Port Washington North
Quick Facts
County: Nassau County
Town: Town of North Hempstead
Zip Code: 11050
Approximate Population: 3,160 (2020 Census)
Incorporated: 1932 (Village)
Area: 0.50 square miles
Distance to Manhattan: ~20 miles
LIRR Station: Port Washington (terminus of the Port Washington Branch), approximately 1 mile south
Nearest Major Roadways: Shore Road, Middle Neck Road, Sands Point Road, Port Washington Boulevard (NY-101)
Community Overview
Port Washington North is an incorporated village on the Cow Neck Peninsula, located within the Greater Port Washington area. It covers approximately half a square mile and has a population of about 3,160. The village sits between Sands Point to the north, Manorhaven to the west, Baxter Estates to the south, and unincorporated Port Washington to the east and south.
The village was incorporated on May 16, 1932, after residents voted to form their own municipality rather than be annexed by the neighboring Village of Manorhaven, which had attempted to absorb the area in 1931. John Cocks, who led the incorporation effort, was elected the first mayor on August 2, 1932. In its early days, Cocks' Barn served as Village Hall and the village judge's residence at 41 Mill Pond Road doubled as the Village Office.
Port Washington North has a more varied character than many of the surrounding villages. It includes residential neighborhoods (most notably the Soundview Village section, with garden apartments and single-family homes), a commercial district (the Soundview Marketplace and Stop & Shop Plaza), light industrial and maritime business zones, and the Bay Walk Park waterfront. That mix of uses is unusual for a half-square-mile village on the North Shore and gives Port Washington North a more eclectic identity than its purely residential neighbors.
The village shares the 11050 zip code with Port Washington and is served by the Port Washington Union Free School District, the Port Washington Public Library, and the Port Washington Fire District. The Port Washington LIRR station is approximately 1 mile south.
The Mill Pond Historic District, located within the village, was designated in 1976 — though the original bronze marker placed on July 4, 1976, disappeared within 48 hours and had to be found and replaced by a Mill Pond resident.
Things to Do / Lifestyle & Amenities
Port Washington North has its own commercial district, centered on the Soundview Marketplace and the Stop & Shop Plaza. The Soundview Marketplace includes restaurants, cafes, retail shops, and services. Stop & Shop provides a full-size grocery option within the village. A Target store is also accessible nearby on Shore Road.
For the broader dining and shopping scene, Port Washington's Main Street is approximately 1 mile south, with over 50 restaurants, independent shops, the Dolphin Bookshop & Cafe, and the Landmark on Main Street performing arts center. North Shore Farms on Port Washington Boulevard provides an additional grocery option.
The Port Washington Public Library, which serves the village, offers extensive community programming and resources. HarborFest, held each June at the Town Dock in Port Washington, is one of the area's biggest annual events.
The village's maritime business district along the waterfront includes boat-related businesses, studios, and light industrial operations that reflect the peninsula's working-waterfront heritage.
Outdoor Recreation
Port Washington North's waterfront location on Manhasset Bay provides direct outdoor access.
Bay Walk Park
A waterfront walkway and park along Shore Road within the village, featuring public art installations, sculpture, and views of Manhasset Bay. Bay Walk Park connects to the Town Dock and the northern end of Port Washington's Main Street. A state-funded boardwalk project is underway to extend the connection south to Sunset Park in Baxter Estates.
Mill Pond
A historic pond within the village, surrounded by the Mill Pond Historic District. The pond and its surroundings provide a quiet natural setting.
Nearby Parks
Manorhaven Beach Park (20 acres, pool complex, beach, boat ramp) is immediately to the west in Manorhaven. North Hempstead Beach Park, Bar Beach Park, and the Sands Point Preserve (216 acres) are all within a short drive. Christopher Morley Park (98 acres) is south of Port Washington.
Nearby Communities
Port Washington North is part of the Greater Port Washington area. Sands Point borders to the north — Sands Point Road continues from Port Washington North into the village. Manorhaven is to the west along Manhasset Bay. Baxter Estates is to the south. Unincorporated Port Washington, with its Main Street and LIRR station, is to the east and south. Manhasset is accessible further south along Plandome Road.
For a broader look at all the communities we cover, visit our communities hub.
Commute to Manhattan
Port Washington North does not have its own LIRR station. Residents commute via the Port Washington station, approximately 1 mile south. The Port Washington Branch is the only LIRR line that runs directly to both Penn Station and Grand Central Madison without a transfer at Jamaica.
Nearest LIRR Station: Port Washington (terminus of the Port Washington Branch)
Distance to Station: ~1 mile from the center of the village
Branch: Port Washington Branch
Typical Travel Time to Penn Station: ~35 to 48 minutes depending on express vs. local
Service to Grand Central Madison: Direct, approximately hourly
Train Frequency: Every 15 to 30 minutes during peak hours; approximately every 30 minutes off-peak
Driving to Midtown Manhattan: Approximately 19 to 21 miles. Without traffic, the drive takes roughly 30 to 35 minutes via Port Washington Boulevard south to the Long Island Expressway (I-495) to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, or via Northern Boulevard through Queens. During peak commute hours, expect 50 to 75 minutes depending on conditions.
Bus: The n23 bus (Nassau Inter-County Express) serves the Port Washington area, running to the Mineola Intermodal Center.
History
The land that is now Port Washington North was part of the broader Cow Neck Peninsula settlement, originally inhabited by the Matinecock people and settled by European colonists in 1644. The area's development was directly tied to its natural resources — grist mills were built where water could power them, and sand mining occurred where sand was accessible and transportable.
Sand mining was one of the most significant industries on the peninsula. The sandbank in the Port Washington area was the largest east of the Mississippi River, and sand was shipped by barge directly to Manhattan for use in construction. Much of the land that is now Port Washington North was shaped by this industry.
The village was incorporated on May 16, 1932. The impetus was Manorhaven's 1931 attempt to annex the area. Residents preferred to form their own village, and John Cocks — a descendant of one of the peninsula's earliest families — led the effort and became the first mayor. Solomon Cocks, an ancestor, had built a home at 75 Old Shore Road, and the Cocks family's connection to the area spans centuries.
The Mill Pond area, where the village's earliest settlement was concentrated, was designated a Historic District in 1976. The village has maintained a timeline of its history, from the original Matinecock inhabitants through the colonial era, the sand mining period, and the post-war residential development that brought the Soundview Village garden apartments and the village's commercial districts.
Real Estate Overview
Port Washington North's housing stock is more varied than most villages on the peninsula. The Soundview Village section includes garden apartment complexes (Wildwood Gardens and Soundview Gardens) that provide rental and co-op options. The Mill Pond Acres development is a gated townhome community. Single-family detached homes are found throughout the village, alongside two-family homes and smaller multi-family properties.
Single-family detached homes in Port Washington North generally range from $800,000 to $1.5 million, depending on size, condition, and proximity to the waterfront. Townhomes in Mill Pond Acres and other developments are available in the $600,000 to $900,000 range. Garden apartment co-ops provide entry points starting in the $300,000 to $500,000 range.
The village's mix of residential, commercial, and light industrial zoning distinguishes it from the purely residential villages on the peninsula. Buyers should be aware that some sections of the village are adjacent to commercial and maritime business zones, which affects the character and feel of nearby residential streets.
The market moves at a moderate pace, with homes typically spending 30 to 60 days on market. Like the rest of the Greater Port Washington area, the village benefits from the Port Washington UFSD and direct LIRR access.
Search homes for sale in Port Washington North | Get a free home valuation
Schools
Port Washington North is served by the Port Washington Union Free School District (UFSD), which operates seven schools serving students in grades PK through 12. The district includes five elementary schools (Guggenheim, John J. Daly, John Philip Sousa, Manorhaven, and South Salem), Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School, and Paul D. Schreiber Senior High School.
As of the 2024–2025 school year, the district enrolls approximately 5,200 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1.
For additional details, visit the Port Washington UFSD website or review district information on GreatSchools.org.
Who Considers Port Washington North?
Buyers consider Port Washington North for the Port Washington school district, proximity to the LIRR, and a range of housing options at price points that are often more accessible than the surrounding peninsula communities.
The garden apartments and townhome developments provide entry points into the Port Washington UFSD that aren't available in Sands Point or Plandome, where the housing stock is exclusively single-family. Buyers looking for co-op or townhome pricing within the Port Washington school district frequently focus on Port Washington North alongside Manorhaven.
The Bay Walk Park waterfront and proximity to Manhasset Bay add a waterfront dimension. The village's commercial district (Soundview Marketplace and Stop & Shop Plaza) provides walkable retail and grocery access that the surrounding residential villages don't offer independently.
Buyers relocating from Queens neighborhoods like Bayside and Flushing often look at Port Washington North as an accessible step into the Port Washington peninsula.
Buying or Selling in Port Washington North?
Eric Berman and The Eric Berman Team at Compass operate from the North Shore, with direct knowledge of Port Washington North and the broader Port Washington peninsula. The team understands the village's mixed-use character, the pricing differences between the residential sections, and the specific factors that drive decisions in this market. Whether you're buying a co-op in Soundview Village or selling a single-family home near Mill Pond, the team brings local knowledge and real transaction experience.
Search homes for sale in Port Washington North
Why list with The Eric Berman Team
Call Eric Berman directly: 917-225-8596
Frequently Asked Questions About Port Washington North
Q: How far is Port Washington North from Manhattan?
A: Port Washington North is approximately 20 miles from Midtown Manhattan. The Port Washington LIRR station is about 1 mile south, providing direct service to Penn Station in roughly 35 minutes on express trains and to Grand Central Madison in approximately 45 to 50 minutes. No transfer is required. By car, the drive takes 30 to 35 minutes without traffic and 50 to 75 minutes during peak hours.
Q: What school district serves Port Washington North?
A: Port Washington North is served by the Port Washington Union Free School District, the same district that serves Port Washington, Sands Point, Manorhaven, and Baxter Estates. The district operates five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school (Paul D. Schreiber Senior High School), enrolling approximately 5,200 students.
Q: What types of homes are available in Port Washington North?
A: Port Washington North offers single-family detached homes ($800,000 to $1.5 million), townhomes including the gated Mill Pond Acres ($600,000 to $900,000), and garden apartment co-ops ($300,000 to $500,000). The housing stock is more varied than most peninsula villages, reflecting the village's mixed residential, commercial, and maritime character.
Q: Is Port Washington North part of Port Washington?
A: Port Washington North is an incorporated village within the Greater Port Washington area. It has its own village government, incorporated in 1932. However, it shares the 11050 zip code, the Port Washington school district, library, fire district, and LIRR access with the surrounding communities. The Port Washington LIRR station and Main Street are approximately 1 mile south.
Q: What is Bay Walk Park?
A: Bay Walk Park is a waterfront walkway and park along Shore Road in Port Washington North, featuring public art installations, sculpture, and views of Manhasset Bay. It connects to the Town Dock and the northern end of Port Washington's Main Street. A state-funded boardwalk extension project is underway to connect Bay Walk Park south to Sunset Park in Baxter Estates.
Q: What is the Mill Pond Historic District?
A: The Mill Pond Historic District is a designated area within Port Washington North centered around Mill Pond, where the village's earliest settlement was concentrated. The district was designated in 1976 and includes historic structures connected to the area's colonial and sand-mining heritage.
Q: Why was Port Washington North incorporated?
A: Port Washington North was incorporated on May 16, 1932, after the neighboring Village of Manorhaven attempted to annex the area in 1931. Residents preferred to form their own village and maintain local control. John Cocks, a descendant of one of the peninsula's earliest families, led the effort and was elected the first mayor.
