Hempstead is one of the three towns in Nassau County, New York, United States, occupying the southwest part of the county. There are twenty-two incorporated villages completely or partially in the Town. Hempstead's combined population was 759,757 at the 2010 Census, the majority of the population of the county and by far the most of any town in New York. If the Town were to be incorporated as a city, it would be the second-largest city in New York behind New York City and ahead of Buffalo. It would be the 16th largest city in the country.