Castle Hill, Bronx facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Castle Hill
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Neighborhood of the Bronx
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Quimby Avenue east of Castle Hill Avenue (2007)
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| City |  New York City |
| Borough |  Bronx |
| Community District | Bronx 9 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3 km2 (1.3 sq mi) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 38,557 |
| • Density | 11,500/km2 (29,700/sq mi) |
| Economics | |
| • Median income | ,171 |
| ZIP Codes |
10462, 10472, 10473
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| Area code | 718, 347, 929, and 917 |
Castle Hill is a lively neighborhood in the southeast part of the Bronx in New York City. It's bordered by Waterbury Avenue and Westchester Avenue to the north, Westchester Creek to the east, the East River to the south, and White Plains Road to the west. A smaller area called Unionport is also part of Castle Hill, usually found north of Lafayette Avenue.
This neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 9. It uses ZIP Codes 10462, 10472, and 10473. The local police department is the NYPD's 43rd Precinct.
Contents
History of Castle Hill
Castle Hill started as a less developed area. It grew around the old streetcar system on Castle Hill Avenue. Later, more homes were built when the Westchester Avenue Elevated train line was constructed.
Many European immigrants moved to Castle Hill. They were looking for a new place to live away from the crowded areas of Lower Manhattan. Over time, people from different backgrounds, including Latin America, also made Castle Hill their home.
Like many parts of New York City, the area faced some challenges in the mid-1900s. However, since the late 1980s, Castle Hill has seen a lot of positive changes. Many new homes and buildings have been built. Old properties have been fixed up. For example, a city project to update water pipes also improved all the sidewalks and streets.
People and Cultures
Castle Hill is a diverse neighborhood. Many residents have Puerto Rican and Dominican roots. There are also many African Americans living here.
Most homes in Castle Hill are rented. The neighborhood has a mix of different income levels. The NYC Health reported that in 2018, the average life expectancy in this area was about 79.7 years. This is similar to the average for all New York City neighborhoods.
The community has a good mix of ages. About 25% of people are kids and teens (0–17 years old). About 29% are young adults (25–44). Another 24% are middle-aged adults (45–64).
Buildings and Green Spaces
Castle Hill has many different types of buildings. Most of the area is residential, meaning people live there. You can see older buildings, ones from the middle of the last century, and new modern ones. Many homes are attached or detached houses with multiple units.
Large housing complexes are also found here. These include the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Castle Hill Houses. The Mitchell-Lama Jamie Towers housing complex is also in the area.
The main shopping streets are White Plains Road, Castle Hill Avenue, and Westchester Avenue.
Shopping Areas
The Shops at Bruckner Commons is a big shopping center. It separates Castle Hill from the nearby Soundview neighborhood. This center has many well-known chain stores. Other main streets have useful places like supermarkets, pharmacies, barbershops, and fast food restaurants.
The eastern side of the neighborhood, near Westchester Creek, is mostly used for storage and city buildings. The land in Castle Hill gradually gets higher along Castle Hill Avenue.
Fire and Safety Services
Castle Hill has its own New York City Fire Department (FDNY) fire station and an EMS station.
- Engine Company 64/Ladder Company 47 is at 1224 Castle Hill Avenue.
- FDNY EMS Station 3 is at 501 Zerega Avenue.
Mail and ZIP Codes
Castle Hill uses three different ZIP Codes. The area north of the Bruckner Expressway/Interstate 278 is 10472. The area between the Bruckner Expressway and Cross Bronx Expressway/Interstate 95 is 10473. The area north of the Cross Bronx Expressway is 10462. The United States Postal Service has a post office called Castle Hill Station at 1163 Castle Hill Avenue.
Schools and Learning
Castle Hill has many schools for students of all ages.
Public Schools
- PS 138 Samuel Randall School (Kindergarten to 5th grade)
- PS 36 - Unionport School (Kindergarten to 5th grade)
- PS/MS 194
- Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Private and Religious Schools
- St. John Vianney Cure of Ars School (now closed)
- Holy Family School (Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade) (now closed)
- St. Raymond Elementary School (Pre-K3 through 8th Grade)
- Saint Raymond High School For Boys
- St. Raymond Academy for Girls, an all-girls' Catholic high school
Special Education Programs
- New LIFE School (5th to 8th grade)
Library
The New York Public Library has a branch in Castle Hill. It opened in 1963 and moved to 947 Castle Hill Avenue in 1981.
Parks and Fun Activities
Castle Hill has several great places for outdoor fun.
- Pugsley Creek Park is along the eastern shore. It surrounds a historic creek.
- Castle Hill Point Park is at the southern end of Castle Hill Avenue. This park has boat ramps, fishing piers, and amazing views of the Throgs Neck and Whitestone Bridges.
- The Castle Hill YMCA is the only YMCA in the Bronx. It has indoor and outdoor pools, a baseball field, a basketball court, a gym, and an outdoor sitting area with views of the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge.
- The Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club (Lucile Palmaro Clubhouse) is at 1930 Randall Avenue. It even has an ice skating rink!
Getting Around
You can get around Castle Hill using several MTA Regional Bus Operations bus routes:
- Bx4: Goes to Westchester Square or Third Avenue - 149th Street subway stations.
- Bx5: Travels to Pelham Bay Park and Bay Plaza Shopping Center or Simpson Street subway station.
- Bx22: Connects to Bronx High School of Science.
- Bx36: Goes to George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal.
- Bx39: Travels to 241st Street station or Clason Point.
- Q44 SBS: An express bus to Bronx Zoo or Jamaica, Whitestone, Flushing.
- BxM8: An express bus to Pelham Bay or Midtown Manhattan.
The New York City Subway also serves Castle Hill:
- The Castle Hill Avenue station is on the 6 <6> trains line.
The Bruckner Expressway, which is Interstate 278, also runs through the neighborhood.
Castle Hill in Movies
Scenes from the 1984 movie The Pope of Greenwich Village were filmed under the Castle Hill subway stop and on its platform.
Famous People From Castle Hill
Many talented people have grown up in Castle Hill:
- James De La Vega (born 1972), a visual artist known for his street art and murals.
- Darrin Henson (born 1972), an actor and choreographer.
- Ed Kranepool (born 1944), a former baseball player for the New York Mets.
- Jennifer Lopez ("J-Lo"; born 1969), a famous musician and actress. She was inducted into the Castle Hill Hall of Fame in 2006.
- Lynda Lopez, a journalist and author, also Jennifer Lopez's sister.
- Remy Ma (born 1980), a female rapper. She was inducted into the Castle Hill Hall of Fame in 2007.
- Kenny Satterfield (born 1981), a former NBA basketball player.
- Neil deGrasse Tyson (born 1958), a famous astrophysicist, author, and science communicator.
- Kerry Washington (born 1977), a well-known actress.
