Roslyn
Quick Facts
County: Nassau County
Town: Town of North Hempstead
Zip Code: 11576
Approximate Population: 2,988 (2020 Census, Village of Roslyn); Greater Roslyn Area ~20,000+
Incorporated: 1932 (Village)
Distance to Manhattan: ~22 miles
Nearest LIRR Station: Roslyn (Oyster Bay Branch, located on the Roslyn/Roslyn Heights border)
Nearest Major Roadways: Northern Boulevard (NY-25A), Roslyn Road, Willis Avenue, Long Island Expressway (I-495)
Community Overview
Roslyn is an incorporated village on the North Shore of Long Island, located in the Town of North Hempstead. It is the anchor of the Greater Roslyn area, which also includes the villages of Roslyn Estates, Roslyn Harbor, and East Hills, the hamlet of Roslyn Heights, and portions of Greenvale and Flower Hill. The village itself has a population of approximately 3,000, but the broader Roslyn community encompasses over 20,000 residents who share the Roslyn school district, library, and identity.
The village sits in a valley along Hempstead Harbor, giving it a distinct topography — streets slope down toward the water from surrounding hills, and the downtown is compressed into a walkable stretch of Old Northern Boulevard and Main Street at the base of the valley. The William Cullen Bryant Viaduct (carrying Route 25A) arches above the village, bypassing the historic downtown and preserving its pedestrian-scale character.
Roslyn was initially settled by colonists in 1643. It was originally called Hempstead Harbor, but the name was changed to Roslyn in 1844 to avoid postal confusion with the many other "Hempsteads" on Long Island. The new name was chosen because the valley's geography reminded officials of Roslin, Scotland. The village was incorporated in 1932.
The downtown includes restaurants, boutiques, galleries, the Roslyn Movie Theatre, and the Bryant Library — a public library that hosts cultural events and maintains a local history center. Gerry Park, a 16-acre green space in the center of the village, provides open lawns, sledding in winter, and outdoor concerts in summer. The Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower, Roslyn Pond, and several 18th- and 19th-century buildings give the downtown a historic character that's unusual for a Long Island community.
Things to Do / Lifestyle & Amenities
Roslyn's downtown along Old Northern Boulevard and Main Street is one of the more walkable and architecturally distinctive commercial districts on the North Shore. Restaurants range from upscale dining to casual bistros and ethnic eateries. The Roslyn Movie Theatre keeps an independent cinema within the village. Boutiques, galleries, and specialty shops line the streets near the pond.
The Bryant Library, located within the village, hosts lectures, book signings, art exhibitions, and community events. The library also maintains the Bryant Library Local History Center, which documents the Roslyn area's past.
Gerry Park, opened in 1931, provides 16 acres of green space in the center of the village. The park hosts outdoor concerts sponsored by the Roslyn Chamber of Commerce during summer months and serves as a community gathering point.
Roslyn Pond and the surrounding historic structures — including the Ellen E. Ward Clock Tower, the Roslyn Grist Mill, and several colonial-era buildings — give the downtown a sense of place that draws visitors from across the North Shore.
Christopher Morley Park, a 98-acre Nassau County facility in nearby Roslyn Heights, offers a swimming pool, ice rink, tennis courts, golf course, dog park, and nature trails. Harbor Links, a public executive golf course operated by the Town of North Hempstead, is also nearby.
Outdoor Recreation
Roslyn's location in a harbor valley, combined with nearby county and town parks, provides varied outdoor access.
Gerry Park
A 16-acre park in the center of the village with open lawns, walking paths, and seasonal programming including summer concerts and winter sledding.
Christopher Morley Park
Located in Roslyn Heights, this 98-acre Nassau County park includes a swimming pool, ice rink, tennis courts, a 9-hole golf course, dog park, playgrounds, and nature trails. It is one of the most used recreational facilities in the Greater Roslyn area.
Roslyn Pond & Historic District
The pond at the base of the village, surrounded by historic structures, provides a scenic walking area. The Roslyn Grist Mill, the Ellen E. Ward Clock Tower, and several colonial-era buildings frame the waterfront.
Hempstead Harbor
Roslyn sits at the head of Hempstead Harbor. Waterfront access is available through neighboring communities, including Roslyn Harbor and Sea Cliff. Tappen Beach, operated by the Town of Oyster Bay, is accessible from the eastern shore of the harbor.
Harbor Links Golf Course
A public executive golf course operated by the Town of North Hempstead, located nearby in the Port Washington/Roslyn area.
Nearby Communities
Roslyn is surrounded by communities that make up the Greater Roslyn area. Roslyn Estates and Roslyn Harbor are incorporated villages adjacent to the village of Roslyn. Roslyn Heights, to the east, is an unincorporated hamlet with its own residential character. North Hills, to the south, includes newer residential developments. Manhasset is to the west, with its own LIRR station and downtown. Glen Head is to the northeast. Old Westbury is to the east.
For a broader look at all the communities we cover, visit our communities hub.
Commute to Manhattan
The Roslyn LIRR station is located on the border of the Village of Roslyn and Roslyn Heights, on the Oyster Bay Branch. The branch is diesel-powered beyond Mineola, so most trips to Manhattan require a transfer at Jamaica or Mineola.
Nearest LIRR Station: Roslyn (Oyster Bay Branch, on the Roslyn/Roslyn Heights border)
Branch: Oyster Bay Branch
Typical Travel Time to Penn Station: ~50 to 65 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; less frequent off-peak
Driving to Midtown Manhattan: Approximately 22 to 25 miles. Without traffic, the drive takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes via the Long Island Expressway (I-495) to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, or via Northern Boulevard (25A) through Queens to the Queensboro Bridge. During peak commute hours, expect 50 to 80 minutes depending on route and conditions.
Primary Driving Routes: Willis Avenue or Roslyn Road south to I-495 (LIE) westbound; Northern Boulevard (25A) west through Manhasset and into Queens.
Bus: NICE bus routes n20H, n20X, n21, n23, and the Port Washington Shuttle serve the Roslyn area.
History
Roslyn's history dates to 1643, when English colonists first settled the area around Hempstead Harbor. For nearly two centuries, the community was known as Hempstead Harbor. In 1844, the name was changed to Roslyn to resolve postal confusion with the many other communities using the Hempstead name. The new name was selected because the valley reminded local officials of Roslin, Scotland.
Roslyn developed as a milling and commercial center in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Roslyn Grist Mill, which still stands near the pond, dates to this era. The arrival of the Long Island Rail Road's Oyster Bay Branch in the 1860s spurred residential development and connected the community to New York City.
The village was incorporated on January 11, 1932, with Albertson W. Hicks serving as its first mayor. Gerry Park opened the year before, in 1931, establishing a public green space in the heart of the village. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, post-war housing developments — including Strathmore at Roslyn and Westwood, both built by Levitt & Sons — expanded the Greater Roslyn area into what is now the Village of East Hills.
Notable residents and connections include author Frances Hodgson Burnett (The Secret Garden, A Little Princess), who lived in Roslyn, and William Cullen Bryant, the poet and editor whose name graces both the village's library and its viaduct.
Real Estate Overview
The Village of Roslyn itself is compact — about 0.6 square miles — and includes a mix of single-family homes, co-ops, condos, and some multi-family properties. Architectural styles range from colonial-era structures and Victorian homes to post-war co-ops (including the Roslyn Gardens complex, built in the late 1940s) and newer construction. The village's hilly terrain and proximity to the harbor give many properties varied views and character.
Within the village, single-family homes generally range from $700,000 to $1.5 million, depending on size, condition, and location. Co-ops and condos are available starting in the $300,000 to $500,000 range. The broader Greater Roslyn area — including Roslyn Heights, Roslyn Estates, Roslyn Harbor, and portions of East Hills — spans a wider price spectrum, from co-ops in the $300s to estate properties in Roslyn Harbor exceeding $3 million.
The Roslyn UFSD is a primary driver of buyer interest across the Greater Roslyn area. The district serves portions of multiple villages and hamlets, and buyers should verify which school district and village jurisdiction applies to any specific property.
The market moves at a moderate pace, with homes typically spending 25 to 50 days on market depending on property type and price point.
Search homes for sale in Roslyn | Get a free home valuation
Schools
Roslyn is served by the Roslyn Union Free School District, founded in 1904. The district operates five schools: Heights School and Harbor Hill School (elementary), East Hills School (elementary), Roslyn Middle School, and Roslyn High School. The district serves the Village of Roslyn, the Village of Roslyn Estates, and portions of East Hills, Flower Hill, North Hills, Roslyn Harbor, Greenvale, and Roslyn Heights.
The district was racially integrated circa 1917, earlier than many northern school districts. Roslyn High School is consistently ranked among the top public high schools in New York State.
Buyers in the Greater Roslyn area should verify which school district serves a specific address, as portions of Roslyn Heights also fall within the East Williston UFSD and the Herricks UFSD.
For additional details, visit the Roslyn UFSD website or review district information on GreatSchools.org.
Who Considers Roslyn?
Buyers consider Roslyn for the combination of its historic downtown, the school district, and the village-scale walkability that's increasingly rare on Long Island.
The Roslyn UFSD is a primary draw. The district's strong academic reputation and its coverage of multiple communities within the Greater Roslyn area make it a frequent factor in buyer decisions. Buyers who want access to that district at a range of price points can find options from co-ops in the $300s to single-family homes above $1 million.
The walkable downtown — with its restaurants, shops, movie theater, library, and historic pond — appeals to buyers who want a functioning village center rather than a car-dependent suburb. The Bryant Viaduct, which carries Route 25A above the village, keeps through-traffic off the local streets and preserves the downtown's pedestrian character.
Buyers from Queens neighborhoods — including Bayside, Fresh Meadows, and Flushing — frequently consider the Greater Roslyn area. Buyers from Manhasset and Port Washington sometimes look at Roslyn for its different scale and price range.
Buying or Selling in Roslyn?
Eric Berman and The Eric Berman Team at Compass operate from the North Shore, with knowledge of Roslyn and the broader Greater Roslyn area. The team understands the distinctions between the village, its surrounding communities, and the overlapping school district boundaries that affect pricing and buyer decisions. Whether you're buying a co-op near the downtown or selling a single-family home in the Roslyn UFSD, the team brings local knowledge and real transaction experience.
Search homes for sale in Roslyn
Why list with The Eric Berman Team
Call Eric Berman directly: 917-225-8596
Frequently Asked Questions About Roslyn
Q: How far is Roslyn from Manhattan?
A: Roslyn is approximately 22 miles from Midtown Manhattan. The Roslyn LIRR station on the Oyster Bay Branch provides service to Penn Station in approximately 50 to 65 minutes including a transfer at Jamaica or Mineola. By car, the drive takes 30 to 40 minutes without traffic and 50 to 80 minutes during peak hours via the LIE or Northern Boulevard.
Q: What is the Greater Roslyn area?
A: The Greater Roslyn area includes the incorporated Village of Roslyn (the anchor community), plus the villages of Roslyn Estates, Roslyn Harbor, and East Hills, the hamlet of Roslyn Heights, and portions of Greenvale, Flower Hill, and North Hills. These communities share the Roslyn school district, library, and identity, with a combined population exceeding 20,000.
Q: What school district serves Roslyn?
A: Roslyn is served by the Roslyn Union Free School District, founded in 1904. The district operates two elementary schools, one middle school, and Roslyn High School (consistently ranked among the top public high schools in New York State). The district serves the village and portions of several surrounding communities. Some areas of Roslyn Heights fall within the East Williston or Herricks school districts instead.
Q: What types of homes are available in Roslyn?
A: The Village of Roslyn includes single-family homes, co-ops (including Roslyn Gardens), condos, and some multi-family properties. Styles range from colonial-era structures to post-war co-ops and newer construction. Single-family homes generally range from $700,000 to $1.5 million. Co-ops start in the $300,000 to $500,000 range. The broader Greater Roslyn area offers a wider spectrum.
Q: What is there to do in Roslyn?
A: Roslyn's walkable downtown includes restaurants, boutiques, galleries, the Roslyn Movie Theatre, and the Bryant Library. Gerry Park provides 16 acres of green space with summer concerts. Roslyn Pond and surrounding historic buildings give the downtown a distinctive character. Christopher Morley Park in Roslyn Heights offers a pool, ice rink, tennis courts, and nature trails.
Q: Why was Roslyn renamed from Hempstead Harbor?
A: The community was originally called Hempstead Harbor but was renamed Roslyn in 1844 to avoid postal confusion with the many other communities using the Hempstead name on Long Island. The new name was chosen because the valley's geography reminded officials of Roslin, Scotland.
Q: Is Roslyn walkable?
A: Yes. The Village of Roslyn has one of the more walkable downtowns on the North Shore. The William Cullen Bryant Viaduct carries Route 25A above the village, keeping through-traffic off local streets and preserving the downtown's pedestrian scale. Restaurants, shops, the library, Gerry Park, and Roslyn Pond are all accessible on foot from the residential streets.
