Pitkin bought farmland and built a shoe factory, establishing a blue-collar residential community that often served as a commuter neighborhood.
Once dubbed a "Dead Zone" by local police, the neighborhood has seen dramatic improvements in housing, with the number of units increasing to roughly 44,600 by the late 1990s and continued development into the 2020s. East New York
NYPD reported that 2025 saw record-low gun violence in the city, including in East New York, which saw improved public safety. Pitkin bought farmland and built a shoe factory,
The neighborhood is home to a diverse population and a high percentage of renters. Recent Developments (2025-2026) The neighborhood is home to a diverse population
East New York is a major transit hub, anchored by the Broadway Junction subway station, connecting multiple lines, making it a critical commuter spot.
The area is undergoing significant rezoning (about 200 blocks), aiming to promote affordable housing, with the city’s first Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Designated Area (MIHA) mapped along key corridors like Atlantic Avenue and Pitkin Avenue.
Founded in 1825 by John Pitkin, it was originally intended to be a major manufacturing city to rival Manhattan.
