Wantagh, NY

Wantagh, New York

Introduction to Wantagh, New York

Wantagh, New York, in Nassau county, is 2 miles S of Levittown, New York and 24 miles E of New York, New York. The town is considered part of the Nassau- Suffolk metropolitan area. Wantagh has a population of 18,971.

Wantagh History

The region was originally inhabited by the Algonquin Native Americans of the Merokee tribe. European settlers arrived in the area for the first time in the 17th century. The Jackson and Seaman families are credited to be the first European settlers in the region. The town was initially named "Jerusalem." This name was changed to "Ridgewood" in the 1880s. It was later christened "Wantagh" in honor of the Merokee chief who lived in the area in 1647. Initially a farming community, Wantagh gradually developed into a tourist spot and then a suburban town following the construction of the Long Island Railroad in the 1880s, the establishment Jones Beach and the Sunrise Highway in the early 20th Century and the housing development in the mid-20th century.

Wantagh and nearby Attractions

• Twin Lakes Preserve
• Forest City Community Park
• Wantagh Museum of the Wantagh Preservation Society
• Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center
• Tackapausha Museum and Preserve
• Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

Things To Do In Wantagh

The Wantagh Museum of the Wantagh Preservation Society houses the original Long Island Railroad Stationhouse of Wantagh, the original Wantagh Post Office building and a 1912 LIRR car known as Jamaica. The Roslyn Grist Mill, the Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Park, the Amityville Historical Society-Lauder Museum, the Hofstra Museum and the Cradle of Aviation Museum are also close by. Local golfers can enjoy a round at the Merrick Road Park Golf Club. Jones Beach State Park features over 6 miles of white sandy beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The beach has a 2-mile long boardwalk, picnic areas, concession facilities, a pitch and putt golf course and opportunities for surfing. The Mill Pond Park has a paved trail for joggers. Other popular local attractions include the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.

Wantagh Transportation

John F. Kennedy International is the nearest major airport.

Wantagh Higher Education

Hofstra University, Nassau Community College and SUNY Farmingdale are some of the local colleges and universities.

High Points

Wantagh strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in New York):

Category	Trophy
Low Rate of Poverty (vs. Peers)	Top 1%
Public Transportation Use (vs. Peers)	Top 2%
People in Middle Class or Better (vs. Peers)	Top 4%
Median Family Income (vs. Peers)	Top 7%
College Educated Adults (vs. Peers)	Top 17%

Comparative Profile of Wantagh, NY

Comparing Wantagh to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in New York (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Children Under 5 Years Old
Well-Paid Single Men
Well-Paid Single Women
Age of the Population
Male Share of the Population
Senior Citizens
Racial Diversity
Female Share of the Population

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Portion of People Married
Average Household Size

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People Above Poverty
People in Middle Class or Better
Median Family Income
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Public Transportation Use
Working at Home
Walking and Biking to Work
Short Commute Times

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Housing Recently Built
Affordability of Rents
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
People Living Alone
Affordability of Property Taxes

Wantagh Almanac

Wantagh Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Wantagh Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Wantagh, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Wantagh Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Wantagh High Schools (2004)

WANTAGH SHS
3297 BELTAGH AVE
516-679-6401
Serves 968 students.

Wantagh Colleges

(List of All New York Colleges)

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