Brownsville, Brooklyn

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Brownsville, Brooklyn is a neighborhood in southeastern Brooklyn, bounded by East New York, Canarsie, East Flatbush, Crown Heights, and Bedford–Stuyvesant. It is part of Brooklyn Community Board 16 and is patrolled by the NYPD's 75th Precinct. Brownsville is near JFK Airport and LaGuardia Airport, and is accessible via the New York City Subway's 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains at the Saratoga Avenue (IRT New Lots Line) and Rockaway Avenue (IRT New Lots Line) stations. The neighborhood is also close to the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Geography

Brownsville is situated on the Jamaica Bay watershed and is near the Gowanus Canal and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The neighborhood's terrain is generally flat, with some areas of fill and wetlands. Brownsville is bounded by Atlantic Avenue to the north, Eastern Parkway to the west, Ralph Avenue to the east, and Jamaica Avenue to the south. The neighborhood is near Prospect Park, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Brooklyn Museum. Brownsville is also close to the Kings County Hospital Center, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, and the Downstate Medical Center.

Brownsville has a long and complex history, dating back to the 17th century when it was part of the Dutch West India Company's New Netherland colony. The neighborhood was named after Charles S. Brown, a 19th century developer who built homes in the area. During the American Civil War, Brownsville was a major hub for the Union Army's 14th Brooklyn Regiment and the 20th United States Colored Infantry. The neighborhood was also home to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which played a significant role in the Spanish–American War and World War I. Brownsville was a major center for the Jewish diaspora in the early 20th century, with many immigrants settling in the neighborhood from Eastern Europe, particularly from Poland, Russia, and Romania. The neighborhood was also home to the Congress of Racial Equality and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee during the Civil Rights Movement.

As of the 2010 United States Census, Brownsville has a population of over 58,000 people, with a diverse mix of African American, Hispanic, Asian American, and White American residents. The neighborhood is home to a large Hasidic Jewish community, with many residents affiliated with the Satmar and Lubavitch sects. Brownsville is also home to a significant number of Caribbean American residents, particularly from Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The neighborhood has a high percentage of residents living below the poverty line, with many families relying on Medicaid, Food Stamps, and other forms of public assistance. Brownsville is represented in the New York City Council by Inez Barron and Rafael Espinal, and in the New York State Assembly by Charles Barron and Latrice Walker.

Brownsville has a mix of small businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencys, with a significant number of social service providers and community organizations. The neighborhood is home to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, the Brownsville Partnership, and the New York City Housing Authority. Brownsville is also close to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which is a major hub for shipbuilding and maritime industry companies like GMD Shipyard and New York Shipyard. The neighborhood has a high percentage of residents working in the health care and social services sectors, with many employed at Kings County Hospital Center, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Brownsville is served by the New York City Department of Education's District 23, which includes several public elementary schools, public middle schools, and public high schools. The neighborhood is home to Brownsville Academy High School, Frederick Douglass Academy VII High School, and the Brooklyn Democracy Academy. Brownsville is also close to several charter schools, including the Brooklyn Ascend Charter School and the Brownsville Ascend Charter School. The neighborhood has a number of library branches, including the Brownsville Library and the Saratoga Library, which are part of the Brooklyn Public Library system.

Brownsville has a comprehensive network of public transportation options, including several New York City Subway lines and bus routes. The neighborhood is served by the 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains at the Saratoga Avenue (IRT New Lots Line) and Rockaway Avenue (IRT New Lots Line) stations. Brownsville is also accessible via the B14, B15, and B35 buses, which connect the neighborhood to Downtown Brooklyn, Manhattan, and other parts of Brooklyn. The neighborhood is close to the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, making it easily accessible by car and truck. Brownsville is also near the JFK Airport and LaGuardia Airport, which provide air travel options to destinations around the world.