Here's Where Harlem Grew, Shrunk The Most Since 2010

HARLEM, NY — The 2020 Census makes it clear that Harlem is growing. An analysis by Patch shows where, exactly, that growth took place.

As a whole, Harlem's population grew by more than 20,000 people since 2010, a nearly 7 percent increase. That growth was distributed unevenly, however, with the Black population declining by 10,800 while the white population grew by 18,7600.

Examining Harlem's census tracts gives a nearly block-level view of those changes. Across East, West and Central Harlem, most tracts gained population in the past decade, though more than a dozen got smaller.

Zoom in on the map below and click each tract to see the population changes since 2010.

Large swaths of Central and north-Central Harlem grew more populous since 2010, while other areas, especially in West and East Harlem, got smaller, the data shows. Parts of Hamilton Heights, too, saw their overall populations shrink.

The tract with the single biggest population loss — 659 people — covers a narrow strip between 134th and 138th streets, west of Amsterdam Avenue.

New housing aligns with growth

Unsurprisingly, the parts of Harlem that grew significantly appear to have been spurred by new housing construction. This map, showing the net change in the number of housing units in each tract, largely matches the population growth map.

The tract that grew the most since 2010 runs along the Harlem River between around 145th and 155th streets, with a gain of 3,503 residents. It also gained the most new housing: 2,051 homes, according to census data.

That likely includes new developments like 2600 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd., a 103-unit condominium built in 2019, and Rev. Dr. Charles A. Curtis Plaza, a seven-story building on West 153rd Street with 50 affordable apartments that opened in 2016.

This is part of a series of articles breaking down insights from the 2020 Census in Harlem. To stay on top of future installments, subscribe to the newsletter from Harlem Patch.

Previous coverage: Harlem Lost 10K Black Residents, Gained 18K Whites This Decade