Hempstead is a town located in Nassau County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 755,924.

The Town of Hempstead is one of the three towns in Nassau County. There are twenty-two incorporated villages completely or partially in the town. Hempstead is believed to be the most populous town in the state and the nation with a population about the same as San Francisco and larger than Boston, Baltimore, or Seattle. It occupies the southwest part of the county.

History

The town was first settled around 1644. Although the settlers were from the English colony of Connecticut, a patent was issued by New Amsterdam after the settlers had purchased land from the local natives. The town may have been named for either Hemel Hempstead, England or the Dutch city of Heemstede.

During the American Revolution the Loyalists in the south and the American sympathizers in the north caused a split in 1784 into "North Hempstead" and "South Hempstead."

Government

The Town is headed by the Supervisor, currently Kate Murray (R-Levittown). The responsibilities of the office include presiding over meetings of the Town Council and directing the legislative and administrative function of that body. The position also entails creating and implementing the town's budget. Murray is the first woman elected to this office.

The Town Council is comprised of six voting members, elected from a councilmatic district. Their primary function is to adopt the annual budget, adopting and amending the town code and the building zone ordinances, adopting all traffic regulations, and hearing applications for changes of zone and special exceptions to zoning codes.

Geography

The west town line is the border of Queens County, New York, part of New York City. The town in located on Long Island.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 495.5 km² (191.3 mi²). 310.7 km² (120.0 mi²) of it is land and 184.8 km² (71.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 37.30% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 755,924 people, 246,828 households, and 193,513 families residing in the town. The population density is 2,433.0/km² (6,301.3/mi²). There are 252,286 housing units at an average density of 812.0/km² (2,103.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 74.65% White, 14.78% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 3.53% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.50% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. 11.46% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 246,828 households out of which 36.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.2% are married couples living together, 12.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% are non-families. 18.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.02 and the average family size is 3.41.

In the town the population is spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $68,083, and the median income for a family is $77,147. Males have a median income of $50,818 versus $36,334 for females. The per capita income for the town is $28,153. 5.8% of the population and 4.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.6% of those under the age of 18 and 5.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Communities in the Town of Hempstead

Villages

• 1. Atlantic Beach
  2. Bellerose
  3. Cedarhurst
  4. East Rockaway
  5. Floral Park (This village is shared with the Town of North Hempstead.)
  6. Freeport
  7. Garden City (This village is shared with the Town of North Hempstead.)
  8. Hempstead (village)
  9. Hewlett Bay Park
  10. Hewlett Harbor
  11. Hewlett Neck
  12. Island Park
  13. Lawrence
  14. Lynbrook
  15. Malverne
  16. Mineola (This village is shared with the Town of North Hempstead.)
  17. New Hyde Park (This village is shared with the Town of North Hempstead.)
  18. Rockville Centre
  19. South Floral Park
  20. Stewart Manor
  21. Valley Stream
  22. Woodsburgh

Hamlets (Unincorporated communities)

• 1. Elmont
  2. Garden City South
  3. Oceanside
  4. Roosevelt
  5. South Hempstead
  6. Wantagh
  7. Woodmere

Other locations

• Hempstead Lake State Park
• Valley Stream State Park

See also

• Town of Oyster Bay
• Town of North Hempstead

External links

• Town of Hempstead, NY
• Town of Hempstead information
• Town of Hempstead history