The Town of North Hempstead was ranked as the No. 15 best place in the country for families to live by Fortune, the only community ranked from the State of New York.
“I’m routinely accused of being a town cheerleader, so this ranking puts me over the moon,” North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jeniffer DeSena said. “And it speaks to much more than just the hard work of our employees; it speaks to their humanity.”
Fortune ranked the top 50 places for families to live, which was based on an analysis of more than 2,000 cities and towns with more than 20,000 residents throughout the United States.
“A great place to live is not one that solely supports a family in the present, but one that will serve them for the long term,” Fortune wrote. “With a growing portion of Americans caring for both children and aging parents, more people want to live in cities where multigenerational families can thrive. And as the retirement dream is unraveling for many older adults who don’t want to leave the workforce or can’t afford to, finding a place to live that provides a strong job market has never been more critical.”
Each city was analyzed for more than 200 data categories within the themes of education, resources for aging adults, general wellness, financial health and livability.
“Everyone already knows that we’re striving for more efficient services and lower taxes,” DeSena said. “But we believe those services and how they’re delivered should increase your sense of belonging.”
The top five ranked cities, in order from first to fifth, are Silver Spring, Maryland; Upper Merion, Penn.; Chantilly, Vir.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; and Mason, Ohio.
North Hempstead has a median sale price of $1,156,728 for single-family homes, a median household income of $144,003 and an average graduation rate of 94.62%, according to Fortune.
Fortune described North Hempstead as a “peaceful escape from the Big Apple with tree-filled enclaves and tranquil harbors dotted with sailboats,” highlighting its many villages with walkable downtowns.
“North Hempstead is a prime landscape for golfing and boating, thanks to its country club and many waterways,” Fortune wrote. “It’s also in a top-notch location; its proximity to the water means there are several beaches to enjoy during the summer months and several ponds for ice skating during the winter, while its proximity to New York City makes it easy to jazz up weekend life or commute to work; you can get there in under an hour on the LIRR.”
The publication also noted the town’s “rich history” that is displayed through its 25 museums and historical gardens.
The Town of North Hempstead, which has a population of 236,238 residents, was also awarded the highest Sharecare community ranking of the ranked communities, which evaluates its health and wellness services. The town received a score of 89 out of 100.
The town also offers its program Project Independence, which supports local senior citizens.
Another highlight of North Hempstead is its school districts, with many of them ranking high in other national publication lists. U.S. News ranked Manhasset Secondary School the 23rd-best high school in the state and Great Neck South High School came in at No. 26 this year.
“Our town board wants you to wake up and know that your neighbors are as interested in your well-being as you are in theirs,” DeSena said. “We want you to feel connected.”
