Data & Analysis Phase 1

Five Fast Facts: A Spatial Look at Western Queens

admin November 5, 2019 No Comments

The following are five observations gleaned from the spatial visualization of changes in Western Queens from 2000-2017. They are not conclusive or endpoints, nor do they encapsulate all that the maps tell. They are openings for digging deeper.

#1 – A lot has changed in Western Queens in the last 20 years.

Two maps of new residential growth for 2000 and 2017, and states: for one, there has been a tremendous amount of new residential construction concentrated primarily in south-western LIC since the turn of the century.

#2 – Despite loads more new residential construction, a higher percentage of tenants in Western Queens are struggling to pay rent today than in the past.

Shows two maps showing cost-burden for 2000 and 2017, and states, Today, a higher percentage of tenants are cost-burdened - or allocating 30% or more of their income to cover rent.

# 3 – The new housing in SW Queens is categorically different from the other housing in the region.

Shows map showing percent of buildings with more than 10 units in 2017, and states, 40-60% of residential buildings in SW LIC have 10 or more units.

Shows map showing the percentage of tenants paying mor than $1,500 per month in rent, and states that 60-80% pay this in LIC.

#4 – Though less so, rents across region have also gone up.

Shows two maps showing that most tenants in western queens pay more than $1000 in rent today; but almost none in 2000.

#5 – Only public housing rents have remained remotely consistent over time.

Shows two maps showing that most tenants only public housing tenants pay less than $1000 per month in rent today.

Shows two maps showing that most tenants only public housing tenants pay less than $500 per month in rent today.

This is but one interpretation. There are many. I encourage you to view all the maps and draw your own conclusions.

Data for these maps comes from the 2000 Decennial Survey and the 5 year estimates from the 2017 American Community Survey, both conducted by the US Census. I encourage you to see the full write-up if you haven’t already.

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