Demographics

Demographics Demographic change in the residential population in the downtown's environs have heightened the complexities of community development over the years. Over 2 million people reside in Queens, NY , the most ethnically diverse county in the nation. Presently, Jamaica is the largest and most densely populated neighborhood in central Queens, with 650,000 people residing in the downtown’s market area - people who live, work or use downtown Jamaica’s commercial, educational, government and transportation services. During the last decades of the 20th century, Jamaica attracted many immigrants. 73% of the residents are non-white Hispanic, Asian/American and African/American ethnic minorities, many of whom are immigrants - one fifth are from Guyana and many of the rest from Haiti, China, India, Colombia, Jamaica, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic and Pakistan. 69% of the households are family households, 20% of the households have individuals 65 years and over.

With excellent transit access from Nassau and Suffolk counties, and convenient reverse-peak commutation from Manhattan, Brooklyn and other areas of Queens, Jamaica taps a vast and talented labor pool . Over 40% of the working population living in Jamaica holds white-collar jobs, and the communities immediately surrounding the area have a high percentage of upper middle class (African-American) households. However, the overall per capita income of Jamaica is $18, 391 with 15% of all families with children living below the poverty level. 30% of households have income of less than $25,000/year. 57% use public transportation or walk to work.