Levittown, New York

Levittown, New York
source
Name	Levittown, New York
Settlement type	Hamlet and census-designated place
Coordinates	40°43′28″N 73°30′30″W
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New York
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Nassau

Levittown, New York is a hamlet and census-designated place located in Nassau County, within the Town of Hempstead, approximately 30 miles east of Manhattan, New York City. The community is named after William Levitt, who founded Levitt & Sons, the company that developed the area as a suburban community in the 1940s and 1950s, inspired by the Garden city movement and the ideas of Ebenezer Howard and Frank Lloyd Wright. The development of Levittown, Pennsylvania, and other similar communities, was influenced by the success of Levittown, New York, and the vision of William Levitt, who was also inspired by the Federal Housing Administration and the GI Bill. The community is situated near the Hempstead Plains, an area that was once home to the Matinecock Native American tribe and was later settled by English colonists, including John Carman and Robert Fordham.

Geography

The geography of the area is characterized by the Hempstead Plains, a flat, grassland region that was once home to the Matinecock Native American tribe. The community is located near the Nassau County-Suffolk County border, approximately 30 miles east of Manhattan, New York City, and is situated near the Wantagh Parkway and the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway. The area is also close to the Jones Beach State Park, a popular recreational park that was developed by Robert Moses, and the Bethpage State Park, which was designed by A.W. Tillinghast and has hosted several PGA Championships and U.S. Open tournaments, including the 2002 U.S. Open and the 2009 U.S. Open. The community is also near the Hempstead Lake State Park, a New York State park that was developed on the site of a former Hempstead Lake, and the Eisenhower Park, a Nassau County park that was named after Dwight D. Eisenhower.

History

The history of the area dates back to the 17th century, when it was settled by English colonists, including John Carman and Robert Fordham, who were attracted by the area's fertile soil and access to the Hempstead Harbor. The community was later developed as a suburban community in the 1940s and 1950s by William Levitt and Levitt & Sons, who built over 17,000 homes in the area, inspired by the Garden city movement and the ideas of Ebenezer Howard and Frank Lloyd Wright. The development of the community was influenced by the Federal Housing Administration and the GI Bill, and was designed to provide affordable housing for World War II veterans, including those who served in the United States Army and the United States Navy. The community was also influenced by the ideas of urban planners such as Lewis Mumford and Jane Jacobs, who advocated for the development of suburban communities with a strong sense of community and a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Demographics

The demographics of the area are characterized by a diverse population of over 50,000 people, with a mix of White, African American, Asian, and Hispanic residents, including those of Italian, Irish, and Jewish descent. The community is also home to a number of census-designated places, including North Levittown and East Meadow, which are located near the Nassau County-Suffolk County border. The area is served by the Levittown Union Free School District, which operates several schools, including Division Avenue High School and MacArthur High School, and is also home to the Nassau Community College, a public university that was founded in 1959 and is part of the State University of New York system.

Economy

The economy of the area is driven by a mix of retail, service, and manufacturing industries, including the health care and technology sectors, with major employers including Northwell Health and Cablevision. The community is also home to a number of small businesses and entrepreneurs, including those in the food industry and the construction industry. The area is served by the Long Island Rail Road, which provides access to Manhattan, New York City, and other parts of Long Island, and is also near the John F. Kennedy International Airport and the LaGuardia Airport, which provide access to domestic and international destinations.

Education

The education system in the area is served by the Levittown Union Free School District, which operates several schools, including Division Avenue High School and MacArthur High School, and is also home to the Nassau Community College, a public university that was founded in 1959 and is part of the State University of New York system. The community is also near the Hofstra University, a private university that was founded in 1935 and is known for its programs in business, law, and medicine, and the Adelphi University, a private university that was founded in 1896 and is known for its programs in arts, sciences, and health sciences. The area is also home to a number of libraries, including the Levittown Public Library, which was founded in 1950 and is part of the Nassau Library System.

Infrastructure

The infrastructure of the area includes a number of major roads and highways, including the Wantagh Parkway and the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway, which provide access to Manhattan, New York City, and other parts of Long Island. The community is also served by the Long Island Rail Road, which provides access to Manhattan, New York City, and other parts of Long Island, and is also near the John F. Kennedy International Airport and the LaGuardia Airport, which provide access to domestic and international destinations. The area is also home to a number of parks and recreational parks, including the Jones Beach State Park and the Eisenhower Park, which were developed by Robert Moses and offer a range of recreational activities, including swimming, fishing, and hiking. The community is also near the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, a multi-purpose stadium that was opened in 1972 and has hosted a number of events, including New York Islanders games and concerts by Elton John and Billy Joel.