User:TheWittyOwls/Skunk City

Skunk City is a Syracuse, New York neighborhood and before 1886, was a rural part of the Town of Geddes. The area was first inhabited by Irish immigrants but later grew to include a variety of ethnic communities. The neighborhood boundaries are Geddes St. on the east, Grand Ave. and Burnet Park on the north, and West Onondaga St. on the south. Harbor Brook Retention area is to the west.

The root of Skunk City's name is not explicitly stated. While some attribute it to the unusually high number of skunks that roam the area at night, others cite the smell given off by the local stream.

History
In 1987, Skunk City housed 1,300 residents and boasted just a single grocery store. Originally settled by Irish immigrants, many of whom contributed to the construction of the Erie Canal or toiled in the salt mines, this historic area saw its first land purchases dating back to the 1830s. Initially designated as the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation, the neighborhood began to take shape with the construction of its earliest homes along Rowland Street.

Following World War I, many sons of the neighborhood's original residents found employment at the H.H. Franklin Automobile Manufacturing Co. facility situated on South Geddes Street. During this period, the community witnessed a rise in Polish and Ukrainian immigrants, further solidifying its cultural diversity. The name "Skunk City" emerged around the early 1900s when someone noted the persistent odor of skunks, despite their infrequent sightings.

By the 1970s, the area faced recurring floods as Harbor Brook swelled each spring, inundating the streets of Skunk City. Among the marsh traversed by Harbor Brook, stood a significant landmark cherished by longtime neighbors: the community dump. Over the years, successive generations of children engaged in activities such as mud play, coin scavenging, pheasant hunting, and crafting makeshift huts and rafts using discarded lumber.

In 1919, the House of Province was erected on the 1700 block of West Onondaga Street. Initially serving as an orphanage for boys, it later transitioned into a residence for the elderly. Today, the brown-pillared edifice serves as the headquarters for Catholic Charities. The elderly residence was relocated to the adjacent premises and subsequently repurposed into an apartment complex.

Some long-time residents perceive minimal alteration in the neighborhood since their upbringing. However, Skunk City has undergone numerous transformations, witnessing the arrival and departure of various shops and eateries. Others acknowledge a sentiment that the neighborhood's prime has elapsed. During the 1950s, the area exhibited signs of dilapidation, though the 1970s heralded a revitalization as property ownership supplanted rental trends. Nevertheless, Skunk City grapples with ongoing challenges in sustaining a vibrant and safe community atmosphere.

Demographics
Based on Census data from 2022, Skunk City has a population of 2,370, resulting in a population density of 8,199.7 individuals per square mile across its 0.3 square mile expanse. The area includes 846 households of a total of 58,424 households citywide in Syracuse and there's an average of 2.8 persons per household, 25 percent higher than the city's average of 2.2 persons.

Of the 963 housing units, 88% are occupied, leaving 12% vacant. Notably, 69% of these units are rented, with the remaining 31% owner-occupied. The median value of owner-occupied housing stands at $66,200, approximately three-fifths of the value observed in Syracuse overall, which is $117,900. Additionally, 88% of housing units are valued under $100,000. Regarding geographic mobility, 8% of Skunk City residents relocated within the past year.

The median age of Skunk City residents is 25.9, with the most prominent age category being 0-9, accounting for 27% of the population, followed by ages 10-19 at 19%, and ages 30-39 at 15%. Regarding marital status, 80% are single, while 20% are currently married. A notable 5.8% of the population holds veteran status, approximately 1.3 times the rate found in Syracuse. In terms of educational attainment, 77.9% have earned a high school degree or higher, which is about 90 percent of the rate in Syracuse, whereas 10.6% have obtained a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Racially, the community comprises 24% White, 35% Black, 28% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, and 3% Other. Economically, the per capita income stands at $17,070, which is two-thirds of the amount in Syracuse.

The median income is $28,750, also two-thirds of the Syracuse figure. Most households earn under $50,000 annually, with 59.2% of individuals living below the poverty line, approximately double the rate in Syracuse.

Environment
Skunk City's infrastructure is prone to flooding due to heavy rainfall and causes sewer and storm drain overflows. A study from Syracuse University and the State University of New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), focuses on managing stormwater runoff in more environmentally sustainable ways.

In 2019, the Atlantic States Legal Foundation (ASLF), located on 1654 W Onondaga St, Syracuse, NY 13204, began constructing the rain garden project. The rain gardens are used to mitigate stormwater runoff and prevent the runoff from overwhelming the sewer systems. The gardens feature plants that are native and beneficial for creating habitats for birds and insects. The first four gardens are located at 124 Hoefler Street, 125 Hoefler Street, 305 Herriman Street, and 322 Cadwell Street.

Education
Delaware Primary School, located at 900 S Geddes Street, Syracuse, NY 13204, operates as Pre-K through 5th grade and is a part of the Syracuse City School District. Delaware Primary school offers a dual language education program which incorporates both Spanish and English to develop reading, oral language and writing throughout all grades.

The formerly known Delaware Elementary School was phased out in 2014 due to persistent low academic performance and replaced with Delaware Primary School.

Police and crime
The crime rate in Skunk City exceeds that of the typical U.S. neighborhood. Ranked in the 16th percentile for safety, this indicates that 84% of neighborhoods are safer, while 16% are more hazardous. The rate of overall crime in Skunk City is 24.18 per 1,000 residents during a standard year with the rate of non-violent crime at 3.906 and the rate of violent crime at 2.796. Violent crime is further broken down with assault at a rate of 1.903, robbery at a rate of 0.510, and murder at a rate of 0.0196. Residents of Skunk City typically regard the northern section of the neighborhood as the safest area within the neighborhood.

Key locations and landmarks

 * Burnet Park: the largest park in Syracuse located north of Grand Avenue
 * Harbor Brook: the small cool water stream that flows north through the city
 * Rosamond Gifford Zoo: the 43-acre zoo within Burnet Park
 * Mundy Branch Library: well maintained and often used by local neighborhood residents
 * Brown Memorial United Methodist Church
 * Grand Avenue Church