Upper West Side (Central) noise map: how loud is it?

Upper West Side (Central) is home to about 73,707 residents across 15 census tracts. 9.6% of them are exposed to 60 dB or more of average-day road, rail and aviation noise. Within that, 1.1% face the most severe band — 70 dB or louder, the level at which sustained exposure starts to threaten hearing. A further 49.1% sit in the 45–60 dB band — a noticeable background hum rather than a hearing risk. That ranks Upper West Side (Central) #50 of 197 New York neighborhoods, louder than most New York neighborhoods. Among New York neighborhoods it sits just below Mount Eden-Claremont (West) (#49) and just above Brooklyn Heights (#51).

Exposure across Upper West Side (Central) is a patchwork. The streets that back onto a freeway, rail line or flight path carry most of the 9.6%, while interior blocks a few hundred feet away can sit 15 to 25 dB quieter. The map makes that split easy to see.

Upper West Side (Central) noise: the specifics

• Ranks #50 of 197 New York neighborhoods by share of residents exposed to ≥60 dB transportation noise.
• 9.6% of Upper West Side (Central)'s ~73,707 residents live with 60 dB or louder average-day transportation noise.
• 1.1% are in the severe 70 dB+ band; 49.1% 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.
• #50 of 197 — see the full New York ranking.