A 'hidden gem,' Wheatley Heights touts its diversity
Herman Griemm Park has sledding, ballfields and playgrounds. Credit: Danielle Silverman
THE SCOOP Jorge Rosario, a 10-year resident of Wheatley Heights and a Town of Babylon attorney, calls his hamlet a hidden gem. “It’s nestled between Huntington, Dix Hills and Wyandanch, so most people just drive by. But for the folks who live here, it’s just a great community,” he says. “It’s one of the most diverse places I think I've seen.”
Rosario takes pride in the Concerned Taxpayers of Wheatley Heights/Dix Hills civic association, of which he is a member, noting the group puts on events throughout the holidays. He also noted that Wheatley Heights’ power lines are underground, “so when we get storms, nothing falls down,” he said.
Homes on Barrington Drive. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Residents of the hamlet, which has only about 5,000 residents and is in the Town of Babylon, enjoy Hermann Griem Park for sledding and tennis courts. There’s also the Adventure Park at Long Island for ziplining and other activities.
There are several summer camps along Colonial Springs Road, including Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds and Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts. Usdan, under the purview of the Town of Huntington, is seeking a special-use permit to add “glamping” or overnight camping tents on part of its 140-acre property, which has met with neighborhood opposition.
Usdan Summer Art Camp plans an overnight camping program. Credit: Matt Zugale
Commercial property is limited to the Wheatley Hollow Shopping Center on Colonial Springs Road, which houses the post office, a pizzeria and the recently opened Black Momma Tea & Cafe. There’s plenty of shopping and dining nearby in Farmingdale and Deer Park.
Most of the homes in Wheatley Heights are Colonials, split-levels and high and low ranches, according to Rolande Volcy, an agent with Keller Williams Realty Elite. “The average square footage is 1,200, but there are homes 1,800 square feet and higher, and the prices tend to be $500,000 plus,” Volcy said. “There are also condos in the area.”
Black Momma Tea & Cafe recently opened in the Wheatley Hollow Shopping Center. Credit: Danielle Silverman
The area was once known for brickmaking because the Half Hollow Hills had ideal clay and sand. Wheatley Heights was part of the hamlet of Wyandanch, known as West Deer Park, until the mid-1800s. The name Wheatley Heights comes from a 1913 development mapped out by real estate investor William Geiger.
Volcy noted the hamlet is also attractive to commuters. “It’s very close to the expressway, and you have the Wyandanch train stop nearby, which makes it easy for anyone going to the city,” she said.
In addition to single-family homes, Wheatley Heights has several multi-unit complexes. Credit: Danielle Silverman
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are two co-ops on the market, ranging in price from $199,000 to $239,000.
SALE PRICES Between Feb. 28. 2021, and March 31, 2022, there were 56 home sales with a median sale price of $497,500 according to OneKey MLS. The low price for that period was $260,000 and the high was $692,500. During that period a year earlier there were 53 home sales with a median sale price of $445,000. The price range was $155,000 to $630,000.
OTHER STATS
Area 1.3 square miles
ZIP code 11798
Population 5,140
Median age 38.5
Median household income $116,750
Median home value $545,000*
Monthly LIRR ticket from Wyandanch $363
School districts, graduation rates Half Hollow Hills (95%), Wyandanch (66%)
Parks Hermann Griem Park
Libraries Half Hollow Hills, Wyandanch
Hospitals Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, South Shore University Hospital
SOURCES: 2020 Census; 2019 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS; LIRR, data.nysed.gov *Based on 23 sales in the past six months, per OneKey MLS
NOW ON THE MARKET
Priced at $699,999, this splanch on Chelmsford Drive has been fully renovated. Credit: Jump Visual
$699,999
This three-bedroom, 2½-bath splanch built in 1967 on 0.29 acre, has been renovated with a new kitchen that has a center island, updated bathrooms and flooring. A fourth bedroom was converted to a custom walk-in closet. Taxes are $13,378; a sale is pending. Michelle Keegan, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-758-2552.
Priced at $629,000, this high ranch on Homestead Drive is set on park-like grounds. Credit: Barry Axelrod
$629,000
This four-bedroom, two-bath high-ranch built in 1962 has a formal dining room, kitchen with peninsula island, living room with a large bay window, and a lower level with room for a mother-daughter or office. It’s on 0.29 acre and has a large deck. Taxes are $10,629. Annette Alicanti and Gregg Cannizzaro, Compass Greater NY, 347-386-6932.
Priced at $239,000 this garden co-op in the Wheatley Gardens complex features a high-end bathroom and updated kitchen. Credit: Russell Pratt Photography
$239,000
A renovated garden co-op in the Wheatley Gardens development, built in 1972, this two-bedroom, one-bath unit has an updated kitchen, new bathroom with high-end fixtures, and a large living room/dining room combination. It also has central air and natural gas. Taxes are included in the HOA fee of $821 a month. Cheron Dinkins, Keller Williams Points North, 516-865-1800.
RECENTLY SOLD
$692,500
Barrington Dr.
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2½
Built 1966
Lot size 0.43 acre
Taxes $10,952
+/- List price +$42,512
Days on market 137
$481,500
Circle Dr.
Style High ranch
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2
Built 1962
Lot size 0.29 acre
Taxes $10,790
+/- List price +$11,600
Days on market 91
$305,000
North 17th St.
Style Cape
Bedrooms 2
Bathrooms 1
Built 1946
Lot size 0.11 acre
Taxes $6,234
+/- List price Sold for asking
Days on market 29
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 9
Price range $199,000 to $679,000
Tax range $9,905 to $13,718
