Wash Heights, Inwood Had Biggest Exodus In NYC From 2010 To 2020

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Washington Heights and Inwood saw the two most significant population declines of all neighborhoods in New York City from 2010 to 2020, according to the 2020 census.

Out of the 197 residential neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs, Washington Heights South and Inwood were the only two that saw population declines of five percent or more.

The exodus of people from Upper Manhattan from 2010 to 2020 is even more eye-catching given the fact that the city grew by 7.7 percent during the decade, a much faster pace of growth than the rest of the country's biggest metro areas.

Additionally, the population numbers in Washington Heights and Inwood contrast with the rest of Manhattan, which grew by 108,378 people during the decade, according to the 2020 census.

"The Upper Manhattan neighborhoods of Washington Heights (North and South) and Inwood saw the most substantial population declines of all neighborhoods throughout the city, with Washington Heights (South) in particular losing 5,400 residents," reads a summary of the census data provided by the city.

Overall, Community District 12, which is made up of Washington Heights and Inwood, lost 9,800 residents from 2010 to 2020. It was one of only two community districts that saw a population decline in New York City.

The other area to see a decline in population, Manhattan Community District 3, lost just 136 residents.

Upper Manhattan did grow in one demographic, though: white people.

Washington Heights South had the fourth greatest growth in the white population — an increase of 42 percent — of any neighborhood in the borough from 2010 to 2020.

While the white population jumped in Upper Manhattan, the Hispanic community decreased by the biggest margins in New York City.

"Manhattan was the only borough to experience an overall decline in the Hispanic population, decreasing 0.2 percent. Washington Heights (North and South) are home to the largest Hispanic populations in Manhattan, and both neighborhoods experienced declines in the Hispanic population from 2010 to 2020 (-11 and -16 percent, respectively)," read a summary page provided by the city about the 2020 census numbers.

The decrease in Hispanic people above 155th Street in Manhattan differentiated from other nearby neighborhoods, such as the Upper West Side and Harlem, which both saw over a 25 percent increase in their Hispanic community.

Here's a full breakdown of the population swings in Washington Heights and Inwood over the past decade.

Washington Heights South

• 2010: 77,417 total population
• 2020: 72,037 total population
• Total: -5,380 people
• 2010: Hispanic population: 57,882
• 2020: Hispanic population: 48,447
• Total: -9,435 Hispanic people

Washington Heights North

• 2010: 74,157 total population
• 2020: 71,842 total population
• Total: -2,315
• 2010: Hispanic population: 49,059
• 2020: Hispanic population: 43,832
• Total: -5,227 Hispanic people

Inwood

• 2010: 38,283 total population
• 2020: 36,299 total population
• Total: -1,984 people
• 2010: Hispanic population: 27,952
• 2020: Hispanic population: 24,951
• Total: -3,001 Hispanic people

Overall, 17,663 Hispanic people left Washington Heights and Inwood from 2010 to 2020, according to the census.

On the other hand, the two neighborhoods gained 4,824 white people during the decade.

The Black population in the Upper Manhattan community stayed relatively steady over the period, but did decrease slightly, according to the census.

You can check out the New York City census 2020 numbers for yourself here.