Population 2,323,052 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Queens County
Household size in Queens County
| Period | Queens County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.92 | 2.79 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.00 | 2.85 | 2.72 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.03 | 2.82 | 2.69 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.88 | 2.79 | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.03 | −0.00 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Queens County average 2.88 people, above the national 2.65, so families with children are more common here. Household size has edged down from 2.92 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only five of New York's 62 counties have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Queens County
| Period | Queens County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.8 | 38.0 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.4 | 38.7 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.9 | 39.8 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.4 | 40.4 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.7 | +2.4 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Queens County are younger than 41.4 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 37.8 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the northwest and oldest in the northeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Queens County
| Period | Queens County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.3% | 13.1% | 13.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 12.8% | 12.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.7% | 11.4% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.8% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Queens County as they are nationally: 11.8%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 1.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Queens County
Renters in Queens County
| Period | Queens County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 54.5% | 47.1% | 44.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 56.2% | 48.7% | 46.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 55.2% | 48.8% | 46.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 55.1% | 48.6% | 45.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Queens County rent: 55.1% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 48.1% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Of New York's 62 counties, only three have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Queens County
| Period | Queens County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 9.1% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.2% | 9.0% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.1% | 9.1% | 11.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.4% | 7.9% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Queens County is close to the national rate: 8.4% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Queens County has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five New York counties.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Queens County
| Period | Queens County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1950 | 1957 | 1956 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1952 | 1958 | 1957 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1952 | 1959 | 1958 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1955 | 1962 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Queens County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1955, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1950 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the southwest. Only three of New York's 62 counties have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Queens County
| Period | Queens County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,239 | $1,268 | $1,095 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,385 | $1,377 | $1,201 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,637 | $1,645 | $1,426 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,042 | $2,060 | $1,794 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$803 | +$792 | +$698 | +$606 |
Rent in Queens County runs $2,042 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $803 a month since 2006–10, up 65%, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 33.5% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the northeast and lowest in the southeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Queens County
Bachelor's degrees in Queens County
| Period | Queens County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.0% | 35.0% | 31.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.9% | 36.7% | 33.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.8% | 39.9% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 36.1% | 43.6% | 39.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.1 pts | +8.6 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Queens County as nationally: 36.1% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share is lower than in the New York area overall (43.6%). The share with a degree has risen 7.1 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Queens County
| Period | Queens County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.6% | 83.7% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.0% | 84.6% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.7% | 86.2% | 86.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 82.3% | 86.9% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +3.3 pts | +3.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in six adults in Queens County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 82.3% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 2.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only one other New York county has a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Queens County
| Period | Queens County | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 7.9% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 9.5% | 9.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.6% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.2% | 6.9% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs high in Queens County: 7.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Only three of New York's 62 counties have higher unemployment. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Queens County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queens County | 2.88 | 41.4 | 11.8% | 55.1% | 8.4% | 1955 | $2,042 | 36.1% | 82.3% | 7.2% |
| Kings County | 2.78 | 37.5 | 12.5% | 70.5% | 9.1% | 1953 | $1,954 | 40.2% | 83.6% | 8.3% |
| New York County | 2.08 | 40.4 | 8.9% | 74.9% | 15.4% | 1956 | $2,383 | 64.7% | 89.9% | 8.2% |
| Bronx County | 2.65 | 36.9 | 22.4% | 79.9% | 6.0% | 1958 | $1,512 | 22.3% | 75.0% | 11.7% |
| Hudson County | 2.44 | 37.1 | 11.7% | 69.3% | 7.3% | 1968 | $2,049 | 49.0% | 87.9% | 6.2% |
| Nassau County | 3.14 | 42.5 | 9.6% | 18.1% | 5.6% | 1955 | $2,478 | 49.8% | 92.0% | 4.8% |
| Essex County | 2.75 | 38.5 | 16.2% | 55.1% | 6.4% | 1960 | $1,796 | 38.7% | 86.3% | 8.9% |
| Union County | 2.95 | 39.6 | 14.7% | 42.6% | 5.6% | 1958 | $1,910 | 38.0% | 85.4% | 6.6% |
| Morris County | 2.71 | 43.4 | 6.0% | 25.7% | 4.3% | 1971 | $2,157 | 58.3% | 95.0% | 5.0% |
| Suffolk County | 3.02 | 42.6 | 9.2% | 17.6% | 10.1% | 1970 | $2,356 | 41.3% | 87.2% | 4.5% |
| Warren County | 2.45 | 44.5 | 8.3% | 24.9% | 4.1% | 1970 | $1,595 | 36.9% | 93.9% | 5.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Maricopa County, AZ · Orange County, CA · Los Angeles County, CA · San Diego County, CA · Harris County, TX · Allegheny County, PA · DuPage County, IL · Bronx County, NY · Baltimore City, MD · Clark County, NV
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Queens County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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