The city of Yonkers is the fourth largest city in New York State and the largest within Westchester County.  The city is widely populated with Italian Americans and Irish Americans, especially through the Northeast and Southeast neighborhoods of the city.  Northwest Yonkers tends to be more diverse, with some of its area resembling the upscale living of Hastings-on-Hudson to the north and other areas, which border The Bronx and other outer borough areas of New York City, resembling the more inner-city area.

Yonkers is built on what was once part of a large land grant from Willem Kieft (New Netherlands Director General) to Adriaen van der Donck.  The latter was referred to as Jonkheer, which means “young gentleman” or “squire”.  The word “Yonkers” is a direct derivative.

Most of the remaining Jewish population of Yonkers can be found in the Northwest neighborhoods, though this can no longer be considered a Jewish community with the lack of concentration.  The southeast part of this area is more upscale and traditionally African American in population.

Due to the inner-city areas in Northwest Yonkers, the city has gained a reputation for being poor and dirty.  This is mainly because most areas of Westchester County don’t include the shops and high rise apartment buildings in such high concentration as this part of the County.  However, much of Yonkers is made up of middle- and working-class individuals and families.

Northeast Yonkers is the most upscale area, with landmarks such as St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Sarah Lawrence University, and the Tanglewood Shopping Center.  Steven Tyler (born Steven Tallarico), the lead singer of Aerosmith, grew up in a home in this area just off Central Avenue.