Astoria Queens

For census purposes, the New York City government classifies Astoria into three neighborhood tabulation areas: Steinway (north of Grand Central Parkway), Old Astoria (north of 31st Avenue and approximately west of 31st Street), and Astoria (the remaining area approximately north of Northern Boulevard/36th Avenue and approximately west of Hobart Street/50th Street). According to the 2010 United States Census, the combined population of these areas was 154,141, a decrease of 17,427 (10.2%) from the 171,568 counted in 2000. Covering an area of 2,556.2 acres (1,034.5 ha), the neighborhood had a population density of 60.3 inhabitants per acre (38,600/sq mi; 14,900/km2).

The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 52.2% (80,533) Non-Hispanic White, 4.7% (7,204) Black, 0.2% (250) Native American, 14.3% (22,100) Asian, 0.0% (70) Pacific Islander, 1.0% (1,532) from other races, and 2.1% (3,238) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.4% (39,214) of the population. The Astoria and Old Astoria tabulation areas had greater Hispanic/Latino and Asian populations, while the Old Astoria area specifically had a greater Black population.

The racial and ethnic composition of Astoria changed significantly from 2000 to 2010. The most notable changes were a 64% decrease (8,919) in the Other population and a 13% decrease (5,705) in the Hispanic/Latino population. The White majority also decreased by 2% (1,699), while the Asian minority decreased by 5% (1,120), with the small Black population showing no significant change (11). The White and Asian populations increased in Old Astoria but decreased in Astoria and Steinway, causing an overall decrease; conversely, the Black population decreased in Old Astoria and increased equivalently in other regions. The decreases in the Hispanic/Latino population and other racial groups were relatively even across the three areas.

Queens Community District 1, which includes Astoria and parts of Long Island City, is bounded to the east by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and 81st Street, and to the south by Queens Plaza and Northern Boulevard. It had 199,969 residents according to NYC Health’s 2018 Community Health Profile, with an average life expectancy of 83.4 years, higher than the median life expectancy of 81.2 for all New York City neighborhoods. Most inhabitants are middle-aged adults and youth: 16% are between the ages of 0–17, 41% between 25 and 44, and 22% between 45 and 64. The ratio of college-aged and elderly residents is lower, at 10% and 12% respectively.

As of 2018, the median household income in Community District 1 was $67,444. An estimated 18% of Astoria residents lived in poverty, compared to 19% in all of Queens and 20% in all of New York City. Around 8% of residents were unemployed, matching the rate in Queens and slightly lower than the 9% in New York City. Rent burden, or the percentage of residents who have difficulty paying their rent, is 47% in Astoria, slightly lower than the boroughwide and citywide rates of 53% and 51% respectively. Based on these figures, Community District 1 is considered to be gentrifying: the district was low-income in 1990 and has seen above-median rent growth up to 2010. 

Ethnic groups

Early populations

Astoria was first settled by the Dutch, English, and Germans in the 17th century. During the waves of Irish immigration into New York City in the 19th and early 20th centuries, many Irish settled in the area.

Following the Irish, Italians became the next significant group of immigrants in Astoria, and numerous Italian restaurants, delis, bakeries, and pizza shops can be found throughout the neighborhood, particularly around Ditmars Boulevard.

Jews also formed a significant ethnic and religious group in Astoria. The Astoria Center of Israel, built in 1925 after the community outgrew the former Congregation Mishkan Israel built in 1904, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Later Populations

In the 1960s, Astoria saw a significant increase in Greek immigrants, followed by an influx of Cypriots after 1974. This cultural influence is evident in the numerous Greek restaurants, tavernas, bakeries, and cafes, as well as several Greek Orthodox churches. By the late 1960s, a “Greek Town” neighborhood had emerged in Astoria. The Greek population in Astoria grew steadily from the 1960s to the 1980s, reaching 22,579 in 1980, but dropped to 18,127 by 1990 due to decreased immigration and lower birth rates. Greek immigration declined again in the 2000s, but economic issues in Greece during the 2010s and 2020s led to a resurgence. Greek organizations in the area include the Hellenic American Action Committee (HANAC) and the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York.

Astoria is home to most of the 20,000 Maltese living in New York City, supported by the Maltese Center of New York, though this population has been steadily emigrating from the area.

Beginning in the mid-1970s, the neighborhood’s Muslim population grew, initially with immigrants from Lebanon and later including people from Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria. By the 1990s, Steinway Street between 28th Avenue and Astoria Boulevard had developed many Arabic shops, restaurants, and cafes, unofficially earning the name “Little Egypt” due to the concentration of Arabs and Egyptian establishments.

Croatians from Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina have been numerous since the 1960s, and their numbers continue to grow. Since the early 1990s, new populations of South American and Balkan peoples have seen significant growth, including a large population of Brazilians in the 36th Avenue area. Albanians, Bulgarians, Serbs, and Bosnians have also increased in numbers. Many Spanish Americans, particularly those of Galician heritage from Northwestern Spain, reside in Astoria, supported by the Casa Galicia (Galicia House) and the Circulo Español (Spanish Circle).

At one time, many Bangladeshi Americans settled in Astoria, but by 2001, many had moved to Metro Detroit. A survey of an Astoria-area Bengali language newspaper estimated that 8,000 Bangladeshis moved to the Detroit area over an 18-month period until March 2001. However, the Bangladeshi American community in Astoria has been increasing as of 2010.

By the early 21st century, Astoria had become one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Queens, with residents from around 100 countries as of 2015. However, Queens experienced significant population losses, particularly in immigrant neighborhoods like Astoria, which lost more than 10,000 residents between 2000 and 2010.

As of 2018, Astoria shows lower rates of preterm births and births to teenage mothers compared to the citywide averages. Specifically, there were 84 preterm births per 1,000 live births in Astoria, compared to 87 per 1,000 citywide, and 15.1 births to teenage mothers per 1,000 live births, compared to 19.3 per 1,000 citywide.

The uninsured population in Astoria is relatively average, estimated at 12% in 2018, which aligns with the citywide rate of 12%.

However, Astoria faces challenges regarding air quality, with a higher concentration of fine particulate matter, the deadliest type of air pollutant, at 0.0078 milligrams per cubic meter, exceeding citywide and boroughwide averages.

Additionally, Astoria has a higher percentage of smokers, with 19% of residents being smokers compared to the city average of 14%. Obesity rates are also notable, with 19% of residents being obese, 11% being diabetic, and 29% having high blood pressure, all slightly above citywide averages. Moreover, 22% of children in Astoria are obese, compared to the citywide average of 20%.

On a positive note, 89% of residents consume fruits and vegetables daily, higher than the city’s average of 87%. The majority of residents describe their health as “good”, “very good”, or “excellent”, similar to the citywide average of 78%.

In terms of access to food, there is one supermarket for every 10 bodegas in Astoria.

Healthcare services in Astoria are provided by Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens.