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Elmont, New York

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Elmont, Nassau County, Long Island
Census-designated place
Location in Nassau County and the state of New York.
Location in Nassau County and the state of New York.
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
CountyNassau
Area
 • Total3.4 sq mi (8.8 km2)
 • Land3.4 sq mi (8.8 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation
39 ft (12 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total33,198
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
11003
Area code516
FIPS code36-24273
GNIS feature ID0949582
Arched windows of the Belmont grandstand and tote board in 1999 photo
Covert Avenue School

Elmont is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) located in the northwest corner of the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, along its border with the borough of Queens in New York City. It is a suburban bedroom community located on Long Island. The population was 33,198 at the 2010 census.

Elmont is famous as the home of Belmont Park which hosts the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing.

History

In 1650, Christopher purchased a large plot of land controlled by Dutch settlers with the intention of raising cattle and sheep. They named this place "Foster's Meadow" — a name which would remain for the next 200 years of the village's history. Control of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam shifted to England in 1664, marking the first gradual cultural shift in Foster's Meadow with the establishment of a community of predominantly English, Protestant farmers and their families. In 1683, Long Island was divided into three counties, Kings, Queens and Suffolk Counties; under this new structure, Foster's Meadow was part of Queens County. The current boundaries of Elmont were decided upon in 1898; at this point, Nassau County was erected, leading to conflict over land and monies owed as a result of Elmont's boundary shift from Queens. It was during the mid-19th century that Foster's Meadow experienced its second cultural shift, with the influx of farmers from Brooklyn and Middle Village to the west. These groups were largely of German descent and practiced Catholicism. Indeed the Catholic population in Foster's Meadow grew to the extent that St. Boniface Church was built in 1852, providing a focal point for the gradual development of a Catholic population base.

The community underwent its next political reshuffling in 1882, being subdivided into districts with unique names and boundaries (including Alden Manor and Locustwood); it was at this time that Foster's Meadow was renamed Elmont. Arguably the most significant milestone in the development of modern-day Elmont was the building of the Belmont Racetrack in 1905. In this year, 620 acres (2.5 km2) were purchased on the edge of the region and by 1915, the Racetrack was opened to the public, attracting both visitors and migrant workers to the area. Housing developments and businesses grew in the area surrounding the racetrack to meet the needs of these workers; this process of development to meet the workers' needs continued in successive waves, ultimately representing a shift in Elmont from rural farmland to suburbia.

With the opening of Belmont Racetrack in 1905, Elmont reached a turning point in its history. The farms were sold and subdivided for houses, most of them owned by people who worked at Belmont Racetrack. Many business were formed on Hempstead Turnpike to support the blooming suburban location. The first air race in the United States was held at Belmont Racetrack, including a race from Elmont to the Statue of Liberty and back.

The first intercity airmail service between New York and Washington, D.C. in 1918 used Belmont Park in Elmont as the terminal for New York.

Post-World War II saw widespread development of attractive suburban tract homes. Many of these homes were constructed with a brick-veneer ground story over basement in variations of the cape style to the south and east of Hempstead Turnpike, while older, smaller shingled homes cluster near the racetrack.

Education

Long Island and Nassau County specifically are consistently ranked nationally for providing outstanding education.

Elmont is served mainly by the nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, Elmont Memorial High School which is part of the Sewanhaka Central High School District.

Only a small section of Elmont is zoned to Sewanhaka High School. Most students who attend live in the villages of Floral Park and Stewart Manor, New York.

Elmont Memorial High School, former lacrosse powerhouse, recently was recognized as having the largest percentage of African-American high school students receive a "3" or higher on Advanced Placement tests nationally. In 2004, it had a graduation rate of 100 percent which was a first for the Sewanhaka Central High School District.

Elmont Memorial is also known for having its award winning Model United Nations club. Elmont's Model UN team is known for beating thousands of high schools in the conferences that they attend.<http://bestdelegate.com/north-americas-best-high-school-model-un-teams-2011-2012-spring-rankings-top-50/> Their slogan, Elmont is UNique, has been proven many times since 1978. Model UN is known for being in many affluent neighborhoods with students from affluent backgrounds such as Chelsea Clinton and Ryan Seacrest.<http://photos.state.gov/libraries/amgov/30145/publications-english/EJ_20120822_ModelUN_DGW_English.pdf>

Sewanhaka High School is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best high schools in the state of New York and the nation.<http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/new-york/districts/sewanhaka-central-high-school-district/sewanhaka-high-school-14066> Some students can also attend the other high schools in the district for special programs.

The Elmont Union Free School District provides outstanding primary school education for Elmont residents. In 2005, the Elmont Union Free School District was recognized by the New York State Comptroller as one of 5 out of 52 districts cited as "well managed."

Closest elementary schools

  • Dutch Broadway School (Grades K-6, Students: 997)
  • Clara H. Carlson School (Grades K-6, Students: 885)
  • Gotham Avenue School (Grades K-6, Students: 814)
  • Covert Avenue School (Grades K-6, Students: 721)
  • Alden Terrace School (Grades K-6, Students: 550)
  • Stewart Manor School (Grades K-6, Students: 344)

Closest high schools

Closest colleges and universities

Transportation

Elmont is located on the border of Queens County of New York City and Nassau County.

Closest airports include:

The MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) provides race-day-only passenger service to Belmont Park from Jamaica and Penn Station. Elmont is near the Floral Park, New Hyde Park and Valley Stream stations of the LIRR which provide regular commuter service to NYC.

The Nassau Inter-County Express system serves Elmont with routes n1 (Elmont Road/Central Ave.), n2 (Meacham Ave./N Fletcher Ave.), n6 (Hempstead Turnpike) & n8 (Franklin Ave./Dutch Broadway/Hook Creek Blvd.) for connections to the LIRR & NYC subways and buses.

Elmont is located at the junction of the Cross Island Parkway, Belt Parkway, and Southern State Parkway, providing quick access to the Long Island Parkway system. Elmont is about 7 miles (11 km) from the Long Island Expressway and 10 miles (16 km) from the Throgs Neck Bridge for travel upstate.

Geography

U.S. Census Map

Elmont is located on the south shore of Long Island.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2), all land.

Elmont is on the Queens (NYC)/Nassau County border, earning it the name "The Gateway to Long Island."

Demographics

2010 census

As of the 2010 census[1] the population was 33,198. The makeup of the population was 47.2% White, 41.5% African American, 0.5% Native American, 10.9% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 10.4% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.8% of the population.

2000 census

Residential area in December.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 32,657 people, 12,902 households and 10,842 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 9,589.9 per square mile (3,697.6/km2). There were 10,151 housing units at an average density of 2,980.9/sq mi (1,149.4/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 45.6% White, 34.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 9.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.69% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.3% of the population.

There were 10,902 households out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.29 and the average family size was 3.68.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.

According to the 2009–2011 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates, the median income for a household in the CDP is $85,564, and the median income for a family is $94,432. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,111. About 5.4% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over. According to the survey, 28.4% of families make $100,000 to $149,000 and 11% make $200,000 or more which shows the hamlet has some affluence in certain sections.

Houses of worship

  • St. Boniface (Roman Catholic)
  • St. Vincent De Paul (Roman Catholic)
  • Elmont Jewish Center (Orthodox)
  • Temple B'nai Israel of Elmont (Reform)
  • Emanuel Baptist Church of Elmont (Baptist)
  • First Church of God (Pentecostal)
  • St. Paul's German Presbyterian Church and Cemetery

Notable residents

References

  1. ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml#none
  2. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
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