement Capital

The land beneath Cementon has been in continuous use for centuries. The Munsee Lenape fished and hunted along this stretch of the Hudson River long before Henry Hudson's 1609 voyage drew Dutch traders into the region. In 1686, Dutch settler Jacob Lockermans purchased the riverfront parcel that would eventually become Cementon — then known as Smith's Landing — with a colonial patent confirming the title in 1695. The Town of Catskill, which encompasses Cementon, was formally established on March 7, 1788.

By the early 19th century, the hamlet had taken the name Smith's Landing after Rufus Smith, who acquired significant riverfront property there in 1822. Residents farmed corn, rye, and potatoes, shipped hay and potash downriver by barge, and quarried bluestone beginning in 1841. The area's abundant Devonian limestone deposits, however, pointed toward a more industrial future.

In 1902, the Alsen American Portland Cement Company established the Lehigh Portland Cement Plant, transforming the hamlet — and giving it its modern name. For decades, Cementon supplied Portland cement to infrastructure projects stretching from Albany to New York City, generating steady employment and shaping the compact, working-class character of the community that persists today.

When the cement industry eventually declined, it left behind underutilized industrial sites that have defined Cementon's economic challenges ever since. That legacy is now the focus of reinvention: in 2025, New York State awarded $400,000 through the FAST NY program to fund the Cementon Rebirth Plan, targeting high-tech manufacturing and job creation on those same riverfront parcels. For buyers, this industrial-to-opportunity arc — combined with a median home price of just $111,700 — makes Cementon one of the Hudson Valley's more compelling value propositions.

Four Seasons in the Hudson Valley

Cementon, New York experiences a humid continental climate, shaped by its position in the Hudson River Valley at the southeastern edge of Greene County. The Hudson River itself plays a meaningful moderating role, tempering temperature extremes compared to areas farther inland and giving the hamlet a slightly milder character than the higher Catskill terrain to the west.

Summers are warm and pleasant, with average July highs reaching around 83°F and comfortable overnight lows typically in the mid-60s. Winters are cold and snowy, with January lows averaging near 13°F and daytime highs often hovering in the upper 20s to low 30s. Spring and fall are transitional and scenic, with the surrounding Hudson Valley foliage making autumn particularly striking. The growing season runs approximately 20 weeks, from mid-April through late September.

Annual precipitation averages roughly 42 to 43 inches, distributed fairly evenly across all seasons, with summer months bringing occasional thunderstorms and winters delivering meaningful snowfall. The hamlet's low-lying position along the river also means flood risk is a genuine consideration, particularly along the riverfront and near adjacent tidal areas.

For prospective homeowners, these conditions translate to real practical factors: heating costs are significant through the long winter months, and proper insulation and weatherproofing are essential. Outdoor living is genuinely rewarding from late spring through early fall, while seasonal maintenance — including roof, drainage, and flood preparedness — deserves careful attention given the riverside setting.

The Cementon, New York market is showing signs of stability, with the average home value remaining steady at $355,244, indicating a balanced market where neither buyers nor sellers have a significant advantage. According to data from Opulist, the median days to pending is around 76 days, suggesting that homes are selling at a moderate pace. Additionally, the median sale price is $376,166, which is slightly higher than the median list price, indicating that sellers are getting close to their asking prices.

Cementon Home Value Index over time.