The Bronx

by The Linguist

The Bronx, New York by Population

The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. With a population of 1,472,654 as of 2020, it is the third-most populous borough after Brooklyn and Queens.

History

The Bronx was originally part of Westchester County but became part of New York County in 1874 before being established as Bronx County in 1914. The borough’s history dates back to the 17th century when it was inhabited by the Native American Siwanoy tribe. Later it was colonized by Europeans and became an agricultural area providing food for the growing city of New York. The Bronx saw massive growth and development in the early 20th century. However, it suffered from urban decay and arson in the 1960s-1980s before rebounding with reinvestment and revitalization efforts. To learn more about the history of The Bronx, visit the Wikipedia page.

Population

As of the 2020 Census, The Bronx had a population of 1,472,654 making it the 7th most populous borough in the United States. Some key facts about the population:

  • 50.9% of residents are Hispanic/Latino (of any race)
  • 42.8% of residents are Black or African American
  • 13.9% of residents are non-Hispanic White
  • 4.5% of residents are Asian
  • 28.2% of residents are foreign born

The Bronx has grown more diverse over the past few decades as immigration has increased. The Hispanic and Latino population has risen significantly while the non-Hispanic White population has declined. Population density is very high at around 35,000 people per square mile.

Geography

The Bronx is located on the mainland of New York City and is the only borough that is part of the United States mainland. It is bordered by Westchester County to the north, the Hudson River to the west, the Harlem River and Manhattan to the southwest, the East River to the southeast, and Long Island Sound to the east.

The Bronx covers 42 square miles of land area and has a terrain that ranges from flat near the waterfront areas to hilly and higher elevations inland. The highest point in The Bronx is in Riverdale at about 280 feet above sea level.

Government

The Bronx is governed by the New York City government as a borough. It elects representatives to the New York City Council and is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Congressional Districts 14, 15, and 16.

Contact information for The Bronx borough government offices:

Office of the Bronx Borough President
851 Grand Concourse #301
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 590-3500

Economy

The Bronx has a diverse economy made up of industries such as health care, education, transportation, wholesale and retail trade, utilities, professional services, and public administration. The economic output of The Bronx would rank in the top 100 countries globally with a GDP of over $38 billion as of 2017.
Major employers in The Bronx include Montefiore Medical Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, the U.S. Postal Service, MTA New York City Transit, the New York City Department of Education, and Charter Communications.

For more information on the Bronx economy, visit the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

Transportation

Public transportation is the main mode of transport in The Bronx. The New York City Subway runs through the borough on several lines including the 2, 4, 5, 6, B, and D trains. These provide access to Manhattan and other boroughs. The Metro-North Railroad also has stations in The Bronx.

Major highways in the borough include I-95, I-87, I-295, I-678, the Bronx River Parkway, and the Hutchinson River Parkway. Bee-Line Bus System provides bus service within The Bronx and to Westchester County.

For more on getting around The Bronx by public transportation, visit the MTA website.

Education

The New York City Department of Education operates public schools in The Bronx. As of 2020 there were over 180,000 students enrolled across 328 elementary, middle, and high schools. The City University of New York also has a presence in The Bronx through Hostos Community College and Herbert H. Lehman College.

Major school districts in The Bronx:

Landmarks

There are many notable landmarks and points of interest in The Bronx including:

  • Yankee Stadium – Home of the New York Yankees located at 1 E 161 St, The Bronx, NY 10451. Website
  • The Bronx Zoo – Largest urban zoo in the US located at 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460. Website
  • Arthur Avenue – “Little Italy” of The Bronx known for Italian food and culture. Located between East 187th Street and East 188th Streets.
  • Woodlawn Cemetery – 400 acre cemetery with many famous burials located at Webster Ave & E 233rd St, The Bronx, NY 10470. Website

GPS coordinates for landmarks:

  • Yankee Stadium: 40.829230, -73.926498
  • Bronx Zoo: 40.850632, -73.877636
  • Arthur Avenue: 40.842574, -73.910514

Tourism

With attractions like the Bronx Zoo, Yankee Stadium, and great Italian food, The Bronx has a lot to offer visitors. Plan your trip to The Bronx using the resources below:

Local Sports

The Bronx is home to the iconic New York Yankees who play at Yankee Stadium in the Concourse neighborhood. They have won 27 World Series championships. Check out the Yankees website for more information on the team.

Local Resources

Learn more about The Bronx and find local services at these resources: