Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic from New York

Hakeem Jeffries

New York's 8th congressional district

NY-8 Midterms Intelligence

Jeffries sits atop one of the safest Democratic seats in the country, a Brooklyn-based district where Democrats take 75.4% and the partisan lean is D+51. The core constituency is a Black-majority electorate—43.0% Black, with sizable Hispanic and Asian populations—anchoring a coalition that is deeply urban, heavily renter-based, and politically sophisticated. This is leadership turf, not swing terrain: the real action is less general-election risk than managing expectations in a district that wants national clout translated into visible local delivery.

The tension is economic insecurity inside a high-cost market. Median income is $66,089, but poverty runs 16.3%, unemployment 9.0%, and homeownership just 32.2%, a sign of acute affordability pressure despite proximity to wealth. Effective advocacy should frame around cost of living, public safety, and protecting federal support for healthcare and education—the district’s largest employment base—while tying asks to equity and neighborhood stability. Campaigns that respect Jeffries’ national profile but show concrete benefits for working families will travel best here.

Representative Hakeem Jeffries represents New York's 8th congressional district, serving 759,088 constituents. The district has an estimated median household income of $66,089 and an unemployment rate of 9%.

Economic & Demographic Snapshot

759,088Population
↓ 19,277
$66,089Median Incomenat'l $37,585
↑ $6,078
9%Unemploymentnat'l 3.5%
↑ 0.8%
16.3%Poverty Ratenat'l 12.4%
↓ 1.0%
32.2%Homeownershipnat'l 65.5%
→ no change
$1,611Median Rentnat'l $1,163
↑ $137
47.2%Public Transitnat'l 5%
→ no change
44.6 minMean Commutenat'l 26.4 min
↓ 1.4 min

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2017-2021 vs. 2019-2023). All figures are statistical estimates with 90% confidence level.

New York District 8 Demographics

Median Age 38.7 (vs 38.5) · Homeownership 32.2% (vs 65.5%) · Bachelor’s+ 36.2% (vs 33.7%) · Poverty 16.3% (vs 12.4%) · Income $66,089 (vs $37,585)

Key Issues for This District
Economic inequalityHousing affordabilityImmigration policyEducation accessWorkforce developmentRent burdenFood security

Age Distribution

Near the national median age (38.7 vs 38.5 nationally). 29% of residents are in the 20–39 working-age bracket — housing affordability, student debt, and workforce messaging indexes high.

Race & Ethnicity

A majority-minority district. Black residents are the largest group at 43%. Also significant: White (28.9%), Hispanic (16.2%).

* Hispanic includes respondents of any race. Racial categories include both Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals.

Education

36.2% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, above the 33.7% national average. 13.7% of residents lack a high school diploma.

Income Distribution

Median household income is $66,089, well above the $37,585 national median.

Housing

A renter-majority district: only 32.2% own their home (vs 65.5% nationally). Median rent is $1,611. Median home value is $787,100.

How People Get to Work

A transit-heavy district: 47.2% use public transportation. Average commute is 44.6 minutes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates
Data represents 5-year statistical estimates for increased reliability.
Note: New York congressional districts were significantly redrawn in 2022, affecting demographic comparisons between different survey periods.

New York District 8 FAQ

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