This is an Interactive Map of the Williamsburg Area / Click Here to View Williamsburg in a larger map
Greenpoint/Williamsburg is a diverse neighborhood in Brooklyn and now home to hipsters and the Old Polish population alike. This neighborhood has a rich history, influenced by the large immigration population throughout the 1900s, the Fiscal crisis of 1975, the rezoning of the area in 2005, and gentrification. The area’s population from poor immigrants of mostly Polish and Italian descent to artists and students seeking inexpensive housing to the current population of wealthy young people who are responding to the increased popularity of the neighborhood and who can afford the increasing rents, unlike the old population who are struggling to cope with the rising rents. There has also been an increase in the land available for residential use, resulting in the influx of many young businessmen and women and a changes in the establishments that serve the community as they seek to acclimate to the different demographics.
Greenpoint-Williamsburg has become home to “hipsters”. These trendy young people are pushing working class populations out of the neighborhood, and sometimes clash with the Polish population of Greenpoint.
Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord
Change in Industrial Employment from 1991 to 2002
The top map, provided by Social Explorer shows the percentage of residents between the ages of 25 and 34 according to the 1960 Census. The bottom map , also provided by Social Explorer, shows the percentage of residents between the ages of 18 and 34 living in the area according to the 2010 Census. Clearly the concentration of younger people has drastically increased in the past fifty years, showing the change in demographics.
Greenpoint/Williamsburg has also seen a great increase in pedestrian traffic as commercial corridors made by the rezoning of 2005 such as Bedford Avenue have attracted many customers, primarily young hipsters and artists. A graph of increased pedestrian traffic at the Bedford Avenue ‘L’ Train station shows this increase, which highlights Greenpoint/Williamsburg’s Gentrification.
