This part of Staten Island has seen significant economic growth, but major disparities persist

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A new report shows that Staten Island’s North Shore has seen significant growth in a number of areas over the past decade, with the new data serving as an invaluable resource for local elected officials to target continued improvements in the years to come.

On Friday, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli visited the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden in Livingston to unveil a new report titled, An Economic Snapshot of Staten Island’s North Shore, providing key insights into the progress that has been made in an area that has long faced socioeconomic disparities compared to the rest of the borough.

“The North Shore is a key part of the growth story in Staten Island. It has contributed to the increase in average household income and a decline in poverty,” said DiNapoli. “The success of the area’s waterfront revitalization remains critical for future growth in the borough by creating jobs and new housing. But like many parts of New York City, the North Shore faces challenges with systemic disparities that must be addressed to ensure that all residents benefit from these efforts.”

From 2010 through 2020, the North Shore population grew 7.9% to 189,663, maintaining it’s place as the most populous portion of the borough and accounting for 38.3% of all Staten Island residents.

The report notes significant progress across various economic indicators, including a 16.8% increase in the total number of businesses from 2012 to 2022, a 7.7% increase in employment, a 43.5% increase in total wages and a 33.3% increase in the average wage.

“The North Shore stands as a hub for local business growth, waterfront expansion, innovative construction, and job opportunities,” said Michael Cusick, president & CEO of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC). “These findings will serve as an invaluable resource to the SIEDC as we continue to work with public officials, community-based organizations, and public and private entities to support the growth of new industries and community assets on the North Shore.”

Household Income

The median household income on the North Shore grew 47.3%, from $58,243 in 2012 to $85,766 in 2022, well above the 30.9% increase observed across Staten Island as a whole.

However, the $85,766 median household income on the North Shore is still more than $10,000 below borough-wide median household income of $96,185 and significant disparities exist within the North Shore itself, with the median incomes ranging from $24,107 in an area of Rosebank/Shore Acres/Park Hill to $160,625 in part of Westerleigh/Castleton Corners.

“As the proud representative of such a young and diverse portion of our borough, I am thrilled to see that our small businesses have grown by over 16% and that the median incomes here continue to rise. However, I recognize that there is still work to be done to make sure the North Shore becomes the best version of itself. With this key information, we can continue to build on this progress and address the challenges that remain for my constituents here on Staten Island,” said State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn).

School Enrollment

Enrollment in the North Shore’s K-8 public schools has dropped 11% from the 2018-2019 school year to the 2022-2023 school year, mirroring a concerning trend that has been observed citywide since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Even with the declining enrollment, 16 of the North Shore’s 26 traditional K-8 public schools were overcrowded during the 2021-2022 school year, nine of which were operating at over 120% capacity, highlighting the need for additional school seats, particularly if enrollment were to return to pre-pandemic levels.

“This progress is encouraging, but the decline in K-8 school enrollment is troubling. It is imperative that we address this issue and provide robust support for families to create an environment where our schools and students can thrive. Our commitment to education must match our economic ambitions to secure a prosperous future for all,” said Assemblyman Charles D. Fall (D-North Shore/Brooklyn/Lower Manhattan).

Poverty Rates

Poverty rates on the North Shore declined 2.9 percentage points, from 17.9% in 2008-2012 to 15% in 2018-2022, though that figure remains well above the borough-wide rate of 11.1%.

Food insecurity remains a major issue on the North Shore, with the rate of residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rising from 17.8% in 2008-2012 to 19.4% in 2018-2022, seven percentage points higher than the overall Staten Island rate of 12.4%.

North Shore residents are far more likely to rent than other parts of the borough, with renters accounting for 43.7% of occupied housing units, compared to 31.4% across Staten Island as a whole.

Rent Hikes

Renters are also struggling with rising housing costs, with the monthly median gross rent on the North Shore spiking 40.3% from $1,133 in 2008-2012 to $1,590 in 2018-2022.

As a result, 53.1% of renters are considered rent-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent, and 29.1% are severely rent-burdened, meaning they spend more than 50% of their income on rent.

“Despite the challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, our community’s resiliency has been remarkable. While we have made significant progress, we continue to face issues such as poverty, lack of transportation, rising rents, and health challenges. Together, we can tackle these issues and create a brighter future for the North Shore of Staten Island,” said Council Member Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore).

Are you owned unclaimed funds?

During Friday’s press conference, DiNapoli reminded Staten Islanders to check the State Comptroller website to see if they are owed any unclaimed funds, with more than 200,000 borough residents, businesses and organizations owed unclaimed funds totaling more than $124 million.

The comptroller’s office returns, on average, $1.5 million to New Yorkers each day, having already returned nearly a quarter-billion dollars in 2024.

Various community organizations were issued checks for their unclaimed funds, including $5,785 to the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, $1,619.93 to Community Health Action of Staten Island and $882.16 to Snug Harbor.

“Most of the returns have been between $50 and $100, but some of them are higher and we try to make it very easy for you to search online in the privacy of your home to see if you are in our system. So I really encourage everyone to do so,” DiNapoli said.