RANK #897 / 996 · POP 1,645,867 · NY
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.6%
Manhattan, coextensive with New York County, is an island borough renowned for its iconic skyline, featuring landmarks like the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center. Bounded by the Hudson River to the west and the East River to the east, it is the most densely populated borough in New York City. Commuting within Manhattan and to surrounding boroughs is primarily done via the extensive subway system, buses, and ferries, with regional rail lines connecting to nearby suburbs. While often perceived as a concrete jungle, Central Park offers a significant green oasis, and waterfront parks like Hudson River Park provide outdoor recreation opportunities.
Life in Manhattan is characterized by its fast pace and diverse communities, attracting individuals seeking career opportunities and cultural experiences. The economy is a global hub for finance, media, and entertainment, with a significant presence of Fortune 500 companies and a growing tech sector. Tourism also remains a major economic driver. The New York City Department of Education oversees public schools, and numerous prestigious universities are located within the borough. Recent economic developments show growth in sectors like healthcare and social assistance, though challenges like housing affordability persist.
Above national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks undervalued at 2.2x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Anthropic/Fluidstack New York Data Centers (AI Infrastructure)
Anthropic, Fluidstack
|
$50,000M | Planned |
|
New Advanced Nuclear Power Plant (Upstate New York)
New York Power Authority (NYPA)
|
$10,000M | Proposed |
|
Digital Realty Data Center Portfolio (JFK10, JFK12, JFK13)
Digital Realty
|
$500M | Operating |
|
Equinix Data Center Portfolio (NY1, NY9, etc.)
Equinix
|
$300M | Operating |
|
Sabey Data Center (375 Pearl Street)
Sabey Data Centers
|
$200M | Operating |
|
QTS Data Center (395 Hudson St.)
QTS
|
$100M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
New York County has a Boom Town Index score of 10/100, ranking #897 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.8% and a median household income of $99,880, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in New York County is $1,104,000 with median rent at $2,024/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.0905, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -1.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.8%. Home values changed +0.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.65% of New York County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.