Laurelton, Queens

Laurelton is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. It is part of Queens Community Board 13. The neighborhood is surrounded by Springfield Boulevard and Francis Lewis Boulevard to the west, the Belt Parkway and Conduit Avenue to the south, Merrick Boulevard to the east, and 141st Avenue to the north.

History

Laurelton was named for the laurels that grew there over 100 years ago. It was developed by the West Side Construction Company at the turn of the 20th century as a community of upscale homes. The area was originally developed for single-family homes, but later, houses were divided into apartments as the neighborhood became more densely populated.

Demographics

Laurelton is predominantly a middle-class neighborhood. According to the 2010 United States Census, the neighborhood had a population of 24,453. The racial makeup of the neighborhood is predominantly African American, with a significant number of Caribbean immigrants.

Education

Laurelton is served by the New York City Department of Education. The neighborhood is home to several public and private schools, including P.S. 156 Laurelton School, I.S. 231 Magnetech 2000, and the Linden Seventh-Day Adventist School.

Transportation

Laurelton is served by the Long Island Rail Road's Laurelton station, which is located at 225th Street and 141st Road. The neighborhood is also served by several bus routes, including the Q5, Q85, and Q77.

Notable residents

Several notable individuals have hailed from Laurelton, including musicians Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, who met while attending school in the neighborhood.

See also

• List of Queens neighborhoods
• History of New York City