Seaford is a township in
Nassau County, on the
South Shore of
Long Island
Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United Sta ...
, in
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
, United States. The population was 15,294 at the 2010 census.
Geography
![Seaford-map](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Seaford-map.gif)
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and 0.38% is water.
History
The original settlers of Seaford were the Marsapeaques, a
Native American Indian tribe. They called the area "Great Water Land."
European settlement began with the arrival of Captain John Seaman, a native of
Seaford, East Sussex
Seaford is a town in East Sussex, England, east of Newhaven and west of Eastbourne.OS Explorer map Eastbourne and Beachy Head Scale: 1:25 000. Publisher:Ordnance Survey – Southampton B2 edition. Publishing Date:2009.
In the Middle Ages, Sea ...
, in England. After obtaining the patent for the area, Seaman oversaw the creation of Jerusalem South, the first European name given to the town which was to become Seaford. It was also widely referred to as Seaman's Neck.
During the 19th century, as villages across Long Island started to grow (due to the creation of the
Long Island Rail Road
The Long Island Rail Road , often abbreviated as the LIRR, is a commuter rail system in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York, stretching from Manhattan to the eastern tip of Suffolk County, New York, Suffolk Co ...
), the town of Jerusalem South seemed to be unaffected. In 1868 the town was renamed to the current name of "Seaford", to honor Captain Seaman's hometown in England. During this time, Seaford remained an agriculturally developed area. Over time, the town gained a post office, a church, and a
one-room school
One-room schools, or schoolhouses, were commonplace throughout rural portions of various countries, including Prussia, Norway, Sweden, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain. In most rural and s ...
, established in what would many years later become the first fire house and today serves as the home of the Seaford Historical Museum. Although the town itself was practically unchanged, many
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...
residents had discovered that the area was attractive as a summer retreat.
With the creation of
Sunrise Highway
New York State Route 27 (NY 27) is a long state highway that runs east–west from Interstate 278 (I-278) in the New York City borough of Brooklyn to Montauk Point State Park on Long Island, New York. Its two most prominent compo ...
in 1929, Seaford started to see a large influx of inhabitants. Before 1929, Seaford had approximately 1,200 citizens. Within 25 years, this number would triple.
The Powell Hotel was torn down in 1977 to make room for the Long Island Savings Bank. Missing historical documents that would have saved the building by proving landmark status were said to only have been discovered in an eave during actual demolition.
Economy
Cash crop
A cash crop or profit crop is an Agriculture, agricultural crop which is grown to sell for profit. It is typically purchased by parties separate from a farm. The term is used to differentiate marketed crops from staple crop (or "subsistence crop") ...
s such as corn and wheat were some of the earliest farmed within the Seaford area. Due to easy access to various waterfronts, the attempts to fish and recover
oyster
Oyster is the common name for a number of different families of salt-water bivalve molluscs that live in marine or brackish habitats. In some species, the valves are highly calcified, and many are somewhat irregular in shape. Many, but not al ...
s were widely seen. At first, this was a hard task considering the layers of land beneath the water. In the mid-19th century, baymen from the Seaford area created a type of small, round-bottomed boat called the "Seaford
skiff
A skiff is any of a variety of essentially unrelated styles of small boats. Traditionally, these are coastal craft or river craft used for leisure, as a utility craft, and for fishing, and have a one-person or small crew. Sailing skiffs have devel ...
" that was used for fishing and market gunning (commercial waterfowl hunting).
With the popularity of hunting and fishing came the development of two hotels along Merrick Road: the Sportsman's Hotel, where Verity Moving is now located along new Route 135, and the Powell Hotel at Jackson Avenue. Many celebrities came to these hotels to go duck hunting in South Oyster Bay, including New York Yankees
Babe Ruth
George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr. (February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948) was an American professional baseball player whose career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanned 22 seasons, from 1914 through 1935. Nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Su ...
and
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis Gehrig (born Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig ; June 19, 1903June 2, 1941) was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (1923–1939). Gehrig was renowned f ...
, as well as brewery and longtime Yankees owner
Jacob Ruppert
Jacob Ruppert Jr. (August 5, 1867 – January 13, 1939) was an American brewer, businessman, National Guard colonel and politician who served for four terms representing New York in the United States House of Representatives from 1899 to 1907. ...
. Local guides, including Nelson Verity and Sheriff Garner Paine (one of Long Island's first black officials), would take them to the bay for sport.
Demographics
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2000, there were 15,791 people, 5,257 households, and 4,200 families residing in the CDP. The
population density
Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was 6,072.9 per square mile (2,345.0/km
2). There were 5,358 housing units at an average density of 2,060.6/sq mi (795.7/km
2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 99.8%
white
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...
, .15%
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, .06%
Native American, .68%
Asian
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, .02%
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe the original p ...
, .54% from
other races
Other often refers to:
* Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy
Other or The Other may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack
* ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and .59% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or
Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
people of any race were 1.71% of the population.
There were 5,257 households, out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.4% were
married couples
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...
living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.1% were non-families. 16.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and older, there were 93 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $78,572, and the median income for a family was $85,751. Males had a median income of $60,092 versus $39,083 for females. The
per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the CDP was $29,244. About 2.8% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The
Seaford Union Free School District
Seaford Union Free School District is a public school district based in Seaford, New York in the United States. , the school district has 2,202 students enrolled.
The Seaford Union Free School District includes Seaford Manor Elementary, Seafor ...
is the public school district that encompasses the Seaford Harbor Elementary School (K-5), Seaford Manor Elementary School (K-5), Seaford Middle School (6-8), and
Seaford High School (9–12).
The town of Seaford is home to two private schools, Saint William the Abbot Catholic School (Nursery-8) led by Principal Elizabeth Bricker, and Maria Regina School.
The Seaford Free Union School District contains a Board of Education and a Central Administration that oversee the entire school district and are charged with decision making. The board is headed by President Bruce A. Kahn, and Vice President Brian W. Fagan. The Central Administration deals with education matters and budgeting. Its members are Superintendent Brian Conboy, Assistant Superintendent John Strifalino, Assistant Superintendent of Business Elissa Pelati, Directory of Technology Ted Kaden, and Director of Special Education Jane Dawkins.
Seaford High School's subjects
[http://www.seaford.k12.ny.us/cms/lib011/NY01000674/Centricity/Domain/59/New_2015-2016_Course_Handbook.pdf ] include art, business, computer sciences, English, health, French, Spanish, American Sign Language, mathematics, music & choral studies, physical education & health, science, and social studies. Within most of these subjects, AP courses are available.
As of 2010, there were 3,296 students attending all public schools in Seaford, and 984 in private schools.
The school has a total enrollment of 786 students and is equipped with 62 full-time teachers, for a generally low teacher to student ratio of 13:1.
The current principal of Seaford High School is Scott Bersin. Vice principals are Anthony Alison and Jessica Sventeroitis.
The Seaford Free Union School District currently holds no rankings, but bolsters a graduation rate of 96%/ 56% of students in the school district take AP courses.
Within the Seaford Public School District, essential parts of the school and town's identity are its sports and extracurricular activities. The Manor and Harbor Elementary Schools do not offer school-affiliated sports, but do have some clubs and an after-school SCOPE program for students. Seaford Middle School offers many school-sponsored sports, including wrestling, volleyball, softball, baseball, lacrosse, and basketball. The middle school also offers a drama program that produces a musical once a year for the community. Seaford High School offers many of the same sports as middle school, but at the varsity and junior varsity levels. The high school offers clubs such as Students Against Destructive Decisions and Gay Straight Alliance.
The Seaford Public Library is located at 2234 Jackson Avenue.
Cedar Creek Park
The Cedar Creek Park, located on the south end of Seaford on Merrick Road, east of Wantagh Avenue, contains playgrounds, dunes and athletic fields, and offers a variety of community-based activities.
During several months following
Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Sandy (unofficially referred to as ''Superstorm Sandy'') was an extremely destructive and strong Atlantic hurricane, as well as the largest Atlantic hurricane on record as measured by diameter, with tropical-storm-force winds spann ...
(October 2012), Cedar Creek Park was the site of a relief and assistance center, providing services of the
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross (ARC), also known as the American National Red Cross, is a non-profit humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in the United States. It is the desi ...
and the
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), initially created under President Jimmy Carter by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 and implemented by two Exec ...
, and a central location for property insurance companies to advise customers regarding the filing of claims for property damage.
Sports
Seaford has
Police Athletic League
The Police Athletic League (PAL; Police Activities League) is an organization in many American police departments in which members of the police force coach young people, both boys and girls, in sports, and help with homework and other school-rela ...
s for several sports, and the local Roman Catholic parish, St. William the Abbott, offers
Catholic Youth Organization
Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) is an international Catholic youth movement founded by Bishop Bernard Sheil in Chicago in 1930. It would become a major factor in the development of race relations in the US Catholic Church following World War ...
(CYO) baseball, basketball, swimming, and volleyball. Maria Regina also offers a wide variety of CYO sports. Seaford is also home to the Long Island Broncos, Seaford Little League for baseball and softball. Established in 1966, the Long Island Broncos is one of the oldest
Youth Football and Cheer organizations on Long Island.
Transportation
Seaford has a
station on the
Babylon Branch
The Babylon Branch is a rail service operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The term refers to the trains serving Montauk Branch stations from Valley Stream east to Babylon; in other words, the Babylon Branch is ...
of the
Long Island Rail Road
The Long Island Rail Road , often abbreviated as the LIRR, is a commuter rail system in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York, stretching from Manhattan to the eastern tip of Suffolk County, New York, Suffolk Co ...
.
Nassau Inter-County Express
The Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) is the local bus system serving Nassau County, New York. It also serves parts of western Suffolk County, New York as well as eastern portions of the New York City borough of Queens. It was formerly operated ...
service in Seaford is provided by the
n54 (which serves the train station) and the
n19 (which runs along
Merrick Road
Merrick Road is an east–west urban arterial in Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties in New York, United States. It is known as Merrick Boulevard or Floyd H. Flake Boulevard in Queens, within New York City.
Merrick Road runs east from the Queens ...
, south of the station).
Notable people
*
Liberty DeVitto
Liberatori "Liberty" DeVitto (born August 8, 1950) is an American rock drummer. He is best known for his work as a drummer for New York singer-songwriter Billy Joel's recording and touring band. He has also been a session drummer on recordings of ...
, best known as the drummer for
Billy Joel
William Martin Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American singer, pianist and songwriter. Commonly nicknamed the "Piano Man (song), Piano Man" after his album and signature song of the same name, he has led a commercially successful career as a solo ...
; has also played with the
NYC Hit Squad
*
Courtney Henggeler
Courtney Healy Henggeler (born December 11, 1978) is an American actress known for her starring role as Amanda LaRusso in the Netflix comedy-drama television series ''Cobra Kai''. She is also known as playing the adult version of Sheldon Coope ...
, actress, ''
Cobra Kai
''Cobra Kai'' is an American martial arts comedy-drama television series and a sequel to the original ''The Karate Kid'' films by Robert Mark Kamen. The series was created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, and is distributed b ...
''
*
Al Iaquinta
Al Iaquinta (born April 30, 1987) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, having once challenged for the Lightweight championship belt. A professional ...
, real-estate agent and UFC fighter
*
Jesse Kinch
Jesse Kinch (born April 20, 1994) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was the first and only winner of the reality singing competition show '' Rising Star''.
Life and career
Beginnings
Kinch, a Seaford, Long Island native pic ...
, singer, songwriter, musician
*
Peter T. King
Peter Thomas King (born April 5, 1944) is a former American politician who represented New York in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he represented a South Shore Long Island district that i ...
, representative for New York's 2nd Congressional District
*
Matthew Koma
Matthew Bair (born June 2, 1987), known professionally as Matthew Koma, is an American singer, songwriter, DJ and record producer. Songs written by Koma include "Spectrum" and Grammy Award-winner "Clarity", both performed by Zedd. Koma has colla ...
, singer, songwriter, musician
*
Sean Nolin,
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...
*
Eric Tuchman
Eric Tuchman is an American producer and screenwriter. He is known for writing the Animation Adaptation for the 20th Century Fox animated movie ''Anastasia'' as well as his work on the television series ''The Handmaid's Tale'' as a writer and Exe ...
,
Emmy Award
The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...
-winning producer and screenwriter,
''The Handmaid's Tale''
*
Jim Valvano
James Thomas Anthony Valvano (March 10, 1946 – April 28, 1993), nicknamed Jimmy V, was an American college basketball player, coach, and broadcaster.
Valvano had a successful coaching career with multiple schools, most notably at North Carolin ...
, head men's basketball coach at North Carolina State University, winners of the 1983 NCAA tournament
References
*
External links
Seaford community websiteSeaford Union Free School District
{{authority control
Census-designated places in New York (state)
Census-designated places in Nassau County, New York
Hempstead, New York
Oyster Bay (town), New York
Populated coastal places in New York (state)