Manhattan, the most densely populated and smallest of New York City's five boroughs, is coterminous with New York County, the smallest county in New York State. Situated primarily on Manhattan Island at the state's southern tip, Manhattan forms the heart of the Northeast megalopolis and the New York metropolitan area's urban core. As New York City's economic and administrative hub, Manhattan is renowned as a global capital of culture, finance, media, and entertainment.
In 1900, Manhattan's majority white ethnic group constituted 98.7% of the population. By 1990, this percentage had declined to 58.3%, reflecting significant demographic shifts over the century.
In 1903, the Williamsburg Bridge was completed, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn and enhancing accessibility.
The New York Yankees franchise was established in 1903 under the name "Highlanders," named after their home stadium, Hilltop Park.
In 1904, the construction of the New York City Subway was completed, significantly improving transportation and connectivity within the city.
The play "The Melting Pot" by Israel Zangwill, which used the Lower East Side's immigrant communities as inspiration for its depiction of a "melting pot" of cultures, premiered in 1908.
In 1909, the Manhattan Bridge and the Queensboro Bridge were completed, further connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens respectively.
The McKim, Mead & White-designed Penn Station, considered a masterpiece of the Beaux-Arts style, was completed in 1910.
On March 25, 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in Greenwich Village resulted in the deaths of 146 garment workers. This tragedy led to significant reforms in New York City's fire department, building codes, and workplace safety regulations.
In 1911, the New York Giants played their home games at Hilltop Park, a departure from their usual home at the Polo Grounds.
In 1912, around 20,000 workers, a quarter of them women, marched upon Washington Square Park to commemorate the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. The event symbolized women's liberation and the alliance of the labor and suffrage movements.
The New York Highlanders concluded their tenure at Hilltop Park in 1912, marking the end of an era for the team at that location.
In 1913, the New York Highlanders relocated to the Polo Grounds and officially changed their name to the New York Yankees.
In 1913, the Woolworth Building was completed, becoming the tallest building in the world at the time.
In 1914, Bronx County was established, separating from New York County, which included Manhattan. This marked a significant administrative change in New York City's structure.
The Manhattan Municipal Building, one of the world's largest governmental buildings, was completed in 1914 and houses the offices of the mayor's staff and thirteen municipal agencies.
The construction of the Equitable Building in 1915, a towering skyscraper of its time, spurred the enactment of the 1916 Zoning Resolution. This landmark legislation aimed to regulate the height and shape of new buildings in Manhattan, requiring setbacks to preserve light and air at street level and shaping the city's iconic skyline.
The implementation of the 1916 Zoning Resolution marked a turning point in Manhattan's urban development. This law, enacted in response to the growing height of skyscrapers, mandated setbacks in building design, influencing the city's architectural aesthetic and ensuring access to light and air at street level.
In 1917, Tunnel 1, designed to carry water from the Catskill Mountains watershed to Manhattan, was completed.
The Prohibition era began in 1920, leading to a surge in organized crime as the Mafia capitalized on the black market for liquor.
The New York Yankees moved across the Harlem River to their new home, Yankee Stadium, in 1923, leaving behind the Polo Grounds.
The New York Giants football team joined the National Football League (NFL) in 1925 and began playing their home games at the Polo Grounds, sharing the stadium with their baseball counterparts.
The New York Rangers hockey team was established and began playing their home games at Madison Square Garden during the 1926-1927 season.
The New York Rangers played their first full season in 1927, having begun play in the latter part of the previous year.
Stricter fire codes and increased elevator use in residential buildings led to a new housing code in 1929 that effectively ended the construction of tenements, although many still stand on the East Side.
In 1930, the 40 Wall Street and Chrysler Building were completed, competing for the title of the world's tallest building.
In 1931, the Empire State Building was completed, becoming the world's tallest building at the time.
Prohibition ended in 1933, marking the end of the nationwide ban on alcohol and the decline of the Mafia's dominance in the liquor trade.
On February 9, 1934, Manhattan experienced its lowest temperature on record, reaching -15°F (-26°C). This extreme cold highlights the city's vulnerability to harsh winter weather conditions.
The First Houses in the East Village, one of the first publicly-funded low-income housing projects in the US, were completed in 1935.
Manhattan's water supply from the Catskill Mountains watershed was further enhanced in 1935 with the completion of Tunnel 2.
On July 9, 1936, Manhattan faced an extreme heatwave, reaching a record high temperature of 106°F (41°C). This event underscored the potential severity of heat in the city and the impact of the urban heat island effect.
The inaugural National Invitation Tournament, the first national college-level basketball championship, was held in New York City in 1938 and has remained in the city ever since.
The Queens–Midtown Tunnel, the largest non-federal project at the time, was completed in 1940. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to drive through it.
The New York Americans hockey team played their final season in Manhattan in 1941, marking the end of their time at Madison Square Garden.
The New York Americans hockey team, which had relocated to Brooklyn, folded after the 1941-1942 NHL season.
The New York Knicks were established in 1946 as one of the founding teams of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and initially played their home games at the 69th Regiment Armory.
In 1947, the Stuyvesant Town–Peter Cooper Village housing development opened, targeting returning veterans and contributing to postwar economic growth.
Starting in 1949, WLIB commenced its broadcasts specifically targeting the African-American community.
The Port Authority Bus Terminal, the world's busiest bus station, opened in 1950, designed for 60,000 daily passengers.
In 1952, the United Nations relocated to its new headquarters along the East River in Manhattan, marking a significant development in international diplomacy.
After years of sharing the Polo Grounds with the baseball team of the same name, the New York Giants football team moved to Yankee Stadium in 1956.
Following the 1957 season, the New York Giants relocated to California alongside the Brooklyn Dodgers, marking the end of an era for the team in Manhattan.
The New York Jets, originally known as the Titans of New York, played their inaugural season at the Polo Grounds in 1960.
In 1961, the Pennsylvania Railroad announced its intention to demolish the existing Penn Station and construct a new Madison Square Garden complex in its place.
The New York Mets played their inaugural season at the Polo Grounds in 1962, marking the beginning of their short-lived tenure at the historic stadium.
In October 1963, the demolition of the original Penn Station in New York City began, despite significant public outcry and protests.
The New York Mets concluded their two-season stint at the Polo Grounds in 1963 before moving to Shea Stadium the following year.
In April 1964, the Polo Grounds, a historic stadium that had been home to the New York Giants and other teams, was demolished to make way for public housing.
The Titans of New York relocated to Shea Stadium in Queens in 1964, joining the New York Mets at the newly constructed venue.
The Supreme Court's landmark "one man, one vote" decision in 1964 established the principle of equal representation in voting districts, ultimately leading to the invalidation of the New York City Board of Estimate.
The demolition of Penn Station led to the creation of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1965, aiming to safeguard the city's architectural heritage.
In 1968, during the construction of the World Trade Center, excavated material was used to expand Manhattan's shoreline. This land reclamation project led to the creation of Battery Park City, a new residential and commercial neighborhood.
On June 28, 1969, the Stonewall riots erupted in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan, marking a pivotal moment in the gay liberation movement and the modern fight for LGBT rights.
The Stonewall Riots, a pivotal event in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, took place in 1969, marking the beginning of the modern LGBTQ rights movement.
Work began in 1970 on Tunnel No. 3, intended to further augment Manhattan's water supply.
In 1971, WLIB made history by becoming New York City's first radio station under Black ownership.
The year 1971 marked the establishment of the Manhattan Neighborhood Network, the oldest public-access television cable channel in the United States, known for its diverse local programming.
The New York Cosmos soccer team played their home games at Downing Stadium for two seasons, beginning in 1974.
In 1977, Wall Street began to experience a rebirth, with employment in the financial sector doubling by 1987, reestablishing Manhattan as the world's financial center.
The Roosevelt Island Tramway, one of two commuter cable car systems in North America, began serving the island in 1978.
Manhattan's murder rate reached its highest point in 1979, with 42 murders per 100,000 residents, highlighting a period of heightened crime in the borough.
In 1981, Times Square and 42nd Street were described as the 'sleaziest block in America' due to rampant sex trade, street crime, and public drug use. This period marked a low point in the area's history.
The year 1981 marked the beginning of a period for which consistent snowfall data is available for Manhattan, offering insights into the city's winter weather patterns over several decades.
In May 1984, a court ruling addressed the unique situation of Marble Hill, which was physically part of the Bronx but historically considered part of Manhattan. The ruling recognized its dual status, and later that year, legislation confirmed Marble Hill as belonging to both New York County (Manhattan) and Bronx County.
The Bronx overtook Manhattan as the borough with the highest murder rate in New York City in 1985.
By 1987, Wall Street employment had doubled since 1977, solidifying Manhattan's position as the world's financial center.
The New York City Charter, which governs Manhattan, was revised in 1989 to implement a strong mayor-council system.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that the New York City Board of Estimate was unconstitutional due to unequal representation among boroughs, violating the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.
In 1990, Manhattan experienced a high number of murders, with 503 recorded during the year, reflecting a citywide peak in violent crime.
By 1990, the percentage of Manhattan's majority white ethnic group had declined to 58.3%, reflecting significant demographic changes from 1900.
Following the Supreme Court's ruling on the Board of Estimate, the role of the Borough President became largely symbolic, acting as an advocate for the borough rather than having direct administrative power.
In 1993, the World Trade Center bombing occurred when a van bomb exploded below the North Tower, killing six people. This attack was described by the FBI as a precursor to the 9/11 attacks.
The New York Liberty, a WNBA team, was established in 1997 as one of the league's eight original franchises and shared Madison Square Garden with the Knicks.
The Staten Island Ferry became fare-free in 1997.
According to the 2000 US Census, 77.5% of Manhattan households did not own a car.
The 2000 census recorded Manhattan's population at 1,537,195, serving as a benchmark for measuring population trends and demographic changes in the borough over time.
On September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were struck by hijacked planes, leading to their collapse and the deaths of 2,606 people in Lower Manhattan. This tragic event caused extensive damage and led to significant rebuilding efforts.
Following the closure of the Fresh Kills Landfill in 2001, New York City began exporting the bulk of its trash to other states for disposal.
Downing Stadium was demolished in 2002 to make way for the construction of the $45 million Icahn Stadium, which included a FIFA-approved soccer stadium as part of Pelé's and the Cosmos' legacy.
In 2003, only 24.3% of Manhattan residents lived in owner-occupied housing, the second-lowest rate nationwide.
The New York Jets' proposal for a West Side Stadium faced rejection in June 2005.
By 2005, Manhattan had established itself as having one of the highest concentrations of highly educated individuals in the nation, with approximately 60% of residents being college graduates and 25% holding advanced degrees.
During 2006, the Time Warner Center held the distinction of having the highest listed market value in New York City, reaching US$1.1 billion.
On July 2, 2007, the sale of 450 Park Avenue for US$510 million, equivalent to about US$1,589 per square foot, set a new record for an American office building.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a congestion pricing system for Manhattan south of 60th Street in 2008, but the state legislature rejected it.
In 2009, US Helicopter, which provided helicopter service connecting Downtown Manhattan Heliport with JFK and Newark airports, went out of business.
The 2010 census indicated a 3.2% population increase in Manhattan since 2000, reaching 1,585,873 residents. This growth reflected the ongoing appeal of Manhattan as a vibrant and desirable place to live and work.
The year 2010 signified the end of a specific period for which comprehensive snowfall data was collected and analyzed in Manhattan, providing valuable information about winter weather trends during those years.
In 2010, Manhattan displayed its religious diversity. The largest organized religious group was the Archdiocese of New York, followed by Orthodox Jews, Muslims, non-denominational adherents, Episcopalians, Baptists, Reform Jews, Mahayana Buddhists, and Presbyterian denominations.
Since 2010, a distinct Australian presence has been growing in the Nolita neighborhood of Lower Manhattan, earning it the nickname "Little Australia." This cultural enclave reflects the city's global appeal and the diverse communities that make it their home.
Manhattan's population swelled to 3.94 million during daytime hours in 2010, fueled by an influx of 1.48 million commuters, visitors, and students.
Census data from 2022 highlighted growing income inequality in Manhattan, with a widening gap between the top 20% and bottom 20% of households since 2010.
On September 17, 2011, the Occupy Wall Street protests began in Zuccotti Park, Lower Manhattan. The movement received global attention and sparked a worldwide movement against social and economic inequality.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the selection of Cornell University and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in 2011 to establish a US$2 billion graduate school of applied sciences on Roosevelt Island, with the goal of solidifying New York City's position as a global technology leader.
The American Community Survey, which would reveal that 59.9% of Manhattan residents over 25 had a bachelor's degree, began its data collection period in 2011.
The New York City Bus system served 784 million passengers in 2011, the highest in the nation.
Manhattan had 9,613 bicycle commuters in 2012.
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused widespread destruction in Lower Manhattan. The storm brought record-high storm surges from New York Harbor, severe flooding, and high winds, resulting in power outages for many residents, gasoline shortages, and mass transit disruptions. The event sparked discussions about building seawalls and coastal barriers to protect the borough and metropolitan area from future storm threats.
On November 1, 2013, Manhattan's natural gas supply doubled with the opening of a new gas pipeline.
In 2013, Manhattan hosted three of the world's most-visited tourist attractions: Times Square, Central Park, and Grand Central Terminal. The borough was also home to the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, making it a leading financial and fintech center.
In October 2014, The Waldorf Astoria New York was acquired by the Anbang Insurance Group for US$1.95 billion, making it the most expensive hotel ever sold.
The $1.4 billion Fulton Center transportation hub was completed in November 2014.
By 2014, New York City was home to 300,000 tech sector employees, signifying a significant expansion beyond the initial Silicon Alley hub.
By mid-2014, Accelerator, a biotech investment firm, raised over US$30 million to support the creation of biotechnology startups at the Alexandria Center for Life Science in Manhattan.
In 2014, Manhattan ranked seventeenth among U.S. counties in terms of the number of religious organizations, further emphasizing its diverse religious landscape and the presence of a wide array of faiths.
In 2014, the new One World Trade Center was completed, standing at 1,776 feet and becoming the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans for NYC Ferry in February 2015 to expand ferry service to underserved communities.
The $2.4 billion 7 Subway Extension opened in September 2015.
Silicon Alley attracted over US$7.3 billion in venture capital investment in 2015, further fueling the growth of tech startups and employment in Manhattan and the broader New York City area.
As of 2015, data highlighted the linguistic diversity of Manhattan. While 60% of residents aged five and older spoke only English at home, a significant portion of the population spoke other languages, including Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, and Japanese.
The American Community Survey concluded its data collection period in 2015, providing insights into the educational attainment of Manhattan residents.
The $4 billion World Trade Center Transportation Hub was completed in March 2016.
As of April 2016, registered Republicans constituted a minority in Manhattan's electorate, representing only 9.88% of voters. Democrats accounted for the majority at 68.41%, while 17.94% were unaffiliated.
Phase 1 of the $4.5 billion Second Avenue Subway opened in January 2017.
On October 31, 2017, a terrorist attack took place in Lower Manhattan. The perpetrator drove a truck down a bike path along the West Side Highway, resulting in the loss of eight lives.
The initial routes of the NYC Ferry system, with all termini in Manhattan, opened in 2017.
The number of bicycle commuters in Manhattan roughly doubled to 19,676 in 2017.
In 2017, The Village Voice, one of the largest alternative newspapers in the United States, made the decision to discontinue its print edition and transition into a fully digital platform.
The New York Liberty, a WNBA team, moved their primary home venue from Madison Square Garden to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in 2017.
As of 2017, Manhattan is home to two of the 25 largest hospitals in the United States.
A multibillion-dollar plan to restore Penn Station to its former glory and improve its functionality as a transportation hub was unveiled in 2017.
In 2017, the New York Liberty moved most of their home schedule to White Plains in Westchester County, departing from their shared venue at Madison Square Garden.
Between 2018 and 2022, Manhattan's median household income was $99,880, based on Census data for New York County.
In 2018, a six-mile stretch of road within Central Park was permanently closed to vehicular traffic.
The 2018-2019 Broadway season, which would ultimately set attendance records, commenced in 2018.
The 2018-2019 Broadway season, ending in May 2019, achieved record-breaking attendance with 14.8 million attendees and a gross revenue of $1.83 billion.
In 2019, Manhattan witnessed the most expensive home sale in the United States, with a penthouse apartment overlooking Central Park selling for US$238 million. Additionally, Central Park Tower, reaching a height of 1,550 feet, became the world's tallest residential building.
In 2019, Stonewall 50 - WorldPride NYC, the largest international Pride celebration ever held, took place in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, drawing 150,000 participants and 5 million spectators.
The COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, leading to an increase in violent crime in Upper Manhattan, reflecting a nationwide trend.
In 2020, Manhattan was recorded as one of the most densely populated places in the world, with a population of 1,694,250 living in a land area of 22.66 square miles, resulting in 72,918 residents per square mile. Manhattan's residential property had the highest sale price per square foot in the United States in 2020.
In 2020, Manhattan's tourism experienced a significant decline, with visitor numbers dropping by two-thirds as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020 census revealed a 6.8% population increase in Manhattan since the previous decade, reaching 1,694,250 residents. This growth highlighted Manhattan's continued desirability as a place to live and work, contributing to its status as a global hub.
January 2021 marked the opening of the Moynihan Train Hall, a $1.6 billion expansion of Penn Station into the historic James A. Farley Post Office Building.
In May 2021, Little Island, a new park in the Hudson River, opened to the public. The park, built on piers and connected to Manhattan by footbridges, offers a unique green space and scenic views.
Mark Levine, a Democrat, was elected as the Borough President of Manhattan in November 2021, succeeding Gale Brewer, who went on to represent the sixth district of the New York City Council.
In 2021, the Port Authority announced a $10 billion plan to expand and modernize the bus terminal.
As of the fourth quarter of 2021, Manhattan's median home value was $1,306,208, the second-highest among US counties.
By 2022, the number of murders in Manhattan had dropped to 78, representing an 84% decrease from the 1990 peak and indicating a significant improvement in safety and security.
Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Broadway revenues rebounded to $1.58 billion in the 2022-2023 season, with a total attendance of 12.3 million.
In 2022, Manhattan's population density soared to 70,450.8 inhabitants per square mile, securing its position as the most densely populated county in the United States. This distinction underscores the intense concentration of people and activity within the borough's limited area.
Manhattan boasted over 520 million square feet of office space in 2022, solidifying its position as the largest office market in the United States.
Manhattan had 923,302 housing units at a density of 40,745 units per square mile. The average rent was $2,024, the highest in the US.
Manhattan recorded the highest per capita income in 2022 among U.S. counties with over 50,000 residents, reaching $186,848.
In the second quarter of 2023, Manhattan's average weekly wage stood at $2,590, ranking fourth-highest nationally. However, 2023 also saw Manhattan experiencing the highest cost of living in the United States.
The $11.1 billion East Side Access project, connecting the East Side of Manhattan with Long Island City, Queens, opened in 2023.
Manhattan's tourism demonstrated a recovery in 2023, as visitor numbers climbed back to 63.3 million following the decline during the pandemic.
After peaking during the pandemic, rates of shootings and violent crimes in Upper Manhattan declined in 2023, following a nationwide trend.
In 2023, NYCHA public housing in Manhattan housed nearly 100,000 residents in over 50,000 units.
As of 2023, One World Trade Center remains the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the seventh-tallest in the world.
As of 2023, Manhattan was represented by three Democrats in the United States House of Representatives.
The Port Authority announced plans for a new bus terminal to be completed by 2032, including office buildings to fund the project, in 2024.
The new Port Authority Bus Terminal is projected to be completed in 2032.