Is Elmhurst, Queens Safe in 2026?
Based on 6,283 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 2 shooting incidents, and 8,659 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Elmhurst is above the Queens average for crime and trending safer (19.4% fewer incidents year-over-year).
Elmhurst is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 0% of the borough. Incidents are trending down with 6,283 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers December 2024 – December 2025 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated April 18, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
6,283
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
2
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
1,043
1,741 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↓ 19.4%
19.4% fewer incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 1,898 | 30.2% |
| harrassment 2 | 588 | 9.4% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 546 | 8.7% |
| grand larceny | 490 | 7.8% |
| felony assault | 293 | 4.7% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 269 | 4.3% |
| robbery | 221 | 3.5% |
| sex crimes | 217 | 3.5% |
Severity Distribution
Where Crimes Occur
Quality of Life Indicators
311 complaints reveal patterns about daily quality of life that crime statistics alone do not capture. These are resident-reported issues from the past 12 months.
Noise Complaints
5,564
159.0 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
134
3.8 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
369
10.5 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Heat/Hot Water
2,592
74.1 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Arrest Activity
Arrest data reflects law enforcement activity in the area. High arrest counts relative to crime can indicate active policing; low counts may reflect under-enforcement or lower crime.
Total Arrests
4,398
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
1,608
37% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
2,624
60% of total
How Safe Is Elmhurst Compared to Other Queens Neighborhoods?
Queens Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Neck | 622 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 87% |
| Middle Village | 965 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 80% |
| Fresh Meadows | 982 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 80% |
| Kew Gardens | 988 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 79% |
| Whitestone | 1,003 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 79% |
| Jamaica Estates | 1,008 | 2 | Much Safer Than Average | 79% |
| Glendale | 1,138 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 76% |
| Bayside | 1,182 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 75% |
| Rego Park | 1,250 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Howard Beach | 1,251 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Ozone Park | 2,378 | 4 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Richmond Hill | 2,937 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 69% |
| College Point | 1,491 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 69% |
| Maspeth | 1,639 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 66% |
| Briarwood | 1,615 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 66% |
| Woodside | 1,767 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 63% |
| Sunnyside | 2,308 | 0 | Average | 52% |
| Long Island City | 2,523 | 0 | Average | 47% |
| Astoria | 4,862 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Corona | 2,673 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Ridgewood | 2,735 | 2 | Higher Than Average | 43% |
| Rockaway Beach | 2,770 | 10 | Higher Than Average | 42% |
| Forest Hills | 3,877 | 1 | Much Higher Than Average | 19% |
| Flushing | 4,843 | 3 | High Activity Area | 0% |
| Jackson Heights | 5,229 | 0 | High Activity Area | 0% |
| Elmhurst (this page) | 6,283 | 2 | High Activity Area | 0% |
| Jamaica | 11,940 | 10 | High Activity Area | 0% |
Understanding This Data
All crime statistics on this page are sourced directly from the NYPD CompStat database via NYC Open Data. Incidents are mapped to neighborhood boundaries using the NYC Department of City Planning Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (NTAs) — the same geographic units used in official census reporting. Each safety score reflects the cumulative activity within the NTA boundaries assigned to Elmhurst.
NTA boundaries are drawn to maintain population comparability across census tracts, which means they may not perfectly align with what residents consider their "neighborhood." In some cases, a single NTA spans areas with different character. The percentile ranking compares Elmhurst only against other NTAs within Queens, so scores are borough-relative rather than city-wide.
Safety conditions vary significantly block by block. Neighborhood-level statistics provide important context but should not substitute for address-level research. Use DwellCheck to analyze a specific address and understand the precise safety environment within walking distance of where you plan to live.
Frequently Asked Questions about Elmhurst Safety
Is Elmhurst safe?
Elmhurst is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 6,283 crime incidents were recorded, including 2 shooting incidents. Elmhurst is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 0% of the borough. Incidents are trending down with 6,283 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Elmhurst?
The most common crimes in Elmhurst are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (1,898 incidents, 30.2% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (588 incidents, 9.4% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (546 incidents, 8.7% of total).
Is Elmhurst safer than the Queens average?
Elmhurst is safer than 0% of Queens neighborhoods. It had 162% more incidents than the borough average (6,283 vs. a borough average of 2,400).
How has crime changed in Elmhurst?
Crime in Elmhurst has improved by 19.4% year-over-year, dropping from 7,800 to 6,283 incidents. The trend is classified as "improving."
What do 311 complaints say about Elmhurst?
311 data shows 5,564 Very High complaints, 134 Low complaints, and 369 Moderate complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Elmhurst safe at night?
Night safety in Elmhurst varies by block. About 28.1% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Elmhurst recorded 2 shooting incidents in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Elmhurst safe for families?
For families considering Elmhurst: the neighborhood recorded 5,564 noise complaints (very high for Queens) and 134 rodent reports. It ranks in the 0th percentile for safety in Queens. Family-friendliness also depends on schools, parks, and building quality — use DwellCheck to evaluate a specific address.
What is the safest neighborhood in Queens?
Safety varies across Queens neighborhoods. Elmhurst ranks at the 0th percentile with 6,283 incidents. Compare all Queens neighborhoods in the comparison table above to see how each ranks by total crime, shootings, and borough percentile. All data is sourced from NYPD CompStat.
Can you walk around Elmhurst at night?
Elmhurst is classified as "High Activity Area" by NYPD CompStat data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 2 shooting incidents and 6,283 total crime incidents — 162% more incidents than the borough average. Walking at night carries the same risk profile as anywhere in NYC: stay on commercial corridors with foot traffic, avoid empty side streets after midnight, and prefer subway lines that run 24/7.
Is Elmhurst dangerous?
By NYPD data, Elmhurst is rated "High Activity Area" — safer than 0% of Queens neighborhoods. 6,283 crime incidents over 12 months, improved by 19.4% year-over-year, dropping from 7,800 to 6,283 incidents. Block-level risk varies; check our address-level safety score for any specific street or building to weight NYPD incidents within a 250-meter radius.
What parts of Elmhurst should I avoid?
NYPD CompStat reports incidents at the precinct level, not block-by-block, so a granular "avoid this street" answer isn't possible from public data alone. The most reliable signal at the block level is DwellCheck's address-level safety score, which weights NYPD incidents within a 250m radius of a specific building. As a general rule across all NYC neighborhoods: industrial blocks with no foot traffic are higher-risk than residential blocks; subway-station-adjacent commercial corridors are lowest-risk.
Is Elmhurst a good place to live?
Elmhurst scores in the 0th percentile for safety in Queens. Elmhurst is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 0% of the borough. Incidents are trending down with 6,283 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months. Whether it's a good fit depends on what you weight: families, solo renters, and remote workers prioritize different factors (noise, transit access, parks, building quality). Use DwellCheck's full livability page for Elmhurst to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in Elmhurst
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Elmhurst.
Search an Address in Elmhurst