Malverne: Groundhog, holiday lighting, business district hold community together
Hempstead Avenue is home to local staples like Malverne Pastry Shop and Malverne Deli. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
THE SCOOP Joseph DeVito, of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, discovered Malverne when he accidentally got off the wrong exit many years ago and felt as if he'd stepped back in time.
Malverne is like an old-fashioned, quaint little town "where everyone knows each other," said DeVito, who grew up in Lynbrook.
"When you drive through Malverne you immediately realize it's something different," he said, adding that the tree-lined streets, beauty and unique spirit led him to move to Malverne 10 years ago.
The village holds many annual events, including the ceremony to see if Malverne Mel sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, a nearly three-decade-long tradition.
"Having a groundhog, a holiday lighting, an Easter Egg hunt and a Halloween candy crawl really harken back to the days of old, when people had a real sense of community," said Malverne Mayor Tim Sullivan. "We haven't lost that in Malverne and we cherish and appreciate these traditions that bring us all together."
Hempstead Avenue houses Malverne's bustling downtown. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Malverne is home to Crossroads Farm at Grossmann's, one of Nassau's few remaining farms, a thriving business district and its own police, fire and public works departments. Together, they allow Malverne to "continue to attract new buyers to the community and do a great job of preserving the village and making it attractive to families that have lived here generationally," Sullivan said.
Chester A. Reese Veterans Memorial Park is a favorite for locals to enjoy the outdoors. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
What began as a community of woods and streams called Norwood, Malverne was cobbled together out of a group of farms. Starting in 1911, as the farmland became subdivided, the Norwood name was dropped. The village was then named after Malvern, a village in England, and an "e" was added.
Notable residents of the village, which was incorporated in 1921, have included Tony Danza, sports columnist Walter "Red" Smith and Francis Purcell, Nassau County Executive from 1978 to 1987.
Today, the housing stock consists mostly of Capes, Colonials and Tudors.
Homes along Park Boulevard, top, and Clinton Street in Malverne. Credit: Howard Simmons
SALE PRICES Between March 7, 2024, and March 6, 2025, there were 63 home sales with a median sale price of $739,000, according to OneKey MLS. During that period a year earlier, there were 70 home sales with a median sale price of $667,000.
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are no condos or co-ops on the market.
OTHER STATS
Population 8,496
Median age 45.6
Median home value $750,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from Malverne $258
School districts, graduation rates Malverne (95.1%), Valley Stream (94.1%)
Library Malverne
Transit NICE Bus Routes 31, 32
Sources: 2023 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR, data.nysed.gov, Nassau Inter-County Express
ON THE MARKET
$849,000
This $849,000 Malverne home has four bedrooms. Credit: Coldwell Banker American Homes
This renovated 1,380-square-foot Colonial has four bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms. It sports hardwood floors, a renovated kitchen with quartz counters and stainless steel appliances, a finished basement and a new Navien tankless hot water system. The 0.9-acre poperty includes an attached one-car garage. Taxes are $13,290. Ghandi Parbu, Coldwell Banker American Homes, 516-796-8900.
$779,000
This $779,000 Malverne home is 1,516 square feet. Credit: Douglas Elliman Realty
At 1,516 square feet, this circa 1935 Tudor features four bedrooms, one bathroom, hardwood floors, arched doorways and a formal dining room. Located in Malverne's Westwood section, the 0.11-acre property includes a detached one-car garage. Taxes are $13,419. Joseph DeVito, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 516-669-3700.
$699,000
This $699,000 Malverne home its on a 0.09-acre lot. Credit: VHT Photography
This 1,529-square-foot 1940 Tudor-style Cape has four bedrooms and 1½ baths. It features hardwood floors, a kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a four-season room and a full unfinished basement. Situated on a corner lot, the 0.09-acre fenced-in property has a back patio and an attached one-car garage. Taxes are $14,971. Matthew Schnepf & Charmaine Spence, Coldwell Banker American Homes, 718-593-9825.
RECENTLY SOLD
$1.105 million
Wagg Avenue
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2½
Built 2024
Lot size 0.14 acre
Taxes $14,151
+/- List price +$5,000
Days on market 113
$800,000
Rider Avenue
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 1½
Built 1928
Lot size 0.14 acre
Taxes $16,001
+/- List price +$5,000
Days on market 103
$565,000
Wagg Avenue
Style Cape
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 1½
Built 1938
Lot size 0.14 acre
Taxes $14,153
+/- List price +$5,000
Days on market 58
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 10
Price range $699,000 to $875,000
Tax range $10,880 to $17,000
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