kids encyclopedia robot

Elmont, New York facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Elmont, New York
Elmont Memorial High School in 2010.
Elmont Memorial High School in 2010.
Location in Nassau County and the state of New York.
Location in Nassau County and the state of New York.
Elmont, New York is located in New York
Elmont, New York
Elmont, New York
Location in New York
Country  United States
State  New York
County  Nassau County, New York
Town Hempstead
Area
 • Total 3.4 sq mi (8.8 km2)
 • Land 3.4 sq mi (8.8 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation
39 ft (12 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 35,265
 • Density 10,370/sq mi (4,007/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
11003
Area code(s) 516
FIPS code 36-24273
GNIS feature ID 0949582
Belmont10 1999-05
Arched windows of the Belmont grandstand and tote board in 1999 photo
Covert Ave Sch Elmont jeh
Covert Avenue School

Elmont is an unincorporated hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) located in northwestern Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, United States, along its border with the borough of Queens in New York City. The population was 35,265 at the 2020 census.

The hamlet is famous for Belmont Park which hosts the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing. Elmont is also home to UBS Arena, home of the NHL's New York Islanders.

Elmont has tried incorporating itself as a village multiple times over the years, but has been unable to successfully do so.

History

In 1650, Christopher and Thomas Foster purchased a large plot of land. The Foster's land was controlled by Dutch settlers from the Holy Roman Empire, under the Habsburg Dynasty-House of Lorraine (1524). The Foster's were intended to raise cattle, and sheep on their newly settled land, the Hempstead Plains of Long Island. They named this place "Foster's Meadow"—a name which would remain for the next 200 years of the village's history.

By the mid-17th century, ethnic descendents of Sephardi Jews were settling on the Hempstead Plains for Agriculture. Control of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam shifted to England in 1664. This marked the first gradual cultural shift in Foster's Meadow with the establishment of a community of predominantly English Protestant farmers, and their families. In 1683, Long Island was divided into three counties, Kings, Queens, and Suffolk County. Under this new structure, Foster's Meadow was originally part of Queens County. During 1790 George Washington passed through the town while touring to the East on Long Island. The current boundaries of Elmont were decided upon in 1898; at this point, Nassau County was erected, leading to conflict over land, and monies owed as a result of Elmont's boundary shift from Queens.

It was during the mid-19th century, that Foster's Meadow experienced its second cultural shift. There was an influx of Roman Catholic, and Ashkenazi Jewish agricultural farmers from Brooklyn, and Middle Village to the West. These ethnic groups were largely of German, and Italian descent practicing both Roman Catholicism, and Judaism. Indeed, the Catholic population in Foster's Meadow grew to an extent. The Church of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, was built during the Wittelsbach Dynasty in 1852. The Roman Catholic Church was re-dedicated Saint Boniface Roman Catholic Parish, in honor of the Patron Saint of Germany in 1857. The Parish was providing a focal point for the gradual development of a Catholic population base. Rev. Peter Hartraub was essentially the founding pastor, and appointed the first resident pastor of Foster's Meadow in 1858. Rev. Peter Hartraub built a new rectory, and in 1887 a new school with four classrooms on the first floor, and an auditorium on the second. The Dominican Sisters were invited to teach in the Catholic School, and they built a Convent on parish land donated to them.

The community underwent its next political reshuffling in 1882, being subdivided into districts with unique names and boundaries (including Alden Manor and Locustwood); it was at this time that Foster's Meadow was renamed Elmont. In 1902, a syndicate headed by August Belmont II and former Secretary of the Navy William C. Whitney sought land on Long Island to build the most elaborate racetrack in America, one modeled after the great race courses of Europe. They found what they were looking for on the border of Queens County and Nassau County. Belmont Racetrack, was arguably the most significant milestone in the development of modern-day Elmont. Originally known as Foster's Meadow, the 650 acres of land included a turreted Tudor-Gothic mansion owned by William de Forest Manice, which was to serve as the track's Turf and Field Club until 1956.

With the opening of Belmont Park in 1905, Elmont reached a turning point in its history. The farms were sold, and subdivided for houses. Most of the new homes were owned by people, who worked at Belmont Racetrack. Many businesses were formed on Hempstead Turnpike, to support the blooming suburban location. By 1915, the Racetrack was opened to the public, attracting both visitors and migrant workers to the area. Housing developments, and businesses grew in the area surrounding the racetrack to meet the needs of these workers; this process of development to meet the workers' needs continued in successive waves, ultimately representing a shift in Elmont from rural farmland to suburbia.

Belmont Racetrack, hosted the first air race ever in the United States of America. The Wright brothers Wilbur and Orville in 1910, staged an international aerial competition at Belmont Park that drew 150,000 spectators. This air race was featured from Elmont, Nassau County, to the Statue of Liberty, and back to Belmont Park.

The United States Postal Service in 1918, delivered their first inter-city Air Mail Service between New York City, and Washington, D.C.. Belmont Park in Elmont, Nassau County, was designated as the delivery terminal for New York.

Belmont Park was the site of "War Relief Day" in 1940 to benefit the American Red Cross and in 1943 hosted "Back the Attack" Day, wherein fans had to buy a war bond to gain admission to the track. Total receipts that day were between $25 million and $30 million. Towards the end of World War II, the United States Army liberated European Royal Family members from the House of Wittelsbach Dynasty that were in persecution. Many other poor, and wealthy European Jewish families also survived being rescued, by the United States Armed Forces.

Since after the war, Elmont, Long Island was now creating a new widespread development of attractive suburban tract homes. Many of these homes, were constructed with a brick-veneer ground story, over basement in variations of the Cape Cod style, down towards Dutch Broadway in Elmont. While up on Hempstead Turnpike to the East, older smaller shingled homes cluster near Belmont Park.

Transportation

Elmont is located on the border of Nassau County and the New York City borough of Queens.

Closest airports include:

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) provides race-day-only passenger service to Belmont Park from Jamaica and Penn Station. Elmont is near the Floral Park, New Hyde Park and Valley Stream stations of the LIRR's Main Line, which provide regular commuter service to NYC. A new year-round Elmont station has been added for the Main Line and opened on November 21, 2021 with Hempstead Branch trains providing virtually all service for same.

The Nassau Inter-County Express bus system serves Elmont with routes n1 (Elmont Road/Central Ave.), and n6 on Hempstead Turnpike (near Belmont Park Racetrack) for connections to the LIRR, the New York City Subway, and MTA Regional Bus Operations.

Elmont is located at the junction of the Cross Island Parkway and Southern State Parkway, providing quick access to the Long Island parkway system. Elmont is about 7 miles (11 km) from the Long Island Expressway and 10 miles (16 km) from the Throgs Neck Bridge for travel upstate.

Geography

Elmont-ny-map
U.S. Census Map

Elmont is located on the south shore of Long Island.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2), all land.

Elmont is on the Queens (NYC)/Nassau County border, earning it the name "The Gateway to Long Island."

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
2000 32,657
2010 33,198 1.7%
2020 35,265 6.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
2010 2020

2020 census

Elmont CDP, New York - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 6,494 4,282 19.56% 12.14%
Black or African American alone (NH) 14,587 15,460 43.94% 43.84%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 98 102 0.30% 0.29%
Asian alone (NH) 3,609 5,290 10.87% 15.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 8 15 0.02% 0.04%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 450 784 1.36% 2.22%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 716 1,308 2.16% 3.71%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7,236 8,024 21.80% 22.75%
Total 33,198 35,265 100.00% 100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

2010 census

Elmont is the second most diverse suburb in New York State. At the 2010 census the population was 33,198. The makeup of the population was 28.5% White, 45.5% African American, 0.5% Native American, 10.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 10.4% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.8% of the population.

Rise in Household Income

The community has continued to see a rise in median income since the issuance of the 2010 census indicating a surge of affluence. In 2010, the median household income was $80,356. According to the 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, the median household income is $100,923.

Climate

Elmont has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and average monthly temperatures range from 32.3 °F in January to 75.3 °F in July. [1] The hardiness zone is 7b.

Houses of worship

  • St. Boniface (Roman Catholic)
  • Cathedral of St. Vincent De Paul (Syro-Malankara and Roman Catholic)
  • Elmont Jewish Center (Orthodox)
  • Muhammadi Masjid (Muslim)
  • Temple B'nai Israel of Elmont (Reform)
  • Shiva Vishnu Vedic Temple (Hindu)
  • Dharma Green Island Buddhist Monastery (Buddhist)
  • ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple (Hindu)
  • St. Paul's German Presbyterian Church and Cemetery
  • Elmont Temple SDA church (seventh day adventist)

Education

Elmont is served mainly by the nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, Elmont Memorial High School which is part of the Sewanhaka Central High School District.

Only a small section of Elmont is zoned to Sewanhaka High School. Most students who attend live in the villages of Floral Park and Stewart Manor.

Elmont Memorial High School, former lacrosse powerhouse, recently was recognized as having the largest percentage of African-American high school students receive a "3" or higher on Advanced Placement tests nationally. In 2004, it had a graduation rate of 100 percent which was a first for the Sewanhaka Central High School District.

Elmont Memorial is also known for having its award-winning Model United Nations club. Elmont's Model UN team is known for beating thousands of high schools in the conferences that they attend.

Sewanhaka High School is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best high schools in the state of New York and the nation. Some students can also attend the other high schools in the district for special programs.

The Elmont Union Free School District provides primary school education for Elmont residents. In 2005, the Elmont Union Free School District was recognized by the New York State Comptroller as one of 5 out of 52 districts cited as "well managed."

Closest schools

Closest elementary schools

  • Dutch Broadway School (Grades K-6, Students: 997)
  • Clara H. Carlson School (Grades K-6, Students: 885)
  • Gotham Avenue School (Grades K-6, Students: 589)
  • Covert Avenue School (Grades K-6, Students: 700)
  • Alden Terrace School (Grades K-6, Students: 550)
  • Stewart Manor School (Grades K-6, Students: 344)

Closest high schools

  • Elmont Memorial High School (Grades 7–12, Students: 2,346)
  • H. Frank Carey High School (Grades 7–12, Students: 1,831)
  • New Hyde Park Memorial High School (Grades 7–12, Students: 1,655)
  • Sewanhaka High School (Grades 7–12, Students: 1,567)
  • Floral Park Memorial High School (Grades 7–12, Students: 1,510)

Closest colleges and universities

  • Molloy College (Rockville Centre, NY)
  • Nassau Community College (Full-time Enrollment: 13,710; 5 miles (8.0 km), Garden City, NY)
  • Adelphi University (Full-time Enrollment: 5,300; 5 miles (8.0 km), Garden City, NY)
  • CUNY Queensborough Community College (Full Time Enrollment: 7,431; 6 miles (9.7 km), New York, NY)
  • St. John's University-New York (Full Time Enrollment: 15,070; 7 miles (11 km), Jamaica, New York, NY)
  • Hofstra University (Full Time Enrollment: 10,842; 8 miles (13 km), Hempstead, NY)
  • CUNY Queens College (Full Time Enrollment: 10, 278; 9 miles (14 km), Flushing, New York, NY)

Notable people

  • Cara Castronuova (born 1980), Italian Chinese Filipino American actress, reality TV star, sports announcer, and two-time Golden Gloves boxing champion once ranked #2 nationally by USA Boxing. Certified as a boxing coach by the New York State Athletic Commission, she is also a personal trainer certified by ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association). Popularly known as one of the celebrity trainers on Season 11 of NBC's The Biggest Loser (American TV series), Cara is also the founder of the charity Knockout Obesity Foundation.
  • Jordan Dangerfield (born 1990), NFL football player
  • Nelson DeMille, author.
  • DJ Skribble (born 1968), Italian American DJ, music producer, remixer, radio personality, and actor.
  • Mike Gallo (born 1975), Italian American bass guitarist, Punk Rock & Paintbrushes charity artist, and music producer with American rock & roll NYHC bands Agnostic Front, Murphy's Law, Stigma, and On The Rise.
  • Delila Hernandez (born 1984), French Puerto Rican American singer-songwriter, bass & acoustic guitars, piano player, and music producer with American rock & roll band The Last Internationale.
  • Andy Kaufman (born 1949), Jewish American sketch comedy Saturday Night Live actor was laid to rest in Beth David Cemetery.
  • Bob LeRose, advertising artist and comic book colorist for DC Comics.
  • Donna Orender (née Geils) (born 1957), Women's Pro Basketball League All-Star and WNBA commissioner.
  • Ryan Penagos (born 1981), Vice President & Creative Executive for Marvel Entertainment, actor, and producer of Marvel New Media digital content. He is often the face of Marvel digital communications to fans, including hosting livestreams, podcasts, and video series. In November 2021 Ryan was picked to host the livestream premiere of Marvel Games’ Marvel Future Revolution.
  • Dennis Peron (born 1945) Italian American Vietnam War veteran, 1964 Sewanhaka alumni, co-authored Proposition 215, The Compassionate Use Act of 1996. Prop. 215 passed with 5,382,915 (55.6%) majority votes in favor, and was enacted on November 5, 1996.
  • Marco Rivera (born 1972), National Football League offensive lineman.
  • Bob Rozakis, comic book writer for DC Comics, editor, and creator of Bumblebee, the Calculator and Mister E, co-creator of 'Mazing Man and Hero Hotline.
  • Vinny Testaverde (born 1963), NFL quarterback and Heisman Award winner.
  • Josh Tilotta (born 1979), Italian American guitarist, backing vocals, and music producer with American rock & roll NYHC bands Stigma, Last Call Brawl, and Pledge Of Resistance.
  • Maju Varghese, attorney and director of the White House Military Office

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Elmont (Nueva York) para niños

kids search engine
Elmont, New York Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.