Based proudly in New York City, the lawyers at Banville Law represent injury victims throughout the state. Led by Laurence Banville, Esq., our team of personal injury attorneys is dedicated to protecting the rights of residents who have been harmed through no fault of their own.
While securing fair and adequate compensation for the victims of negligence is our priority, we’re always looking for fascinating ways to put the home that we love in perspective.
We put together this free infographic to get a “big picture” look at New York’s population. Comparing NYC to America’s other major cities, we’ve also included details on how the city was affected by the recession and the long recovery afterwards.
Want to dig deeper? We’ve made infographics for each borough, along with the State as a whole. Follow the links to learn more about where you live:
New York City: Population Facts & Statistics
New York City is America’s most populous urban area, and the 24th largest urban population in the world.
But even with more than 8.406 million residents crammed into only 469 square miles, we’re not the most densely populated. That dubious honor goes to Union City, New Jersey, just 20 minutes north on the Hudson.
More town than city, Union’s 66,455 residents live within an area that spans less than 20 square miles. That’s 51,810 people per square mile, compared to New York City’s 26,403. Imagine doubling the amount of people you see in a day. Feel claustrophobic yet?
Population Compared To Other Major US Cities
New York’s population is more than double that of its closest competitor, Los Angeles. Despite the fact that LA is more than 500 square miles, it has only 3.884 million inhabitants.
Here’s how New York City stacks up against America’s other largest cities:
- Chicago, coming in at only 234 square miles, has 2.719 million residents.
- Houston, a whopping 627 square miles, has 2.196 million people call it home.
- Philadelphia, a scant 142.6 square miles, is home to 1.5 million.
- Phoenix has 1.5 million residents, too, but sprawls with 517 square miles of total land area.
- San Antonio, home to 1.4 million, comes in at 465 square miles.
Population Lost During The Recession
As with most American cities, New York City’s population has grown steadily over time. But the recession of 2009 forced many to leave their homes in search of job opportunities elsewhere. Compared to other major urban areas, New York lost less than most.
NYC lost 2.41% of its total population between 2009 and 2010. Chicago lost 5.37%, while Houston saw 6.86% escape rising housing costs. Phoenix was hit particularly hard. More than 9% of its once-robust arts community sought work outside the central Arizona city.
Unemployment, Then & Now
While unemployment was high everywhere at this time, New York’s rate was actually third lowest out of America’s seven largest cities.
Unemployment peaked across the country in January of 2010. In New York, 10.5% of the city’s residents were out of work. Compared to 14.1% in LA, 12.9% in Chicago, 11.2% in Philadelphia and 12% in Phoenix, we weathered the storm surprisingly well.
Our recovery has been strong, too. According to the New York Times, the unemployment rate had fallen to 6.4% by the end of 2014. In Los Angeles, it’s still up around 9.4%. The United States as a whole is down to 5.6%.
Housing Prices
With the recession’s worst damage dealt, residents new and old flooded New York again, raising housing costs to historic levels.
The median one bedroom apartment in New York City is the second most expensive in the country, at $3,000 per month. Famously expensive San Francisco comes in first, where a one room apartment costs $3,370 a month.
LA, the nation’s sixth most expensive place to live, is almost half as much. A one bedroom will cost you $1,700 in the City of Angels.
Median Income
Income, on the other hand, hasn’t kept pace.
In 2004, the median household in New York City made $48,617. By 2012, the sum had only increased to $50,711. If pay raises had kept up with inflation, it would have amounted to $59,090.
The US Census Bureau’s estimate for 2013 saw another increase, to $52,259. But that’s still well below the state itself, where the median household made $58,003.
Income Distribution
In New York City, long a bastion of income inequality, the richest 20% of residents pulled in more than 50% of all the money earned in 2010. Here’s how the rest of New York makes out:
- 7.2% of residents make less than $10,000
- 5.4% of residents make between $10,000 and $14,999
- 10.7% of residents make between $15,000 and $24,999
- 10.4% of residents make between $25,000 and $34,999
- 13.7% of residents make between $35,000 and $49,999
- 18.2% of residents make between $50,000 and $74,999
- 12.2% of residents make between $75,000 and $99,999
- 12.8% of residents make between $100,000 and $149,999
- 4.8% of residents make between $150,000 and $199,999
- 4.6% of residents make $200,000 or more
Despite the past decade’s troubles, we believe that New York City remains America’s greatest place to live and work. Culturally vibrant and incredibly diverse, there’s no where we’d rather be.
Contact New York City’s Personal Injury Lawyers
But all that can change in an instant. Serious injuries will put a wide range of burdens on anyone’s shoulders, no matter where you live or how much you make.
If you were injured, and believe that someone else’s negligence led to your accident, you may be entitled to compensation. But there’s no way to know unless you reach out.
Contact the personal injury attorneys at Banville Law today. Schedule a free, no obligation consultation and you’ll speak with an experienced attorney within 24 hours. Discuss your situation, learn more about your legal options and start making decisions that are in your best interest now. There’s no cost and no legalese, just the answers you need.
Call (917) 551-6690 or fill out our contact form for more information.