Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY
About Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Fort Greene is a popular neighborhood in the Northwestern part of Brooklyn. It’s positioned north of Prospect Heights and South of the Brooklyn Navy Yards, with Downtown Brooklyn to the East and Clinton Hill to the West. Fort Greene is a popular neighborhood with beautiful architecture and hip local bars and restaurants. Despite its proximity to Downtown and access to many amenities and nightlife, it’s a calm community with a relaxed pace of life.
Fort Greene is one of Brooklyn’s best kept secrets. Although it’s become popular over the past decade, it hasn’t experienced the same intense demographic change and sudden overdevelopment that other popular neighborhoods in the borough have witnessed. It’s still an ethnically diverse neighborhood with real estate that is affordable for middle class families and artists. It’s anchored by Fort Greene Park, where residents congregate to relax and enjoy an afternoon of nice weather. It’s a neighborhood that well represents modern Brooklyn - where residents of different ethnicities and age groups can come together to celebrate one another’s ideas and cultural heritage.
History of Fort Greene
Originally, For Greene was the domain of Canarsie Indians until the settlers arrived in the 17th Century. In 1776, during the American Revolution, a fort was constructed by General Nathanael Greene, giving the neighborhood its name. Greene’s army was instrumental in assisting then General George Washington fight off British troops in the Battle of Long Island.
The Brooklyn Navy Yard was constructed in 1801, which jump-started the development of that area. After Slavery was outlawed in New York in 1827, Fort Greene became a haven for former slaves fleeing the brutal conditions of the south. Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman were known to congregate and speak at the Lafayette-Presbyterian Church in Fort Greene. Today, the neighborhood is an ethnically diverse neighborhood of artists, professionals, and families.
Fort Greene Demographics
The population of Fort Greene is roughly 28,000 people. It’s an ethnically diverse area. 37% of residents identify as African American, 26% identify as white, and 19% identify as Hispanic. The age range of the neighborhood is pretty evenly distributed across age groups. Families are common in Fort Greene due to the quality of the schools and affordability of the real estate. The median household income is approximately $76,000, slightly lower than the city-wide standard.
Transportation in Fort Greene
Residents of Fort Greene have access to many forms of transportation. The Dekalb Avenue subway station is a stop for the B, D, N, Q, R, and W trains. The Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center features access to the 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains among others. The A and C trains make a stop at Lafayette Avenue and the G train makes a stop at Fulton Street. The B25 and B62 busses also make stops in Fort Greene. For reverse commuters, the LIRR can be accessed at the Atlantic Terminal in Fort Greene. And you want a scenic commute, the NYC ferry makes a stop not too far at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Housing in Fort Greene
Fort Greene is known for its tree-lined blocks and impressive architecture. Beautiful brownstones and row houses can be found on quaint city blocks that have been artfully preserved. The area contains several examples of Eastlake architecture – a style popularized by British architect Charles Eastlake. The style includes Victorian detailing and ornate carved handrails and trellises.
Neighborhood Life in Fort Greene
Fort Greene is a low-key artist neighborhood with tons of trendy boutiques, flea markets, and amazing restaurants. Residents are known to hang out in Fort Greene Park, or just relax on the stoop of a beautiful mid-century brownstone. The Brooklyn Academy of Music is also in Fort Greene, the city’s oldest performing arts center. Fort Greene has a rich literary and artistic tradition - famous writers like John Steinbeck, Walt Whitman and Truman Capote were residents of the neighborhood. It is also the home of legendary R&B and hip-hop artists like Erykah Badu and Mos Def. This mixture of classic and post-modern artistic and literary traditions is still felt in the energy and ambiance of Fort Greene.
Similar Neighborhoods to Fort Greene
Fort Greene Real Estate Trends
Fort Greene is a great neighborhood for young professionals and families looking for a slightly more affordable alternative to other upscale Brooklyn neighborhoods like or Brooklyn Heights. The neighborhood saw the same early 2000’s influx of residents fleeing the skyrocketing prices of Manhattan. However, it hasn’t seen as much sudden gentrification as areas like Williamsburg. Real estate prices in Fort Greene have decreased by 11% in the past 5 years, likely representing a correction in the sudden rise in values caused by the early 2000’s development boom. Those looking for real estate in Brooklyn would be wise to look at Fort Greene, because it’s accessibility and proximity to key amenities makes it a great value for your money in the current climate of NYC real estate.
Fort Greene Median Sale Price (USD):
2bd 1,245,000
Fort Greene Median Rent Price (USD):
Studio 2400
1bd 3,200
2bd 4,500
The Truth You Should Know About Fort Greene, Brooklyn
How Safe is Fort Greene?
Fort Greene is quite safe. Fort Greene has a relatively low violent crime rate andcrime in the neighborhood decreased dramatically in the past 3 decades. Fort Greene doesn’t get the same kind of heavy tourist presence that Manhattan and other nearby Brooklyn neighborhoodsexperience and there isn’t enough concentrated wealth to attract robberies. Therefore, Fort Greene is quite safe as long as one is conscious of the dangers that are present in every major city.
Are the Schools good in Fort Greene, Brooklyn?
Yes, the schools in Fort Greene are quite good. There are two highly-rated public elementary schools - PS 20 the Clinton School and The Urban Academy of Arts and Letters. The Brooklyn Technical School – one of NYC’s most competitive high schools – is in Fort Greene. As is the Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, a prestigious private Catholic High School on Clermont Ave. Success Academy – a highly rated charter school program – has a school in Fort Greene. Plus, the area is home to many performances and digital arts schools like the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the BRIC Arts Center, and the Mark Morris Dance Center.
Popular Eateries in Fort Greene
What to Do in Fort Greene?
Spend the day in Fort Greene Park, the park has remnants of the original fort erected during the civil war
Go on an architectural walking tour, the neighborhood is home to some of the city’s most impressive architecture and tours are held frequently
Check out the BRIC media center on Fulton Street, the multimedia facility and educational center hosts classes and events that may be attended by residents of Brooklyn.
Visit the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the oldest performing arts venue in NYC
Go on a Biggie Smalls Tour, the Brooklyn icon was born in Bed-Stuy, and there is a mural of his likeness in Fort Greene that is a stop on many tours.
Check out the Pratt Institute Sculpture Garden, the famous design school features incredible work from students and faculty
Is Fort Greene, Brooklyn Dog Friendly
Absolutely! Dog owners are often seen taking their canine companions out for a walk in Fort Greene Park or along Dekalb Ave. Dogs are even allowed to be let off the lease in Fort Greene Park, and you’ll often see dogs and owners playing fetch. The apartments tend to be spacious and pet friendly. Some restaurants even allow dogs to come inside. Brooklyn in general tends to be a dog-friendly borough and Fort Greene is no exception to that trend.
Is Fort Greene, Brooklyn Good for Cycling?
Yes, Fort Greene is great for cycling. Although transportation options are abundant, the neighborhood is large and residents often choose to bike rather than walk or take a cab. Citi bike stations are available in many parts of Fort Greene, giving residents the option to rent a bike for a few hours. The traffic is more manageable than in Manhattan and so cyclists are a common sight in Fort Greene.
4 Things to Know before Living in Fort Greene, Brooklyn
There are more co-ops than condos in For Greene, so those looking to buy may need board approval.
Northern part of Fort Greene is a subway desert.
BRIC media center hosts many free classes for Brooklyn residents. These include media-related subjects among other subjects like yoga and dance classes.
The Barclays Center can get very busy on nights when events are happening and may clog the subways or spill over into Fort Greene.