Port Washington, New York

Port Washington is an affluent hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in Nassau County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2010 Census, the community population was 15,846.[1]

Port Washington
Hamlet and census-designated place
U.S. Census Map of Port Washington
Nickname(s): 
"Port"
Location in Nassau County and the state of New York.
Coordinates: 40°49′44″N 73°41′12″W
Country United States
State New York
County Nassau County, New York
TownNorth Hempstead
Named forGeorge Washington
Area
 • Total5.6 sq mi (14.6 km2)
 • Land4.2 sq mi (10.9 km2)
 • Water1.4 sq mi (3.7 km2)
Elevation
98 ft (30 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total15,846
Demonym(s)Port Washingtonian
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
11050-11055
Area code(s)516
FIPS code36-59520
GNIS feature ID0960979

Port Washington is a hamlet within and directly governed by the town of North Hempstead. With rolling hills and a serpentine coastline in the northwest corner of Nassau County, Port Washington is studded with marinas, parks, yacht clubs, and golf courses. The Great Neck peninsula is across Manhasset Bay to the west; Manhasset and Plandome are to the south; Roslyn lies southeast. Besides an unincorporated area of the Town of North Hempstead, Port Washington is home to four incorporated villages: Baxter Estates, Manorhaven, Port Washington North and Sands Point, plus part of the village of Flower Hill.

According to Forbes, Port Washington is ranked as the 418th wealthiest ZIP code as of 2017, with a median home sale price of $1,323,271.[2]

History

In the 1870s, Port Washington became an important sand-mining town; it had the largest sandbank east of the Mississippi and easy barge access to Manhattan. Some 140 million cubic yards of local sand were used for concrete for New York skyscrapers like the Empire State and Chrysler buildings, in addition to the New York City Subway, according to Jon Kaiman, the Town Supervisor until 2013. In 1998, the sand mines were redeveloped as Harbor Links,[3] a golf course for North Hempstead residents.

The Thomas Dodge Homestead, Execution Rocks Light, Gould-Guggenheim Estate, William Landsberg House, Main Street School, Monfort Cemetery, Sands-Willets Homestead, and John Philip Sousa House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4][5]

Pan-Am Base in Port Washington

In the late 1930s, prior to the opening of the Marine Air Terminal at LaGuardia Airport, Port Washington was Pan-American World Airways' New York base for their Yankee Clipper Boeing B-314 flying boats; the waters of Manhasset Bay were ideal for flying boat operations.[6] Common destinations served included London, Southampton (UK), the Azores, and Bermuda.[6]

Geography
Baxter Pond, November 2007

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.6 square miles (15 km2), of which 4.2 square miles (11 km2) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2) (25.22%) is water. Port Washington is bordered on three sides with bodies of water. Manhasset Bay on the western side, Long Island Sound on the northern side and Hempstead Harbor on the eastern side.[1]

Port Washington has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) bordering a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Average monthly temperatures in the central CDP range from 31.8° F in January to 75.3° F in July.[7] The hardiness zone is 7b except on the north-to-south ridge where it is 7a.[8]

Demographics

2010 Census

As of the 2010 census,[9] the population was 82.2% White 74.7% Non-Hispanic White, 2.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 4.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 13.4% of the population. The median income for households in Port Washington, New York is $127,813, while the mean household income is $189,892, excluding the data from the extremely wealthy hamlet of Sands Point.[10]

2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,215 people, 5,521 households, and 4,168 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,613.7 per square mile (1,395.4/km2). There were 5,662 housing units at an average density of 1,344.8/sq mi (519.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.97% White, 2.81% African American, 0.11% Native American, 6.07% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.15% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 11.20% of the population.[1]

There were 5,521 households, out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, and 24.5% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.15.[1]

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.[1]

The median income for a household in the CDP was $105,837 and the median income for a family was $122,646. Males had a median income of $91,024 versus $59,299 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $53,815. About 3.1% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.[1]

Economy

There are numerous small stores in Port Washington with 6 shopping centers, 4 strip malls and an industrial complex on the east side of Port Washington next to Hempstead Harbor, off West Shore Road. Entertainment One, NPD Group, Pall, and Systemax are located in that industrial complex.[11]

Real estate

Homes in Port Washington vary from $435,000-$12,900,000[12] while Co-Ops and Condos are available from $229,000-$1,400,000.[12] The average residence in Port Washington costs around $1,200,000. Some more luxury style homes are in nearby Sands Point, which also use the Port Washington school district. The average property tax rate for Port Washington is $23.35 / $1,000 of assessed house value while the average property tax in the United States is $11.78 / $1,000 of assessed property value. These taxes do not include school, library or other taxes.

One notable housing development in Port Washington is New Salem, which was developed by Long Island housing developer Cy Williams.[13]

Schools

Port Washington is served by the Port Washington Union Free School District, and is also home to various private schools.[14]

Elementary schools
The South Salem Elementary School, as seen on December 26, 2020.
  • Guggenheim Elementary School
  • John J. Daly Elementary School
  • John Philip Sousa Elementary School
  • Manorhaven Elementary School
  • St. Peter of Alcantara School (private)
  • South Salem Elementary School
  • Vincent Smith School (private)

Junior high schools
  • Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School[15]
  • St. Peter of Alcantara School (private)
  • Vincent Smith School (private)

High schools

Places of worship

Port Washington is home to many places of worship:[11]

Churches
  • 1st Church of Christ Scientist Port Washington (Christian Science)
  • Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church (Greek Orthodox)
  • Bible Church-Port Washington
  • Faith Korean Church of Long Island (Presbyterian)
  • Lutheran Church of Our Savior (Lutheran) – ELCA)
  • Mt. Olive AME Church
  • New York Philadelphia Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian)
  • Our Lady of Fatima (Roman Catholic)
  • St Peter of Alcantara (Roman Catholic)
  • St Stephen's Episcopal Church (Episcopal)
  • United Methodist Church of Port Washington (Methodist)
  • Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church
  • New Life Christian Ministries

Synagogues
  • Chabad of Port Washington (Orthodox)
  • Port Jewish Center (Reform)
  • Temple Beth Israel (Conservative)
  • The Community Synagogue (Reform)

Fire department

The Port Washington Fire Department is a not-for-profit private corporation providing contractual public safety services to the area known as the Port Washington Fire Protection District. The Port Washington Fire Protection District is an 11-square-mile (28 km2) area on the Northern Peninsula of Nassau County Long Island that includes:

The Port Washington Fire Department is a volunteer department composed of four companies.[16]

  • Ladder Company: Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company #1
  • Engine Company: Protection Engine Company #1
  • Engine Company: Flower Hill Hose Company #1
  • Emergency Medical Service Company: Fire Medic Company #1

Police district

The Port Washington Police District provides police protection for the unincorporated area of Port Washington in the Town of North Hempstead as well as the incorporated villages of Baxter Estates and Port Washington North.[17]

Transportation

Port Washington is the terminus of New York State Route 101 and of the Port Washington Branch of the Long Island Rail Road built at the end of the 19th century at a station of the same name, which opened for passengers in 1898.[18] Anticipating growth due to the railroad, the community was renamed from Cow Neck. Shoreline roads, such as West Shore Road connect it to Manhasset and Roslyn, New York.[19][11]

The Port Washington LIRR station's station house.

The n23 bus operated by Nassau Inter-County Express, which runs from Manorhaven to either the Mineola Intermodal Center in Mineola or the Rosa Parks Hempstead Transit Center in Hempstead also serves Port Washington, running along Main Street and Port Washington Boulevard.[20][21]

Yacht Clubs

Port Washington is the home of 3 exclusive yacht clubs, the Port Washington Yacht Club,[22] the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club [23] and the North Shore Yacht Club.[24] There was a fourth yacht club, the Knickerbocker Yacht Club until 2009 when they disbanded and the location became a luxury yacht hotel and apartments.

Parks and recreation

Golf courses

Port Washington has a total of three golf courses, two of them are private the Sands Point Golf Course and the Village Club of Sands Point. The third golf course is a public course, the Harbor Links Golf Course operated by the Town of North Hempstead.

Parks

There are six public parks in Port Washington with three of them requiring an entrance fee to park from Memorial Day until Labor Day. The ones that require an entrance fee are the Manorhaven Beach Park, Bar Beach Park and the Town of North Hempstead Aerodrome. The three that do not require any fees are the Mill Pond Park, Baxter Estates Pond, and Stannards Brook County Park.

Bar Beach
Bar Beach
Bar Beach North Hempstead

Bar Beach is a beach located on the North Shore (Long Island), in Port Washington. It is adjacent to Hempstead Harbor beach.[25]

A fireworks display sometimes takes place at the beach on Memorial Day but not in 2007. The absence of fireworks has been blamed on the Americana Manhasset and Wheatley Plaza by the Town of North Hempstead. Fireworks returned to Bar Beach (renamed as North Hempstead Beach Park in 2008) on Memorial Day, with the Town of North Hempstead fully sponsoring the event. In late 2007, the Town assumed management of the neighboring beach, Hempstead Harbor, from Nassau County. After beginning renovations to this portion of the beach, the entire property was re-opened in the spring of 2008 as North Hempstead Beach Park.

In addition to the annual Memorial Day fireworks show, the beach is host to "Beachfest", an end of summer festival which is held each September. Beachfest features music, games, food vendors, and attractions for all ages.

Sousa Band Shell

On lower Main Street located in Sunset Park you will find the John Philip Sousa Band Shell. This is a location for free concerts hosted by the Town of North Hempstead during the summer. It is named for American composer John Philip Sousa, who lived in Port Washington at one point.

Port Washington Town Dock

The town dock is located on the lower end of Main Street where people can stroll the border of the dock, tie up their boats to pick up or discharge passengers and pump out their holding tanks. Very often you will find people trying their luck fishing.

Notable people

Port Washington is depicted as the area of East Egg in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby.

A scene from the 1947 movie, 'Miracle on 34th Street' was filmed in Port Washington.

Scenes from the 1970 movie, 'Husbands' were shot in the Port Washington Cemetery.

Scenes from the 2000 movie, 'Meet the Parents' were shot in Louie's Shore Restaurant and along Main Street and Port Washington Blvd in Port Washington. Scenes from Episode 19 Season 2 of Gossip Girl was filmed on Bar Beach and in neighboring town Roslyn

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  2. "Aeria's Most Expensive ZIP Codes 2017". Forbes. November 28, 2017.
  3. "Harbor Links". harborlinks.com.
  4. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  5. "Weekly list of actions taken on properties: 8/18/14 through 8/23/14". National Park Service. August 29, 2014. Archived from the original on June 28, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  6. Stoff, Joshua (2008). LaGuardia Airport. Images of Aviation. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 31 & 32. ISBN 978-0-7385-5799-1. LCCN 2008924409.
  7. https://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/
  8. https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/InteractiveMap.aspx
  9. United States Census
  10. https://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/NY/Port-Washington-Demographics.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. "Port Washington". Google Maps. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  12. "Zillow". Zillow. February 11, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  13. "BUILDERS TURNING TO PREFABRICATION; Cy Williams Enters Field With First Projects on Four Sites in the Suburbs". timesmachine.nytimes.com. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  14. "Port Washington UFSD / Port Washington School District". Port Washington UFSD. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  15. "Archived copy". Port Washington UFSD. Archived from the original on February 3, 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2006.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. "Port Washington Fire Department". pwfd.com.
  17. "Port Washington Police District NY". Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  18. "PORT WASHINGTON BRANCH Part 2 Auburndale to Port Washington". forgotten-ny.com.
  19. "MTA LIRR - LIRR Map". web.mta.info. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  20. "Nassau Inter-County Express Bus Route Map, July, 2020". Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE). Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  21. "Nassau Inter-County Express - Maps and Schedules". www.nicebus.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  22. "Home - Port Washington Yacht Club 2017". pwyc.com.
  23. "Home - Manhasset Bay Yacht Club - Port Washington, NY". manhassetbayyc.org.
  24. "North Shore Yacht Club – North Shore Yacht Club – Western Long Island Sound". nsyc.net.
  25. North Hempstead Beach Park Archived August 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Port Washington Patch
  26. "Tour ex-Met Carlos Beltran's $5.495M Sands Point home". Newsday. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  27. "LIU WRH - Collection Highlights". www.liucedarswampcollection.org. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  28. "DaveKerpen.com".
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