10304 — Stapleton, Clifton, Concord, Park Hill, Grymes Hill & Emerson Hill
ZIP Code 10304 Neighborhood Guide
Stapleton, Clifton, Concord & Hills District – Staten Island, New York
ZIP Code 10304 covers Staten Island’s Mid–East Shore, climbing from the harborfront of Stapleton up through Clifton, Concord, and the scenic hilltop neighborhoods of Grymes Hill and Emerson Hill.
It’s one of the borough’s most historically significant and geographically varied ZIPs—home to early maritime commerce, vibrant immigrant communities, and panoramic residential enclaves that look directly toward the Manhattan skyline.
10304 at a glance
Anchored by the Bay Street corridor and Victory Boulevard, 10304 stretches from the working harbor to some of Staten Island’s most prestigious hilltop streets. It’s an area of contrasts: waterfront arts spaces and breweries below, grand estates and academic campuses above.
Neighborhoods include Stapleton, Clifton, Concord, Park Hill, Grymes Hill, Emerson Hill, and parts of Rosebank North.
The ZIP offers quick ferry access, rich architecture, and some of Staten Island’s most interesting cultural diversity—making it both historic and forward-looking.
Stapleton
Vibe: Staten Island’s original downtown reborn—industrial bones with a creative pulse.
Featured elements
- Stapleton Waterfront: Adaptive reuse of 19th-century warehouses and new residential projects like URBY Staten Island, offering waterfront promenades, cafés, and community gardens.
- Tappen Park: A tree-lined public square surrounded by historic civic buildings, the neighborhood’s social center.
- Bay Street corridor: Lined with murals, breweries, performance spaces, and restaurants reflecting Staten Island’s arts revival.
- Transit: Walking distance to the Stapleton Railway Station, local buses, and ferry connections.
- Heritage architecture: Brick warehouses and turn-of-the-century homes reflecting the area’s seaport roots.
Clifton
Vibe: Working-class and global—a residential grid with strong immigrant and cultural foundations.
Featured elements
- Park Hill Apartments: Large mid-century residential complex, home to one of Staten Island’s most diverse communities.
- Commercial corridors: Bay Street and Vanderbilt Avenue offer local markets, take-out spots, and community services.
- Religious and cultural centers: Mosques, churches, and youth centers reflect wide cultural representation.
- Proximity: Minutes from Stapleton waterfront, Verrazzano Bridge, and bus routes to St. George.
- Community initiatives: Grassroots programs and nonprofits promote youth activities and neighborhood improvement.
Concord
Vibe: Central and accessible—residential calm just uphill from Staten Island’s urban edge.
Featured elements
- Victory Boulevard spine: Small shops, schools, and restaurants serving the mixed residential population.
- Historic roots: Once part of the 19th-century “New Brighton Village,” Concord retains early homes and civic buildings.
- Residential mix: Two-family homes, low-rise apartments, and townhouses.
- Connectivity: Fast access to the Staten Island Expressway and Staten Island Railway via nearby Grasmere station.
- Community life: A balanced, commuter-friendly neighborhood bridging the waterfront and hill zones.
Park Hill
Vibe: Urban energy and cultural diversity—dense, lively, and community-centered.
Featured elements
- Park Hill Apartments complex: One of Staten Island’s largest housing developments, with a strong sense of identity and local activism.
- Community organizations: Nonprofits, youth groups, and arts programs foster resilience and cultural pride.
- Street rhythm: Small markets, food vendors, and playgrounds enliven the blocks.
- Access: Adjacent to Bay Street and walking distance to Stapleton Station and waterfront developments.
- Ongoing revitalization: Public safety and housing investments continue to shape the area’s next chapter.
Grymes Hill
Vibe: Academic and scenic—home to hillside campuses and sweeping skyline views.
Featured elements
- Wagner College: A picturesque liberal arts campus with Gothic-style architecture and views across New York Harbor.
- St. John’s University (Staten Island Campus): Blends higher education with historic estates and green space.
- Hilltop residences: Tudor, Colonial, and mid-century homes set on winding roads with skyline vistas.
- Open space: Green lawns and private wooded parcels dominate this elevated landscape.
- Atmosphere: Quiet and collegiate, yet minutes from ferry and expressway access.
Emerson Hill
Vibe: Exclusive, elegant, and secluded—the borough’s most upscale hilltop enclave.
Featured elements
- Architecture: Grand Colonial, Tudor, and Mediterranean homes on steep, tree-lined lanes.
- Views: Panoramic outlooks over Lower Manhattan and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
- Privacy: Large lots, gated drives, and a suburban-woodland atmosphere.
- Landmark history: Film location for The Godfather (1972); the Corleone mansion was located here.
- Access: Victory Boulevard and Clove Road link to the Expressway, yet the area feels worlds apart.
Everyday life in 10304
Parks & recreation
- Silver Lake Park: At the ZIP’s northern edge—trails, golf course, and open-air recreation.
- Tappen Park: Central green in Stapleton, surrounded by local businesses and events.
- Eibs Pond Park: A tranquil natural pond amid urban surroundings, rich in birdlife.
- Clove Lakes Park (nearby): Ice skating, paddle boating, and playgrounds.
- Waterfront esplanades: Stapleton’s promenade and nearby piers offer fishing, jogging, and harbor views.
Education
- Public schools: PS 14, PS 57, PS 48, IS 49 Berta Dreyfus, and Curtis High School.
- Private options: St. John’s Lutheran School, St. Joseph Hill Academy, and Notre Dame Academy nearby.
- Higher education: Wagner College and St. John’s University anchor the Grymes Hill section.
- Libraries: Stapleton Branch Library offers reading programs and tech workshops.
Shopping & dining
- Bay Street corridor: Stapleton to Clifton—cafés, breweries, pizzerias, and new creative businesses.
- Victory Boulevard: Everyday conveniences—groceries, pharmacies, diners, and salons.
- Local dining culture: Fusion restaurants, bakeries, and small cafés reflect the area’s multicultural population.
- Proximity: Just minutes from Empire Outlets and St. George’s retail and dining destinations.
Getting around
- Staten Island Railway: Stations at Stapleton, Grasmere, and Clifton offer quick access to the ferry.
- Ferry: 10-minute ride from the north end of the ZIP to St. George Terminal.
- Highways: Staten Island Expressway (I-278) connects to Brooklyn and New Jersey.
- Bus lines: Extensive network via Bay Street and Victory Boulevard corridors.
- Walkability: Strong pedestrian infrastructure along the lower Bay Street corridor.
Housing
- Variety: Waterfront lofts, prewar apartment buildings, and hilltop mansions coexist within the ZIP.
- Historic stock: Many homes predate 1930, reflecting Staten Island’s architectural evolution.
- Affordability: Wide range—from modest apartments in Clifton to luxury estates in Emerson Hill.
- Redevelopment: Ongoing investments in Stapleton’s waterfront and Bay Street corridor create new housing opportunities.
Why 10304 stands out
- Topographical drama: From harborfront to hilltop within minutes.
- Cultural depth: A tapestry of immigrant, artistic, and academic communities.
- Commuter gold: Direct access to railway, ferry, and expressway.
- Historic & cinematic: Sites linked to Staten Island’s industrial rise and film history.
- Diverse living: Options range from urban energy to serene hillside estates.
Quick neighborhood index (inside 10304)
- Stapleton — Historic downtown, waterfront revival, Tappen Park
- Clifton — Working-class grid, Park Hill Apartments, community strength
- Concord — Central access, mixed housing, Victory Blvd. corridor
- Park Hill — Dense, diverse, grassroots energy
- Grymes Hill — Colleges, skyline views, quiet prestige
- Emerson Hill — Exclusive hilltop estates, cinematic heritage

