Page "Bensonhurst, Brooklyn" Paragraph 7

In the early 20th century, many Italians and Jews moved into the neighborhood, and prior to World War II the neighborhood was about equally Jewish and Italian.

In the 1950s, there was an influx of immigrants from southern Italy and most of the Jewish population left the neighborhood, leaving the area predominantly Italian.

Bensonhurst has a large Italian-American population and is usually considered the main " Little Italy " of Brooklyn.

The Italian-speaking community remains over 20, 000 strong, according to the census of 2000.

However, the Italian-speaking community is becoming " increasingly elderly and isolated, with the small, tight-knit enclave in the city slowly disappearing as they give way to demographic changes.

" Its main thoroughfare, 18th Avenue ( also known as Cristoforo Colombo Boulevard ) between roughly 60th Street and Shore Parkway, is lined with predominantly small, Italian family-owned businesses — many of which have remained in the same family for several generations.

86th Street is another popular local thoroughfare, lined by the arches of the elevated BMT West End Subway Line.

The 18th Avenue Station was popularized in opening credits of Welcome Back, Kotter.