Wakefield, Bronx facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wakefield
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Neighborhood of The Bronx
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| City |  New York City |
| Borough |  Bronx |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.57 km2 (0.991 sq mi) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 29,158 |
| • Density | 11,360/km2 (29,423/sq mi) |
| Economics | |
| • Median income | $56,446 |
| ZIP codes |
10466, 10470
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| Area code | 718, 347, 646 |
Wakefield is a working-class and middle-class section of the northern borough of the Bronx in New York City, bounded by the New York city line with Westchester County or 243rd street to the north, 222nd Street to the south, and the Bronx River, Bronx River Parkway and Metro-North Railroad tracks to the west. Wakefield is the northernmost neighborhood in New York City (although the city's northernmost point is actually in Riverdale, at the College of Mount Saint Vincent). The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 12. The neighborhood's primary ZIP Code is 10466, with certain areas around East 241st Street and White Plains Road listed as 10470.
History
Wakefield, like the rest of the Bronx, was once mainly forested and later became farmland. With the expansion of railroad transportation via the arrival of the New York and Harlem Railroad circa 1840, the area experienced moderate development before the borough was merged with New York County as a result of the state legislature's decision to amalgamate the four original boroughs to form New York City. Prior to this merger, Wakefield and the Bronx were politically part of Westchester County (the Bronx later attained independent county status on April 19, 1912, which makes it the 62nd and youngest county in the state). The current Wakefield station of the Metro-North Railroad's Harlem Line was on the site of a village called Washingtonville, which was incorporated into Wakefield when it became a village on August 8, 1889.
Demographics
Formerly, Wakefield was home to large Irish American and Italian-American populations. During the 1980s, these communities were replaced with large African American populations, which now comprise 72.3% of the neighborhood's total population. 19.6% of the population is Hispanic. Many residents are or are descended from Jamaican and West Indian immigrants.
The 2000 United States Census reported a total of 68,787 residents. Wakefield was named after the Virginia plantation where George Washington was born.
Social problems
Though the crime rate has historically been high, like other sections of New York, Wakefield has shown a steep decline in both violent and non-violent crime. The neighborhood has also seen a rise in gangs and gang-related violence from neighboring Edenwald The high school drop-out rate is higher than the city average, but lower than central Bronx neighborhoods. Many households in the area are headed by a single mother.
Transportation
- Bx8: to Locust Point (via Williamsbridge Road)
- Bx16: to Eastchester or Norwood – 205th Street (via Nereid Avenue and Mundy Lane)
- Bx31: to Woodlawn or Westchester Square (via Eastchester Road)
- Bx39: to Soundview and Clasons Point, Bronx (via White Plains Road)
- BxM11: Express bus to Midtown Manhattan
- BL25: to Yonkers (via Kimball Avenue and Midland Avenue)
- BL26: to Bronxville (via Bronx River Road)
- BL40: to White Plains and Valhalla (via NY Route 22)
- BL41: Limited Stops to White Plains and Valhalla (via NY Route 22)
- BL42: to New Rochelle (via White Plains Road, West 1st Street and Sanford Blvd)
- BL43x: Express to Valhalla (via Sprain Brook Parkway)
- Wakefield – 241st Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) (2 5 trains)
- Nereid Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line) (2 5 trains)
- 233rd Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) (2 5 trains)
- 225th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) (2 5 trains)
- Wakefield (Metro-North station) (Harlem Line)
In popular culture
Several scenes from the 1970 film Love Story starring Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw were filmed on East 233rd Street, East 238th Street (Nereid Avenue), and Barnes Avenue, all located within the neighborhood. The Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 4360 Barnes Avenue (corner of Boyd Avenue) is featured in the film.
Images for kids
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Mount Saint Michael Academy
