Levittown, New York

Levittown, New York
source
Name	Levittown
Settlement type	Census-designated place
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New York
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Nassau
Subdivision type3	Town
Subdivision name3	Hempstead
Subdivision type4	Town
Subdivision name4	Oyster Bay

Levittown, New York. A census-designated place located primarily within the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, with a small portion in the Town of Oyster Bay, on Long Island. It is widely recognized as one of the first modern suburbs in the United States, a post-World War II mass-produced housing development constructed by Levitt & Sons. The community became a national symbol of the American Dream and the G.I. Bill's promise of affordable homeownership for the booming generation of returning World War II veterans and their families.

History

The community was developed beginning in 1947 by William Levitt and his company, Levitt & Sons, on former potato fields purchased from the Nassau County firm of J. Rufus Townsend. Utilizing assembly line techniques adapted from Henry Ford and General Motors, the company constructed over 17,000 nearly identical Cape Cod and Ranch-style homes, revolutionizing the American housing market. The development's restrictive covenants, which initially barred sales to African Americans, led to significant controversy and were the subject of a landmark 1949 lawsuit, Hurd v. Hodge, and protests by activists like Daisy Myers. The rapid construction and marketing of Levittown served as a primary model for subsequent suburbanization across the United States, profoundly influencing national demographics, consumer culture, and political landscapes.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.3 square miles, all of it land. It is situated on the Hempstead Plains of western Long Island, bordered by communities such as Bethpage, Farmingdale, and Wantagh. The area is part of the Atlantic coastal plain and features a relatively flat topography with a network of winding residential streets and small parks. Major roadways serving the area include the Wantagh State Parkway and Hempstead Turnpike, which provide connections to New York City and other parts of Long Island.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, Levittown had a population of 51,758. The racial makeup was predominantly non-Hispanic White, with growing Asian American and Hispanic or Latino communities. The median household income historically exceeds the averages for both Nassau County and New York State, reflecting its origins as a stable, middle-class enclave. The population density is high for a suburban area, a direct result of the original high-density planning by Levitt & Sons. Demographic studies, including those by the Brookings Institution, have tracked its evolution from a homogeneous post-war community to a more diverse suburb.

Government and infrastructure

As an unincorporated area, local government services are provided by the Town of Hempstead and the Town of Oyster Bay. Residents are represented in the Nassau County Legislature and by their respective U.S. Congressional districts. Law enforcement is primarily the responsibility of the Nassau County Police Department. Essential infrastructure includes the Long Island Power Authority for electricity and the Nassau County Department of Public Works for major road maintenance. The community is served by several branches of the Nassau Library System, including the Levittown Public Library.

Education

Public education is administered by the Levittown Union Free School District, which operates multiple elementary schools, middle schools, and two high schools: Division Avenue High School and Island Trees High School. The district is overseen by the New York State Education Department and the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. Several parochial schools, such as those affiliated with the Diocese of Rockville Centre, also operate within the area. For higher education, residents have access to nearby institutions like Nassau Community College and Farmingdale State College.

Notable people

Notable individuals who have lived in Levittown include Eddie Money, the Grammy Award-nominated rock and roll singer; Bill O'Reilly, former host of The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News; and Lydia Lunch, an influential no wave musician and actress. Ray Romano, star of the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, also spent part of his childhood in the community. In sports, National Hockey League player Jimmy Hayes was raised in Levittown.

Category:Census-designated places in New York (state) Category:Populated places in Nassau County, New York Category:Suburbs of New York City