Is Jamaica, Queens Safe? Crime Rate & NYPD Data (2026)
Jamaica has the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Queens neighborhoods we track, or 114.2 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. DwellCheck rates it "High Activity Area" — among the highest activity areas — from 12,034 NYPD complaint records and 13 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (12,398 vs 12,034). 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 16,120 quality-of-life complaints in Jamaica. Jamaica is considered a high-activity area, with the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Queens neighborhoods we track. Incident levels are stable with 12,034 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 Jamaica?
Jamaica recorded 12,034 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (105,394 residents) that is 114.2 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Queens neighborhoods we track. Of those, 3,580 were felonies and 1,096 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.
Jamaica Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
12,034
Past 12 months · 114.2 per 1,000 residents
Shooting Incidents
13
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
1,096
Murder, rape, robbery, felony assault
Year-over-Year Trend
↔ 2.9%
No significant change
* Borough rate: the borough's count per resident across the neighborhoods we track, applied to this neighborhood's 105,394 residents (2020 Census).
Most Common Crimes in Jamaica
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 2,021 | 16.8% |
| harrassment 2 | 1,617 | 13.4% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 1,175 | 9.8% |
| dangerous drugs | 739 | 6.1% |
| felony assault | 706 | 5.9% |
| other offenses related to theft | 673 | 5.6% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 630 | 5.2% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 610 | 5.1% |
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. Rates use the 2020 Census population (105,394 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
11,467
108.8 per 1,000 residents
High
Rodent Reports
225
2.1 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
998
9.5 per 1,000 residents
High
Heat/Hot Water
3,430
32.5 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
7,473
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
2,759
37% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
4,556
61% of total
How Safe Is Jamaica 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 | 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 (this page) | 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 Jamaica.
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 Jamaica's reported crimes per resident (its NTAs' 2020 Census population, 105,394) 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 Jamaica'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 Jamaica Safety
Is Jamaica safe?
Jamaica has the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Queens neighborhoods we track, or 114.2 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. DwellCheck rates it "High Activity Area" — among the highest activity areas — from 12,034 NYPD complaint records and 13 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (12,398 vs 12,034). 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 Jamaica?
Jamaica recorded 12,034 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (105,394 residents) that is 114.2 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Queens neighborhoods we track. Of those, 3,580 were felonies and 1,096 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 Jamaica?
The most common crimes in Jamaica are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (2,021 incidents, 16.8% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (1,617 incidents, 13.4% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (1,175 incidents, 9.8% of total).
Is Jamaica safer than the Queens average?
Jamaica has the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Queens neighborhoods we track. It had 127% more incidents than the borough average (12,034 vs. a borough average of 5,300 for a neighborhood of the same population, 105,394 residents in the 2020 Census). That is 114.2 reported crimes per 1,000 residents.
How has crime changed in Jamaica?
Crime in Jamaica has remained stable year-over-year (12,398 vs 12,034 incidents). The trend is classified as "stable."
What do 311 complaints say about Jamaica?
Over the past 12 months, 311 recorded 11,467 noise complaints (high per resident), 225 rodent complaints (moderate) and 998 sanitation complaints (high). 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 Jamaica safe at night?
Night safety in Jamaica varies by block. About 31.4% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Jamaica recorded 13 shooting incidents in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Jamaica safe for families?
For families considering Jamaica: the neighborhood recorded 11,467 noise complaints (high per resident among the NYC neighborhoods we track) and 225 rodent reports. It has the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Queens neighborhoods we track. 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. Jamaica has the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Queens neighborhoods we track, with 12,034 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 Jamaica at night?
Jamaica is classified as "High Activity Area" by NYPD complaint data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 13 shooting incidents and 12,034 total crime incidents — 127% more 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 Jamaica dangerous?
By NYPD data, Jamaica is rated "High Activity Area", with the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Queens neighborhoods we track. 12,034 crime incidents over 12 months, remained stable year-over-year (12,398 vs 12,034 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 Jamaica 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 Jamaica a good place to live?
Jamaica is considered a high-activity area, with the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Queens neighborhoods we track. Incident levels are stable with 12,034 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 Jamaica to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in Jamaica
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Jamaica.
Search an Address in JamaicaCompare Jamaica with Nearby Queens Crime Rates
The Queens neighborhoods whose crime rate per resident is closest to Jamaica's.