$835,343Average Value$259Average Price per Sq Ft20Homes For Sale
Shopping and outdoor recreation near Jones Beach
Wantagh’s sign proudly declares itself “The Gateway to Jones Beach,” and while this is certainly true, with the famous beach less than 10 minutes away on Wantagh State Parkway, the neighborhood is so much more than a place to just drive through. Its massive parks and beautiful nature preserve, which is full of lakes and freshwater wetlands, take up a combined 428 acres — nearly a third of Wantagh’s land. Abundant shops and restaurants, many of them in a walkable downtown area, also provide plenty to do in the tight-knit community. “The neighborhood is very, very friendly,” says Laura Dupkin Memisha, an associate broker at Realty Advisors and a 30-year resident of the neighborhood. “It’s a little niche neighborhood that people specifically come to me for and ask me for. I notice a lot of times that they’re generational. Generation after generation after generation. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Memisha, though, understands the pull the area seems to have on its residents. “I love the close proximity of everything,” she says. “I love that I know the people in the stores, I love that I know the people at the post office, I love that I know the postman’s name. I love it here. Actually, I’m not moving, ever.”
Have some fun on the zip lines at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh.
Take to the seas from the many docks in Wantagh.
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Swimming and boating at Wantagh Park
Twin Lakes Preserve is a favorite spot for catch-and-release fishing, hiking and bird watching, while Cedar Creek Park has extensive athletic fields and courts as well as a bike path. “You can ride down 2 miles and get to Jones Beach,” says Al Iaquinta, a licensed real estate broker and the owner of Iaquinta Real Estate with nine years of experience selling in the area. “Now they made it so you can ride all the way out to Robert Moses.” Hobbyists also enjoy its regulation-sized archery range and aerodrome field for flying radio-controlled model airplanes. On the waterfront, Wantagh Park is a popular spot to play sports like hockey, take children to the playground or launch boats and kayaks. The park has boat slips where some residents dock their boats when they’re not in use. Residents can also pay a fee to enjoy its miniature golf courses or community pool. “You can bring your kids to the pool; it’s got a slide,” Iaquinta says. “There’s a kiddie pool and an Olympic-sized swimming pool if you want to get your laps in. You get your workout and then the kids have the slide. It’s a lot of fun for them.” Cedar Creek and Wantagh parks both have dog parks; dogs love playing in the dirt and mud at Cedar Creek, but they’re more likely to need a bath after their play session than when they go to Wantagh Park, which has a turf surface.
Practice your archery at Cedar Creek Park in next door Seaford.
Take a boat ride into South Oyster Bay from Wantagh.
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Fixer-uppers occasionally start below $600,000
A wide variety of home styles are stretched along Wantagh’s sidewalk-lined streets, including colonial, new traditional, hi-ranch or ranch-style homes and Cape Cods. Fixer-uppers typically start around $650,000, though those needing extensive work sometimes dip into the high $500,000 range. Even an inland home can climb well over $1 million if it’s new or has been recently renovated. On the water, homes usually have private pools and cost between $800,000 for a fixer-upper and nearly $3 million for an updated seven-bedroom house. “In the south part of Wantagh, you have boater’s delight,” says Vanessa Ambrosecchia, a Realtor at Compass who has over 20 years of experience selling homes in the area. “They like boats, they like the water, they don’t mind paying flood insurance. In the north you get a larger house, you get a little bit more land, but you’re closer to the parkways.” Ambrosecchia also says that homes to the north tend to be less expensive than those in the south, and often have lower taxes. The CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
A brand new contemporary home in Wantagh.
Beautiful and unique twists on the Cape Cod style home can be found in Wantagh.
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Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, weekly live music
The community also holds regular big events, including the biggest Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Long Island. According to Memisha, who is also a trustee for Wantagh’s Chamber of Commerce, the event drew 60,000 people in March of 2023. In 2024, attendance spiked to 75,000 attendees. Other events take place throughout the year, too. “They’re doing Thursday Night Live at Mulcahy’s this year,” Iaquinta says, adding that the event takes place every other Thursday until Labor Day from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. “They’re going to shut down the street under the railroad, and they’re going to have vendors, a bar outside, live music.”
Shopping, dining and music along Wantagh Avenue
“I love that you can go anywhere for anything — shops, stores, restaurants — and not have to leave the community,” Memisha says. “When you live here, lots of things are in walking distance.” Dirty Taco + Tequila serves fusion tacos and margaritas, but customers rave over the tres leches cake. Beyond restaurants, Wantagh’s wealth of pubs and bars gives the little downtown a good nightlife. Craft Kitchen and Tap House is popular for its lively atmosphere, trivia and taco Tuesdays and live music performances every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Mulcahy’s, though, is perhaps the area’s most well-known establishment. Although it serves food, it’s best known for its drinks and its role as a music venue, hosting anything from dance parties to concerts. “It’s a staple in Wantagh,” says Darab Lawyer, a Realtor and Ambrosecchia’s partner at Compass who has lived in the area for nearly 60 years and has been selling homes here for 24 years. “One of my high school friends, he plays in a band called Dokken, and they’re very famous. They play like Madison Square Garden, that’s how big the band is. He requested that the band play Mulcahy’s so he could give a concert for cheap and have all his friends from all over Long Island come, and we went to that and it was great. He killed it.” Residents often run by King Kullen after work to pick up groceries or head to its smattering of local shops.
Get some drinks and food from The Wantagh Inn, a beloved establishment for 30 years.
Indulge in a fresh croissant with Bavarian cream at The French Workshop in nearby North Wantagh.
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Music and other extracurriculars at Wantagh High
According to Memisha, local schools are a big draw for many potential residents. Niche gives the Wantagh Union Free School District an A. Children can attend Wantagh Elementary School and Wantagh Middle School, which both have A-minuses, before moving on to Wantagh High School. With an A from Niche, the high school is a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence that offers students the chance to participate in over 60 extracurricular activities and nearly 30 sports teams. In 2024, Wantagh High was also honored among the Best Communities for Music Education by The National Association of Music Merchants.
Wantagh High School has 830 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1.
Wantagh Middle School is located on the same campus as the Sr. High School.
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Major highways, LIRR to Manhattan
Wantagh State Parkway and Sunrise Highway run through the neighborhood, and it’s just under 7 miles to Jones Beach from Wantagh’s center. From the Long Island Rail Road’s Wantagh Station, the train reaches the city in just under an hour. “You can hop on the train and get anywhere in a very short amount of time,” Iaquinta says.
Take a quick trip to Jones Beach via the Wantagh Parkway.
Board the train to Penn Station at Wantagh Train Station.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Julie Calabrese,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Wantagh Park Fit Trail
Mill Pond Park and Adam D Rand Memorial Trail
Wantagh Park
Twin Lakes Preserve
Jones Beach State Park
Transit
Airport
John F Kennedy International
26 min drive
Train
Wantagh Station
Bus
Merrick Rd & Brookside Ave
Bus
Merrick Rd & Woodland Ave
Bus
Merrick Rd & Riverside Dr
Bus
Merrick Rd & Fir St
Bus
Merrick Rd Opp Riverside Dr
Bus
Merrick Rd & Willoughby Ave
Bus
Jerusalem Ave & Campbell Rd
Reviews
Niche Reviews
4.253 Reviews
3.0Niche User
7/22/2015Niche Review
Generally, Wantagh is a great place to live. My main complaint would have to be the size of our annual taxes. Residents of Wantagh pay an exorbitant amount of money to live here, with little visible change in quality of life.
5.0Current Resident
12/6/2022Niche Review
I love my town it is very friendly and when I walk my dog there are always dogs around the neighborhood
5.0Current Resident
7/23/2020Niche Review
My family has been living here for generations. Close to the city, beaches, and nature walks. perfect location to raise Kids.
4.0Niche User
3/24/2016Niche Review
Just a few abandoned homes from Hurricane Sandy, otherwise all nice homes
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Wantagh
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Wantagh Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Wantagh, Long Island sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Wantagh, Long Island over the last 12 months is $368,800, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Spacious 4-Bedroom, 2-Bath Home in the Heart of WantaghWelcome to 2198 Willow Street—a beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom residence offering 1,750 square feet of comfortable living space. Built in 1979, this contemporary-style home features a bright and inviting layout, including a spacious living room and an oversized eat-in kitchen, perfect for both everyday living and
Prime Location! Welcome to 3388 Maplewood Drive in the heart of Wantagh. Just 2 blocks from the train station and walking distance to Wantagh’s best bars and restaurants. This corner property features 3 bedrooms, 2 new bathrooms and a new kitchen with quartz countertops & stainless steel appliances. Enjoy refinished wood floors, new central air, large attic space, a finished basement with an
Well maintained ...Location Location Location ... Wantagh Schools ...Full finished basement with OSE.. Central AC ...Attached Garage ...New Roof , Gas Cooking , Fully dormered top with three large bedrooms, private side yard for entertaining , 200 amp electric , LVP flooring , attached garage with two driveways, room for extended family !!
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Julie Calabrese,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
18,297
Median Age
43
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$165,783
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$179,498
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.1%
College Graduates
52.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
25°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
32''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
50/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
52/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
17/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
