New York's 3rd congressional district

New York's 3rd congressional district
Name	New York's 3rd congressional district
Representative	Tom Suozzi
Party	Democratic
Residence	Glen Cove
Established	1789
Region	Northwestern Long Island
Population	777,220
Population year	2022
Ethnicity	65.5% White, 18.8% Asian, 8.5% Hispanic, 4.5% Black
Cpvi	D+2

Contents

History
Geography
Demographics
Recent election results
List of representatives

New York's 3rd congressional district is a U.S. House district located on Long Island. It encompasses parts of Nassau County and Queens, including communities like Great Neck, Port Washington, and Glen Cove. The district is currently represented by Democrat Tom Suozzi, who won a special election in February 2024. It is considered a politically competitive swing district.

History

The district was one of the original congressional districts created in 1789, with its early representatives including prominent Federalists like Egbert Benson. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, its boundaries shifted across New York City and Long Island, at times representing areas of Manhattan and Brooklyn. A significant modern realignment occurred after the 1990 United States census, drawing it into suburban Nassau County. The district gained national attention during the 2008 election when Democrat Steve Israel unseated longtime Republican incumbent Peter T. King, though King later represented a neighboring district. Following the 2020 United States census, a court-ordered redistricting in 2022 significantly altered its composition, incorporating northeastern Queens and creating a more competitive electoral landscape, setting the stage for the 2022 election won by George Santos.

Geography

The district covers a portion of northwestern Long Island, stretching from the Long Island Sound southward. It includes the North Shore communities of Great Neck, Port Washington, Roslyn, Manhasset, and Glen Cove in Nassau County. The district also crosses into New York City, encompassing northeastern Queens neighborhoods such as Whitestone, Bayside, and Douglaston–Little Neck. Key geographic features include the Hempstead Harbor and proximity to major transportation corridors like the Long Island Expressway and the Port Washington Branch of the Long Island Rail Road.

Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 data, the district has a population of approximately 777,000. The racial and ethnic composition is predominantly White (65.5%), with significant Asian (18.8%) and Hispanic (8.5%) communities, and a smaller Black (4.5%) population. The district is one of the most affluent in the nation, with a high median household income and educational attainment; areas like Great Neck and Manhasset are notably wealthy. Major religious groups include Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant communities. The economy is largely driven by professional services, healthcare, education, and retail, with many residents commuting to Manhattan.

Recent election results

The district has been highly competitive in recent federal elections. In the 2022 election, Republican George Santos defeated Democrat Robert Zimmerman by a narrow margin. Following Santos's expulsion from the House after a House Ethics Committee investigation, a special election was held in February 2024. Former Representative Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, won the election against Republican Mazi Pilip, reclaiming the seat for his party. In presidential politics, the district voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 election and Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, though by closer margins than in other parts of New York.

List of representatives