Is Roosevelt Island considered part of Manhattan?

Roosevelt Island, according to courts, election boards, and the post office, is within the jurisdiction of Manhattan.



Yes, Roosevelt Island is administratively and geographically part of the borough of Manhattan in New York City. Despite being physically located in the East River between the island of Manhattan and the borough of Queens, it falls under the jurisdiction of Manhattan's Community Board 8 and New York County. Historically known as Welfare Island and Blackwell's Island, it is about two miles long and covers 147 acres. While it is owned by the city, it is uniquely leased to the New York State Urban Development Corporation. In 2026, it remains a popular residential and academic hub, home to the Cornell Tech campus. For travelers, it is most famous for the Roosevelt Island Tramway, which provides a spectacular aerial view of the Midtown skyline while connecting the island directly to 59th Street in Manhattan for the price of a standard subway fare, emphasizing its deep administrative and social ties to the "main" island.

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Roosevelt Island, located between Manhattan and Queens in the East River, has undergone numerous changes both in name and use and been passed to numerous owners in its recent history.

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Affordable housing – With prices lower than those in Manhattan, find great deals on apartments and homes on Roosevelt Island. There's affordable housing as well as apartments and coops more spacious than most of Manhattan.

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No one had built neighborhoods there before, so there were no racial or ethnic enclaves (yet), and every unit on the island was rented or sold through affordable-housing programs designed for low- and middle-income New Yorkers.

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Blackwell's Island, now known as Roosevelt Island, has a deep connection to disability and incarceration. For much of the early 1900s, New Yorkers nicknamed the island Welfare Island after the asylums, prisons, and almshouses that were built there.

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Not just for fans of FDR, Roosevelt Island has something for anyone looking for views of midtown, and the peace that comes from green spaces surrounded by water. If you are a fan of the man, make a pilgrimage to the tip of the island and Four Freedoms Park.

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Marble Hill is the northernmost neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan. Although once part of Manhattan Island, it is now one of the few areas of Manhattan that are not located on the island.

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Once closed to the public, today Roosevelt Island is home to a residential community and a number of parks and landmarks. At the island's southern end, the Louis Kahn–designed Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park offers public programming and family-friendly events.

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Roosevelt Island is a popular neighborhood for home buyers who can afford to buy a home in the median price range of $925K. If this price doesn't match your budget, expand your search to include homes in popular neighborhoods around Roosevelt Island.

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Accessibility: This paved (asphalt, brick, and cement) trail is typically at least 5 feet wide. There are also unpaved side trails but it is possible to stay along the pavement around the island.

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The tiny island is located in the middle of the East River, parallel to Manhattan's East 46th to 85th Streets. From Queens, you can get there via the Roosevelt Island Bridge—this is the only way to walk or drive onto the island. Its entrance is at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria.

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Check out this 4.5-mile loop trail near New York City, New York. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 21 min to complete. This is a popular trail for running and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.

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