St. Albans, Queens

St. Albans is a residential community located in the borough of Queens in New York City. It is part of Queens Community Board 12, which also includes Jamaica, Hollis, and Springfield Gardens.

History

St. Albans was originally a rural community, home to a number of farms. In the early 19th century, it was named for a town in Hertfordshire, England, by its first postmaster, Samuel Embree. The area began to develop as a suburb with the arrival of the Long Island Rail Road in 1899.

In the mid-20th century, St. Albans became a popular home for many notable African Americans, including musicians like Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Fats Waller, as well as athletes like Jackie Robinson and Joe Louis.

Geography

St. Albans is bordered by Jamaica to the east, Hollis to the north, Springfield Gardens to the south, and South Jamaica to the west. The neighborhood is primarily residential, with a mix of detached houses and smaller apartment buildings.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, St. Albans had a population of approximately 48,593. The neighborhood is predominantly African American, with a significant number of Caribbean immigrants.

Education

St. Albans is served by the New York City Department of Education. There are several public and private schools in the area, including the notable St. Albans School.

Transportation

St. Albans is served by a number of bus routes operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The St. Albans station on the Long Island Rail Road's West Hempstead Branch provides rail service to the area.

Notable people

Many notable individuals have resided in St. Albans, including musicians Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Fats Waller, athletes Jackie Robinson and Joe Louis, and civil rights activist W. E. B. Du Bois.