Norwood, Bronx

Norwood, also known as Bainbridge, is a residential neighborhood in the northwest part of the Bronx, New York City. It is bordered by Van Cortlandt Park and Woodlawn Cemetery to the north, the Bronx River to the east, and Mosholu Parkway to the southwest.

The area is shaped by what was once called Valentine's Hill. The highest point is near where 210th Street meets Bainbridge Avenue, close to where Gun Hill Road crosses. The Montefiore Medical Center, the largest landowner and employer in the neighborhood, is also located here.

Norwood is part of Bronx Community District 7 and is watched over by the NYPD's 52nd Precinct. In the year 2000, the neighborhood was home to about 40,748 people spread across its seven areas counted in the census.

Name

"Norwood" is the most common name for this neighborhood, often used in city publications, subway maps, and local media. However, some people also call it "Bainbridge," especially in parts of the neighborhood with many Irish American families near Bainbridge Avenue and East 204th Street. Nearby areas like Riverdale and Woodlawn are more well-known than Norwood.

History

During the Civil War, the area that is now Norwood was farmland in Westchester County, located between West Farms and Yonkers. Important families who owned land there included the Valentine, Varian, and Bussing families. In 1863, Woodlawn Cemetery was established to the north. The area became part of New York City in 1873. By the early 1900s, streets were laid out, and the neighborhood started to change from rural land to a more suburban area.

In the early 1900s, the area was known by different names, such as North Bedford Park and Brendan Hill. The name Norwood first appeared around this time. In the mid-20th century, many families from Europe lived in Norwood, along with people from Puerto Rico, and later, many others including Dominicans, Bangladeshis, Albanians, West Indians, West Africans, and new Irish immigrants.

Demographics

2010 Census

Data from the 2010 United States census shows that Norwood had a population of 40,494 people. This was a small decrease from the previous census in the year 2000. The neighborhood covers about 360 acres, meaning many people lived there.

Most people in Norwood identified as Hispanic or Latino, making up almost 60% of the population. Other groups included White people at about 10%, African American people at about 18%, and Asian people at about 11%. Smaller groups included Native American and Pacific Islander people, as well as those from other races or two or more races.

2000 Census

The 2000 United States census recorded 40,748 people living in Norwood. About half of the neighborhood’s residents were Hispanic or Latino. Many people came from places like the Caribbean, South America, and South Central Asia. Some also spoke languages such as Spanish at home, along with English.

Politics

Norwood is part of New York City's 11th City Council district, represented by Eric Dinowitz.

In 2022, after changes from the 2010 Census, Norwood joined New York State Senate District 33, represented by Gustavo Rivera. The neighborhood is split between two New York State Assembly districts: the 80th, represented by John Zaccaro Jr., and the 81st, represented by Jeffrey Dinowitz. It is also part of New York's 15th congressional district, represented by Ritchie Torres. All these representatives belong to the Democratic Party.

Landmarks

Norwood, Bronx, has many special places. One of them is the Montefiore Medical Center, a big hospital. There is also the Williamsbridge Oval, called "the Oval" or "Oval Park", which has playgrounds, places for dogs, basketball, and tennis, plus a field for football and soccer. Long ago, this was a place that stored water.

Other landmarks include the Keeper's House at Williamsbridge Reservoir, an old building from 1889 now used for community events. The Valentine–Varian House is a very old farmhouse from 1758 that now holds the Museum of Bronx History. There is also St. Brendan's Church and School, started in 1908, and the Shrine Church of St. Ann, started in 1927. The area also has the Mosholu Library, part of the New York Public Library, and a special building called The Lenru.

Police and crime

Norwood and Bedford Park are watched over by the 52nd Precinct of the NYPD, based at 3016 Webster Avenue. In 2010, this area was ranked 49th safest out of 69 areas in the city for crime rates.

Crime has dropped a lot since the 1990s. By 2022, the number of serious crimes had fallen by 76.1% compared to 1990. The types of crimes reported in 2022 included murders, robberies, and other serious acts, but overall, the area is safer than it was three decades ago.

Fire safety

Norwood is close to two fire stations run by the New York City Fire Department. One station, Engine Co. 79/Ladder Co. 37/Battalion 27, is at 2928 Briggs Avenue. The other, Engine Co. 62/Ladder Co. 32, is at 3431 White Plains Road.

Health

In Norwood and Bedford Park, fewer babies are born early compared to the rest of the city, but more babies are born to teenage mothers. About 16% of people in the area do not have health insurance, which is higher than the city average.

The air in Norwood and Bedford Park has more harmful particles than the city average. Fewer people smoke here than in the rest of the city. Health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure are more common here than citywide. Most people eat fruits and vegetables daily, though slightly less than the city average. Two big hospitals, Montefiore Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital, are located in Norwood.

Post office and ZIP Code

Norwood is part of ZIP Code 10467. The United States Postal Service runs the Van Cott Station at 3102 Decatur Avenue.

Education

Norwood and Bedford Park have fewer college-educated residents compared to the rest of New York City. In 2018, about 23% of people aged 25 and older had a college education or more, while 32% did not finish high school, and 45% had some college education or finished high school. During the years 2000 to 2011, students in Norwood and Bedford Park improved in math and reading skills.

Many elementary school students in Norwood and Bedford Park miss a lot of school days. About 28% of these students miss twenty or more days each school year, which is more than the city average. Also, only 70% of high school students finish on time, which is lower than the city’s average of 75%.

The New York City Department of Education runs public schools here. Local schools include PS/MS 280 Mosholu Parkway for grades K-8 and PS 56 for grades K-5. High school students may go to Evander Childs High School or DeWitt Clinton High School. There is also a Catholic school called St. Brendan's for grades K-8. The New York Public Library has a branch called Mosholu, which opened in 1955 and has two floors.

Transportation

Norwood has several ways to get around by train and bus. The New York City Subway stops at:

• Norwood–205th Street for the D train going to Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue
• Woodlawn and Mosholu Parkway for trains going to Crown Heights–Utica Avenue

The Metro-North Railroad Harlem Line stops at Williams Bridge station near the east edge of Norwood, going toward Grand Central.

Many buses also serve the area, including routes from the MTA Regional Bus Operations:

• Bx10 to Riverdale
• Bx16 to Eastchester
• Bx28 to Co-op City or Fordham
• Bx34 to Woodlawn or Fordham
• Bx38 to Bay Plaza Shopping Center
• Bx41 to Gun Hill Road or Third Avenue–149th Street

The Bee-Line Bus System also offers service to Westchester County, New York, including stops to Yonkers and White Plains.

Adjoining areas

Norwood is close to several other neighborhoods, including Bedford Park, Williamsbridge, Olinville, Woodlawn Heights, and Allerton. Sometimes people think Norwood is part of Williamsbridge, but this can be confusing because the areas are quite different. This mix-up might happen because Norwood and Williamsbridge share the same zip code, 10467, or because of a place called the "Williamsbridge Oval" located in Norwood.