Jamaica is a major transit hub and commercial center in southeast Queens. Downtown Jamaica's redevelopment brings new housing and retail alongside historic institutions.
Jamaica is a major transit hub and commercial center in southeast Queens. Downtown Jamaica's redevelopment brings new housing and retail alongside historic institutions.
Did you know?
The Jamaica LIRR station handles more daily passengers than any other commuter rail station in the Western Hemisphere.
Neighborhood Stats
Who’s your neighbor?
Housing cost
$392 / sq ft
Family scores
Show 5 moreShow fewer
What families should know
Personalize
Get an agentic neighborhood analysis — including safety and cost of living — tailored to your priorities, family size, budget, and commute.
Analyze for My FamilyLiving here
Jamaica's playground scene is solid if not flashy — you've got a handful of solid spots spread across the neighborhood. Harvard Playground and Rufus King Park Playground tend to get the most love from local families, with decent equipment and enough space to let kids run. Gateway Park and Howard Von Dohlen round things out. It's not a green-treasure chest, but for families these four cover the basics without too much legwork.
Schools & early education
Jamaica's school landscape is heavily public — zoned elementary schools like P.S. 050 Talfourd Lawn and P.S. 095 Eastwood feed into a handful of middle and high schools, including the specialized Queens High School for the Sciences at York College and Young Women's Leadership School, Queens. A small cluster of Islamic schools (Al-Iman and Rising Stars) stands out for families seeking faith-based options, and there's one charter high school option. Pre-K centers and early learning programs dot the commercial corridors along Jamaica Avenue. Private school choices are thin, so most families land in the public system.
Compare with nearby neighborhoods
Best schools in Jamaica
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Jamaica a good neighborhood for families?
- Jamaica scores 56/100 for families on Motley — near the middle of the pack citywide. The Family Fit score blends safety, schools, parks, cost of living, and community.
- Is Jamaica safe?
- Jamaica scores 23/100 on safety — toward the lower end citywide. We build the score from NYPD complaint data, normalized by population.
- How are the schools in Jamaica?
- Jamaica has 19 schools mapped inside its boundary and scores 45/100 for schools — near the middle of the pack citywide.
- Is Jamaica affordable?
- Jamaica scores 38/100 for affordability on Motley — among the pricier parts of the city.
- Which borough is Jamaica in?
- Jamaica is a neighborhood in Queens, New York City.
Want personalized insights for your family?
Sign in to get an agentic neighborhood analysis — including safety and cost of living — tailored to your priorities, family size, budget, and commute.