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Central Jamaica

Central Jamaica

$536,302 Average Value
$635 Average Price per Sq Ft
43 Homes For Sale

Jamaica blends accessibility to Manhattan jobs and nearby recreation

Central 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.” Central Jamaica 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. Ease of access to the employment and entertainment offerings of Manhattan allows Jamaica residents to enjoy the attractions of both urban and suburban environments.

Goddess in You Salon is a staple in Jamaica Hills.
Goddess in You Salon is a staple in Jamaica Hills.
Central Jamaica is a very diverse city.
Central Jamaica is a very diverse city.
Local kids mural in Central Jamaica.
Local kids mural in Central Jamaica.
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From apartments and condos to single- and multifamily homes

With approximately one hundred transactions per quarter, the real estate market in Central Jamaica 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. Central 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 Center is located in the heart of the Queens borough.
Jamaica Center is located in the heart of the Queens borough.
Most homes are two stories in Central Jamaica.
Most homes are two stories in Central Jamaica.
Residential housing is available in Central Jamaica.
Residential housing is available in Central Jamaica.
Jamaica Center is an exciting place to live.
Jamaica Center is an exciting place to live.
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Central Jamaica has an array of private and public schools

Over a dozen public high schools lie within the vicinity of Central 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.

JHS 217 is an above average public school located in Central Jamaica.
JHS 217 is an above average public school located in Central Jamaica.
Al-Iman School near Central Jamaica serves students who wish to attend private school options.
Al-Iman School near Central Jamaica serves students who wish to attend private school options.
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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. Nearby is Flushing Meadows Park, one of the largest public facilities in New York City, offering copious opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Within the boundaries of Central 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.

Bengali people from Central Jamaica area organize their joyful new year event at Jamaica Performing Art Center.
Bengali people from Central Jamaica area organize their joyful new year event at Jamaica Performing Art Center.
Trick-or-Streets is a top halloween event in Central Jamaica.
Trick-or-Streets is a top halloween event in Central Jamaica.
Bengali people from Central Jamaica area organize their joyful new year event at Jamaica Performing Art Center.
Bengali people from Central Jamaica area organize their joyful new year event at Jamaica Performing Art Center.
Bengali people from Central Jamaica area organize their joyful new year event at Jamaica Performing Art Center.
Bengali people from Central Jamaica area organize their joyful new year event at Jamaica Performing Art Center.
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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. Central 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 Central Jamaica’s suburban southern and eastern areas to the hustle and bustle of downtown or Manhattan.

Hillside Electronics is a large cell phone accessory in Jamaica Hills.
Hillside Electronics is a large cell phone accessory in Jamaica Hills.
Several buses operate along the neighborhood’s perimeter reaching the Central Jamaica transit hub.
Several buses operate along the neighborhood’s perimeter reaching the Central Jamaica transit hub.
Key Food in Jamaica Center carries a wide assortment of food and household supplies.
Key Food in Jamaica Center carries a wide assortment of food and household supplies.
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Taking the Long Island Rail Road or the Van Wyck Expressway

Central Jamaica 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.

Jamaica Center is serviced by multiple subway lines.
Jamaica Center is serviced by multiple subway lines.
Residents can get around town and beyond on the many bus lines available in Jamaica Center.
Residents can get around town and beyond on the many bus lines available in Jamaica Center.
Central Jamaica is a bustling neighborhood in Queens.
Central Jamaica is a bustling neighborhood in Queens.
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Perez Folds
Photography Contributed By
Perez Folds
Matt Ferguson
Video By
Matt Ferguson

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

John F Kennedy International

12 min drive

Subway

Sutphin Boulevard

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

Hillside Av & 150 St

Bus

Hillside Av & 144 St

Bus

Jamaica Av & 183 St

Bus

Liberty Av & Union Hall St

Bus

153 St & Jamaica Av

Bus

Jamaica Av & 176 St

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Central Jamaica US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 7 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
595
Number of Homes for Sale
43
Median Year Built
1956
Months of Supply
9.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,346
Significantly below the national average
1,931
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,341
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
935
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
750
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
515
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
2,613

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Condo Buildings

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
21
Median Rent
$2,900
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,950
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,550
Median Townhouse Rent
$1,700
Median Condo Rent
$2,900
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$3,275

Demographics

Total Population
64,032
Median Age
40
Population Density
52 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$58,293
Significantly below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$75,733

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
71%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
24.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.5%
% Population in Labor Force
61.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
18''

Area Factors

Moderately friendly

Bike Score®

60 / 100

Exceptionally friendly

Walk Score®

100 / 100

Exceptionally friendly

Transit Score®

100 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Central Jamaica