Port Washington has a long Main Street with many historic buildings.
Be sure to check out Inspiration Wharf in Port Washington.
The Town Dock in Port Washington is host to outdoor activities and festivals.
North Hempstead Beach Park in East Port Washington is host to recreation and festivals.
As historic as Port Washington is, there are new constructions like these on Prospect Avenue.

Port Washington, NY

Area Guide

Avg Rent

$2,733

Population

16,544

Renter Mix

24% Rent

Luxuriate in coastal living minutes from Manhattan

Coastal Suburban Picturesque

Port Washington sits on the Cow Neck Peninsula along Manhasset Bay, giving this Nassau County hamlet one of the most recognizable waterfronts on Long Island's North Shore. Just roughly 25 miles from Midtown Manhattan and easily accessible by the Port Washington Branch of the Long Island Rail Road, it draws commuters who want proximity to the city without sacrificing a quieter pace of life. The area has deep roots, with European settlers arriving as early as 1644, and it once served as one of the largest sand-mining hubs east of the Mississippi River. Today, that industrial past has given way to a close-knit, well-established community anchored by locally owned shops and cultural programming at Landmark on Main Street, a longstanding community arts venue. The housing mix leans toward traditional architecture, including single-family homes converted into rental units, garden-style apartment communities, and smaller multi-unit buildings tucked into tree-lined streets near the waterfront. Renters can choose from layouts ranging from studios to spacious two-bedroom apartments, often within walking distance of the train station or the bay. Nearby areas like Manorhaven and Sands Point offer additional context for the variety of settings available within just a few miles, making Port Washington a well-rounded base for those seeking both connection to New York City and a genuine sense of place.

Explore the City

The Town Dock in Port Washington is host to outdoor activities and festivals.

North Hempstead Beach Park in East Port Washington is host to recreation and festivals.

As historic as Port Washington is, there are new constructions like these on Prospect Avenue.

Ayhan's Mediterranean Marketplace in Port Washington is adjacent to its namesake street.

There is plenty of luxury shopping and retail stores near Port Washington.

It is always fun to watch the crew boats at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$167,846

Average: $186,664

Education

8,627

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

8,600

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

45 Years

Largest Age Group

50-59 Years

Approximately 14% of Residents

Under 20

24%

Over 65

23%

Housing Distribution

Port Washington has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
24%
Non-Renters
76%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
50%
Other Education
50%

Rent Trends

As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Port Washington, NY is $2,544 for a studio, $2,733 for one bedroom, and $3,498 for two bedrooms. Apartment rent in Port Washington has increased by 1.6% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,733/month
564 Sq Ft
House
$11,032/month
3,193 Sq Ft
Townhome
$4,104/month
1,436 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Port Washington, NY

Getting Around

Fairly Walkable

Walkability

50 / 100

Some Public Transit

Transit

50 / 100

Moderately Drivable

Drivability

70 / 100

Somewhat Bikeable

Bikeability

30 / 100

Schools

John Philip Sousa Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

564 Students

John J Daly Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

470 Students

Guggenheim Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

474 Students

South Salem Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

435 Students

Manorhaven Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

499 Students

Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,213 Students

Paul D Schreiber Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,643 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Science Museum of Long Island
  • Sands Point Preserve
  • Clark Botanic Garden
  • C.W. Post Community Arboretum
  • Garvies Point Museum & Preserve

Airports

  • LaGuardia
  • John F Kennedy International

Top Apartments in Port Washington

Houses for Rent in Port Washington

Living in Port Washington

History

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Port Washington's heritage as a North Shore harbor community remains visible throughout its waterfront neighborhoods and historic areas. The town's nautical past, once centered on sand mining operations and boatbuilding, has left its mark in the preserved Victorian and colonial homes lining Main Street and surrounding residential blocks. The Polish Town neighborhood reflects the immigrants who arrived in the early 20th century to work the docks and sand pits, while several historic estates and mansions from Long Island's Gold Coast era still dot the hillsides. Today, former industrial sites along the water have been reimagined as marinas and waterfront parks, and the downtown area maintains much of its early 20th-century character through preserved storefronts and civic buildings. Residents can explore this history at local landmarks and through walking tours that highlight the architectural layers spanning more than a century of development along Manhasset Bay.

Transportation

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Port Washington is a hamlet on Long Island's North Shore in Nassau County, well connected to New York City via the Long Island Rail Road's Port Washington Branch, which offers direct service into Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan. Commuters appreciate the roughly 45-minute ride, making it a popular choice for those who work in the city. Locally, most residents rely on personal vehicles, with the Long Island Expressway and Northern Boulevard providing regional road access. Sidewalks and waterfront paths make walking pleasant near the harbor area, and the surrounding neighborhoods are bikeable for short trips.

Parks

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Port Washington offers residents a welcoming mix of waterfront parks and green spaces along the shores of Manhasset Bay. Manorhaven Beach Park is a local favorite, featuring a sandy beach, picnic areas, and playgrounds, while Bar Beach Park provides scenic waterfront access, athletic fields, and open lawns perfect for relaxing outdoors. The town's Sousa Park and Veterans Memorial Park offer quiet retreats with beautiful harbor views. Nearby, Caumsett State Historic Preserve and Sands Point Preserve deliver expansive trails, woodlands, and coastal scenery ideal for hiking and nature exploration.

Highlights

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Port Washington, NY, is a scenic hamlet on the North Shore of Long Island, known for its stunning Manhasset Bay waterfront, charming downtown, and easy access to Manhattan via the Long Island Rail Road. The area boasts a lively marina, well-regarded schools, and a welcoming mix of local shops and dining. With beautiful parks, a rich history, and a close-knit community atmosphere, Port Washington offers an appealing blend of suburban comfort and coastal charm for anyone looking to call Long Island home.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.