Is Forest Hills, Queens Safe? Crime Rate & NYPD Data (2026)
Forest Hills has a lower crime rate per resident than 50% of Queens neighborhoods, or 42.3 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. Measured per resident, it sits on the safer half of Queens. DwellCheck rates it "Average" — typical for the borough — from 3,760 NYPD complaint records and 1 shooting incident over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (3,661 vs 3,760). Safety varies block by block, so read this as neighborhood context rather than a verdict on any single street.
Over the same 12 months, 311 logged 8,433 quality-of-life complaints in Forest Hills. Forest Hills is considered about average, with a lower crime rate per resident than 50% of Queens neighborhoods. Incident levels are stable with 3,760 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers June 2025 – June 2026 (12 months) · Source: NYPD Complaint, Shooting & Arrest Data and NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated September 14, 2026
What Is the Crime Rate in Forest Hills?
Forest Hills recorded 3,760 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (88,965 residents) that is 42.3 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is a lower crime rate per resident than 50% of Queens neighborhoods. Of those, 932 were felonies and 167 were violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery or felony assault). Crimes are counted where they were reported, so commercial and nightlife blocks push the rate up in districts with few residents.
Forest Hills Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
3,760
Past 12 months · 42.3 per 1,000 residents
Shooting Incidents
1
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
167
Murder, rape, robbery, felony assault
Year-over-Year Trend
↔ 2.7%
No significant change
* Borough rate: the borough's count per resident across the neighborhoods we track, applied to this neighborhood's 88,965 residents (2020 Census).
Most Common Crimes in Forest Hills
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 1,456 | 38.7% |
| harrassment 2 | 515 | 13.7% |
| grand larceny | 310 | 8.2% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 234 | 6.2% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 188 | 5.0% |
| grand larceny of motor vehicle | 136 | 3.6% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 114 | 3.0% |
| felony assault | 112 | 3.0% |
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. Rates use the 2020 Census population (88,965 residents). Labels compare each rate with the other NYC neighborhoods we track: Low is the bottom quarter, Moderate the middle half, High the next 15%, and Very High the top 10%.
Noise Complaints
5,118
57.5 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Rodent Reports
238
2.7 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
457
5.1 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
2,620
29.4 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
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
1,856
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
736
40% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
1,062
57% of total
How Safe Is Forest Hills Compared to Other Queens Neighborhoods?
Queens Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Per 1,000 Residents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Neck | 575 | 22.8 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 100% |
| Middle Village | 1,001 | 29 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 96% |
| Glendale | 1,077 | 30.7 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 92% |
| Bayside | 1,183 | 33.2 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 88% |
| Woodside | 1,796 | 33.8 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 85% |
| Kew Gardens | 846 | 34.7 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 81% |
| Whitestone | 1,028 | 36.2 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 77% |
| Corona | 2,829 | 38.3 | 7 | Higher Than Average | 73% |
| Fresh Meadows | 907 | 38.7 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 69% |
| Briarwood | 1,522 | 38.7 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 65% |
| Maspeth | 1,723 | 39.8 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 62% |
| Rego Park | 1,273 | 41.4 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 58% |
| Astoria | 5,032 | 41.5 | 2 | Average | 54% |
| Forest Hills (this page) | 3,760 | 42.3 | 1 | Average | 50% |
| Howard Beach | 1,164 | 42.6 | 0 | Average | 46% |
| Jamaica Estates | 1,005 | 42.6 | 0 | Higher Than Average | 42% |
| Ridgewood | 2,841 | 42.8 | 3 | Higher Than Average | 38% |
| Sunnyside | 2,316 | 44.3 | 0 | Higher Than Average | 35% |
| Ozone Park | 2,420 | 47.6 | 4 | Higher Than Average | 31% |
| College Point | 1,604 | 47.7 | 3 | Higher Than Average | 27% |
| Jackson Heights | 5,014 | 49.2 | 2 | Much Higher Than Average | 23% |
| Richmond Hill | 2,956 | 50.8 | 2 | Much Higher Than Average | 19% |
| Elmhurst | 6,122 | 56.8 | 2 | Much Higher Than Average | 15% |
| Rockaway Beach | 2,669 | 64.5 | 9 | Much Higher Than Average | 12% |
| Flushing | 4,537 | 64.9 | 1 | High Activity Area | 8% |
| Long Island City | 2,587 | 80.3 | 0 | High Activity Area | 4% |
| Jamaica | 12,034 | 114.2 | 13 | High Activity Area | 0% |
Understanding This Data
All crime statistics on this page come from NYPD Complaint Data, Shooting Incident Data and Arrest Data published on NYC Open Data, refreshed periodically. 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's reported crimes per resident (its NTAs' 2020 Census population, 88,965) only against the other neighborhoods we track in Queens, so it is borough-relative rather than city-wide. Crimes are counted where they were reported, so commercial and nightlife districts with few residents rank high. The borough averages on this page apply the borough's crimes per resident to Forest Hills's population.
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 has a lower crime rate per resident than 50% of Queens neighborhoods, or 42.3 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. Measured per resident, it sits on the safer half of Queens. DwellCheck rates it "Average" — typical for the borough — from 3,760 NYPD complaint records and 1 shooting incident over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (3,661 vs 3,760). Safety varies block by block, so read this as neighborhood context rather than a verdict on any single street.
What is the crime rate in Forest Hills?
Forest Hills recorded 3,760 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (88,965 residents) that is 42.3 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is a lower crime rate per resident than 50% of Queens neighborhoods. Of those, 932 were felonies and 167 were violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery or felony assault). Crimes are counted where they were reported, so commercial and nightlife blocks push the rate up in districts with few residents.
What are the most common crimes in Forest Hills?
The most common crimes in Forest Hills are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (1,456 incidents, 38.7% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (515 incidents, 13.7% of total); 3. GRAND LARCENY (310 incidents, 8.2% of total).
Is Forest Hills safer than the Queens average?
Forest Hills has a lower crime rate per resident than 50% of Queens neighborhoods. It had 16% fewer incidents than the borough average (3,760 vs. a borough average of 4,474 for a neighborhood of the same population, 88,965 residents in the 2020 Census). That is 42.3 reported crimes per 1,000 residents.
How has crime changed in Forest Hills?
Crime in Forest Hills has remained stable year-over-year (3,661 vs 3,760 incidents). The trend is classified as "stable."
What do 311 complaints say about Forest Hills?
Over the past 12 months, 311 recorded 5,118 noise complaints (moderate per resident), 238 rodent complaints (moderate) and 457 sanitation complaints (low). Each label compares the rate per resident (2020 Census) with the other NYC neighborhoods we track. 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 25.3% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Forest Hills recorded 1 shooting incident 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 5,118 noise complaints (moderate per resident among the NYC neighborhoods we track) and 238 rodent reports. It has a lower crime rate per resident than 50% of Queens neighborhoods. 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 has a lower crime rate per resident than 50% of Queens neighborhoods, with 3,760 incidents. Compare all Queens neighborhoods in the comparison table above to see each one's crimes per 1,000 residents, shootings, and borough percentile. Crime data is NYPD Complaint Data via NYC Open Data.
Can you walk around Forest Hills at night?
Forest Hills is classified as "Average" by NYPD complaint data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 1 shooting incident and 3,760 total crime incidents — 16% fewer incidents than the borough average. Walking at night carries the same risk profile as anywhere in NYC: stay on commercial corridors with foot traffic, avoid empty side streets after midnight, and prefer subway lines that run 24/7.
Is Forest Hills dangerous?
By NYPD data, Forest Hills is rated "Average", with a lower crime rate per resident than 50% of Queens neighborhoods. 3,760 crime incidents over 12 months, remained stable year-over-year (3,661 vs 3,760 incidents). Block-level risk varies; check our address-level safety score for any specific street or building, which counts NYPD complaints within a 300-meter radius.
What parts of Forest Hills should I avoid?
NYPD complaint records carry approximate incident coordinates, but a neighborhood total can't tell you which blocks drive it, so we don't publish an "avoid this street" list. For a specific block, use DwellCheck's address-level safety score, which counts NYPD complaint records within a 300m radius of a specific building. As a general rule across all NYC neighborhoods: industrial blocks with no foot traffic are higher-risk than residential blocks; subway-station-adjacent commercial corridors are lowest-risk.
Is Forest Hills a good place to live?
Forest Hills is considered about average, with a lower crime rate per resident than 50% of Queens neighborhoods. Incident levels are stable with 3,760 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months. Whether it's a good fit depends on what you weight: families, solo renters, and remote workers prioritize different factors (noise, transit access, parks, building quality). Use DwellCheck's full livability page for Forest Hills to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
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 HillsCompare Forest Hills with Nearby Queens Crime Rates
The Queens neighborhoods whose crime rate per resident is closest to Forest Hills's.