Is Fort Greene Safe? Brooklyn Livability, Crime & Rent
Fort Greene delivers cultural authenticity and green space at a premium price, but limited development potential and middling investment metrics make it better for living than speculating.
Is Fort Greene Safe?
Fort Greene, Brooklyn scores 5.6/10 for overall livability, ranking #6 of 11 Brooklyn neighborhoods. Fort Greene delivers cultural authenticity and green space at a premium price, but limited development potential and middling investment metrics make it better for living than speculating.
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 Fort Greene address below for a block-level breakdown.
Score Overview
Vertical line = borough median. Scale: 0-10.
Neighborhood Character
Fort Greene sits at the intersection of cultural gravitas and residential calm. You'll walk under a thick canopy—241 trees average within a 200-meter radius, with 8.5/10 canopy density—that softens the neighborhood's 19th-century brownstone blocks and industrial architecture. The presence of the Brooklyn Academy of Music anchors the area's identity, but the real texture comes from the mix: tree-lined streets feeding into Fort Greene Park (383 meters away on average), multiple subway lines threading through (C, B, Q, R, and others nearby), and a street-level economy of independent galleries, cafes, and longtime residents. It's quieter than the hype suggests, more settled than emerging.
Analysis based on 19 properties scored across 30+ data points
Livability & Restoration
Tree Canopy
241 trees
Avg within 200m | Density: 8.5/10
10 additional trees per block correlates with health benefits equivalent to being 7 years younger (Kardan et al., 2015)
Park Access
Fort Greene Park
Avg 383m away | Score: 9.5/10
Living within 300m of green space associated with 30% fewer antidepressant prescriptions (Taylor et al., 2015)
Acoustic Quality
5/10
Noise proxy score (higher = quieter)
Chronic noise above 55 dB at night associated with 8% cardiovascular mortality increase (Basner et al., 2014)
Street Character
10/10
Enclosure: 10/10
Transit & Commute
Subway Stations
Commute Score
7.6/10
Borough median: 8/10
Walk Score Proxy
10/10
Based on street geometry analysis
Financial Landscape
Median Price
$1.6M
Price per Sq Ft
$1088
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
45
Market velocity signal
Multi-Family Stock
21%
2-4 family buildings
Multi-family owner-occupants build 2.4x wealth vs single-family (Herbert, 2013)
Outdoor & Green Space
Avg Tree Count
241
Within 200m radius
Canopy Density
8.5/10
Normalized canopy coverage
Park Network
- Fort Greene Park
Avg distance: 383m
Outdoor Space Types
Practical Living
Building Types
Bedroom Distribution
Laundry Availability
Who Fort Greene Is For
Arts professionals and cultural workers
ART/Livability score of 6.8 (borough median 5) signals strong institutional and creative density; BAM proximity and gallery presence support this profile
Long-distance commuters tolerating tradeoffs
Commute score of 7.6 is slightly below borough median (8), but multiple transit lines (C, B, Q, R at Atlantic-Barclays) offer redundancy for those prioritizing neighborhood character over speed
Condo buyers seeking stability over appreciation
79% condo-heavy building mix, median price $1.55M, but Investment score of 5.4 (below borough median 5.8) and zero available FAR indicate limited upside and development potential
Pros & Cons
Strengths
Exceptional tree cover and green space
241 trees within 200m radius with 8.5/10 canopy density; Fort Greene Park within walking distance
Strong cultural and livability amenities
ART/Livability score of 6.8 vs. borough median of 5, anchored by BAM and institutional presence
Solid transit access with multiple lines
Five subway lines within reach (C, B, Q, R, G, 2, 3, 4, 5) including major hub at Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr
Trade-offs
Weak investment fundamentals
Investment score 5.4 vs. borough median 5.8; zero unused FAR signals no development upside; YoY appreciation data unavailable
Price-to-fundamentals disconnect
Median $1.55M ($1,088/sqft) with Composite score of only 5.6 (median) and Practical score of 6.3; you're paying for location, not neighborhood scoring
Commute performance slightly below average
Commute score of 7.6 trails borough median of 8, despite robust transit options
Score Any Address in Fort Greene
Get detailed livability scores based on building health, transit access, safety, noise levels, and 15+ NYC data sources.
Search an Address in Fort GreeneFrequently Asked Questions about Fort Greene
1Is Fort Greene safe?
Fort Greene safety varies by block. DwellCheck provides detailed safety data including NYPD crime statistics, arrest data, and 311 complaints. Check the Fort Greene safety page for full details.
2What is the average rent in Fort Greene?
Rents in Fort Greene, Brooklyn vary significantly by building and apartment type. The median listing price is $1.6M. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses.
3How is transit access in Fort Greene?
Fort Greene has a commute score of 7.6/10. 5 subway stations serve the area: Clinton-Washington Avs, Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr, DeKalb Av.
4What are the best streets in Fort Greene?
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 Fort Greene?
Composite median is 5.6 (interquartile range 4.5-6.3), indicating uneven neighborhood fundamentals. ART/Livability (6.8) is the standout; Financial (5.1) and Investment (5.4) lag borough medians.
6Is Fort Greene a good investment?
No. Investment score of 5.4 is below borough median (5.8), zero FAR remains available, and YoY appreciation data is not available. The neighborhood is stable but shows limited upside.
7How walkable is Fort Greene to transit?
Well-connected. You have access to the C line (Clinton-Washington), the major Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr hub (2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, R), plus G, B, Q, R at DeKalb and Fulton St. Commute score of 7.6 reflects solid but not exceptional efficiency.
8What's the building stock like?
Predominantly condos (79%) with some 2-family homes (21%). Median price is $1.55M at $1,088/sqft, with 45 days average on market—moderate velocity for this price tier.