Boroughs of New York City

Boroughs of New York City are the five administrative divisions of New York City. The five boroughs—Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, The Bronx, and Staten Island—were consolidated into a single city in 1898. Each borough is coextensive with a respective county of New York State. The boroughs of Queens and the Bronx are also Queens County and Bronx County. The other three boroughs are each a county of its own: Brooklyn is Kings County, Manhattan is New York County, and Staten Island is Richmond County.

History

The concept of the boroughs was first implemented in 1898 when the "Greater New York" legislation was passed. This legislation consolidated the separate cities, towns, and villages of New York into a single city. The term "borough" was used to describe the five constituent parts of the new consolidated city.

Government

Each borough is represented by a Borough President and has a Borough Board, composed of the Borough President, council members from the borough, and the chairperson of each community board in the borough. The Borough President has a role in the land use and development of the borough, and also advises the Mayor of New York City.

Demographics

As of the 2020 Census, Brooklyn is the most populous borough with over 2.7 million residents, followed by Queens, Manhattan, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Each borough is diverse, with residents representing many different cultures, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds.

Geography

Each borough has its own unique geography. Manhattan is primarily a densely populated island, while Staten Island is a more suburban borough. Brooklyn and Queens are located on the western end of Long Island, and The Bronx is located to the north, across the Harlem River from Manhattan.

Culture

The boroughs of New York City are known for their distinct cultures. Manhattan is known for its arts scene, including Broadway and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Brooklyn is known for its hipster culture, with areas like Williamsburg offering a mix of art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Queens is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the world, and its culture reflects this diversity. The Bronx is known for being the birthplace of hip hop, and Staten Island is known for its suburban feel and natural areas, including the Staten Island Greenbelt.

See also

• Government of New York City
• Neighborhoods in New York City
• List of counties in New York