University Gardens (also known as Lakeville and Little Neck, Nassau County) is a hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP) in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. It is located within the Town of North Hempstead and is part of the Greater Great Neck area. The population was 4,358 at the time of the 2020 census.
The University Gardens CDP includes the University Gardens subdivision and the other unincorporated areas between it and the Nassau / Queens line, such as Great Neck Terrace.
History
Much of the land which is now located within the University Gardens CDP was once farmland. Suburban development in the community started to take off in the early 20th century. This includes development in and of the Little Neck Park, University Gardens, and Waverly Hills sections; at the time, the hamlet was known as Lakeville and Little Neck, Nassau County.
The University Gardens development (for which the hamlet and CDP is named) was developed in the late 1920s. It includes 218 homes and 17 commercial properties. Located at the northwestern corner of the hamlet, the complex's 28 garden apartment buildings were designed by architect Samuel Paul.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, University Gardens had a population of 4,358. The median age was 45.9 years. 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 84.0 males age 18 and over.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,642 households in University Gardens, of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 57.7% were married-couple households, 11.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. there were 4,138 people, 1,660 households, and 1,160 families residing in the CDP. The population density was . There were 1,696 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the CDP was 80.67% White, 2.39% African American, 0.12% Native American, 13.29% Asian, 1.98% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.59% of the population.
There were 1,660 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $74,637, and the median income for a family was $90,511. Males had a median income of $61,207 versus $42,308 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $40,643. About 2.5% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Town representation
As University Gardens is an unincorporated hamlet, it has no government of its own, and is instead governed directly by the Town of North Hempstead in Manhasset.
Lake Success is located in the Town of North Hempstead's 4th council district, which as of August 2024 is represented on the North Hempstead Town Council by Christine Liu (D–Herricks).
Representation in higher government
Nassau County representation
University Gardens is located in Nassau County's 10th Legislative district, which as of August 2024 is represented in the Nassau County Legislature by Mazi Melesa Pilip (R–Great Neck).
New York State representation
New York State Assembly
University Gardens is located in the New York State Assembly's 16th State Assembly district, which as of August 2024 is represented in the New York State Assembly by Gina L. Sillitti (D–Manorhaven).
New York State Senate
University Gardens is located in the New York State Senate's 7th State Senate district, which as of August 2024 is represented in the New York State Senate by Jack M. Martins (R–Old Westbury).
Federal representation
United States Congress
University Gardens is located entirely within New York's 3rd Congressional district, which as of August 2024 is represented in the United States Congress by Thomas R. Suozzi (D–Glen Cove).
United States Senate
Like the rest of New York, University Gardens is represented in the United States Senate by Charles Schumer (D) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D).
Politics
In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the majority of University Gardens voters voted for Hillary Clinton (D).
Parks and recreation
thumb|The entrance to Lakeville Park on June 4, 2021.The Great Neck Park District, which the hamlet is entirely within the boundaries of, also maintains three parks within the hamlet: Cutter Mill Park (located off Great Neck Road), Lakeville Park (located at the northern end of Concord Avenue at Pembroke Avenue), and Upland Park (located on the east side of Soundview Drive between Bates and Upland Roads).
Education
School district
University Gardens is located entirely within the boundaries of (and is thus served by) the Great Neck Union Free School District. As such, all children who reside within University Gardens and attend public schools go to Great Neck's schools.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Road
Northern Boulevard (New York State Route 25A) passes through the hamlet and forms part of its northern boundary. All five of these bus routes are operated by Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE).
Power
PSEG Long Island provides power to all homes and businesses within University Gardens.
Sewage
University Gardens is connected to sanitary sewers. These sewers are operated by the Belgrave Sewer District, which the hamlet is entirety, is located within the boundaries of.
Water
University Gardens is located entirely within the boundaries of (and is thus served by) the Manhasset–Lakeville Water District. Built on the site of the former University Golf Club, the subdivision operates under a set of covenants recorded with its 218 homes and 17 commercial properties under the auspices of the University Gardens Property Owners Association, Inc.; it is located in the northeastern portion of the CDP. It is open exclusively to residents of the subdivision and their guests.