Backgrounder: Washington Heights

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Location: Washington Heights begins at 155th street and ends at Inwood (200th St). It is bordered on the East by the Harlem River, and on the West by the Hudson River.

Demographics

Total Population (2010): 190,020, percent change-8.8%

  • White/Non Hispanic: 33,442
  • Black/African American: 13,954
  • Asian/Pacific Islander: 4,814
  • American Indian/ Alaska Native: 228
  • Nonhispanic/other race: 672
  • Hispanic Origin: 134,976

Real Estate/Housing: : 

  • Occupied housing: 69,182
  • Owner-occupied: 6,452
  • Renter occupied: 62,730
  • Multiple Nursing Homes/Hospitals/Hospices and Ambulatory Programs

Schools: 

  • I.S. 218
  • P.S. 152
  • P.S. 173
  • P.S. 18
  • P.S. 48
  • P.S. 5
  • P.S./I.S. 187

Transportation: 

MTA – A, C, 1 trains, Bx7, M100, M101, very accessible in all forms of public transportation.

Conflicts/hot button issues: 

  • Planned traffic improvements: Right turn restriction at Edgecombe Ave coming off the Harlem River Drive, rejected by community board (2014)
  • Rent Hikes- businesses are having to shut down, look for locations elsewhere
  • Changing Demographics (There has been decrease in Hispanic Population that grows greater every year)
  • East New York Rezoning: borders of different communities are constantly changing
  • One of the boroughs quickly changing due to gentrification

 

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