$628,871Average Value$288Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Jamaica blends accessibility to Manhattan jobs and nearby recreation
Jamaica is a vivid tapestry of a neighborhood located on the eastern side of the New York City borough of Queens. Downtown Jamaica, or Jamaica Center, hosts a dense concentration of government, commercial and retail buildings. To the south and east of downtown, residential communities feature single-family homes and low-rise apartment blocks. The name “Jamaica” dates from the colonial period, not called after the Caribbean island, as might be expected, but from a corruption of a Native American word for “beaver.” The area has a long history as a crossroads, stretching back to times when bands of local Lenape bartered with other tribes from as far away as the Ohio River Valley. Jamaica still serves as a major transportation hub: the Grand Central Parkway bisects the neighborhood, the Long Island Rail Road intersects with subway lines, and the JFK AirTrain connects to nearby John F. Kennedy Airport. Queens qualifies as one of the most diverse counties in the country, and Jamaica mirrors its home borough in that respect. You need only to witness the spirited weekend cricket matches in South Jamaica’s Baisley Pond Park to appreciate the variety of communities in the area. Ease of access to the employment and entertainment offerings of Manhattan allows Jamaica residents to enjoy the attractions of both urban and suburban environments.
From apartments and condos to single- and multifamily homes
With approximately one hundred transactions per quarter, the real estate market in Jamaica, Queens, averages a median sales price of $500,000. One-bedroom homes are rare but average in price around $190,000, while homes of five bedrooms or more can approach $1 million. The average price per square foot registers at around $250. Stand-alone homes make up ninety percent of sales, with co-ops representing most of the rest, along with a tiny percentage of condominiums. The rental market is very tight, with the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment averaging $2,000.
Jamaica fits into the grand mosaic of neighborhoods in the borough of Queens, surrounded most immediately by South Jamaica, Jamaica Estates and Jamaica Hills. Neighborhoods notably nearby are Kew Gardens, Hollis, Richmond Hills, Ozone Park and Little Guyana. For international getaways, JFK Airport is located a mile south. The borough of Brooklyn lies to the southeast, while the numerous attractions of Manhattan are less than ten miles away, easily accessible by several public transportation lines.
Jamaica has an array of private and public schools
Over a dozen public high schools lie within the vicinity of Jamaica, including several co-located on Jamaica Campus and those on the nearby Springfield Gardens Educational Campus, as well as Thomas A. Edison Vocational and Technical High School, and the High School for Law Enforcement and Public Safety. Fourteen public elementary and middle schools also call the neighborhood home. Several private schools enroll students, such as the United Nations International School in Jamaica Estates and a number of religion-based institutions, from an array of Catholic schools to Al-Iman School, an Islamic prekindergarten through 12th-grade school.
Gathering for Jamaica JAMS and seasonal festivals
King Manor Museum is a colonial heritage house that is worth a visit any time, and the facility holds events throughout the year. The most popular is King Manor's annual Fall Festival, where events range from a pumpkin patch for kiddies to a rum tasting for adults. A hallmark of the summer is always the two-day Jamaica JAMS (Jamaica Arts and Music Summer Festival), a massive street fair paired with nightly concerts under the stars. The Jamaica Jerk Festival in Roy Wilkins Park features Caribbean food, while the downtown strip of Jamaica Center hosts an annual Jamaica Jazz Festival.
The far north-western corner of Jamaica, Queens touches upon the far south-western corner of Flushing Meadows Park, one of the largest public facilities in New York City, offering copious opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Within the boundaries of Jamacia itself are smaller neighborhood parks, including Captain Tilly Park, Roy Wilkins Park, St. Albans Park, and Detective Keith L. Williams Park. In South Jamaica, there is the hundred-acre Baisley Pond Park, which features three cricket fields among its many recreational offerings.
Shopping at Jamaica Center or working at JFK Airport
The commercial and retail outlets of Jamaica Center present local employment opportunities, as do the hotels serving travelers from nearby JFK Airport. Government offices related to borough administration offer public sector jobs. Jamaica’s abundant public transportation facilities allow for access to an incredible array of employment opportunities beyond the neighborhood’s borders. Alternately, many residents must feel there’s no place like home, preferring the quiet residential blocks of Jamaica’s suburban southern and eastern areas to the hustle and bustle of downtown or Manhattan.
Taking the Long Island Rail Road or the Van Wyck Expressway
Jamaica, Queens serves as a transportation hub for the entire vicinity. A pair of subway lines place Manhattan and the other boroughs of New York City within reach of commuters. The Long Island Rail Road offers an alternative method of connecting to Manhattan’s Penn Station and Grand Central Station. The JFK AirTrain links to the international airport. Major highways include the north-south Van Wyck Expressway on the neighborhood's western border, and the east-west Grand Central Parkway.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Parks in this Area
Archie Spigner Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Tennis
Rufus King Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Detective Keith L Williams Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Pool
Marconi Park
Baseball/Softball
Soccer
Playground
Latimer Playground
Basketball
Playground
Transit
Airport
John F Kennedy International
9 min drive
Subway
Jamaica
Subway
Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer
Subway
Parsons Boulevard
Subway
Jamaica-179 Street
Subway
169 Street
Subway
Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue-Jfk Airport
Train
Jamaica Station
Bus
Jamaica Av & 164 St
Bus
111 Av & 175 St
Bus
Sayres Av & 180 St
Bus
Jamaica Av & 183 St
Bus
Liberty Av & Union Hall St
Bus
Sutphin Bl & Lakewood Av
Bus
153 St & Jamaica Av
Jamaica Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Jamaica, Queens sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Jamaica, Queens over the last 12 months is $561,407, up 46% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
MOTIVATED SELLERDetached 2 bedroom house with formal dining room, 1 bathroom on main floor and 1 bath in basement, detached garage and shared driveway.
New to Market! Welcome to this well-maintained legal brick 2-family home in Prime Jamaica, Queens. Don't look further, you have found your next investment opportunity which is also perfect for multi-generational living.The first-floor unit features a bright spacious layout featuring 1 bedroom, 1 full bathroom with a spacious living room, dining area and a full kitchen with access to the
Located on a quiet, no-through traffic street, this cozy 3-bedroom, 2-bathroomhome has solid bones, plenty of potential and offers a great opportunity forbuyers looking for value, space, and location.Enjoy full access around the property, featuring a large front yard and expansivebackyard filled with greenery, perfect for outdoor gatherings, gardening orrelaxing, and a private
Opportunity knocks in South Ozone Park! This spacious corner property is full of potential and ready for your vision. Featuring 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, this home offers a solid layout with great bones. Highlights include a full unfinished basement, a walk-up attic perfect for additional living space or storage, and a rare 2-car detached garage. While the home does need work, it’s a fantastic
Charming Brick 2-Family Home in the Heart of Jamaica!Welcome to this spacious and well-maintained attached brick 2-family home featuring a total of 5 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms—perfect for extended families or savvy investors! Each unit offers its own living and dining rooms.Step inside the inviting foyer, which sets the tone for the warmth and character found throughout the home. The layout is
Renovated Huge 1 family, possible to convert as a Mother-Daughter with a proper permit. The house features 7 Bedrooms, 3 Full Bathrooms, a Large Living room, Eat-in Kitchen with a nice Dining Space, Family Room, Full Finished Basement with a Half Bath, and Pvt Driveway. Updated Kitchen and Bathrooms, Hardwood floors throughout. Conveniently located in a nice quiet neighborhood, 1 block from Q42
Welcome to Moda, modern living in heart of vibrant Jamaica, Queens. Easily accessible transit subway lines (E J K F) and the LIRR center at Jamaica only blocks away.Apartments feature high-end finishes including: -Stainless steel appliances -Hardwood floors *select units*-Spacious floorplans, and large (walk-in) closets-Private terraces *select
Beautiful 2nd floor unit features 3 bed, 2bath, living, dining, eat-in-kitchen. Great location in Addisleigh Park . everying is fully brian new renovated
Introducing Ruby Square, a new urban oasis conveniently located in the heart of what is often referred to as the “World’s Borough,” Queens New York. Combining architectural expertise and carefully curated interior design by the award-winning Perkins Eastman Architects, this one-of-a-kind development offers an inviting collection of 614 studio, one- and two-bedroom residences that bring thoughtful
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Eitan Sror,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
95,913
Median Age
39
Population Density
77 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$61,142
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$81,187
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
73.7%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
21.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.4%
% Population in Labor Force
63.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
2''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
50/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
84/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
