Day 13 - India Square, Jersey City, New Jersey

📌APIA Every Day (13) - India Square, also known as "Little India," is a vibrant commercial and restaurant district located in the Journal Square and Marion Section neighborhoods of Jersey City, New Jersey. Recognized for having the highest concentration of Indian Americans in the Western Hemisphere, the area is a rapidly expanding ethnic enclave within the New York Metropolitan Area. Centered on Newark Avenue, between Tonnele Avenue and JFK Boulevard, this neighborhood is a bustling hub lined with grocery stores, electronics vendors, video stores, clothing shops, and a plethora of restaurants. Boasting a rich cultural atmosphere, India Square hosts major events such as the largest outdoor Navratri festivities in New Jersey and is home to several Hindu temples. The area has experienced substantial demographic growth, with the 2010 census reporting over 27,000 Asian Indians, constituting 10.9% of Jersey City's population.

Little India, primarily situated between Tonnele Avenue and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, extends eastward along Newark Avenue into Jersey City's Little Manila and the Five Corners neighborhood. This expansion reflects the continuous influx of immigrants and the area's dynamic cultural evolution. As a testament to the city's diversity, Jersey City regularly ranks among the most diverse cities in the U.S., showcasing a harmonious coexistence of various ethnic groups. The India Square subsection of Journal Square remains a significant symbol of this diversity, attracting visitors with its lively atmosphere, diverse businesses, and the celebration of Indian festivals such as Navratri and Holi.

With most of the settlement and development patterns beginning the late 70s and through the 80s, will the field of historic preservation be ready to recognize enclaves like India Square as a historic district with deep contributions to the greater American story?

LEARN MORE:

Jersey Digs: Weekend Walks: A Photographic Tour of India Square

Tap Into: Jersey City’s Little India Set to Shine

New York Times: A Place Where Indians, Now New Jerseyans, Thrive

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