Immigrants power Jackson Heights, state study shows
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Local lawmakers and State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli gathered to unveil the latest economic snapshot of Jackson Heights on Thursday in East Elmhurst. Eagle photo by Victoria Merlino.
By Victoria Merlino
Business in Jackson Heights is booming, and immigrants are driving the thriving economy, according to a new study released by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli on Thursday.
Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst and North Corona have seen major increases in businesses and jobs over the last decade, with 660 more businesses operating in the neighborhood in 2018 than in 2009. The neighborhoods have also added 4,000 new private sector jobs in the past nine years.
Immigrants are responsible for the economic success story, the study found — people born outside the United States make up 75 percent of the area’s employed residents. Roughly 90 percent of self-employed residents in the area are immigrants, the highest amount of any of New York City’s neighborhoods.
“The immigrant community has been the backbone of development here,” said Councilmember Daniel Dromm at a conference to announce the so-called “economic snapshot.”
Jackson Heights is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in New York City, according to the study. Immigrants account for 60 percent of the population. This figure dwarves the overall percentage of immigrants in New York City — 37 percent — and the national percentage of 14 percent.
Assemblymember Catalina Cruz told the story of the popular local business Arepa Lady, who struggled with finding store space in Jackson Heights due to high rental prices. Eagle photo by Victoria Merlino.
Ecuadorians make up the largest single group of immigrants in the area, representing 20 percent of the immigrant population. Dominicans, Mexicans, Bangladeshis and Colombians also all represented major shares of populations in the neighborhood.
“If you go anywhere in the area of South Asia and you talk about Jackson Heights? Everybody in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan will know about Jackson Heights because of 73rd, 74th Street, 37th Avenue, Diversity Plaza,” Dromm said
Meanwhile, the neighborhood’s poverty rate decreased by 7 percent between 2010 and 2017, going from 20 percent to 13 percent.
“Jackson Heights’ diverse and dynamic immigrant community is the driving force behind the local economy that has seen growth in the number of businesses, jobs and household income,” DiNapoli said.
There is still significant room for improvement in the area.
Though median household income in the area increased by 31 percent between 2012 and 2017, it is still lower than the overall median income in Queens — $56,600 in Jackson Heights compared to $64,500 boroughwide.
Nearly two-thirds of households spent at least 30 percent of the income on rent — up from 54 percent in 2009.. The also report found that 17 of the 19 elementary and middle schools in the area were overcrowded and operating beyond capacity, with four schools operating at 145 percent.
“Despite the neighborhood’s economic success, some changes remain,” DiNapoli said. “The Jackson Heights area is living proof of the positive economic and cultural benefits immigration brings to our communities.”
