Jericho
Quick Facts
County: Nassau County
Town: Town of Oyster Bay (primarily); small portion in Town of Hempstead
Zip Code: 11753
Approximate Population: 14,808 (2020 Census)
Area: 4.1 square miles
Distance to Manhattan: ~29 miles
Nearest LIRR Station: Hicksville (Ronkonkoma/Oyster Bay Branches), approximately 2 miles south
Nearest Major Roadways: Jericho Turnpike (NY-25), Long Island Expressway (I-495), Northern State Parkway, North Broadway (NY-106/107)
Community Overview
Jericho is an unincorporated hamlet in the Town of Oyster Bay, located in central-north Nassau County approximately 29 miles east of Manhattan. It covers 4.1 square miles and has a population of approximately 14,800. The hamlet is bordered by Syosset to the north, Hicksville to the south, Westbury and Old Westbury to the west, and Woodbury to the east.
The hamlet's name comes from the biblical city of Jericho. The area was originally called Lusum and was renamed in 1692 by the large Quaker community that had settled there. The Quakers — members of the Society of Friends — were the defining presence in early Jericho, and their influence is still visible today. The Jericho Friends Meeting House, built in 1788, remains in active use.
Jericho is composed of four primary residential sections: East Birchwood, West Birchwood, Oakwood/Princeton Park, and White Birch. Much of the hamlet's residential development occurred after World War II, when Phebe Underhill Seaman sold a large portion of her family's land to developers in the 1950s. The resulting suburban housing — split-levels, ranches, and colonials — defines much of the streetscape today.
The hamlet does not have its own LIRR station. Residents commute via Hicksville station (approximately 2 miles south), which is one of the busiest stations on the system and serves both the Ronkonkoma and Oyster Bay Branches. Jericho's location at the intersection of the Long Island Expressway, Jericho Turnpike, and the Northern State Parkway provides strong highway access.
The Jericho UFSD is the primary driver of real estate demand in the hamlet. Home prices within the Jericho school district boundaries are often significantly higher than comparable homes just outside the district, making school district verification essential for any buyer.
Things to Do / Lifestyle & Amenities
Jericho's commercial activity is centered along Jericho Turnpike, North Broadway (Routes 106/107), and the shopping centers that line those corridors. The Milleridge Inn, a historic restaurant and event venue housed in a colonial-era building, has been a Jericho institution since the 1600s (the original structure dates to 1672). The Milleridge Cottage complex includes shops and a village-style setting.
Jericho Commons Shopping Center on North Broadway provides a mix of retail and dining. Broadway Commons in nearby Hicksville adds additional shopping, including national chains and a movie theater. The Jericho Quadrangle and surrounding commercial areas offer restaurants, cafes, professional services, and specialty shops.
The Jericho Public Library, located on Merry Lane at the corner of Jericho Turnpike, provides community programming, resources, and events.
The NYCB Theatre at Westbury (originally the Westbury Music Fair, established in 1956) is located in Jericho and hosts concerts, comedy shows, and live entertainment in a theater-in-the-round format. The main entrance to SUNY Old Westbury is also located within Jericho.
Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, one of the largest shopping centers in the country, is approximately 10 minutes south.
Outdoor Recreation
Jericho has access to several parks and recreational facilities, both within the hamlet and in neighboring communities.
Cantiague Park
A Nassau County park located at the Jericho-Hicksville border, offering an 18-hole executive golf course, an Olympic-sized outdoor pool complex, tennis courts, an indoor ice rink, basketball courts, a seasonal miniature golf course, athletic fields, and playgrounds. It is one of the most used recreational facilities in central Nassau County.
Jericho Preserve
Green space within the hamlet with walking paths and natural areas.
Nearby Parks & Cultural Sites
Old Westbury Gardens, a 200-acre estate with formal gardens and the Westbury House mansion, is located in neighboring Old Westbury. The Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor is also accessible. Eisenhower Park (930 acres) in East Meadow and Bethpage State Park are within a short drive to the south and east, respectively.
Nearby Communities
Syosset borders Jericho to the north and shares portions of the Syosset Central School District with the hamlet. Hicksville is immediately to the south and provides the nearest LIRR station. Old Westbury is to the west, with estate-scale properties and Old Westbury Gardens. Woodbury is to the east. East Williston and Mineola are accessible further southwest. Garden City is to the south.
For a broader look at all the communities we cover, visit our communities hub.
Commute to Manhattan
Jericho does not have its own LIRR station. Residents commute via Hicksville station, located approximately 2 miles south, which is one of the busiest and most connected stations on the LIRR system.
Nearest LIRR Station: Hicksville (Ronkonkoma Branch / Oyster Bay Branch)
Distance to Station: ~2 miles south of the hamlet center
Typical Travel Time to Penn Station: ~45 to 55 minutes
Service to Grand Central Madison: Available via direct trains or transfer at Jamaica
Train Frequency: High — multiple branches converge at Hicksville, providing trains every 10 to 20 minutes during peak hours
Driving to Midtown Manhattan: Approximately 27 to 32 miles. Without traffic, the drive takes roughly 35 to 50 minutes via the Long Island Expressway (I-495) to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. During peak commute hours, expect 55 to 90 minutes depending on route and conditions.
Primary Driving Routes: North Broadway or Jericho Turnpike south to I-495 (LIE) westbound; Northern State Parkway west to connecting routes.
Bus: NICE bus routes n20H, n22, n24, n35, and others serve Jericho and connect to Hicksville, Mineola, and other Nassau County hubs.
History
The area that is now Jericho was part of the Robert Williams Plantation in 1648. The first English families who settled here were Quakers who had fled religious persecution. The community was originally called Lusum and was renamed Jericho in 1692, after the biblical city — a name chosen by the Quaker settlers.
Elias Hicks, one of the most influential Quaker preachers in American history, married Jemima Seaman in 1771 and moved to her family's farm in Jericho. Hicks became a prominent voice for abolition. His son-in-law, Valentine Hicks, operated his home as an Underground Railroad station — a hidden panel behind an upstairs linen closet concealed a staircase leading to the attic, where freedom seekers were sheltered. The Jericho Friends Meeting House, built in 1788, remains in use today.
During the Revolutionary War, British troops occupied Long Island and were quartered in Quaker homes. Despite the occupation, the Quakers maintained their pacifist stance and protested the concept of war itself. After the war, the community returned to farming and commerce. A post office was established in 1802, the Cedar Swamp School (the first public elementary school) opened in 1905, and the Jericho Water District was founded in 1923.
After World War II, Phebe Underhill Seaman sold a large portion of her family's land to developers, and Jericho transformed from a rural Quaker community into a suburban residential hamlet. New schools, a fire department, a shopping center, a post office, and a public library followed. In 1958, the NY Department of Transportation demolished "Old Jericho" to widen Broadway (Routes 106/107) and construct a cloverleaf access to Jericho Turnpike.
Real Estate Overview
Jericho's housing stock is predominantly single-family detached homes, built largely in the 1950s and 1960s during the post-war suburban boom. The most common styles are split-levels, ranches, and colonials. Many homes have been expanded and renovated over the decades. Newer construction and teardown-rebuilds are also part of the inventory, particularly in the East Birchwood and West Birchwood sections. Condominium complexes are located along Jericho Turnpike and in surrounding areas.
The average home price in Jericho is approximately $1.08 million, though prices vary significantly based on school district. Homes within the Jericho UFSD boundaries are often several hundred thousand dollars more expensive than similarly sized homes in the portions of Jericho served by the Syosset Central School District. Single-family homes generally range from $700,000 to $1.6 million, with newer construction and larger properties exceeding $2 million. Condominiums are available in the $600,000 to $1 million-plus range.
The market is competitive. Homes within the Jericho school district move quickly, with strong demand from buyers who prioritize the district. Buyers should verify school district boundaries for any property, as the Jericho UFSD and Syosset CSD boundaries do not align perfectly with the hamlet's geographic boundaries.
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Schools
Jericho is served by two school districts: the Jericho Union Free School District and the Syosset Central School District. The district serving a specific address depends on location within the hamlet, and the boundaries do not align perfectly with Jericho's geographic boundaries.
The Jericho UFSD operates four schools: Cantiague Elementary School, George A. Jackson Elementary School, Robert Seaman Elementary School, and Jericho Senior High School (which includes a middle school program). The district consistently ranks among the top public school districts in New York State.
The Syosset CSD serves the northern portion of the hamlet. The Syosset district operates its own set of elementary, middle, and high schools.
Buyers should verify which school district serves a specific address before purchasing, as district placement is a primary driver of pricing in Jericho.
For additional details, visit the Jericho UFSD or Syosset CSD websites, or review district information on GreatSchools.org.
Who Considers Jericho?
Buyers consider Jericho primarily for the school district. The Jericho UFSD is consistently ranked among the top public school districts in New York State, and it is the single largest factor driving buyer interest and pricing in the hamlet.
The impact of the school district on pricing is significant. Homes within the Jericho UFSD boundaries often sell for several hundred thousand dollars more than similarly sized homes just outside the district in the Syosset CSD zone. Buyers who are focused on the Jericho district should work with an agent who can verify district boundaries at the address level.
Jericho's central Nassau County location provides strong highway access — the LIE, Jericho Turnpike, and the Northern State Parkway are all nearby. The Hicksville LIRR station, approximately 2 miles south, provides frequent service to Penn Station in under an hour.
Cantiague Park, Old Westbury Gardens, and the NYCB Theatre at Westbury add recreational and cultural options. Roosevelt Field Mall is approximately 10 minutes south.
Buyers relocating from Queens neighborhoods like Bayside, Fresh Meadows, and Flushing frequently consider Jericho, particularly those prioritizing school district access.
Buying or Selling in Jericho?
Eric Berman and The Eric Berman Team at Compass serve buyers and sellers across Nassau County, including Jericho and the surrounding communities. The team understands the school district dynamics that drive pricing in this market — including the boundary differences between the Jericho UFSD and Syosset CSD — and can verify district placement at the address level. Whether you're buying a split-level in East Birchwood or selling a colonial in Princeton Park, the team brings local knowledge and real transaction experience.
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Call Eric Berman directly: 917-225-8596
Frequently Asked Questions About Jericho
Q: How far is Jericho from Manhattan?
A: Jericho is approximately 29 miles from Midtown Manhattan. The nearest LIRR station is Hicksville, about 2 miles south, with service to Penn Station in approximately 45 to 55 minutes. By car, the drive takes 35 to 50 minutes without traffic via the LIE, and 55 to 90 minutes during peak hours.
Q: What school districts serve Jericho?
A: Jericho is served by two districts: the Jericho Union Free School District (consistently ranked among the top in New York State) and the Syosset Central School District. The district serving a specific address depends on location within the hamlet. District placement significantly affects pricing, so buyers should verify boundaries before purchasing.
Q: What types of homes are available in Jericho?
A: Jericho is predominantly single-family homes — split-levels, ranches, and colonials — built mostly in the 1950s and 1960s, with many expanded and renovated. Condominiums are also available. Single-family homes generally range from $700,000 to $1.6 million, with newer construction exceeding $2 million. The average home price is approximately $1.08 million.
Q: Why are home prices in Jericho so high relative to size?
A: Home prices in Jericho are driven primarily by the Jericho Union Free School District, which is one of the most sought-after public school districts in New York State. Homes within the Jericho UFSD boundaries are often several hundred thousand dollars more expensive than similarly sized homes just outside the district. The school district premium is the single largest factor in Jericho pricing.
Q: Is there a train station in Jericho?
A: No. Jericho does not have its own LIRR station. The nearest station is Hicksville, approximately 2 miles south, which serves both the Ronkonkoma and Oyster Bay Branches. Hicksville is one of the busiest stations on the LIRR system, with trains running every 10 to 20 minutes during peak hours.
Q: What is there to do in Jericho?
A: Jericho offers the Milleridge Inn (a historic restaurant in a colonial-era building dating to 1672), shopping centers along Jericho Turnpike and North Broadway, the NYCB Theatre at Westbury for concerts and entertainment, and the Jericho Public Library. Cantiague Park provides golf, swimming, ice skating, and athletic fields. Old Westbury Gardens and Roosevelt Field Mall are nearby.
Q: What is Jericho's Quaker history?
A: Jericho was settled by Quakers in the 17th century and renamed from Lusum to Jericho (after the biblical city) in 1692. Elias Hicks, one of the most influential Quaker preachers in American history, lived in Jericho and was a prominent voice for abolition. His son-in-law, Valentine Hicks, operated an Underground Railroad station from his home. The Jericho Friends Meeting House, built in 1788, remains in active use today.
