Baychester, Bronx facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Baychester
Neighborhood of the Bronx
Country	United States
State	New York
City	New York City
Borough	The Bronx
Community District	The Bronx 12
Area
• Total	6.8 km2 (2.61 sq mi)
Population  (2000)
• Total	63,345
• Density	9,371/km2 (24,270/sq mi)
Economics
• Median income	42,102
Ethnicity
• Black	57.4%
• White	27.5%
• Asian	2.74%
• Native American	0.03%
• Hispanic	18.0%
• Others	2.9%
ZIP Codes	10469
Area code	718, 347, 929, and 917

Baychester is a neighborhood in the northeast part of the Bronx, New York City. It's a busy area with many homes. The neighborhood is bordered by East 222nd Street to the north and the New England Thruway (I-95) to the east. To the southwest is Gun Hill Road, and to the northwest is Boston Road. Eastchester Road is a main street that runs through Baychester.

Baychester is part of Bronx Community Board 12. Most homes are on streets numbered from the 201s up to the 220s. The main ZIP Code for Baychester is 10469. This ZIP Code also covers the nearby area of Pelham Gardens, Bronx. The neighborhood is kept safe by the 47th Precinct of the New York City Police Department.

About Baychester

Baychester is mostly made up of one- and two-family houses. The neighborhood covers about 2.61 square miles. The land here is generally flat and low. Some parts of the East Bronx were even built on marshland.

A Fun Fact: Freedomland U.S.A.

Did you know that Baychester was once home to a huge amusement park? It was called Freedomland U.S.A. This park opened in 1959 and closed in 1964. Today, the area where the park once stood is now Co-op City. A small part of Baychester is also sometimes called Fish Bay.

Who Lives in Baychester?

In 2000, about 63,345 people lived in Baychester. The neighborhood has a mix of different groups of people. About 57.4% of residents were African American, and 27.5% were White. Around 18.0% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.

Baychester used to have mostly White residents. Now, many people living here are from the West Indies. The average income for families in Baychester was about $42,102 in 2000. Some families in the area have lower incomes.

Health and Community Life

Baychester is part of a larger area called Community District 12. In 2018, this area had about 156,542 people. The average life expectancy here is about 81 years, which is similar to other parts of New York City.

Most people in Baychester and Williamsbridge are young or middle-aged adults. About 24% are kids and teens (0–17 years old). About 27% are young adults (25–44 years old), and 26% are middle-aged adults (45–64 years old).

Keeping Baychester Safe

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) helps keep Baychester safe. Fire Station Engine Co. 38/Ladder Co. 51 is located at 3446 Eastchester Road.

Post Offices

The United States Postal Service has two post offices nearby. The Hillside Station is at 3482 Boston Road. The Baychester Station is at 1525 East Gun Hill Road.

Learning in Baychester

Compared to the rest of New York City, Baychester and Williamsbridge have fewer residents who have finished college. In 2018, about 32% of adults (25 and older) had a college degree or higher. However, 48% had a high school diploma or some college education.

Students in Baychester and Williamsbridge have shown good progress in math. The number of students doing well in math went up from 32% in 2000 to 48% in 2011. Reading scores stayed about the same.

Schools in the Neighborhood

Baychester has many schools for different age groups:

• P.S. 76 - Bennington Elementary School
• P.S. 78 - Anne Hutchinson Elementary School
• P.S. 87
• P.S. 89 - Williamsbridge Elementary School
• P.S. 97
• P.S. 121 - The Throop School
• P.S. 169 - Baychester Academy
• M.S. 144 - Michelangelo Middle School
• Bronxwood Preparatory Academy
• Christopher Columbus High School (Bronx)
• Harry S. Truman High School (Bronx) (in Co-op City)
• Evander Childs Educational Campus (in Williamsbridge)

Private Schools

• Lavelle School for the Blind

Libraries

The New York Public Library (NYPL) has two branches that serve Baychester. The Eastchester branch is at 1385 East Gun Hill Road. It opened in 1950. The Baychester branch is at 2049 Asch Loop North in Co-op City. This branch opened in 1973.

Getting Around Baychester

Baychester has many ways to get around using public transportation.

Bus Routes

Several MTA Regional Bus Operations bus routes serve Baychester:

• Bx25, Bx26: These buses go to Co-op City or Bedford Park.
• Bx28: This route connects Co-op City and Fordham Center.
• Bx30: You can take this bus to Co-op City or the Pelham Parkway subway station.
• Bx31: This bus goes to Woodlawn or the Westchester Square – East Tremont Avenue subway station.
• Bx38: This route also connects Co-op City to the 205th Street subway station.
• BxM10: This express bus goes to Midtown Manhattan.

The Bee-Line Bus System also serves Baychester, connecting it to Westchester County, New York:

• BL60: To White Plains, New York or Fordham Center.
• BL61: To Port Chester, Mamaroneck, and Larchmont, New York, or Fordham Center.
• BL62: An express bus to White Plains, New York (during rush hour) or Fordham Center.

Subway Stations

Baychester is served by two New York City Subway stations on the 5 train line:

• Baychester Avenue
• Gun Hill Road