The New York Journal · Things to Do
The Five Boroughs of New York City, Explained
Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island: what each borough is, which county it is, and what a visitor should see there.
By Luxury Travel NYC Editorial··6 min read
In brief
- New York City has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
- Each borough is also a county: Manhattan is New York County, Brooklyn is Kings County and Staten Island is Richmond County.
- Brooklyn has the most people, Queens has the most land and Manhattan is the smallest and most densely populated.
- The five boroughs were consolidated into one city in 1898.
New York City is made up of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Each is also its own county of New York State, and together they have been one city since 1898. Most visitors spend their time in Manhattan, but every borough has something worth the trip.
What are the five boroughs of NYC?
| Borough | County | Population (2020) | Land area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | Kings County | 2,736,074 | 69.4 sq mi |
| Queens | Queens County | 2,405,464 | 108.7 sq mi |
| Manhattan | New York County | 1,694,251 | 22.7 sq mi |
| The Bronx | Bronx County | 1,472,654 | 42.2 sq mi |
| Staten Island | Richmond County | 495,747 | 57.5 sq mi |
| New York City | 8,804,190 | 300.5 sq mi |
Manhattan
The smallest borough by area and by far the most densely populated. Manhattan is where most first-time visitors stay: Central Park, Times Square, Broadway, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMA are all here. See our Manhattan guide and where to stay.
Brooklyn
The most populous borough, and the one most visitors add on a return trip: the Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo’s waterfront, Prospect Park and the restaurants and bars of Williamsburg. Brooklyn is Kings County. See what to do in Brooklyn and the best hotels in Brooklyn.
Queens
The largest borough by land area. Most visitors arrive here without realizing it: both JFK and LaGuardia airports are in Queens. It is also home to Citi Field and the US Open’s home in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. See JFK vs LaGuardia vs Newark.
The Bronx
The only borough on the mainland. Visitors come for Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.
Staten Island
The least populous borough, Staten Island is also Richmond County. For visitors, the highlight is the free Staten Island Ferry from Lower Manhattan, which passes close to the Statue of Liberty with views back to the skyline.
Which borough should you stay in?
For a first visit, Manhattan, ideally Midtown near Central Park or the Upper East Side. Return visitors often choose downtown Manhattan or Brooklyn. Our Where to Stay guide groups hotels by neighborhood.
FAQ
Questions, Answered
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Related
Further Reading & Services
Destination
Manhattan
From Madison Avenue to Hudson Yards, a private chauffeur who knows the avenues, the curbs and the hour-by-hour rhythm of the city.
Destination
Brooklyn
DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg and Park Slope — across the river by private car, with the skyline view thrown in.
NYC Guide
Where to Stay
An insider’s guide to New York’s best hotels — grand classics, modern towers, downtown boutiques and Brooklyn — with neighborhood and airport arrival advice.
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