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Do You Live In Central Park?
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 26, 2011
Modified Mar 28, 2011
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 26, 2011
Modified Mar 28, 2011
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Apparently the 2010 Census workers were extremely thorough. According to the count, 25 people call Central Park their official home, a 39 percent jump from their numbers in 2000. And while that might sound strange, you know you're just jealous that they don't have to pay for the best real estate in town.
The Census Bureau thinks that either a few homeless people got copies of the Census forms, or that the residents are parks workers living in a "caretaker facility." But Parks Department spokeswoman Vickie Karp told the Times that there are no parks workers living in the park, so that leaves crafty hobos camping out near the Bethesda fountain. But Central Park isn't the most popular public space in which to live; 56 people call Flushing Meadows-Corona Park home, and apparently five are living in Greenwood Cemetery.
The city was also surprised that Lower Manhattan neighborhoods like Battery Park City and the Financial District saw lots of growth since the 2000 Census. Many expected the population to drop in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Bronx neighborhoods like Melrose and Morrisania also saw a jump in population—about 27 percent. One resident said, "It used to be run-down and burned-down buildings everywhere. You wouldn't dare come through here after 3 o'clock without full armor." However, Astoria, Queens saw a nearly 12 percent drop in the population since 2000. Chief city demographer Joseph Salvo thinks the Census overstated the number of vacant homes in Astoria and other Queens neighborhoods. Or perhaps they just wanted to get away from the mice.
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Jaya Saxena
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