The Village of Great Neck Plaza was incorporated on May 3, 1930.[3]
In 1866, the New York and Flushing Railroad extended their main line into Great Neck through a subsidiary called the North Shore Railroad, thus transforming it from a farming community into a commuter town. The NY&F was consolidated into the Flushing and North Side Railroad in 1869, only to be merged into the Flushing, North Shore, and Central Railroad in 1874 and leased in 1876 by the LIRR. Throughout much of the late 19th century, Great Neck was the terminus of what is today the Port Washington Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. The village was incorporated in 1930, even as the station that led to its existence was being reconstructed. In addition to the railroad station, Great Neck Plaza contains other historic structures, such as the local post office and the Grace and Thomaston Buildings.[3]
Great Neck Plaza encompasses a busy commercial district, two parks, as well as a residential section with many multiple dwellings and private homes. Although geographically the Village measures only one-third of a square mile, it boasts a vibrant downtown including the Great Neck LIRR station, over 250 retail stores and service establishments, almost 90 multiple-family apartment buildings, 148 single family homes, approximately 40 office buildings, two four-star hotels, a nursing home, a senior independent living facility, and one assisted-care living facility.[3]
As of the census of 2010, there were 6,707 people, 3,603 households, and 1,581 families residing in the village. The population density was 20,853.4 inhabitants per square mile (8,051.5/km2). There were 3,925 housing units at an average density of 12,723.4 units per square mile (4,912.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 77.6% White, 1.5% African American, 0.05% Native American, 11.6% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.29% of the population.[2][6][7][8]
There were 3,603 households, out of which 12.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 56.1% were non-families. 51.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.74 and the average family size was 2.54.[2]
In the village, the population was spread out, with 11.6% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 30.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 75.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.0 males.[2]
The median income for a household in the village was $54,591, and the median income for a family was $70,781. Males had a median income of $51,863 versus $46,703 for females. The per capita income for the village was $42,914. About 4.1% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.[2]
Government
Village government
As of September 2021, the Mayor of Great Neck Plaza is Ted Rosen, the Deputy Mayors are Pamela Marksheid and Gerald Schneiderman, and the Village Trustees are Michael DeLuccia and Lawrence Katz.[9]
Representation in higher government
Town representation
Great Neck Plaza is located in the Town of North Hempstead's 5th district, which as of September 2021 is represented on the Town Board by Lee R. Seeman (D–Great Neck).[10]
In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the majority of Great Neck Plaza voters voted for Hillary Clinton (D).[17]
Education
School district
Great Neck Plaza is located entirely within the boundaries of the Great Neck Union Free School District.[11][18] As such, all children who reside within the village and attend public schools go to Great Neck's schools.[11][18]
Library district
Great Neck Plaza is located within the boundaries of the Great Neck Library District (which is served by the Great Neck Public Library).[11]
Emergency services
Great Neck Plaza is protected by the Nassau County Police Department's Sixth Precinct (located in Manhasset), and fire protection is provided by two volunteer departments: Vigilant Hook & Ladder for locations north of the LIRR tracks and Manhasset–Lakeville Fire Department for locations south of the LIRR tracks.[11]
