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Port Richmond is one of Staten Island's most diverse neighborhoods with Latino and Sri Lankan communities. Affordable housing and local retail along Richmond Avenue.
Port Richmond is one of Staten Island's most diverse neighborhoods with Latino and Sri Lankan communities. Affordable housing and local retail along Richmond Avenue.
Did you know?
Port Richmond was originally called "Decker's Ferry" after the ferry service that connected Staten Island to New Jersey — the ferry operated from the 1700s until 1932.
Who’s your neighbor?
Housing cost
$373 / sq ft
Commute
Weekday mornings · leaving 7:30–9:00
- FromPort Richmond
- ToNear Bryant Park
Family scores
Show 5 moreShow fewer
Trade-offs
Stands out
- Affordability98/100
Lower costs than most
- Air & Child Health63/100
Cleaner air and better child-health measures
To weigh
- Schools5/100
Weaker results at the public and charter schools serving it, or fewer of them
- Transit5/100
Longer weekday-morning trips to the city's main job centers
- Family-Friendly Vibe28/100
Fewer families with children than most
Each score compares it with NYC's other residential neighborhoods.
What these scores don't measure: how a block feels on foot, what's changing on it, and whether a particular school suits your child. Walk it at school drop-off time, and check the zoned school for the exact address before you sign a lease.
Your family’s read
How does Port Richmond fit your family?
An agentic read of this neighborhood — including safety and cost of living — tailored to your priorities, family size, budget, and commute.
Analyze for My FamilySchools & early education
Schools9 schools
Port Richmond runs the full governance gamut — zoned public schools like P.S. 020 on Park Avenue and P.S. 021 in Elm Park handle elementary coverage, while Port Richmond High School on St. Josephs Avenue anchors the neighborhood's public secondary options. The charter New World Preparatory on Clove Road adds choice, and private options including Blessed Sacrament and the dedicated UCP program for children with developmental needs round things out. It's a lean but varied bench — families piecing together a plan will find options across the public-private-charter spectrum without needing to leave the neighborhood.
Browse all early-ed in this neighborhoodLiving here
Parks & Playgrounds3 places
Port Richmond doesn't pack in much green space — you've really only got a couple of playgrounds to work with, including the well-maintained Corporal Thompson Playground in CPL. Thompson Park and the simple but solid Levy Playground. It's a thin selection compared to Staten Island's larger park systems, but what exists serves the basics for outdoor time.
1 playground within a 10-min walk
Nearest large park: Freshkills Park (North) · ~74 min walk (2.8 mi)
Transportation90 stops
Port Richmond sits on Staten Island's North Shore, and getting to Manhattan is a commitment — there's no subway here, so you're on the S53, S54, or S66 buses linking to the ferry, or taking the S48 express to the Verrazzano. Broadway and Castleton Avenue run the most frequent local service, with Forest Avenue covering the western edge of the neighborhood. The X10 and X15 express buses help, but expect at least an hour to the core, sometimes more with traffic. It's car-friendly territory for a reason.
Restaurants48 places
Port Richmond's restaurant scene is decidedly no-frills and proudly working-class — a neighborhood where you grab what you need and get back. The deli bench is deep (four on Port Richmond Ave alone, plus a handful along Forest and Castleton), and pizza places pop up every few blocks, from old-school slice joints to family-run parlors. Mexican and Chinese options cluster along the main drags, and there's a surprisingly solid spread of Thai, Latin grill, and a couple of late-night taverns for when you want to sit and nurse a beer. It's not polished, but the authenticity is real.
Groceries4 places
Port Richmond's grocery scene is modest but functional — you've got a Key Food on Port Richmond Avenue for the weekly shop and a CTown a few blocks east on Castleton. A couple of smaller options fill in the gaps, including a deli grocery and what looks like a weekend market setup. The supermarket selection here isn't going to win any awards for variety, but for everyday essentials, you can get by without a car. Specialty items will likely require a trip further south.
Coffee Shops3 places
Port Richmond's coffee scene is thin — just a handful of spots along Port Richmond Ave and Post Ave, with a nutrition-focused spot and a couple of cafes mixed in. It's not a destination for specialty coffee, but you won't be completely stranded for a morning fix. Don't expect a third-wave roaster here.
Things to Do6 places
The activity scene leans athletic here — there's a solid cluster of swim options (including British Swim School), plus a martial arts studio and a dance company for kids who want to move in different ways. A long-running candy shop adds a sweet offset for younger kids, and the public pool at Faber Park pulls weight in summer. It's a lean list overall, but what's here hits the basics: water skills, movement, and the occasional treat after running around.
Daycare & informal care1 place
Port Richmond's childcare landscape leans heavily into Pre-K — there are five public and charter Pre-K sites scattered around the neighborhood, including dedicated centers like The Richmond Pre-K Center and programs embedded in schools like P.S. 019 and P.S. 21. Private daycare options are thinner, with just Rose Day Care on Albion Pl serving that role. For families needing full-day childcare rather than a Pre-K slot, the bench is short, so early enrollment at whichever option fits your schedule is key.
Family Resources2 places
Port Richmond keeps things simple when it comes to family anchors. The Port Richmond Library on Bennett Street is a solid public resource for story times and homework help, and Levy Playground on Jewett Avenue gives kids somewhere to run around. It's a thin lineup — you won't find a full community center or dedicated kids' programming hub here — but what's here is functional and well-used by local families.
Healthcare6 places
Port Richmond anchors its healthcare around Community Health Center of Richmond, which operates two locations along Port Richmond Avenue — that's a real backbone for the neighborhood. A few pediatric practices cluster on the same stretch, which is convenient for families. The gap here is real: urgent care and dentists are simply absent from the immediate area, so for anything beyond routine pediatric visits, you'll be traveling off the block.
Compare with nearby neighborhoods
Best schools in Port Richmond
Schools in Port Richmond
9
Early education in Port Richmond
7
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Port Richmond a good neighborhood for families?
- Port Richmond scores 39/100 for families on Motley — toward the lower end citywide. The Family Fit score blends six parts: how many families live there, schools, affordability, weekday-morning transit time to job centers, safety, and air quality and child health.
- What are the pros and cons of Port Richmond for families?
- For families, Port Richmond stands out for lower costs than most, and cleaner air and better child-health measures. What to weigh: weaker results at the public and charter schools serving it, or fewer of them; longer weekday-morning trips to the city's main job centers; and fewer families with children than most. Each score compares it with NYC's other residential neighborhoods. They don't measure how a block feels on foot or whether a particular school suits your child, so walk it before you decide.
- Is Port Richmond safe?
- Port Richmond scores 34/100 on safety — toward the lower end citywide. We build the score from NYPD crime complaints, pedestrian and cyclist injuries, and serious (Class C) housing violations, each counted per 1,000 residents.
- How are the schools in Port Richmond?
- Port Richmond has 9 schools mapped inside its boundary and scores 5/100 for schools — toward the lower end citywide.
- How do middle and high school admissions work from Port Richmond?
- Middle school: families in Port Richmond apply in 5th grade through the citywide middle school application. District 31's 28 middle school programs admit by method: 13 zoned, 7 unscreened, 6 screened and 2 charter lottery. High school: one citywide application in 8th grade lets a family rank programs anywhere in the city, and the eight specialized high schools admit on the SHSAT alone.
- Is Port Richmond affordable?
- Port Richmond scores 98/100 for affordability on Motley — more affordable than most NYC neighborhoods.
- Which borough is Port Richmond in?
- Port Richmond is a neighborhood in Staten Island, New York City.
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