Fresh Meadows-Utopia noise map: how loud is it?

Fresh Meadows-Utopia is home to about 22,454 residents across 15 census tracts. 7.4% of them are exposed to 60 dB or more of average-day road, rail and aviation noise. Within that, 3.8% face the most severe band — 70 dB or louder, the level at which sustained exposure starts to threaten hearing. A further 80.4% sit in the 45–60 dB band — a noticeable background hum rather than a hearing risk. That ranks Fresh Meadows-Utopia #80 of 197 New York neighborhoods, louder than most New York neighborhoods. Among New York neighborhoods it sits just below Chinatown-Two Bridges (#79) and just above Melrose (#81).

Exposure across Fresh Meadows-Utopia is a patchwork. The streets that back onto a freeway, rail line or flight path carry most of the 7.4%, while interior blocks a few hundred feet away can sit 15 to 25 dB quieter. The map makes that split easy to see.

Fresh Meadows-Utopia noise: the specifics

• Ranks #80 of 197 New York neighborhoods by share of residents exposed to ≥60 dB transportation noise.
• 7.4% of Fresh Meadows-Utopia's ~22,454 residents live with 60 dB or louder average-day transportation noise.
• 3.8% are in the severe 70 dB+ band; 80.4% sit in the 45–60 dB moderate range.
• Area-weighted across 15 census tracts from the federal BTS 2020 noise map × ACS 2016–2020 population.
• #80 of 197 — see the full New York ranking.