Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Shelter Island Heights, NY
            Considering a move to Shelter Island Heights, NY? This quiet, scenic community of about 1,400 residents boasts very low crime, a relaxed lifestyle, and beautiful coastal weather with 57% sunny days. While the median home price is high at $1,140,000 and rents average $2,200, the area features high educational attainment, a cozy small-town feel, and good access to healthcare. Commute times average 32 minutes, and the local school offers low student-teacher ratios—perfect for those seeking a peaceful, upscale environment.
            
                
                
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    
                                    
                                    Demographics - Shelter Island Heights, NY
                                    
                                 
                            
                                
                                Demographics - Shelter Island Heights, NY
                                
                                
                                    
                                    Shelter Island Heights is a close-knit community of around 1,400 residents, with a median age nearing 60 and a population density that offers ample space. The town is predominantly White, with over 92% of residents, and about 8% speak a language other than English at home. The balanced gender ratio and mature age profile contribute to a quiet, established neighborhood feel.
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Population:
                                            1,400
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Density:
                                            320 per sq mi
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Median Age:
                                            59.2
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Gender Ratio:
                                            93 males per 100 females
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Non-English Speakers Percentage:
                                            8.2%
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                            
Ethnic Composition
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            White:
                                            92.1%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Black:
                                            2.3%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Asian:
                                            0.8%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Others:
                                            4.8%
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                 
                                 
                             
                        
                     
                 
                
                     
                 
                
                
                     
                 
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                Cost Of Living
                                
                                    
                                    What is the average cost of living in Shelter Island Heights, NY?
                                    Living in Shelter Island Heights comes with a higher-than-average cost of living, reflected in a median home value of $1,140,000 and a cost of living index of 173. Utilities, groceries, and transportation also trend above national averages, making this an upscale locale suited for those comfortable with premium expenses. State taxes range from 4% to 10.9%, and typical monthly housing costs are significantly higher for homeowners with mortgages.
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Median House Value:
                                            $1,140,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Gross Rent:
                                            $2,200
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Monthly Electricity Charges:
                                            $170
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Auto Insurance:
                                            $2,200
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
                                            $3,650
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
                                            $1,050
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             State Taxes:
                                            State Taxes: 
                                            
                                            Low:
                                            4%
                                            
                                        | 
                                    
                                            
High:
                                            10.9%
                                            
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Cost Of Living Index:
                                            173
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Grocery:
                                            135
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Housing:
                                            248
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Utilities:
                                            127
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Transportation:
                                            145
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Health Care:
                                            122
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Miscellaneous:
                                            115
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                 
                             
                            
                            
                         
                     
                 
                
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                
                            
                                Crime
                                
                                    
                                    Is Shelter Island Heights, NY a safe place to live?
                                    Shelter Island Heights enjoys a very low crime rate, with just 38 violent crimes and 336 property crimes per 100,000 residents annually. The chance of experiencing violent crime here is 1 in 2,630, making it a notably safe and peaceful place to live. Property crime risk is also low, contributing to the area’s secure, family-friendly atmosphere.
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Violent Crimes Per 100k:
                                            38
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Property Crimes Per 100k:
                                            336
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Crime Index:
                                            374
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Chance Of Violent Crime:
                                            1 in 2,630
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Chance Of Property Crime:
                                            1 in 417
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                 
                                  
                             
                       
                     
                 
                
                
                     
                 
                
                
                     
                 
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                Weather
                                
                                    
                                    What is the weather like in Shelter Island Heights, NY year-round?
                                    Residents experience a classic northeastern coastal climate, with mild summers averaging highs of 81°F and cool winters dipping to 26°F. The area receives about 46 inches of rainfall yearly and enjoys sunshine 57% of the time, making outdoor activities pleasant for much of the year. The four distinct seasons offer a variety of weather, from crisp autumns to comfortable springs.
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
Winter
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Min:
                                            26°F
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Max:
                                            38°F
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
Spring
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Min:
                                            45°F
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Max:
                                            65°F
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
Summer
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Min:
                                            65°F
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Max:
                                            81°F
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
Fall
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Min:
                                            50°F
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Max:
                                            69°F
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                         
                                        Average Rainfall Inches:
                                        46.2 inches
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                         
                                        Sunny Days Percentage:
                                        57%
                                     
                                    
                                 
                             
                            
                            
                         
                     
                 
                
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                
                            
                                Neighbors
                                
                                    
                                    The community is relatively affluent, with household incomes averaging $107,000 and a low poverty rate of 6.8%. Most residents are highly educated, and unemployment is below the national average at 3.4%. The area is primarily residential, with long average commutes and minimal reliance on public transportation, reflecting its tranquil, suburban nature.
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Median Income:
                                            $49,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Household Income:
                                            $107,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Family Income:
                                            $121,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Per Capita Income:
                                            $55,800
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Income Male:
                                            $63,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Income Female:
                                            $45,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Poverty Rate:
                                            6.8%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Non English Speakers:
                                            8.2%
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Rent:
                                            $2,200
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Unemployment Rate:
                                            3.4%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Public Transport Usage:
                                            2.1%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Commute Time:
                                            32.4 minutes
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
Education
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            High School or Higher:
                                            95.3%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Bachelors or More:
                                            53.7%
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                 
                                 
                             
                        
                     
                 
                
                
                     
                 
                
                
                     
                 
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                Education
                                
                                    
                                    How are the schools in Shelter Island Heights, NY?
                                    Shelter Island School serves local students with small class sizes and a low student-teacher ratio of 7.4, fostering personalized attention and a supportive learning environment. While there are no private schools, higher education is accessible, with Stony Brook University just 36 miles away. The high percentage of residents with college degrees underscores the community’s commitment to education.
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
Public Schools
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Name:
                                            Shelter Island School
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Street:
                                            33 N Ferry Rd
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Phone:
                                            631-749-0302
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Students:
                                            230
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Student Teacher Ratio:
                                            7.4
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
Colleges
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Name:
                                            Stony Brook University
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            City:
                                            Stony Brook
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            State:
                                            NY
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Distance:
                                            36 miles
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Students:
                                            26,782
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                     
                                 
                             
                            
                            
                         
                     
                 
                
                
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                
                            
                                Healthcare
                                
                                    
                                    Access to healthcare in Shelter Island Heights is strong, with nearly 95% of residents insured and a local hospital offering emergency services nearby in Greenport. There are 2.4 physicians per 1,000 residents, supporting good access to medical care. The community’s healthcare index signals quality services for families and retirees alike.
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Major Hospitals
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Name:
                                            Eastern Long Island Hospital
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Address:
                                            201 Manor Pl, Greenport, NY 11944
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Phone:
                                            (631) 477-1000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Type:
                                            General & Surgical
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Emergency Services:
                                            Yes
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Physicians Per 1000:
                                            2.4
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Health Insurance Coverage:
                                            94.7%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Health Care Index:
                                            79
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                 
                                  
                             
                     
                 
                
                
                     
                 
                
                
                
                     
                 
                
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                Housing Market
                                
                                    
                                    What is the housing market like in Shelter Island Heights, NY?
                                    The housing market in Shelter Island Heights is competitive, with a median home price of $1,140,000 and most homes owner-occupied. Rental options are limited, with average rents for a two-bedroom around $2,200 and a low vacancy rate. Home values have appreciated over 4% in the past year, reflecting steady demand in this desirable coastal town.
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Median Home Price:
                                            $1,140,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
                                            $2,200
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Owner Occupied Rate:
                                            82.0%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Rental Vacancy Rate:
                                            8.5%
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
                                            4.2%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            New Construction Rate:
                                            1.3%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Foreclosure Rate:
                                            0.4%
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                 
                             
                            
                            
                         
                     
                 
                
                
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                
                            
                                DMV Information
                                
                                    
                                    Residents are served by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, with the nearest office located in Port Jefferson Station. Standard DMV services, including licensing and vehicle registration, are readily accessible, and most information is available online via the state DMV website. This ensures convenient access for all transportation needs.
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            State:
                                            New York
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Department:
                                            New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Address:
                                            1055 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Phone:
                                            1-718-477-4820
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                             
                                            Website:
                                            
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                 
                                 
                             
                        
                     
                 
                
                
                
             
            Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.