Harlem
Located in the northern section of New York City, Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan. The area is bounded by Frederick Douglass Boulevard from the west, the Harlem River from the north, Central Park from the south and Fifth Avenue from the east. New developments are still in progress here as the area is transforming towards the famed Harlem Renaissance.
The neighborhood serves as a central point for historic institutions in the city. Columbia University and City College are located to the south and north of Harlem which makes this place a hub of intellectual culture. Other than that, many elementary, primary and middle schools are located in the proximity of this neighborhood. Primary zip codes of this neighborhood are 10026, 10027, 10030, 10037 and 10039.
History
Originally this neighborhood was a Dutch Village and organized in 1658. Its name came from a city of Netherlands, Haarlem. In the 18th century, Harlem remained a pastoral and farming area. The neighborhood turned to a fashionable district in the 19th century. After World War I, Harlem changed to the Harlem Renaissance, a center of literary development.
This renaissance was led by famous poets like Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, Alain Locke and James Weldon Johnson. In the 19th century, Harlem was occupied by Italians and Jewish Americans but in the 20th century the neighborhood started to fill with African-American residents – thanks to the ‘Great Migration’. In NYC, the term ‘Harlem’ is used as a synonym for New York’s black community.
Till the late 20th century, most of the residents of Harlem were black and that was due to the deindustrialization and unemployment in New York City. Since the late 20th century, West Harlem is experiencing the effects of gentrification and development.
In the early 21st century, blacks contribute to the 40% population of Harlem and the gentrification further reduced these numbers. The actual area of Harlem starts at 110th Street and ends at 155th Streets. You can get to the neighborhood through A, B, C or D trains.
Adjacent Neighborhoods
Morningside Heights, Washington Heights, Upper East Side, and Upper West Side.
Buildings – Flat or Tall?
Harlem is filled with beautifully architect buildings with many brownstones. Real Estate in this area is heating up but still, you can find affordable apartments.
Population
According to the stats of 2016, the total population of Harlem was 116,345 with a density of 32,000/km2 (83,000/sq mi).
What’s here?
Basically, Harlem is divided into three sections: West Harlem, Central Harlem and East Harlem. West Harlem consists of Manhattanville, Sugar Hill and Hamilton Heights. During its peak days, West Harlem was a premium place to watch Billie Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald. On 125th St. you will find the famous Apollo Theater and H&M. The neighborhood is home to many delicious restaurants like Corner Social, Sylvia's Soul Food, and Red Rooster.
Summary
Since the Harlem Renaissance, Harlem has emerged as a booming neighborhood filled with dance, art, music and theater. If you are in Upper Manhattan, do visit this place and explore the history and intellectual culture of NYC.
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