Jamaica, New York
Jamaica: A neighborhood in Queens, New York City.
About
Jamaica is a city located in the county of Queens in the U.S. state of New York.
Jamaica is a neighborhood located in the New York City borough of Queens. With over 200,000 residents, it is one of the most populous neighborhoods in NYC.
History and Origins
Jamaica originated as a Dutch settlement named “Ryck's Sight” in the 17th century. It grew significantly as a commuter town into NYC.
Key historical facts:
- First settled by the Dutch and named after the Lenape word for “beaver”
- Became part of the English Province of New York in 1664
- Main shopping district developed around Jamaica Avenue in the late 1800s
- Expanded as a streetcar suburb and commute hub into Manhattan
Economy and Industries
Jamaica relies heavily on retail, transportation, healthcare, banking, and municipal services. Major employers include:
- NYC Department of Education
- Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
- Queens Borough Public Library
- MTA bus operations
Attractions and Things to Do
Popular attractions include:
- Jamaica Center transportation hub
- York College and St. John’s University campuses
- Queens Public Library at Jamaica
- Restaurants and shops along Jamaica Avenue
- Forest Park offering green space and recreational facilities
Jamaica provides diverse culture, transit connections, and amenities within the expansive NYC metro region.
Quick Facts about Jamaica
| Population | 216,866 |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | New York (United States) |
| County | Queens County |
| Area | 6915268 km2 |
| Latitude & Longitude | 40.6915,-73.8057 |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone |
| Local time | 06:10:57 (21st April 2026) |
| Postal code | 11424 |
| Weather | 56℉ Sunny 7-days weather |
Geography
Jamaica is located at 40°41'29"N 73°48'20"W (40.6914900, -73.8056900).
Jamaica map
icon to open full mode. View satellite images
Best Things to Do in Jamaica
1Breininger Park
237-33 Edmore Ave, Jamaica, NY 11426, United States View details
Phone: +12126399675 | Website available
2Allways
Room 126.001, Jamaica, NY 11430, United States View details
Phone: +17187514063 | Website available
Services and Civic Places in Jamaica
1Queens City Clerk
12055 Queens Blvd # 7, Jamaica, NY 11424 View details
Phone: +17182862847 | Website available
2New York City Health-Hospital
16610 Archer Ave, Jamaica, NY 11433, United States View details
Phone: +17182060186
People born in Jamaica (92)
People born in Jamaica, including actress Debi Mazar, actress Cecily Adams, basketball player Tina Charles, .
More notable people
- Lamar Odom (American basketball player) he was born in 06/11/1979
- Scott Ian (American musician) he was born in 31/12/1963
- Milford Graves (American drummer) he was born in 20/08/1941
- Dana Dawson (American actress (1974-2010)) she was born in 07/08/1974
- Assata Shakur (American activist and convicted felon who was a member of the Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army) she was born in 16/07/1947
- Mario Cuomo (American politician, Governor of New York, United States (1932–2015)) he was born in 15/06/1932
- D. B. Woodside (actor) he was born in 25/07/1969
- Kyle O'Quinn (American basketball player) he was born in 26/03/1990
- Obba Babatundé (American actor) he was born in 01/12/1951
- Nelson DeMille (American writer) he was born in 23/08/1943
- Sundiata Gaines (American basketball player) he was born in 18/04/1986
- Caprice Coleman (American professional wrestler) he was born in 20/03/1977
- William Diehl (American writer) he was born in 04/12/1924
- Tim Kempton (American basketball player) he was born in 25/01/1964
- Marinus Willett (American mayor) he was born in 31/07/1740
- Jeffrey R. MacDonald (Military physician, convicted of murder) he was born in 12/10/1943
- Marc Iavaroni (American basketball player and coach) he was born in 15/09/1956
- Bernard Wright (American musician) he was born in 16/11/1963
Nearby Schools and Colleges
Schools and campuses linked to Jamaica, NY. Select a name to open its map and contact details.
| Code | Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 190691 | CUNY York College | Jamaica (NY) | 11451 |
Nearby Transit Stations (16)
Rail and bus stations connected to Jamaica, NY. Select a station to open its map and address details.
| Code | Name | Address | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYP | Pennsylvania Station | 8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street | RAIL |
| NRO | New Rochelle station | 1 Railroad Plaza | RAIL |
| YNY | Yonkers station | 5 Buena Vista Ave. | RAIL |
| NWK | Pennsylvania Station | 1 Raymond Plaza West | RAIL |
| EWR | Newark Liberty International Airport | Newark Liberty International Airport | RAIL |
Closest post offices linked to Jamaica.
| Post Office Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Archer Ave New Post Office | Jamaica (NY) | 11435 |
Other cities in Queens County
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Queens County , NY.
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond Hill | 98,984 | A hamlet in the Town of Mount Pleasant, New York. |
| Hillside | 24,808 | Census-designated place in Ulster County, New York |
| Arverne | 14,120 | Neighborhood in Queens, New York City |
| Roxbury | 2,296 | Town in Delaware County, New York |
Distance to Other Cities
Jamaica distances to largest New York cities