Stanford is a town in the north-central part of Dutchess County, New York, United States.

[3] As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 3,544 people, 1,398 households, and 973 families residing in the town.

There were 1,712 housing units at an average density of 34.2 per square mile (13.2/km2).

The racial makeup of the town was 94.95% White, 1.52% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.10% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races.

24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.