| City: | Shelter Island Heights, New York |
| City Alias: | Shelter Is Ht |
| County: | Suffolk County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 11:44:48 PM |
| Population: | 766 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 631 / 934 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 41.0742, -72.3306 |
| Land Area: | 2.741 sq mi |
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The post office maintains 832 PO Boxes for 351 occupied households—an adoption rate of 2.37. That's more than twice the local population's need. Residents from other parts of Shelter Island, along with seasonal visitors managing second homes, drive to this facility because it serves as a regional mail hub. The 832 boxes support not just the Heights, but neighboring areas that lack their own postal infrastructure. Rural carrier routes handle what little street delivery exists, reaching properties along Shore Road and Grand Avenue, the two streets with the most delivery points.
Median home values here reach $1,092,200, nearly ten times the national average. The median age of 56 reflects a retirement and vacation community rather than a year-round residential area. Summer homes need year-round mail service, which explains why PO Box adoption far exceeds local household counts. Owners who visit seasonally still receive tax bills, insurance documents, and property correspondence at boxes they maintain through winter months.
The 17 street names tell the story of waterfront living: Shore Road, Gardiners Bay Drive, Harbor Lane, and Stearns Point Road all reference the marine environment that defines this place. Grand Avenue and Chase Avenue suggest the Victorian-era resort development that created Shelter Island Heights in the 1870s. The post office sits at the center of a community that swells each summer and contracts each fall, but the 832 boxes remain active regardless of who's actually on the island.
Street names emphasize the waterfront character with references to bays, harbors, and shoreline. Shore Road and Grand Avenue serve as the main arteries with the most delivery points, while names like Gardiners Bay Drive, Harbor Lane, and Stearns Point Road all reference the marine environment that defines island life. The presence of Grand Avenue and Chase Avenue hints at the Victorian-era resort development that established Shelter Island Heights as a summer destination in the 19th century.
ZIP Code 11965 has 766 residents and 351 households (average 2.18 persons per household). The median age is 56.0 years, significantly older than the state (39.0) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 51.8% male and 48.2% female, which is higher than the state male share (48.4%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (87.5%, much higher than the state average of 55.2% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (6.7%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 6.7%, which is much lower than the state average (19.5%).
Explore More: Population Over Time By Age & Gender By Race By Gender Nativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 766Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 421Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 279.5 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 351Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $1,092,200Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.18Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.22Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 824 | 664 | 631 | 621 | 650 | 581 | 723 | 690 | 380 | 456 | 560 | 491 | 421 |
| Decennial Census | 534 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 766 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 56
Male Median Age: 58
Female Median Age: 54.8
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 16 | 7 | 16 | 19 | 10 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 34 | 38 | 23 | 35 | 35 | 44 | 46 | 15 | 15 |
| Female | 15 | 13 | 6 | 18 | 23 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 23 | 27 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 32 | 9 | 22 |
| Total | 31 | 20 | 22 | 37 | 33 | 26 | 21 | 22 | 27 | 61 | 70 | 56 | 66 | 64 | 71 | 78 | 24 | 37 |
| White: | 670 | 89.21% |
| Black: | 9 | 1.20% |
| Hispanic:* | 51 | 6.79% |
| Asian: | 10 | 1.33% |
| American Indian: | 2 | 0.27% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 9 | 1.20% |
| Total: | 751 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 397 | 51.83% | 58.0 years |
| Females: | 369 | 48.17% | 54.8 years |
| Total: | 766 | 100% | 56.0 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 346 | 82.19% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 41 | 9.74% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 34 | 17.81% |
| Total Population: | 421 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 346 | 82.19% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 75 | 17.81% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $0, which is far less than the state median ($84,578), is down $100,238 (100.0%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $123,635. Family households earn a median of $248,933 versus $83,864 for nonfamily households (a difference of $165,069). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is well under the state female median ($63,701), with a current gap of $0 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 66.0%, which is notably higher than the state rate (63.0%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is far lower than the state rate (6.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (37.4%).
Explore More: Income Over Time Household Income Employment Status By Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $100,238 | $87,614 | $92,100 | $102,083 | $101,771 | $117,917 | $119,583 | $120,772 | $123,635 | $125,283 | $91,831 | $82,154 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $84,875 | $78,409 | $106,625 | $109,750 | $116,579 | $119,405 | $139,306 | $121,250 | $129,688 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $248,933 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $102,708 | $89,091 | $90,956 | $92,847 | $93,125 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $71,058 | $91,076 | $81,436 | $83,864 |
| Median Male Income | $85,806 | $44,936 | $44,583 | $68,403 | $0 | $68,289 | $64,844 | $66,386 | $61,354 | $0 | $64,030 | $68,924 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $73,021 | $95,388 | $98,207 | $71,452 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 278 | 66.03% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 143 | 33.97% |
| Total: | 421 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 104 | 37.41% |
| Service: | 41 | 14.75% |
| Sales and Office: | 72 | 25.90% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 1 | 0.36% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 60 | 21.58% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 278 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $1,092,200, which is markedly greater than the national median ($303,400), is up $242,000 (28.46%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $257,400. The median gross rent is $0, which is far less than the state median ($1,576), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 78.95% (40.00% with a mortgage, 60.00% free-and-clear) and renters 21.05% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 63.88%, which is much higher than the state rate (10.19%).
Explore More: Compare Home Value Home Value Over Time Rent & Over Time Housing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $850,200 | $766,000 | $778,000 | $733,600 | $767,600 | $822,900 | $823,400 | $814,400 | $834,800 | $724,500 | $906,900 | $1,058,000 | $1,092,200 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 60 | 100.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 60 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $1,775 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 90 | 31.58% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 135 | 47.37% |
| Renter Occupied: | 60 | 21.05% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 285 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 285 | 36.12% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 504 | 63.88% |
| Total Housing Units: | 789 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 728 | 92.27% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 44 | 5.58% |
| Other Units: | 17 | 2.15% |
| Total Housing Units: | 789 | 100% |
In 2023, 84.40% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far higher than the national rate (35.00%), well above both the state and national averages. High school or higher is 98.40%, which is markedly above the state rate (87.90%). The uninsured rate is 17.60%, which is on par with the state rate (5.10%). Public coverage is 18.30%, which is markedly below the state rate (41.40%). The share of people in poverty is 29.90%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), up 29.90 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 29.90 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Insufficient data for school enrollment.
Explore More: Educational Attainment Health Insurance Poverty Over Time School Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 2 | 0.64% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 3 | 0.96% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Some college, no degree: | 44 | 14.01% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 188 | 59.87% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 77 | 24.52% |
| Total: | 314 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 309 | 98.41% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 265 | 84.39% |
| Private Insurance: | 306 | 66.96% |
| Public Insurance: | 77 | 16.85% |
| No Insurance: | 74 | 16.19% |
| Total: | 457 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 383 | 83.81% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 39.8% | 38.8% | 29.9% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0% |
ZIP Code 11965 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 51 business establishments, employing about 326 people with an annual payroll of $26,911,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 834Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 51Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $4,507,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $26,911,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 326Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 11965 is located in Suffolk County, New York, within the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 35620) and New York's 1st Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 19,756,722 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 11965, and is subdivided into the Nassau County-Suffolk County, NY division. It covers 2.741 sq mi of land and a water area of 7.15 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 35620Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | Nassau County-Suffolk County, NY (CBSA Div 35004)Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 19,756,722Source: Census |
| MSA: | New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT-PASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 2.741 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 7.15 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 650.02 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSASource: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 3666850Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Shelter Island Heights CDP; New YorkSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 11965 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on January 1, 2026.