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In terms of the biggest predominantly black and middle class concentration within a city in the region, here is some information for Southeast Queens by zip code and using the median black family income.
I'll stop there, but there are other zip codes that are pluralistically more black nearby with similar incomes.
There are 279,338 people between the zip codes listed and roughly in the low 80's in percentage. To put this into perspective, the black population of these zip codes aren't too much lower than that of DC proper and the overall population of these zip codes is on par with cities such as Buffalo, Newark, Pittsburgh, etc., but with a median black family income roughly in the mid/high 90k's.
If you include some of the nearby zip codes, you are probably talking about 350,000 or so people and still in the high 60's/low 70's in black percentage, with an income still in the 90k's. Let alone the adjacent suburbs in Nassau County with pluralistically more/predominantly black populations like Elmont(has probably one of the best predominantly black public high schools in the country), North Valley Stream, etc. that have 6 figure median black family incomes.
So, in totality, SE Queens/western Nassau County likely has one of the biggest concentrations of the black middle class in the country, let alone the Northeast.
SE Queens/Long Island is really underrated I think as an area of black middle class area.
SE Queens/Long Island is really underrated I think as an area of black middle class area.
I agree. While it gets some attention in that regard, I think it should be included in such conversations more than it is. Not only in terms of concentration/population, but the percentage is quite high as well. That’s even in comparison to the concentrations in the usual areas that people refer to.
I don't think its underrated. I think its pretty well-known for a northeastern area.
Outside of the Northeast, it's very underrated. When you mention Queens or Long Island to most folks unless they have family there, images of generally safe, diverse, black middle class neighborhoods full of homeowners is not what comes to mind.
Hell a lot of black folks, at least in the South, think 1) everything is the Northeast is NYC and 2) all black NYer live in rat infested 300 sq. ft tenements.
Middle class areas in NY are also dismissed because they're majority Caribbean in most cases.
Outside of the Northeast, it's very underrated. When you mention Queens or Long Island to most folks unless they have family there, images of generally safe, diverse, black middle class neighborhoods full of homeowners is not what comes to mind.
Hell a lot of black folks, at least in the South, think 1) everything is the Northeast is NYC and 2) all black NYer live in rat infested 300 sq. ft tenements.
Middle class areas in NY are also dismissed because they're majority Caribbean in most cases.
I think some are, but in many cases, there is a mix, leaning one way or another. For instance, I believe that Westbury, which has a very high median black family income is mainly African American(but a mix). I think it is the same for Lakeview, Baldwin, Freeport and West Babylon as well on Long Island. However, I understand what you are referring to, as some black folks may view such areas as different.
Something else you may see/hear usually in the media is that when you hear about black people in some other NY(or Northeastern) cities, it is usually viewed from a poverty or low income lens, as if there aren't middle class black people in those cities or areas.
I think some are, but in many cases, there is a mix, leaning one way or another. For instance, I believe that Westbury, which has a very high median black family income is mainly African American(but a mix). I think it is the same for Lakeview, Baldwin, Freeport and West Babylon as well on Long Island. However, I understand what you are referring to, as some black folks may view such areas as different.
Something else you may see/hear usually in the media is that when you hear about black people in some other NY(or Northeastern) cities, it is usually viewed from a poverty or low income lens, as if there aren't middle class black people in those cities or areas.
This is why I appreciate your posts and BBMM's highlighting other areas in NY state and New England respectively. They definitely provide another perspective
Outside of the Northeast, it's very underrated. When you mention Queens or Long Island to most folks unless they have family there, images of generally safe, diverse, black middle class neighborhoods full of homeowners is not what comes to mind.
Hell a lot of black folks, at least in the South, think 1) everything is the Northeast is NYC and 2) all black NYer live in rat infested 300 sq. ft tenements.
Middle class areas in NY are also dismissed because they're majority Caribbean in most cases.
Yea it’s crazy that what you’re saying is true. My perspective is very constrained to the northeast. But not even as much as my actual experience is.
SE queens and SW Long Island is flat predictable suburbia and SFH. But with some reasonable density and a lotta black people
‘Im light skin I live in queens, I love eatin chicken and collard greens…... I go to to St John University…’
still super applicable today.
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