Jamaica, New York
Jamaica: A neighborhood in Queens, New York City. It is known for its large Jamaican population, its many parks and green spaces, and its many attractions, such as the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning and the Baisley Pond Park.
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 |
| Time Zone : | Eastern Time Zone |
| Local time : | 20:55:14 (22nd December 2024) |
| Postal code : | 11424 |
Geography
Jamaica is located at 40°41'29"N 73°48'20"W (40.6914900, -73.8056900).
Jamaica map
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Best Things to Do in Jamaica
1 Breininger Park
237-33 Edmore Ave, Jamaica, NY 11426, United States ➦ Show Map
☎ +12126399675 🔗 Url
2 Allways
Room 126.001, Jamaica, NY 11430, United States ➦ Show Map
☎ +17187514063 🔗 Url
Other Places in Jamaica
1 Queens City Clerk
12055 Queens Blvd # 7, Jamaica, NY 11424 ➦ Show Map
☎ +17182862847 🔗 Url
2 New York City Health-Hospital
16610 Archer Ave, Jamaica, NY 11433, United States ➦ Show Map
☎ +17182060186 🔗 Url
People born in Jamaica (92)
People born in Jamaica, including actress Debi Mazar, actress Cecily Adams, basketball player Tina Charles, .
List
- 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
Schools in Jamaica
College & universities near Jamaica, NY
| Code | Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 190691 | CUNY York College | Jamaica (NY) | 11451 |
Stations (16)
Amtrak & bus stations near Jamaica, NY
| 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 |
Post offices near Jamaica
| Post Office Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Archer Ave New Post Office | Jamaica (NY) | 11435 |
Other places with the same name (4)
- Jamaica , Vermont town in Vermont, United States with a population of 1,025 people.
- Jamaica , Iowa city in Iowa, United States with a population of 218 people.
- Jamaica , Illinois human settlement in Illinois, United States of America with a population of 184 people.
Other cities in Queens County
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Queens County , NY.
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Queens | 2,339,150 | The most populous borough of New York City. |
| 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
