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 the City of New York. The population was 35,265 at the time of the 2020 census.
Elmont has tried incorporating itself as a village multiple times, but has been unable to successfully do so.
History
In 1650, Christopher and Thomas Foster purchased a large plot of land. The Fosters' land was controlled by Dutch settlers. The Fosters 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, descendants of Sephardic 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 EnglishProtestantfarmers, 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 created, leading to conflict over land, and monies owed as a result of Elmont's boundary shift from Queens.
The population of Catholics residing in Foster's Meadow, accordingly, grew. The Church of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ was built in 1852, during the Wittelsbach Dynasty. The Roman Catholic Church was re-dedicated as Saint BonifaceRoman CatholicParish, in honor of the Patron Saint of Germany, in 1857. The Parish provided a focal point for the gradual development of a Catholic population base. Rev. Peter Hartraub was the founding pastor, and was 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 Jr. and former Secretary of the NavyWilliam 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 Oaklands, 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 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.
After the Second World War, Elmont hosted widespread development of attractive suburban tract homes. Many of these homes were constructed with a brick-veneer ground story in variations of the Cape Cod style, particularly around Dutch Broadway. On Hempstead Turnpike, older smaller shingled homes cluster near Belmont Park.
In 2017, New York State's Development Corporation (Empire State Development) issued a Request for Proposals for a part of the Belmont Park Property to redevelop land on the property that would enhance the Park and surrounding communities. The two bidders for the site were New York City FC and the New York Islanders.[2] On December 19, 2017, various news reports surfaced, indicating that the state of New York had selected the Islanders' bid. On December 20, 2017, a news conference was held confirming those reports and a deal had been secured. Speakers included NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. The result was construction of UBS Arena to become the new home arena for the Islanders. The arena opened in fall 2021.
Failed incorporation attempts
Elmont has made many attempts over the years to incorporate itself as a village.[3] It first attempted incorporating in 1931 but was unable to do so. The same thing happened in 1940, and again in 1949. By the time the latter two attempts were made, the Nassau County charter had been amended, so as to mandate that any new village incorporated within the county after 1938 adhere to Nassau County's zoning laws.[3]
Elmont is on the border between Nassau County and the New York City borough of Queens, earning it the nickname "The Gateway to Long Island."[citation needed]
Elmont has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and average monthly temperatures range from 32.3°F in January to 75.3°F in July.[10][11][12] Precipitation is uniform throughout the year, with slight spring and fall peaks.[11][12]
Elmont CDP, New York – Racial and ethnic compositionNote: 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 may be of any race.
Elmont is the second most diverse suburb in New York State.[18] 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.[4]
2000 census
Residential area in December 2013
At the 2000 census,[19] there were 32,657 people, 12,902 households and 10,842 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 9,589.9 inhabitants per square mile (3,702.7/km2). There were 10,151 housing units at an average density of 2,980.9 per square mile (1,150.9/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 45.6% White, 34.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 9.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.69% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.3% of the population.
There were 10,902 households, of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.29 and the average family size was 3.68.
26.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.
Ethnic groups
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2025)
In 1984, a bilingual education coordinator for the Elmont elementary school district stated that the majority of the people in Elmont were Italian American.[20]
As of 1998[update], the areas of Elmont within the Sewanhaka Central High School District were assigned to attend Sewanhaka High School for grades seven through twelve.[22]
Private schools
St. Boniface Roman Catholic School (of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre) was in Elmont. It was Long Island's first Roman Catholic school.[22] The school was predominately German American on its founding and was heavily White American until the 1950s; after that point, more ethnic minorities became prominent in the student body. It closed in June 2004.[23] In the 1980s, a St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School existed.[20]
Transportation
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. The Elmont station opened for eastbound trains in November 2021 and thence for westbound trains in October 2022.[24][25][26][27]
↑ Harrison, Nancy. "Rap Group's Name No Enigma"Archived August 8, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , The New York Times, March 3, 1991. Accessed August 7, 2017. "All five members of the Young Black Teen-Agers grew up in mixed or black neighborhoods. They are the lead vocalist Kamron, for King Aries Mack Ruler of the Nuckleheads, of Freeport; Mr. Never; Firstborn, of Brooklyn, and D. J. Skribble and A.T.A., for Attitude Times Ability, both of Elmont."
↑ Herrmann, Mark. "On top by staying on ball"Archived August 8, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , Newsday, May 16, 2005. Accessed August 7, 2017. "It is part of the latest upward bounce for the former Donna Chait of Elmont and Queens College (Class of '78)."
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
United States 
New York 
.png){kind=link}