Wakefield, Bronx facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wakefield
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Neighborhood of the Bronx
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Factory building on Bronx Boulevard
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| City |  New York City |
| Borough |  The Bronx |
| Community District | Bronx 12 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.991 sq mi (2.57 km2) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 29,158 |
| • Density | 29,423/sq mi (11,360/km2) |
| Economics | |
| • Median income | $56,446 |
| ZIP Codes |
10466, 10470
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| Area code | 718, 347, 929, and 917 |
Wakefield is a busy neighborhood in the northern part of the Bronx in New York City. It's a place where many families live and work. Wakefield is bordered by Westchester County to the north. East 222nd Street is its southern border. The Bronx River Parkway forms its western edge.
Wakefield is the most northern neighborhood in New York City. However, the city's absolute northernmost point is in Riverdale. This neighborhood is part of Bronx Community District 12. Its main ZIP Codes are 10466 and 10470. The New York City Police Department's 47th Precinct helps keep Wakefield safe.
Contents
How Wakefield Grew
Wakefield was originally part of Westchester County. It became part of New York City in 1895. This happened when the eastern part of The Bronx joined the western part. Like the rest of the Bronx, Wakefield was once covered in forests. Later, it became farmland.
Around 1840, the New York and Harlem Railroad arrived. This brought more people and buildings to the area. In 1898, Manhattan and the Bronx officially joined with other areas. These included Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. This created the larger New York City we know today. The Bronx later became its own county on April 19, 1912. It is the newest county in New York State.
The Wakefield train station is where a village called Washingtonville used to be. Washingtonville became part of Wakefield when Wakefield became a village on August 8, 1889. The name Wakefield comes from a plantation in Virginia. This is where George Washington was born. A nearby town, Mount Vernon, is named after the plantation where Washington lived most of his life.
Who Lives in Wakefield?
In the past, many Irish American and Italian-American families lived in Wakefield. During the 1980s, more people from the Caribbean and Guyana moved here. Now, about 72.3% of the people living in Wakefield are from these areas. About 19.6% of the population is Hispanic. Many residents are from Caribbean countries, especially Jamaica, and Guyana.
Keeping Wakefield Safe
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) helps keep Wakefield safe. Engine Co. 63, Ladder Co. 39, and Battalion 15 are located at 755 East 233rd Street. They are ready to respond to emergencies.
Mail and Codes
Wakefield uses two main ZIP Codes. Most of the neighborhood is in 10466. Some areas near East 241st Street and White Plains Road use 10470. The United States Postal Service has a post office here. It's called the Wakefield Station post office. You can find it at 4165 White Plains Road.
Learning in Wakefield
There are several schools in Wakefield for students.
Schools to Explore
Public schools in the neighborhood include PS 16, PS 21, and PS 103. There are also private and Catholic schools. These include St. Francis-Assisi and Our Lady of Grace. A well-known all-boys Catholic school is Mount Saint Michael Academy. It teaches about 1,100 students from grades 7 to 12. The all-girls St. Barnabas High School is also nearby. It serves many students from Wakefield.
The Local Library
The New York Public Library has a branch in Wakefield. It is located at 4100 Lowerre Place. This library branch opened in 1938. It has many books and resources for everyone to use.
Getting Around Wakefield
Wakefield has many ways to get around, including buses, subways, and trains.
The following MTA Regional Bus Operations bus routes serve Wakefield:
- Bx8: travels to Locust Point
- Bx16: goes to Eastchester or Norwood – 205th Street
- Bx31: connects to Woodlawn or Westchester Square
- Bx39: travels to Soundview and Clasons Point, Bronx
- BxM11: an express bus that goes to Midtown Manhattan
Wakefield is also served by Bee-Line Bus System routes that go to Westchester County, New York:
- BL25: to Yonkers
- BL26: to Bronxville
- BL40: to White Plains and Valhalla
- BL41: a limited-stop bus to White Plains and Valhalla
- BL42: to New Rochelle
- BL43x: an express bus to Valhalla
The following New York City Subway stations serve Wakefield:
- Wakefield–241st Street (2 train)
- Nereid Avenue (2 5 trains)
- 233rd Street (2 5 trains)
- 225th Street (2 5 trains)
The Metro-North Railroad also has a stop at Wakefield station. This station is on the Harlem Line.
Famous Faces from Wakefield
Many interesting people have lived in Wakefield. Here are a few:
- Lloyd Barnes (born 1944), a music producer from Jamaica
- Dick Bertel (1931–2023), a media personality
- Darcel Clark (born 1962), the Bronx District Attorney
- Rocco B. Commisso (born 1949), founder of Mediacom
- Desus Nice (born 1981), a comedian and TV personality
- Joseph Augustine Di Noia (born 1943), a Roman Catholic archbishop
- Funkmaster Flex (born 1968), a hip hop DJ and producer
- Ramarley Graham (died 2012), a resident
- Craig Grant (1968–2021), a poet and actor
- Marcia V. Keizs, former president of York College, City University of New York
- Rosetta Lenoire (1911–2002), a theatrical and television actress
- Adelina Patti (1843–1919), a 19th-century opera singer
- Carlotta Patti ({Circa|1840–1889), a 19th-century opera singer
- Christian Petroni, a chef and TV personality
- Anthony Thomopoulos, a former TV network chairman
- Mildred Trouillot (born 1963), an attorney and former First Lady of Haiti
- Jerry Vale (1930–2014), a singer and entertainer
