Motley
Harlem (South), Manhattan

Harlem (South)

At A Glance

Harlem has experienced significant revitalization while maintaining its cultural heritage. Strong transit access and growing retail corridors serve a diversifying population.

Did you know?

The Apollo Theater's Amateur Night, which launched Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, and Lauryn Hill, has run nearly every Wednesday since 1934.

Neighborhood Stats

20
Schools
1
Parks
4
Subway
85
Dining
11
Groceries
22
Coffee

Who’s your neighbor?

$69KMedian Income
19%Under 18
52%College+
18%Own Their Home

Housing cost

Avg Rent
$3,200per month
Avg Sale Price
$750Kmedian sale

Family scores

46
/100
Family Fit
How well the area suits families overall.
1
/100
Safety
Local crime and street-safety signals.
74
/100
Schools
Quality and choice of nearby schools.
13
/100
Affordability
Cost of living — higher is more affordable.
Show 5 more
95
/100
Family-Friendly Vibe
How many families with kids live nearby.
32
/100
Neighborhood Character
Settled, long-term residents and housing.
99
/100
Transit
Subway and bus access for getting around.
6
/100
Air & Water
Air quality and environmental health.
56
/100
Things to Do
Restaurants, shops, and activities nearby.
Lower
050100
Higher

What families should know

Personalize

Get an agentic neighborhood analysis — including safety and cost of living — tailored to your priorities, family size, budget, and commute.

Analyze for My Family

Living here

2 playgrounds within a 10-min walkNearest large park: Central Park · ~10 min walk (0.4 mi)

Families in southern Harlem have one solid playground option at Martin Luther King, Jr. Playground — a well-maintained spot that's popular with local kids. Beyond that single location, the neighborhood's park inventory is thin, which is a real gap for families looking for more variety in green space. What's there works well, but there's no deep bench of options to choose from.

Schools & early education

Harlem South runs a deep bench of options across the public, charter, and private landscape. Zoned public schools like P.S. 076 A. Philip Randolph and P.S. 149 Sojourner Truth anchor the neighborhood, while charter networks including Harlem Village Academy West and Success Academy offer alternatives. A handful of private options like Harlem Academy round things out. The governance mix means families have real variety to weigh, though navigating the charter lottery alongside zoned assignments takes some legwork.

Compare with nearby neighborhoods

Best schools in Harlem (South)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Harlem (South) a good neighborhood for families?
Harlem (South) scores 46/100 for families on Motley — near the middle of the pack citywide. The Family Fit score blends safety, schools, parks, cost of living, and community.
Is Harlem (South) safe?
Harlem (South) scores 1/100 on safety — toward the lower end citywide. We build the score from NYPD complaint data, normalized by population.
How are the schools in Harlem (South)?
Harlem (South) has 20 schools mapped inside its boundary and scores 74/100 for schools — ahead of most NYC neighborhoods.
Is Harlem (South) affordable?
Harlem (South) scores 13/100 for affordability on Motley — among the pricier parts of the city.
Which borough is Harlem (South) in?
Harlem (South) is a neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City.

Want personalized insights for your family?

Sign in to get an agentic neighborhood analysis — including safety and cost of living — tailored to your priorities, family size, budget, and commute.