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Wakefield, Bronx facts for kids

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Wakefield
Neighborhood of the Bronx
Factory building on Bronx Boulevard
Factory building on Bronx Boulevard
Country  United States
State  New York
City New York City
Borough The Bronx
Community District Bronx 12
Area
 • Total 2.57 km2 (0.991 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total 29,158
 • Density 11,360/km2 (29,423/sq mi)
Economics
 • Median income $56,446
ZIP Codes
10466, 10470
Area code 718, 347, 929, and 917

Wakefield is a working-class and middle-class section of the northern borough of the Bronx in New York City. It is bounded by the city's border with Westchester County to the north, East 222nd Street to the south, and the Bronx River Parkway 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 District 12 and its ZIP Codes are 10466 and 10470. Wakefield is patrolled by the 47th Precinct of the New York City Police Department.

History

Bronx Bvd 242 St factory jeh
Factory building on Bronx Boulevard
Verizon WPR E242 St Wakefield jeh
Looking east across White Plains Road from East 242 Street at Verizon telephone office

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 Caribbean and Guyanese populations, which now compose 72.3% of the neighborhood's total population. 19.6% of the population is Hispanic. Many residents are or are descended from the Caribbean (mostly Jamaican) and Guyanese immigrants.

The 2010 United States Census reported a population of 67,813 residents in the surrounding area, while the 2000 United States Census reported a total of 68,787 residents.

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

The following MTA Regional Bus Operations bus routes serve Wakefield:

Wakefield is also served by the following Bee-Line Bus System routes to Westchester County, New York:

The following New York City Subway stations serve Wakefield:

  • Wakefield–241st Street (2 5 trains)
  • Nereid Avenue (2 5 trains)
  • 233rd Street (2 5 trains)
  • 225th Street (2 5 trains)

The Metro-North Railroad also stops at Wakefield station, served by the 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.

Education

Schools

Mt St Michaels Academy Wakefield jeh
Mount Saint Michael Academy

There are several public schools scattered throughout the neighborhood including PS 16, PS 21 and PS 103. There are also many private and catholic schools including St. Francis-Assisi, Our Lady of Grace and the prominent all-male Catholic secondary school Mount Saint Michael Academy, which serves 1,100 students from grades 7-12. The all-female St. Barnabas High School is located further west in Woodlawn and serves many students from Wakefield as well.

Library

The New York Public Library (NYPL)'s Wakefield branch is located at 4100 Lowerre Place. The branch opened in 1938 and contains collections in its basement and first floor.

Notable natives and residents

  • Lloyd Barnes – Jamaican music producer
  • Dick Bertel - American media personality and broadcast executive
  • Darcel Clark – current Bronx District Attorney
  • Rocco B. Commisso – founder and CEO of Mediacom and notable philanthropist
  • Desus Nice – comedian and TV personality
  • Joseph Augustine Di Noia, Roman Catholic Archbishop based in the Vatican City.
  • Silvio DiSalvatore – independent filmmaker and reality television personality
  • Funkmaster Flex – hip hop DJ, rapper and producer
  • Craig muMs Grant - poet and actor (series Oz)
  • Rosetta Lenoire, theatrical and television actress; she spent her final years living on East 232nd Street and was a parishioner of St. Frances of Rome Church on East 236th Street.
  • Adelina Patti – 19th century opera singer
  • Carlotta Patti – 19th century opera singer
  • Harry G. Pellegrin – musician and author
  • Christian Petroni – notable chef and Food Network personality
  • AJ Silver (born Angelo Iodice) – American rodeo circuit celebrity
  • Anthony Thomopoulos - former network American Broadcasting Company chairman and motion picture producer.
  • Mildred Trouillot, attorney and former First Lady of Haiti; resided on Carpenter Avenue in her youth and graduated from St. Barnabas High School
  • Jerry Vale - singer, entertainer. He resided with his family on Mundy Lane during his early years.

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