Manhattan Neighborhoods by Population

Manhattan is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It is not only the city’s most populated borough but also its administrative and economic center. Often referred to as “the city,” Manhattan is always described as the world’s financial, cultural, entertainment, and media capital. It also hosts the capital of the United Nations. As of 2017, the population of Manhattan is approximately 1.6 million people, representing about 19% of the population of New York City. Midtown Manhattan is the borough's most populous neighborhood.

Major Manhattan Neighborhoods by Population

Midtown Manhattan

Midtown Manhattan is the central part of Manhattan and the home to some of the most iconic buildings in New York City. It is the world’s largest central business district. Midtown is the largest commercial, media, and entertainment center in the US. The neighborhood is the most populated in Manhattan, with a population of approximately 391,371 residents. 

Lower Manhattan

Lower Manhattan or Downtown Manhattan is the southernmost neighborhood of Manhattan. It is the 4th largest business district in the US after Washington DC, Chicago, and Midtown Manhattan. As of 2010, the population of Lower Manhattan is approximately 382,654 residents. The Financial District within Lower Manhattan has a population of about 61,000 people.

Harlem

Harlem is located in the northern section of Manhattan. Originally a Dutch town, the neighborhood has been known as a major African American residential and business center. Harlem is named after Haarlem city in the Netherlands. It is the third-most populated neighborhood in Manhattan with a population of approximately 335,109 residents, with the Black community comprising of about 77% of the population.

Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is situated between the 59th Street, Fifth Avenue, 96th Street, and the East River. It is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Manhattan. As of 2010, Upper East Side has a population of approximately 229,688 residents. The neighborhood has a population density of 130,504 people per square miles.

Upper West Side

The Upper West Side is located between the Hudson River and Central Park and between West 110th Street and West 59th Street. It is primarily a residential neighborhood and has the reputation of being the cultural and intellectual hub of New York City. The Upper West Side is considered as one of the wealthiest neighborhood in the city. The neighborhood has a population of 209,084.

Other Major Manhattan Neighborhoods

Apart from the above neighborhoods, three other neighborhoods have a population of at least 100,000 residents. These include Washington Heights (158,318), East Harlem (115,921), and Chinatown (100,000).

Population Composition of Manhattan

According to the 2012 census estimate, the majority of the population of Manhattan is White, accounting for about 65.2% of the population. Almost all the neighborhoods have a White majority with an exception of a few such as Harlem. The Black community accounts for only 18.4% of the population of Manhattan while Hispanic/Latino account for 25.8% and Asians account for about 12%.