Neighborhood Research Project: Bay Ridge
Boundaries:
Source: Google Maps
Bay Ridge is a heavily residential neighborhood located in the Southern part of Brooklyn. The area I chose to explore was zip code 11209, which is basically the bulk of Bay Ridge. This area is bounded by 69th Street on the north, 7th Avenue and Dyker Heights golf course on the east, Verrazano Bridge on the South, and the Narrows Strait on the west. This neighborhood is dotted with dwelling with the exception of 3rd and 5th Avenue being mostly areas with shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
History:
The history of the Bay Ridge area dates back to the early 1500’s when it was inhabited by a group of Native Americans called the Nyack’s (Bay Ridge). The Dutch people eventually took over and subsequently the ownership of the Bay Ridge area switched hands between the Dutch and the British until the end of the American Revolution where it finally became American land. This area, initially part of the New Utrecht area, was named Yellow Hook and it became the home to European immigrants who came to New York for better opportunities in the 1840’s. However, due to a Yellow fever epidemic, the Yellow Hook area was renamed Bay Ridge in 1853 in order to make it more appealing.
Despite the epidemic that plagued the community, Bay Ridge continued to see a period of growth and expansion. A railroad, firehouse engine, and a library were opened during the late 1800’s to accommodate the needs of the community. Bay Ridge later became part of the Greater NYC area when Brooklyn joined the other boroughs in 1898. In the first half of the 1900’s, educational institutions such as the Fort Hamilton elementary school and Fort Hamilton high school were constructed. There were also a variety of transportation methods; a Ferry Service opened at the 69th Street Pier, and an R train subway line was constructed. The Victory Memorial Hospital was established in 1924 and the Owls Head Park was open to the public in 1937. All these factors played a role in making Bay Ridge a much-desired place to live in.
Due to the increasing popularity of the neighborhood, many sought to live in Bay Ridge and the neighborhood saw a massive population growth between the years of 1922 and 1923. Many apartments, one-family houses, and two-family houses were constructed to house the incoming population. The population increase was so large thatby 1943, the Bay Ridge population reached 122,664 with a significant amount being of foreign European decent (Scandinavian, Italian, German, and Irish). Bay Ridge continued to see a more diverse ethnic community when immigration laws were changed to allow many non-European countries to send immigrants. After 1964, many immigrants from Greece, the Middle East, and Asia began to live in Bay Ridge (The Bay Ridge Chronicles). A Spanish-speaking population also began to replace the Norwegian part of the Bay ridge community in the seventies. Overall, Bay ridge was beginning to see a diverse, multi-ethnic population that continues to be seen in the present times as the community grows and adjusts itself to serve the influx of people entering.
Population and ethnic-breakdown
The above graph reflects the changes in the population size of the Bay Ridge community. As can be seen from the graph, the population of Bay Ridge steadily grew from 62,247 in 1990 to 70,346 in 2000. However, a decline occurred after 2000 and the population dropped to an average of 67,968 people between 2006 and 2010. Further analysis of the population can be made by looking at the age, ethnicity, and the gender of the general of the population.
The above graph shows that the majority of the Bay Ridge population is between the ages of 18 and 65. The number of minors and seniors are close but the senior population in Bay Ridge is considered the smallest. When compared to the 2000 and 1990 census, the population of seniors seems to follow a downward trend as the population of middle-aged people and minors continue to grow. The change is significant enough (about 5%), and it looks like Bay Ridge is following a trend of losing its senior population. It should be noted, however, that the senior population might see growth as the baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 continue to grow into old age.
According to the Census Bureau, the female population in Bay Ridge constitutes an average of 51.9% of the total population while males make up 48.9% during the years 2006-2010. The census shows that the female senior population is twice as great as the male senior population, but the there are more male minors compared to female minors. As for the age cohort between 18 and 65, the number of males and females are relatively close with females being slightly higher.
Above are two data charts that display the changes in ethnic makeup and race in the Bay Ridge Community. The Race table shows that the population of Whites has decreased significantly between the years of 1990 and 2010. Possible reasons for this decrease is white flight as other groups of people enter the community or an influx of immigrants from other countries coming into the Bay Ridge area. Nonetheless, the white race continues to make up the bulk of the Bay Ridge area. The Asian population is also seen to be increasing over the years. This Asian segment of the population can be viewed as an extension of the larger Asian community in the Sunset Park neighborhood as most Asians in Bay Ridge live near Sunset Park. The table also reflects a small percentage of blacks and a significant number of races that are not classified as White, Asian, or Black.
As for the ethnic breakdown, the United States Census usually classifies ethnicities based on whether one is Hispanic/Latino or not. People who are considered Hispanic/Latino have origins from Latin American or the Iberian Peninsula. The graph clearly shows that the Hispanic population is small compared to non-Hispanics. Their population currently shows a trend of growth totaling about an average of 14.46% between 2006 and 2010. This group can represent the population of Spanish-speaking people that replaced the Norwegians, Hispanics who desire a better place to live, or Hispanics with a desire to live near the Sunset Park neighborhood, which was once nicknamed “Brooklyn’s Little Latin America” while staying away from an area with a high crime rate.
Although the census bureau does not provide a more comprehensive ethnic breakdown, a walk through the neighborhood makes it apparent that there are concentrations of certain ethnic groups in certain areas. The white Europeans (mostly Italians and Greeks) generally live in the Colonial and Shore Road area in the Western part of Bay Ridge. Middle Eastern Arabs generally live between 4th and 6th Avenue between 69th Street and 80th Street. There are many Middle Eastern restaurants and shops as well as the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge and the Arab American Association in this area which is proof of it’s Middle Eastern characteristic. As for the last major ethnic group that makes up Bay Ridge, the Asians (mostly Chinese), they live in Northern bay Ridge near the Sunset Park Chinese community.
Socioeconomic
Source: American Community Survey, Census Bureau, US Commerce Dept.
The above circle graph reflects the occupational Breakdown in Bay Ridge. Occupations are usually classified as white collar or blue collar depending on the nature of the job. White-collar jobs are those types of jobs that usually require professional and managerial skills and white-collar workers usually work in an office. Blue-collar workers are workers who are usually unskilled and their job requires some sort of physical labor. The chart shows that the majority of Bay Ridge population is in managerial occupations, which is considered to be a white-collar type of employment. This usually correlates with better payment, which is reflected in the graph below.
The chart shows that the majority of households have an average income between 45,000 and 99,999 dollars per year. It should be noted, however, that significant amount of households have incomes below 25,000 per year. According to the Census Bureau, poverty levels are increasing in Bay Ridge over the years with the current percentage of the population below poverty being 13.32%. Although this is much smaller when compared to other areas, this increase should be accounted for. Possible reasons for increase in poverty levels could be increase in living expenses, immigrant population who are just starting life in New York, bigger families, and the economic recession that hit the United States in 2008.
In my opinion, the average class status that can be seen in Bay Ridge is Middle-Middle Class. The majority of population own vehicles, which is evident with the many-parked cars throughout the streets of Bay Ridge. The above charts also reflect this notion of middle-middle class since the majority of the population is in managerial positions with well-paying jobs. The fact that many people are in managerial positions also suggests something about their level of education. To obtain a White-Collar Job nowadays, one usually needs to at least have a bachelor’s degree. This is an indication that the majority of the general community holds some sort of college degree. The crime rate in Bay Ridge is also not high and it is not usual that one hears of crime in the area, which shows that the community is mostly a calm suburban area. Low crime rate is one way to prove that the community is not in some sort of depression and is well off. There are however, many convenience and discount stores mixed in with other elegant shops that give the neighborhood this vive of Middle-Middle class.
Housing
In Bay Ridge, there are many types of housing including apartment buildings, one-family houses, two-family houses, and some multi-family dwellings. These housing types tend to be concentrated and dispersed throughout the neighborhood. The newly built and elegant one family houses are along the Colonial and Shore-Road area, a place virtually devoid of any commercial store or business. White Europeans usually reside in these homes.
Between 3rd and 5th Avenue, there is a large concentration of apartment buildings that can be seen. This is mainly due to this area being where all the stores and commercial businesses are concentrated. Hispanics, Asians, and Middle Eastern Arabs usually reside in these apartments with noticeable concentration of Middle Eastern Arabs between Bay Ridge Ave and 80th Street.
Beyond 6th Avenue, many one-family and two family houses can be seen in the area. This area is also devoid of commercial stores and businesses but these houses are clearly different compared to those on Colonial and Shore Road. While the houses on Colonial and Shore Road have a sense of elegance and renovation to them, these houses look older. Also this area is dirtier compared to the area in Western Bay Ridge.
With better housing, comes a higher price. When I checked various real estate websites, I found out that the houses along the Shore Road area are almost twice as expensive compared to those on 6th Avenue and beyond (Bay Ridge and Fort Hamilton Real Estate). Not only are the houses along Shore Road newer and cleaner, but they also oversee the Narrows Strait and the Shore Road Park, making it an even more appealing place to reside.
Houses along Colonial Road
Educational institutions
Fort Hamilton High School
Bay ridge offers educational institutions, both private and public, that teach grades pre-K to 12th grade. There are no colleges or graduate schools in the area. There are many public schools such as P.S 170, I.S 259 (William McKinley Intermediate School), and the well-known Fort Hamilton High School. The area also has a Catholic School called Xaverian High School and some other Christian-affiliated schools such as the G. Kaloidis Parochial School. The main high school that Bay Ridge is known for is the Fort Hamilton High School, which is also the zoned school for Sunset Park and Dyker Heights.
Located at 8301 Shore Road, the school was built in the 1940’s and is today the main high school serving the community. There are many programs in the school that are designed to help students adjust to the school system as well as an ESL program for students who recently immigrated to the United States. Language classes are also offered in Arabic, Chinese, Italian, and Spanish. These language classes were most likely instituted to encourage immigrant parents to enroll their children as well as provide children of these descents to learn their home language. The school also has many sports team with a renowned Football team that has won the PSAL championship twice in the last ten years (Fort hamilton High School) . An honors program as well as a chapter of the National Honor Society is available at the school.
According to the NYC Department of Education, the number of students enrolled during the 2011-2012 school year was 4,275 with the majority being White (about 34.2%) followed by a large number of Hispanics and Asians (about 30.2% and 30.3% respectively) (Data about Schools). There is also a small Black population in the school (5%).
Religious Institutions:
Islamic Society of Bay Ridge
Bay Ridge is dotted with various religious institutions to serve its religiously- diverse population. There are 29 churches in Bay Ridge serving 10 denominations according to Faith Street (Churches in Bay Ridge). The Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Bay Ridge and St. Mary’s Antioch Ian Orthodox Church were built in the 1950’s which is relatively new compared to other Churches in the area. A Salam Arabic Lutheran Church is also available to serve the Arab Christian community, offering mass in both Arabic and English. A Bay Ridge Jewish center is also there to serve the Jewish community in Bay Ridge
The Islamic Society of Bay Ridge, built during the 1980’s to accommodate the growing Muslim population, serves the majority of the Muslim population in Bay Ridge. Although the mosque’s architecture is not aesthetic, the mosque serves as the largest center for Muslims throughout Bay ridge, even though there are other mosques like Masjid Ar-Rahman in 86th Street. This center serves as a prayer place for Muslims to perform their five daily prayers as well as provide a place for consultation in matters of religion as well as local issues (Islamic Society of Bay Ridge) . This mosque tends to become extremely overcrowded during Friday prayer, to the point where people have to pray on the sidewalk. There is also a youth group in the mosque as a part of a program to encourage youth to learn their religion. Activities include lectures offered in English on topics in Islam, trips to recreational places such as Six Flags and paintballing, and sports competitions that are held monthly to strengthen “the connection between Muslims”. A school is also there that teaches kids how to read and write Arabic as well as memorize Quran and learn other subjects such as math and science.
Cultural Institutions
The Arab American Association of New York, located at 71st Street and 5th Avenue, is a non-profit organization that was founded after the September 11 attacks to help Arab immigrants deal with discrimination geared towards them, adjust to their new home in New York and become active, participating members in the larger society. It offers the Arab community services such as English classes, Citizenship classes, and also helps them find employment. The organization has also helped organize rallies and protests over the years to address issues that concern discrimination against the Arab community. According to the current board president, Dr. Ahmad Jaber, the AAANY is currently more focused on strengthening and defending the Arab community than it is in providing social services (AAANY History). Nonetheless, the AAANY continues to grow and provide more services. A youth program was instituted to also help the Arab youth in the community. AAANY understands that youth tend to assimilate a lot faster than their parents, which they believe to be a good thing, but at the same time they try to help youth not forget about their roots. This is evident in the various social services provided to youth such as SAT prep, Arabic classes, College readiness, and even a newspaper that informs youth about issues concerning them and their community.
BRACA (Bay Ridge Arts and Cultural Alliance) is another organization that is trying to make Bay Ridge a center of culture and the arts. Founded in 2011, the organization cooperates with local business to help bring awareness to the cultural aspect of Bay Ridge as well as promote the arts. The organization is active in achieving its mission and has about 5 events monthly to promote the cultural richness in the Bay Ridge area.
Politics
Senator Martin Golden
New York Senator, Martin Golden, currently represents Brooklyn’s 22nd Senate district (which includes Bay Ridge). His office is located at 74th Street and 5th Avenue and he has been serving his district since 2003. Senator Martin is heavily involved in addressing issues with public school and throughout the years has helped make public schools better as he continues to address the issue of education. One of his most outstanding achievements was “securing 11.2 billion dollars to help improve NYC public schools” (New York Senate). He has also worked diligently with Brooklyn Community Board 10 to address other issues with municipal services.
The Bay Ridge population is considered to be heavily republican. Senator Martin is the only Republican representing in Brooklyn. Representative Michael Grimm, who currently represents New York’s 11th Congressional district (which encompasses Staten Island and parts of Southern Brooklyn such as Bay Ridge), also is a Republican. These political officials and others, show the Republication nature of the general bay Ridge population.
References:
1. Scarpa, Peter. “Bay Ridge.” Bayridge.com Community Web Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2013. <http://bayridge.com/history.php>.
2. Hoffman J. The Bay Ridge Chronicles. New York, NY: Bay Ridge Bicentennial Committee of the planning Board 10; 1976.
3. Bay Ridge & Fort Hamilton Real Estate. Trulia, n.d. Web. 5 May 2013. <http://www.trulia.com/NY/Brooklyn,5029,Bay_Ridge_Fort_Hamilton/>
4. “Welcome.” – Fort Hamilton High School. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 May 2013. <http://schools.nyc.gov/schoolportals/20/k490/default.htm>.
5. “Data About Schools.” – About Us. NYC Department of Education, n.d. Web. 5 May 2013. <http://schools.nyc.gov/AboutUs/data/default.htm>.
6. “Churches in Bay Ridge / Fort Hamilton – Brooklyn – FaithStreet.” FaithStreet. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2013. <http://www.faithstreet.com/new-york/neighborhood/bay-ridge-slash-fort-hamilton>.
7. “Islamic Society of Bay Ridge.” Islamic Society of Bay Ridge. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2013. <http://www.isbr.net/>.
8. “Arab American Association of New YorkHistory – Arab American Association of New York.” Arab American Association of New York. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 May 2013. <http://www.arabamericanny.org/history/>
9. “About Braca.” Bay Ridge Arts + Cultural Alliance. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2013. <http://www.bracabrooklyn.org/ABOUT-BRACA>.
10. “New York State Senate.” New York State Senate. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2013. <http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/martin-j-golden/bio>.
A symbol representing the diverse ethnic backgrounds in Bay Ridge
