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Shelter Island Heights, NY

New York · Metropolitan Area

Shelter Island Heights is a small town in New York with a population of 998. Residents earn $103,884 per year, which is 38% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
998 Population 185/sq mi density
$103,884 Median Income $79,490 per capita
$1,041,300 Home Value
53°F Avg Temperature 282 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$103,884 median income, 0.3% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$1,041,300 home value
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
59.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $103,884
38% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,041,300
269% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 59.2%
76% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.5%
8% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.3%
1% lower than US avg

How Shelter Island Heights Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population998
Median Age69.4 yrs
Density185/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 91%
Veterans12.5%

Economy

A+
Median Income$103,884
Per Capita$79,490
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty12.3%
County GDP$16,096M
Commute16 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,041,300
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units1,910
Rent Burden29.8%

Health

Obesity29.5%
Uninsured5.5%
Smoking10.7%
Depression19.3%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (12°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Sunny Days282/yr
Elevation22 ft (7 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+59.2%
High School+91.5%
Graduate+25.2%
School Score5.39

Community

2024 VoteR 42% / D 56%
Commute16 min
Broadband78.4%
Libraries20

Is Shelter Island Heights a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Shelter Island Heights receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Shelter Island Heights offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Shelter Island Heights is $103,884, which is significantly higher than the national average — 38% above $75,149. This places Shelter Island Heights among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. 12.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Shelter Island Heights is $1,041,300, making it a premium housing market at 269% above the U.S. median of $281,900. With a home price-to-income ratio of 10x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Shelter Island Heights is a highly educated community — 59.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 91.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Shelter Island Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 282 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Shelter Island Heights has a population of 998 with a density of 185 people per square mile. The median age is 69.4 years, 78% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.3%), with 4.3% Hispanic, 2.7% Black.

Population

998
Total Population
185
People / sq mi
69.4yrs
Median Age
78% above US avg
5.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51%
Female 49%

Race & Ethnicity

Shelter Island Heights vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.9%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.1%
92% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Shelter Island Heights vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Shelter Island Heights is $103,884, which is 38% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Shelter Island Heights vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$103,884
38% above US avg
Per Capita Income$79,490
Avg Weekly Wage$1,353
IRS Avg AGI$111,114

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.3%
1% below US avg
Establishments (County)6,800
County GDP$16,096M

Business (County)

Restaurants485
Healthcare542
Retail655
Manufacturing215

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,204
134% above US avg
Cost of Living107.90 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate0.79%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.0 min
Drive Alone59.0%
Public Transit6.5%
Work from Home32.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Shelter Island Heights is $1,041,300, 269% above the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,041,300
269% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden29.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,215
1 Bedroom$1,315
2 Bedrooms$1,579
3 Bedrooms$1,976
4 Bedrooms$2,193

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied100.0%
Housing Units1,910
Median Year Built1971

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,204
134% above US avg
Effective Rate0.79%
In Shelter Island Heights, 29.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 5.5% of residents lack health insurance. 10.7% are current smokers. 19.3% report depression. 21.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Shelter Island Heights vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.5%
8% below US avg
Diabetes7.9%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure27.8%
Asthma11.0%
COPD5.4%
Cancer7.7%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking10.7%
24% below US avg
Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity21.5%
Depression19.3%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress11.5%
Short Sleep38.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.9%
Uninsured5.5%
36% below US avg
Checkup Rate79.5%
Dental Visits64.5%

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access92.7%
Healthcare Facilities542
Shelter Island Heights has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area enjoys 282 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.0°F
2% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days282 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation22 ft (7 m)
Area5.4 sq mi (14.0 km²)
Population Density185/sq mi
Coordinates41.0555°N, 72.3604°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS09130
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 59.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (76% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 13.4-point margin. 78.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 42.4%
D 55.9%

Winner: Democrat by 13.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+59.2%
76% above US avg
High School+91.5%
Graduate Degree+25.2%
School Test Score5.39
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density185/sq mi
Total Area5.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access78.4%
Public Libraries20
Healthcare Facilities542
Restaurants485
Retail Stores655

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.0 min
Drive Alone59.0%
Public Transit6.5%
Work from Home32.6%

Nearby Cities

Greenport West, NY 2,170 pop · 2.7 mi Greenport, NY 2,574 pop · 3.3 mi Shelter Island, NY 2,281 pop · 3.3 mi Southold, NY 6,600 pop · 3.7 mi Noyack, NY 4,601 pop · 5.4 mi Sag Harbor, NY 2,449 pop · 5.7 mi East Marion, NY 1,741 pop · 5.7 mi Cutchogue, NY 2,903 pop · 7.0 mi Northwest Harbor, NY 4,966 pop · 7.8 mi Bridgehampton, NY 1,322 pop · 8.4 mi Orient, NY 1,152 pop · 8.7 mi North Sea, NY 6,517 pop · 8.9 mi Water Mill, NY 2,218 pop · 9.2 mi Mattituck, NY 4,204 pop · 10.1 mi
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