Michael Ware wrote:

Populated area - 1000 foot min.

Not applicable to the NY VFR corridor, which permits VFR activity at 1,100
and below down the Hudson River, over NY Harbor including around the Statue
of Liberty, and up the East River to the end of Roosevelt Island.

It is very common for aircraft to fly the VFR corridor anywhere from 900
feet down to 500 feet MSL.

--
Peter