Staten Island | USA New York

Staten Island is the southernmost and least populated borough of New York City. Often referred to as the "Forgotten Borough," it is characterized by its suburban feel, extensive parkland, and a population that maintains the highest rate of homeownership and the lowest crime rates in the city.

Historical Timeline

Originally inhabited by the Lenape people, who called it Aquehonga. In 1609, Henry Hudson named it Staaten Eylandt after the Dutch parliament. In 1776, it was the site of the Conference House meeting, a failed attempt to avert the Revolutionary War. The borough remained largely rural and isolated until the 1964 opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which triggered a massive residential boom, primarily of families relocating from Brooklyn.

Demographics & Population

The estimated 2026 population is 490,687.

Median Age: 40.4 years, the highest in NYC.

Composition: 56% White (with the highest concentration of Italian Americans in the U.S. at ~25%), 20% Hispanic/Latino, 14% Asian, and 9% Black or African American.

Economics: Median household income is $98,290, with a relatively low poverty rate of 10.9%.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

St. George: The civic and transportation hub, home to the Staten Island Ferry terminal, Borough Hall, and the St. George Theatre.

South Shore: The most suburban region, including neighborhoods like Tottenville and Great Kills, known for large detached homes and high safety ratings.

North Shore: The most urbanized and diverse area, currently undergoing a $10 million Downtown Revitalization targeting St. George and Stapleton.

Todt Hill: The highest natural point on the eastern seaboard south of Maine, known for exclusive estates and winding roads.

Top City Landmarks

Staten Island Ferry: A free, 25-minute transit service providing the best views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden: A 83-acre former home for sailors featuring Greek Revival architecture and the Chinese Scholar’s Garden.

Historic Richmond Town: A living history village and museum complex that preserves American life from the colonial period to the present.

Fort Wadsworth: One of the oldest military installations in the U.S., now a park offering panoramic views of the Narrows.

Alice Austen House: The Victorian Gothic home of the pioneering female photographer, now a national landmark museum.

Conference House: The site of the 1776 peace conference, located at the southernmost tip of New York State.

Transportation Network

Staten Island is the only borough not connected to the NYC Subway system. It relies on the Staten Island Railway (SIR) and an extensive bus network.

North Shore Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Currently in the advanced planning stages to reactivate the North Shore rail right-of-way for faster transit between West Shore Plaza and St. George.

Bridges: Connected to Brooklyn via the Verrazzano-Narrows and to New Jersey via the Goethals, Bayonne, and Outerbridge Crossing.

Safety & Environmental Alerts (Jan 23, 2026)

Safety Profile: Consistently ranked as the safest borough. The serious crime rate is 6.6 per 1,000 residents, less than half the citywide average.

Winter Storm Watch: Effective Sunday morning, Jan 25, through Monday. Heavy snow accumulation of 6–12 inches is forecast.

Cold Weather Advisory: In effect from 10:00 PM tonight until 10:00 AM Saturday. Lows will reach -12°C (10°F) with wind chills near -21°C (-5°F).

Travel Advisory: Expect delays on the Staten Island Ferry and SIR during the peak of the storm on Sunday.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

The borough is home to the Teleport, a 100-acre office park and data center hub. The city is currently deploying Smart City sensors in St. George to monitor air quality and traffic flow. The US Dollar (USD) is the currency; sales tax is 8.875%.

Climate & Air Quality

Staten Island has a Humid Subtropical climate (Cfa) with maritime moderation.

Air Quality: Good (AQI 30).

Resilience: Following Hurricane Sandy, massive seawall and "Living Breakwaters" projects are being constructed along the South Shore to protect against future storm surges.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso: $4.00 – $5.50

1 Standard Lunch (St. George): $18.00 – $30.00

Median Monthly Rent: $1,846 (Single person average).

Cost of Living: 30% higher than the U.S. average but 35% lower than Manhattan.

Facts & Legends

Staten Island contains more than 12,300 acres of protected parkland, earning it the nickname "Borough of Parks." A verified fact: It is home to the oldest surviving schoolhouse in America (the Voorlezer's House, c. 1695). A local legend involves the "Staten Island Clown," a series of creepy sightings in 2014 that turned out to be a viral marketing stunt, though stories of "Cropsey"-a boogeyman linked to the former Willowbrook State School-persist in local folklore.