It is a rather diverse community compared to its neighbors and is known for its large population of African American, Hispanic, and Asian residents. The European-American community is becoming a minority (at 27% in 2000), while the black, Hispanic, and Asian populations are continuing to grow (33% and 30%, and 14% respectively).

Like nearby Forest Hills and Kew Gardens, Briarwood was once known for its large Jewish population. Named for the Briarwood Land Company, which developed the land in 1905 as an affordable community for the middle class, Briarwood is one of the newest neighborhoods in Queens. The area picked up in the 1920s, and in the 1940s New York Life Insurance and the United Nations built additional housing for employees, and US diplomats like Ralph Bunche have called Briarwood home. The community’s small size gives it a cozy, out of the way feel - leading some residents of Queens to call it the “hidden gem.” Famous residents of Briarwood include New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, actor David Caruso, and talk show host John Kerwin.