Locust Valley, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Locust Valley, New York
settlement_type = CDP
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
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pushpin_label_position = none
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of New York
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = U.S. Census Map


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map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New York
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Nassau
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 2.4
area_land_km2 = 2.4
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 0.9
area_land_sq_mi = 0.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3521
population_density_km2 = 1479.6
population_density_sq_mi = 3832.0

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 39
elevation_ft = 128
latd = 40 |latm = 52 |lats = 38 |latNS = N
longd = 73 |longm = 35 |longs = 41 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 11560
area_code = 516
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-43192
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0955805
website =
footnotes =

Locust Valley is a hamlet (and a census-designated place) in Nassau County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 3,521.

Locust Valley is in the Town of Oyster Bay.

History

The rolling hills of the North Shore of Long Island were laid down as terminal moraines by the receding glaciers of the last ice age roughly 10,000 years ago. The Algonquin tribe that settled the area, spanning from Flushing to Setauket, called the area "hilly ground" or Matinecock and as a result the Algonquin Indians who settled there became known as the Matinecock Indians. ["The Early Settlement of Oyster Bay", by John Hammond, The Freeholder: Magazine Online. 2003]

In 1667, Captain John Underhill negotiated with the Matinecock Indians to purchase land for a settlement that he and his fellow colonists would call Buckram."IF YOU'RE THINKING OF LIVING IN: LOCUST VALLEY" By TODD PURDUM The New York Times January 15, 1984] The town name lasted for nearly 200 years, when in 1856 the name was changed to Locust Valley based on the number of locust trees located in the area. On April 19th 1869, the Long Island Rail Road opened the extension of the Glen Cove line, via a single track to Locust Valley, making it the terminus of the line until the railroad was extended to its current terminus in Oyster Bay in 1889. ["THE LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD online Museum" http://www.arrts-arrchives.com/]

With the arrival of the Long Island Rail Road, a commercial center developed and thrived around the station and the nearby intersection of Forest Ave/Buckram Road and Birch Hill Road. As the North Shore of Long Island grew into the Gold Coast in the late 19th century, the commercial center grew to serve great estates that were being established in the surrounding communities of Lattingtown, Mill Neck, Matinecock & Brookville. Being the commercial center and the railroad station for the surrounding Gold Coast communities, Locust Valley - though geographically small- became the name by which to reference the surrounding areas that lay between Glen Cove and Oyster Bay.

As Locust Valley's name became synonymous to the surrounding communities, the town also lent its name to the accent prevalent on the great estates: Locust Valley Lockjaw. While the accent is not heard as much as it once was, Locust Valley remains a social center for upper-class New Yorkers being centered upon the exclusive country clubs in the area- Piping Rock and The Creek.

Geography

Locust Valley is located at coor dms|40|52|38|N|73|35|41|W|city (40.877127, -73.594782)GR|1 on the North Shore of Long Island. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²), of which, 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (2.13%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,521 people, 1,279 households, and 915 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,832.0 per square mile (1,477.7/km²). There were 1,324 housing units at an average density of 1,441.0/sq mi (555.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.51% White, 3.89% African American, 0.03% Native American, 1.99% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 5.68% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.54% of the population.

There were 1,279 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $57,418, and the median income for a family was $70,592. Males had a median income of $51,115 versus $37,868 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $40,141. About 3.0% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Many will find that the local school district includes an impressive array of facilities. The district is claimed to be one of the best in the nation. In May 2008, Newsweek ranked Locust Valley High School in the top 1% of U.S. High Schools. The high school is also a recent addition to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, a rigorous program of internationally standardized courses taught in schools around the world. Many colleges recognize I.B. Higher Level courses as equivalent to roughly 10 credits at the college level each, provided that students achieve a score of 5 out of 7 in these Higher Level courses.

The high school newspaper, "The Spectrum," is a consistent winner of both the Columbia Scholastic Press Association's and the Empire State Scholastic Press Association's Gold Award for excellence in student journalism.

Cemetery

Locust Valley Cemetery is a private, non-denominational memorial that began with a unique plan over 100 years ago. Rather than the usual rows of marble and granite, the Cemetery's 19th century founders conceived of a sanctuary more like a woodland garden. To realize that vision, they commissioned the Olmsted family, renowned architects of Central Park, to design its grounds.

In 1917, Locust Valley Cemetery was incorporated, and a perpetual care fund was established to preserve its natural beauty. Today, that fund is still supported by proceeds from every sale, assuring that this woodland haven will always receive the care and attention it has in the past.

Points of interest

* John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden
* Planting Fields Arboretum, a convert|400|acre|km2|sing=on arboretum and botanical garden near Locust Valley.
* Friends Academy
* Portledge School

References

External links

* [http://www.locustvalley.com/ Locust Valley]