1st Advantage Mortgage43% of Queens County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $86,136 (ACS 2020-24). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- 2,323,052 residents: Queens County basics
- The $86,136 median and what sits around it
- Queens County industries and commutes
- Queens County against other New York counties
- Homes and rents, Queens County
- Counties near Queens County
- Borrowing situations common in Queens County
- $7,178 a month: the Queens County median budget
- Age, degrees and coverage in Queens County
- Before you sign
- Licensing and complaints for Queens County
- Beyond Queens County
- Frequently asked questions
2,323,052 residents: Queens County basics
With an estimated 2,323,052 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Queens County ranks 2nd of 62 in New York for population. Density: about 21,366.5 residents per square mile across 109 square miles of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area. The Census Bureau lists no separate place within Queens County; its residents live in unincorporated areas covered by this county guide.
The $86,136 median and what sits around it
At $86,136, the typical Queens County household income is 31% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 13th of 62.
| Household income | Queens County | vs New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.8% | -1.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.9% | +1.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.0% | +2.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 14.3% | -2.7 pts |
21% under $35,000 and 43% at $100,000 or more: that is the Queens County income split. Poverty rate, Queens County: 12.9%; New York: 14.0%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Queens County median.
Queens County industries and commutes
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 13%. Queens County over-indexes on transportation, warehousing and utilities: 8% versus 6% in New York. The survey's unemployment rate for Queens County averages 7.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.4%). 9% of Queens County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 46% need 45 or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Queens County | Gap to New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.6% | -1.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.6% | -0.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.0% | +1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.9% | -0.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.2% | +2.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.9% | -0.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Queens County against other New York counties
The 3 Queens County numbers that rank furthest from typical in New York, and what each means for a borrower:
- Population: 2,323,052 in Queens County. Only 1 of 62 New York counties are higher. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
- Few New York counties match Queens County on the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 46% here, 27% for the state, ranking 2nd highest of 62. With long commutes, a reliable car is part of keeping the job.
- Few New York counties match Queens County on the uninsured rate: 8.2% here, 5.1% for the state, ranking 3rd highest of 62. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
Homes and rents, Queens County
Renters in Queens County pay a median of $1,956 a month, 21% above the New York figure of $1,621. By the Census definition, 53% of Queens County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $723,800, or 8.4 years of median income. Homeowners 45%, renters 55%. Half the housing stock was built before 1953.
| Measure | Queens County | New York | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,956/mo | $1,621/mo | 21% higher |
| Median home value | $723,800 | $423,800 | 71% higher |
| Owners | 45% | 54% | -9.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 52% | +0.8 pts |
| Burdened owners | 49% | 33% | +15.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 0.2% | 2.1% | -1.9 pts |
| Vacant units | 8% | 10% | -2.4 pts |
No equity to borrow against is the norm for Queens County's 55% renters; a credit union share-secured loan is one lower-cost route. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Counties near Queens County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Queens County's, from 6 to 17 miles away. Nassau County leads the group on income ($146,202), Bronx County trails ($48,676), and Queens County out-earns 2 of the six. The list crosses into New Jersey, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queens County | - | $86,136 | $1,956/mo | 45% |
| Kings County, NY | 6 mi | $80,263 | $1,833/mo | 29% |
| New York County, NY | 11 mi | $103,931 | $2,197/mo | 25% |
| Bronx County, NY | 13 mi | $48,676 | $1,458/mo | 20% |
| Hudson County, NJ | 14 mi | $91,795 | $1,894/mo | 31% |
| Nassau County, NY | 14 mi | $146,202 | $2,252/mo | 82% |
| Richmond County, NY | 17 mi | $98,333 | $1,733/mo | 68% |
Borrowing situations common in Queens County
What the Queens County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 46% long commutes. A Queens County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Higher earners. 43% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Renters under pressure. When 53% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
$7,178 a month: the Queens County median budget
Here is the Queens County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $7,178 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $1,956, takes 27% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $628 a month
- Under a 43% cap, $3,087 total minus rent leaves $1,131
If your rent is above $1,956, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Age, degrees and coverage in Queens County
Bachelor's degree or higher: 36% of Queens County adults. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Queens County | vs New York | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 37.4% | +8.2 pts | +32.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 17.4% | +5.4 pts | n/a |
| Bachelor's or higher | 36.1% | -4.1 pts | +14.0 pts |
| No health insurance | 8.2% | +3.1 pts | +0.3 pts |
| Work from home | 12.9% | -2.1 pts | +4.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | -1.1 pts | -0.3 pts |
| Median age | 40.7 | +0.9 yrs | -0.8 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.2% | +0.9 pts | +2.8 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 8.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 16.1% |
| 60+ min | 30.1% |
Before you sign
A short checklist for Queens County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A New York license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Queens County
Queens County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the New York State Department of Financial Services. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. State-level detail for Queens County borrowers is in the New York guide.
Beyond Queens County
Next step up from Queens County:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Queens County earn?
The median is $86,136; 43% earn $100,000 or more and 21% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Queens County rent compare with New York?
$1,956 locally versus $1,621 for the state, 21% above.
Are Queens County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who regulates personal lenders for Queens County residents?
The New York State Department of Financial Services licenses consumer lenders in New York; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.