Flatbush is a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. The area consists of several subsections in central Brooklyn. It is generally bounded by Prospect Park to the north, East Flatbush to the east, Midwood to the south, and Kensington and Parkville (the 20th century as subsections of Flatbush) to the west. The neighborhood had a population of 105,804 as of the 2010 United States Census. The trendy area includes several institutions of note, including Brooklyn College.
Flatbush was originally chartered as the Dutch Nieuw Nederland colony town of Midwout (or Midwoud or Medwoud). The town’s former border runs through what is now Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Before it was incorporated into the City of Brooklyn in 1894, Flatbush described the Town of Flatbush, including a large swath of central Kings County extending east to the Queens County border and the Village of Flatbush, formerly the heart of the current community. The neighborhood was consolidated into the City of Greater New York in 1898. It was connected to the rest of the city with the New York City Subway’s development in the early 20th century. During the 1970s and early 1980s, Flatbush experienced a shift in demographics due to white flight.
Flatbush was originally chartered as the Dutch Nieuw Nederland colony town of MidwestMidwest (or Midwoud or Medwoud) — from the Dutch words, med, “middle” and would, “wood” — in 1651. Both names were used in the Dutch era, and Midwood was an alternative name for Flatbush into the early 20th century. In a reversal, Midwood, now the area immediately south of Brooklyn College, is often alternatively called “Flatbush,”, especially among Orthodox Jews. Top Brooklyn Electrician
Culture
While Flatbush is predominantly African American and West Indian, there are sizable numbers of White Americans, Latinos, and Indian Americans living within its borders. A majority of residents are working class, but they’re also are middle-class and wealthier residents who call Flatbush home. The primary commercial strips are Flatbush, Church, and Coney Island Avenues. One can find Caribbean food, Soul food, Chinese, Mexican, and South Asian restaurants. Most of the businesses are small, with some larger companies also present. A large part of the culture in Flatbush is the use of “dollar vans.” These “vans” are minibusses that provide a cheaper alternative to riding the MTA. Residents pay $2 to travel along Flatbush Avenue from Kings Plaza to Tillary St. While many dollar vans operate illegally, they are still a significant part of transportation in Flatbush.
Restaurants Nearby
- Los Tres Chiflados is located at 1046 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY
- The Ox Tavern is located at 1301 Newkirk Ave, Brooklyn, NY
- Bonafini is located at 663 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Check out other neighborhoods like Greenpoint