Brooklyn Neighborhood
Is 59th St / 21st Ave a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Brooklyn, NY - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Crime Summary:
Crime Overview (last 12 months)
Severe389
Medium141
Low274
Other1058
112 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape40
Child involved28
Assault1
Other47
Crime Details:
Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.
| Crime date | Crime description | Address | Crime category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, units respond to a disabled occupied bus on the upper eastbound level of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, with about 13 passengers reported and no injuries while they wait for a rescue bus. | Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Verrazzano-Narrows Brg, Staten Island, NY | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency appears to involve a patient near Bergen and Nostrand in Brooklyn. Dispatch requested available CH units for transport. | Nostrand Ave & Bergen St, Brooklyn, NY 11216 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, possible partial airway obstruction involving an infant reported near 15th Avenue and 44th Street at/near a pharmacy, with medical units responding. | 15th Ave & 44th St, Brooklyn, NY 11219 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, units are responding to a medical call at a pharmacy near 15th Avenue. | 15th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11219 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call at Lincoln Place near Kingston Avenue involves a patient with pain in both knees and difficulty breathing. Crown Heights units, including CH 84 and CH 69, are responding with backup bus units requested. | Lincoln Pl & Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, radio traffic reports a possible medical emergency involving a semi-responsive patient near Ocean Avenue between nearby cross streets. | Ocean Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11229 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, officers respond to a report of possible debris on the upper level westbound roadway of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. | Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Verrazzano-Narrows Brg, Staten Island, NY | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a wellness check was reported for a female appearing outstretched near Prospect Avenue station on the 2 and 5 subway lines in Brooklyn. Units responded and the estimated time of arrival was 2123 hours. | Prospect Av, Prospect Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical incident occurred near 15th Avenue and 47th Street requiring medic backup. Borough Park unit acknowledged the call. | 15th Ave & 47th St, Brooklyn, NY 11219 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, dispatch reports a possible cardiac medical emergency near 15th Avenue and 47th Street, with units B37 and B46 assigned. | 15th Ave & 47th St, Brooklyn, NY 11219 | Medical Emergency |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$2,088,067
Average Rent
$3,640
Vacancy Rate
7%
Overview of 59th St / 21st Ave
This Brooklyn neighborhood features a mix of medium to small apartment buildings and townhomes, many built before 1939.
Vacancy rate is 7.0%, near the national median, with a high population density and strong walkability.
Historic HomesHigh WalkabilityMixed HousingDiverse Community
Quick Facts
| Vacancy Rate | 7.0% |
|---|
Housing market and real estate character
Housing here is a mix of historic small to medium apartment buildings and townhomes with moderate vacancy.
| Historic Homes (Built 1939 or earlier) | 78.9% |
|---|---|
| Row Houses / Attached Homes | 29.6% |
What buyers will notice right away
Nearly 79% of homes were built before 1940, offering classic architecture.
High walkability enhances lifestyle and property appeal.
Families & Lifestyle
This neighborhood is popular with college students and offers diverse cultural amenities.
Diverse Community — Residents include a mix of ancestries and languages, enriching neighborhood culture.
Active Transit Use — High rates of train, bike, and walking commutes support an active lifestyle.
| College Student Friendly | Ranks higher than 88.8% of NY neighborhoods |
|---|---|
| Child Poverty Rate | 15.4% |
Demographics
| Executive, Management & Professional Occupations | 35.9% |
|---|---|
| Income Level | Middle income |
| Foreign Born | 40.2% |
| Top Ancestries | ["Asian (35.5%)","Mexican (9.8%)","Italian (9.0%)","Hungarian (6.4%)"] |
| Top Languages | ["English (34.1%)","Chinese","Spanish","German/Yiddish (10.2%)","Italian"] |
Commute
Residents mostly commute by train, with many walking or driving alone.
59th St / 21st Ave features high train ridership and walkability, supporting sustainable transit options.
High Train Use — Over one-third of residents commute by train, well above national averages.
Walkable Neighborhood — Nearly 1 in 6 residents walk to work, reflecting strong local amenities.
| Train Commute | 34.6% |
|---|---|
| Walk to Work | 16.4% |
| Drive Alone | 22.7% |
| Longest Commute (45-60 min) | 52.7% |
Homes for sale near 11204
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 59th St / 21st Ave safe?
Many shoppers ask whether 59th St / 21st Ave Brooklyn NY is a good place to live from a safety perspective. HoodScore’s safety lens for this ZIP is about 85 out of 100—use it as one neighborhood safety check alongside official sources. For “Brooklyn NY crime” context, review local police statistics and compare trends over time, not just headlines.
Are there registered offenders nearby?
Buyers doing a true neighborhood safety check should consult your state’s public registry and mapping tools for addresses near Brooklyn, NY. HoodScore summarizes area-level signals; it does not replace official offender databases or your own verification before buying a home.
Is this neighborhood good for families?
Family fit depends on schools, commute, and how you use nearby amenities—topics covered throughout this Brooklyn NY neighborhood guide. When moving to Brooklyn, NY, cross-check family priorities (space, activities, work routes) with what you see in the market and lifestyle sections above.
What is the average home price?
Typical list and sale figures change with season and inventory. Use the housing facts on this page and active listings for homes for sale in Brooklyn, NY to gauge where the market sits today. Your agent can translate those comps into a realistic offer range.
How does it compare to nearby areas?
Compare 59th St / 21st Ave Brooklyn NY to surrounding ZIPs and local county safety benchmarks: traffic patterns, price per square foot, and community feel can differ block by block. Layer county and metro data to see how this pocket compares to nearby alternatives.
What should I check before buying here?
Before buying a home, walk the area at different times, confirm flood or HOA details, and validate crime and schools with primary sources. If you are asking “is this a good place to live,” combine this neighborhood guide with inspections, title review, and your must-have list—smart buyers weigh both the house and the block.