No, no, not the island, mon. You aren’t reading this article to learn how to become a rastafarian. You want the answer to the question in the headline – Is Jamaica, Queens safe?
Jamaica, Queens is also known as ‘South Side’. The neighborhood went through a rough patch during the crack epidemic in the late 1980s but has bounced back thanks to a decrease in crime. Read ahead to learn more about Jamaica, Queens, and how it compares in safety to some of the other neighborhoods in Queens—for example, Forest Hills or Ozone Park.
But why is it called Jamaica? Is this where Bob Marley is really from? No, although many other celebrities hail from Jamaica, Queens, as you will learn later in this article. Along with a few fun facts! So don’t stop reading now!
Why Is It Called Jamaica Queens?
Jamaica, Queens is one of three pre-revolution villages in the five boroughs. It was inhabited by members of the Algonquin Nation, who used the land for hunting and fishing. Thus, Jamaica, Queens is named for a subset of the Algonquins known as the Jameco Indians, a tribe that frequented Beaver Pond. So, surprisingly, the root of the word has very little to do with actual Jamaica.
Nowadays, Jamaica, Queens is a major commercial and industrial area with some residential zones.
Fun Fact! At one point, the neighborhood was considered as a candidate for the new home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. But ‘twas not to be. They went out west to the sunny skies of Los Angeles.
Boroughs And Borders
New York City comprises five boroughs, two of which are islands. Can you guess which ones? The five boroughs are Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. These boroughs further break down into smaller neighborhoods, one of which is Jamaica, Queens.
The borders of Jamaica Queens are Hollis on the east side. To the southeast side, Rochdale Village, St Albans and Springfield Gardens. On the west side, Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park. South Jamaica. Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills and Kew Gardens Hills to the south and Briarwood to the northwest.
Demographics and Living in Jamaica, Queens: A Statistical Snapshot
Jamaica, Queens is a community with a wide economic spectrum. A notable segment of its residents earns between $75,000 and $150,000 annually, while approximately 12% surpass the $150,000 mark.
The neighborhood’s rich cultural tapestry is reflected in its demographics: over half of the population identifies as African-American, 20% as Hispanic, and 16% as Asian. This diversity is one of Jamaica, Queens’ defining features, with minorities representing the majority. Additionally, families with children make up 30% of the community.
The gender distribution is fairly balanced, with a slight majority of females compared to males. The predominant age group is adults from 18 to 64 years old. Educational attainment varies: 50% of the residents have a high school diploma or less, while 25% have completed some college or earned an associate’s degree.
Real Estate In Jamaica, Queens
Most people rent their dwellings in Jamaica, Queens. Almost two-thirds of the population! The median home value hovers around $500,000, significantly above the national average. Rent averages at about $2,200 per month, but it can vary widely—starting from $1,600 for smaller apartments to as much as $3,300, depending on location, size, and quality.
The cost of rent varies according to location, size, and quality. You can find a smaller apartment for as low as sixteen hundred dollars, and the cost, depending on the factors, can go as high as three thousand, three hundred dollars.
Architectural Aesthetics: Bricktown, Baby!
The architectural landscape of Jamaica, Queens is as diverse as its population, offering a range of styles that cater to different tastes and preferences. Almost 40% of residents appreciate the variety, which includes the quintessential brick facades that have affectionately dubbed the neighborhood ‘Bricktown’. These brick structures stand as a testament to the area’s rich architectural history and contribute to its unique charm.
On the flip side, two-thirds of residents say there are a number of unsightly abandoned or vacant buildings dotting the streets. Only a quarter of residents say that the interior quality of homes is good or excellent. Only a handful more – twenty-eight percent – say that the exterior quality of homes can be rated as good or perfect.
Overall, Jamaica, Queens can be cheaper than other areas within the five boroughs. The living cost is – can you believe it? – reasonable. Plus, the character and diversity bubbling around the neighborhood only add more value, one that cannot be measured in dollars.
Celebrity Footprints: Famous Faces from Jamaica, Queens
The character and diversity of Jamaica Queens may not be quantifiable in paper or electronic currency, but it can be measured in celebrity. Many of these celebrities have turned the inspiration they took from growing up or living in Jamaica Queens into hard, spendable currency.
50 Cent, for example, made a lot more than two quarters in his career. Super Freaky Girl Nicki Minaj also hails from Jamaica, Queens. Born in Trinidad, she moved to the non-Caribbean Jamaica when she was five. And not just Salt but also Pepa of the ‘Push It’ duo Salt-N-Pepa are from Jamaica, Queens.
Russell Simmons, hip-hop impresario and creator of ‘Def Comedy Jam’, came up in Jamaica. Makes sense, since his flagship discovery Run-DMC, walked his way from nearby Hollis, Queens. Speaking of comedy, Fun Fact! The mother of legendary, ground breaking comedian Lenny Bruce is from Jamaica, Queens.
Not just rappers. Rockers, too. Metallica lived briefly in Jamaica, Queens while recording their seminal early album ‘Kill ‘Em All’’. And governors. Quite possibly the second most iconic New York governor behind Nelson D. Rockefeller, Mario Cuomo, is from Jamaica, Queens.
Speaking of politicians, guess who else? Wait for it, wait for it…Donald Trump! ‘Nuff said.
In addition, some cultural oddities popped out of Jamaica, Queens. The Guinness World Record Holder for most Guinness World Record entries is from Jamaica, Queens.
Good company. Maybe you might run into one of them, who knows?
Transportation Hub: Getting Around and Out of Jamaica, Queens
There are subway and bus lines which will connect you to Jamaica, Queens. Fortunately, they are generally well populated with police officers. But the best way to get to Manhattan from Jamaica, Queens is the LIRR.
What is the LIRR? Any New Yorker will know it well. It stands for Long Island Rail Road. Long Island is the unofficial sixth borough. The LIRR serves commuters from Manhattan to Suffolk County. It is the busiest commuter railway in North America, transiting over three hundred fifty thousand passengers on any given weekday. It is also one of the few transportation systems in the world which you can round the clock.
Not only will it get you to Penn Station in midtown Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn, there are two LIRR stations in Long Island City. Most of these hub stations will connect you to any and all of the subway lines serving the five boroughs. In fact, the Jamaica, Queens LIRR stop is one of the major hubs of the entire LIRR rail system.
In Jamaica, Queens, you can also catch the subway or the more direct Airpass train to nearby international flight hub John F. Kennedy Airport, and catch a plane from there to the other Jamaica. Enjoy, mon!
It’s Only Natural
Jamaica, Queens has some nice green spaces. The biggest one is called Baisley Pond Park and covers over one hundred square acres! The centerpiece of the park is the namesake Baisley {ond, which occupies nearly a third of the park. Frogs, turtles and fish all cohabitate in and around the pond.
Flushing Meadows – Corona Park also extends into Jamaica, Queens. Inside this park you can discover Willow Lake, named for the variety of willow flowers populating the lake.
Education Opportunities: Academic Institutions in Jamaica, Queens
Another thing to do in Jamaica, Queens is to educate yourself. Never hurts, right? Almost always helps. York College is a division of CUNY, or City University of New York, the NYC network of public universities. The York College campus is located in Jamaica, Queens.
If you would like to fly the plane instead of just board it at JFK, well, you’re in luck – York offers a baccalaureate program in aviation! The music program boasts a fifteen-hundred-seat auditorium and an emphasis on jazz. It makes sense, since jazz legends such as Charles Mingus, Louie Armstrong, and Count Basie all have connections to Jamaica, Queens.
Further encouraging education is the NYPL, or New York Public Library. The Central branch of the Queens division of the NYPL is located in Jamaica, Queens, along with three additional library locations in Jamaica, Queens. You never have to go far to get book smart.
Other universities include the Queens campus of the private Catholic University, St. John’s and a university for seniors called Queens College because learning lasts a lifetime.
But Is Jamaica Queens Safe?
None of the above matters if it’s not. That’s the real question you came here to answer, right? Is Jamaica, Queens, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City? Well, it’s not the most dangerous neighborhood.
The good news is that Queens, NY has the lowest crime rate in all of the five boroughs. Coincidentally, Queens is also the largest of the five boroughs, although it is the second-most populous borough. Brooklyn wears the crown in that category.
Violent and property crime rates are about on par with the average us city, receiving grades ranging from B minus to C from various sources. These grades reflect a slightly lower crime rate than most cities nationally. However, Jamaica, Queens, does have a higher rate of violent crime rates per capita than New York City as a whole.
The chances of being a victim of crime are one in nineteen in certain parts. However, in other parts, chances decrease to one in seventy-five. A crime occurs every one hour and thirty minutes in Jamaica, Queens.
Safety varies across Jamaica, Queens. In some areas, the likelihood of being a victim of crime is around 1 in 19, while in others, the risk drops to 1 in 75. On average, a crime is reported every 90 minutes in the area. Most residents feel secure, with more than half stating that they feel safe and that crime is not a significant concern. They also notice a strong police presence, with many saying that officers are both visible and quick to respond.
However, a third of the people surveyed indicated that there are occasions when police response could be quicker. Only 25% have experienced times when they felt unsafe or noticed crime in their surroundings.
Law enforcement is handled by the 103rd and 113th precincts, which have both seen a significant crime reduction—by over 80% since the 1990s. Thanks to these efforts, Jamaica, Queens has transformed from its troubled past to a much safer community today.
Is Jamaica Queens a Good place to live?
Here’s what residents of Jamaica, Queens, have to say about the neighborhood.
First, they want to warn you about the parking! It’s bad, the street parking. Less than twenty percent of residents say that parking is readily available. So keep that in mind. Residents say Jamaica, Queens is safe if you are street smart and vigilant.
Besides that, residents have a lot to say. They report that the neighborhood is very pet and family-friendly. You can bring your kids and your kitties! Over half the residents say that there is a good sense of community in Jamaica, Queens.
Residents say Jamaica, Queens, is a great place to meet new neighbors. They report that there are a lot of employment opportunities in the area. They also enjoy all the shopping options and the restaurants, which encompass a diverse selection of ethnic foods from all over the world.
Residents also offer helpful tips for the newbies in the neighborhood. They are: be friendly, get to know your neighbors, and get involved in the community. Some residents liken Jamaica, Queens to a small town – everyone knows everybody.
That’s it, mon! Maybe now all your questions about Jamaica, Queens have been answered!
Jamaica, Queens displays a varied economic landscape. It’s not characterized as outright poor; there’s a spectrum of income levels among its residents. Some households earn a comfortable income, with a significant portion making between $75,000 and $150,000 annually. However, economic challenges do exist, as evidenced by the variety of income brackets within the community.
When it comes to safety, South Jamaica Queens has areas with different levels of crime. Some parts may have higher crime rates, with the odds of being a victim at 1 in 19, but in other areas, the likelihood is lower at 1 in 75. The overall trend, according to local precincts, shows a significant drop in crime over the past decades, suggesting improvements in safety.
Jamaica, Queens is often regarded positively by its residents. It’s seen as a good neighborhood with a sense of community, diverse housing options, and a blend of commercial and residential areas. Its architectural variety, cultural richness, and decreasing crime rates contribute to its appeal as a place to live.
Walking in Queens at night, like in any urban area, requires caution. While many residents feel safe due to a substantial police presence, experiences can vary by area. Residents suggest being street-smart and vigilant, especially at night. The general advice is to stay in well-lit, populated areas and be aware of your surroundings.
Born and raised amidst the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, I’ve witnessed the city’s many exciting phases. When I’m not exploring the city or penning down my thoughts, you can find me sipping on a cup of coffee at my favorite local café, playing chess or planning my next trip. For the last twelve years, I’ve been living in South Williamsburg with my partner Berenike.