The neighborhoods of Long Island City (L.I.C.), Sunnyside and Woodside in northwest Queens have their own distinct personalities, but together they are contributing to the borough’s business growth, share of the population employed, median household income and new housing, according to a report from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report on the local economies in this section of northwest Queens, which is based on data from within the boundaries of Community District 2, is the latest in DiNapoli’s series of New York City neighborhood profiles.
“These diverse neighborhoods have grown economically over the past decade and experienced relatively strong household incomes, moderate poverty levels and increased business activity and housing supply,” DiNapoli said. “There is a strong immigrant population in this section of Queens and it is helping lead the borough’s revitalization. While there is a lot of positive progress to cheer for, challenging issues like the high cost of housing persist. It’s my hope that this report will be an asset that local leaders and community stakeholders can use as they continue their efforts to ensure these are great neighborhoods to live, work and go to school in.”
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez said: “Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Woodside truly capture the spirit of New York. Nearly half the residents here are immigrants, and their hard work has helped make these neighborhoods an economic engine for Queens. This report makes clear the remarkable growth Western Queens has seen, but also the ongoing challenges like housing affordability. As the representative for Western Queens, I’ll keep fighting in Washington to make sure federal policy supports small businesses, invests in working families, and protects immigrant communities.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said: “Western Queens' growth has breathed new life into our borough through new housing, new businesses, job creation, expanded cultural programming, green space and much more, as shown in the State Comptroller's Economic Snapshot. But as exciting as that growth has been, it also presents real challenges around affordability. I look forward to working with the State Comptroller and all our partners to effectively balance that inspirational growth with responsible development that keeps people in their communities.”
Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said: "I am very appreciative State Comptroller DiNapoli issued this report, which shows that western Queens continues to drive New York’s economy forward. We must invest more in our communities so that we can see continued growth and success throughout New York, while tackling the issue of affordability. I thank State Comptroller DiNapoli for his continued focus on the well-being of our communities.”
Assemblymember Claire Valdez (37th AD) said: “This report shows Western Queens has experienced tremendous growth. New housing, small businesses, and job opportunities are shaping and reshaping Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Woodside. These changes have brought energy and opportunity to our communities, but with this progress comes the pressing challenge of affordability, as too many families struggle to keep pace with rising costs. Our responsibility now, as always, is to ensure that growth doesn’t push people out, but instead helps them thrive right where they are. I’m committed to working with community leaders and partners so this development benefits all of our residents.”
Population
There were 123,823 residents in the region in 2023 with one half (50.3%) born outside the United States, greater than the boroughwide share (47.6%) and citywide (36.5%). The majority came from Asia (48.7%) and Latin America (36.4%). The average age (37.7 years) was slightly younger than the Queens average age (40.4), with L.I.C. skewing younger (33) than Sunnyside and Woodside. While fewer households had children under 18 (21.9%) than boroughwide (27.8%), a greater share had children under six years old (6.7% compared to 5.2%), with L.I.C. leading in young households at (10.7%). Residents of the area were more likely to have a high school diploma (87.1%) and a college degree (49.4%) than in Queens overall (82.7% and 35.3%, respectively).
Household Income
The region’s $94,371 median household income exceeded the median boroughwide $84,961 and citywide $79,713 in 2023. L.I.C. notably had a median household income ($162,100) that was twice as high as Sunnyside ($80,934) and Woodside ($76,334). The neighborhoods had a corresponding smaller share of individuals and children living below federal poverty levels (9.4% and 8.7%, respectively, compared to 17.4% and 23.2% citywide) and fewer households making use of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).
Housing
This area of Queens, particularly L.I.C.-Hunters Point, has significantly contributed to the city’s overall housing growth. Zoning changes going back to 2001 and development plans have spurred dramatic increases in housing by allowing high-density towers throughout Court Square and Queens Plaza and Hunters Point. From 2010 through 2024, housing units in L.I.C.-Hunters Point quadrupled to 26,177 units. Zoning changes that allowed larger buildings on major corridors and near transit but preserved the lower density characteristics of Sunnyside and Woodside, meant these neighborhoods grew by just 2.4% to 22,788 units and 7.4% to 20,116 units, respectively. By comparison, housing units increased by 8.5% throughout Queens and 10.1% citywide in that period. The OneLIC plan recently approved by the city’s Planning Commission could bring over 14,000 new units to L.I.C.
Three quarters of area units are rentals, more than the borough or city shares. Median rent of $2,107 (including utilities) was higher than Queens overall ($1,915) or citywide ($1,779). Residents facing either a rent burden of more than 30% of their income (45.2%), or a severe burden of more than half their income (19.2%), were a smaller share than boroughwide or citywide.
Employment
Private sector jobs increased by 9.3% to reach 74,972 over the decade ending in 2023, despite losses during the pandemic. The area trailed Queens’ overall 24% job growth during the same period and citywide growth of 18.8%. Most of the jobs were added in the business services, security services, social assistance, health care, and retail sectors. Social assistance and leisure and hospitality jobs alone rose by 38% in the area. The average wage rose 26% to $76,285, with the greatest increase in Sunnyside (63%) and the lowest in Woodside (5.6%).
A little more than two-thirds of area residents age 16 and older were employed as of 2023, a much larger share than in the borough (59%) or the city (58.5%).
Business growth was on par with Queens overall and greater than the city from 2013 to 2023, with notable growth in small businesses with fewer than five employees during the pandemic as larger businesses declined. From 2021 to 2023, however, new business growth outpaced the borough and city overall, led by the expanding business services and leisure and hospitality sectors.
Education
There were 7,408 K-8th grade students in the neighborhoods in the 2023-2024 school year, although there were nearly 10% fewer public school students than in 2019-2020, which was similar to the citywide trend but greater than the overall Queens drop of 7.6% public school students. Despite lower enrollment, five of the area’s 12 K-8 schools were overcrowded in 2023-2024 and two were over 90% capacity, according to School Construction Authority (SCA) data. However, two other schools were very under-enrolled, utilizing less than 70% of their capacity, and SCA data shows some 1,100 open seats across all local K-8 schools.
Students scored higher on the state English Language Arts test, with 57.6% proficient compared to Queens (51.8%) and citywide (49.1%). Math testing (56.2% proficiency) was about even with the borough and citywide numbers.
Crime
The neighborhoods are served by the 108th Precinct, where crime fell 4.6% in 2024 after five consecutive years in which it grew by an average of 15% a year and outpaced citywide and boroughwide increases. Violent crime (murder, rape, robbery, and felony assault) made up 30% of crimes in the precinct in 2024, which was a smaller share than across Queens (37%) and citywide (39%). Violent crime fell 3% last year but remains at a 20-year high, partly due to increases in felony assaults as has occurred citywide.
Other findings in DiNapoli report:
- L.I.C. had the largest share of residents who moved into their homes in 2021 or later.
- Woodside had the largest share of foreign born residents (60.2%) and L.I.C. the smallest (38.3%).
- Investment in signals on the 7 train line and station repairs at Queensboro Plaza, Court Square, and Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue have likely benefited those commuting to and from the area by contributing to fewer delays.
- Notable institutions in the area include MoMA PS1, Silvercup Studios, and CUNY’s LaGuardia College.
Growth in income, housing, businesses, test scores and other indicators of well-being that outpaced the city and Queens overall signal continued progress for the L.I.C.-Sunnyside-Woodside area. However, the neighborhoods across the area have experienced very different rates of economic growth, with much of the change in income, new businesses, and housing going to L.I.C.-Hunters Point. DiNapoli’s report encouraged local officials and stakeholders to continue monitoring these disparities as the area progresses. It also warned that those who rely on federally funded programs like SNAP and Medicaid may find challenges ahead and need assistance in the face of potential federal funding cuts. For the area to continue its upward trajectory, city officials must ensure households in need continue to receive essential services so that all its residents can participate.
Report
Long Island City, Sunnyside and Woodside: An Economic Snapshot
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