New York City Licensed Dog Population/NYC EDC
Aug. 8, 2017 by Nathaly Pesantez
The 11109 zip code, an area spanning approximately five blocks by the Long Island City waterfront, has the highest proportion of licensed dogs to people in New York City, according to the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
The zip code, although encompassing the small area of luxury towers, restaurants, and shops between 49th Avenue up to N Basin Road and going up through Center Boulevard and parts of 5th Street, has a population of 4,702 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But also within the zip code are 180 licensed dogs—or about one dog for every 26 people.
Although dog licenses are required by New York State Law, many dog owners in the city do not have the proper paperwork filed for their pets—in one estimate by CBS, 80 percent of dogs in New York City are not licensed.
But the EDC pointed out a connection between dogs licensed by zip code and median income—nine of the zip codes with the largest number of dogs per capita also make up the 19 neighborhoods with the highest median incomes in the city, with the median income for the tiny yet robust 11109 zip code at $91,745, the third-highest median income, according to the report.
Long Island City has seen a rise in dog runs in the past several years, with a $750,000, 24-hour public dog run opening on Center Boulevard in 2015, as well as one inside Hunters Point South Park that opened in 2013. There is also the dog run at Vernon Boulevard and 48 Avenue as well as another at John F. Murray Playground.
Dog-focused shops have also sprouted within and around the 11109 zip code in recent years, including LIC Doghouse and Pooches Sport & Spa.
Opening of dog run on Center Blvd (2015)
