Living in Shelter Island
Key metrics and insights for homebuyers and sellers evaluating Shelter Island, Suffolk, NY 11964.
Is Shelter Island walkable?
Shelter Island has a Walk Score of 1 out of 100, which Walk Score rates "Car-Dependent".
Nearby Long Island Rail Road stations and typical weekday AM-peak travel times to the Manhattan and Brooklyn terminals. Many Shelter Island residents use whichever station best fits their branch and schedule.
AM-peak travel times on scheduled LIRR service to Penn Station, Grand Central Madison, and Atlantic Terminal (Brooklyn). Based on MTA LIRR public timetable data.
Shelter Island Market Data
Current market conditions and pricing trends for Shelter Island, Suffolk, NY.
Single-family, condo and co-op homes are measured separately — these medians are never blended together. Based on 11 recorded closings in ZIP 11964 between Sep 18, 2025 and Sep 18, 2026 — a settled trailing twelve months, ending about a month back so late-recorded closings are counted rather than missed. Days on market are medians, not averages. A property type with fewer than 8 closed sales in that window is left out rather than published on a sample too thin to mean anything.
Single-family prices in ZIP 11964 are down about 7% year over year, comparing 11 sales in the 12 months to September 18, 2026 with 15 in the 12 months to September 18, 2025.
Across 8 years of county-clerk records, 4 homes in the Shelter Island school district were bought by a company and resold within two years. Over the whole period the typical one was bought for $500,000 and resold for $540,000, a median of 12 months later.
That difference is gross. Renovation, carrying, financing and selling costs are not recorded anywhere public, so it is the change in price, not a profit. Over a hold of that length prices across the county moved about +3.9%, which accounts for a good part of the difference here.
The pandemic years cut against the intuition that investors moved in. Companies bought 17.9% of homes here in 2019, then 10.2% in 2020 and 27.0% in 2021 — the lowest share of the 8 years. In those two years companies won a smaller share, not a larger one. The number bought and resold within two years fell with it, from 1 in 2019 to 0 in 2021.
Since then it has reversed. Company buying reached 23.6% in 2024 — above its 2019 level of 17.9%.
No company bought and resold a home in the Shelter Island school district within two years in 2025.
Companies bought 22.8% of the 57 homes sold in the Shelter Island school district that year (13 of them).
2025 is not a complete year here. Filings reach the state months after closing, so 2025 runs only to October and its totals will keep rising. Its counts are not comparable with a full year; its medians are.
No company bought and resold a home in the Shelter Island school district within two years in 2024.
Companies bought 23.6% of the 55 homes sold in the Shelter Island school district that year (13 of them).
No company bought and resold a home in the Shelter Island school district within two years in 2023.
Companies bought 21.3% of the 47 homes sold in the Shelter Island school district that year (10 of them).
No company bought and resold a home in the Shelter Island school district within two years in 2022.
Companies bought 25.8% of the 66 homes sold in the Shelter Island school district that year (17 of them).
No company bought and resold a home in the Shelter Island school district within two years in 2021.
Companies bought 27.0% of the 122 homes sold in the Shelter Island school district that year (33 of them).
In 2020, 1 home in the Shelter Island school district was resold by a company that had bought it within two years — too few to quote a typical price from.
Companies bought 10.2% of the 127 homes sold in the Shelter Island school district that year (13 of them).
In 2019, 1 home in the Shelter Island school district was resold by a company that had bought it within two years — too few to quote a typical price from.
Companies bought 17.9% of the 78 homes sold in the Shelter Island school district that year (14 of them).
In 2018, 2 homes in the Shelter Island school district were resold by a company that had bought them within two years — too few to quote a typical price from.
Companies bought 16.1% of the 56 homes sold in the Shelter Island school district that year (9 of them).
No company bought and resold a home in the Shelter Island school district within two years in 2017.
Companies bought 14.9% of the 87 homes sold in the Shelter Island school district that year (13 of them).
Source: property transfers recorded with the county clerk, which cover every sale rather than only those listed for sale. Filings reach the state months after closing, so these figures run to October 2025 and describe what has already happened rather than the market today.
Between 2017 and October 2025, 394 homes in the Shelter Island school district passed between family members rather than being sold — about 67 for every 100 that sold on the open market.
89% of them recorded no price at all, so they appear in no market statistic, no listing history and no sold comparable. They are counted here because the transfer itself is filed with the county clerk, whether or not money changed hands.
Counted from the reason recorded on each transfer with the county clerk, not from the price. Transfers filed only to add or remove a name on the deed are excluded — those are paperwork, not a change of owner. Where a filing gives no reason it is not counted, so these are minimum counts rather than a complete rate, and they run to October 2025.
Of the 23 homes for sale in Shelter Island today, 9 are now asking less than they originally asked — 39.1%, against 34.6% across Suffolk. 1 seller has raised their asking price.
Measured from the OneKey MLS feed, updated daily. A home counts as reduced when its current asking price is below the price it was first listed at — not against an estimate or against other homes.
What This Means for Sellers
Pricing strategy is the variable you control in Shelter Island regardless of which way the wider market is leaning. Overpriced homes sit and get chased down with reductions; correctly priced ones still move. The comparables for your specific home — not a headline about the market — are what set the right number, and that is where having an agent who understands both the legal and market dynamics becomes critical.
What This Means for Buyers
Come pre-approved and judge each home in Shelter Island on its own comparables. Conditions vary by price band and by street, so the useful read comes from the specific property and what has actually closed near it — not from a single label for the town.
Thinking of selling your Shelter Island home?
Town figures are the backdrop. Your street, price band and condition decide what your home would sell for. Start with a value range built from recent sales near you.
Or talk through your timing with us
No cost, no obligation · built from recent nearby sales
The listings that did not sell asked a median of $2,999,000 — 65% above the $1,812,500 median of the homes that closed. Counted over the trailing twelve months: every listing that closed, expired, was withdrawn or was terminated. Listings still active or under contract are not counted on either side. If the feed does not retain every withdrawn listing, the real figure is higher than the one shown, never lower.
Based on information from OneKey® MLS, for the period September 18, 2025 through September 18, 2026.
Flood informationShelter Island: FEMA flood dataMedian NFIP cost, single-family homes, ZIP 11964: $1,220 a year (Aug 2026)
Median yearly cost by FEMA zone: high-risk A zones $2,070 (21 policies); coastal high-risk V zones $4,120 (4 policies, small sample); moderate- to low-risk zones (X, B, C) $1,200 (186 policies).
Cost trend, ZIP 11964
Median yearly cost of single-family NFIP policies taking effect each month.
In ZIP 11964, the typical monthly median yearly cost of single-family NFIP policies taking effect in March through August 2026 was $1,370, 14% higher than the typical month in March through August 2025 ($1,200). Based on 85 and 87 policies.
Check a specific address
Look up the FEMA flood zone for any address: FEMA Flood Map Service Center · FloodSmart (FEMA).
Flood data for Suffolk County: costs by ZIP, trend and FEMA ratings →Calculated from FEMA policy data (as of Sep 8, 2026) and FEMA's NFIP residential penetration rates. Yearly cost is premium plus FEMA fees, single-family NFIP policies only; the insured share is residential NFIP contracts as a share of all residential buildings. Private flood insurance is not included. Not a flood-zone determination, insurance advice or a quote. Each building is priced individually.
What It's Like Living in Shelter Island
Shelter Island is one of Suffolk's most established residential communities, offering a distinctive blend of suburban character and metropolitan accessibility. Located in the 11964 zip code, the community is served by the Shelter Island Union Free School District.
With a median single-family sale price of $1,725,000 and a median recorded property tax of $8,300 a year across single-family sales in ZIP 11964 (Shelter Island and Shelter Island Heights), Shelter Island pairs an established housing stock with direct access to New York City.
Joseph's Insider Guide to Shelter Island
Direct answers informed by 5,000+ closed transactions across Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Brooklyn — not the canned content you'd find on any listing portal.
What are property tax trends in Shelter Island, NY?
Shelter Island homeowners pay a median of approximately $8,300 a year in property taxes — the median of the tax figures actually recorded on homes sold here, not an estimate. The bill funds school-district, county, town, and special-district services. Taxes are assessed parcel by parcel, so two similar homes on the same street can carry very different bills — confirm the actual assessment on a specific address before relying on it.
Is now a good time to buy or sell in Shelter Island?
Conditions in Shelter Island are best read from the numbers themselves, with homes selling in about 153 days. Single-family sale prices in ZIP 11964 (Shelter Island and Shelter Island Heights) changed -7% year over year. Timing decisions depend on your specific situation — contact Joseph for a no-cost strategy session tailored to your property and goals.
What makes Shelter Island different from other Suffolk communities?
Shelter Island is a long-established community served by the Shelter Island Union Free School District. Prices and activity vary by property type, school district, condition and price band; the figures above show where this market stands now.
What should buyers know before making an offer in Shelter Island?
School district boundaries in Shelter Island often run street by street — two blocks can mean a different school zone, so confirming a home's exact attendance zone before you make an offer matters. As an Associate Broker who is also an attorney, Joseph reads title and contract details differently than most agents — and when the facts of a deal are in front of him, he knows what's worth asking about. (Not a substitute for your own attorney's representation.)
Is Shelter Island walkable for everyday living?
Shelter Island has a Walk Score of 1/100, measured at a single point near the centre of Shelter Island. Walkability varies street by street, so check the score for a specific address.
Planning a Move to Shelter Island?
Get the Shelter Island Relocation Guide — schools, commute options, live market data, and insider neighborhood details compiled by an Associate Broker who is also an attorney.
Explore Shelter Island
The latest from Shelter Island — local news, community events, and neighborhood highlights.
Schools in Shelter Island, NY
Shelter Island is served by the Shelter Island Union Free School District. Attendance zones on Long Island are assigned street by street, so a Shelter Island mailing address does not by itself determine which school a home is zoned for.
- Elementary
- Shelter Island School
- High
- Shelter Island School
These are the schools recorded on homes sold in this district over the last 12 months — the district may also serve neighbouring communities. Zones can change and run street by street — we confirm the exact assignment for any home before you offer.
See every Suffolk school district, its schools and its tax rates →
School district boundaries on Long Island often run street by street, so a Shelter Island mailing address doesn't guarantee a given school. We confirm a home's exact attendance zone before you make an offer.
Shelter Island on the Map
Explore Shelter Island and nearby areas. Zoom in to see neighborhoods, schools, transit, and local amenities.
Looking to Buy in Shelter Island?
Browse available properties or let Joseph find the right home for you — with the read of an Associate Broker who is also an attorney.
Homes for Sale in Shelter Island, NY
22 active listings currently on the market in Shelter Island. Data refreshed from the MLS in real time.
Active 0d
Ranch
Active 9d
Traditional
Active 88d
Barndominium
Active 4d
Farmhouse
Active 124d
Farmhouse
Active 177d
A-Frame
Listings courtesy of OneKey® MLS as distributed by MLS GRID.
Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID as of October 18, 2026 5:30 pm. All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.
Personal-use terms and which listings this site shows: MLS & Data Disclosures
Showing 6 of 22 active listings
View All 22 Listings in Shelter IslandRecently Closed in Shelter Island
4 closed sales found. Recent transactions provide real-world context for current market values. For a full Comparative Market Analysis of your property, request a complimentary CMA.
← swipe to view all →
| Address | Type | Beds / Ba | Sq Ft | Closed | Sale Price | $/Sq Ft | DOM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contemporary | 3 bd / 3 ba | 1,950 | — | Sign in to view | — | 58d | |
| Contemporary | 4 bd / 3 ba | 2,296 | — | Sign in to view | — | 249d | |
| Cottage | 4 bd / 4 ba | 1,702 | — | Sign in to view | — | 305d | |
| Ranch | 3 bd / 2 ba | 1,340 | — | Sign in to view | — | 211d |
Source: OneKey MLS — Shelter Island closed sales, last 180 days. Verify all figures independently before making decisions.
Get Your Home’s Value →Shelter Island Real Estate FAQ
Expert answers to the most common questions about buying and selling in Shelter Island.
How much does it cost to buy a home in Shelter Island?
What are property taxes like in Shelter Island, and can they be lowered?
What is the LIRR commute from Shelter Island to Manhattan?
How are the schools in Shelter Island?
Why work with Joseph DeVito to buy or sell in Shelter Island?
Is Shelter Island served by one school district, or do buyers need to verify district boundaries?
Which school district is the main draw for buyers looking in Shelter Island?
Why can two Shelter Island homes with similar prices have very different tax bills?
How does Shelter Island's effective tax rate compare with the Suffolk County average?
What price range sells fastest in Shelter Island right now?
What is the commute tradeoff for Shelter Island compared with Shelter Island Heights and Dering Harbor?
Do buyers compare Shelter Island more with Shelter Island Heights or Dering Harbor?
Is Shelter Island a better value than Shelter Island Heights or Dering Harbor based on median price and taxes?
How have home prices changed in Shelter Island?
Are sellers cutting prices in Shelter Island?
What counts as a price reduction on this page?
Joseph DeVito is a New York Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker and a New York attorney. He does not act as both broker and attorney on the same transaction: here he acts as a real estate broker only, and he is not your attorney. Real estate services provided through Keller Williams Realty Greater Nassau are not legal representation. Everything on this site is general information for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, it creates no attorney-client relationship, and it should not be relied on as legal advice — for advice about your own situation, consult your own attorney.
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How Shelter Island Fits Into the Suffolk County Market
Shelter Island’s median sale price of about $1.73M sits about 150% above the Suffolk County median of about $690K. These are whole-county figures over a settled trailing 12 months — the same data behind our full Suffolk County reports.
County medians describe the wider market, not any specific property, and are not a valuation of a home in Shelter Island.
Suffolk Markets Priced Like Shelter Island
Other Suffolk communities whose current median sale price sits closest to Shelter Island's — a practical way to see what the same budget buys elsewhere.
Live OneKey MLS medians from recent closed sales, refreshed daily. Market condition reflects months of supply. Figures describe each market, not any specific home.
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Buy or Sell in Shelter Island, NY With an Associate Broker Who Knows Which Questions to Ask
Joseph DeVito has been part of more than 5,000 closed transactions across Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, and Brooklyn. As an Associate Broker who is also an attorney, he reads a deal differently than most agents — and when the facts of your Shelter Island deal are in front of him, he knows the contract and title questions worth asking.
Also explore: Buyer Resources · Selling Your Home · All Suffolk Communities · Suffolk County Housing Market Outlook · Suffolk County Days on Market Report · Suffolk County School & Tax Breakdown