RANK #737 / 996 · POP 2,360,826 · NY
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.2%
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, home to the iconic Unisphere from the 1964 World's Fair, anchors Queens County, New York. This borough, the largest in New York City by area, sits on Long Island, bordering Brooklyn and Nassau County to its east. Commuting to Manhattan is common, with subway lines like the E, F, N, R, and 7 providing direct access, alongside extensive bus routes and ferry services. Queens offers a diverse community feel, with neighborhoods ranging from the urban density of Long Island City and Astoria to more suburban areas. Outdoor recreation is accessible through numerous parks, including Alley Pond Park with its hiking trails and the Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, the city's only legal surfing beach.
Life in Queens is characterized by its diversity, with nearly half of its residents being foreign-born. The borough is considered a desirable location for families, offering a blend of urban amenities and community spirit, with public schools generally performing above average. The economy is diverse, with growth in sectors such as business services, healthcare, and leisure and hospitality. Recent developments indicate continued investment in residential and commercial properties, particularly in areas like Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Woodside, which are experiencing increased business activity and housing development.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 14.4x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Ravenswood Generating Station Redevelopment & Offshore Wind Hub (Queensboro Renewable Express)
Rise Light & Power, TotalEnergies, Corio Generation
|
$20,000M | Planned |
|
OneLIC (Long Island City Neighborhood Plan)
NYC Department of City Planning, City Council
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
Jamaica Neighborhood Plan
NYC Department of City Planning, City Council
|
$700M | Approved |
|
Ravenswood Generating Station Battery Storage
Undisclosed (approved by NYS Public Service Commission)
|
$316M | Under Construction |
|
Astoria Energy Storage Project (East River Energy Storage Project)
174 Power Global (supported by NYCIDA)
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Queens Solar Energy Portfolio (JFK Airport Solar Carport & Community Solar)
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (JFK), various (Community Solar)
|
$90M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Queens County has a Boom Town Index score of 26/100, ranking #737 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.5% and a median household income of $82,431, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Queens County is $677,700 with median rent at $1,847/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1216, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -1.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.5%. Home values changed +5.1% in the past 12 months.