Winding roads, single-family houses and hiking trails don’t exactly come to mind when picturing New York City. But all can be found on Staten Island, among plenty of other suburban tropes. “This borough is much more like Middle America than it is like New York City,” says Desiree Darden, who lived in Brooklyn and Manhattan before relocating to Staten Island over 20 years ago. “When I first moved here, I saw regular pick-up trucks for the first time. And there are trailer parks and senior communities and shopping centers on Staten Island. I didn't know that existed in the city.”
Staten Island is the city’s third-largest borough by size but the smallest in terms of population. In 2023, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population to be 491,687, less than one-third of Manhattan. It sounds like a lot of people — after all, that number would make it the country’s 38th-largest city — but Darden insists that the drastic population difference makes all the difference. “Staten Islanders only have one degree of separation,” she says. “You definitely know somebody who knows you. And eventually, you all get to know each other. That is Staten Island.”
Nearly one-third of the island’s acreage belongs to parks and natural lands. Another thing that sets the island apart from the rest of the city is its location. Geographically, the borough is closer to New Jersey than it is to Manhattan (which occasionally prompts calls for the island to secede from New York). Although Staten Island joined New York City as the fifth borough in 1897, it remained secluded until the 1960s. However, the 1964 opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge linked the island with Brooklyn and marked a seismic shift. Today, Staten Island has three distinct regions, each with its own character: the North Shore, the more urban area; Mid-Island, with the most green space; and the South Shore, the most suburban.
Serpentine Art & Nature Commons is a Grymes Hill and Stapleton community park founded in 1978.
Aerial view of the homes in Rossville, which vary in style and price range.
Seaside Wildlife Nature Park is just a mile away with paths meandering 20 acres of wilderness.
On Staten Island’s west side, tucked between both natural and industrial parks, is Bulls Head.
1/4
A diverse mix of single-family homes with more bang for your buck
Although Staten Island has the fewest residences of the five boroughs, its homeownership rate is far higher that of the others; according to the 2020 Census, nearly two-thirds of its 176,656 housing units are owner-occupied. Homebuyers can find co-ops, condos, townhouses and single-family homes covering a wide range of styles.
Areas like the Saint George waterfront have a higher concentration of co-ops and modern condos, appealing to buyers who want Manhattan-like buildings with proximity to the ferry, shopping and dining. Todt Hill and Grymes Hill have brand-new luxury estates with palatial, pruned lawns. Those who prefer prewar architecture can try New Brighton and Clifton . “Back in the 1800s, wealthy Manhattan residents would vacation on Staten Island the same way modern-day New Yorkers might vacation in Cape Cod,” Darden says. “So there are these big, beautiful old Victorians that are just enormous and stunning.”
While these areas highlight the upper-end (and often under-appreciated) portion of the borough, most of Staten Island’s residences are less glamorous: brick-clad townhouses or single-family ranches or colonials. According to Darden, size and price are the main draw. The median sales price of Staten Island residences is just over $680,000, compared to New York City’s median of $790,000. “People are moving to Staten Island because they want more space, a backyard, or because their money can go a lot further,” Darden says.
Studio and one-bedroom dwellings make up only 15 percent of the housing stock, with the remaining 85 percent distributed among multibedroom residences. This may deter entry-level buyers, and according to Sandy Krueger, the longstanding CEO of the Staten Island Board of Realtors, there’s another pitfall for this subset of buyers. “The continuing rise in prices shows an unfortunate lack of entry-level inventory. Some policy changes are necessary to assist that end of the market,” Krueger said in an October 2024 press release. While rising prices reflect a nationwide trend, it’s worth noting that Staten Island inventory continues to decrease even as nationwide inventory ticks up.
Mansions in Grymnes Hill can be priced between $1.5 million and $4 million.
Areas like the Saint George waterfront have a co-ops and modern condos.
Multi family homes are in high demand in Clifton.
Ranch-style houses in Richmondtown typically costs between $665K and $980K.
1/4
Many islanders work in the service industry
Staten Island has the second-highest median income of New York City’s five boroughs, trailing only Manhattan. Per the 2020 Census, the island-wide median income was $95,543.
Once a hub for aquaculture, agriculture and industrialism, Staten Island owes much of its modern economy to the healthcare and retail sectors. Roughly 33 percent of Staten Islanders work in the two industries. With about 7,000 workers at its Ocean Breeze and Prince's Bay facilities, Staten Island University Hospital is one of the island’s largest employers. Another, Richmond University Medical Center in Randall Manor , employs over 2,500 professionals.
Small businesses also play a significant role in Staten Island’s economy. The borough’s Chamber of Commerce estimates that 39 percent of residents are employed by companies with less than 100 employees. In 2024, there were over 14,000 small businesses on the island. There are also a lot of firefighters: While they represent a sliver of the borough’s economy, residents hailing from the island make up an incredible 39 percent of the FDNY’s force.
Staten Island University Hospital is one of the island’s largest employers.
Frank and Sal Italian Market is a classic salumeria that serves Great Kills.
Trimalawn Equipment is the oldest family-owned yard maintenance store in Westerleigh.
Visage Hair Studio is one of th busiest hair salons in Todt Hill.
1/4
The most nature of any borough, with a host of outdoor activities
Across the island, over 12,300 acres of land are protected, including more than 170 parks. As the largest of the city’s five flagship parks, the Greenbelt is perhaps the island’s most popular outdoor destination. Covering 2,800 acres, the central island green space includes a vast network of parks, trails and natural areas. Though it’s less than one-fifth the size of the Greenbelt, Great Kills Park is another major attraction. Operated by the National Park Service and part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, East Shore park is lined with public marinas, private yacht clubs and a lifeguarded beach.
On the other side of the borough, Freshkills Park is a work in progress. Once the site of New York City’s primary landfill (the world’s largest dump), the landmass is being redeveloped in phases through 2036. “The reputation of Staten Island as 'the dump' has to be thrown out of the window,” Darden says. “It was closed over two decades ago, and there really are no smells today.” Some parts of the park are already open, and by the time it’s completed, Freshkills Park will be more than triple the size of Central Park — the largest city green space to be developed in the last century.
Other parks throughout the borough offer everything from hiking, athletic fields and kayaking to public golf courses, dog runs and historical sites. Staten Island used to be home to the Yankees’ minor league baseball affiliate, but after the team folded, the Staten Island FerryHawks took over the waterfront stadium in Saint George. The team is partially funded by local celebrities Colin Jost, Pete Davidson and Michael Che.
In addition to green space, Staten Island has a wealth of beaches along the east and south shores. Other recreational hotspots include the Staten Island Zoo and the island’s seven free outdoor pools.
The Greenbelt Nature Center is a great place to take a hike in the woods.
New Dorp locals have a large walk area by the beach side to the south.
Great Kills Park is almost 600 acres where Oakwood residents can enjoy several amenities.
La Tourette Golf Course is just north of Richmondtown and is the only golf field in the island.
1/4
Residents can find art museums and historic sites throughout the island
Other boroughs, particularly Manhattan, are often hailed as cultural epicenters, but Staten Island has an arts scene, as well. In fact, in 2023, three major cultural institutions (the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, the Noble Maritime Collection, and the Staten Island Museum) received $11 million in funding from the city to boost their infrastructure and programming. Snug Harbor now hosts concerts at its music hall, interactive events and 10 gardens, including one of the country’s two authentic outdoor Chinese gardens. The Staten Island Museum and Noble Maritime Collection have been Richmond County institutions since 1908 and 1987, respectively. The Baroque-style St. George Theatre is another cultural hub and host to the annual Staten Island Film Festival.
Other museums across the island are centered around specific cultures or historical subjects. In Lighthouse Hill , there’s the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, and nearby in Richmondtown , visitors can step back in time through restored 17th-century buildings and costumed reenactors. On the South Shore, the Clay Pit Ponds Interpretive Center teaches the history of the native Lenape, as well as the Free Blacks of Sandy Ground, which once served as an important stop on the Underground Railroad. Also on the South Shore, the Conference House is one of Staten Island’s multiple Revolutionary War sites.
The Children's Museum in Snug Harbor located in Randall Manor has interactive exhibits.
The 2,800 seat St. George Theatre was recently refurbished and reopened in the neighborhood.
Jacqueline Kennedy was instrumental in preserving the 83-acre Snug Harbor Botanical Garden.
The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art is an uncommon find in Lighthouse Hill.
1/4
A growing shopping scene and countless Italian eateries
The Staten Island Mall may have opened in 1973, but the New Springville neighborhood is still growing and filling out its identity as the commercial hub of the island. The mall alone has over 200 stores, plus there are nearby retailers like Costco, Best Buy and Target. The area also has quintessential suburban food chains like Outback Steakhouse. Including three neighborhoods (Saint George, Tompkinsville and Stapleton ), Downtown Staten Island has emerged as an additional shopping scene — and one that’s more accessible to non-island dwellers. Empire Outlets, located by the ferry, has roughly 100 factory stores spread across its 8-acre complex. Otherwise, the rest of the island is mostly residential, save for the occasional strip mall. “In many neighborhoods, if you want to go shopping, you’re getting in the car and driving, not walking like you could in many other parts of the city,” Darden says.
The same goes for dining. “When I moved here, I was used to the global cuisines they had all over Manhattan,” Darden says. “There was just a ton of Italian food all over Staten Island, and I had to search all over for some good sushi. Since then, the restaurant scene has changed and gotten more diverse. There’s great Filipino cuisine, and we have the country’s largest Sri Lankan population in Tompkinsville.” Locals can find Polish and Middle Eastern haunts in Dongan Hills , while Westerleigh has a high concentration of Latin American eateries.
The Staten Island Mall with over 200 retailers is in the center of New Springville.
Clifton locals often shop from Empire Outlets just 2 miles from Clifton.
Lakruwana offers a menu of Sri Lankan specialties and has amazing interior.
Phil-Am Kusina is an East Asian mainstay reflecting Rosebank's thriving Filipino community.
1/4
A network of highways, the Staten Island Ferry and limited public transit
By the end of the 1920s, Staten Island already had three bridges connecting to New Jersey. But it wasn’t until the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge opened in 1964 that Staten Islanders had a connection to the rest of the city by car. From the bridge’s base in Fort Wadsworth , residents can reach downtown Manhattan, via Brooklyn, in roughly 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Each of the borough’s four bridges connects to major highways, including Interstate 278. Travelers can reach Newark Liberty International Airport in as little as 15 minutes.
Staten Island’s road infrastructure is especially important considering two-thirds of residents commute to work by car — nearly three times that of other boroughs. Ease of parking is another major differentiator between Staten Island and the rest of the city. “Almost everything here has parking accommodation for cars,” Darden says. “You rarely have to park on the street.”
Also vital to the borough is the Staten Island Ferry, whose iconic orange boats make 117 trips each weekday. The free journey to Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan takes roughly 25 minutes. There’s also a fast ferry that carries passengers to Midtown West in just 35 minutes. “Not having to take the train to get into Midtown is huge,” Darden says. “And if you use the fast ferry often enough, it’s about the same price as a subway fare.”
To reach the ferry, some residents take the Staten Island Railway, a 14-mile-long track that runs the length of the island. Unfortunately, it’s not a convenient option for many neighborhoods. Darden puts it simply: “There’s one train that runs back and forth, but Staten Island is not parallel.” A ride from end to end takes about 40 minutes, and passengers ride free at all stations except the two nearest the ferry. Fortunately for those who don’t live near a train station, 22 of Staten Island’s 31 bus routes link to the ferry terminal.
Students can attend public schools, private academies and colleges
The New York City Department of Education oversees its public schools. On Staten Island, all public schools fall into District 31, which earns an overall A rating on Niche. Until the eighth grade, most students attend the school they are zoned for, although charter, magnet and private schools are also available. Middle school students can apply to attend any school within the city-wide system, although students from the district are given preference during admissions. For grades nine through 12, students choose their top 12 high schools anywhere in the city and are then entered into a lottery. However, some public high schools base their admissions on academic test scores, including Staten Island Technical High School, which earns an A-plus from Niche and ranks as the third best high school in both the city and state.
Staten Island also has several distinguished private schools. According to Niche, Staten Island Academy is the top private school in the borough, followed by Miraj Islamic School and Notre Dame Academy High School, which only serves high school girls. Plus, Staten Island has three universities: the public College of Staten Island, part of CUNY and enrolling over 10,000 students; the private Wagner College, with 2,000 students; and a campus of St. John's University.
Crime rates have generally declined over the years
According to data from the NYPD, crime on Staten Island was on a 20-year decline until 2023, which saw a spike in crime. Since then, however, crimes have decreased by nearly 8 percent. Grand larceny has long been one of the most pervasive crimes in the borough. In 2024, such acts accounted for 46 percent of all crimes, followed by felony assault at 25 percent. Reflecting the borough’s high grand larceny rates, the NYPD reports higher crime rates in areas with large shopping hubs, including the North Shore coast, New Springville and New Dorp .
Yet-to-be-completed resiliency plans promise protection from future hurricanes
Some parts of Staten Island are at heightened flood risk, mainly Bloomfield and the eastern shore. The eastern island, in particular, experienced severe damage from Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The storm killed more residents on Staten Island than any other borough. Following the disaster, the city, in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, devised the Shoreline Parks Plan. The long-term resiliency plan introduces inland drainage areas, as well as the construction of a 5.5-mile protective seawall and levee that runs from Fort Wadsworth to Great Kills . The wall will help deter the effects of rising sea levels due to climate change. Rising 21 feet above sea level, the wall will greatly alter the shoreline. The city now expects the project to cost over $2 billion and wrap up in 2030.
City-funded projects aim to add housing and bolster quality of life
Save the climate and resiliency issues being addressed in the east, the government is predominantly investing in Staten Island’s northern and western shores. In the north, coastal neighborhoods from Port Richmond to New Brighton are the subjects of several government-funded studies and projects aiming to improve transit, waterfront access, retail and jobs. Other initiatives in Richmond, Stapleton and Tompkinsville seek to introduce affordable housing and lower financial strain for homeowners.
Joseph DeVito has been a dedicated Associate Broker at Fillmore Real Estate for over three decades, showcasing his exceptional managerial skills and achieving remarkable success. With the recent merger with Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices, our organization has grown in strength and size, expanding our reach from the vibrant neighborhoods of Long Island, Queens, and Brooklyn to a global scale. Having overseen multiple offices, Joseph has consistently proven himself as a Top Producer within the company.
Currently, Joseph is the esteemed manager of the Bay Parkway office at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fillmore Real Estate, serving a substantial portion of South Brooklyn. Together with his team of talented agents, they have garnered numerous prestigious accolades over the years. Joseph's compelling catchphrases, "In Search of Excellence? Search no More" and "I Can Help,"
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.
