Inwood, New York

Inwood is an unincorporated hamlet and census-designated place in the Town of Hempstead, in southwestern Nassau County on Long Island. Situated along the border with Queens and the waterways of Jamaica Bay, Inwood is one of the five communities traditionally associated with the Five Towns, together with Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Woodmere and Hewlett.

Inwood occupies a distinctive position within the Five Towns. Its combination of established residential neighborhoods, local businesses, waterfront parkland, industrial and commercial properties, and connections to New York City gives it a different character from some of the more exclusively residential communities nearby. It is also home to the historic Inwood Country Club, where two of professional golf’s most significant championships were held during the early 20th century.

According to the 2020 United States Census, Inwood had 11,340 residents within approximately 1.60 square miles of land. The hamlet is located near John F. Kennedy International Airport, the Rockaway Peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean beaches of southwestern Nassau County, making it one of Long Island’s westernmost suburban communities.

History of Inwood

Inwood’s early history is closely connected to the fishing settlements and tidal waterways surrounding Jamaica Bay. Before the area developed into a suburban community, its marshes, creeks and sheltered inlets supported fishing, shellfishing and other maritime activities. The surrounding region was historically associated with the Rockaways, and the area that eventually became Inwood was known by several names before adopting its present identity.

Historical accounts identify the community as North West Point, a name reflecting its location relative to the settlements around Far Rockaway. During the 19th century, the area became known as Westville, a name that remained in use as roads, homes and railroad connections encouraged additional development.

Early residents were closely connected to the waters of Jamaica Bay. Fishing boats, small waterfront landings and maritime occupations were important to the local economy, while much of the surrounding land remained relatively undeveloped. The growth of neighboring Lawrence and other communities gradually brought improved roads, additional residences and closer connections to the rest of southwestern Nassau County.

From Westville to Inwood

The name Inwood was adopted in the late 1880s, when residents sought to establish a local post office. Because another New York community already used the name Westville, a different name was required. Residents selected Inwood, and the community’s first post office opened on February 25, 1889.

The name change marked an important point in the community’s development. Inwood continued growing as transportation improvements made the western portion of Long Island increasingly accessible to people working in Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan.

The growth of nearby Lawrence and the railroad communities of the Five Towns helped shape Inwood’s residential development. During the early 20th century, streets and housing expanded, while the waterfront continued to support recreational and commercial activities. Inwood gradually became a permanent suburban community rather than a relatively isolated fishing settlement.

Inwood Country Club and Golf History

One of Inwood’s most historically significant landmarks is Inwood Country Club, a private golf and recreational club established in 1901 along Jamaica Bay. The original nine-hole golf course was expanded to 18 holes in 1906 and later underwent design changes associated with golf course architect Herbert Strong.

The club became nationally prominent when it hosted the 1921 PGA Championship, won by Walter Hagen. At the time, the championship was contested through match play, and Hagen defeated Jim Barnes in the final to capture the title.

Two years later, Inwood Country Club hosted the 1923 U.S. Open, one of the most important tournaments in American golf history. Bobby Jones, then a 21-year-old amateur, won his first major championship after defeating Bobby Cruickshank in an 18-hole playoff.

Jones entered the final playoff hole tied with Cruickshank and struck a remarkable long iron shot from the rough, setting up the decisive finish. The victory marked the beginning of Jones’ extraordinary championship career, which eventually culminated in his historic Grand Slam in 1930.

Inwood Country Club remains an active private golf, tennis and beach club. Its championship history gives Inwood a nationally significant place in the history of golf, distinguishing the hamlet from many other residential communities in the Five Towns and throughout Nassau County.

A Residential Community in the Five Towns

Modern Inwood is a predominantly residential community with a mixture of detached houses, multifamily residences, neighborhood businesses and commercial properties. Its streets and housing reflect several periods of development, from older neighborhoods established during the early 20th century to more recent construction and improvements.

Inwood is generally more compact and urban in character than some neighboring Five Towns communities. Its population is also culturally and ethnically diverse, reflecting longstanding connections with New York City and the changing population of southwestern Nassau County.

The community’s commercial corridors include Doughty Boulevard, Sheridan Boulevard and portions of Rockaway Turnpike, where local shops, restaurants, professional services and other businesses serve residents and nearby neighborhoods. Larger shopping districts are accessible in Cedarhurst, Lawrence and Woodmere.

Although Inwood is one of the original Five Towns, it does not have its own incorporated village government. Municipal services are primarily provided through the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County and local service districts. This distinction is part of the broader pattern of towns, villages and hamlets found throughout Long Island.

Inwood Park and Waterfront Recreation

Inwood Park is one of the hamlet’s principal public recreation destinations. Located at 600 Bayview Avenue, the approximately 16-acre Nassau County park provides athletic and recreational facilities along the waterfront of Mott Basin, a sheltered waterway connected to the larger Jamaica Bay estuary.

The park includes a softball field, tennis and basketball courts, a playground, an outdoor roller rink, picnic facilities and waterfront access. Its shoreline provides opportunities for saltwater fishing and crabbing, while a boat-launch ramp serves recreational boaters.

Inwood Park is also recognized as a launch and landing location along the South Shore Blueway Trail, a network intended to improve access for kayakers and other non-motorized boaters exploring the protected waterways of southern Nassau County. The boat ramp requires applicable permits and fees, and fishing is subject to New York State licensing and regulatory requirements.

The park’s combination of athletic facilities and waterfront access makes it an important neighborhood resource, particularly in a densely developed community where large public open spaces are limited. Visitors interested in similar destinations can explore Long Island Guide’s coverage of parks, fishing and kayaking on Long Island.

Jamaica Bay, Mott Basin and the Coastal Environment

Inwood’s western and northern surroundings are shaped by the waterways, tidal marshes and developed shorelines associated with Jamaica Bay. Mott Basin and nearby Hook Creek form part of this coastal environment, creating a landscape that differs from the oceanfront communities farther south.

These waterways historically supported fishing, shellfishing and small-boat activity. Today, they remain important for recreational boating, marine habitat and stormwater drainage, while also presenting challenges associated with tidal flooding, coastal storms and the management of developed waterfront properties.

Inwood’s location near the Queens border places it within a heavily developed portion of the Jamaica Bay watershed. Nevertheless, its shoreline retains connections to the natural estuarine environment that historically defined this corner of Long Island.

Nearby Beaches and Recreation

Although Inwood does not have an Atlantic Ocean beach within the hamlet, residents have relatively convenient access to the barrier-island communities of Atlantic Beach and Long Beach. These destinations provide opportunities for ocean swimming, beach recreation, walking and seasonal waterfront activities.

Other nearby recreational facilities include North Woodmere Park, a much larger Nassau County park serving the surrounding Five Towns region. Its amenities include a nine-hole golf course, driving range, seasonal swimming complex, athletic fields, playgrounds and additional recreational facilities.

The surrounding region also offers additional opportunities for boating, fishing and visiting Long Island beaches. Public access requirements, parking restrictions and seasonal admission policies vary among Nassau County parks, municipal beaches and private facilities.

Schools and Community Services

Inwood is associated primarily with the Lawrence Union Free School District, which serves students from several communities in the western Five Towns. Public schools, community organizations, houses of worship and recreational programs contribute to neighborhood life and provide services extending beyond the boundaries of the hamlet.

As in other parts of Nassau County, school district boundaries and postal addresses do not necessarily correspond with community boundaries. Residents considering a particular property should verify its assigned school district and applicable local services.

Inwood also benefits from its proximity to educational, commercial and civic institutions throughout the Five Towns, including neighboring Lawrence, Cedarhurst and Woodmere.

Transportation and the Long Island Rail Road

Inwood is served by the Inwood station on the Far Rockaway Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. The station is located near Doughty Boulevard and Brunswick Avenue, adjacent to the hamlet within the neighboring Village of Lawrence. Rail service provides connections toward Jamaica Station and other destinations, with transfers or through service toward Brooklyn and Manhattan depending on the schedule.

The railroad has been associated with the community since its earlier identity as Westville. The modern Inwood station dates to 1911, although the name and history of railroad service in the area extend further back into the 19th century.

For drivers, Rockaway Turnpike, Doughty Boulevard and the Nassau Expressway provide important connections to nearby communities and Queens. These routes also connect with major highways serving the New York metropolitan area.

John F. Kennedy International Airport is located nearby, across the waterways of Jamaica Bay in Queens. The airport’s proximity makes Inwood convenient for some airport-related travel and employment, although local traffic conditions and road access can substantially affect driving times.

Inwood and the Surrounding Five Towns

Inwood occupies the western portion of the traditional Five Towns region. Immediately nearby are Lawrence and Cedarhurst, while Woodmere and Hewlett lie farther east.

The Five Towns name became established during the early 20th century as community organizations increasingly coordinated activities across these neighboring places. Although the name suggests five municipalities, the region actually contains a mixture of incorporated villages, unincorporated hamlets and smaller residential communities, all within the Town of Hempstead.

Inwood is also closely connected geographically and economically with the Rockaway communities of Queens. Its position near the city boundary makes it part of the transition between New York City’s outer neighborhoods and the suburban communities of Nassau County.

To the south, Atlantic Beach and Long Beach provide access to the Atlantic coastline. To the east, the Five Towns connect with other established South Shore communities including Valley Stream and Lynbrook.

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Inwood, New York

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Key Facts and Details

Community	Inwood
Community Type	Unincorporated hamlet and census-designated place
Town	Town of Hempstead
County	Nassau County
Region	Five Towns, southwestern Long Island
ZIP Code	11096
2020 Census Population	11,340
Land Area	Approximately 1.60 square miles
2020 Population Density	Approximately 7,110 residents per square mile
Historic Names	North West Point and Westville
Current Name Adopted	Late 1880s
First Inwood Post Office	February 25, 1889
Early Economy	Fishing, shellfishing, maritime activity and waterfront settlement
Historic Landmark	Inwood Country Club, established in 1901
Major Golf Championships	1921 PGA Championship and 1923 U.S. Open
Notable Golf Champions	Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones
Major Public Park	Inwood Park, approximately 16 acres
Park Address	600 Bayview Avenue, Inwood, NY
Park Recreation	Softball, tennis, basketball, roller skating, playgrounds, picnicking, fishing, crabbing and boating
Major Waterways	Jamaica Bay, Mott Basin and nearby Hook Creek
Boating Access	Inwood Park boat launch and South Shore Blueway Trail access
Public Schools	Primarily Lawrence Union Free School District
Rail Transportation	Inwood station on the Long Island Rail Road Far Rockaway Branch
Major Roads	Rockaway Turnpike, Doughty Boulevard and Nassau Expressway
Nearby Airport	John F. Kennedy International Airport
Nearby Communities	Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, Hewlett and Queens
Nearby Beaches	Atlantic Beach and Long Beach
Community Character	Diverse, established residential community with waterfront, commercial and transportation connections

Inwood occupies a distinctive place in the history and geography of Nassau County, combining the maritime heritage of Jamaica Bay with the development of Long Island’s western suburbs. From its early identity as North West Point and Westville to its emergence as one of the original Five Towns, the community has maintained strong connections to both the surrounding waterfront and neighboring New York City. Its nationally significant golf history at Inwood Country Club, recreational opportunities at Inwood Park, Long Island Rail Road connections and proximity to JFK Airport contribute to a community identity that extends beyond its residential neighborhoods. Together with nearby Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Woodmere and Hewlett, Inwood remains an important part of the cultural, historical and geographic landscape of southwestern Long Island.