Is Forest Hills, Queens Safe in 2026?
Based on 902 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 1 shooting incident, and 2,425 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Forest Hills is below the Queens average for crime with incidents trending upward (140.5% increase year-over-year).
Forest Hills is considered much safer than average, ranking safer than 81% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 902 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers March 2025 – March 2026 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated March 31, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
902
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
1
0 fatal
Violent Crimes
142
247 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 140.5%
140.5% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 283 | 31.4% |
| harrassment 2 | 158 | 17.5% |
| grand larceny | 89 | 9.9% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 77 | 8.5% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 50 | 5.5% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 48 | 5.3% |
| burglary | 35 | 3.9% |
| grand larceny of motor vehicle | 28 | 3.1% |
Severity Distribution
Where Crimes Occur
Quality of Life Indicators
311 complaints reveal patterns about daily quality of life that crime statistics alone do not capture. These are resident-reported issues from the past 12 months.
Noise Complaints
1,027
29.3 per 1,000 residents
High
Rodent Reports
85
2.4 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
1,313
37.5 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Arrest Activity
Arrest data reflects law enforcement activity in the area. High arrest counts relative to crime can indicate active policing; low counts may reflect under-enforcement or lower crime.
Total Arrests
278
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
73
26% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
201
72% of total
How Safe Is Forest Hills Compared to Other Queens Neighborhoods?
Queens Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Hills (this page) | 902 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 81% |
| Astoria | 2,305 | 132 | High Activity Area | 76% |
| Sunnyside | 1,324 | 82 | High Activity Area | 72% |
| Woodside | 1,661 | 45 | High Activity Area | 65% |
| Flushing | 3,575 | 75 | High Activity Area | 63% |
| Long Island City | 1,957 | 26 | High Activity Area | 59% |
| Jackson Heights | 3,950 | 77 | High Activity Area | 18% |
| Ridgewood | 4,695 | 78 | High Activity Area | 2% |
Understanding This Data
All crime statistics on this page are sourced directly from the NYPD CompStat database via NYC Open Data. Incidents are mapped to neighborhood boundaries using the NYC Department of City Planning Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (NTAs) — the same geographic units used in official census reporting. Each safety score reflects the cumulative activity within the NTA boundaries assigned to Forest Hills.
NTA boundaries are drawn to maintain population comparability across census tracts, which means they may not perfectly align with what residents consider their "neighborhood." In some cases, a single NTA spans areas with different character. The percentile ranking compares Forest Hills only against other NTAs within Queens, so scores are borough-relative rather than city-wide.
Safety conditions vary significantly block by block. Neighborhood-level statistics provide important context but should not substitute for address-level research. Use DwellCheck to analyze a specific address and understand the precise safety environment within walking distance of where you plan to live.
Frequently Asked Questions about Forest Hills Safety
Is Forest Hills safe?
Forest Hills is rated "Much Safer Than Average" — Top 25% safest in the borough. Over the past 12 months, 902 crime incidents were recorded, including 1 shooting incident. Forest Hills is considered much safer than average, ranking safer than 81% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 902 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Forest Hills?
The most common crimes in Forest Hills are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (283 incidents, 31.4% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (158 incidents, 17.5% of total); 3. GRAND LARCENY (89 incidents, 9.9% of total).
Is Forest Hills safer than the Queens average?
Forest Hills is safer than 81% of Queens neighborhoods. It had 62% fewer incidents than the borough average (902 vs. a borough average of 2,400).
How has crime changed in Forest Hills?
Crime in Forest Hills has worsened by 140.5% year-over-year, rising from 375 to 902 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Forest Hills?
311 data shows 1,027 High complaints, 85 Low complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Forest Hills safe at night?
Night safety in Forest Hills varies by block. About 28.8% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Forest Hills recorded 1 shooting incident (0 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Forest Hills safe for families?
For families considering Forest Hills: the neighborhood recorded 1,027 noise complaints (high for Queens) and 85 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 81% of Queens neighborhoods, which is above average. Family-friendliness also depends on schools, parks, and building quality — use DwellCheck to evaluate a specific address.
What is the safest neighborhood in Queens?
Safety varies across Queens neighborhoods. Forest Hills ranks at the 81th percentile with 902 incidents. Compare all Queens neighborhoods in the comparison table above to see how each ranks by total crime, shootings, and borough percentile. All data is sourced from NYPD CompStat.
Check a Specific Address in Forest Hills
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Forest Hills.
Search an Address in Forest Hills