The neighborhood that we analyzed was Jackson Heights and I decided to focus especially on the area around Khan’s Tutorial. Jackson Heights is very interesting because it is known as one of the most diverse places in the city. I chose to look at the changes in the neighborhood starting in 2000 because it was the most recent census data when the Khan’s first opened Khan’s Tutorial.
There are minor changes from 2000 to 2015. For example, from 2000 to 2015 western Jackson Heights had attained a larger percentage of Asian people. It was also interesting to note that in northeastern Woodside, the neighborhood to the southwest of Jackson Heights, also increased their Asian population. This could be an example of an expanding ethnic enclave. Another difference from 2000 to 2015 is that central and eastern Jackson Heights became more Hispanic, and in turn, the percentage of white people overall in Jackson Heights has decreased in almost all census tracts. This makes sense because Jackson Heights is one of the most multicultural neighborhoods in the world. As more immigrants start immigrating to Jackson Heights, the original inhabitants of that neighborhood will start to be pushed out.
The education level has stayed the same from 2000 to 2015. But there is an evident need for a tutorial center like Khan’s Academy because almost all the census tracts in Jackson Heights at least 20% of the population 25 and over have less than a high school education and around 70-80% of the population 25 and over is a high school graduate or equivalent. There is a need for more people to get a higher education, at least some collegiate experience. A tutorial center like Khan’s Tutorial can provide the training and develop the skills needed to excel in college placement exams and get a higher education.
There is a major difference when looking at the per capita income in Jackson Heights. Per capita income is the average income earned per person in a certain area. In 2000, almost all of the census tracts the per capita income was less than $20,000. The only two census tracts that recorded a per capita income of over $20,000 were in southern Jackson Heights. In 2015, most census tracts recorded a per capita income of over $20,000, especially in northern Jackson Heights. Only 3 census tracts showed a per capita income of less than $20,000, which is a stark difference from 2000. Similar to 2000, southern Jackson Heights had the highest per capita income, ranging from $27,000 – $40,000.
This data may not be entirely correct because immigrant neighborhoods tend to have a higher rate of cash transactions, which give them the ability to not report those transactions to the government to avoid taxes.
