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By: Benyamin Davidsons
New York City’s black population has declined by a whopping 9 percent since 2000.
A recent editorial in the NY Post, discussed the exodus, blaming the eight years under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s leadership for the bulk of the problem. Those who left the Big Apple were predominantly young—with the number of black children and teens in the city falling by one fifth from 2010 to 2020. Many of the families moved South.
As per the Post , the African American population wants the same things as most American residents—and was adversely affected by rising crime, skyrocketing costs of housing, and the lackluster public school system.
In NYC, the median rent for an available two-bedroom apartment is now $4,859. That’s among the highest in the country. By contrast, in Atlanta, GA median rent for a two bedroom is $2,450 per month. In Tampa, FL its $2,259 per month, and even in sunny Aventura its $3,400, as per Renthop. Moving is an easy way to afford an extra bedroom for growing families.
Still on the topic of families, the public schools in NYC, especially in minority neighborhoods, have been providing below par levels of education. NYC Parents across the board have been pushing for more publicly funded, privately managed charter schools. The current charter schools in the Big Apple are filled to capacity with thousands of families on the waiting list. Progressives in the legislature, along with Teachers Unions, have been blocking efforts to open new charter schools in the city. Many parents have opted to find a better education for their kids by moving out of state.
The crime in NYC has become unbearable for many citizens, but African Americans are experiencing the brunt of the problems. Though Black New Yorkers make up just 23 percent of the city’s population, they account for 67 percent of homicide victims. Around 38 percent of rapes affect blacks and some 46 percent of felonious assaults affect this minority. Is it any wonder now whythere have been so many blacks leaving the Big Apple?
Though they are a minority, their choice to leave doesn’t seem like its based on a disparity or distinct cultural difference. They are leaving en-masse because they came to this city, many during the Great Migration, in search of prosperity. The city, however, has not afforded them the success, comfort or safety they sought. To keep more citizens from leaving, the city’s best bet is to set policies that will help with the economic and social challenges that all middle-class New Yorkers are facing.
