Kensington, Brooklyn, NY
About Kensington, Brooklyn
Kensington is a calm, residential neighborhood in Central Brooklyn. It’s a modest, middle-class area that is home to a variety of ethnic communities. The neighborhood is bounded by Coney Island Avenue to the east, McDonald Avenue to the west, Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Ave to the north and 18th Ave to the south. Geographically, the neighborhood is just south of Prospect Park and Greenwood Cemetery.
Kensington is a sprawling, suburban neighborhood that features single-family homes, large apartment buildings, mom and pop stores, and authentic ethnic restaurants. It has a secluded, old-world feel that is distinct from other areas of Brooklyn that have become heavily gentrified. The neighborhood has less entertainment and dining options than many parts of Brooklyn but has more of a sense of community and cultural identity. Kensington is a neighborhood of families and older residents looking for peace and quiet.
History of Kensington, Brooklyn
Originally, Kensington was a Dutch settlement that was within the Town of Flatbush. The area was captured by British colonists in 1737 and renamed Kensington after the district in West London. The development of Ocean Parkway in 1880, led the neighborhood to shift from being farmland into a residential area. Irish and Italian immigrants were the first wave of residents to settle in the area, followed soon after by Eastern European and Jewish Immigrants, and later on Latin American, South Asian and Central Asian communities. The variety of cultural influences and different waves of immigration lead to a unique architectural character in the neighborhood. Today, Kensington is a diverse community of multigenerational families has an old-world Brooklyn charm.
Demographics of Kensington, Brooklyn
The population of Kensington is around 52,000. It’s an ethnically diverse neighborhood. Fifty percent of residents identify as white, 23% identify as Asian and 17% identify as Hispanic. Within those groups, there are smaller ethnic communities of Bangladeshi, Indian, Orthodox Jewish, Latin American, Uzbek, Tajik, Polish, Italian, and Russian families. Age ranges are fairly consistent across groups. For instance, 28% of residents are under 18, 39% are between 18 and 45 and 33% are over 45. It’s a solidly middle-class neighborhood with the median household income being around $56,000.
Transportation in Kensington, Brooklyn
Residents of Kensington have access to a variety of transportation options. The F and G trains of the NYC subway make stops in Kensington at Church Ave. The B and Q trains are also accessible just a few blocks away in Midwood. The B8, B16, B35, B67, B68, B69, B70, B103 local buses stop in Kensington as do the BM1, BM2, BM3, and BM4 express buses to Manhattan. Also, Ocean Parkway runs through Kensington which gives drivers access to other major highways.
Housing in Kensington, Brooklyn
Kensington offers residents a diverse array of housing options. Large, pre-war apartment buildings sit beside Victorian single-family homes. Brick row houses and quirky duplexes are also prevalent throughout the neighborhood. The architectural makeup of the area was influenced by various waves of development over the past two centuries and the arrival of different ethnic communities. It’s an affordable part of Brooklyn for middle-class families and detached Victorian homes are common. New developments are typically spacious and barebones – those looking for luxury condos will be disappointed. But those looking for affordable living and large, comfortable apartments will love Kensington.
Neighborhood Life in Kensington, Brooklyn
Kensington is a serene suburban neighborhood, where residents enjoy a quiet life removed from the normal hustle of New York City. Residents are known to hang out in Prospect Park or go jogging along Ocean Parkway. Bodegas and mom and pop restaurants line major streets like Coney Island Ave. It’s not a neighborhood with tons of entertainment options or a hip nightlife, but residents are willing to sacrifice attractions for a slower pace of life. Instead, you’ll find pick up soccer games in local parks, or community events at local churches and synagogues. It’s a lowkey area that is a cultural melting pot and residents are known to practice traditions from their own ethnic cultures in daily life.
Similar Neighborhoods to Kensington, Brooklyn
Real Estate Trends in Kensington, Brooklyn
Kensington is a modest, affordable neighborhood. The median sale price for a property is just over $400,00, which is very cheap for New York City standards. Prices have remained consistent over the past 5 years, only decreasing by 7% in that period. Single-family homes are common, which is rare for New York City, making the neighborhood very attractive to people with children. Large apartment complexes are also common and there are several co-op buildings in the neighborhood as well. Overall, Kensington is a solid neighborhood for middle-class families looking to purchase a home because it’s not in danger of gentrifying or overdeveloping any time soon.
The Truth About Kensington, Brooklyn
Is Kensington, Brooklyn Safe?
Yes, Kensington is very safe. Kensington and Borough Park are the safest neighborhoods in Brooklyn and have no serious problems with crime. The 66th Precinct of the NYPD patrols the area, as do private Jewish neighborhood patrols called Shomrim, which keeps crime very low. Although crime has never been a big problem in the neighborhood, it has decreased significantly across all categories in the past three decades. Overall, Kensington is a secluded area of middle-class families and doesn’t attract much of a criminal element.
Are the Schools in Kensington, Brooklyn Good?
Yes, the schools in Kensington are highly rated. For elementary school, PS 134, PS 230 Doris L Cohen, and Brooklyn Dreams Charter School cater to grades K-5 (Brooklyn Dreams also offers 6th and 7th grades). All of these schools are highly rated in terms of test scores and student to teacher ratio. For Middle School, JHS 62 Ditmas is also in the neighborhood. There are no public high schools in Kensington, but students in Kensington may attend any other public high school in the NYC public school system. Private Jewish high schools like Bonim Lamokom and Yeshiva & Mesivta Torah Temimah are also in Kensington.
Popular Eateries in Kensington, Brooklyn
Things to Do in Kensington, Brooklyn
Go to the sauna at Brooklyn Banya, an authentic Turkish bathhouse on Coney Island Ave
Hang out in Prospect Park, the over 500-acre greenspace features playgrounds, sports fields, and a dog beach
Go for a bike ride along Ocean Parkway, the thoroughfare features a jogging and bike path
Check out Greenwood Cemetery, the historic cemetery is the final resting place of iconic figures like Jean Michel Basquiat and Boss Tweed.
Stop by the Kensington Library, the public library hosts events for young students and families
Is Kensington, Brooklyn Dog Friendly?
Yes, Kensington is great for dogs. The large prewar apartments are spacious enough to allow dogs to move around and some single-family homes even feature a backyard. Prospect Park is a good place to go for a walk on a brisk day. The park has special off-leash hours and contains a dog beach, where canine companions are often seen splashing around in the water. Plus, Ocean Parkway is great for owners looking to get some exercise with their animals.
Is Kensington, Brooklyn Good for Cyclists?
Yes, Kensington is a good neighborhood for cycling. Brooklyn is a large borough and subway options in Kensington are fairly limited, so residents must rely on other transportation options. Many residents of Kensington drive, but many are also bikers. Bike lanes are present along major roads like Ocean Parkway but are fairly limited on side streets. Prospect Park provides a great place to go for a bike ride on a brisk fall day and the traffic is manageable for those with the requisite skill to ride in a city
3 Things to Know Before Moving to Kensington, Brooklyn
Kensington is a quiet, residential area. Those looking for nightlife and entertainment options should look elsewhere.
There is a horse stable on Canton Place called Kensington Stables for those who love horseback riding
The commute into Manhattan can be quite long, so if you work in the city plan accordingly