Historic transportation hub known for health care and higher education
Hempstead has long been at the center of attention. In the mid-1800s, it was a mercantile hub sending out consumer goods by wagon to outlying communities every week. The effects of that hard work linger on, with a spiderweb of roads emanating from the core of town and stretching out to neighboring municipalities. Furthermore, the Hempstead Branch of the Long Island Rail Road begins here – another way the city functions as a local point of origin.
Nearly 60,000 people live here, and the median age is 35, putting Hempstead’s general atmosphere on par with other suburban inland communities of Long Island, like Freeport and Brentwood. But the city has been able to capitalize on its history, pushing it to stand out. In the 1960s it was the home of Abraham & Straus, which became one of America’s largest grossing department stores at that time. Recessions in the 1970s and 80s deteriorated the retail base, but in the 2000s, developers bounced back. The 2022 master plan aims to reimagine downtown as a walkable business district with retail shops, eateries and amenities like a bank and pharmacy. “The city is investing a lot in infrastructure, trying to improve it and raise quality of life,” says Jose Martinez, broker at Power Team Realty. “It’s a community that’s really changing.”
Already the Village, as locals call downtown, is the seat of government services for Hempstead – a top employment sector for the city. Health care is another leading industry, especially due to the presence major medical institutions like the NYU Langone Hospital. Then there’s Hofstra University, which runs a medical school and trains physicians at Northwell Health in West Hempstead. In fact, higher education is the second strongest sector in Nassau County, in terms of employment growth. Hempstead is surrounded by Nassau County Community College, Adelphi University and Molloy University, which adjoins Mercy Hospital.
The Old Town Hall for Hempstead is still utilized today.
Neighboring Molloy University offers free shuttle buses to the LIRR station in Hempstead.
The Rosa Parks Transit Center is a vibrant part of the Hempstead community.
Just outside of Hempstead in Rockville Centre lies Mercy Medical Center.
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Quiet residential scene is a top reason for people moving here
Sidewalks, shaded lots and an overall suburban aesthetic are some of the top reasons people chose Hempstead. “People come out to these parts of Long Island for more property, less bustle away from the city and green grass for their kids,” says Susan Lombardi, Realtor with Douglas Elliman. “They’re coming from Brooklyn or Queens.” The median list price is $606,000 compared to the national median of $418,700. Small, modest ranch-style and Cape Cod-influenced homes are priced from $420,000 to $650,000. But above $650,000 and into the $800,000 range there are traditional bi-level styles like colonial-influenced homes. Some of Hempstead’s most unique styles appear above the $800,000 mark and into $1.5 million range, with Tudor homes and center hall colonials taking the spotlight. Center halls are recognizable by their symmetrical design, with the front door placed in the middle of the façade.
Brick capes with manicured lawns are frequently seen in Hempstead.
Multi level homes are a popular choice for many home buyers in Hempstead.
Center hall colonial style homes are common in Hempstead.
Gorgeous Tudor homes built in the 1900's can be found throughout Hempstead.
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Hofstra University is the biggest private college on the island
Hempstead Union Free School District receives a C-minus from Niche. Students can begin at Evergreen Charter School, a kindergarten through eighth grade institution that receives a C-plus. Hempstead High earns a B-minus. In October 2024, the marching band made its first appearance in a decade. Programs and infrastructure improvements have been backburnered in the district for many years, prompting the New York State Department of Education in 2018 to consider taking over – an action taken with just one other municipality. The department eventually declined to take over, and expansion continues today: In 2026 the community is expecting to open Diamond Charter School, for elementary students.
Higher education is also a big deal in Hempstead. Hofstra University is Long Island’s largest private college, enrolling over 10,000 students. The school is known for hosting presidential debates.
Hofstra University is Long Island's largest private university and is close to Hempstead.
The Academy Charter School in Hempstead serves approximately 1,880 students in grades K-12.
The Evergreen Charter School in Hempstead opened in 2009 with only 100 students.
Hempstead High School serves over 1,800 students in grades 9- 12.
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An evolving downtown park and a big country club
Another feature of Hempstead’s master plan is to cultivate parks that can act as spaces of civic engagement. The Village Green downtown is in focus, especially as it holds historic importance as a site of Revolutionary War-era graves. The city wants to add an amphitheater and programming like movie nights. Other features to be added are an ice rink, splash pad and a series of kiosks describing Hempstead’s history. Kennedy Memorial Park is the city’s biggest green space and is loaded with amenities: a skate park, a playground, sports fields and even indoor facilities like a gym. Hempstead Golf & Country Club on the west end offers an 18-hole course, a swimming pool, tennis courts and a bowling alley. Just below the club is Hempstead Lake Park, which city officials want to connect up with a greenway trail, making it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access.
The downtown area of Hempstead is a vibrant walkable zone.
Kennedy Memorial Park in Hempstead offers alot including basketball and a skate park.
Local Hempstead residents love the playground at Kennedy Memorial Park.
The Hempstead Golf and Country Club in Hempstead is a private club.
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Shopping and dining in Hempstead
Large grocers like CTown Supermarkets, Bravo Supermarkets and Food Town are spread across the city, making it easy to run errands no matter where homebuyers end up. But the highest concentration of retail is on the west end, around Hempstead Village Commons. Shoppers will find big-box names like Home Depot and Five Below. Fulton Avenue in particular is lined with locally owned eateries. Mexican, Caribbean and Central American flavors are strongly represented. But the 175 Fulton Diner provides a no-frills setting for grabbing a burger and a salad. For a big indoor shopping experience, Roosevelt Field is a 10-minute drive north. This is the largest mall on Long Island and the second largest in the state. The mall gets its name from the airfield that once occupied the space. Charles Lindbergh took off from here to complete his transatlantic flight in 1927. If residents travel 10 miles south, though, they can reach some of the most sought-after destinations in all of Long Island. “Jordan’s Lobster Farm is a popular old school fish and lobster place. Everybody from all over goes there,” says Leah Tozer, an associate broker with Sotheby’s International. “You can pull your boat right up to it.”
The Sno Haus Ski Shop in Hempstead is the place to shop for all of your skiing needs.
Local Hempstead residents love the Caribbean homestyle cooking at Vibz on the Main.
Aldi Supermarket is a recent addition to the Hempstead area but quickly becoming a favorite.
For all the latest in casual sportswear local Hempstead residents shop at Snipes.
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Commuters turn the city into a bustling hub during the day
Hempstead is still known as a massive transportation hub. City officials estimate that 200,000 people pass through this hub daily on trains. Downtown in particular thrives through the Hempstead Long Island Rail Road station and the Rosa Parks Transit Center. And since retail remains important to Hempstead’s identity, riders can get bus service to Roosevelt Field. The Southern State Parkway, appropriately placed on Hempstead’s south side, is the best way for frequent fliers to reach JFK International Airport, which is 12 miles west. Commuters who drive can use the parkway to eventually reach Interstate 495, helping them complete the 30-mile trek into Manhattan in a little over an hour. “It can be really busy driving around, because they have all these major arteries running through it, like Peninsula Boulevard,” says Martinez.
Water quality and gang violence are top concerns for residents
Water quality grabbed the attention of residents in 2024, as it became apparent that the century-old water treatment facility was unable to remove chemicals that had leached into the groundwater from industrial plants. Residents have asked for federal intervention, drawing up plans for a new $55 million treatment facility.
Crime reduction has largely centered around gang violence, as the MS-13 group has been a persistent problem for central Long Island communities. Operation Matador has been in effect for the county for years, aiming to reduce gang activity in the community.
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