Demographics and EconomyFrom The Peopling of New York CityIntro and the Built Environment History of Coney Island Demographics and Economy Recent News Picasa Gallery
Commerce and EconomyTourismConey Island is one of New York's most famous tourist attractions. Coney Island features a beach, boardwalk, rides, food, fireworks, a museum and an aquarium. It is easily accessible by subway (Q, D, F, and N Trains) or car, a definite factor of its popularity.   Times of OperationRides are open on weekends from Easter until Memorial Day. The beach and boardwalk are open all year round. Nathan's Hot Dogs and the New York Aquarium are open almost every day of the year. The Coney Island Museum is also open on weekends. Residential Neighborhoods, Incomes and HouseholdsThe residential areas of Coney Island do not attract new residents to come and settle there. Most of the people living at Coney Island lived there for more than five years and hardly any people are moving to Coney Island. There are "high-rise housing projects with graffiti in the elevators, and abandoned buildings of brick and stone with their windows broken". This is part of the reason why there is going to be renovation in Coney Island. Statistical data indicates that most of the neighborhood’s houses was built in 1960’s, 1970’s, another reason while renovation of this whole area is so important to be considered. The land area is 1.4 square miles, with very high population density – 35, 060 people per square mile. Most of the people rent their living – 79% of the population in 16, 048 renter-occupied apartments, while the rest live in the 20, 883 houses and condos.
In this neighborhood there is a total of 49, 669 households. Family households include: 5,258 households that have 2 people, 3,210 3-persons, 2,202 4-persons, 1,083 5-persons, 492 6-persons, 513 7-or-more-persons. Non-family households include: 7,032 1-person households, 389 2-persons, 39 3-persons, 8 4-persons. The census data also includes that there are lesbian couples, constitute 0.3% of all households, and gay men, 0.2% of all households. The Average household size is 2.5 persons. The Income Tax returns of 2005 indicate a high level of poverty in this area. Average income is $30, 707, whereas state wise its $59, 519. The median household income is $24,723, much less than the state’s $49,480. The percent of residents below the poverty level as of 1999 data indicates a tremendously high percent of 32.1%, which is two times more than the overall poverty of the New York state. The averages for the available vehicles in owner-occupied houses also speak for themselves: three times more people don’t own a vehicle in comparison with the state average. About 41% commute to their work using subway, 24% by cars and 10% by bus, and 40.7% of the population spend more than 60 minutes on commuting.[1]
DemographicsPopulationThe population of Coney Island as of 2000 is 51 205 people, 45% male and 55% female.[2]
Coney Island has a very diverse population.
Half of Coney Island's population of over 25 speaks a language other than English which is more than the United States percentage of a mere 17.9%. Also, 35.9% of Coney Island's over 25 population is foreign born, compared to a much lower 11.1% of foreign born over 25 in the United States.
EducationThe level of education of the Coney Island population is rather low compared to the New York State averages. 20.7% have bachelor’s degree or higher, however only 70.1% out of the total population graduated from high school. That means almost 30% don’t have a high school diploma, which is not much different from the New York State percentage of high school graduates. Coney Island Schools:
Famous PeopleTwo famous people from Coney Island are Arlo Guthrie, a famous folksinger, and Harry Houdini, a magician. Harry Houdini was one of Coney Island’s most noted celebrities, known nowadays worldwide. His first performance took place in 1891, a “tent act.” In 1894 he performed at the Vacca’s Theater. The show was called the Metamorphosis, which was basically box escape. Houdini had a rival, named Risey, who challenged Houdini, saying he can repeat his trick. After five minutes of being inside the box, Risey begged to be let out. Houdini married Bess Raymond, a performer and entertainer like himself. References
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