DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY
About DUMBO, Brooklyn
DUMBO, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is known for its population of young techies, who both live and work here. Historically this was an industrial area, but in the early 2000’s real estate developers got interested and converted these buildings into apartments and offices.
For residents, the views of downtown Manhattan from Dumbo are unparalleled. Getting around can be tough, however—the neighborhood is primarily served by the York St. F station, which gets incredibly congested during rush hour.
The History of DUMBO, Brooklyn
The native Lenape had been living in this area for centuries when the Dutch arrived in 1646 to settle the Village of Bruecklen. The neighborhood changed rapidly once Robert Fulton introduced ferry service to Manhattan in 1814, at which point the neighborhood (then called “Fulton’s Landing”) became a bustling waterfront. By the time the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1888, Fulton’s Landing was an established industrial center that manufactured everything from boxes to brillo pads. The area fell into some decline after the 1950s and the vacant warehouses became popular with artists and squatters, who christened the area DUMBO. The neighborhood saw a resurgence in the late 1990s as developers converted warehouses into desirable lofts and offices, and today Dumbo is home to some of the most coveted housing in Brooklyn.
DUMBO Demographics
As of 2018 there are just over five thousand people living in DUMBO. There are more young children here than in other neighborhoods and very few senior citizens. Most people here identify as white and the median household income is more than three times the NYC average. Almost all adults here hold a Bachelor’s degree and nearly half hold an advanced graduate degree, making it one of the more educated neighborhoods in the city.
Transportation in DUMBO
Dumbo is served by the F train at York St., which can whisk you from Manhattan in about 5 minutes but is notoriously congested during rush hour. Residents can also walk an extra ten minutes up the hill to access nearly every train in the NYC subway system in Downtown Brooklyn. Locals can also hop on the ferry at Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park for 8-minute rides to lower Manhattan.
Housing in DUMBO
Housing in DUMBO generally comes in two forms: converted loft apartment or luxury high rise condo. Almost half of the buildings were built after the year 2000, with the rest consisting of warehouses dating from the late 1800s. Most buildings around here are over 10 stories tall. Home ownership rates are very high here at forty-one percent, well above the NYC average of thirty-three percent.
Neighborhood Life in DUMBO
With its stately brick warehouses and cobblestoned streets, walking through Dumbo might feel like walking back in time were it not for its hip coffee shops, high end furniture stores, and well-appointed organic food markets. Since Dumbo is home to so many tech offices the streets are particularly lively during the weekdays, where you’ll see the diverse lunch crowd in the outdoor cafes and quirky boutiques along Front St. The neighborhood can feel a bit quiet at night, but there’s a healthy number of bars and restaurants around to keep you here if you don’t feel like venturing up the hill to Brooklyn Heights. Dumbo’s biggest draw is its waterfront, which has recently undergone a massive renovation with new parks, piers, sports fields, and even a carousel, all in the shadow of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.
Similar Neighborhoods to DUMBO, Brooklyn
@ carousel
tribeca-neighborhood-manhattan-new-york-ny, Neighborhood guide for Dumbo
soho-neighborhood-manhattan-new-york-ny, SoHo
williamsburg-neighborhood-brooklyn-new-york-ny, Williamsburg
long-island-city-neighborhood-queens-new-york-ny, Things to do in Dumbo
DUMBO Real Estate Trends
Dumbo boasts the most expensive real estate in Brooklyn. The market has skyrocketed here in recent years and the average price per square foot is 20 percent more than it was last year. As new development brings hundreds of new residents and shops to Dumbo, you can expect this area to become even more desirable.
Dumbo Median Sale Price (USD):
Studio 700,000
1bd 1,000,000
2bd 1,700,000
3bd 2,650,000
Dumbo Median Rent Price (USD):
1bd 4,300
2bd 5,600
3bd 9,000
The Truth You Should Know About DUMBO
How Safe is DUMBO?
Crime rates in DUMBO are about average for NYC. With so many construction sites in the neighborhood a lot of sidewalks are blocked, forcing pedestrians into the street, and some streets can feel desolate at night.
Are the Schools in DUMBO Good?
Children in DUMBO are zoned for PS 307 which unfortunately falls below citywide thresholds for Math and English proficiency.
Popular Eateries in DUMBO, Brooklyn?
Dumbo is famous for its sleek modern eateries in airy lofts but you can also find some of the most famous pizza restaurants in all of Brooklyn. Locals have very strong opinions about their favorite pie, so be sure to sample them all before joining the heated debates. @grid
Juliana’s
Pizza
19 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn NY 11201Grimaldi’s
Pizza
1 Front St, Brooklyn NY 11201Front St Pizza
Pizza
80 Front St, Brooklyn NY 11201Luke’s Lobster Brooklyn Bridge Park
Seafood
11 Water St., Brooklyn NY 11201Time Out Food Market
Food Hall
55 Water St, Brooklyn NY 11201The River Cafe
American
1 Water St, Brooklyn NY 11201Pedro's Mexican Bar and Restaurant
Mexican
73 Jay St., Brooklyn NY 11201
What to do in DUMBO, Brooklyn?
Take your kids on a carousel ride with stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.
Visit St. Ann’s Warehouse to catch some of the best theater in the city.
Peruse the artisanal crafts and jewelry at the DUMBO flea market.
Check out the beautiful murals on York St., an ongoing public art project since 2012.
Take the mandatory selfie at Fulton and Washington Sts, one of the most photographed corners in the city with perfectly aligned views of the Manhattan bridge.
Visit Gleason’s gym on Water street, one of the most storied boxing gyms in the city where Muhammad Ali and Jake LaMotta once trained.
Is DUMBO Dog Friendly?
Yes! Lots of households in DUMBO have dogs and most buildings here are pet friendly. There are seven dog parks within a small area, and Brooklyn Bridge Park is a dog walkers dream come true. Neighboring Brooklyn Heights and Fort Greene are also very dog friendly and you’ll have no trouble finding a great veterinarian or dog sitter to make sure your best friend is well taken care of.
Is DUMBO Good for Cycling?
Yes and no. Dumbo cyclists have access excellent bike paths in Brooklyn Bridge Park and easy commutes across the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, however many smaller side streets are laid with cobblestone and disused railroad tracks, which can be murder on your tires. The area is nonetheless home to a very active cycling community as well as several bike share stations in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Locals flock Redbeard bikes on Jay St., where the owners can help you create the perfect custom bicycle.
4 Things to Know Before Moving to DUMBO, Brooklyn
DUMBO is located right under the BQE, and below the rattling subway trains on the Manhattan Bridge - expect noise and vibrations at all times of day
DUMBO is very popular with tourists in the summer months - expect crowds of people, particularly near Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Homes in eastern DUMBO are close to the Farragut SubStation, a massive Con Edison Power Plant that consistently emits low humming noise.
Many homes in DUMBO are located within a historic district, which can bolster home values but also puts strict limitations on alterations and expansions.