# Roslyn Heights, New York

Roslyn Heights is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County, on the North Shore of 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 6,747 at the time of the 2020 census.

## History

Roslyn Heights saw a major economic boom in the 1860s, shortly after the Long Island Rail Road's Oyster Bay Branch 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 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.
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.

### Etymology

The "Roslyn" part of the hamlet's 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, as the geography in Roslyn reminded officials of the geography of Roslin, Scotland. 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.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km$^2$), all of it land.

### Topography

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Geological Survey, the highest point in Roslyn Heights is located at its northern border with Roslyn on Hillside Avenue, at approximately 210 feet (64 m), and the lowest point is located near its southeastern border, near the Wheatley Hills Golf Club, at approximately 100–110 feet (30–34 m).

### Drainage

Roslyn Heights is split between three minor drainage areas: Inner Hempstead Harbor (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 Watershed.

### Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Roslyn Heights 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 Heights, 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
### 2020 census

At the time of the 2020 census, there were 6,747 people and 2,122 households in the CDP. The population density was 4,571.14 inhabitants per square mile (1,764.93/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the CDP was 49.11% White, 5.71% African American, 0.00% Native American, 33.26% Asian, 5.63% from other races, and 6.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.37%.

### 2010 census

At the time of the 2010 census, there were 6,577 people in the CDP. The population density was 4,456.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,720.7/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the CDP was 66.00% White, 6.40% African American, 0.24% Native American, 20.74% Asian, 3.11% from other races, and 3.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.45%.

### Census 2000

At the time of 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 inhabitants per square mile (1,630.7/km$^2$). There were 2,226 housing units at an average density of 1,493.5 per square mile (576.6/km$^2$). The racial makeup 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, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over

## Parks and recreation

Parks and recreation facilities within Roslyn Heights include:
* Clark Botanic Garden
* 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.
As of March 2022, Roslyn Heights is located within the Town of North Hempstead's 2nd council district, which as of March 2024 is represented on the North Hempstead Town Council by Edward Scott (R–Albertson).

### Representation in higher government
#### Nassau County representation

Roslyn Heights is located within Nassau County's 18th Legislative district, which as of March 2024 is represented in the Nassau County Legislature by Samantha Goetz (R–Oyster Bay).

#### 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 2024 are represented by Gina L. Sillitti (D–Manorhaven) and Edward Ra (R–Garden City South), respectively.

##### New York State Senate

Roslyn Heights is located in the New York State Senate'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 Heights 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 Heights is represented in the United States Senate by Charles Schumer (D) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D).

### Politics

In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the majority of Roslyn Heights voters voted for Donald J. Trump (R).

## 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, the 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 four 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 (which is served by the Shelter Rock Public Library). 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 run through and serve Roslyn Heights:
* The Long Island Expressway (I-495) (exit 37)
* The Northern State Parkway (exits 28, 29, and 30)
Other major roads which pass through the hamlet include Garden Street, Lincoln Avenue, Mineola/Willis Avenue, I.U. Willets Road, Locust Lane, Powerhouse Road, Roslyn Road, and Warner Avenue. Furthermore, the hamlet's southernmost border touches New York State Route 25B.

#### Rail

Roslyn Heights is served by the Oyster Bay Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. Two stations are located either within or on the border of Roslyn Heights:
* Roslyn (located in the heart of Roslyn Heights, 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 January 2024, Roslyn Heights is served by three Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) bus routes:
* The n23 (Mineola–Manorhaven)
* The n27 (Hempstead–Glen Cove)
* The n40X (Freeport–Roslyn)

### Utilities
#### Natural gas

National Grid USA provides natural gas 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.

#### 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 – Former Democratic Congressman for New York State's 5th congressional district.
* Thomas Benton Ackerson – Real estate developer who founded the T. B. Ackerson Company.
* Eric Asimov – Dining reporter for The New York Times.
* Emile Zola Berman (1902–1981) – litigator whose defense roster included Sirhan Sirhan.
* Rick Berman – Hollywood producer and screenwriter.
* Alison Bernstein – Historian and Ford Foundation program officer.
* Hazel Nell Dukes – Civil rights activist.
* John Giorno (1936–2019) – Artist and poet.
* Rick Hoffman (born 1970) – Actor.
* Salman Khan – Actor and producer.
* Kenneth G. Langone – Billionaire businessman and co-founder of Home Depot; grew up in Roslyn Heights.
* Shep Messing – Olympic soccer goalkeeper and current broadcaster.
* John Pierpont Morgan – Banker, financier, and art collector; founder of J.P. Morgan & Co.
* Larry Nagler (born 1940) – Tennis player, 1960 NCAA Tennis Singles Champion and Doubles Champion.
* Chris Miller – Author and co-writer, Animal House.
* Mike Pollock (born 1965) – Voice actor.
* Darren Rovell (born 1978) – Sports business analyst.
* Van Toffler – President of MTV.
* Harry Wachtel (1917–1997) – Lawyer and businessman.
* Fred Wilpon – Owner of the New York Mets.
* Jeff Wilpon – Chief Operating Officer of the New York Mets.
* Richard Zimler – Novelist.