| Todt Hill | |
|---|---|
 Todt Hill view | |
| Highest point | |
| Coordinates | 40°36′08″N74°06′44″W / 40.60222°N 74.11222°W /40.60222; -74.11222 |
| Geography | |
  Location of Todt Hill on Staten Island Show map of New York City Todt Hill (New York) Show map of New York | |
Todt Hill (/ˈtoʊt/TOHT)[1] is a 401-foot-tall (122 m)hill formed ofserpentine rock onStaten Island,New York. It is the highest natural point in the fiveboroughs ofNew York City and the highest elevation on the entireAtlantic coastal plain fromFlorida toCape Cod.[2] The summit of the ridge is largely covered in woodlands as part of theStaten Island Greenbelt, although much of the surrounding area is developed and residential.[3] It is considered one of the most exclusive and most expensive areas of Staten Island.[4]
The name Todt comes from theGerman word "Tod" for "death" and may refer to the cemetery (the presentMoravian Cemetery, opened in 1740 and now the island's largest cemetery[5]) on the southwestern foot of the ridge near the town ofNew Dorp that has been in use since colonial days. An alternate explanation is that the name was given by early Dutch settlers because of treeless rocky exposures on the hilltop,[6] caused by the soil of theStaten Island Serpentinite locality.
At the beginning of the 20th century, many houses designed by the architectErnest Flagg were built in the area. A significant part of Todt Hill is now included in theStaten Island Greenbelt.
The term Todt Hill is now often used to include the upscale developments in the hills along the eastern side of the ridge, which most island geographers classify as part of the neighborhood ofDongan Hills.
Two small, natural ponds are found on Todt Hill, and aRoman Catholicpriory is located near the summit.Staten Island Academy, a private school, moved its campus to Todt Hill in the 1960s. There is a golf course adjoining the Moravian Cemetery, each of which has a man-made pond. Otherwise the hill is either parkland or private homes. There is no public transit available on Todt Hill, and most of the streets, including Todt Hill Road, the neighborhood's main thoroughfare, lack sidewalks.
The point of highest elevation is near the intersection of Todt Hill Road and Merrick Avenue.[7]
Todt Hill consists of the two census tracts 177 and 181, although census tract 177 incorporates part of Emerson Hill. According to the 2010 census,[8] the demographics of Todt Hill were 80% non Hispanic White, 1% Black, 11% Asian, and 1% Multiracial. Hispanics of any race made up 7% of the population. The median household income of the area is roughly $120,000. Todt Hill is one of Staten Island's most affluent areas.
As of 2011, the district houses about 11,000 inhabitants. The population density was approximately 1,400 people per square kilometer.[9]
Based on latest information, the population density according to one neighborhood guide has increased to 3,000 people per square mile(about 1,158 people per square kilometer).[10] These discrepancies may arise from varying methodologies in calculating population density or differing definitions of the neighborhood's boundaries.
Todt Hill is served by multiple bus routes on Richmond Road, including theS74,S76,S84 andS86 local buses, and theSIM15 express bus.[16]
neo-Federal.
