Hempstead, New York

Hempstead, New York
Town of Hempstead
Nickname: 
ToH
Interactive map of Hempstead, New York
Coordinates: 40°42′17″N 73°37′02″W / 40.70472°N 73.61722°W / 40.70472; -73.61722
Country United States
State New York
CountyNassau
First settled1644 (1644)
Town SeatHempstead
Government
 • TypeTown council
 • Town supervisorJohn Ferretti Jr. (R)
 • Town council
Members
Area
 • Total
191.77 sq mi (496.68 km2)
 • Land118.68 sq mi (307.39 km2)
 • Water73.09 sq mi (189.29 km2)  38.11%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
793,409
 • Rank2nd in New York
 • Density6,685/sq mi (2,581/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
11550
Area codes516, 363
FIPS code36-059-34000
Websitehempsteadny.gov

The Town of Hempstead is the most populous town in the state of New York. It is the largest of the three towns within Nassau County (alongside North Hempstead and Oyster Bay), located on Long Island, east of Queens. The population was 793,409 at the time of the 2020 census.

It occupies the southwestern part of the county, near the western end of Long Island. A total of 22 incorporated villages (one of which is named Hempstead) are completely or partially within the town.

Hofstra University's campus is located in Hempstead.