Manhattan

by The Linguist

Manhattan, New York by Population

Manhattan, often referred to locally as simply “the city”, is the most densely populated of New York City’s five boroughs. It is an iconic global center of culture, finance, media, and technology.

History

Manhattan has been inhabited by native Lenape tribes and used for hunting and fishing for thousands of years. It was colonized as a Dutch trading post called New Amsterdam beginning in 1624.

The British gained control in 1664 and renamed the area New York after the Duke of York. The Commissioners’ Plan of 1811 laid out Manhattan’s distinctive street grid pattern.

Rapid growth turned 19th century New York into the largest and most influential city in the US. Major infrastructure projects like the Brooklyn Bridge, subway system, and skyscrapers transformed the landscape.

Throughout the 20th century, Manhattan cemented itself as a culture and business hub. Today it contains the headquarters of many major corporations, renowned arts institutions, and a diverse mix of iconic neighborhoods.

Demographics

Manhattan had a population of 1,628,706 as of the 2020 US Census. With a land area of just 22.83 square miles, it has extremely high population density of over 70,000 people per square mile.

Manhattan is one of the most diverse places in the world. Around 48% of residents are foreign born. No single ethnicity or race constitutes a majority. There are vibrant enclaves like Chinatown, Little Italy, and Harlem with African American heritage.

The borough is coextensive with New York County. Residents of Manhattan therefore live in New York County, which has information available on the New York City Department of Planning website.

Economy

Manhattan has the largest central business district in the US. Its economic engine runs on industries like finance, insurance, real estate, media, tourism, healthcare, tech, and retail.

Many corporate headquarters are located in Manhattan. Major companies based in the borough include:

  • JPMorgan Chase (270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, (212) 270-6000)
  • Pfizer (235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, (212) 733-2323)
  • Verizon (140 West Street, New York, NY 10007, (212) 395-1000)
  • American Express (200 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10285, (212) 640-2000)

Other major employers headquartered in Manhattan include the United Nations, numerous law firms and investment banks, the New York Public Library, luxury retailers, and media companies.

Culture

Manhattan contains countless cultural attractions and entertainment options. Iconic sites include:

It is home to Broadway theater, hundreds of galleries and music venues, elite universities like NYU, and major sports teams like the Knicks and Rangers.

Transportation

Manhattan has unparalleled public transportation access. The MTA operates an extensive network of subways and buses. Many national rail lines also terminate at Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal.

Iconic sights like yellow cabs and the Staten Island Ferry also move residents and visitors around the borough. The major access points are LaGuardia and JFK Airports.

Neighborhoods

Manhattan has many distinct neighborhoods, including:

  • Financial District – Home to Wall Street and the 9/11 Memorial
  • TriBeCa – Trendy area that stands for Triangle Below Canal Street
  • SoHo – Upscale shops and galleries in a landmark cast-iron building district
  • Greenwich Village – Bohemian neighborhood with NYU and Washington Square Park
  • Upper East Side – Affluent residential area
  • Harlem – Historic center of African American culture enjoying new investment

Landmarks

As an international capital, Manhattan is filled with instantly recognizable landmarks:

  • Times Square (Broadway & 7th Ave, New York, NY 10036) – 40°45’27.5″N 73°59’09.5″W
  • Empire State Building (350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118) – 40°44’54.2″N 73°59’08.5″W
  • One World Trade Center (285 Fulton St, New York, NY 10007) – 40°42’46.8″N 74°00’48.6″W
  • Central Park (Central Park South, New York, NY 10019)
  • Rockefeller Center (45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111)
  • Wall Street (Wall St & Broad St, New York, NY 10005)
  • Statue of Liberty (Liberty Island, New York, NY 10004)

Living in Manhattan

Manhattan offers endless amenities right at your doorstep, but the cost of living is quite high. Median rents for a 1-bedroom apartment are over $3,500 per month.

For families, popular residential neighborhoods include the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and parts of Greenwich Village and Lower Manhattan. The borough contains many excellent public and private school options.

Most residents live within the New York City public school district. Some of the main public school districts covering Manhattan include:

  • District 1 – East Village and Lower East Side
  • District 2 – Greenwich Village, SoHo, Midtown, Upper East Side
  • District 3 – Upper West Side, Harlem

Private school options are abundant as well. The borough offers endless amenities and New York charm!