Glen Head
Quick Facts
County: Nassau County
Town: Town of Oyster Bay
Zip Code: 11545
Approximate Population: 4,837 (2020 Census)
Area: 1.6 square miles
Distance to Manhattan: ~30 miles
LIRR Station: Glen Head (Oyster Bay Branch)
Nearest Major Roadways: Glen Cove Road, Cedar Swamp Road (NY-107), Glen Head Road, Northern Boulevard (NY-25A)
Community Overview
Glen Head is an unincorporated hamlet in the Town of Oyster Bay, located on Long Island's North Shore in Nassau County. It covers approximately 1.6 square miles and has a population of about 4,800. The hamlet is bordered by the City of Glen Cove to the north, the Village of Sea Cliff to the west, the Village of Old Brookville to the east and south, the Village of Matinecock to the northeast, and Glenwood Landing to the southwest.
Glen Head is part of Long Island's Gold Coast — the stretch of North Shore communities associated with the grand estates of the early 20th century. While the hamlet itself is more modest in scale than some of its neighbors, its location puts residents within minutes of waterfront access, country clubs, and the preserved landscapes that define this section of Long Island.
The downtown is small and centered on Glen Head Road and Glen Cove Avenue. It includes local restaurants, specialty shops, a hardware store, a pharmacy, and a handful of independent businesses. Glen Head Hardware is the oldest commercial structure in the hamlet. The feel is distinctly small-town — no national chains dominate, and the commercial district serves the immediate neighborhood rather than drawing from a wider area.
The hamlet's LIRR station, on the Oyster Bay Branch, sits in the center of the downtown and provides commuter rail access to Manhattan via transfer at Jamaica or Mineola. The Gold Coast Public Library, which serves Glen Head and the surrounding area, is located on Railroad Avenue near the station. A new, larger library building has been under construction and is expected to open to the public.
Glen Head is an unincorporated area, meaning it is governed directly by the Town of Oyster Bay rather than having its own village government. It shares the 11545 zip code with portions of neighboring incorporated villages (including Old Brookville, Brookville, Upper Brookville, and Muttontown), which use Glen Head as a mailing address.
Things to Do / Lifestyle & Amenities
Glen Head's commercial district along Glen Head Road offers a small-town retail and dining scene. Heirloom Tavern serves American dishes in an inviting dining room and outdoor patio. Kiraku Japanese Restaurant offers sushi and cocktails. Honey's Bistro provides coffee, breakfast, and lunch near the LIRR station. Gemelli's Gourmet Market North offers prepared Italian food and specialty groceries. Holiday Farms Supermarket is the local grocery option.
The Glen Head Country Club provides members with an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, and an outdoor pool. The Glen Head Racquet Club offers indoor tennis and has become a hub for pickleball through the Gold Coast Pickleball Club.
The Gold Coast Public Library, located in the downtown, offers community programming, resources, and events. A new 11,000-square-foot library building is under construction.
For broader shopping and dining, Glen Cove is immediately to the north with its own downtown, and Roslyn is accessible to the southwest with a historic village center. The Americana Manhasset in Manhasset is within a short drive for luxury retail.
Outdoor Recreation
Glen Head is landlocked, but its North Shore location puts waterfront access, beaches, and preserves within a short drive.
Francis M. Gaynor Park
Located on Glen Head Road behind the American Legion Post 336 and the Glen Head Community Center, this park includes playgrounds, athletic fields, and parking. It serves as the home base for Glenwood-Glen Head Junior Baseball and hosts the annual opening day parade and barbecue each spring.
Tappen Beach
Available to Town of Oyster Bay residents, Tappen Beach on Hempstead Harbor is approximately 3 miles from Glen Head. The facility includes a sandy beach, playground, pool, kayak rack storage, and a marina for boat storage. It provides direct waterfront access to Hempstead Harbor.
Nearby Preserves & Parks
The Sands Point Preserve (216 acres of trails, gardens, and historic mansions) and Welwyn Preserve in Glen Cove offer nature walks and cultural programming. Garvies Point Museum and Preserve in Glen Cove provides trails along the North Shore bluffs with views of Hempstead Harbor. Sea Cliff, immediately to the west, offers its own bluff-top village character and waterfront access.
Glen Head Racquet Club
A six-court indoor tennis facility that also hosts the Gold Coast Pickleball Club. Robbie Wagner's Tournament Training Center, also in the area, serves competitive tennis players.
Nearby Communities
Glen Head sits in a cluster of North Shore communities, each with its own character. Sea Cliff, directly to the west, is an incorporated village perched on bluffs above Hempstead Harbor with a walkable downtown and Victorian-era architecture. Glen Cove, to the north, is a small city with its own downtown, waterfront, and hospital. Old Westbury and Old Brookville border to the east and south, offering estate-scale properties on large lots. Roslyn is to the southwest, with a historic village center and Roslyn Pond Park. Locust Valley is further east along the Oyster Bay Branch.
For a broader look at all the communities we cover, visit our communities hub.
Commute to Manhattan
Glen Head has its own LIRR station on the Oyster Bay Branch. The branch is diesel-powered and non-electrified beyond Mineola, which means most trips to Manhattan require a transfer at Jamaica or Mineola to an electrified train.
LIRR Station: Glen Head (located in the downtown, off Glen Head Road)
Branch: Oyster Bay Branch
Typical Travel Time to Penn Station: ~55 to 70 minutes (including transfer at Jamaica or Mineola)
Service to Grand Central Madison: Available via transfer at Jamaica or Hicksville
Train Frequency: Approximately hourly during peak hours; service is less frequent off-peak
Driving to Midtown Manhattan: Approximately 28 to 32 miles. Without traffic, the drive takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes via Glen Cove Road or Cedar Swamp Road south to the Long Island Expressway (I-495) to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, or via Northern Boulevard (25A) west through Queens. During peak commute hours, expect 60 to 90 minutes depending on route and conditions.
Primary Driving Routes: Glen Cove Road south to I-495 (LIE) westbound; Cedar Swamp Road (NY-107) south to connecting routes; Northern Boulevard (25A) west through Roslyn and into Queens.
Bus: NICE bus routes n21 and n27 serve Glen Head, connecting to Glen Cove, Mineola, and other Nassau County corridors.
History
Glen Head's early history is tied to the broader settlement of the North Shore. The hamlet's development accelerated in the mid-19th century when the Duryea starch factory — said to be one of the country's largest industrial plants at the time — opened around 1850, attracting hundreds of workers who settled in the area. Glen Head also had an early brick factory and boat-building operations.
The Long Island Rail Road's Oyster Bay Branch reached Glen Head in 1865, connecting the hamlet to the broader rail network and establishing it as a commuter community. The downtown developed around the station, and the commercial district along Glen Head Road has maintained that railroad-adjacent character ever since.
In the early 20th century, Glen Head attracted Norwegian, Polish, and Italian immigrants. After World War II, the hamlet saw significant residential development, and its population grew as suburban housing filled in the available land. The hamlet's association with the Gold Coast comes from its proximity to the grand estates in neighboring Old Brookville, Matinecock, and Upper Brookville rather than from estates within Glen Head itself.
The Strat-O-Matic game company, known for its tabletop sports simulation games, is headquartered in Glen Head.
Real Estate Overview
Glen Head's housing stock includes a range of architectural styles. Colonials, Cape Cods, ranches, split-levels, Victorians, and newer construction are all part of the mix. Lot sizes typically range from a quarter acre to a half acre on suburban blocks, with some larger properties on winding roads near the village borders. The hamlet's residential character is defined by tree-lined streets, mature landscaping, and a mix of older and updated homes.
Smaller homes with three or fewer bedrooms generally range from $550,000 to $1 million. Larger homes with four or more bedrooms typically fall between $800,000 and $1.8 million. Estate-scale properties on larger lots — often at the edges of the hamlet near Old Brookville or Matinecock — can reach $2 million to $4 million and above.
It's important to note that the Glen Head zip code (11545) is also used as a mailing address for portions of incorporated villages including Old Brookville, Brookville, Upper Brookville, Muttontown, Roslyn Harbor, and Mill Neck. Properties listed under a "Glen Head" mailing address may actually be located within one of these villages, which can significantly affect pricing, zoning, lot size, and governance. Buyers should verify the actual village or hamlet jurisdiction for any property.
The market in Glen Head proper moves at a moderate pace, with homes typically spending 30 to 60 days on market depending on price point and condition. The homeownership rate is approximately 85%.
Search homes for sale in Glen Head | Get a free home valuation
Schools
Glen Head is served by the North Shore Central School District. The district operates Glen Head Elementary School and Glenwood Landing Elementary School (both within the Glen Head/Glenwood Landing area), North Shore Middle School, and North Shore High School (located within Glen Head). The district is known for small class sizes — North Shore High School maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 8:1.
North Shore High School is designated as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. The district also offers a range of extracurricular programs, including a regional award-winning robotics team.
For additional details, visit the North Shore Central School District website or review district information on GreatSchools.org.
Who Considers Glen Head?
Buyers consider Glen Head for its North Shore location, school district, and relative accessibility within the Gold Coast corridor.
The North Shore Central School District is a primary draw. The district's small class sizes, IB programming at the high school level, and strong extracurricular offerings make it a factor in many buyer decisions. Glen Head provides access to that district at a price point that's generally lower than the surrounding incorporated villages like Old Brookville or Matinecock.
The hamlet's quiet, small-town character appeals to buyers who want a North Shore address without the formality of a gated or estate-scale community. The downtown, while compact, offers walkable access to the LIRR station, restaurants, and the library.
Proximity to Hempstead Harbor, Tappen Beach, and the North Shore preserves provides outdoor access. The Glen Head Country Club and Racquet Club add recreational options for residents.
Buyers relocating from Queens neighborhoods or from communities further west on the North Shore — including Port Washington and Manhasset — sometimes consider Glen Head as a move further into the Gold Coast at a comparable or lower price point, particularly for buyers who prioritize land and school district over commute time.
Buying or Selling in Glen Head?
Eric Berman and The Eric Berman Team at Compass operate from the North Shore, with knowledge of Glen Head and the surrounding Gold Coast communities. The team understands the distinction between Glen Head proper and the incorporated villages that share the 11545 zip code — a detail that matters for pricing, zoning, and school district. Whether you're buying a colonial near the station or selling a larger property near the Old Brookville border, the team brings local knowledge and real transaction experience.
Search homes for sale in Glen Head
Why list with The Eric Berman Team
Call Eric Berman directly: 917-225-8596
Frequently Asked Questions About Glen Head
Q: How far is Glen Head from Manhattan?
A: Glen Head is approximately 30 miles from Midtown Manhattan. The LIRR's Oyster Bay Branch serves Glen Head station, with service to Penn Station in approximately 55 to 70 minutes including a transfer at Jamaica or Mineola. By car, the drive takes 40 to 50 minutes without traffic and 60 to 90 minutes during peak hours.
Q: What school district serves Glen Head?
A: Glen Head is served by the North Shore Central School District, which includes Glen Head Elementary School, Glenwood Landing Elementary School, North Shore Middle School, and North Shore High School (an IB World School). The district is known for small class sizes, with a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 8:1 at the high school level.
Q: What types of homes are available in Glen Head?
A: Glen Head offers colonials, Cape Cods, ranches, split-levels, Victorians, and newer construction. Smaller homes generally range from $550,000 to $1 million. Larger homes fall between $800,000 and $1.8 million. Estate-scale properties near the Old Brookville or Matinecock borders can reach $2 million to $4 million and above. Note that properties with a Glen Head mailing address may be located in neighboring incorporated villages.
Q: Is Glen Head part of a village?
A: No. Glen Head is an unincorporated hamlet within the Town of Oyster Bay. It does not have its own village government. The hamlet shares the 11545 zip code with portions of several incorporated villages, including Old Brookville, Brookville, Upper Brookville, Muttontown, and Roslyn Harbor, which use Glen Head as a mailing address despite being within their own village jurisdictions.
Q: What is there to do in Glen Head?
A: Glen Head's downtown along Glen Head Road offers local restaurants (Heirloom Tavern, Kiraku Japanese, Honey's Bistro), specialty shops, and the Gold Coast Public Library. The Glen Head Country Club and Racquet Club provide golf, tennis, and pickleball. Tappen Beach on Hempstead Harbor is approximately 3 miles away and available to Town of Oyster Bay residents. Nearby preserves include Sands Point Preserve, Welwyn Preserve, and Garvies Point in Glen Cove.
Q: Is Glen Head on the water?
A: Glen Head itself is landlocked, but Hempstead Harbor is approximately 3 miles to the west. Tappen Beach, available to Town of Oyster Bay residents, provides sandy beach access, a pool, kayak storage, and a marina. The North Shore waterfront communities of Sea Cliff and Glen Cove are immediately adjacent.
Q: What is the Gold Coast?
A: Long Island's Gold Coast refers to the stretch of North Shore communities in Nassau County associated with the grand estates of the early 20th century. Glen Head is located within the Gold Coast corridor, bordered by estate communities like Old Brookville, Matinecock, and Upper Brookville. While Glen Head itself is more residential in scale, its location provides proximity to the preserved landscapes, country clubs, and waterfront that define the Gold Coast.
