Oakland Gardens-Hollis Hills noise map: how loud is it?

Oakland Gardens-Hollis Hills is home to about 25,440 residents across 13 census tracts. 7.7% of them are exposed to 60 dB or more of average-day road, rail and aviation noise. Within that, 3.4% face the most severe band — 70 dB or louder, the level at which sustained exposure starts to threaten hearing. A further 28.4% sit in the 45–60 dB band — a noticeable background hum rather than a hearing risk. That ranks Oakland Gardens-Hollis Hills #75 of 197 New York neighborhoods, louder than most New York neighborhoods. Among New York neighborhoods it sits just below Bellerose (#74) and just above Windsor Terrace-South Slope (#76).

Exposure across Oakland Gardens-Hollis Hills is a patchwork. The streets that back onto a freeway, rail line or flight path carry most of the 7.7%, while interior blocks a few hundred feet away can sit 15 to 25 dB quieter. The map makes that split easy to see.

Oakland Gardens-Hollis Hills noise: the specifics

• Ranks #75 of 197 New York neighborhoods by share of residents exposed to ≥60 dB transportation noise.
• 7.7% of Oakland Gardens-Hollis Hills's ~25,440 residents live with 60 dB or louder average-day transportation noise.
• 3.4% are in the severe 70 dB+ band; 28.4% sit in the 45–60 dB moderate range.
• Area-weighted across 13 census tracts from the federal BTS 2020 noise map × ACS 2016–2020 population.
• #75 of 197 — see the full New York ranking.