What was the South Bronx like in the 1970s?

What was the South Bronx like in the 1970s?

During the 1970s, houses of the South Bronx were ablaze. 80% of housing was lost to fires, and 250,000 people were displaced. In contrast, the state pool insurance payout was 10 million dollars, which is approximately 50 million dollars today.

What happened to the South Bronx?

In total, over 40% of the South Bronx was burned or abandoned between 1970 and 1980, with 44 census tracts losing more than 50% and seven more than 97% of their buildings to arson, abandonment, or both. The appearance was frequently compared to that of a bombed-out and evacuated European city following World War II.

What is the South Bronx known for?

The South Bronx is known for its hip hop culture and graffiti. Graffiti became popular in the Bronx in the early 1970s, spreading through the New York City Subway system. The South Bronx then became musically notable as hip-hop music, rap, and other creative components started becoming common within the borough.

Is South Bronx the poorest borough?

The Bronx has the highest rate of poverty in New York City, and the greater South Bronx is the poorest area.

Why did the Bronx burn in the 70’s?

Those of us who grew up in the South Bronx during the 1970s and ’80s have been defined by the fires that incinerated our neighborhoods, which had already been set up to fail by disinvestment, redlining and eminent domain — which resulted in a trench gouged through the community by Robert Moses’ Cross Bronx Expressway.

Why is Bronx so cheap?

While the Bronx may be cheaper than other parts of NYC, residents have less spending power. This is because people living in the Bronx are earning significantly less than people in other parts of the city. As with most financial correlations, this goes two ways.

Why is it named the Bronx?

The Bronx is named after Jonas Bronck, who settled in the area in 1639. Brooklyn refers to Breukelen, the Dutch village in the Netherlands. Queens was named after Queen Catherine of Braganza, wife of King Charles II of England (1630-1685).