A friendly community with a history of explosive growth
Named for its builder, Abraham Levitt, Levittown made history at its inception as the first mass-produced suburb in the United States. Levitt’s firm, Levitt & Sons, built the community for returning World War II veterans between 1947 and 1951. At its height, the company completed a staggering 30 houses a day — or, put another way, one house every 16 minutes. “Levitt basically had an assembly line construction procedure for homebuilding, which totally revolutionized homebuilding and made all these suburbs possible,” says Emily Rennie, a librarian trainee and archivist librarian at the Levittown Public Library. “Somebody would come in and put up the frame, and then they would move over, the next crew would come in and they would put up plumbing.” On a single day in 1949, the company leveraged its reputation and just one model home to sign 1,400 sales contracts. But underneath this success, there’s a hard truth: Levittown’s homes weren’t open to everyone. The company’s sales contracts required homebuyers to be white and to agree that only white people would live in their new home; in the 1950s, the company claimed that allowing even a single Black family to move in would prevent 90% or 95% of white families from buying homes. When these clauses were deemed illegal, change began to trickle into Levittown. By the 1980s, Newsday reports, the community was still 97% white, but the ensuing decades brought change. In 2022, U.S. Census Bureau data shows Levittown was 70.3% white, 16.3% Hispanic, 9.3% Asian and 1.3% Black.
Levittown’s original benefits remain, including lower prices compared to surrounding areas, accessibility to major highways and a focus on community. “We’re very neighborly; we have block parties,” says Dara Crawford, a licensed associate broker at Realty Connect USA who has lived in the community for about 34 years. “My favorite thing about Levittown is the community. People think they’re going to move — that moving up thing that buyers do in seven or 10 years. I’d say that 70% of them don’t move. It’s a town that you don’t want to leave. You know your mailman, the stores nearby, the little mom-and-pop shops.”
Levittown is often described as a blue-collar neighborhood. According to the Census Bureau, nearly 31% of residents work in education, health care and social assistance. The Woman’s Health Pavilion, a large gynecologist center, is located in Levittown, while St. Joseph’s Hospital and Nassau University Medical Center are about 2 miles away.
Most of the original Levitt homes in Levittown, NY have been expanded, altered, or rebuilt.
Levittown's Chamber of Commerce signs welcome visitors to Levittown, NY.
NUMC Emergency Medicine is a few minutes away from North Merrick.
According to the Census Bureau, nearly 31% of Levittown residents work in education, health care and social assistance.
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Fixer-uppers starting at $500,000
While Levittown’s original homes were all very similar, they were placed on roomy lots with the idea that they could be added to in the future. That’s exactly what has happened, and today, many of Levitt’s original houses have been expanded, dramatically changing their footprints or adding second stories. Some original Levitt homes have even been knocked down and replaced with larger houses. As a result, the once-identical Cape Cods that stretched along Levittown’s sidewalk-lined streets have a surprising amount of variability, adding colonial styles and contemporary homes to the mix. The streets themselves are also surprisingly variable. Lacking the grid-like quality of many planned suburbs, they’re curvy and interconnected. “I think we have the most stop signs of all the towns of Long Island,” Crawford says.
Despite decades of change, many homes here remain smaller than those in the surrounding areas, especially since Levitt homes lack basements due to how quickly they were built. According to Alan Jurmain, a licensed real estate salesperson at Daniel Gale and Sotheby’s International Realty, they also remain less expensive than houses in surrounding areas, but home prices have increased through the decades — and Crawford says they’ve continued to rise in recent years. “When I started real estate, they were in the $200,000s,” Crawford says. “Now, $500,000 is a handyman special. To buy one to move into and still have to do some work is in the lower $600,000s.” An expanded and fully renovated original Levitt home or a new construction house can climb to around $1.5 million. The median home price is $649,999, higher than the national median of $418,700.
Instead of altering their homes, many residents of Levittown have rebuilt their homes.
Rows of cape cod-style homes line the streets of Levittown, NY.
Homes in Levittown once all looked the same, but not anymore.
Many of Levittown's original Cape Cods have had second levels added.
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Potential for high winds during hurricane season, below-average crime rate
Hurricane season can impact Long Island, bringing hurricanes, tropical storms or leftover rain and wind. Levittown is an inland area, so even when this happens, there’s only a minor risk of flooding. The biggest concern is wind damage, as these storms bring a major risk of high winds.
The CAP Index crime score in Levittown is 1 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Nine community pools during the summer
Small parks scattered throughout the hamlet provide quiet reading spots, playgrounds and athletic spaces where little league teams play. During the summer, many also have space to cool off and have some fun. “All of the community pools that we have — we have nine of them — have free swimming lessons for the children,” Crawford says, noting that the outdoor pools were built along with the homes at Levittown’s inception. About 3 miles away, the 1,477-acre Bethpage State Park offers hiking, biking and equestrian trails.
Sprucewood Park in Levittown, NY is a small neighborhood park which everyone loves.
Challenge a friend to a shootout on the asphalt basketball courts at Bethpage State Park.
Find solace along the trails at Bethpage State Park.
Get into the action on the soccer fields at Cantiague Park in nearby Hicksville.
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Local restaurants, major retailers along Hempstead-Bethpage Turnpike
Most of Levittown’s shops and restaurants branch off Hempstead-Bethpage Turnpike. Dining options are becoming more diverse, including Italian, Columbian and Korean spots alongside a popular bakery. The Governor’s Comedy Club has stand-up comedy shows, making it a popular place for a night out. There’s also an AMC movie theater and spots with arcade games or laser tag. Big box stores like Kohl’s, Old Navy and Target offer shopping for clothes and home goods, while Walmart, Stop & Shop and BJ’s are go-to spots for groceries. Home Depot and PetSmart provide other essentials.
Catch the latest blockbluster at the nearby AMC in Levittown.
Have a night of family fun at Levittown's Laser Bounce and Family Center.
Governor's Comedy Club in Levittown is a staple among the community, bringing in big acts like Aziz Ansari.
X-City BBQ in Levittown offers multiple buffets featuring sushi, dessert, hot food and more.
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The Levittown Carnival, swimming competitions
The annual Levittown Carnival spans five days at the end of May, drawing people from surrounding areas to enjoy rides and carnival food. The Village Green hosts free summer concerts, but Levittown’s pools host one of the summer’s biggest events. “They have swim teams, and they compete against each other, and then at the end of the year, there’s this huge swim fest competition,” Crawford says. “They have an ice cream truck and a pizza parlor, and parents come with their chairs and their buckets of chicken. It’s very, very neighborly.”
Highly rated Levittown schools for most students
The Levittown Union Free School District, which Niche gives an A, serves most of Levittown. A small portion of the neighborhood is instead served by the Island Trees Union Free School District, which Niche also gives an A.
The Island Trees High School in Levittown offers various clubs, electives, and AP courses.
The Abbey Lane School in Levittown, NY servers over 600 students in grades k-5.
Division Avenue High School has 1,013 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.
The East Broadway School in Levittown, NY serves students in grades K-5.
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Major highways, nearby LIRR’s Bethpage Station
Wantagh State Parkway, Southern State Parkway, Newbridge Road and the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway border Levittown, while Hempstead-Bethpage Turnpike cuts right through it. Homes right off these major roads might experience some highway noise, but they make traveling anywhere on Long Island a breeze. The 11-mile drive to Jones Beach takes just over 15 minutes and Midtown Manhattan is 31 miles away. From Bethpage Station just under 3 miles away, the train takes commuters to Pennsylvania Station in about 50 minutes.
Written By
Christina Norwood
Photography Contributed By
Peter Scifo
Video By
GL Moses
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Gina Fiorenze,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Levittown, NY sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Levittown, NY over the last 12 months is $265,000, down 69% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming Expanded Cape in the Heart of Levittown!Welcome to this beautiful Expanded Cape-style home, boasting 4 spacious bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, perfect for versatile living space.The open-concept main level features a sunlit living room with light wood-style flooring, beamed ceilings, crown molding, and recessed lighting, flowing seamlessly into a stylish dining area and an updated
Welcome to 3 Loring Rd, a charming single-family ranch-style home nestled in the heart of Levittown, NY. Built in 1965, this residence offers 1,456 square feet of comfortable living space on a generous 9,280 square foot lot. This home features three bedrooms and two bathrooms, providing ample space for family living. Situated in a family-friendly neighborhood within the Garden Farm Homes
Deborah Bacchus
My Dream Home Realty Inc
(516) 689-2468
$649,000
4 Beds
2 Baths
1,700 Sq Ft
Expanded Ranch Levitt home in residential quiet community This is a handy man special 4 bedroom 2 baths large property circular driveway parking for 6 cars 3 car garage dual wood burning fireplace plus pot belly stove Drive byes only do not disturb tenants .If serious call agent
Charming Expanded Cape in the Heart of Levittown!Welcome to this beautiful Expanded Cape-style home, boasting 4 spacious bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, perfect for versatile living space.The open-concept main level features a sunlit living room with light wood-style flooring, beamed ceilings, crown molding, and recessed lighting, flowing seamlessly into a stylish dining area and an updated
Welcome to 3 Loring Rd, a charming single-family ranch-style home nestled in the heart of Levittown, NY. Built in 1965, this residence offers 1,456 square feet of comfortable living space on a generous 9,280 square foot lot. This home features three bedrooms and two bathrooms, providing ample space for family living. Situated in a family-friendly neighborhood within the Garden Farm Homes
Deborah Bacchus
My Dream Home Realty Inc
(516) 689-2468
$649,000
4 Beds
2 Baths
1,700 Sq Ft
Expanded Ranch Levitt home in residential quiet community This is a handy man special 4 bedroom 2 baths large property circular driveway parking for 6 cars 3 car garage dual wood burning fireplace plus pot belly stove Drive byes only do not disturb tenants .If serious call agent
Welcome to heart of Levittown, where comfort meets modern design in this completely renovated 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom beauty! Step into a stunning, bright open-concept layout featuring a brand-new kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and custom cabinetry. Cozy up in the inviting living room, centered around a gorgeous fireplace perfect for relaxing evenings or family
Great Spacious Home to Share with a Large Family, Private Yard with Fence, Quiet Street, and Great School District Sparks School for K-1 and Stokes for 2-4 Grades
Welcome to this beautifully updated and sun-filled 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment located on the 2nd FL of a well-maintained building. This airy and inviting home offers the perfect blend of comfort, space, and convenience – ideal for professional individuals, roommates, or small families seeking a peaceful yet centrally located residence. Step into a large, light-filled living area with HW floors,
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
