Suffolk County, Long Island

Suffolk County () is the easternmost county in the U.S. state of New York. It is mainly located on the eastern end of Long Island, but also includes several smaller islands. According to the 2020 United States census, the county's population was 1,525,920 making it the fourth-most populous county in the State of New York, and the most populous excluding the five counties of New York City. Its county seat is Riverhead, though most county offices are in Hauppauge. The county was named after the county of Suffolk in England, from where its earliest European settlers came.

Suffolk County incorporates the easternmost extreme of the New York City metropolitan area. The geographically largest of Long Island's four counties and the second-largest of the 62 counties in the State of New York, Suffolk measures in length and in width at its widest (including water). Most of the island is near sea level, with over 1,000 miles of coastline.

Like other parts of Long Island, the high population density and relative closeness to New York City means that the economy has a mix of industry and science satellite to the city alongside more rural activities like agriculture, a fishery and tourism. Major scientific research facilities in Suffolk County include Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Huntington, and Plum Island Animal Disease Center on Plum Island. The county is also home to several major universities, including Stony Brook University and Farmingdale State College.

History

Suffolk County was part of the Connecticut Colony before becoming an original county of the Province of New York, one of twelve created in 1683. From 1664 until 1683 it had been the East Riding of Yorkshire. Its boundaries were essentially the same as at present, with only minor changes in the boundary with its western neighbor, which was originally Queens County but has been Nassau County since the separation of Nassau from Queens in 1899.

According to the Suffolk County website, the county is the leading agricultural county in the state of New York, saying that: "The weather is temperate, clean water is abundant, and the soil is so good that Suffolk is the leading agricultural county in New York State. That Suffolk is still number one in farming, even with the development that has taken place, is a tribute to thoughtful planning, along with the excellent soil, favorable weather conditions, and the work of the dedicated farmers in this region."

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of , of which is land and (62%) is water. It is the second-largest county in New York by total area and occupies 66% of the land area of Long Island.

Suffolk County occupies the central and eastern part of Long Island, in the extreme east of the State of New York. The eastern end of the county splits into two peninsulas, known as the North Fork and the South Fork. The county is surrounded by water on three sides, including the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound, with of coastline. The eastern end contains large bays.

The highest elevation in the county, and on Long Island as a whole, is Jayne's Hill in West Hills, at 401 feet (122 m) above sea level. This low lying-geography means that much of the county is vulnerable to sea level rise.

Climate

Suffolk County sits at the convergence of climate zones including the humid continental (''Dfa'') and humid subtropical (''Cfa''), bordering closely on an oceanic climate (Cfb). The majority of the county by land area is in the ''Dfa'' zone. Summers are cooler at the east end than in the western part of the county. The hardiness zone is 7a, except in Copiague Harbor, Lindenhurst, and Montauk, where it is 7b. Average monthly temperatures in Hauppauge range from in January to in July, and in the Riverhead town center they range from in January to in July, which includes both daytime and nighttime temperatures
PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State U
On February 9, 2013, Suffolk County was besieged with 30 inches of snow, making it the largest day of snowfall on record in Suffolk.

Adjacent counties

* Nassau County, - west
* Fairfield County, Connecticut - northwest
* New Haven County, Connecticut - north
* Middlesex County, Connecticut - north
* New London County, Connecticut - north
* Washington County, Rhode Island - northeast

National protected areas

* Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge
* Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge
* Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge
* Fire Island National Seashore
* Sayville National Wildlife Refuge
* Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge
* Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge
* Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

According to the 2010 U.S. census there were 1,493,350 people and 569,985 households residing in the county. The census estimated Suffolk County's population decreased slightly to 1,481,093 in 2018, representing 7.5% of the census-estimated New York State population of 19,745,289Kings County (Brooklyn Borough), New York; Queens County (Queens Borough), New York; Nassau County, New York; Suffolk County, New York; New York QuickFacts
Accessed February 12, 2020. and 19.0% of the census-estimated Long Island population of 7,869,820. The population density in 2010 was 1,637 people per square mile (633/km²), with 569,985 households at an average density of . However, by 2012, with an estimated total population increasing moderately to 1,499,273 there were 569,359 housing units. As of 2006, Suffolk County was the 21st-most populous county in the United States.

By 2014, the county's racial makeup was estimated at 85.2% White, 8.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 4.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those identifying as Hispanic or Latino, of any race, were 18.2% of the population. Those who identified as "white alone", not being of Hispanic or Latino origin, represented 69.3% of the population. In 2006, the county's racial or ethnic makeup was 83.6% White (75.4% White Non-Hispanic). African Americans were 7.4% of the population. Asians stood at 3.4% of the population. 5.4% were of other or mixed race. Latinos were 13.0% of the population. In 2007, Suffolk County's most common ethnicities were Italian (29.5%), Irish (24.0%), and German (17.6%).

In 2002, ''The New York Times'' cited a study by the non-profit group ERASE Racism, which determined Suffolk and its neighboring county, Nassau, to be the most racially segregated suburbs in the United States.

In 2006, there were 469,299 households, of which 37.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.00% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.20% were non-families. 18.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.36.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

In 2008, ''Forbes'' magazine released its American Community Survey and named Suffolk County number 4 in its list of the top 25 richest counties in America. In 2016, according to ''Business Insider'', the 11962 zip code encompassing Sagaponack, within Southampton, was listed as the most expensive in the U.S., with a median home sale price of $8.5 million.

The median income for a household in the county was $84,767, and the median income for a family was $72,112. Males had a median income of $50,046 versus $33,281 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,577. Using a weighted average from 2009 to 2014 about 6.40% of the population were below the poverty line In earlier censuses, the population below the poverty line included 2.70% of those under age 18 and 2.30% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Law and government

Suffolk County had long been a Republican bastion in the State of New York. U.S. Congressman Rick Lazio, who opposed Hillary Clinton in the 2000 Senate race, was from Suffolk County. However, the county shifted more toward the Democrats starting in the 1990s. In 2003, Democrat Steve Levy was elected county executive, ending longtime Republican control. In 2001, Democrat Thomas Spota was elected District Attorney, and ran unopposed in 2005. Although Suffolk voters gave George H. W. Bush a victory here in 1992, the county voted for Bill Clinton in 1996 and continued the trend by giving Al Gore an 11-percent victory in the county in 2000. 2004 Democratic candidate John Kerry won by a much smaller margin of one percent, in 2008 Democratic candidate Barack Obama won by a slightly larger 4.4 percent margin, 52%-47%.

In 2016, Republican candidate Donald Trump won Suffolk County by a 6.9 percent margin, becoming the first Republican to carry the county since 1992. It was the only large county (over 200,000 voters) in the State of New York that Donald Trump won. In 2020, Trump again won Suffolk County; this time, however, it was decided by just 232 votes out of nearly 800,000 votes cast, making it the closest county in the nation in terms of percentage margin, and representing nearly a seven-point swing towards the Democratic ticket of former Vice President Joe Biden and junior California senator Kamala Harris. In percentage terms, it was the closest county in the state, although Ontario County and Warren County had narrower raw vote margins of just 33 and 57 votes, respectively. Suffolk was one of five counties in the state that Trump won by less than 500 votes. With Tarrant County, Texas and Maricopa County, Arizona flipping Democratic in 2020, Suffolk was the most populous county in the nation to vote for Trump.

Suffolk County is represented by three New York congressional districts: the first, and parts of the second and third. The third is held by the Democratic Party, while the first and second are held by Republicans. Lee Zeldin represents the first district, which includes almost half of the county, from Smithtown to Montauk, including The Hamptons and Riverhead. The second district is represented by Republican Andrew Garbarino, and includes parts of southern Suffolk and Nassau counties. The third district is largely split between Nassau County and Suffolk counties, and is represented by Tom Suozzi. A Democrat, Suozzi won the seat vacated by Steve Israel in 2016 after Israel declined to seek re-election.

As a whole both Suffolk and Nassau counties are considered swing counties. However, until 2016 they tended not to receive significant attention from presidential candidates, as the state of New York has turned reliably Democratic at the national level. In 2008 and 2012, Hofstra University in Nassau County hosted a presidential debate. Hofstra hosted the first debate of the 2016 presidential election season, on September 26, 2016, making Hofstra the first college or university in the United States to host a presidential debate in three consecutive elections. The presence on the 2016 ticket of Westchester County resident Hillary Clinton and Manhattan resident Donald Trump resulted in greater attention by the candidates to the concerns of Long Island. Trump visited Long Island voters and donors at least four times while Clinton made one stop for voters and one additional stop in the Hamptons for donors. After the 2022 midterm election results were counted, Suffolk appears to have moved further to the right. Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin won the county by more than 17 points over the Democrat candidate Kathy Hochul.

Suffolk County Executives

''* Appointed to complete Cohalan's term''

''** Levy was originally elected as a Democrat, but became a Republican in 2010.''

Suffolk County Legislature

The county has 18 legislative districts, each represented by a legislator. As of 2022, there were 10 Republicans, 7 Democrats, and 1 Conservative.

Historical composition of the Suffolk County Legislature

Republicans controlled the county legislature until a landmark election in November 2005 where three Republican seats switched to the Democrats, giving them control. In November 2007, the Democratic Party once again retained control over the Suffolk County Legislature, picking up one seat in the process. In November 2009, the Republican Party regained the seat lost in 2007 but remained in the minority for the 2010-2011 session. In November 2011, the Democratic Party maintained control over the Suffolk County Legislature picking up one seat that had been held by an Independence Party member. In November 2013, the Republican Party gained the 14th district seat, but remained in the minority until 2021, when the GOP flipped the county legislature, picking up three seats with incumbents Robert Calarco (the sitting Presiding Officer) and Susan Berland (the sitting Majority Leader) losing their bids for re-election.

During the 2020-2021 session, 7th district legislator Robert Calarco served as Presiding Officer, a position he was elected to in 2020, 5th district legislator Kara Hahn served as Deputy Presiding Officer. 18th district legislator William Spencer served as Majority Leader for the Democrats until his arrest for soliciting prostitution in a drugs for sex scandal.

Law enforcement

Police services in the five western towns (Babylon, Huntington, Islip, Smithtown and Brookhaven) are provided primarily by the Suffolk County Police Department. The five "East End" towns ( Riverhead, Southold, Shelter Island, East Hampton, and Southampton), maintain their own police and other law enforcement agencies. Also, there are a number of villages, such as Amityville, Lloyd Harbor, Northport, and Westhampton Beach that maintain their own police forces.
In an unusual move, the Village of Greenport in 1994 voted to abolish its police department and turn responsibility for law and order over to the Southold Town Police Department.

After the Long Island State Parkway Police was disbanded in 1980, all state parkways in Suffolk County became the responsibility of Troop L of the New York State Police, headquartered at Republic Airport. State parks, such as Robert Moses State Park, are the responsibility of the New York State Park Police, based at Belmont Lake State Park. In 1996, the Long Island Rail Road Police Department was consolidated into the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police, which has jurisdiction over all rail lines in the county. Since the New York state legislature created the New York State University Police in 1999, they are in charge of all law enforcement services for State University of New York property and campuses. The State University Police have jurisdiction in Suffolk County at Stony Brook University and Farmingdale State College.

The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office is a separate agency. The sheriff, an elected official who serves a four-year term, operates the two Suffolk County correctional facilities (in Yaphank and Riverhead), provides county courthouse security and detention, service and enforcement of civil papers, evictions and warrants. The Sheriff's Office is also responsible for securing all county-owned property, such as county government office buildings, as well as the campuses of the Suffolk County Community College. As of 2008, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office employed 275 Deputy Sheriffs, 850 corrections officers, and about 200 civilian staff.

Suffolk County has a long maritime history with several outer barrier beaches and hundreds of square miles of waterways. The Suffolk Police Marine Bureau patrols the of navigable waterways within the police district, from the Connecticut and Rhode Island state line which bisects Long Island Sound to the New York state line south of Fire Island in the Atlantic Ocean. Some Suffolk County towns (Islip, Brookhaven, Southampton, East Hampton, Babylon, Huntington, Smithtown) also employ various bay constables and other local marine patrol, which are sworn armed peace officers with full arrest powers, providing back up to the Suffolk Police Marine Bureau as well as the United States Coast Guard.

This includes Fire Island and parts of Jones Island barrier beaches and the islands of the Great South Bay. Marine units also respond to water and ice rescues on the inland lakes, ponds, and streams of the District.

In February 2019, legislator Robert Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) put forward a resolution to recover salary and benefits from James Burke, the county's former police chief. Burke had pled guilty to beating a man while in police custody and attempting to conceal it, and the county had paid the victim $1.5 million in a settlement; it had also paid Burke more than $500,000 in benefits and salary while Burke was concealing his conduct. Trotta said that the faithless servant doctrine in New York common law gave him the power to claw back the compensation. The Suffolk County Legislature supported the suit unanimously. The following month Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone signed the bill.

Also in February 2019, a court ruled against the Suffolk County jail in the case of a former inmate who was denied hormone replacement therapy by the jail's doctors. Documents introduced in the trial indicate 11 other inmates were also denied treatment.

Courts

Suffolk County is part of the 10th Judicial District of the New York State Unified Court System; is home to the Alfonse M. D'Amato Courthouse of the Federal U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York; and has various local municipal courts. The State Courts are divided into Supreme Court, which has general jurisdiction over all cases, and lower courts that either hear claims of a limited dollar amount, or of a specific nature. Similarly, the local courts hear claims of a limited dollar amount, or hear specific types of cases. The Federal Court has jurisdiction over Federal Claims, State Law claims that are joined with Federal claims, and claims where there is a diversity of citizenship.

Supreme Court

* The Suffolk County Supreme Court is a trial court of unlimited general original jurisdiction, but it generally only hears cases that are outside the subject-matter jurisdiction of other trial courts of more limited jurisdiction. The Suffolk County Clerk is the Clerk of the Court of the Supreme Court.
* The main courthouse for the Supreme Court is in Riverhead, which has been the court's home since 1729. The original courthouse was replaced in 1855, and that courthouse was expanded in 1881. The courthouse was damaged by fire and rebuilt in 1929. In 1994, a new court building was added to the complex. This Courthouse was dedicated as the "Alan D. Oshrin Supreme Court Building" on August 1, 2011.
* The Supreme Court also shares space in the Cohalan Court Complex in Central IslipDirections to the Suffolk County Courts
with several other courts and county agencies. Matrimonial actions are heard in the Supreme Court, and those matters are generally heard in the Supreme Court section of the Cohalan Court Complex.

Other Superior Courts

* The Suffolk County Court is a trial court of limited jurisdiction. It has jurisdiction over all of Suffolk County, and is authorized to handle criminal prosecutions of both felonies and lesser offenses committed within the county, although in practice most minor offenses are handled by the local courts. It is the trial court for felonies, or where a person is indicted by a Grand Jury in Suffolk County. The County Court also has limited jurisdiction in civil cases, generally involving amounts up to $25,000. The County Court is in the Cromarty Court Complex Criminal Courts Building in Riverhead.
* The Suffolk County Surrogate's Court hears cases involving the affairs of decedents, including the probate of wills and the administration of estates, guardianships, and adoptions. The Surrogate's Court is in the County Center in Riverhead.
* The Suffolk County Family Court has jurisdiction over all of Suffolk County in petitions filed for Neglect & Abuse, Juvenile Delinquency/Designated Felonies, Persons in Need of Supervision, Adoption, Guardianship, Foster Care, Family Offense (Order of Protection), Custody & Visitation, Paternity, Support Matters (Child & Spousal), Consent to Marry. The court also has a Juvenile Drug Court and Family Treatment Court. Individuals, attorneys, and agencies may initiate a proceeding in the Family Court with the filing of a petition. The Suffolk County Family Court is in the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip and maintains a facility in Riverhead. Case assignment is dependent upon the geographical location of the parties.

Local courts

The District Court and the Town and Village Courts are the local courts of Suffolk County. There are more than 30 local courts, each with limited criminal and civil subject matter and geographic jurisdictions. The local criminal courts have trial jurisdiction over misdemeanors, violations and infractions; preliminary jurisdiction over felonies; and traffic tickets charging a crime. The local civil courts calendar small claims, evictions, and civil actions.
* Suffolk County District Court has geographic jurisdiction over the 5 western towns of Suffolk County (Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip & Smithtown). The Criminal division of the Suffolk District Court is in the Cohalan Court Complex, Central Islip, and includes Domestic Violence Courts, Drug Court, and a Mental Health Court. The Civil division is divided up in the 5 "outlying" courthouses in Lindenhurst, Huntington Station, Hauppauge, Ronkonkoma, and Patchogue. Civil actions may be filed up to $15,000, and small claims actions up to $5000. Actions are commenced by filing with the court. Summary proceedings under the RPAPL are filed in the district where the property is located.
* The Town Courts of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, and Southold have geographic jurisdiction over the 5 eastern towns of Suffolk County. Each town maintains a courthouse where judges hear criminal cases (including a regional Drug Court) and civil actions. Civil actions are commenced by serving a summons and complaint for claims up to $3,000, and small claims actions are heard up to $3000. Summary proceedings under the RPAPL are filed in the town where the property is located.
* The Village Courts of Amityville, Asharoken, Babylon, Belle Terre, Bellport, Brightwaters, Head of the Harbor, Huntington Bay, Islandia, Lake Grove, Lindenhurst, Lloyd Harbor, Nissequogue, Northport, Ocean Beach, Old Field, Patchogue, Poquott, Port Jefferson, Quogue, Sag Harbor, Saltaire, Shoreham, Southampton, Village of the Branch, West Hampton Dunes, and Westhampton Beach have geographic jurisdiction within each incorporated village. Criminal and civil subject matter jurisdiction varies in each court.

Most non-criminal moving violation tickets issued in the 5 west towns are handled by the Traffic Violations Bureau, which is part of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, not the court system.

Economy

Education

Colleges and universities

* State University of New York
** Stony Brook University - main campus in Stony Brook, satellite campus in Southampton
** Farmingdale State College - East Farmingdale
** Suffolk County Community College - Campuses in Selden, Riverhead, and Brentwood, satellite centers in Sayville and Riverhead

* Private university, Private
** Five Towns College - Dix Hills, New York, Dix Hills
** St. Joseph's University (New York), St. Joseph's University - Patchogue, New York, Patchogue
** Touro University System
*** The School of Health Sciences of Touro College - Central Islip
*** Touro Law Center - Central Islip
** Watson School of Biological Sciences - Cold Spring Harbor, New York, Cold Spring Harbor
* Satellite and branch campuses
** Adelphi University - Hauppauge Education and Conference Center in Hauppauge
** Long Island University - Brentwood and Riverhead, on the campuses of Suffolk County Community College
** Molloy University - Suffolk Center in Amityville

School districts

School districts (all officially designated for grades K-12) include:

* Amagansett Union Free School District
* Amityville Union Free School District
* Babylon Union Free School District
* Bay Shore Union Free School District
* Bayport-Blue Point Union Free School District
* Brentwood Union Free School District
* Bridgehampton Union Free School District
* Brookhaven-Comsewogue Union Free School District
* Center Moriches Union Free School District
* Central Islip Union Free School District
* Cold Spring Harbor Central School District
* Commack Union Free School District
* Connetquot Central School District
* Copiague Union Free School District
* Deer Park Union Free School District
* East Hampton Union Free School District
* East Islip Union Free School District
* East Moriches Union Free School District
* East Quogue Union Free School District
* Eastport-South Manor Central School District
* Elwood Union Free School District
* Farmingdale Union Free School District
* Fire Island Union Free School District (Only operates elementary school)
* Fishers Island Union Free School District
* William Floyd Union Free School District
* Greenport Union Free School District
* Half Hollow Hills Central School District
* Hampton Bays Union Free School District
* Harborfields Central School District
* Hauppauge Union Free School District
* Huntington Union Free School District
* Islip Union Free School District
* Kings Park Central School District
* Lindenhurst Union Free School District
* Middle Country Central School District
* Longwood Central School District
* Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District
* Miller Place Union Free School District
* Montauk Union Free School District
* Mount Sinai Union Free School District
* New Suffolk Common School District
* North Babylon Union Free School District
* Northport-East Northport Union Free School District
* Oysterponds Union Free School District
* Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District
* Port Jefferson Union Free School District
* Quogue Union Free School District
* Remsenburg-Speonk Union Free School District
* Riverhead Central School District
* Rocky Point Union Free School District
* Sachem Central School District
* Sag Harbor Union Free School District
* Sagaponack Common School District
* Sayville Union Free School District
* Shelter Island Union Free School District
* Shoreham-Wading River Central School District
* Smithtown Central School District
* South Country Central School District
* South Huntington Union Free School District
* Southampton Union Free School District
* Southold Union Free School District
* Springs Union Free School District
* Three Village Central School District
* Tuckahoe Common School District
* Wainscott Common School District
* West Babylon Union Free School District
* West Islip Union Free School District
* Westhampton Beach Union Free School District
* Wyandanch Union Free School District

Media

Newspapers

* ''Amityville Record''
* ''Bayport-Blue Point Gazette''
* ''Dan's Papers''
* ''Fire Island News''
* ''Newsday''
* ''Sayville Gazette''
* ''Shelter Island Reporter''
* ''The Beacon''
* ''The East Hampton Press''
* ''The East Hampton Star''
* ''The Islip Bulletin''
* ''The Long Island Advance''
* ''The Times Beacon Record, The Port Times Record''
* ''The Riverhead News-Review''
* ''The Shelter Island Reporter''
* ''The Southampton Press''
* ''The Suffolk County News''
* ''The Suffolk Times''
* ''The Tide of Moriches and Manorville''
* ''The Times Beacon Record''
* ''The Times Beacon Record, The Times of Huntington''
* ''The Times Beacon Record, The Times of Middle Country''
* ''The Times Beacon Record, The Times of Northport and East Northport''
* ''The Times Beacon Record, The Times of Smithtown''
* ''The Times Beacon Record, The Village Beacon Record''
* ''The Times Beacon Record, The Village Times Herald''

Radio stations

* WALK-FM, Patchogue, New York, Patchogue
* WAPP-LP, Westhampton, New York, Westhampton
* WBAB, Babylon (village), New York, Babylon
* WBAZ, Bridgehampton, New York, Bridgehampton
* WBEA, Southold (CDP), New York, Southold
* WBLI, Patchogue
* WBON, Westhampton
* WBWD (AM), WBWD, Islip (hamlet), New York, Islip
* WBZO, Bay Shore, New York, Bay Shore
* WEER (FM), WEER, Montauk
* WEGB, Napeague, New York, Napeague
* WEGQ, Quogue, New York, Quogue
* WEHM, Manorville, New York, Manorville
* WEHN, East Hampton (village), New York, East Hampton
* WELJ, Montauk
* WFRS, Smithtown (CDP), New York, Smithtown
* WFTU (AM), WFTU, Riverhead
* WGSS (FM), WGSS, Copiague, New York, Copiague
* WHFM, Southampton (village), New York, Southampton
* WJJF, Montauk
* WJVC, Center Moriches, New York, Center Moriches
* WLID, Patchogue
* WLIM (AM), WLIM, Medford, New York, Medford
* WLIR-FM, Hampton Bays, New York, Hampton Bays
* WLIW-FM, Southampton
* WLIX-LP, Ridge, New York, Ridge
* WLNG, Sag Harbor, New York, Sag Harbor
* WNYG (AM), WNYG, Patchogue
* WNYH, Huntington (CDP), New York, Huntington
* WPTY, Calverton, New York, Calverton-Riverhead (town), New York#Other communities, Roanoke
* WRCN-FM, Riverhead
* WRIV, Riverhead
* Connecticut Public Radio, WRLI, Southampton
* WSHR, Lake Ronkonkoma, New York, Lake Ronkonkoma
* WSUF, Noyack, New York, Noyack
* WUSB (FM), WUSB, Stony Brook
* WWSK, Smithtown
* WXBA, Brentwood

Television stations

* WFTY-DT, Smithtown
* WLNY-TV, Riverhead
* WVVH-CD, Southampton

Suffolk seashore

Fire Island Lighthouse was an important landmark for many trans-Atlantic ships coming into New York Harbor in the early 20th century. For many European immigrants, the Fire Island Light was their first sight of land upon arrival in America.

The Fire Island Inlet span of the Robert Moses Causeway connects to Robert Moses State Park on the western tip of Fire Island.

The Great South Bay Bridge, the first causeway bridge, had only one northbound and one southbound lane, was opened to traffic in April 1954. The span of across Great South Bay to Captree Island features a main span of , with a clearance for boats of .

After crossing the State Boat Channel over its -long State Boat Channel Bridge, bascule bridge, the causeway meets the Ocean Parkway at a cloverleaf interchange. This interchange provides access to Captree State Park, Gilgo State Park and Jones Beach State Park.

The Fire Island Inlet Bridge continues the two-lane road, one lane in each direction, across Fire Island Inlet to its terminus at Robert Moses State Park and The Fire Island Lighthouse. Robert Moses Causeway opened in 1964.

Suffolk County has the most lighthouses of any United States county, with 15 of its original 26 lighthouses still standing. Of these 15, eight are in Southold township alone, giving it more lighthouses than any other township in the United States.

Secessionist movements

At various times, there have been proposals for a division of Suffolk County into two counties. The western portion would be called Suffolk County, while the eastern portion of the current Suffolk County would comprise a new county to be called Peconic County, New York, Peconic County. Peconic County would consist of the five easternmost Political subdivisions of New York#Town, towns of Suffolk County: East Hampton (town), New York, East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island (town), New York, Shelter Island, Southampton and Southold, plus the Shinnecock Reservation, Shinnecock Indian Reservation.

The proposed Peconic County flag showed the two forks at the east end of Long Island separated by Peconic Bay. The star on the north represents Southold. The stars on the South Fork represent Southampton and East Hampton. Riverhead is at the fork mouth and Shelter Island is between the forks.

The secessionist movement has not been active since 1998.

''The End of the Hamptons: Scenes from the Class Struggle in America's Paradise'', by Corey Dolgon (New York University Press, 2005) examined the class roots of the secessionist movement in the Hamptons. In his review, Howard Zinn wrote that the book "[t]akes us beyond the much-romanticized beaches of Long Island to the rich entrepreneurs and their McMansions, the Latino workers, and the stubborn indigenous residents refusing to disappear. The book is important because it is in so many ways a microcosm of the nation." The book won the Association for Humanist Sociology's 2005 Book Prize and the American Sociological Association's Marxist Section Book Award in 2007.

Matt DeSimone, a young adult from Southold, started a similar movement in the late 2010s. With partner Jake Dominy, also of Southold, they made hats promoting the secessionist movement. It went nowhere.

Finance and taxation

Suffolk County has an 8.625% sales tax, compared to an overall New York State sales tax of 4%, consisting of an additional 4.25% on top of the state and Metropolitan Transportation Authority, MTA assessment of .375%

Health

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, COVID-19 pandemic first affected the county. As of December 12, 2020, there are a total of 73,281 cases and 2,153 deaths.

Communities

In the State of New York, a Political subdivisions of New York State#Town, town is the major subdivision of each county. Towns provide or arrange for most municipal services for residents of hamlets and selected services for residents of villages. All residents of New York who do not live in a city or on an Indian reservation live in a town. A Village (New York), village is an incorporated area which is usually, but not always, within a single town. A village is a clearly defined municipality that provides the services closest to the residents, such as garbage collection, street and highway maintenance, street lighting and building codes. Some villages provide their own police and other optional services. A Political subdivisions of New York State#Hamlet, hamlet is an informally defined populated area within a town that is not part of a village.

Figures in parentheses are 2019 population estimates from the Census Bureau.

Towns

* Babylon (210,141)
* Brookhaven (480,763)
* East Hampton (town), New York, East Hampton (22,047)
* Huntington (200,503)
* Islip, New York, Islip (329,610)
* Riverhead (33,469)
* Shelter Island (town), New York, Shelter Island (2,417)
* Smithtown (116,022)
* Southampton (58,398)
* Southold (town), New York, Southold (22,170)

Villages (incorporated)

* Amityville (9,399)
* Asharoken, New York, Asharoken (646)
* Babylon (village), New York, Babylon (11,992)
* Belle Terre, New York, Belle Terre (786)
* Bellport, New York, Bellport (2,047)
* Brightwaters, New York, Brightwaters (3,059)
* Dering Harbor, New York, Dering Harbor (11)
* East Hampton (village), New York, East Hampton (1,134)
* Greenport, Suffolk County, New York, Greenport (2,231)
* Head of the Harbor, New York, Head of the Harbor (1,458)
* Huntington Bay, New York, Huntington Bay (1,437)
* Islandia, New York, Islandia (3,309)
* Lake Grove, New York, Lake Grove (11,056)
* Lindenhurst, New York, Lindenhurst (26,801)
* Lloyd Harbor (3,658)
* Nissequogue, New York, Nissequogue (1,732)
* North Haven, New York, North Haven (892)
* Northport (7,273)
* Ocean Beach, New York, Ocean Beach (83)
* Old Field, New York, Old Field (909)
* Patchogue, New York, Patchogue (12,321)
* Poquott, New York, Poquott (928)
* Port Jefferson, New York, Port Jefferson (8,145)
* Quogue, New York, Quogue (1,014)
* Sag Harbor, New York, Sag Harbor (2,283)
* Sagaponack (323)
* Saltaire, New York, Saltaire (41)
* Shoreham, New York, Shoreham (531)
* Southampton (village), New York, Southampton (3,307)
* Village of the Branch, New York, Village of the Branch (1,793)
* Westhampton Beach (1,797)
* West Hampton Dunes, New York, West Hampton Dunes (58)

Census-designated places (unincorporated)

* Amagansett, New York, Amagansett
* Aquebogue, New York, Aquebogue
* Baiting Hollow, New York, Baiting Hollow
* Bay Shore, New York, Bay Shore
* Bayport, New York, Bayport
* Baywood, New York, Baywood
* Blue Point, New York, Blue Point
* Bohemia, New York, Bohemia
* Brentwood
* Bridgehampton, New York, Bridgehampton
* Brookhaven (CDP), New York, Brookhaven
* Calverton, New York, Calverton
* Captree, New York, Captree
* Center Moriches, New York, Center Moriches
* Centereach, New York, Centereach
* Centerport, New York, Centerport
* Central Islip
* Cold Spring Harbor, New York, Cold Spring Harbor
* Commack, New York, Commack
* Copiague, New York, Copiague
* Coram, New York, Coram
* Cutchogue, New York, Cutchogue
* Deer Park, New York, Deer Park
* Dix Hills, New York, Dix Hills
* East Farmingdale
* East Hampton North, New York, East Hampton North
* East Islip, New York, East Islip
* East Marion, New York, East Marion
* East Moriches, New York, East Moriches
* East Northport, New York, East Northport
* East Patchogue, New York, East Patchogue
* East Quogue, New York, East Quogue
* East Setauket, New York, East Setauket
* East Shoreham, New York, East Shoreham
* Eastport, New York, Eastport
* Eatons Neck, New York, Eatons Neck
* Elwood, New York, Elwood
* Farmingville, New York, Farmingville
* Fire Island
* Fishers Island, New York, Fishers Island
* Flanders, New York, Flanders
* Fort Salonga, New York, Fort Salonga
* Gilgo, New York, Gilgo
* Gordon Heights, New York, Gordon Heights
* Great River, New York, Great River
* Greenlawn, New York, Greenlawn
* Greenport West, New York, Greenport West
* Halesite, New York, Halesite
* Hampton Bays, New York, Hampton Bays
* Hauppauge
* Holbrook, New York, Holbrook
* Holtsville, New York, Holtsville
* Huntington (CDP), New York, Huntington
* Huntington Station, New York, Huntington Station
* Islip (hamlet), New York, Islip
* Islip Terrace, New York, Islip Terrace
* Jamesport, New York, Jamesport
* Kings Park, New York, Kings Park
* Lake Ronkonkoma, New York, Lake Ronkonkoma
* Laurel, New York, Laurel
* Manorville, New York, Manorville
* Mastic, New York, Mastic
* Mastic Beach, New York, Mastic Beach
* Mattituck, New York, Mattituck
* Medford, New York, Medford
* Melville, New York, Melville
* Middle Island, New York, Middle Island
* Miller Place, New York, Miller Place
* Montauk
* Moriches, New York, Moriches
* Mount Sinai, New York, Mount Sinai
* Napeague, New York, Napeague
* Nesconset, New York, Nesconset
* New Suffolk, New York, New Suffolk
* North Amityville, New York, North Amityville
* North Babylon, New York, North Babylon
* North Bay Shore, New York, North Bay Shore
* North Bellport, New York, North Bellport
* North Great River, New York, North Great River
* North Lindenhurst, New York, North Lindenhurst
* North Patchogue, New York, North Patchogue
* North Sea, New York, North Sea
* Northampton, Suffolk County, New York, Northampton
* Northville, Suffolk County, New York, Northville
* Northwest Harbor, New York, Northwest Harbor
* Noyack, New York, Noyack
* Oak Beach, New York, Oak Beach
* Oakdale, New York, Oakdale
* Orient, New York, Orient
* Peconic, New York, Peconic
* Port Jefferson Station, New York, Port Jefferson Station
* Quiogue, New York, Quiogue
* Remsenburg-Speonk, New York, Remsenburg-Speonk
* Ridge, New York, Ridge
* Riverhead
* Riverside, Suffolk County, New York, Riverside
* Rocky Point, New York, Rocky Point
* Ronkonkoma, New York, Ronkonkoma
* Sayville
* Selden
* Setauket, New York, Setauket
* Shelter Island
* Shelter Island Heights, New York, Shelter Island Heights
* Shinnecock Hills, New York, Shinnecock
* Shirley, New York, Shirley
* Smithtown (CDP), New York, Smithtown
* Sound Beach, New York, Sound Beach
* South Huntington, New York, South Huntington
* Southold (CDP), New York, Southold
* Springs, New York, Springs
* St. James, New York, St. James
* Stony Brook
* Stony Brook University, New York (CDP), Stony Brook University
* Terryville, New York, Terryville
* Tuckahoe, Suffolk County, New York, Tuckahoe
* Wading River, New York, Wading River
* Wainscott, New York, Wainscott
* Water Mill, New York, Water Mill
* West Babylon, New York, West Babylon
* West Bay Shore, New York, West Bay Shore
* West Hills
* West Islip, New York, West Islip
* West Sayville, New York, West Sayville
* Westhampton, New York, Westhampton
* Wheatley Heights, New York, Wheatley Heights
* Wyandanch, New York, Wyandanch
* Yaphank

File:Oak-beach-regatta-1.jpg, West Gilgo Beach, New York - Oak Beach
File:Eatons Neck Light.JPG, Huntington Bay, New York
File:Riverhead, New York.jpg, Riverhead, New York
File:Watermill-convent.jpg, Watermill, New York

Gardiners Island

Gardiners Island is an island off eastern Suffolk County. The Island is long, and wide and has of coastline. The same family has owned the Island for nearly 400 years; one of the largest privately owned islands in America or the world. In addition, it is the only American real estate still intact as part of an original royal grant from the English Crown.

Robins Island

Robins Island is an Island in the Peconic Bay between the North and South folks of eastern Suffolk County. It is within the jurisdiction of Town of Southold in Suffolk County, New York. The Island is and presently undeveloped. The island is privately owned and not accessible to the public.

Indian reservations

Two Indian reservations are within the borders of Suffolk County:
* Shinnecock Reservation, New York, Shinnecock Reservation
* Poospatuck Reservation, New York, Poospatuck Reservation

Transportation

The county includes a lot of roadways and other public transportation infrastructure. The local Suffolk County Legislature oversees funding and regulations for the infrastructure. In 2019, the legislature required all new projects to account for future climate change caused sea level rise.

Major highways

* Interstate 495 (New York), I-495 (Long Island Expressway) traverses the county from the Nassau County line in the West to Riverhead in the East. Original plans called for the Expressway to extend further past Riverhead and along the island's North Fork, possibly to Orient Point, where a crossing to Connecticut could be built. The expressway connects to Manhattan via the Queens-Midtown Tunnel.
* New York State Route 27 crosses the county from the Nassau County line in the West to Montauk Point in the East, which is also the easternmost point in the State of New York. The road is limited-access from West Babylon to Southampton.

Airports

Commercial Airport:

* Long Island MacArthur Airport, Long Island MacArther Airport (ISP/KISP)

General Aviation Airport:

* Republic Airport, Republic Airport (FRG/KFRG)
* Brookhaven Airport, Brookhaven Calabro Airport (WSH/KHWV/HWV)
* Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Francis S. Gabreski Airport (FOK/KFOK)
* East Hampton Airport, Town of East Hampton Airport (JPX/KJPX)
* Elizabeth Field (Suffolk County, New York), Elizabeth Field (Fisher's Island) (FID/0B8)

Public transportation

Suffolk County is served by Suffolk County Transit. Long Island Rail Road, the Hampton Jitney, and Hampton Luxury Liner connect Suffolk County to New York City.

Notable people

* Kevin James – was raised in Stony Brook
* Mick Foley – was raised in East Setauket
* Loudon Wainwright III resides here
* Carl Yastrzemski – was raised in Southampton
* Craig Biggio – was raised in Kings Park

See also

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Suffolk County, New York
* Suffolk County, Farmland Development Rights
* USS Suffolk County (LST-1173), USS ''Suffolk County'' (LST-1173)
* List of counties in New York

References

Bibliography

* ; .

External links

*

Long Island History: Suffolk County



Suffolk Historical Newspapers

Map of Suffolk County CDPs in 2010

Map of Suffolk County CDPs in 2000

{{Coord, 40.94, -72.68, display=title, type:adm2nd_region:US-NY_source:UScensus1990

Suffolk County, New York,
Counties in the New York metropolitan area
Long Island Sound
1683 establishments in the Province of New York
Populated places established in 1683