Brookhaven, New York is a town in central Suffolk County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the population was 448,248.

The Town of Brookhaven is centrally located in the county and stretches from the north shore to the south shore.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1,376.6 km² (531.5 mi²). 671.6 km² (259.3 mi²) of it is land and 705.1 km² (272.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 51.22% water.

It has coastline on both the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound. Riverhead and Southampton lie to the east, and Smithtown and Islip lie to the west.

A large part of Fire Island and the Great South Bay are in the town.

History

The first known inhabitants were Algonkian-speaking Native Americans, of the Setauket and Unkechaug tribes. The first English settlers arrived in 1655 and purchased land from the inhabitants. Early English settlers farmed, fished, and hunted whales.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 448,248 people, 146,828 households, and 112,910 families residing in the town. The population density is 667.5/km² (1,728.8/mi²). There are 155,406 housing units at an average density of 231.4/km² (599.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 88.43% White, 4.33% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 2.90% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.21% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. 8.04% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 146,828 households out of which 38.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.1% are non-families. 17.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.97 and the average family size is 3.37.

In the town the population is spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $62,475, and the median income for a family is $69,358. Males have a median income of $48,601 versus $32,157 for females. The per capita income for the town is $24,191. 5.9% of the population and 3.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.5% of those under the age of 18 and 6.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Communities and locations in Brookhaven

Villages

Brookhaven includes eight villages:

1. Belle Terre
2. Bellport
3. Lake Grove
4. Old Field
5. Patchogue
6. Poquott
7. Port Jefferson
8. Shoreham

Other communities

All or part of 51 hamlets. One of those hamlets is also named Brookhaven.

• Brookhaven --
• Coram --
• East Shoreham --
• Mastic --
• Mastic Beach --
• Medford --
• Middle Island --
• North Bellport --
• Rocky Point --
• South Haven --
• Shirley --
• Sound Beach --
• Yaphank --

External links

• Town of Brookhaven, NY
• Additional information about Brookhaven