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is a neighborhood in central Queens bounded to the north by the Jackie Robinson Parkway (formerly Interborough Parkway), to the east by Van Wyck Expressway and 131st Street, to the south by Hillside Avenue (added to ZIP code 11415 in the 1950s), and to the west by Park Lane, Abingdon Road and 118th Street. Forest Park and the neighborhood of Forest Hills, and Forest Hills Gardens lies on west side.
Much of the area was acquired in 1868 by Albon P. Man, who developed the neighborhood of Hollis Hill to the south, chiefly along Jamaica Avenue, while leaving undeveloped the hilly land to the north.
As of 2000 U.S. Census, the demographics were 66.2% White, 13.0% Asian, 7.0% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 7.4%,Other and Hispanic or Latino were 20.0% of the population. The neighborhood's demographics have since changed, however. The Hispanic and Asian populations have grown significantly over the past decade.
Kew Gardens is ethnically diverse. A large community of Jewish refugees from Germany took shape in the area after the Second World War which is reflected until now days by the number of active synagogues in the area. The neighborhood attracted many Chinese immigrants after 1965, about 2,500 Iranian Jews arrived after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, and immigrants from China, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Israel, the former Soviet Union, India, Bangladesh and Korea settled in Kew Gardens during the 1980s and 1990s. Currently, Kew Gardens has a growing population, of Bukharian Jews from Uzbekistan, alongside a significant Orthodox Jewish community. Also many immigrants from Central America, and South America call Kew Gardens their home, as well as those from Japan. Kew Gardens is well known from being a residential area, with a mix of one family houses with price ranging from 1M up, complex apartments, co-ops and others converted and on the way or being converted as condominiums. P.S 99 is the local school. A major 5 stars hotel in under development on 82 Avenues, reflecting the modernization of the area.
Surrounded by Forrest Park, residents at Kew Gardens enjoy what many Manhattanites lack: greenery and quiet nights. The Park which is very well preserved in one of the largest in Queens, has a private road where residents can jog or walk all year round. There is some horse back riding paths and hiking paths actively used by residents. The convenience of the Kew Gardens station of the Long Island Railroad and the E and F trains on the corner of Queens Boulevard and Union Turnpike, (at the Kew Gardens station make the area an excellent choice to live in. Some of the Queens courts are located at Kew Gardens on the side of Queens Boulevard. This government offices bring a floating, diverse community during the day.
The neighborhood is also teeming with airline personnel because it proximity to the Q10 airport buses and as a matter of fact Delta Air Lines as well as other airlines have special shuttle serving pilots and flight attendants staying at Kew Gardens. The increase of the Korean population followed the renovation and rededication of the First Church of Kew Gardens, which offers Korean-language services. Kew Gardens is also economically diverse: from medium class young professionals to upper middle class. Even the local cuisine reflects this diversity in Kew Gardens with Russian, Italian, Indian, Pakistani, Uzbek, dining available to residents and visitors. In recent years, young professionals and Manhattanites looking for greenery, park-like atmosphere and spacious apartments have moved to the area. Kew Gardens continues to change as these families move in.
More recently, Guyanese and Indian Americans have begun to move to Kew Gardens, as much of the south-central portion of Queens has a large Indo-Caribbean population.