Staten Island

by The Linguist

Staten Island, New York

Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York City and is located in the southwest portion of the city. With a population of around 476,000 as of the 2020 census, Staten Island is the least populated of the city’s five boroughs but still has more residents than major U.S. cities such as Miami, Atlanta, and Minneapolis. It is situated primarily on the island of the same name, one of the largest islands along the Atlantic Coast of North America.

History

Staten Island has a long and rich history dating back to pre-colonial times. The Lenape Native Americans were the original inhabitants of the island and had a presence there for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. In 1624, the Dutch established the first European settlement on the island, which they called Staaten Eylandt. Control of the island traded hands between the Dutch and British over the ensuing decades before it was permanently ceded to the British in 1674.

During the American Revolutionary War, Staten Island served as a key British stronghold and was the site of significant military action. The island remained rural and agricultural well into the 19th century. With the 1898 consolidation of New York City, Staten Island was included as one of the city’s five boroughs. Its population steadily grew in the 20th century with improved transportation links to Manhattan and the development of suburban communities. Today, Staten Island is a thriving residential borough that retains much of its small-town charm even as it has become more linked to and integrated with the greater New York metropolitan area.

Geography and Population

Staten Island occupies an area of around 102 square miles, making it the third-largest borough geographically after Queens and Brooklyn. However, with a population density of just over 7,000 people per square mile, it is by far the least densely populated borough. Staten Island is separated from the borough of Brooklyn by the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and Kill Van Kull.

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Staten Island has an estimated population of 476,179 residents. This represents over 6% of New York City’s total population. The population is predominantly white, with around 70% identifying as non-Hispanic white alone. Hispanics comprise the largest minority group at just under 20% of the population. Staten Island’s population is slightly older than New York City overall, with a median age of 40 compared to 36 citywide.

Attractions and Landmarks

As one of New York’s five boroughs, Staten Island is home to a number of popular attractions and landmarks:

  • Statue of Liberty – While the Statue of Liberty itself is situated on Liberty Island just off the southern tip of Manhattan, it is accessible via ferries that depart from Staten Island’s St. George Terminal. Lady Liberty has welcomed immigrants and visitors to New York Harbor since 1886.
  • Snug Harbor Cultural Center – This 83-acre complex on Staten Island’s north shore includes botanical gardens, performance venues, art galleries, and museums. It occupies the former grounds of a retirement home for sailors.
  • Conference House Park – The 1,600-acre park includes the historic Conference House, constructed in 1680 and which served as the site of an attempted peace conference during the Revolutionary War. The park offers views of the Verrazano Bridge and Raritan Bay.
  • Richmond County Bank Ballpark – This scenic waterfront stadium has been the home of the Staten Island Yankees minor league baseball team since 2001.

Other notable Staten Island attractions include the Staten Island Museum, Staten Island Zoo, Alice Austen House, and the borough’s many pristine parks and beaches along the coastline.

Transportation

Staten Island is connected to the rest of New York City by an extensive transportation network:

  • Staten Island Ferry – Passenger ferries provide free, around-the-clock service between St. George Terminal on Staten Island and Whitehall Terminal in lower Manhattan. The 25-minute ferry ride provides outstanding views of New York Harbor and the city skyline.
  • Verrazano Narrows Bridge – This double-decked suspension bridge connects Staten Island to Brooklyn. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world when completed in 1964.
  • MTA Buses – Local and express buses operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority provide service throughout Staten Island and to other parts of New York City.
  • Staten Island Railway – The sole rapid transit line on Staten Island runs along the east side of the island, from Tottenville to the ferry terminal.

Staten Island’s major highways include the Staten Island Expressway and Richmond Parkway, both of which connect to the Verrazano Bridge and to New Jersey via the Goethals and Outerbridge Crossing bridges.

Economy and Major Employers

Although largely residential, Staten Island is home to some important economic activity as well:

  • Amazon – The retail giant operates a large fulfillment center situated along the island’s western coast that employs over 2,500 people.
  • J.B. Hunt Transport – This Fortune 500 transportation company has an office in Staten Island.
  • Staten Island University Hospital – With multiple campuses on Staten Island, the hospital is one of the borough’s largest employers with over 6,500 employees.
  • New York City Fire Department – Staten Island is home to a major FDNY training campus and headquarters.

Other major Staten Island employers include the Staten Island Borough President’s Office, City of New York Department of Corrections, Empire Outlets retail complex, and numerous small businesses, stores, and restaurants throughout the borough.

County and Local Government

Staten Island constitutes the Borough and County of Richmond. It is the only borough coterminous with a county. The office of the Staten Island Borough President functions as the executive branch of the borough’s local government. The current Borough President is Vito Fossella.

The Borough President’s office is located at:

Borough Hall
10 Richmond Terrace
Staten Island, NY 10301

Phone: (718) 816-2000

Education

Public education in Staten Island is provided by the New York City Department of Education. The borough contains nine public high schools, including the specialized Staten Island Technical High School.

In addition, Staten Island is home to several private K-12 schools, including Staten Island Academy and St. Joseph Hill Academy. It also hosts one public college, the College of Staten Island, as well as a campus of St. John’s University.

Tourism

Staten Island offers many attractions and activities to visitors and residents alike. Popular tourism sites include:

The official tourism website for Staten Island provides additional visitor information and events listings.

Sports

The primary professional sports team calling Staten Island home is the Staten Island Yankees. This Class A affiliate of the New York Yankees baseball team plays at Richmond County Bank Ballpark along the waterfront in St. George. The stadium offers stunning views of lower Manhattan and the harbor beyond the outfield.

Local Landmarks

Here are the GPS coordinates for three notable Staten Island landmarks:

  • Statue of Liberty – 40.6892494, -74.0466891
  • Snug Harbor Cultural Center – 40.6378775, -74.1063695
  • Richmond County Bank Ballpark – 40.6440135, -74.0752478

The embedded map above shows the location of Richmond County Bank Ballpark in Staten Island, one of the borough’s notable attractions.

Additional Local Resources

Here are some other useful resources for learning more about Staten Island:

  • Visit Staten Island – Official tourism portal with listings of attractions, events, and deals.
  • SILive.com – Local news and information site from Staten Island Advance.
  • NYC Parks – Details on Staten Island’s parks, playgrounds, and recreation facilities.
  • Staten Island Arts – Promotes the borough’s local arts, cultural events, and creative community.
  • New York Public Library – The library system operates seven branches on Staten Island.