Levittown
Quick Facts
County: Nassau County
Town: Town of Hempstead
Zip Code: 11756
Approximate Population: 51,758 (2020 Census)
Distance to Manhattan: ~30 miles
Nearest LIRR Stations: Hicksville (Ronkonkoma/Oyster Bay Branches), Wantagh (Babylon Branch), Bethpage (Ronkonkoma Branch)
Nearest Major Roadways: Hempstead Turnpike (NY-24), Wantagh State Parkway, Jerusalem Avenue, Southern State Parkway
Homeownership Rate: Over 92%
Community Overview
Levittown is a hamlet and census-designated place in the Town of Hempstead, located in central Nassau County. With a population of approximately 51,758, it is the most populous unincorporated community in Nassau County and one of the largest on Long Island. It sits roughly halfway between the Village of Hempstead and Farmingdale, bordered by East Meadow to the north, Wantagh to the south, Hicksville to the northeast, and Bethpage to the east.
Levittown's identity is inseparable from its history. Built between 1947 and 1951 by the firm Levitt & Sons, it was the first mass-produced suburb in the United States. Abraham Levitt and his sons William and Alfred constructed over 17,000 homes on former potato farmland, creating a planned community designed for returning World War II veterans and their families. The development became the template for postwar suburbia across the country.
The original homes were primarily Cape Cod-style houses, followed by ranch-style models introduced in 1949. Over the decades, homeowners have expanded, renovated, and customized these properties extensively. What was once a community of uniform floor plans is now a neighborhood of individually modified homes, many of which have doubled or tripled their original square footage.
Levittown retains several features from its planned-community origins, including nine community swimming pools that continue to operate for residents during the summer months. The community has an active civic life, with VFW and American Legion posts, youth sports leagues, and neighborhood associations across the hamlet.
Over 92% of Levittown residents own their homes, one of the highest homeownership rates of any community on Long Island.
Things to Do / Lifestyle & Amenities
Levittown's commercial activity centers along Hempstead Turnpike (NY-24) and Jerusalem Avenue, which run east-west and north-south through the hamlet, respectively. Both corridors include restaurants, retail shops, grocery stores, professional services, and national chains. The Levittown Town Center on Hempstead Turnpike provides a central retail hub.
The nine community swimming pools, a legacy of the original Levitt development, remain a distinctive feature of Levittown life. These pools operate during the summer months and serve as neighborhood gathering points. Few Long Island communities maintain this kind of distributed recreational infrastructure.
Eisenhower Park, one of the largest public parks in the New York metropolitan area at 930 acres, is immediately adjacent to Levittown in East Meadow. The park offers three 18-hole golf courses, an Olympic-level aquatic center, the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre (which hosts concerts, movie screenings, and fireworks), tennis courts, pickleball courts, playgrounds, a fitness trail, miniature golf, batting cages, and the Northwell Health Ice Center with two indoor NHL-sized rinks and an outdoor rink. Eisenhower Park is larger than Central Park and functions as the primary recreational anchor for Levittown and the surrounding communities.
Bethpage State Park, located to the east, provides additional green space, hiking and biking trails, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and five golf courses, including the Black Course, which has hosted multiple PGA Championships and U.S. Opens.
The Levittown Public Library offers community programming, events, and resources.
Outdoor Recreation
Levittown is positioned between several major parks and recreational areas that give residents strong access to outdoor amenities.
Eisenhower Park (East Meadow)
Immediately north of Levittown, this 930-acre Nassau County park is one of the largest public parks in the metro area. Facilities include three 18-hole golf courses, an aquatic center, tennis and pickleball courts, athletic fields, playgrounds, a two-mile fitness trail, miniature golf, batting cages, ice skating rinks, and the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre for summer entertainment.
Bethpage State Park
Located to the east, Bethpage State Park covers over 1,400 acres and offers hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, horseback riding, and five golf courses. The Black Course is one of the most recognized public golf courses in the country.
Wantagh Park
To the south, Wantagh Park provides boat launch facilities, athletic fields, picnic areas, and waterfront access connecting to Jones Beach State Park, one of the most visited beaches on the East Coast.
Community Pools
Levittown's nine community swimming pools, dating back to the original Levitt development, operate during the summer and provide neighborhood-level recreation without requiring a trip to a county or state facility.
John H. Benoit Memorial Park
Located on Wantagh Avenue in the center of Levittown, this park includes a baseball field, playground, basketball court, and handball court.
Nearby Communities
Levittown's central Nassau County location puts it within easy reach of several neighboring communities. East Meadow borders Levittown to the north and is home to Eisenhower Park and Nassau University Medical Center. Garden City, to the northwest, is known for its historic village center and planned layout. Hicksville, to the northeast, provides a major LIRR hub and commercial corridor. Wantagh and Seaford are to the south, with access to Jones Beach via the Wantagh State Parkway. Bethpage borders to the east. Mineola, the Nassau County seat, is accessible to the north.
For a broader look at all the communities we cover, visit our communities hub.
Commute to Manhattan
Levittown does not have its own LIRR station. Residents commute via nearby stations, most commonly Hicksville, Wantagh, or Bethpage, all of which are within a short drive.
Nearest LIRR Stations:
Hicksville (Ronkonkoma Branch / Oyster Bay Branch) — approximately 2 to 3 miles north; ~45 to 55 minutes to Penn Station
Wantagh (Babylon Branch) — approximately 3 miles south; ~50 to 60 minutes to Penn Station
Bethpage (Ronkonkoma Branch) — approximately 2 to 3 miles east; ~50 to 55 minutes to Penn Station
Driving to Midtown Manhattan: Approximately 30 to 33 miles. Without traffic, the drive takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes via the Southern State Parkway or Wantagh State Parkway to the Belt Parkway, or via Hempstead Turnpike to the Long Island Expressway (I-495) to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. During peak commute hours, expect 60 to 90 minutes depending on route and conditions.
Primary Driving Routes: Hempstead Turnpike (NY-24) west to I-495 (LIE); Wantagh State Parkway south to the Southern State Parkway west; Jerusalem Avenue north to connecting routes.
Bus: NICE bus routes N70 and N80 serve Levittown along Hempstead Turnpike and connecting corridors, providing access to Hicksville, Hempstead, and other Nassau County hubs.
History
Before World War II, the land that is now Levittown was primarily potato farmland. In 1947, Levitt & Sons — founded by Abraham Levitt in 1929 and led by his sons William (president) and Alfred (chief architect) — began construction on what would become the first mass-produced suburban development in the United States.
Between 1947 and 1951, the firm built over 17,000 homes on approximately 7 square miles of former farmland. The first homes were Cape Cod-style houses, each built on a 60-by-100-foot lot with a kitchen, two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room with a fireplace, and an unfinished second floor. In 1949, Levitt introduced a ranch-style model. Construction methods were revolutionary — the process was broken into 27 distinct steps, with specialized crews moving from house to house in assembly-line fashion. At peak production, the company completed 30 homes per day.
The development included community infrastructure: swimming pools, community centers, playgrounds, and planned commercial zones. Levittown became a national model for suburban development and is widely studied in urban planning, sociology, and American history.
The community's early history also includes a significant chapter in civil rights. The original Levitt & Sons contracts contained racially restrictive covenants that barred Black families from purchasing homes. These restrictions were protested by groups including the Committee to End Discrimination in Levittown. Following the 1948 Supreme Court ruling in Shelley v. Kraemer, which declared racially restrictive covenants unenforceable, and subsequent civil rights legislation, Levittown gradually became more diverse. Today, the community reflects a broad cross-section of backgrounds.
Real Estate Overview
Levittown's housing stock is predominantly single-family detached homes. The original Levitt-built Cape Cods and ranches form the foundation of the inventory, but decades of renovation, expansion, and rebuilding have transformed the landscape. Many homes have been significantly enlarged with dormered second floors, extended kitchens, added bedrooms, and finished basements. Some properties have been torn down and rebuilt entirely.
The median home price in Levittown has generally tracked around $575,000 to $600,000, making it one of the more accessible markets in Nassau County. Prices typically range from the low $500s for smaller, un-renovated homes to $800,000 or more for fully expanded and updated properties. The market is active — homes move relatively quickly, and the over-92% homeownership rate keeps rental inventory extremely limited.
Property taxes in Nassau County are among the highest in the United States, and Levittown is no exception. However, buyers frequently note that Levittown's tax-to-value ratio compares favorably to neighboring communities with higher home prices.
The community spans two primary school districts (Levittown UFSD and Island Trees UFSD), and buyers should verify which district serves a specific address, as this can affect pricing.
Search homes for sale in Levittown | Get a free home valuation
Schools
Levittown is served primarily by two public school districts: the Levittown Union Free School District and the Island Trees Union Free School District. A small portion of the northwest corner of the hamlet falls within the East Meadow UFSD.
The Levittown UFSD operates six elementary schools (Abbey Lane, East Broadway, Gardiners Avenue, Lee Road, Northside, and Summit Lane), two middle schools (Wisdom Lane and Jonas E. Salk), and two high schools (Division Avenue Senior High School and General Douglas MacArthur Senior High School). The district enrolls approximately 7,380 students.
The Island Trees UFSD serves northeastern Levittown and portions of Bethpage, operating two elementary schools (Michael F. Stokes and J. Fred Sparke), one middle school (Island Trees Memorial), and one high school (Island Trees High School). The district enrolls approximately 2,574 students.
Buyers should confirm which school district serves a specific address, as district boundaries do not always align with neighborhood boundaries.
For additional details, visit the Levittown UFSD or Island Trees UFSD websites, or review district information on GreatSchools.org.
Who Considers Levittown?
Buyers consider Levittown primarily for its combination of pricing, housing stock, and central Nassau County location.
As one of the more accessible markets in Nassau County, Levittown attracts buyers who want a single-family home with a yard and a garage at a price point that's often $200,000 to $500,000 below comparable properties in communities further north on the Island or closer to the city. The median home price in the mid-$500s to low $600s is a meaningful entry point for buyers coming from Queens or Brooklyn, where similar square footage in a detached home can cost significantly more.
The proximity to Eisenhower Park, Bethpage State Park, and Jones Beach (via the Wantagh State Parkway) is a draw for buyers who value outdoor recreation. The nine community pools are an unusual amenity that appeals to buyers with children.
Levittown's location in central Nassau County provides driving access in multiple directions — north toward the Long Island Expressway, south toward the beaches, east toward Suffolk County, and west toward Queens and the city. LIRR access via Hicksville, Wantagh, or Bethpage stations connects to Penn Station in under an hour.
Buyers relocating from Queens neighborhoods like Bayside, Fresh Meadows, and Flushing frequently consider Levittown as a first step into Nassau County homeownership.
Buying or Selling in Levittown?
Eric Berman and The Eric Berman Team at Compass serve buyers and sellers across Nassau County, including Levittown and the surrounding communities. The team understands the nuances of the Levittown market — from school district boundaries to the value impact of expansion and renovation work on original Levitt-built homes. Whether you're buying your first home or selling a property you've held for decades, the team brings local knowledge and real transaction experience.
Search homes for sale in Levittown
Why list with The Eric Berman Team
Call Eric Berman directly: 917-225-8596
Frequently Asked Questions About Levittown
Q: How far is Levittown from Manhattan?
A: Levittown is approximately 30 miles from Midtown Manhattan. By train, the nearest LIRR stations are Hicksville, Wantagh, and Bethpage, all within a short drive, with service to Penn Station in approximately 45 to 60 minutes. By car, the drive takes 40 to 50 minutes without traffic and 60 to 90 minutes during peak hours.
Q: What school districts serve Levittown?
A: Levittown is served primarily by two school districts: the Levittown Union Free School District (six elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, ~7,380 students) and the Island Trees Union Free School District (two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, ~2,574 students). A small portion of the hamlet falls within the East Meadow UFSD. Buyers should verify which district serves a specific address.
Q: What types of homes are available in Levittown?
A: Levittown is predominantly single-family detached homes. The original Levitt-built Cape Cods and ranches from the late 1940s and early 1950s have been extensively expanded and renovated over the decades. Prices generally range from the low $500s for smaller homes to $800,000 or more for fully expanded and updated properties. The homeownership rate is over 92%.
Q: Is there a train station in Levittown?
A: There is no LIRR station within Levittown. The nearest stations are Hicksville (Ronkonkoma/Oyster Bay Branches, ~2 to 3 miles north), Wantagh (Babylon Branch, ~3 miles south), and Bethpage (Ronkonkoma Branch, ~2 to 3 miles east). NICE bus routes also connect Levittown to these stations and other Nassau County hubs.
Q: What is Levittown known for?
A: Levittown is widely regarded as the first mass-produced suburb in the United States. Built between 1947 and 1951 by Levitt & Sons for returning World War II veterans, it became the template for postwar suburban development across the country. Today, it is one of the most populous communities in Nassau County, with over 51,000 residents, nine community swimming pools, and a homeownership rate above 92%.
Q: What parks are near Levittown?
A: Eisenhower Park (930 acres, immediately north in East Meadow) is one of the largest public parks in the New York metro area, with golf courses, an aquatic center, athletic fields, and summer entertainment. Bethpage State Park is to the east with hiking trails and five golf courses. Wantagh Park provides boat access and connects to Jones Beach via the Wantagh State Parkway.
Q: How do Levittown home prices compare to other Nassau County communities?
A: Levittown is one of the more accessible markets in Nassau County. The median home price is in the mid-$500s to low $600s, compared to $1 million or more in many North Shore communities. This makes it a common entry point for first-time buyers from Queens or Brooklyn looking for a single-family home with a yard in Nassau County.
