Is Jackson Heights, Queens Safe in 2026?
Based on 3,950 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 77 shooting incidents, and 11,595 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Jackson Heights is above the Queens average for crime with incidents trending upward (195% increase year-over-year).
Jackson Heights is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 18% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 3,950 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
3,950
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
77
18 fatal
Violent Crimes
694
1,262 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 195%
195% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 653 | 16.5% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 475 | 12.0% |
| harrassment 2 | 370 | 9.4% |
| grand larceny | 321 | 8.1% |
| dangerous drugs | 239 | 6.1% |
| felony assault | 219 | 5.5% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 160 | 4.1% |
| prostitution & related offenses | 158 | 4.0% |
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.
Noise Complaints
7,462
213.2 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
229
6.5 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
3,904
111.5 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
3,891
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
1,549
40% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
2,220
57% of total
How Safe Is Jackson Heights Compared to Other Queens Neighborhoods?
Queens Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Hills | 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 (this page) | 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 Jackson Heights.
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 Jackson Heights 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 Jackson Heights Safety
Is Jackson Heights safe?
Jackson Heights is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 3,950 crime incidents were recorded, including 77 shooting incidents. Jackson Heights is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 18% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 3,950 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Jackson Heights?
The most common crimes in Jackson Heights are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (653 incidents, 16.5% of total); 2. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (475 incidents, 12% of total); 3. HARRASSMENT 2 (370 incidents, 9.4% of total).
Is Jackson Heights safer than the Queens average?
Jackson Heights is safer than 18% of Queens neighborhoods. It had 65% more incidents than the borough average (3,950 vs. a borough average of 2,400).
How has crime changed in Jackson Heights?
Crime in Jackson Heights has worsened by 195% year-over-year, rising from 1,339 to 3,950 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Jackson Heights?
311 data shows 7,462 Very High complaints, 229 Moderate complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Jackson Heights safe at night?
Night safety in Jackson Heights varies by block. About 44.5% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Jackson Heights recorded 77 shooting incidents (18 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Jackson Heights safe for families?
For families considering Jackson Heights: the neighborhood recorded 7,462 noise complaints (very high for Queens) and 229 rodent reports. It ranks in the 18th percentile for safety in Queens. 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. Jackson Heights ranks at the 18th percentile with 3,950 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 Jackson Heights
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Jackson Heights.
Search an Address in Jackson Heights