Town of White Plains   Distance to NYC: 16 miles Area: 10.4 square miles   White Plains is situated in the center of the county at the crossroads of all major transportation. Just 10 miles square, it has two Metro North stations, is just 15 minutes from the county airport and 24 miles from Manhattan. White Plains is population is 53,000. White Plains is a winning combination of old and new. A community rich in history, where the Declaration of Independence was read, making White Plains the birthplace of New York State. Fine old neighborhoods and spectacular new high rises offer a variety of living styles. As a corporate home to many Fortune 500 companies, White Plains offers varied employment opportunities. Yet the quality of life is thoughtfully preserved through carefully planned growth and expert management of this mini-metropolis. White Plains is the seat of Westchester County's Government and Court facilities. Additionally,outstanding corporate and retail establishments give White Plains the lowest real estate taxes in the county. White Plains is the leading retail center for Westchester County. All of the nationally-known department stores can be found in this bustling city—Neiman-Marcus, Bloomingdales— the new "Westchester" featuring Nordstrom's and Tiffany's as well as the Galleria with Macy's.   Educational Facilities The White Plains Public Schools have a national reputation for excellence. Recently, they were rated among the top ten school districts in the United States by Expansion Management Magazine,an economics publication for relocating companies and their employees. The high school,which has a nearly 100 percent graduation rate, offers an academic program with honors and advanced placement courses,as well as a vocational training program. Eighty-five percent of White Plains High School graduates go on to higher education.   Recreational Facilities “The City in the Park” offers outstanding recreational and cultural facilities. The Recreation and Parks Department offer one hundred sports and athletic programs, instructional classes,camps,cultural activities,ice skating at Ebersole Ice Rink and special events. These local options are enhanced by the County’s 18,000 acres of parkland, beaches, trails, golf courses & boating facilities. A state-of-the-art library is located downtown and shows and event may be enjoyed at the Westchester County Center and the Westchester Conservatory of Music.   Houses of Worship Dozens of churches and synagogues are located within White Plains providing religious services to all denominations.