West Hempstead, New York
West Hempstead, New York | |
|---|---|
 Location in Nassau County and the state of New York. | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Nassau |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.8 sq mi (7.1 km2) |
| • Land | 2.7 sq mi (6.9 km2) |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km2) |
| Elevation | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 18,862 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 11552 |
| Area code | 516 |
| FIPS code | 36-80225[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0969246[2] |
West Hempstead is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 18,862 at the 2010 census. West Hempstead is an unincorporated area in the Town of Hempstead and is represented by Councilman Bruce Blakeman.
History
West Hempstead was the location of the first international automobile race in the United States, which took place in the farms and streets of the village. The Vanderbilt Cup, as it was known, produced statewide speculation.
The current-day Brooklyn Nets played in Island Garden Arena, which had a capacity of 5,200 and showcased rodeos, wrestling events as well as the American Basketball Association from 1969 to 1972.
In the early 1800s Oliver's Eagle Flour Mill, in what is now Hempstead Lake State Park, was the largest gristmill on Long Island.
The 1875 Wood Field Train Disaster and the murder of Minnie Bartlett were some of the misfortunes to befall this haven.
The oldest house in West Hempstead is at 419 Woodfield Road. W.L. Rhodes and two brothers helped make this house built in 1838 last over 150 years.
Two recent hurricanes produced major havoc. Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy swept through the area in 2011 and 2012 leaving major damage.
The town was home to the Hill sisters, who were major girls basketball phenoms before Title IX who won eighty out of eighty-four games and appeared on the cover of Ligget and Myers Tobacco Co.
Josei D. Robinson was one of the most famous citizens. She was a renowned horse rider for Barnum and Bailey Circus.
The West Hempstead Little League has brought two teams to the Big League Baseball World Series and a team to the Senior League Softball World Series. ECHO Park is named after the original four teams: Eagles, Cardinals, Hawks and Orioles.
West Hempstead is served by the West Hempstead Branch of the Long Island Rail Road, there are 3 stations within its borders, West Hempstead, Hempstead Gardens, and Lakeview. The line continues to Valley Stream where it joins the Babylon Branch.
West Hempstead is easily accessed from the Southern State Parkway at Exit 17N
The West Hempstead Union Free School District current operates 5 schools, 1 kindergarten, 2 elementary, 1 middle school and 1 high school.
Geography
West Hempstead is located at 40°41′47″N 73°39′9″W / 40.69639°N 73.65250°W (40.696409, -73.652522).[3]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2), of which, 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (3.64%) is water.
Demographics
 | This article needs to be updated. (April 2013) |
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 18,713 people, 6,024 households, and 4,867 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 7,039.1 per square mile (2,716.2/km²). There were 6,110 housing units at an average density of 2,298.3/sq mi (886.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.69% White, 5.94% African American, 0.17% Native American, 5.08% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.21% from other races, and 2.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.94% of the population.
There were 6,024 households out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.3% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.2% were non-families. 15.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.47.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $71,260, and the median income for a family was $78,481. Males had a median income of $51,391 versus $35,871 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,732. About 3.4% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- Nathan Englander, American short story writer and novelist, was born and raised in West Hempstead.[4]
- Kalomoira, popular Greek singer, was born in West Hempstead.[5]
- Lucien Laurin, award-winning horse trainer who won the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths in 1973. Laurin also trained the champion, Riva Ridge, who won the Kentucky Derby & Belmont Stakes in 1972.
- Don McPherson, former National Football League and Canadian Football League quarterback. 1987 Heisman Trophy finalist. Went to West Hempstead High School.[6]
- Mark Mendoza, bassist of Twisted Sister, was born and raised in West Hempstead.
- Andrew Stewart, former National Football League lineman for the Cleveland Browns. Went to West Hempstead High School.[7]
- Walt Whitman, American poet, essayist and journalist. In 1840, he was the headmaster of the West Hempstead-based District 17 Schoolhouse.[8]
- Orville Wright Inventor of powered flight, lived in West Hempstead in the early 1930s
Local activities
- The West Hempstead Chiefs Soccer Club, has girls and boys teams at both the intramural level and the LIJSL Travel division level.[9]
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ Nathan Englander - From the Author
- ^ Long Island's Kalomira Sarantis Competing in Antenna's "Fame Story"
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ "West Hempstead Chiefs".
