Roslyn Heights is a

hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...

and

census-designated place A census-designated place (CDP) is a Place (United States Census Bureau), concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the count ...

(CDP) in the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County, on Long Island, in New York, United States. It is considered part of the Greater Roslyn area, which is anchored by the Incorporated Village of Roslyn. The population was 6,577 at the 2010 census.

History

Roslyn Heights saw a major economic boom in the 1860s shortly after the Long Island Rail Road's

Oyster Bay Branch The Oyster Bay Branch is a rail line and service owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The branch splits from the Main Line just east of Mineola station, and runs north and east to Oyster Bay. The bra ...

was built through and opened in the area. Starting in 1892, corporation was started to develop the northwestern section of the hamlet. Members of this development corporation included lawyers, bankers, and developers. This development, which was named Roslyn Highlands, was largely unsuccessful. Eventually, the western portion of the proposed Roslyn Highlands development was developed using the name of Roslyn Highlands while the eastern part was developed using the name of Roslyn Heights. These names were used for the respective sections until the whole area became known as Roslyn Heights in the late 1920s. On July 18, 1913, the Roslyn Heights Post Office opened. It moved to its present location at 66 Mineola Avenue in 1967, with the dedication ceremony taking place on Sunday, July 30, 1967. In the 1950s and 1960s, the area of Roslyn Heights south of the

Northern State Parkway The Northern State Parkway (also known as the Northern Parkway or Northern State) is a limited-access state parkway on Long Island in the U.S. state of New York. The western terminus is at the Queens– Nassau County line, where the parkway conti ...

known as Roslyn Country Club proposed incorporating itself as a village, citing the desire for home rule the first time in the 1950s and their dissatisfaction with Nassau County's plans to widen Roslyn Road the second time in the 1960s. These proposals were ultimately unsuccessful, and all of Roslyn Heights remains an unincorporated hamlet within and directly governed by the Town of North Hempstead to this day. A major urban renewal project also took place in the northeastern part of the hamlet during the 20th Century – specifically the area around the Roslyn Long Island Rail Road station known as Roslyn Plaza. The Roslyn Plaza Urban Renewal Project began in the early 1970s and the final phase broke ground in 1983. This project was carried out by the Town of North Hempstead. The "Roslyn" part of its name is shared with Roslyn, Roslyn Estates, and Roslyn Harbor, and ultimately can be traced back to when the name "Roslyn" was chosen for that village, which was chosen because the geography in Roslyn reminded officials of the geography of

Roslin, Scotland Roslin (formerly spelt Rosslyn or Roslyn; Scottish Gaelic: Riasg Linne) is a village in Midlothian, Scotland, 11 kilometres (7 mi) to the south of the capital city Edinburgh. It stands on high ground, near the northwest bank of the river ...

. The "Heights" part of its name reflects the name of the portion of the area developed using the name Roslyn Heights, which is ultimately the name which the Roslyn Heights Post Office opted to use when it was established in 1913. Historically, like many other parts of the Greater Roslyn area, what is now known as Roslyn Heights was known as Hempstead Harbor until that name was changed to Roslyn in the 1840s.

Geography

According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of t ...

, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land. Roslyn Roslyn Heights is split between three minor drainage areas: Inner

Hempstead Harbor Hempstead Harbor (also known as Hempstead Bay) is a bay hugging the northern coast of Long Island, New York. Located off of the Long Island Sound, it forms the northernmost portion of the political border between the Nassau County towns of Oyst ...

(part of the Hempstead Harbor Watershed), Hempstead Lake, and Mill River (the latter two being part of the Mill River Watershed), and is located within the larger Long Island Sound/

Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the " Old World" of Africa, Europe ...

Watershed. According to the

United States Environmental Protection Agency The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it ...

and the

United States Geological Survey The United States Geological Survey (USGS), formerly simply known as the Geological Survey, is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, ...

, the highest point in Roslyn Heights is located at its northern border with Roslyn on Hillside Avenue, at approximately , and the lowest point is located near its southeastern border, near the Wheatley Hills Golf Club, at approximately .

Demographics

At the 2000 census there were 6,295 people, 2,168 households, and 1,773 families in the CDP. The population density was 4,223.6 per square mile (1,631.2/km). There were 2,226 housing units at an average density of 1,493.5/sq mi (576.8/km). The

racial makeup A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...

of the CDP was 79.03% White, 6.45% African American, 0.11% Native American, 10.01% Asian, 2.00% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.45%. Of the 2,168 households 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 15.6% of households were one person and 8.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.21. The age distribution was 26.7% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males. The median household income was $84,705 and the median family income was $100,474. Males had a median income of $76,812 versus $38,343 for females. The per capita income for the village was $40,132. About 4.5% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...

, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over

Parks and recreation

Clark Botanic Garden Clark Botanic Garden is a botanical garden and park located in Roslyn Heights, in Nassau County, on Long Island, in New York, United States. Description The garden, designed by noted garden designer Alice Recknagel Ireys, was established in ...

* Donald Street Park * East Park *Gayle Community Center *North Park *Shepherd Lane Playground * Wheatley Hills Golf Club

Government

Town representation

As Roslyn Heights is an unincorporated part of the Town of North Hempstead, it is directly governed by the town's government in

Manhasset Manhasset is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York. It is considered the anchor community of the Greater Manhasset area. The population was 8,176 at the 2020 United States ce ...

. As of March 2022, Roslyn Heights is represented on the Town Board by Peter J. Zuckerman, and is located in its 2nd Council District.

Representation in higher government

Nassau County representation

Roslyn Heights is located primarily within Nassau County's 16th Legislative district, which as of March 2022 is represented in the Nassau County Legislature by Arnold Drucker (D– Plainview). However, part of the northwestern portion of the hamlet is located within Nassau County's 9th Legislative district, which as of March 2022 is represented in the Nassau County Legislature by Richard Nicoello ( R– New Hyde Park).

New York State representation

= New York State Assembly

= Roslyn Heights is split between the New York State Assembly's 16th and 19th Assembly districts, which as of March 2022 are represented by Gina Sillitti (D– Manorhaven) and Edward Ra ( R–

Garden City South Garden City South is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, on Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 4,119 at the 2020 census. History Garden City South's name reflects upon ...

), respectively.

= New York State Senate

= Roslyn Heights is located in the New York State Senate's 7th State Senate district, which as of March 2022 is represented in the New York State Senate by

Anna Kaplan Anna Kaplan (née Monahemi) (born August 23, 1965) is an American politician from Great Neck, New York. A Democrat, she was a member of the New York State Senate, representing New York's 7th State Senate district, which runs from the North Shor ...

(D– North Hills).

Federal representation

= United States Congress

= Roslyn Heights is located in

New York's 3rd congressional district New York's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in the State of New York. It is represented by Democrat Tom Suozzi, who has been in office since 2017. In the 2022 election, Rep ...

, which as of March 2022 is represented in the

United States Congress The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. It meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washing ...

Tom Suozzi Thomas Richard Suozzi (; born August 31, 1962) is an American politician, attorney and accountant who served as the U.S. Representative for from 2017 to 2023. His district included part of the North Shore of Long Island. A member of the Democr ...

(D–Glen Cove).

= United States Senate

= Like the rest of New York, Roslyn Heights is represented in the

United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and pow ...

Charles Schumer Charles Ellis Schumer ( ; born November 23, 1950) is an American politician serving as Senate Majority Leader since January 20, 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, Schumer is in his fourth Senate term, having held his seat since 1999, and ...

(D) and

Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten Elizabeth Gillibrand (; ; born December 9, 1966) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the junior United States senator from New York since 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as member of the U.S. House of ...

(D).

Politics

In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the majority of Roslyn Heights voters voted for Hillary Clinton (D).

Education

School districts

Most of Roslyn Heights is located within the boundaries of (and is thus served by) the Roslyn Union Free School District. However, smaller portions of the hamlet are located within the East Williston Union Free School District, Herricks Union Free School District and the Mineola School District. As such, children who reside within Roslyn Heights and attend public schools will go to school in one of these three districts depending on where they live within the hamlet.

Library districts

Roslyn Heights is split between Roslyn's library district (which is served by the Bryant Library) and the Shelter Rock Library District. The Bryant Library serves the areas of the hamlet within the Roslyn Union Free School District, and the Shelter Rock Library District serves the areas of the hamlet within the boundaries of the East Williston and Herricks Union Free School Districts.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Road

Two

limited-access highways A limited-access road, known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway, expressway, limited access freeway, and partial controlled access highway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which ...

run through and serve Roslyn Heights: * The Long Island Expressway (I-495) (exit 37) * The

(exits 28, 29, & 30) Other major roads which pass through the hamlet include Lincoln Avenue, Mineola/Willis Avenue, I.U. Willets Road, Roslyn Road, and Warner Avenue. Furthermore, the hamlet's southernmost border touches

New York State Route 25B New York State Route 25B (NY 25B) is a east–west state highway located on Long Island in New York, United States. The western terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 25 in Queens. The eastern terminus is at an interch ...

Rail

Roslyn Heights is served by the

of the Long Island Rail Road. Two stations are located either within or on the border of Roslyn Heights: Roslyn LIRR sta house jeh

* Roslyn (located in the heart of the hamlet, just south of Lincoln Avenue) * Albertson (located on the border between the hamlets of Albertson and Roslyn Heights, just north of I.U. Willets Road)

Bus

As of October 2021, Roslyn Heights is served by two Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) bus routes: * The n23 ( Mineola- Manorhaven) * The n27 ( Hempstead- Glen Cove)

Utilities

Natural gas

National Grid USA provides

natural gas Natural gas (also called fossil gas or simply gas) is a naturally occurring mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons consisting primarily of methane in addition to various smaller amounts of other higher alkanes. Low levels of trace gases like carbo ...

to homes and businesses that are hooked up to natural gas lines in Roslyn Heights.

Power

PSEG Long Island provides power to all homes and businesses within Roslyn Heights.

Sewage

Roslyn Heights is partially sewered. The southern part of Roslyn Heights is within the Nassau County Sewage District. Another, smaller sewer district exists within Roslyn Heights in the Roslyn Plaza area, which flows into the rest of Nassau County's sewer system via the East Hills Interceptor line. The remainder of Roslyn Heights relies on cesspools and

septic systems A septic tank is an underground chamber made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic through which domestic wastewater ( sewage) flows for basic sewage treatment. Settling and anaerobic digestion processes reduce solids and organics, but the treat ...

Water

The portion of Roslyn Heights north of the Northern State Parkway is located within the boundaries of (and is thus served by) the Roslyn Water District, the area of Roslyn Heights between the Northern State Parkway and the Wheatley Hills Golf Club is located within the boundaries of (and is thus served by) the Albertson Water District, and the portion of the Wheatley Hills Golf Club within Roslyn Heights is located within the boundaries of (and is thus served by) the Village of East Williston's water system.

Notable people

Gary Ackerman Gary Leonard Ackerman (born November 19, 1942) is an American retired politician and former U.S. Representative from New York, serving from 1983 to 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party. On March 15, 2012, Ackerman announced that he wou ...

– Former Democratic Congressman for the 5th District of New York State. *

Eric Asimov Eric Asimov (born July 17, 1957) is an American wine critic and food critic for ''The New York Times''. Early life Asimov was born in Bethpage, New York, the son of Stanley Asimov, former vice-president for editorial administration at ''News ...

– Dining reporter for ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...

.'' * Emile Zola Berman – Litigator whose defense roster included

Sirhan Sirhan Sirhan Bishara Sirhan (; ar, سرحان بشارة سرحان ''Sirḥān Bišāra Sirḥān'', born March 19, 1944) is a Palestinian Jordanian man who was convicted for the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Kennedy, a United States Sena ...

. * John Giorno – Artist and poet. *

Shep Messing Shep Norman Messing (born October 9, 1949) is a retired American soccer goalkeeper and current broadcaster who works as the lead analyst for New York Red Bulls matches on the MSG Network. In 2021 he took the position of chairman of the Major Arena ...

– Olympic soccer goalkeeper and current broadcaster. * Chris Miller – Author and co-writer, ''

Animal House ''National Lampoon's Animal House'' is a 1978 American comedy film directed by John Landis and written by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney and Chris Miller. It stars John Belushi, Peter Riegert, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Thomas Hu ...

.'' * Darren Rovell (born 1978) – Sports business analyst. * Van Toffler – President of MTV. *

Harry Wachtel Harry Howard Wachtel (26 March 1917 – 3 February 1997) was a New York lawyer and businessman who worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr., Clarence Benjamin Jones, and others within the Civil Rights Movement. Wachtel founded the Research Comm ...

(1917–1997) – Lawyer and businessman. * Fred Wilpon – Owner of the

New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...

. * Mike Pollock (born 1965) – Voice actor. * Jeff Wilpon – Chief Operating Officer of the New York Mets. *

Richard Zimler Richard Zimler (born 1 January 1956 in Roslyn Heights, New York) is a best-selling author. His books, which have earned him a 1994 National Endowment of the Arts Fellowship in Fiction and the 1998 Herodotus Award, have been published in many c ...

– Novelist.

References

External links

Roslyn Chamber of Commerce official websiteTown of North Hempstead official website
{{authority control Town of North Hempstead, New York Census-designated places in New York (state) Hamlets in New York (state) Census-designated places in Nassau County, New York Hamlets in Nassau County, New York