The “Jerusalem Institute for Policy Studies” has published an extensive project to mark “Jerusalem Day,” presenting the latest data on the various residential areas in the city. From the richest neighborhoods in Jerusalem to neighborhoods facing economic challenges, we delve into the statistics to discover intriguing insights. Additionally, we explore the neighborhood that experienced the largest population decline.
Jerusalem Neighborhoods
Talpiot: Old, but Rejuvenating
Let’s start with Talpiot – an old neighborhood situated in the southeastern part of the city, known for its bustling industrial area, particularly vibrant at night. Recently, the Jerusalem Municipality unveiled an ambitious plan to develop a new district within Talpiot. This initiative aims to create approximately 1.3 million square meters of employment and commercial spaces, alongside 8,600 new housing units, attracting a young population to the area. The forthcoming light rail route will also connect Talpiot to the city’s rail network, enhancing accessibility. The municipality encourages the transformation of the industrial zone into an attractive hub for young people, offering grants to those establishing entertainment clubs in the area.
As of the end of 2019, Talpiot was home to 18,450 residents and stood out positively in the socio-economic ranking, placed in cluster 7 out of 10. However, it is essential to note that this information was last updated in 2017. The median age in Talpiot is relatively high at 37, and the neighborhood experienced a negative immigration balance, losing 260 residents in 2019. The annual natural population growth rate is only 1%. Talpiot boasts a considerable number of registered businesses, totaling 2,862, and a low percentage of residents eligible for property tax discounts (6%), indicative of a productive population.
Romema: Young and Poor
Moving on to Romema, an ancient neighborhood once housing the mythical Broadcasting Authority, it currently stands as the poorest in Jerusalem, with a socio-economic rating of 1 out of 10. A significant Hasidic population resides in Romema, with many facing impoverished living conditions. The neighborhood has gained attention for its insufficient infrastructure, and the municipality has recently focused on increasing housing availability at the expense of industrial spaces. In Romema, a struggle took place against real estate developers seeking to construct taller buildings, resulting in a maximum approved height of ten stories. The population count for Romema as of the end of 2019 reached 25,380.
Romema’s striking figure lies in its median age, an incredibly young 18.7 years, primarily due to the high number of children customary in the Hasidic sector. The neighborhood’s immigration balance for 2019 was negative, losing 290 residents, but its natural population growth was considerably high, with 980 births that year. The percentage of residents eligible for property tax discounts stands at 20%, and the neighborhood features 7,196 housing units and 1,320 registered businesses, benefitting from its proximity to the city center.
Kiryat Yovel: Demographic Changes
Next on our list is Kiryat Yovel, a neighborhood experiencing significant transformation due to an influx of young families, particularly from the religious-national sector. As a result, the area’s demographic makeup is gradually changing. Kiryat Yovel currently houses 25,320 residents in 8,119 apartments, and numerous urban renewal projects have been approved, promising a substantial increase in available housing units. The highly anticipated Warburg complex, once promised to secular residents during Nir Barkat’s mayoral term, has faced delays, possibly influenced by ultra-Orthodox efforts to establish a foothold in the neighborhood.
Kiryat Yovel stands out with a high natural population growth rate of 2.3%, indicating growing anxiety in the area. The percentage of residents eligible for property tax discounts remains low at 6%, while the median age is 28.7 years, significantly higher than in classic ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods like Romema. With approximately 360 businesses currently operating, the neighborhood holds a mid-range position in the socio-economic ranking, with a score of 5 out of 10.
Beit Tzafafa
Moving to Beit Tzafafa, an Arab neighborhood known for its flourishing coexistence compared to neighboring Jebel Mokbar. With 14,320 residents living in 3,520 apartments, Beit Tzafafa is home to a renowned binational school, that welcomes many Arab students.
The neighborhood’s median age is 24.3, with a notable proportion of young people attributed to a high natural population growth rate of 2.2%. In 2019, the immigration balance was neutral, indicating stable resident numbers. Beit Tzafafa features a remarkable 21% of residents eligible for property tax discounts, the highest among Jerusalem neighborhoods, signifying a lower socio-economic status. The neighborhood ranks in cluster 3 out of 10 on the socio-economic index.
Ramot: 50% Unemployment Rate
Next, we explore Ramot, the largest neighborhood in Jerusalem, with over 50,000 residents. The area has been closely associated with the ultra-Orthodox and the struggle between the ultra-Orthodox and the secular communities. Notably, a new district named “The Country Quarter” was intended to attract secular and religious-nationalist populations but has ended up being occupied primarily by ultra-Orthodox individuals. This reality has led to challenges regarding opening the country house on Shabbat. As a densely populated area, Ramot has only 10,000 apartments, hosting an average of five people per residential unit.
Ramot is characterized by a very low median age of 19.6, reflecting its substantial ultra-Orthodox population. The neighborhood experienced a negative immigration balance of 830 residents in 2019, but its high natural population growth rate of 3.3% compensated for this decline. The relatively small number of businesses, 429 in total, indicates Ramot as a primarily residential neighborhood. Approximately 8% of the residents are eligible for property tax discounts, mainly belonging to the middle class of the ultra-Orthodox sector. The socio-economic ranking of Ramot is relatively low, scored at 3 out of 10.
The City Center
The city center, known for its lively streets like Jaffa Street and Mahne Yehuda Market, stands as a central attraction with only 6,530 residents. Despite its small population, the city center boasts a significant number of housing units, totaling 4,510 apartments, a result of the extensive construction in the area, especially on streets like Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Kook. Urban renewal projects and new light rail lines are planned to further develop the district, and it is set to accommodate numerous government offices and commercial spaces in the near future.
In terms of business activities, the city center leads with 3,892 registered businesses, a higher number than any other area in Jerusalem. The neighborhood’s median age is 30.7, indicating a more mature demographic. Gila experiences a relatively low natural population growth rate of 1.4%, possibly influenced by a significant number of students renting apartments in the area. The immigration balance for 2019 remained almost unchanged, with only 90 additional residents. Approximately 18% of the residents are eligible for property tax discounts, reflective of slightly lower socioeconomic status, earning the neighborhood a rating of 4 out of 10.
Gonenim: Most Employed
Moving on to Gonenim, a historic neighborhood undergoing rejuvenation and becoming a magnet for young families, primarily from the religious-national sector. With 24,670 residents and 8,612 apartments, Gonenim recently faced struggles with the municipality to establish educational institutions for children. Urban renewal projects have been approved, aiming to revitalize old buildings constructed during the early years of the State of Israel. A luxury residential tower has also been built, standing out in a region characterized by different types of apartments.
Gonenim’s median age is 33.5, relatively older than some other areas in Jerusalem. The expectation is that the neighborhood will attract younger residents over time, potentially increasing the currently low natural population growth rate of 1.4%. Gonenim houses 417 registered businesses, and the socio-economic ranking is placed at 5 out of 10, with one in 13 residents eligible for a property tax discount.
Rehavia: Richest Neighborhood in Jerusalem
Rehavia, a prestigious neighborhood also housing the official residence of the prime minister, is a place of intriguing contrasts. On one hand, it exudes a sense of affluence, being an older and well-to-do area. On the other hand, Rehavia is a magnet for students and also attracts many Jewish foreigners who own “ghost apartments” in the vicinity. This unique combination contributes to a relatively low number of residents, merely 8,000, compared to the considerable 4,738 housing units. Rehavia has also earned a reputation as one of the “champions” in TMA 38 projects, as developers find it economically advantageous to acquire the two extra floors they are entitled to, in exchange for renovating and enlarging the rest of the building.
Delving into the numbers, we find that Rehavia has a higher median age of 33.5, suggesting a more mature population. In 2019, the neighborhood’s immigration balance was neutral, with an equal number of people leaving and joining. This indicates that the number of new apartments being built might not be significant, with TMA 38 projects contributing to a lesser extent to the overall increase in housing units. The natural population growth rate in Rehavia is very low, standing at 0.5%, indicative of its student and secular demographics. A significant proportion of residents, 10%, are eligible for property tax discounts, with most of those benefiting being part of the student population. Rehavia houses an impressive 432 businesses, a testament to its vibrant social life, particularly revolving around academia and aspirations for the future. The neighborhood’s socio-economic ranking is placed in cluster 6 out of 10, lower than expected, a characteristic reflection of the “student effect.”
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Neve Ya’akov
next, we explore Neve Ya’akov, known for its predominantly ultra-Orthodox population, significant natural growth, and mass immigration of ultra-Orthodox families. With 25,430 residents and 5,134 housing units, the neighborhood has undergone significant urban renewal in recent years. Neve Ya’akov experienced a notable struggle concerning the ‘Brandt’ school, which shifted from secular to ultra-Orthodox control, a testament to previous tensions between different currents in the area.
With a median age of just 17.7, Neve Ya’akov is one of the youngest neighborhoods in Jerusalem, showcasing a robust natural population growth rate of 3.9%. The negative immigration balance of minus 350 people in 2019 was likely influenced by housing developers moving to the nearby Zeev Summit. Neve Ya’akov’s average of five people per apartment stems from its 25,000 residents occupying 5,134 housing units, making it an essentially ultra-Orthodox stronghold. The neighborhood ranks in cluster 2 out of 10 on the socio-economic index, reflecting its unique character within the city.
Gilo
Lastly, Gilo stands as a characteristic neighborhood representing Jerusalem’s non-Orthodox public. With 30,980 residents and 9,426 apartments, Gilo has recently been a focal point of construction, particularly due to light rail developments that will bring it closer to the city’s heart. Despite challenges, Gilo’s residents have successfully moved to a test institute that previously impacted their daily lives.
Gilo’s median age of 33.5 is relatively high, and the neighborhood experienced no change in immigration numbers in 2019, indicating stability. The natural population growth rate is very low at 0.5%, reflecting its student and secular demographics. About 10% of Gilo’s residents are eligible for property tax discounts, largely comprising the student population. With 432 businesses, Gilo enjoys a vibrant social life, especially among academics and young professionals. On the socio-economic index, the neighborhood holds a rating of 4 out of 10.
Neighborhoods in Jerusalem: Conclusion
In conclusion, Jerusalem is a city of diverse neighborhoods, each boasting unique characteristics and demographics. From the richest neighborhoods in Jerusalem, via historic areas to those experiencing transformations, the data offers a glimpse into the vibrant tapestry of life within the capital city.
For a lovely hike around Jerusalem, see The Jerusalem Trail.