I chose to do more research and insight on the business of McSorley’s Old Ale House and the neighborhood surrounding it. Being the oldest bar still standing in New York City, it’s safe to say it’s been located in the same spot in the East Village for quite a while, more specifically since 1854. The population densities per square miles has not changed too much, as compared to 1970. I chose to look at 1970 because it was an import year for the ale house, more specifically it was the year women were allowed to come into McSorley’s and ask for a drink. In 1970, the census shows the population for the community around the pub is about 135,300, while in 2015 it was 110,238. I found it interesting that the population decreased, seeing that more and more people are moving into new apartments and new condos are popping up everywhere. On the other hand it makes sense because a large number of Irish immigrants came to America in the late 19th century and moved into crowded neighborhoods and low quality housing. East Village was way over populated with new residents, and the city had to put effort into easing the population density to make housing more comfortable and humane (not like a bunch of sardines packed together). Since these immigrants spread out to the outer boroughs and found their ethnic enclaves in new neighborhoods, the population density per square mile decreased in the East Village.
Looking at the average household incomes, in 2015 it was $94,790 and in 1970 it was $8,388. This may seem like a very drastic change, but you must also consider inflation of course. In 1970, $16.37 is the equivalent of $100 today. Still the residents living in the neighborhood of the East Village has differed in class. The immigrants that came and settled in this neighborhood were far from wealthy or upper middle class. A lot of them were even considered lower class. They came to this country and brought little with them back from their motherland. For the Irish, many of them were flocking to the US to escape the potato famine, so they were hungry and poor. The East Village was similar to Ellis Island. I t was seen as a gateway to get a piece of the American Dream. Many of them worked for low wages and didn’t care for the conditions. Others started their own businesses that are still around today, such as McSorley. In present day, a large number of immigrants still occupy the neighborhood, but less first generation. The rising rent costs and the increase in cost of living in the city play a big role in determining who moves in and out of the neighborhood.
In 1950 the percent of the population in that sector was 60.05%, while in 2015 it was 73.183%. I would expect the population percentage of the native born residents to increase. In the earlier time period, it was mostly immigrants occupying this residential area, hence the large percentage of foreign born citizens. As you move forward in time passing as few generations, more of the citizens are native-born and their parents or grandparents are the immigrants in the family. The first owners of McSorley’s Old Ale House were Irish immigrants. The owners today are American born citizens that live in the same building as where the business is located.
Polina S.
