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Elmhurst is one of the most ethnically diverse places in the world. Queens Center Mall and diverse dining along Broadway serve a dense, dynamic community.
Elmhurst is one of the most ethnically diverse places in the world. Queens Center Mall and diverse dining along Broadway serve a dense, dynamic community.
Did you know?
Elmhurst was called "Newtown" for over 200 years before the post office renamed it in 1896 — the new name came from the elm trees lining its streets.
Who’s your neighbor?
Housing cost
Commute
Weekday mornings · leaving 7:30–9:00
- FromElmhurst
- ToNear Bryant Park
Family scores
Show 5 moreShow fewer
Trade-offs
Stands out
- Family-Friendly Vibe91/100
Many families with children, with homes and schools close by
- Transit89/100
Quick weekday-morning transit to the city's main job centers
- Schools76/100
Strong results at the public and charter schools serving it
To weigh
- Affordability39/100
Higher costs than most
Each score compares it with NYC's other residential neighborhoods.
What these scores don't measure: how a block feels on foot, what's changing on it, and whether a particular school suits your child. Walk it at school drop-off time, and check the zoned school for the exact address before you sign a lease.
Your family’s read
How does Elmhurst fit your family?
An agentic read of this neighborhood — including safety and cost of living — tailored to your priorities, family size, budget, and commute.
Analyze for My FamilySchools & early education
Schools20 schools
Elmhurst runs a deep bench when it comes to schooling, with a real mix of zoned public schools, charter options, and a handful of private and parochial choices. P.S. 89Q: The Jose Peralta School of Dreamers anchors the elementary scene, while Newtown High School and the International High School for Health Sciences serve older students on their respective 90th Street campuses. The charter presence has grown here too — Central Queens Academy now operates two locations on Justice Avenue.
Browse all early-ed in this neighborhoodLiving here
Parks & Playgrounds7 places
Elmhurst punches above its weight for playgrounds — there's a deep bench of them scattered across the neighborhood, from the well-tended Crowley Playground near the commercial strip to the quieter Veterans Grove tucked into a residential block. Elmhurst Park offers a bit more green breathing room if you need it. What's here is solid, and families generally don't have to trek far to find a swing set.
2 playgrounds within a 10-min walk
Nearest large park: Flushing Meadows-Corona Park · ~38 min walk (1.4 mi)
Transportation74 stops
Elmhurst is exceptionally well-wired for transit — the 7 train at 74th Street/Broadway zips you to Midtown in under 30 minutes, while Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue is a proper hub where E, F, M, and R lines converge for express options. The M and R also run local through Elmhurst Avenue and Grand Avenue, giving you redundancy without needing to chase a single main artery. Bus coverage is dense along Broadway and Grand Avenue, filling in the gaps nicely.
Restaurants100 places
Elmhurst's restaurant scene is as layered as its immigrant roots — a deep bench of Thai spots clusters around Broadway, Latin bakeries and Ecuadorian parillas line Corona Avenue, and the area holds its own against Jackson Heights for panaderia density. There are a couple of old-school diners (Georgia Diner still pulls a crowd) and the expected chain presence (Applebee's at the mall, Chipotle on Queens Blvd) for reliable weeknight fallback. What you're not getting here is trendiness — this is neighborhood eats, not destination dining, and that's the point.
Groceries30 places
Elmhurst runs deep on groceries — there's a solid mix of ethnic markets and mainstream chains along Broadway, Queens Blvd, and Corona Ave. You've got Stop & Shop and Lidl for the weekly haul, plus C-Town and Associated for more budget-friendly runs, but the real strength is the concentration of Latin American, Asian, and Indo-Java grocers that give this neighborhood its food identity. The Sunday Greenmarket is a nice bonus for produce. Most shops are walkable or a quick bus ride, though a car helps if you're loading up for the week.
Coffee Shops32 places
Elmhurst runs on boba more than espresso — the block between Broadway and Queens Blvd is loaded with bubble tea shops, from Chatime to Gong Cha to the quick-serve counters that have popped up on nearly every corner. If you need a classic drip or a cold brew, there's a Starbucks or two plus a Dunkin' tucked into the mix, but the coffee scene here is decidedly more about the sweet stuff than the third-wave pour-over. It's a neighborhood that favors a iced milk tea over a flat white, and that's honestly part of the charm.
Things to Do21 places
Elmhurst has a deep bench of enrichment options for kids — music schools pop up along Broadway and Corona Ave, while martial arts studios cluster around Queens Blvd, offering everything from taekwondo to mixed martial arts. Tutoring centers are equally well-represented, with several SAT prep and academic support spots scattered through the neighborhood. The activity scene leans heavily toward enrichment and academic prep rather than pure athletics. A few dedicated kids' spaces and one swimming option provide some variety, though recreational facilities remain limited.
Daycare & informal care
There's a deep bench of Pre-K options here — every single one of the 22 sites listed is a universal Pre-K program, so if you're looking for traditional daycare you'll find the landscape thinner than you'd hope. The good news: the concentration along Broadway and the side streets off Queens Boulevard means morning drop-off can be pretty efficient if you plan your route. Most are free, city-funded programs, which is a big deal in a neighborhood where every dollar counts.
Family Resources4 places
Elmhurst holds its own when it comes to civic anchors. The main library on Broadway is a solid, well-used resource, and Hoffman Park near Woodhaven gives kids real space to run — one of the larger green patches in the area. Veterans Grove on Whitney Avenue is a quieter, equally welcoming option. A seasonal farmers market near the hospital adds another public gathering spot. The bench is decent here, though dedicated community centers remain thin on the ground.
Healthcare26 places
Elmhurst has solid healthcare infrastructure anchored by Elmhurst Hospital Center, a major public institution that's been serving the community for decades. Pediatric care runs deep here — a good number of private practices and group offices dot the neighborhood, with a few more options just over the border in Rego Park and Jackson Heights. Urgent care is thin, just a handful of spots along the main corridors, so knowing where to go before a Sunday evening fever hits is smart. Dental care is reasonably covered with several local practices, including a pediatric-focused option near the east end.
Compare with nearby neighborhoods
Best schools in Elmhurst
Schools in Elmhurst
20
- BOOKS & RATTLES - PEEK A BOO
- CATHEDRAL PREP SCHOOL-SEMINARY
- Central Queens Academy Charter School
- Central Queens Academy Charter School II
- Civic Leadership Academy
- Elm Community Charter School
- Forte Preparatory Academy Charter School
- International High School for Health Sciences
- JACKSON HEIGHTS SDA SCHOOL
- John F. Kennedy Jr. School
- Newtown High School
- P.S. 007 Louis F. Simeone
- P.S. 013 Clement C. Moore
- P.S. 102 Bayview
- P.S. 89Q: The Jose Peralta School of Dreamers
- Pan American International High School
- Renaissance Charter School 2
- SAINT ADALBERT CATHOLIC ACADEMY
- ST BARTHOLOMEW CATHOLIC ACADEMY
- VOYAGES Preparatory
Early education in Elmhurst
34
- B'ABOVE 8304 BROADWAY
- B'ABOVE CORNISH AVE
- BWY INC.
- Bwy Preschool
- CHILDREN'S BIG APPLE
- Children's Big Apple, Inc.
- Happy Dragon of New York
- JACKSON HEIGHTS SDA SCHOOL
- John F. Kennedy Jr. School
- KIDZ VILLAGE LLC
- Kidz Village Preschool
- Little Friends School Elmhurst, Inc.
- Magic Years Preschool And Nursery
- MOSAIC PRE-K CENTER AT 44-15 JUDGE STREET
- MOSAIC PRE-K CENTER AT 46-16 76TH STREET
- MOSAIC PRE-K CENTER AT 75-01 BROADWAY
- Moving Up Children Center
- MOVING UP CHILDREN CENTER INC.
- OXBRIDGE DEVELOPMENT CENTER
- P.S. 007 Louis F. Simeone
- P.S. 013 Clement C. Moore
- P.S. 102 Bayview
- Peek-A-Boo! Learning Center
- PRESCHOOL 'R' US 3, INC
- Preschool R' Us 3
- QUEENS POINTE TALENT INC
- Queens Pointe Talent, Inc.
- SAINT ADALBERT CATHOLIC ACADEMY
- ST BARTHOLOMEW CATHOLIC ACADEMY
- St. Adalbert's Catholic Academy
- STAR AMERICA INC.
- Star America Preschool
- STAR PARADISE
- Star Paradise, Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Elmhurst a good neighborhood for families?
- Elmhurst scores 69/100 for families on Motley — ahead of most NYC neighborhoods. The Family Fit score blends six parts: how many families live there, schools, affordability, weekday-morning transit time to job centers, safety, and air quality and child health.
- What are the pros and cons of Elmhurst for families?
- For families, Elmhurst stands out for many families with children, with homes and schools close by; quick weekday-morning transit to the city's main job centers; and strong results at the public and charter schools serving it. What to weigh: higher costs than most. Each score compares it with NYC's other residential neighborhoods. They don't measure how a block feels on foot or whether a particular school suits your child, so walk it before you decide.
- Is Elmhurst safe?
- Elmhurst scores 45/100 on safety — near the middle of the pack citywide. We build the score from NYPD crime complaints, pedestrian and cyclist injuries, and serious (Class C) housing violations, each counted per 1,000 residents.
- How are the schools in Elmhurst?
- Elmhurst has 20 schools mapped inside its boundary and scores 76/100 for schools — ahead of most NYC neighborhoods.
- How do middle and high school admissions work from Elmhurst?
- Middle school: families in Elmhurst apply in 5th grade through the citywide middle school application. District 24's 26 middle school programs admit by method: 14 zoned, 6 screened, 4 unscreened and 2 charter lottery. High school: one citywide application in 8th grade lets a family rank programs anywhere in the city, and the eight specialized high schools admit on the SHSAT alone.
- Is Elmhurst affordable?
- Elmhurst scores 39/100 for affordability on Motley — among the pricier parts of the city.
- Which borough is Elmhurst in?
- Elmhurst is a neighborhood in Queens, New York City.
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