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Roslyn, New York
Downtown Roslyn, as seen from Main Street and Old Northern Boulevard in 2020.
Downtown Roslyn, as seen from Main Street and Old Northern Boulevard in 2020.
Nickname(s): 
"The Village"; "Historic Roslyn"
Location in Nassau County and the state of New York
Location in Nassau County and the state of New York
Roslyn, New York is located in Long Island
Roslyn, New York
Roslyn, New York
Location in Long Island
Roslyn, New York is located in New York
Roslyn, New York
Roslyn, New York
Location in New York
Country  United States
State  New York
County Nassau
Town North Hempstead
Settled 1643
Incorporated January 11, 1932
Named for Roslin, Scotland
Area
 • Total 0.66 sq mi (1.70 km2)
 • Land 0.65 sq mi (1.67 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation
91 ft (30 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,988
 • Density 4,632.56/sq mi (1,788.17/km2)
Demonym(s) Roslynian
Roslynite
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
11576, 11577
Area codes 516, 363
FIPS code 36-63770
GNIS feature ID 0962929

Roslyn (pronounced ROZ-lin) is a small village in Nassau County, New York. It is located on the North Shore of Long Island. Roslyn is an important community in the larger Roslyn area. In 2020, about 2,988 people lived there.

Roslyn's Past: A Brief History

Roslyn was first settled by people in 1643. It was originally called Hempstead Harbor. However, its name was changed to Roslyn in 1844. This was because there were too many places named "Hempstead" on Long Island, causing confusion with mail. The new name "Roslyn" was chosen because the village's location in a valley reminded people of Roslin, Scotland.

Roslyn officially became a village on January 11, 1932. Albertson W. Hicks was elected as its first Mayor just two days later.

In the late 1940s, a large housing complex called Roslyn Gardens was built. It had 217 homes and was one of the first big rental housing projects in New York built with special government funding.

The Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower in Roslyn was finished in 1895. It was designed by famous architects Lamb and Rich. In 1995, the village bought the clock tower for just $1 to celebrate its 100th birthday. Also in 1995, the village opened its current Village Hall building.

Where is Roslyn?

Roslyn is a small village. The United States Census Bureau says it covers about 0.6 square miles (1.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small part being water.

Who Lives in Roslyn?

Roslyn has grown quite a bit over the years. Here's how its population has changed:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1940 972
1950 1,612 65.8%
1960 2,681 66.3%
1970 2,607 −2.8%
1980 2,134 −18.1%
1990 1,965 −7.9%
2000 2,570 30.8%
2010 2,770 7.8%
2020 2,988 7.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

Population Details from 2010

According to the 2010 census, most people living in Roslyn were White (86%). About 8.85% were Asian. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 11.2% of the population.

Arts and Fun in Roslyn

The Bryant Library, Roslyn, Long Island, New York October 14, 2021
The Bryant Library in 2021.

The Bryant Library is located right in Roslyn. This public library serves many people in the Roslyn area. It often holds fun and educational events for the community. The library also has a special center dedicated to local history.

Learning in Roslyn

School System

All children in Roslyn who go to public schools attend schools in the Roslyn Union Free School District. This means the village is fully covered by Roslyn's school system.

Library Services

The entire Village of Roslyn is part of the library district served by the Bryant Library. This means all residents can use the library's services.

Getting Around Roslyn

Roads and Driving

Roslyn Viaduct (4)
The William Cullen Bryant Viaduct connects with Flower Hill, Roslyn Estates, and Manhasset to the west.

The William Cullen Bryant Viaduct is a major road that goes through Roslyn. It helps traffic bypass the busy downtown area. Before this viaduct was built, the main road (Old Northern Boulevard) often had bad traffic jams.

Other important roads in the village include:

  • Bryant Avenue
  • East Broadway
  • Main Street
  • Old Northern Boulevard
  • Roslyn Road
  • West Shore Road

Train Travel

While there isn't a train station directly inside Roslyn village limits, the Long Island Rail Road's Roslyn station is very close by. It is now located just outside the village in Roslyn Heights. This station is served by the Oyster Bay Branch and is the closest train stop for Roslyn residents. The Oyster Bay Branch also forms part of the village's eastern border.

Bus Services

Roslyn is served by several Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) bus routes. These buses help people travel to different parts of the area.

Essential Services in Roslyn

Natural Gas

National Grid USA provides natural gas to homes and businesses in Roslyn that use it for heating and cooking.

Electricity

PSEG Long Island supplies electricity to all homes and businesses throughout Roslyn.

Water Supply

Roslyn Water District Business Office
The Roslyn Water District's business office, located within the Village of Roslyn.

The Roslyn Water District is responsible for providing clean water to all parts of Roslyn.

Waste Management

The Village of Roslyn has its own sewer system. This system collects wastewater from homes and businesses. The wastewater is then sent to Nassau County Sewage District treatment plants to be cleaned. In the past, wastewater was released into Hempstead Harbor, which caused pollution. Now, it is properly treated.

Famous People from Roslyn

Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Roslyn:

  • Deborah Asnis – A doctor who reported the first human cases of West Nile virus in the United States in 1999.
  • Nathan Banks – A scientist who studied insects and spiders.
  • Judy Steinberg Dean – A doctor and the wife of former Vermont Governor Howard Dean. She graduated from Roslyn High School.
  • Jesse Itzler – A successful business person, author, and co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks basketball team.
  • Lilly Pulitzer – A famous fashion designer.
  • Arthur Yorinks – An author and playwright, known for writing the book Hey, Al.

See also

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

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