East New York: A Brooklyn Chronicle
An exploration of a dynamic neighborhood, its historical evolution, and its multifaceted community.
Discover East New York ๐ Explore its Past โณDive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
Introduction
Defining the Locale
East New York is a significant residential neighborhood situated in the eastern expanse of Brooklyn, one of New York City's five boroughs. Its geographical boundaries are demarcated by the Cemetery Belt and the Queens borough line to the north, the Queens borough line to the east, Jamaica Bay to the south, and the BMT Canarsie Line, Bay Ridge Branch railroad tracks, and Van Sinderen Avenue to the west. Key thoroughfares such as Linden Boulevard, Pennsylvania Avenue, and Atlantic Avenue are central to the neighborhood's connectivity.
Historical Roots
The area's origins trace back to the 1650s with the settlement of the Town of New Lots. It was officially integrated into the City of Brooklyn as the 26th Ward in 1886, and subsequently became part of the consolidated New York City in 1898. Over time, particularly in the latter half of the twentieth century, East New York became predominantly inhabited by African American and Latino communities.
Administrative Context
Administratively, East New York falls under Brooklyn Community District 5. Its primary ZIP codes are 11207, 11208, and 11239. The neighborhood is served by the 75th Precinct of the New York City Police Department and the Fire Department of New York's Battalions 39 & 44. Politically, it is represented within the New York City Council's 37th and 42nd Districts.
Historical Trajectory
Early Settlement and Development
The area's geography, characterized by hills and salt marshes, influenced early settlement. Originally inhabited by Native American tribes, Dutch colonists established the Town of New Lots in the 1650s. The strategic Jamaica Pass, a route used during the American Revolutionary War, played a role in the Battle of Long Island. In 1835, John Pitkin named the area "East New York," envisioning it as a significant urban center. The arrival of the Long Island Rail Road in the mid-19th century spurred development, with East New York becoming a terminus point.
Annexation and 20th Century Transformation
Following its annexation into Brooklyn in 1886 and later into New York City in 1898, East New York experienced further growth. By the mid-20th century, the neighborhood saw a significant demographic shift. The departure of manufacturing jobs post-World War II, coupled with migration from Puerto Rico and the American South, led to increased unemployment and socioeconomic challenges. This period also saw a rise in crime and building abandonment, transforming the area.
Economic Downturn and Urban Renewal
The latter half of the 20th century marked an economic downturn for East New York. Urban planning analyses, such as Walter Thabit's "How East New York Became a Ghetto," highlight the role of landlords, real estate agents, and city policies in the neighborhood's decline. However, community organizing efforts, like the East Brooklyn Congregations (EBC) and the Nehemiah Program, emerged in the 1980s to advocate for affordable housing and community development, leading to significant housing projects and national legislative impact.
Gentrification and Community Resilience
In recent decades, East New York has shown early signs of gentrification, particularly following the 2016 rezoning under the de Blasio administration, which introduced luxury housing developments. Local residents, predominantly from Black and Latino communities, have voiced concerns about displacement and the impact of real estate speculation. Despite these pressures, community initiatives like East New York Farms continue to foster local beautification and engagement.
Demographic Landscape
Population and Density
As of the 2010 census, East New York's population was 91,958, reflecting a 10.4% increase from 2000. The neighborhood covers approximately 1.867 square miles, resulting in a population density of about 49,250 persons per square mile. Community Board 5, which encompasses East New York, reported a population of 181,300 in 2018, with an average life expectancy of 78.6 years.
Ethnic Composition
The demographic profile is diverse. According to the 2010 census, African Americans constituted the largest group at 63.6%, followed by Hispanic or Latino residents at 29.6%. Asian residents made up 3.0%, White residents 1.3%, and other groups comprised the remainder. Recent data indicates a continued majority Black population, with significant Hispanic, Dominican, West Indian, and South Asian communities present.
Socioeconomic Indicators
The median household income in East New York (Community Board 5) was reported as $36,786 in 2016. A notable percentage of residents, around 30% in 2018, live below the poverty line, exceeding citywide averages. Unemployment rates also tend to be higher than the city average, and rent burden affects a significant portion of households, indicating economic challenges within the community.
Geographical Features
Topography and Boundaries
East New York's landscape is shaped by the terminal moraine hills in its northern section and the salt marshes draining into Jamaica Bay in its southern parts. Its boundaries extend to Queens to the north and east, Jamaica Bay to the south, and various transportation lines and avenues to the west, including the BMT Canarsie Line and the Bay Ridge Branch railroad tracks.
Land Use and Subsections
The neighborhood primarily features semi-detached homes, two-to-four-family houses, and multi-unit apartment buildings, including condominiums and co-ops. It also hosts the East Brooklyn Industrial Park. East New York is comprised of several distinct subsections, each with its own character: City Line, New Lots, Spring Creek, Cypress Hills, Starrett City, and the isolated area known as "The Hole."
Connectivity
Subway and Rail
East New York is well-served by the New York City Subway system, with multiple lines and stations providing access. Key lines include the 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains on the IRT New Lots Line, the L train on the BMT Canarsie Line, the A and C trains on the IND Fulton Street Line, and the J and Z trains on the BMT Jamaica Line. The neighborhood also hosts the East New York station on the Long Island Rail Road's Atlantic Branch.
Bus Routes and Infrastructure
Numerous MTA Regional Bus Operations routes serve the area, including express routes like the BM2 and BM5, and various local routes such as the B6, B12, B13, B14, B15, B20, B25, B82, B83, B84, Q7, Q8, Q24, Q56, Q112, B60, and B103. The area is also a hub for transportation infrastructure, including the East New York Yard, Livonia Yard, Pitkin Yard, East New York Bus Depot, and Spring Creek Bus Depot.
Major Roadways
Automobile travel is facilitated by major avenues and highways, including Atlantic Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, Fulton Street, Linden Boulevard (NY-27), Fountain Avenue, Sutter Avenue, Conduit Avenue, Flatlands Avenue, the Belt Parkway, and the Jackie Robinson Parkway, ensuring connectivity within and beyond the borough.
Public Safety
Policing and Crime Statistics
The 75th Precinct of the NYPD is responsible for policing East New York. While overall crime rates have seen a reduction since the 1990s, they remain higher than the citywide average. In 2023, the precinct reported a homicide rate of 25.8 per 100,000 population, significantly exceeding the city's overall rate. Specific crime statistics for 2023 include reported murders, rapes, robberies, felony assaults, burglaries, grand larcenies, and grand larcenies auto.
Fire Safety Services
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) provides essential services through four fire stations and one EMS station located within East New York. These facilities include Engine Company 332/Ladder Company 175, Engine Company 290/Ladder Company 103, Engine Company 236, and Engine Company 225/Ladder Company 107/Battalion 39, alongside EMS Station 39, ensuring community safety.
Community Health
Maternal and Child Health
East New York experiences higher rates of preterm births and births to teenage mothers compared to citywide averages. In 2018, preterm births were recorded at 110 per 1,000 live births, and births to teenage mothers at 29.3 per 1,000 live births. Additionally, childhood obesity rates (25%) are higher than the city average (20%).
Healthcare Access and Conditions
The neighborhood has a lower percentage of uninsured residents (7% in 2018) compared to the city average (12%). However, residents face higher prevalence rates for certain health conditions: 35% are obese, 14% have diabetes, and 34% have high blood pressure, all exceeding citywide averages. Access to healthcare is provided by facilities like NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, East New York, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, and Kings County Hospital Center.
Environmental Factors
The concentration of fine particulate matter, a key air pollutant, is lower in East New York than the citywide average. Smoking rates are slightly below the city average. However, dietary habits show a lower consumption of fruits and vegetables, with 13 residents relying on bodegas for every supermarket, potentially impacting overall health outcomes.
Educational Attainment
Academic Achievement and Challenges
Educational attainment in East New York shows disparities compared to the city average. Approximately 21% of residents aged 25 and older hold a college degree, with 23% having less than a high school education. Reading and math achievement scores have shown improvement over time, but elementary school absenteeism remains higher than the citywide rate, and high school graduation rates are below the city average.
Schools and Libraries
The neighborhood is served by the New York City Department of Education, with numerous public schools. Several high schools have faced challenges with dropout rates and academic performance, leading to restructuring. The Brooklyn Public Library operates four branches in East New York: Arlington, Cypress Hills, New Lots, and Spring Creek, providing vital community resources.
Notable Residents
Cultural and Business Figures
East New York has been home to a diverse array of notable individuals across various fields:
In Popular Culture
Television Portrayal
The neighborhood's unique character and challenges were notably depicted in the CBS television drama series simply titled East New York, which debuted in October 2022. The show explored storylines centered around the fictional 74th Police Precinct, focusing on the lives of NYPD officers patrolling the area and responding to crime scenes and investigations.
Postal Services
Post Offices and ZIP Codes
The primary postal coverage for East New York is provided by ZIP Codes 11207 and 11208, with Starrett City having its own ZIP code, 11239. The United States Post Office operates two key facilities in the area: the East New York Station at 2645 Atlantic Avenue and the Spring Creek Station at 1310 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Click here to open the "East New York" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- Current City Council Districts for Kings County, New York City. Accessed May 5, 2017.
- "Citywide African Burial Grounds Gain Recognition", Our Time Press, October 31ย รขยย November 6, 2013, p.10.
- Brooklyn Genealogy New Lots in 1890s
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional urban planning, sociological, or historical consultation. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.