Before the village

In 1643, John Carman and Robert Fordham sailed across the Long Island Sound from Stamford, Connecticut and purchased the land that is now occupied by the Towns of Hempstead and North Hempstead from the Marsappeaque, Matinecock, Mericock, and Rockoway Native Americans.^[2] This land included what is now East Hills.^[2]

For a long time, much of what now is East Hills was home to a few wealthy families.^[2] In 1898, Clarence and Katherine Mackay settled in present-day East Hills and would eventually commission Stanford White to design their mansion, Harbor Hill.^[2] In 1924, the Prince of Wales, who later abdicated the throne of England to marry Mrs. Simpson, was entertained at the Mackay estate. Aviation pioneer Charles A. Lindbergh even rested at the Mackay estate in 1927 after returning to the United States following his historic solo flight to Paris, France.^[2]

Village of East Hills (1931 – present)

The Village of East Hills was incorporated on June 24, 1931, and its first election was held a couple weeks later on July 8 in barns at the Mackay estate.^[2][3] Reasons for incorporating included the desire by many locals to be excluded from paying taxes for sanitary sewer systems, highways, etc., the desire to not be part of the Roslyn Sewer District and to keep businesses out, and to maintain local control through municipal home rule powers.^[4][5] Many of the proposals opposed by the locals were proposed when Roslyn first wanted to incorporate, as early plans called for that village's proposed boundaries to include what would become East Hills.^[5] As such, the residents decided to incorporate East Hills as a separate village.^[5]

Mr. Willets was elected as Mayor and John Mackay, Stephen Willets, Ellen A. Hennessy, and Catherine Hechler were elected as the Village Trustees.^[2] Charles Hechler, the husband of Mrs. Hechler, was appointed as the Village Clerk.^[2]

The name of East Hills was chosen based on its geography and location.^[3] The "East" reflects the village's geographic location adjacent to and east of Roslyn, and the "Hills" reflects the hilly geography of the village.^[3]

The post-war era ushered in a huge population boom and suburbanization throughout the United States, which led to the construction of many new developments in the Village of East Hills. One of these developments, Strathmore, was developed by Levitt & Sons in the late 1940s.^[4]

Another large-scale development built during this time, the Country Estates subdivision, was developed by Country Estates, Incorporated over Clarence Mackay's former estate.^[6] Prior to building the Country Estates in East Hills, the firm developed the Flower Hill Country Estates development in nearby Flower Hill.^[6]

A third notable development, Norgate, was developed by Gustav A. Mezger and the Homeguard Realty Corporation.^[4][7]

Additionally, in order for the Roslyn Union Free School District to adequately serve the influx of families, the Moore & Hutchins-designed East Hills Elementary School was opened between the Canterbury Woods and Fairfield Park developments in 1953.^[4][8]

On Labor Day 2006, the Park at East Hills opened on the land previously occupied by the Roslyn Air National Guard Station.^[9] It has a pool, nature walks, senior facilities, and tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts. The construction of the park was financed through the sale of bonds; carrying and operating costs are paid through taxes.^[9]

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 6,955 people residing in the village.^[15][16] The racial makeup of the village was 89.85% White, 0.95% African American, 7.40% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.24% of the population.

Census 2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,842 people, 2,245 households, and 2,029 families residing in the village.^[15] The population density was 2,991.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,155.0/km²). There were 2,275 housing units at an average density of 994.7 per square mile (384.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 92.94% White, 0.8% African American, 0.01% Native American, 4.82% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.

There were 2,245 households, out of which 46.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 84.4% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.6% were non-families. 8.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.2.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 29.9% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $149,726, and the median income for a family was $159,316. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $52,115 for females. The per capita income for the village was $59,297. About 1.5% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.

Village government

As of July 2023, the Mayor of East Hills is Michael R. Koblenz.^[17] Koblenz has held this position since 1995, and as of 2022 has an annual salary of $60,000.^[4][17][18] He previously lived in nearby Flower Hill and served as one of its Village Trustees in the 1980s.^[19] Also as of July 2023, the Deputy Mayor of East Hills is Emmanuel Zuckerman, and the Village Trustees of East Hills are Brian Meyerson, Clara Pomerantz, Stacey Siegel, and Emmanuel Zuckerman.^[17]

The following is a list of East Hills' mayors, from 1931 to present:^{[2][4][20][21][22]}

Representation in higher government

Politics

In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the majority of East Hills voters voted for Hillary Clinton (D).^[34]

School districts

The Roslyn Union Free School District's East Hills Elementary School, which is located within the village.

East Hills is primarily within the boundaries of (and is thus served by) the Roslyn Union Free School District.^[24] However, some of the southeastern portions of the village are served by the East Williston Union Free School District and the small portion within the Town of Oyster Bay is served by the Jericho Union Free School District.^[24] As such, children who live in East Hills and attend public schools will go to school in one of these three districts depending on where they live within the village.^[24]

Library districts

East Hills is primarily within the boundaries of (and is thus served by) Roslyn's library district.^[24] However, some of the southeastern portions of the village are served by the Shelter Rock Library District and the Westbury Library District, and the small portion within the Town of Oyster Bay is served by the Jericho Library District.^[24]

Transportation

Bus

A bus stop for the n27 on Harbor Hill Road in October 2021. The bus shelter pictured was donated by residents Adam and Reneé Haber.

East Hills is served by the n20H and n27 bus routes, which are operated by Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE).^[24] The n20H travels along the village's northern border via Northern Boulevard.^[37] The n27 travels through the heart of the village along Harbor Hill Road – as well as along Glen Cove Road.^[24]

Utility services