Wheatley Heights: Quick commutes, LIRR access, home prices under the median draw buyers
Brian Camacho tosses a pie at Little Joe's Pizza on Colonial Springs Road in Wheatley Heights. Credit: Barry Sloan
THE SCOOP Buyers can get more for their money and easy access to the rest of the Island in Wheatley Heights.
Its central location "is a big factor, too," said Jeff Stineback, an agent with Compass Greater New York.
"It's a super easy commute location from there," Stineback said, adding it's close to highways and the Wyandanch LIRR train station, which has a large parking garage, is easily accessible.
For many buyers, the Half Hollow Hills School District is also a big draw, he added.
Known for the Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, which was established in 1968, Wheatley Heights has two public parks: Kevin Ver Pault Memorial Park and Hermann Griem Park, as well as The Adventure Park, featuring zip lines and climbing adventures.
Members of the Team Revolution cycling group finish their morning ride at Hermann Griem Park in Wheatley Heights. Credit: Barry Sloan
In 1710, Jacob Conklin, who gained notoriety for having sailed with Captain Kidd, built the first home in what is now Wheatley Heights, according to the Town of Babylon website.
Originally connected to neighboring Wyandanch — the two hamlets were collectively known as West Deer Park — Wheatley Heights became a distinct community in the mid-1800s when it designated Half Hollow Hills to be its school district, separate from Wyandanch schools.
Barber Hassler Guzman gives Travis Dillahunt, of Wheatley Heights, a haircut at American 3 Barbershop on Colonial Springs Road. Credit: Barry Sloan
The hamlet was named by William Geiger, a Bellerose businessman, who promoted his 1913 housing development.
The area's clay and sand were well-suited for brick making, and the Walker and Conklin firm lead the brick making industry in the hamlet in the late 19th century, producing 1.6 million bricks a year in Wheatley Heights and Wyandanch brickyards, which were shipped by rail for use in New York City construction.
Children climb in the playground at Kevin Ver Pault Memorial Park. Credit: Barry Sloan
Thanks to the area's celebrated mineral springs, which were purported to have medicinal and healing properties, bottled water from Colonial Mineral Springs Company was another booming business in the mid-1800s.
Wheatley Heights attracted the likes of William K. Vanderbilt II, great-grandson of railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who built his "Castle" estate off Conklin Road and raced automobiles along Vanderbilt Motor Parkway through the hamlet in the early 1900s.
Homes along Chelmsford Drive, top, and Stonington Circle in Wheatley Heights. Credit: Barry Sloan
SALE PRICES Between May 13, 2025, and May 12, 2026, there were 30 home sales with a median sale price of $672,500, according to OneKey MLS. During the same period a year earlier, there were 48 home sales with a median sale price of $580,000.
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There is one condo, priced at $235,000, on the market.
OTHER STATS
Population 4,729
Median age 37
Median home value $705,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from Wyandanch $356.50
School districts, graduation rates Half Hollow Hills (95%), Wyandanch (64.2%)
Libraries Half Hollow Hills, Wyandanch
Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 12
Sources: 2024 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR; data.nysed.gov; Suffolk County Transit
RECENTLY SOLD
$895,000
Chelmsford Drive
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 5
Bathrooms 2½
Built 1967
Lot size 0.29 acre
Taxes $15,866
+/- List price +$26,000
Days on market 45
$766,000
Perry Lane
Style Hi ranch
Bedrooms 5
Bathrooms 3
Built 1991
Lot size 0.25 acre
Taxes $12,904
+/- List price +$17,000
Days on market 96
$685,000
Sunset Avenue
Style Ranch
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Built 1962
Lot size 0.4 acre
Taxes $11,971
+/- List price Sold for asking
Days on market 68
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 8
Price range $235,000 to $950,000
Tax range $11,940 to $18,067
