This series of maps speaks to population and housing trends in western Queens over the last two decades. The images of select datapoints are stark, even if expected. A brief methodological note is included below, or use the button below to go to the full write-up.
Brief Methods Note: In ArcMap, I merged census tract level TIGER Shapefiles of NYC’s 5 boroughs (2000 and 2010) to create two census tract level geographies for all of NYC. These were then joined – also in ArcMap – with tables of data produced by the US Census decennial survey (2000) and the American Community Survey (5 year estimates from 2017). Pairings of data for 2000 and 2017 were exported as images showing a particular data point (i.e. Gross Rent less than $1,000 per month). These images are stored on a private server and available for review and download here. Raw, cleaned and spatial (shapefiles and geoJSONs) are also available. Additional features were added to the maps to provide context. These include waterways, parks, NYCHA Housing campuses, subways lines, neighborhood names, the 59th Street Bridge and Sunnyside Yards.
Explore Maps
Total Population: 2000 | 2017 | Side-by-side
Average Income: 2000 | 2017 | Side-by-side
Race – ALL Side-by-side
– % Indigenous: 2000 | 2017
– % Black: 2000 | 2017
– % Asian: 2000 | 2017
– % White: 2000 | 2017
Formal Employment (over 16 yrs old)
ALL Side-by-side
– % Employed: 2000 | 2017
– % Unemployed: 2000 | 2017
Formal Educational Attainment (over 25 yrs old)
ALL Side-by-side
– 9th – 12th grade, no diploma: 2000 | 2017
– HS Graduate: 2000 | 2017
– BA Degree: 2000 | 2017
– Graduate Degree: 2000 | 2017
Building Size (number of units used as proxy)
– 2 units: 2000 | 2017
– 3-4 units: 2000 | 2017
– 5-9 units: 2000 | 2017
Total Housing Units: 2000 | 2017 | Side-by-side
Tenure – Side-by-side
– % Renter-Occupied Units: 2000 | 2017
– % Owner-Occupied Units: 2000 | 2017
Monthly Rent – ALL Side-by-side
– Less than $500: 2000 | 2017
– Less than $1,000: 2000 | 2017
– More than $1,000: 2000 | 2017
– More than $1,500: 2000 | 2017
Home Value – ALL Side-by-side
– Less than $500,000: 2000 | 2017
– More than $500,000: 2000 | 2017
– More than $ 1 million: 2000 | 2017
Cost Burden – ALL Side-by-side
( monthly housing costs more than 30% of income)-Renters: 2000 | 2017
Owners: 2000 | 2017
ALL Side-by-side
– 10 or more units: 2000 | 2017
– 10-19 units: 2000 | 2017 (N/A)
– 20 or more units: 2000 | 2017 (N/A)
These last two tables differ from the others. The data points in each set tell a collective narrative over time of change over time; not different points of change between 2000 and 2017.
Tenure of Tenants – ALL Side-by-side
– Moved in 2015 or later
– Moved in between 2010 and 2014
– Moved in between 2000 and 2009
– Moved in in 1990s
– Moved in in 1980s
– Moved in in 1970s
Year Building Constructed – ALL Side-by-side
– Built since 2010
– Built since 2000
– Built in 1990s
– Built in 1940s & 50s
