Mott Haven

Mott Haven
Name	Mott Haven
Settlement type	Neighborhood
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New York
Subdivision type2	City
Subdivision name2	New York City
Subdivision type3	Borough
Subdivision name3	The Bronx
Subdivision type4	Community District
Subdivision name4	Bronx 1
Established title	Settled
Established date	1849
Founder	Jordan L. Mott
Named for	Jordan L. Mott
Area total sq mi	0.85
Population total	52000
Population as of	2010
Population density sq mi	auto
Postal code type	ZIP Codes
Postal code	10451, 10454, 10455, 10456
Area code	718, 347, 929, 917
Blank name sec1	Median household income
Blank info sec1	$25,046 (2018)

Mott Haven. It is a residential and industrial neighborhood located in the southwestern section of The Bronx in New York City. The area, historically a hub for manufacturing and home to a diverse immigrant population, is part of Bronx Community Board 1 and is bordered by the Harlem River to the west and the Major Deegan Expressway to the east. Named for industrialist Jordan L. Mott, who purchased land there in the mid-19th century, it is often considered the first neighborhood of the modern Bronx.

History

The area's recorded history begins with the purchase of land from the Morris family by ironworks inventor Jordan L. Mott in 1849, who established the J. L. Mott Iron Works along the Harlem River. This catalyzed the neighborhood's early development as an industrial center, attracting factories and foundries throughout the late 19th century. The construction of the Harlem River and Port Chester Railroad and the Third Avenue Elevated line facilitated the growth of dense tenement housing for a workforce of immigrants, particularly from Ireland, Germany, and later Puerto Rico. The mid-20th century saw significant economic decline and population loss due to deindustrialization, white flight, and the construction of the Cross-Bronx Expressway, though recent decades have witnessed waves of reinvestment and demographic shifts.

Geography

Mott Haven is bounded roughly by the Harlem River to the west, the Bruckner Expressway to the south, the Major Deegan Expressway to the east, and East 149th Street to the north. Its topography is relatively flat, with the Harlem River forming a natural western border and providing waterfront access. The neighborhood is part of the larger South Bronx region and is adjacent to Port Morris to the south and Melrose to the north. Key thoroughfares include Willis Avenue, Alexander Avenue, and the major cross street of East 138th Street.

Demographics

As of the most recent American Community Survey, Mott Haven has a population of approximately 52,000, with a high density of over 60,000 people per square mile. The demographic profile is predominantly Hispanic or Latino, largely of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, alongside significant African American and a growing number of West African immigrant communities. The median household income is significantly below the New York City average, and a high percentage of residents live below the federal poverty line, though the area has seen an influx of higher-income newcomers in recent years.

Economy

Historically dominated by heavy industry like the J. L. Mott Iron Works and the P. Lorillard Company tobacco factory, the local economy has shifted towards warehousing, distribution, and light manufacturing. The neighborhood is part of the Bronx County Overall Economic Development Corporation's target areas for revitalization. Recent development has included the conversion of industrial buildings into artist studios and the arrival of tech-oriented businesses, spurred by initiatives like the Bronx Tech Incubator. Major employers include the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center and several large retail complexes along East 149th Street.

Landmarks and culture

Notable landmarks include the landmarked Mott Haven Historic District, which features preserved brownstones and Gothic Revival churches like St. Ann's Church of Morrisania. The Bronx Museum of the Arts, located just north of the neighborhood, is a major cultural institution. The area has a vibrant street art scene, with murals supported by organizations like the Hunts Point Alliance for Children. The Mott Haven Herald is a longstanding community newspaper, and the neighborhood is referenced in works by authors like Piri Thomas and in the music of hip hop artists from the South Bronx.

Transportation

Mott Haven is a major transit hub, served by the IRT Jerome Avenue Line (2 and 5 trains) at the 3rd Avenue–149th Street station and the IRT Pelham Line (6 and <6> trains) at multiple stations including Brook Avenue and Cypress Avenue. The Metro-North Railroad's Harlem Line and New Haven Line stop at the Melrose station and Yankees–East 153rd Street station. Several MTA Regional Bus Operations routes run through the area, and it is bisected by the Bruckner Expressway, Major Deegan Expressway, and Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, providing connections to Manhattan, Queens, and Upstate New York.

Category:Neighborhoods in the Bronx Category:South Bronx