# Roslyn, New York

Roslyn (/ˈrɒzlɪn/ ROZ-lin) is a village in the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. It is the Greater Roslyn area's anchor community. The population was 2,988 at the time of the 2020 census.

## History

Roslyn was initially settled by colonists in the year 1643. It was originally called Hempstead Harbor, but its name was changed to Roslyn in 1844 due to postal confusion regarding all the other "Hempsteads" scattered about Long Island. The name "Roslyn" was selected as the new name, as its location in a valley reminded officials of Roslin, Scotland.
In 1931, Gerry Park – a large park in the center of the village – opened.
Roslyn was incorporated as a village on January 11, 1932. Its first Mayor was Albertson W. Hicks, who was unanimously elected two days later, on January 13.
In the late 1940s, the 217-unit Roslyn Gardens co-op development was built. Located off of Warner Avenue, it was built in part with funding from Title 608 of the Federal Housing Administration and was the first major rental housing development built in the New York area under Title 608's then-new provisions. The complex was designed by architects Max M. Simon and T. E. Merrill.
On January 3, 1950, the William Cullen Bryant Viaduct opened to traffic. Built as part of the Roslyn Bypass – a realignment of New York State Route 25A within the Village of Flower Hill and the Village of Roslyn, the bridge's completion provided a bypass of Roslyn and alleviated a severe traffic bottleneck along Old Northern Boulevard through the community. Its construction required the demolition of the original Bryant Library, which subsequently operated out of temporary locations until relocating to its current home – the Roslyn War Memorial Building – in 1952.
The former Rubel estate in the village was developed as the Roslyn Pines subdivision in the 1950s, consisting of roughly 102 homes.
The Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower in Roslyn was designed by Lamb and Rich, and was completed in 1895. It was sold to the Village of Roslyn by the Town of North Hempstead for $1 for its centennial in 1995.
Also taking place in 1995 was the opening of the Village of Roslyn's current Village Hall on Old Northern Boulevard.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km$^2$), of which 0.6 square miles (1.6 km$^2$) is land and 1.56% is water.

### Topography

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Geological Survey, the highest point in Roslyn is located near Piper Court, at approximately 253 feet (77 m), and the lowest point is Hempstead Harbor, which is at sea level.

### Drainage

Roslyn is split between two minor drainage areas: Hempstead Harbor (part of the Hempstead Harbor Watershed) and Mill River (part of the Mill River Watershed). According to the Köppen climate classification, the majority of Roslyn is within the Hempstead Harbor Watershed, meaning water in those areas drains north to Hempstead Harbor and ultimately into the Long Island Sound. Meanwhile, the southwestern edge of the village is within the Mill River Watershed, meaning water in that area drains south to the Mill River and ultimately into Hewlett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Additionally, all of Roslyn is located within the larger Long Island Sound/Atlantic Ocean Watershed.

### Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Roslyn has a Humid subtropical climate (type Cfa) with cool, wet winters and hot, humid summers. Precipitation is uniform throughout the year, with slight spring and fall peaks.
Climate data for Roslyn, New York :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 71 (22) | 73 (23) | 87 (31) | 94 (34) | 97 (36) | 101 (38) | 108 (42) | 105 (41) | 97 (36) | 89 (32) | 83 (28) | 76 (24) | 108 (42) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 40.4 (4.7) | 42.9 (6.1) | 51.1 (10.6) | 61.2 (16.2) | 70.6 (21.4) | 79.6 (26.4) | 84.5 (29.2) | 83.3 (28.5) | 76.0 (24.4) | 65.4 (18.6) | 55.7 (13.2) | 45.1 (7.3) | 63.0 (17.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 33.4 (0.8) | 35.0 (1.7) | 42.0 (5.6) | 51.8 (11.0) | 60.8 (16.0) | 70.1 (21.2) | 75.2 (24.0) | 74.1 (23.4) | 67.2 (19.6) | 56.5 (13.6) | 47.8 (8.8) | 38.2 (3.4) | 54.3 (12.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 26.4 (−3.1) | 27.1 (−2.7) | 33.5 (0.8) | 42.4 (5.8) | 51.0 (10.6) | 60.6 (15.9) | 65.8 (18.8) | 65.0 (18.3) | 58.3 (14.6) | 47.6 (8.7) | 39.9 (4.4) | 31.2 (−0.4) | 45.7 (7.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −4 (−20) | −5 (−21) | 5 (−15) | 13 (−11) | 34 (1) | 43 (6) | 50 (10) | 46 (8) | 36 (2) | 27 (−3) | 17 (−8) | −2 (−19) | −5 (−21) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.56 (90) | 2.87 (73) | 4.47 (114) | 3.85 (98) | 3.23 (82) | 3.54 (90) | 3.97 (101) | 4.26 (108) | 4.31 (109) | 4.08 (104) | 3.18 (81) | 3.99 (101) | 45.31 (1,151) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 5.5 (14) | 7.8 (20) | 3.7 (9.4) | 0.3 (0.76) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0.2 (0.51) | 5.7 (14) | 23.2 (58.67) |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 73 | 75 | 72 | 72 | 75 | 74 | 73 | 71 | 73 | 73 | 71 | 75 | 73 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 177 | 153 | 172 | 167 | 202 | 213 | 237 | 241 | 215 | 190 | 210 | 171 | 2,348 |
| Average ultraviolet index | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Source: NOAA; Weather Atlas ||||||||||||||

## Demographics
### 2010 Census

As of the 2010 census the population was 86% White (76% Non-Hispanic White), 2.2% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 8.85% Asian, 2.6% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.2% of the population.

### 2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,570 people, 1,060 households, and 603 families residing in the village. The population density was 4,082.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,576.1/km$^2$). There were 1,124 housing units at an average density of 1,785.4 units per square mile (689.3 units/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the village was 86.81% White, 2.33% African American, 0.08% Native American, 6.15% Asian, 2.02% from other races, and 2.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.34% of the population.
There were 1,060 households, out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 37.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the village, the population was spread out, with 18.2% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $72,404, and the median income for a family was $101,622. Males had a median income of $65,156 versus $45,221 for females. The per capita income for the village was $47,166. About 1.3% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.

## Arts and culture

The Bryant Library is located within the Incorporated Village of Roslyn. This public library, which serves large portions of the Greater Roslyn area, frequently hosts cultural events for the Roslyn community and contains The Bryant Library Local History Center.

## Government
### Village government

As of March 2024, the Mayor of Roslyn is John Durkin, the Deputy Mayor is Marshall E. Bernstein, and the Village Trustees are Marta Genovese, Sarah Oral, and Craig Westergard.

### Representation in higher government
#### Town representation

Roslyn is located entirely within the Town of North Hempstead's 6th council district, which as of March 2024 is represented on the North Hempstead Town Council by Mariann Dalimonte (D–Port Washington).

#### County representation

Roslyn is located in Nassau County's 11th Legislative district, which as of March 2024 is represented in the Nassau County Legislature by Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D–Glen Cove).

#### State representation
##### New York State Assembly

Roslyn is split between the New York State Assembly's 13th and 16th State Assembly districts, which as of March 2024 are represented by Charles D. Lavine (D–Glen Cove) and Gina L. Sillitti (D–Manorhaven), respectively.

##### New York State Senate

Roslyn is located entirely within New York's 7th State Senate district, which as of March 2024 is represented by Jack M. Martins (R–Old Westbury).

#### Federal representation
##### United States Congress

Roslyn is located entirely within New York's 3rd Congressional district, which as of March 2024 is represented in the United States Congress by Thomas R. Suozzi (D–Glen Cove).

##### United States Senate

Like the rest of New York, Roslyn is represented in the United States Senate by Charles E. Schumer (D) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D).

### Politics

In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the majority of Roslyn voters voted for Kamala D. Harris (D).

## Education
### School district

The Village of Roslyn is served entirely by the Roslyn Union Free School District. As such, all children who reside within the village and attend public schools go to Roslyn's schools.

### Library district

The Village of Roslyn is located entirely within the service area of Roslyn's library district, which is served by the Bryant Library.

## Infrastructure
### Transportation
#### Road

The William Cullen Bryant Viaduct (carrying New York State Route 25A) passes through – and serves as a bypass of – Roslyn. Prior to the opening of the Bryant Viaduct, NY 25A traveled through the heart of the village's downtown (along Old Northern Boulevard) and was notorious for its traffic jams in the area.
Other major roads located either partially or wholly within the village include Bryant Avenue, East Broadway, Layton Street, Main Street, Mineola Avenue, Mott Avenue, Old Northern Boulevard, Railroad Avenue, Roslyn Road, Tower Place, Walbridge Lane, Warner Avenue, West Shore Road, and Wittes Lane.

#### Rail

Although no train station is currently located within village limits, the Long Island Rail Road's Roslyn station used to be located on the Roslyn–Roslyn Heights border. It is now located completely within Roslyn Heights – just north of said border. This station, served by the LIRR's Oyster Bay Branch, is the nearest station to the village.
Furthermore, the Oyster Bay Branch forms much of the village's eastern border.

#### Bus

Roslyn is served by six Nassau Inter-County Express bus routes: the n20H, the n20X, the n21, the n23, the n40X, and the Port Washington Shuttle.

### Utilities
#### Natural gas

National Grid USA provides natural gas to homes and businesses that are hooked up to natural gas lines in Roslyn.

#### Power

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

#### Water

Roslyn is located within the boundaries of (and is thus served by) the Roslyn Water District, which provides the entirety of Roslyn with water.

#### Sewage

The Village of Roslyn has a sanitary sewer system. The sewage from the Village's sewer system is pumped to and is treated by the Nassau County Sewage District's Cedar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant via the East Hills Interceptor line, which connects the village's system with Nassau County's and the treatment plant on the South Shore.
Prior to having the sanitary waste treated by Nassau County's facilities, the village's sewer system expelled the sanitary sewage locally into Hempstead Harbor, contributing to water pollution problems.

## Notable people

* Deborah Asnis – Infectious disease specialist; Asnis reported the first human cases of West Nile virus in the United States in 1999.
* Nathan Banks – Entomologist and arachnologist.
* Judy Steinberg Dean – Physician, First Lady of Vermont (1991–2003) and wife of former Gov. Howard Dean, and Roslyn High School graduate.
* Ken Hechler – Politician (D – West Virginia).
* Jesse Itzler – Entrepreneur, author, and co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks.
* Glenn Kurtz — Writer and author.
* Edward Lampert – Chairman of Sears Holding Company.
* Frank C. Moore – Artist and AIDS activist.
* Lilly Pulitzer – Socialite and fashion designer.
* Samuel Rubel – Executive.
* Whitney Tower – Former president of National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
* Arthur Yorinks – Author and playwright, authored Hey, Al
* William Powell - Author of The Anarchist Cookbook