Astoria Now & Then

Astoria is an ever-changing multiethnic neighborhood. It is a place where you can see all different kinds of people, hear different languages, eat diverse cuisine, and rejoice in the cosmopolitan character of New York.

Background

The first settlers of Astoria were the Germans and Dutch. During the 1800s and 1900s many Irish immigrants settled in Astoria as well. After  world war two many Italians called Astoria home. Greek immigration into Astoria increased rapidly during the 1960s. Arabs soon followed suit and Egyptians, Moroccans, Algerians, and other Arabs settled in Astoria beginning in the mid 1970s. South Americans and other European groups were next to settle in Astoria. (Astoria, Queens 1)⁵¹.

The total population of Astoria is 168,482. According to the 2007-2011 American Community 5-Year Estimate survey (ACS), 17,798 Italians, 14,367 Greeks, 12,070 Irish, 10,619 Mexicans, 8,172 Germans, 2,452 Brazilians, and 1,812 Egyptians call Astoria home. From the 1990s to 2011, Italians remain the single most dominant group in Astoria, however their population in Astoria seems to be diminishing. This same pattern of decrease is observed with the Greek, Irish, and Brazilian population. The Hispanics make up a large portion of Astoria’s population; in fact, the Mexican and Puerto Rican population alone make up over 20,000 of the population of Astoria .While the population of Astoria was predominantly Italian and Greek, a decline in their populations has created space for new groups to move in. (Infoshare)⁵⁴

Greeks

Greek presence in Astoria can be traced back to the 1960s. The population of Greeks in Astoria was much larger before and in the year 1980 reached 21,415 (Infoshare)⁵⁴. A walk through Astoria gives the impression that Astoria is predominantly Greek. This is due to the fact that many Greeks in Astoria have established Greek oriented businesses. There are however Italian, Irish, Brazilian, and Egyptian businesses and community centers. However, there has thus been a steady decline in Greek population in Astoria as Greeks  experience upward mobility they relocate their residence to areas such as Whitestone, Bayside, and Long Island. However they tend to keep their businesses in Astoria, this gives the impression that there are more Greeks than there really is. Today there are more American, Italian, and Chinese restaurants than Greek restaurants (Rosenberg 1 )⁶⁰. During our visit I heard other languages and saw a variety or Arab, Japanese, Italian, Greek, and south Asian restaurants. In fact, “there are over 560 restaurants of 55 cuisine types” located in Astoria (Moore 1)⁵⁷. Although many Greeks have left Astoria, the current economic crisis in Greece suggests that there will be a surge of Greek immigrants in Astoria once again (Chaudhuri 1)⁵³.

Egyptians

Astoria houses an unofficial “Little Egypt” which is centered on 28^th Avenue and Steinway Street (Bilefsky 1)⁵². The Egyptian population in Astoria was 1,718 in the year 2000 and has steadily increased since then to around 1,812 according the the ACS (Infoshare)⁵⁴. Many hookah bars, mosques, Arab food and traditional clothing are sold there. Although we did not explore this part of Astoria, it is an important facet of this multicultural neighborhood. Egyptians make up the largest Arab population in Astoria; however other sources claim that the Egyptian population in Astoria is over 14,000 (Bilefsky 1)⁵². The 2007-2011 ACS suggests that the population of Egyptians in Astoria is increasing and flourishing. There are also many other Arab minority groups that reside in Astoria such as the Moroccans, Lebanese, Algerians, and Syrians(Infoshare)⁵⁴.

Brazilians

Maxine Margolis refers to the Brazilians as an “invisible minority” because the majority of Brazilian immigrants are undocumented (Margolis) ⁵⁶. Thus, it is very much possible that the population of Brazilians are not decreasing, as the ACS census shows. An article written by Nicole Pesce for the Daily News claims “increasing numbers of Brazilians have been taking advantage of Astoria’s affordable rent.” The Barril Grill, Chocolate Spoon Café, Point Brazil Restaurant, J&M Bakery, and Malagueta Restaurant are just a few of the Brazilian food shops in Astoria. Brazilian newspapers such as “Brazilian Press” are sold on 36^th Avenue. There are also many Brazilian salons scattered throughout Astoria. Thus, one cannot be certain as to wether or not the Brazilian population in Astoria is decreasing or the invisible minority is increasing. (Pesce 1)⁵⁹

Other Groups

The current number of Italians living in Astoria is 17,798 a much smaller number than the 1990 Italian population of 28,825. The Mexican population has grown exponentially as there are now over 10,000 Mexicans alone. Other Hispanic groups such as Ecuadorians, Puerto Ricans, Columbians, Dominicans, and Peruvians are also large in numbers as well. The Irish population decreased from 1990 to 2000 and so far their numbers have been quite steady at around 12,000. The German population has experienced a growth and is now at 8,172. There are many more groups that live in Astoria and help shape Astoria into a culturally diverse and unique community. (Infoshare)⁵⁴

Population Drop

The 1990 census determined the population of Astoria to be 169,691 while the 2000 census revealed the population to be 192,154 (Infoshare)⁵⁴. The estimated population of Astoria as of 2011 was 168,482. Between 2000 and 2011 there was an estimated decrease of 23,672 in the overall population of Astoria (Infoshare)⁵⁴. Many residents of Astoria were shocked to hear about the population drop. Aravella Simotas, Astoria’s state assemblywoman refutes this calculation (Koster, Kussin 1)⁵⁵. She claims that Astoria has grown exponentially over the past few years and that a decrease in the recorded population may be the result of residents who did not fill out the census (1)⁵⁵. Nonetheless, Astoria portrays a perfect example of ethnic succession. As Greeks and other Astoria residents move out and relocate, different groups move in to fill in the vacancies. This has had mixed results for Astoria. More Japanese, Korean, Mexican, Dominican, and Ecuadorians are moving in and making Astoria even more culturally diverse (Infoshare)⁵⁴. Yet the attractive location of Astoria has made it a hotbed for gentrification as Manhattanites are beginning to settle in Astoria in pursuit of lower rent. This however has caused an increase in rent and may effect the ethnic make up of Astoria as it may cause others to move out.

– Arwa El-Rowmeim