Hillcrest, New York
Encyclopedia
Hillcrest is a hamlet (and census-designated place
), in the Town of Ramapo
, Rockland County
, New York
, United States
located north of Spring Valley
; east of Viola
; south of New Square
and New Hempstead
and west of New City
. The population was 7,106 at the 2000 census.
It is regarded as a bedroom suburb of New York City
, as many residents commute to employment in Manhattan (and, to a lesser extent, northern New Jersey
) by bus
(Red and Tan Lines), train (Metro North Railroad) or automobile
. It is primarily served by the Spring Valley post office.
; the families could access Hillcrest by train. In 1955, the Tappan Zee Bridge
opened (connecting Tarrytown
in Westchester County
with Nyack
in Rockland County
), increasing traffic into the community and making access to New York City easier for the local population. Craig H. Long, the Town of Ramapo historian, said that many secular Jews were part of the first wave of settlers into Hillcrest after the opening of the Tappan Zee. In the 1960s, Hillcrest attracted Jews from Brooklyn
and The Bronx
boroughs of New York City; the Jewish people going to Hillcrest desired inexpensive starter homes, a short commute and a suburban atmosphere.
In the 1990s, the community attracted immigrants from Asia and the Caribbean, as well as from Brooklyn and The Bronx, who moved to the community for the same reasons as the Jews did in previous decades. In the 1990s, the community lost a greater percentage of White people than any other place in New York. From 1980 to 2001, the community's demographics changed from almost completely White to around one-fifth White. David W. Chen of The New York Times
said that "perhaps one of the reasons Hillcrest has managed to evolve so significantly yet anonymously" is the community's hamlet status; he added that "even within Ramapo, Hillcrest is often overlooked." Chen reported that many real estate agents and residents said that no one factor caused or contributed to the ethnic change. Many families moved because their children became adults and they wanted lower property tax rates or because they retired and moved to warmer climates.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all land.
Hillcrest is located on the eastern edge of the Town of Ramapo, approximately midway between the Town of Haverstraw to the north and the New Jersey border (Bergen County
) to the south. Hillcrest is bordered on the north by the Villages of New Hempstead and New Square, on the south by the Village of Spring Valley and by an unincorporated area of the Town of Ramapo, on the east by an unincorporated area of the Town of Clarkstown and on the west by the Village of New Hempstead.
of 2000, there were 7,106 people, 1,979 households, and 1,593 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 5,505.8 per square mile (2,126.9/km²). There were 2,036 housing units at an average density of 1,577.5/sq mi (609.4/km²). This population density is reflected in the Town of Ramapo
's land use plan, which designates most of Hillcrest as medium-high density residential (3 to 10 dwelling units per acre), with a very small portion, located at the intersection of New York Route 45 and Eckerson Road (County Route 74
), designated as neighborhood businesses.
The racial makeup of the CDP was 25.58% White, 51.11% African American, 0.32% Native American, 14.69% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 4.02% from other races
, and 4.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.48% of the population.
There were 1,979 households out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.1% were married couples
living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.5% were non-families. 16.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.49 and the average family size was 3.89.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $68,889, and the median income for a family was $76,960. Males had a median income of $38,451 versus $35,408 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $21,993. About 7.6% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
), in the Town of Ramapo
Ramapo, New York
Ramapo , formerly known as New Hempstead and then Hampstead, is a town in Rockland County, New York, United States located north of New Jersey; southeast of Orange County, New York; south of the Town of Haverstraw and west of the Town of Clarkstown and the Town of Orangetown...
, Rockland County
Rockland County, New York
Rockland County is a suburban county 15 miles to the northwest of Manhattan and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area, in the U.S. state of New York. It is the southernmost county in New York west of the Hudson River, and the smallest county in New York outside of New York City. The...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
located north of Spring Valley
Spring Valley, New York
Spring Valley, incorporated on July 9, 1902 is a village spanning the Town of Ramapo and Town of Clarkstown in Rockland County, New York, United States located north of Nanuet; east of Airmont and Monsey; south of Hillcrest and west of West Nyack...
; east of Viola
Viola, New York
Viola is a hamlet , in the Town of Ramapo Rockland County, New York, United States located north of Airmont; east of Montebello; south of Wesley Hills and west of Hillcrest...
; south of New Square
New Square, New York
New Square is an all-Hasidic village in the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of Hillcrest; east of Viola; south of New Hempstead and west of New City...
and New Hempstead
New Hempstead, New York
New Hempstead, formally known as Kakiat , is a village in the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of New Square; east of Wesley Hills; south of Pomona and west of New City...
and west of New City
New City, New York
New City is a hamlet , in the Town of Clarkstown Rockland County, New York, United States, part of the New York Metropolitan Area. The hamlet is a suburb of New York City, located 18 miles north of the city at the closest point, Riverdale, The Bronx...
. The population was 7,106 at the 2000 census.
It is regarded as a bedroom suburb of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, as many residents commute to employment in Manhattan (and, to a lesser extent, northern New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
) by bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
(Red and Tan Lines), train (Metro North Railroad) or automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
. It is primarily served by the Spring Valley post office.
History
In the early 1900s, Hillcrest became a summer retreat for working class families from New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
; the families could access Hillcrest by train. In 1955, the Tappan Zee Bridge
Tappan Zee Bridge
The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge, usually referred to as Tappan Zee Bridge, is a cantilever bridge in New York over the Hudson River at one of its widest points; the Tappan Zee is named for an American Indian tribe from the area called "Tappan"; and zee being the Dutch word for "sea"....
opened (connecting Tarrytown
Tarrytown, New York
Tarrytown is a village in the town of Greenburgh in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, about north of midtown Manhattan in New York City, and is served by a stop on the Metro-North Hudson Line...
in Westchester County
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
with Nyack
Nyack, New York
Nyack is a village in the towns of Orangetown and Clarkstown in Rockland County, New York, United States, located north of South Nyack; east of Central Nyack; south of Upper Nyack and west of the Hudson River, approximately 19 miles north of the Manhattan boundary, it is an inner suburb of New...
in Rockland County
Rockland County, New York
Rockland County is a suburban county 15 miles to the northwest of Manhattan and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area, in the U.S. state of New York. It is the southernmost county in New York west of the Hudson River, and the smallest county in New York outside of New York City. The...
), increasing traffic into the community and making access to New York City easier for the local population. Craig H. Long, the Town of Ramapo historian, said that many secular Jews were part of the first wave of settlers into Hillcrest after the opening of the Tappan Zee. In the 1960s, Hillcrest attracted Jews from Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
and The Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
boroughs of New York City; the Jewish people going to Hillcrest desired inexpensive starter homes, a short commute and a suburban atmosphere.
In the 1990s, the community attracted immigrants from Asia and the Caribbean, as well as from Brooklyn and The Bronx, who moved to the community for the same reasons as the Jews did in previous decades. In the 1990s, the community lost a greater percentage of White people than any other place in New York. From 1980 to 2001, the community's demographics changed from almost completely White to around one-fifth White. David W. Chen of The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
said that "perhaps one of the reasons Hillcrest has managed to evolve so significantly yet anonymously" is the community's hamlet status; he added that "even within Ramapo, Hillcrest is often overlooked." Chen reported that many real estate agents and residents said that no one factor caused or contributed to the ethnic change. Many families moved because their children became adults and they wanted lower property tax rates or because they retired and moved to warmer climates.
Geography
Hillcrest is located at 41°7′47"N 74°2′8"W (41.129645, -74.035527).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all land.
Hillcrest is located on the eastern edge of the Town of Ramapo, approximately midway between the Town of Haverstraw to the north and the New Jersey border (Bergen County
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
) to the south. Hillcrest is bordered on the north by the Villages of New Hempstead and New Square, on the south by the Village of Spring Valley and by an unincorporated area of the Town of Ramapo, on the east by an unincorporated area of the Town of Clarkstown and on the west by the Village of New Hempstead.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 7,106 people, 1,979 households, and 1,593 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 5,505.8 per square mile (2,126.9/km²). There were 2,036 housing units at an average density of 1,577.5/sq mi (609.4/km²). This population density is reflected in the Town of Ramapo
Ramapo, New York
Ramapo , formerly known as New Hempstead and then Hampstead, is a town in Rockland County, New York, United States located north of New Jersey; southeast of Orange County, New York; south of the Town of Haverstraw and west of the Town of Clarkstown and the Town of Orangetown...
's land use plan, which designates most of Hillcrest as medium-high density residential (3 to 10 dwelling units per acre), with a very small portion, located at the intersection of New York Route 45 and Eckerson Road (County Route 74
County Route 74 (Rockland County, New York)
County Route 74 is a long west–east county route in the central part of Rockland County, New York. CR 74 begins at US 202 in Montebello, near Harriman State Park, and ends at CR 35A in New City. CR 74 is an alternate route to County Route 80, as it runs...
), designated as neighborhood businesses.
The racial makeup of the CDP was 25.58% White, 51.11% African American, 0.32% Native American, 14.69% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 4.02% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.48% of the population.
There were 1,979 households out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.5% were non-families. 16.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.49 and the average family size was 3.89.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $68,889, and the median income for a family was $76,960. Males had a median income of $38,451 versus $35,408 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $21,993. About 7.6% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.