Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
New York City, New York
State New York
City New York City
County1 New York
City Population (2005)2 7,956,113 42.6% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 1 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 1 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Very Large
City Size Classification - Population Density Very High Density
State Capitol City Albany
State Population (2005)2 18,655,275
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Michael Bloomberg
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://ci.nyc.ny.us/portal/site/nycgov/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 212-NEW-YORK
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Republican
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 3, 2009
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Eliot Spitzer
State/Governor Website http://www.state.ny.us/
State/Governor Contact Information 518-474-7516
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
«Back to Map     Top↑
Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.44    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 21.1%    
     Disability Status 12.9% 19  
     Emphysema 1.28% 59  
     Cardiovascular Disease 26.14% 63  
     Diabetes 5.43% 61  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.58% 67  
     Adult Asthma 9.30% 57  
     Adult Obesity 19.7%   19
     People Without Health Insurance 13.3%   20
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.4% 33  
     Age: 65 years and over 11.7% 53  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 36.0% 60  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 21.7% 22  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 61.8% 7  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 8.4% 40  
     Individuals Below Poverty 20.3% 51  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 30% 53  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 71.9% 53  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 46.1% 64  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.6    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 32.7 (of 51) 41  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 151,958,342 pounds   49
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 118,660,259 pounds 40
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 21,699,778 pounds 41
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 582,447,354 pounds 35
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 669,984,476 pounds 37
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 38.9 grams 26
Number of Superfund Sites in County 0 sites 1  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 1.195 tons per person 40
Recycling Rate (1997) 39.0% 8
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 19,422,924 tons 46
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.0 tons/person 6
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 8,358,951 tons 3
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 43.0% 3
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 19.5% 7
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) -16.3% 8
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) 10.3% 11
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    3.2***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 232,000 tons   33
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 69,600 tons   19
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 51,546,500 tons   34
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 1,030.0 pounds   21
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 5.8 PM2.5 52  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 17.7 PM2.5 57  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 3.2 PM2.5 47  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 16.8 PM2.5 56  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 3 ppm 16  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) 0.03 ug/m3 12  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.030 ppm 52  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 22 ug/m3 11  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.011 ppm 52  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 14 days 33  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    3.3***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Lower Hudson ---  
# of Units in Watershed (Not Available) (Not Available)  
# of Assessed Watershed Units (Not Available) (Not Available)  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units (Not Available) (Not Available)  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened (Not Available) 1  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed (Not Available) 1  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 47.25 inches 12  
Water Area Total, square miles 6,766 square miles 5  
Water Area Inland, square miles 1,888 square miles 24  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 976 square miles 9  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 3,901 square miles 3  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station New York ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 129 years 1  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 121 days 20  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station New York ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 130 years 1  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 28.4 inches 22  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 16,800,000,000 gallons/day 19  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 567,000,000 gallons/day 59  
Ground water, gallons/day 1,010,000,000 gallons/day 35  
Surface water, gallons/day 15,800,000,000 gallons/day 17  
Irrigation, gallons/day 30,000,000 gallons/day 56  
Public Supply, gallons/day 3,140,000,000 gallons/day 16  
Industrial, gallons/day 321,000,000 gallons/day 41  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 13,100,000,000 gallons/day 9  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 469,000,000 gallons/day 49  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier New York City - Catskill/Delaware System ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 6,552,718 people 1  
Year(s) Included in Summary (Not Available) ---  
Total Contaminants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Industrial Pollutants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water (Not Available) ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested (Not Available) (Not Available)  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 1 violation 35  
Health Violations 1 violation 54  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 3.0    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 26,402.9 people per square mile 1  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 10,553.2 housing units per square mile 1  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 40.0 minutes 72  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 38.4 minutes 72  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 8.0% 71  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 52.8% 1  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 10.9% 6  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 2.9% 28  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 119.2 68  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 57.9 MV registrations   4
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 35.0%   16
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 44.6 MV registrations   18
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.95 MV registrations   7
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 113,124 miles   38
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.544%   40
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 36.4%   11
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.01 miles   10
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 10.47 miles   11
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $6,592,000,000   48
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $58,272 per mile   44
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 43.8%   15
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 23.0 hours per person 30  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $383 per person 30  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $6,780,000,000 51  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 11 gallons per person 18  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $41,509 22  
Median Household Income (2000) $38,293 32  
Per capita income (2004) $25,751 17  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $22,402 22  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 17.4% 54  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 21.2% 53  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 20.3% 51  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 7.5% 61  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 30.0% 53  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 325,750 people 67  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 5.2% 32  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 8.4% 40  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 5.5% 53  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 9.6% 60  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -5.4% 11  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -14.3% 11  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Higher Than Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $7.15 per hour 4  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 1,335,709 kids (7.2% of total pop.) 1  
Largest School District Enrollment 1,066,516 kids (5.7% of total pop.) 1  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 71.9% 53  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 38.2% 63  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 78.3% 51  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 31.5% 29  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 36% 60  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Middle of the Road   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade B   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 2,984,544 units 1  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 66.9% 2  
Cost of Living: Housing 225.3 65  
Cost of Living: Utilities 163.3 72  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 136.6 72  
Cost of Living: Overall 172.3 69  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 57.48%   38
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 38.50%   45
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 53.20%   44
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 21.5%   50
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 2,800.5 incidents per 100,000 people 2  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 687.4 incidents per 100,000 people 26  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 2,113.1 incidents per 100,000 people 1  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 2,916.8 incidents per 100,000 people 4  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 3.2    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 5.6 parks per square mile 1  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 93.4 park acres per city square mile 5  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 4.6 acres 44  
Parkland as % of City Area 18.9% 3  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $54 per resident 17  
Total City Tree Canopy % 11.1% 27  
Total City Urbanized Area % 70.4% 51  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users No ---  
Disability Advisory Committees No ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Some ---  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.5    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.58% 67
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 9.30% 57
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.40% 70
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.28% 59
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 26.14% 63
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 5.43% 61  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 19.7% 19
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 6.9% 5
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 12.0% 27
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 6.0% 13
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 183.5 11
Cost of Living: Health 183.9 72  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 14.2% 28
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 13.3% 20
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -6.3% 3
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.8% 6
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 10 farms 34
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 87 markets 1
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 19 restaurants 2
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 7 grocery stores 4
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 18 other sources 1
Cost of Living: Food 140.6 72
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 52.9% 7
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 34.5% 14
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 3 programs   3
Net Metering No Net Metering   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 10 kW   34
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 400 kW   7
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds support Energy Effeciency & Renewable Energy   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 25%   3
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2013   6
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems No   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings LEED Recommended   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 19.5%   10
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 42 years 49
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 64% 12
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 9.3 mph 25
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 10.7 mph 19
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.6 mph 37
Heating Degree Days 4,805 days 31
Cooling Degree Days 1,096 days 33
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 64 years 1
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 72% 10
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 56% 20
Elevation, feet 33 f eet 12
 
«Back to Map     Top↑

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 7,956,113 1 (of 72 in EDN study) 42.6% of state population
City Population (2000) 8,008,278 1 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 18,655,275 3 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region Mid-Atlantic ---  
EPA Region 2 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 303.0 square miles 13 1.0% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 47,224 square miles 30  
Watershed Name Lower Hudson ---  
Elevation, feet 33 ft. (10.0 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 32.1°F (0.1°C) 43
Average Daily Temperature - July 76.5°F (24.7°C) 34  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 35.5 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 75.8% 19  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 11.7% 20  
Under 5 years of age 582,869 kids (7.4% of total pop.) 1  
One Race-White % (2005) 44.0% 56  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 56.0% 17  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 27.9% 21  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 46.1% 8  
Largest School District Name New York City ---  
 
«Back to Map     Top↑
 
1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
«Back to Map 
© 2006 Earth Day Network