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Queens, NY

Queens, NY

Queens is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Queens County, in the U.S. state of New York. Located at the western end of Long Island, it is the largest of the five New York City boroughs by area. It is bordered by the borough of Brooklyn and by Nassau County to its east, and shares maritime borders with the boroughs of Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, as well as with New Jersey. Queens is the most linguistically and ethnically diverse place in the world.

With a population of 2,405,464 as of the 2020 census, Queens is the second-most populous county in New York state, behind Kings County (Brooklyn), and is therefore also the second-most populous of the five New York City boroughs. If Queens were its city, it would be the fourth most populous in the U.S. after New York City itself, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Queens is the fourth-most densely populated borough in New York City and the fourth-most densely populated U.S. county. It is highly diverse as about 47% of its residents are foreign-born.

Queens was established in 1683 as one of the original 12 counties of the Province of New York. The settlement was named after the English Queen and Portuguese royal princess Catherine of Braganza (1638–1705). From 1683 to 1899, the County of Queens included what is now Nassau County. Queens became a borough during the consolidation of New York City in 1898, combining the towns of Long Island City, Newtown, Flushing, Jamaica, and western Hempstead. All except Hempstead are today considered neighborhoods of Queens.

Queens has the most diversified economy of the five boroughs of New York City. It is home to both of New York City's airports: John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia. Among its landmarks are Flushing Meadows–Corona Park; Citi Field, home to the New York Mets baseball team; the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, site of the U.S. Open tennis tournament; Kaufman Astoria Studios; Silvercup Studios; and the Aqueduct Racetrack. Flushing is undergoing rapid gentrification with investment by Chinese transnational entities, while Long Island City is undergoing gentrification secondary to its proximity across the East River from Manhattan.

Queens is located on the far western portion of geographic Long Island and includes a few smaller islands, most of which are in Jamaica Bay, forming part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, which in turn is one of the National Parks of New York Harbor. According to the United States Census Bureau, Queens County has a total area of 178 square miles (460 km2), of which 109 square miles (280 km2) is land and 70 square miles (180 km2) (39%) is water.

Brooklyn, the only other New York City borough on Long Island, lies just south and west of Queens, with Newtown Creek, an estuary that flows into the East River, forming part of the border. To the west and north is the East River, across which is Manhattan to the west and The Bronx to the north. Nassau County is east of Queens on Long Island. Staten Island is southwest of Brooklyn, and shares only a three-mile-long water border (in the Outer Bay) with Queens. North of Queens are Flushing Bay and the Flushing River, connecting to the East River. The East River opens into Long Island Sound. The midsection of Queens is crossed by the Long Island straddling terminal moraine created by the Wisconsin Glacier. The Rockaway Peninsula, the southernmost part of all of Queens, sits between Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, featuring 7 miles (11 km) of beaches.

Health and wellness are significant priorities in Queens. The borough offers numerous healthcare facilities, including Elmhurst Hospital and Flushing Hospital Medical Center, ensuring that residents have access to top-quality medical services. Aire Ancient Baths is known for its historic ambiance and thermal baths inspired by ancient Roman, Greek, and Ottoman traditions. Great Jones Spa offers a relaxing atmosphere with water lounges, saunas, and a variety of treatments. Bliss Spa is known for its playful and modern approach to spa treatments, including massages, facials, and body treatments. Shibui Spa is located in the Greenwich Hotel, it offers a serene setting with Japanese-inspired treatments.

Top sites in Queens, NY are Museum of the Moving Image, MoMA PS1, and The Noguchi Museum.

Population: 2.33 million (2023). ZIP codes: 11368, 11432, 11355. Area codes: 718, 347, 929. Elevation: 258.2 ft (78.7 m). Area: 108.7 square miles (281.5 km²).

FAQs

What is Queens, NY nickname?

NYC has five boroughs, each with their own unique neighborhoods and demographics. Queens, nicknamed "the world's borough" to reflect its status as the most diverse large county in the U.S., has an infinite variety of things to see, smell, taste, touch and hear. It's a paradise for foodies and for those curious about other cultures.

What is Queens, NY famous of

Queens is home to the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. Founded in 1962 as an expansion team, the Mets have won 2 World Series championships and 5 National League pennants. Citi Field is a 41,922-seat stadium opened in April 2009 in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park that is the home ballpark of the Mets. Shea Stadium, the former home of the Mets and the New York Jets of the National Football League, as well as the temporary home of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants Football Team, stood where Citi Field's parking lot is now located, operating from 1964 to 2008.

Is Queens, NY expensive to live in?

The cost of living in Queens, NY is 10% higher than the state average and 40% higher than the national average. Queens, NY housing is 120% more expensive than the U.S. average, while utilities are about 2% pricier. When it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 13% more in Queens, NY than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 13% more.

Sources

New York State

Wikipedia

Next Avenue

rentcafe

Elmhurst Hospital

Flushing Hospital Medical Center

Aire Ancient Baths

Great Jones Spa

Bliss Spa

Shibui Spa

Museum of the Moving Image

MoMA PS1

The Noguchi Museum

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.