Is Flatbush Safe? Brooklyn Livability, Crime & Rent
Flatbush scores 6.1 median: a practical, tree-rich neighborhood with reliable services and good safety standing today, undercut by poor transit access and a sharp recent crime increase.
Is Flatbush Safe?
Flatbush, Brooklyn scores 6.1/10 for overall livability, ranking #8 of 18 Brooklyn neighborhoods. Flatbush scores 6.1 median: a practical, tree-rich neighborhood with reliable services and good safety standing today, undercut by poor transit access and a sharp recent crime increase.
This score aggregates live NYPD crime data, 311 safety complaints, shooting incidents, and building health signals within walking distance. Safety varies by block — check a specific Flatbush address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
Flatbush is a densely treed neighborhood where you'll walk under a canopy density of 9.5/10—among the highest in the borough. You'll find an average of 80 trees within every 200 meters, creating continuous shade on residential blocks and along the Flatbush Avenue corridor. The neighborhood mixes mid-rise buildings (56%) with walk-ups (44%), creating variable street-wall heights. Parks like Rappaport Playground, Brizzi Playground, and Heffernan Triangle sit within an average 430 meters, close enough for regular access. The D train on 9th Avenue provides your primary transit spine. What you'll notice most: strong Caribbean cultural presence, established residential character, and a neighborhood that feels materially greener than much of Brooklyn—but one where noise complaints (2,359 over 12 months) are very high.
Analysis based on 9 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
80 trees
Avg within 200m | Density: 9.5/10
10 additional trees per block correlates with health benefits equivalent to being 7 years younger (Kardan et al., 2015)
Park Access
Rappaport Playground
Avg 430m away | Score: 2.8/10
Living within 300m of green space associated with 30% fewer antidepressant prescriptions (Taylor et al., 2015)
Acoustic Quality
7/10
Noise proxy score (higher = quieter)
Chronic noise above 55 dB at night associated with 8% cardiovascular mortality increase (Basner et al., 2014)
Street Character
0/10
Enclosure: 0/10
Transit & Commute
Subway Stations
Commute Score
3/10
Borough median: 6.5/10
Walk Score Proxy
0/10
Based on street geometry analysis
Financial Landscape
Median Price
$0
Price per Sq Ft
$0
Price Distribution
Price by Building Type
Investment Indicators
Avg Unused FAR
0 sqft
Development rights potential
Unused development rights valued at $30-$80/sqft in Brooklyn (Glaeser, 2011)
Avg Days on Market
0
Market velocity signal
Multi-Family Stock
0%
2-4 family buildings
Multi-family owner-occupants build 2.4x wealth vs single-family (Herbert, 2013)
Outdoor & Green Space
Avg Tree Count
80
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
9.5/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- Rappaport Playground
- Brizzi Playground
- Heffernan Triangle
- Park
Avg distance: 430m
Practical Living
Building Types
Who Flatbush Is For
People prioritizing walkability and services
Practical score of 9 (vs. borough median 5.5) reflects robust local infrastructure; you'll find what you need without leaving the neighborhood
Those who value tree cover and green space
Canopy density of 9.5/10 and 80 trees per 200m place Flatbush among Brooklyn's most densely vegetated neighborhoods
Safety-conscious renters and buyers
Safety percentile of 87% in the borough is higher than average; however, crime trends are worsening (+161.6% over 12 months)
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Excellent tree coverage and canopy
Average 80 trees within 200m, canopy density 9.5/10—well above typical Brooklyn blocks
Strong practical livability
Practical score of 9 indicates reliable access to groceries, services, and daily necessities
Parks within walking distance
Rappaport Playground, Brizzi Playground, Heffernan Triangle average 430m away
Above-average safety relative to borough
Safety percentile of 87% in Brooklyn
Trade-offs
Weak commute access
Commute score of 3 vs. borough median 6.5; limited transit options with D train as primary line
Very high noise complaints
2,359 noise complaints over 12 months—substantially higher than typical neighborhoods
Crime worsening significantly
Crime trend shows +161.6% increase over the past 12 months despite currently higher-than-average safety ranking
Below-average art and culture score
ART/Livability score of 6.3 while borough median is 5.0—modest cultural amenity density
Score Any Address in Flatbush
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in FlatbushFrequently Asked Questions about Flatbush
1Is Flatbush safe?
Flatbush safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Flatbush safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Flatbush?
Rents in Flatbush, Brooklyn vary significantly by building and apartment type. The median listing price is $0. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses.
3How is transit access in Flatbush?
Flatbush has a commute score of 3/10. 1 subway stations serve the area: 9 Av.
4What are the best streets in Flatbush?
The best streets depend on your priorities. Use DwellCheck to compare specific addresses across livability, safety, transit, and environmental factors.
5What is the average DwellScore in Flatbush?
Median composite score is 6.1 (interquartile range 5.7–6.5). Strength lies in Practical livability (9), weakness in Commute (3). Overall score reflects a stable residential neighborhood with solid walkability but limited transit alternatives.
6How safe is Flatbush?
Safety percentile of 87% in Brooklyn indicates above-average safety currently. However, reported crimes totaled 858 over 12 months, and the crime trend is worsening sharply at +161.6%—a significant upward trajectory to monitor.
7How is transit access?
Commute score of 3 (vs. borough median 6.5) reflects limited options. The D train on 9th Avenue is your primary transit line. This is a notable constraint for car-free commuting.
8How much green space is nearby?
Flatbush has exceptional tree density: average 80 trees per 200m and a 9.5/10 canopy coverage. Parks average 430m away (Rappaport, Brizzi, Heffernan Triangle). This is among Brooklyn's greenest residential areas.