MacDonnell Heights is a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, MacDonnell Heights had a population of 1,291. It was first listed as a CDP prior to the 2020 census.
The community is in western Dutchess County, in the northeastern section of the town of Poughkeepsie. It is bordered to the southeast by Wappinger Creek, across which is the town of LaGrange. The CDP includes the hamlets of MacDonnell Heights and Colonial Heights. U.S. Route 44 (Dutchess Turnpike) passes through the center of the CDP, leading west to the center of Poughkeepsie and northeast to Amenia .
It is in the Arlington Central School District, which operates Arlington High School.