East Meadow

East Meadow, New York
—  CDP  —
Location within the state of New York
Coordinates: 40°42′49″N 73°33′21″W / 40.71361°N 73.55583°W / 40.71361; -73.55583Coordinates: 40°42′49″N 73°33′21″W / 40.71361°N 73.55583°W / 40.71361; -73.55583
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Nassau
Area
- Total	6.3 sq mi (16.3 km2)
- Land	6.3 sq mi (16.3 km2)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	72 ft (22 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	37,461
- Density	5,955.0/sq mi (2,299.2/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	11554
Area code(s)	516
FIPS code	36-22502
GNIS feature ID	0973378

East Meadow is a hamlet (and census-designated place or CDP) in Nassau County (Long Island), New York, United States. East Meadow is an unincorporated area of the Town of Hempstead. Its name is derived from being the meadow of Hempstead Plains east of the Meadow Brook (originally a brook, now replaced by a parkway of the same name). Located just 30 miles (48 km) from downtown Manhattan and with approximately 86% of residents commuting to work, East Meadow is a thriving suburb of New York City.

The population was 37,461 at the 2000 census.

East Meadow's postal ZIP code is 11554, and its telephone area code is 516.

History

In 1655, two surveyors for Hempstead Town reported that the "east meadow" would be suitable for grazing. The area quickly became a grazing area for cattle and later, in the 1700s, for sheep. The sheep of the East Meadow, NY area provided the country with more than 50% of the United States' wool needs during that time.

During the American Revolutionary War, East Meadow was occupied by British forces when they discovered the vast amounts of livestock herded there, and remained under their control until the end of the war.

Two large farms existed in what is now East Meadow: the Barnum farm (Barnum Woods), and the Carman farm.

It is rumored that President George Washington spent a night on the (Barnum) estate during a trip across Long Island in 1790.

A toll booth was operated near the Carman homestead on the Hempstead Turnpike.

Another early settlement was located near what is now the intersection of East Meadow Avenue (formerly called Newbridge Avenue; not to be confused with nearby Newbridge Road) and Prospect Avenue. The old Hoeffner homestead is now the site of veterans memorial park, and East Meadow's Post Office.

The (Barnum) estate was acquired by the Hoeffner family in 1914. Part of the old Barnum farm is now the site of Barnum Woods Elementary School, and the main road that passes by the school, Merrick Avenue, was originally called Barnum Avenue.

Carman Avenue is home to East Meadow High School, the Nassau County Correctional Facility, and the Nassau University Medical Center, the tallest building in Nassau County.

On March 11, 2004, President George W. Bush made a visit to East Meadow for the groundbreaking of a new memorial for the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Notable people

• Criss Angel, magician/illusionist, and stunt performer
• Arjun Atwal, PGA Tour golfer (high school)
• Joshua G. Berman, author/travel writer, multi-media journalist
• Adam Busch, actor/singer
• Matt Doherty, head college basketball coach at Southern Methodist University, University of North Carolina and Notre Dame
• Julius Erving, basketball player
• William Fichtner, actor
• Richard Greenberg, Broadway playwright (Take Me Out, A Naked Girl on the Appian Way, The American Plan)
• Brandon Moore, NFL linebacker
• Rob Moore, NFL wide receiver
• Sterling Morrison, guitarist & back-up singer with The Velvet Underground
• Rich Ohrnberger, National Football League offensive lineman
• Fred Reinfeld, chess player/author (resident of; died in)
• Joel Rifkin, American serial killer
• Darren Romeo, Illusionist and Magician. Sole protegé of Siegfried and Roy.
• Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States (childhood resident)
• Louis Sachar, author
• Matt Serra, mixed martial artist, and the former UFC Welterweight Champion
• Nick Serra, mixed martial artist, former UFC contender
• Jenna Ushkowitz, Actress, Glee (TV series)
• Christina Frosos, Local student
• Frank Viola, former Major League Baseball pitcher, winner of 1988 Cy Young Award.
• Leslie West (1945-), of the hard rock group Mountain.^[1]

Education

East Meadow's nine public schools are operated by the East Meadow Union Free School District. The district was organized in 1814 under the name "Brushy Plains," and at one time was the third largest school district in New York State. The first school building was on Front Street (where the East Meadow Public Library building stands today).

Elementary schools

• Barnum Woods
• Bowling Green
• George H. McVey (previously Meadowlawn)
• Meadowbrook
• Parkway

Middle schools

• Woodland
• W. Tresper Clarke

High schools

• East Meadow High School
• W. Tresper Clarke High School

Defunct schools

• Front Street School, once located at the corner of Front Street & East Meadow Avenue, burned down and replaced by the East Meadow Public Library.
• Prospect Avenue School, once located on the corner of Coakley Street & Prospect Avenue; students now go to Barnum Woods.
• Newbridge Road Elementary School, once located on Newbridge Road, between 7th Avenue & Lawn Drive, has been converted to condominiums. The concrete engraving reading "District No. 3 Public School" remains intact on the front of the building, now the Heritage Square apartments.
• McCleary Junior High School, previously Meadowbrook Junior High School, was located on Newbridge Road, in the lot adjacent to East Meadow's Wal-Mart. Has been replaced by a housing development.
• Salisbury School, building now serves as the district offices and alternative school
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School (St. Raphael's Parish)

Demographics

As of 2006 U.S. Census Estimates the demographics were:

• 78.8% White
• 11.7% Hispanic or Latino
• 8.9% Asian
• 3.0% African American
• 0.1% Native American
• 8.4% other races
• 0.9% two or more races

As of the census of 2000, there were 37,461 people, 12,186 households, and 9,651 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 5,955.0 per square mile (2,299.5/km²). There were 12,375 housing units at an average density of 1,967.2/sq mi (759.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.3% White, 4.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 6.7% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.0% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.0% of the population. The ancestries of residents of East Meadow are Italian (28.5%), Irish (17.5%), German (11.8%), Polish (8.8%), Russian (5.8%), United States (5.0%).

Of the 12,186 households, 35.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.2% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94, and the average family size was 3.34.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $67,185, and the median income for a family was $74,691 (these figures had risen to $86,582 and $97,057 respectively as of a 2007 estimate^[2]). Males had a median income of $50,325, versus $35,422 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $27,076. About 2.3% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

For population 25 years and over

• High school or higher: 86.5%
• Bachelor's degree or higher: 29.0%
• Graduate or professional degree: 12.8%
• Unemployed: 3.3%
• Mean travel time to work: 31.0 minutes

For population 15 years and over

• Never married: 21.7%
• Now married: 63.9%
• Separated: 1.3%
• Widowed: 7.9%
• Divorced: 5.3%

Geography

East Meadow is located within the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County on Long Island in New York State in the United States. It is located at 40°42′49″N 73°33′21″W / 40.713739°N 73.555823°W / 40.713739; -73.555823 (40.713739, -73.555823).^[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.3 km²), of which, 6.3 square miles (16.3 km²) of it is land and 0.16% is water.

East Meadow is generally flat, and the elevation ranges from 32 feet near its southwestern edge, to 82 feet along Hempstead Turnpike to the north.

Almost no actual meadow remains in East Meadow or the Hempstead Plain, due to the boom of post-World War II development and later, unchecked suburban sprawl.

Landmarks

The most prominent features are the town's water tower and hospital, the Nassau University Medical Center which dominates the "skyline." The Nassau County Jail, East Meadow Public Library, Mitchel Manor military housing complex, and Eisenhower Park, which includes the attraction Safety Town, are also located in East Meadow.

References

Sources

• East Meadow, Its Past and Present, published in 1976 by the East Meadow Public Library
• East Meadow, Yesterday & Today, by Mary Louise Clarke, available at the East Meadow Public Library

External links

• East Meadow Kiwanis
• East Meadow Chamber of Commerce
• Telephone Exchange Names

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