Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Williamsburg
Neighborhood
Williamsburg Bridge and Domino Park
Nickname(s):  The WillieB, The Burg, Billyburg
Location in New York City
Coordinates: 40°43′N 73°58′W / 40.71°N 73.96°W / 40.71; -73.96
Country	United States
State	New York
City	New York City
Borough	Brooklyn
Community District	Brooklyn 1[1] Brooklyn 3[2]
Named for	Jonathan Williams
Area
• Total	5.64 km2 (2.179 sq mi)
Population  (2010)[3]
• Total	151,308
• Density	27,000/km2 (69,000/sq mi)
Race/Ethnicity [4]
• White	66.5%
• Hispanic	26.3%
• Asian	2.9%
• Black	2.8%
• Other	2.4%
Economics [5]
• Median income	$98,284
ZIP Codes	11206, 11211, 11249
Area code	718, 347, 929, and 917

Williamsburg is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, bordered by Greenpoint to the north; Bedford–Stuyvesant to the south; Bushwick and East Williamsburg to the east; and the East River to the west. It was an independent city until 1855, when it was annexed by Brooklyn; at that time, the spelling was changed from Williamsburgh (with an "h") to Williamsburg.^[6]

Williamsburg, especially near the waterfront, was a vital industrial district until the mid-20th century. As many of the jobs were outsourced beginning in the 1970s, the area endured a period of economic contraction which did not begin to turn around until activist groups began to address housing, infrastructure, and youth education issues in the late 20th century.^[7] An ecosocial arts movement emerged alongside the activists in the late 1980s, often referred to as the Brooklyn Immersionists.^[8] The community-based scene cultivated a web of activity in the streets, rooftops and large warehouses, and attracted both the national and international press.^[9][10] Small, locally owned businesses began to return to the neighborhood during this expansion of creative urbanism in the 1990s.^[11]

In the 21st century, the city provided zoning changes and tax abatements to corporate developers which shifted the area from a creative, slow growth revival to an economy that was dominated by high rises and chain stores.^[12][13] Despite the rise in the cost of living that followed, and the loss of the original creative community that had rejuvenated the district, a new contemporary art scene and vibrant nightlife emerged that catered to new residents. However, the intensity and innovations of the Immersionist era in Williamsburg has continued to project the district's image internationally as a "Little Berlin".^[14] During the early 2000s, the neighborhood became a center for indie rock and electroclash.^[15] Numerous ethnic groups still inhabit enclaves within the neighborhood, including Italians, Jews, Hispanics, Poles, Puerto Ricans, and Dominicans.

Williamsburg is part of Brooklyn Community District 1, and its primary ZIP Codes are 11206, 11211 and 11249.^[1][16] It is patrolled by the 90th and 94th Precincts of the New York City Police Department.^[17][18] Politically, it is represented by the New York City Council's 33rd District, which represents the western and southern parts of the neighborhood, and the 34th District, which represents the eastern part.^[19] As of the 2020 United States census, the neighborhood's population is 151,308.^[20][3]