Freeport

Freeport is one of two incorporated villages in the Town of Hempstead. It is ethnically and economically diverse, almost evenly divided among white, black and Hispanic residents. It was settled in the 1640s by the Merokee tribe, and later, it prospered as an oystering community. In 1853 the village was given its current name, which came from its early designation as a place where ship captains could unload cargo without paying customs duties.

The Nautical Mile, a stretch of shops, restaurants and bars, is the village’s commercial heart. The area recently underwent an extensive revitalization to improve it cosmetically. A miniature golf course was added, and live music is featured regularly. The village’s commercial and charter boat operations are based here. An annual festival draws both residents and visitors.

The village has many recreational facilities. The Freeport Recreation Center has an indoor pool, an exercise room with fitness equipment, a playground, handball court, an outdoor pool and a kiddie pool. There are six parks; four were recently renovated and improved. Two of the parks, Martin Luther King and Randal, also have outdoor pools. Fishing is allowed at Waterfront Park. The recreation department also runs a summer camp and other programs throughout the year. Freeport’s library, one of Nassau County’s largest, was founded in 1884 and offers ESL classes, career counseling, and other programs for children and adults.

The Freeport Union Free School District educates 6,200 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district was the first on Long Island to implement a magnet school structure, which focuses curricula on a theme or topic. Freeport’s four magnet schools are K-4 and emphasize different academic areas and technology. Columbus Avenue School offers Universal Pre-Kindergarten to 300 students at its early childhood center, and has a dual language program. Qualified middle school students can get a head start on high school diplomas by taking Regents course and exams, which are offered in three areas. Freeport High School sends 87% of its graduates on to higher education. The school also has what may be the oldest high school newspaper on Long Island, Flashings, founded in 1920. The district struggles with a student poverty rate of 39%, and it was recently placed on the state’s list of districts in need of improvement for English Language Arts across all levels.

Housing options include single-family and multi-family homes, as well as co-ops and condominiums. Though crime in the village is a concern, it has decreased in recent years in many categories. The village has its own police department. Revitalization and improving existing assets is a priority for the village, which has a great location on the waterfront, adding to its potential as a great place to live and visit.