Is West Hempstead Safe, Pros and cons of living in West Hempstead
West Hempstead, a hamlet within the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, offers a suburban lifestyle with proximity to New York City. It is known for its diverse population and a stable, high-value employment sector. The area’s economic foundation is built upon its retail, healthcare, and education sectors, which serve as major employers and hubs for local commerce. West Hempstead is recognized for its community focus and stability, while still benefiting from its convenient access to major metropolitan centers.
The community’s character is shaped by its suburban development, reflecting the broader expansion of Nassau County. While West Hempstead does not have a formal founding date, its origins trace back to early colonial settlers and later, turn-of-the-century developers who established its neighborhoods and institutions. These early visionaries transformed farmland into the residential community that exists today, laying the groundwork for its distinct identity within the Town of Hempstead.
Is it Safe to Live in West Hempstead?
The crime rate in West Hempstead is a mixed bag, with some sources indicating it’s lower than the national average while others suggest it’s higher than the New York state average. One report states that West Hempstead’s crime rate is 48% lower than the national average, with violent crimes being 45% lower than the national average (AreaVibes). Another analysis indicates that West Hempstead has a crime rate higher than 87% of New York’s cities and towns of all sizes, with a chance of becoming a victim of crime at 1 in 65 (NeighborhoodScout).
When considering safety, it’s helpful to look at specific crime types and neighborhood variations. Property crime in West Hempstead is reported at 19.52 per 1,000 residents annually (CrimeGrade.org). Residents often consider the southwest part of the hamlet to be the safest, with the chance of being a victim of crime ranging from 1 in 19 in the northeast to 1 in 51 in the southwest (CrimeGrade.org). The cost of crime per resident is approximately $379 annually, which is slightly higher than New York’s state average (CrimeGrade.org).
Housing Market and Costs
West Hempstead’s housing market is characterized by a competitive environment with rising home values. The median listing price for a home in West Hempstead is approximately $859,400 (realtor.com®). In March 2026, home prices saw an increase of 5.7% compared to the previous year, with a median sale price of $820,000 (Redfin). Homes typically sell after about 30 days on the market, indicating a strong demand (Redfin).
Rental prices in West Hempstead are also on the rise and are significantly higher than the national average. As of May 2026, the average rent is $3,467 per month, which is 111% higher than the national average (Apartments.com). A one-bedroom apartment averages around $3,467, while a two-bedroom can cost approximately $4,394 per month (Apartments.com). To afford the average rent, an annual income of around $138,672 is recommended, with a general guideline to spend no more than 30% of monthly income on rent (Apartments.com).
Cost of Living
The overall cost of living in West Hempstead is notably higher than both the national and New York state averages. The cost of living index places West Hempstead at 45% more expensive than the national average and 14% more expensive than the average New York city (ERI Economic Research Institute). This higher cost is largely driven by elevated housing expenses, transportation costs, and food prices.
For a single person, the estimated monthly expenses in West Hempstead are around $2,493, while for a family of four, it’s approximately $5,196 per month (Salary.com). Housing costs are a significant factor, being 25.4% higher than the national average, with an average rent of $1,505 per month for a single person and $2,759 for a family of four (Salary.com). Despite these high costs, essential expenses like energy, transportation, and healthcare are reported to be around 15.2% lower than the national average (Salary.com).
Job Market and Economy
West Hempstead’s economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, with health care and social assistance, educational services, and construction being the largest employment sectors. The healthcare and social assistance sector employs approximately 1,897 residents, followed by educational services with 1,511 employees, and construction with 768 (Data USA). The unemployment rate in West Hempstead is reported to be 3.5% (Niche), with an employment rate of 94.69% (BestNeighborhood.org).
Major employers in the area include the West Hempstead Union Free School District, which is a significant provider of jobs in education, and proximity to large Nassau County hospitals like Mount Sinai South Nassau and NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, which are major draws for healthcare professionals. Other prominent companies include McDonald’s, Starbucks, CVS Health, and J.P. Morgan Chase, among others (Indeed.com).
Climate and Weather
West Hempstead experiences a generally moderate climate with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures typically range from 26°F to 85°F throughout the year (Plantmaps). The summer months, particularly July, see average high temperatures around 82°F and lows of 70°F, with humidity being comfortable during this period (myPerfectWeather, West Hempstead). Winters are cold, with January experiencing average highs of 39°F and lows of 28°F (myPerfectWeather, West Hempstead).
The hamlet receives an average annual precipitation of about 46 inches, with March being the wettest month (myPerfectWeather, West Hempstead). Snowfall averages around 23 inches per year (myPerfectWeather, West Hempstead). The most comfortable weather for outdoor activities typically occurs from May to October, with daily high temperatures between 65°F and 86°F (myPerfectWeather, West Hempstead).
Education and Schools
The public schools in West Hempstead, part of the West Hempstead Union Free School District, serve approximately 1,869 students across five public schools. The district has an average ranking of 5 out of 10, placing it in the bottom 50% of New York public schools (Niche). Math proficiency scores are at 51% and reading proficiency scores are at 48%, slightly below the New York state averages (Niche).
The top-ranked public schools in West Hempstead include Cornwell Avenue School, West Hempstead Secondary School, and George Washington School (Niche). West Hempstead Secondary School, in particular, has a strong academic record, with a 4-year graduation rate of 84.3% and an average SAT score of 1180 (SchoolDigger.com, Homes.com). However, elementary schools show more varied performance, and schools with higher percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch tend to have lower academic achievement (SchoolDigger.com).
Demographics
West Hempstead is home to approximately 20,648 residents, with a near-even gender balance, 49.4% male and 50.6% female (Point2Homes). The racial makeup is predominantly White, at 59.4%, followed by Hispanic (22%), African American (10.8%), and Asian (6.6%) residents (Point2Homes, Niche). A significant portion of the population, 20.6%, was born outside the United States (Data USA).
The median age in West Hempstead is 37.5 years (Point2Homes, Census Reporter). Households in West Hempstead have an average of 3 members, with 82.7% being families (Point2Homes). The median household income was reported as $164,127 in 2024, reflecting a slight change from the previous year (Point2Homes). The poverty rate stands at 4.54% (Census Reporter).