Is Holtsville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Holtsville
Holtsville, a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, offers a suburban lifestyle with a blend of residential areas and commercial centers. It is part of Long Island, providing residents with access to both local amenities and the broader attractions of the greater New York metropolitan area. The community is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and its established infrastructure.
The area’s history is tied to its development as a transportation hub and later as a location for significant government and commercial facilities. Today, it continues to be a place where residents can find a balance between a quiet home life and proximity to urban opportunities. Holtsville serves a population seeking a community feel within a well-developed region.
Is it Safe to Live in Holtsville?
Holtsville is generally considered a safe community, with crime rates reported as significantly below the national average. The overall crime index is 50, which is 50% below the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). Violent crime in Holtsville is 23% below the national average, and property crime is 24% below the national average (as reported by DoorProfit).
Analysis of crime data indicates that Holtsville ranks favorably for safety, with many neighborhoods receiving high safety ratings. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Holtsville varies by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 12 in central areas to 1 in 70 in the northwest (as reported by DoorProfit). The northwest part of the city is generally considered the safest (as reported by DoorProfit).
Demographics of Holtsville
Holtsville is home to approximately 19,344 residents, with a median age of 38.9 years (as reported by Point2Homes and World Population Review). The population is relatively balanced in terms of gender, with 50.2% males and 49.8% females (as reported by Point2Homes).
The racial makeup of Holtsville is predominantly White, accounting for about 71% of the population. Other significant demographic groups include Hispanic residents at 18%, African Americans at 4%, and Asian residents at 3% (as reported by Niche). A portion of the population, around 12.8%, was born outside the United States (as reported by Data USA).
Cost of Living in Holtsville
The cost of living in Holtsville is higher than the U.S. national average. Overall living costs are approximately 10% higher than the national average, though they are 64% lower than New York’s state average (as reported by Salary.com). This reflects a 2% increase from the previous year (as reported by Salary.com).
Housing costs are a significant factor, being 25.4% higher than the national average (as reported by Salary.com). The median home value in Holtsville is approximately $484,410 (as reported by Livability.com), while the median listing price was $550K in March 2026 (as reported by realtor.com®). The median rent for an apartment is around $2,402 per month (as reported by Apartments.com).
Housing Market in Holtsville
The housing market in Holtsville shows a median home price of $511,000 as of March 2026, which is a decrease of 14.8% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes typically sell after 22 days on the market (as reported by Redfin).
Rental prices have seen some fluctuation, with the average rent reported at $3,118 per month as of April 2026 (as reported by Zillow). However, other sources indicate the average rent is closer to $2,402 per month as of May 2026 (as reported by Apartments.com), with a 4% decrease in the last year (as reported by Apartments.com).
Job Market and Economy in Holtsville
The economy of Holtsville employs approximately 10,700 people, with the largest industries being Health Care & Social Assistance, Educational Services, and Retail Trade (as reported by Data USA). The average annual salary in Holtsville is around $58,882, with an hourly rate of approximately $28.31 (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
Employment in Holtsville saw a slight decline of -0.876% from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). The unemployment rate in the broader Suffolk County was 4.4% in February 2026 (as reported by USAFacts), which is ranked 53rd out of 62 counties in New York (as reported by USAFacts).
Major Employers in Holtsville
Key employers in Holtsville include the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which operates a large processing center in the hamlet. Other significant entities contributing to the local economy include NYPA’s Richard M. Flynn Power Plant (as reported by Wikipedia).
Additionally, companies like Telxon Corporation, a subsidiary of Zebra Technologies, and various other businesses in sectors such as healthcare and education support the local job market (as reported by Data USA and Zippia).
Climate in Holtsville
Holtsville experiences a humid continental climate with hot summers. Average annual temperatures range from 24°F to 82°F, with comfortable humidity levels during the summer months (as reported by myPerfectWeather and Plantmaps). The hottest month is typically July, with average highs around 82°F and lows of 67°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Winters are colder, with January seeing average highs of 39°F and lows of 25°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The area receives significant precipitation, averaging about 47 inches annually, with around 31 inches of snowfall (as reported by Livability.com and myPerfectWeather).
School Ratings in Holtsville
Public schools in Holtsville serve approximately 1,892 students across three schools. These schools have an average ranking of 7 out of 10, placing them in the top 50% of New York public schools (as reported by Niche). Math proficiency scores average 66%, while reading proficiency scores average 46% (as reported by Niche).
The top-ranked public schools include Chippewa Elementary School, Sagamore Middle School, and Waverly Avenue School (as reported by Niche and SchoolDigger.com). Sagamore Middle School is noted as the highest-performing school, with strong test scores, particularly in math (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).
Pros and Cons of Living in Holtsville
Holtsville offers a suburban lifestyle with a generally safe environment and a strong sense of community. Its proximity to New York City provides access to major employment centers and cultural attractions. The local schools are rated comparably well within the state.
However, the cost of living, particularly housing, is significantly higher than the national average. While the job market is diverse, employment growth has seen a slight decline. Residents also need to be prepared for the distinct seasonal weather patterns, including cold winters and warm, humid summers.