Brookhaven is a vibrant town in Suffolk County, New York. Just 50 miles from Manhattan, many people call it home. There are 485,773 residents. The hamlets of Brookhaven, Lake Ronkonkoma, and Mastic Beach make up this diverse and growing community.
This scenic town is home to two esteemed research centers: Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Together they account for almost half of the top 10 employers in the area. Tourists also flock here to explore its beauty, making tourism a significant part of the local economy.
Population
The population of Brookhaven, as recorded by the United States Census Bureau on July 1, 2021, was 485,430. This is a 0.1% decrease from the April 2020 numbers of 485,704. Such a decline in population is a trend seen throughout the country due to socio-economic and bureaucratic factors.
Demographics
| Ethnicity | Percentage | Number of Residents |
| White (Non-Hispanic) | 75.3% | 2,410 |
| White (Hispanic) | 8.3% | 266 |
| Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) | 7.06% | 226 |
| Two+ (Hispanic) | 3.97% | N/A |
| Two+ (Non-Hispanic) | 2.19% | N/A |
Some additional information on language, citizenship, poverty, and foreign-born residents in Brookhaven, NY is also provided:
| Information | Data |
| Primary Shared Language at Home | No households reported speaking a non-English language as the primary |
| Percentage of Foreign-Born Residents | 8.05% (2020), 7.29% (2019) |
| Percentage of US Citizens | 93.9% (2020), 94.6% (2019) |
| Poverty Status | 12.5% live below the poverty line, with Males 45-54 being the largest demographic living in poverty |
Source: Data USA – Brookhaven, NY
History
The town of Brookhaven was founded by English colonists, as part of the settlement in Southold. It was originally under the jurisdiction of the New Haven Colony, which held theocracy over many areas in modern Connecticut. In 1662, Brookhaven was transferred to Connecticut Colony and came under greater secular control.
Following the takeover of New Netherland by England in 1664, Long Island and Brookhaven became part of the new colony of New York. From then on it was under New York’s jurisdiction and began its growth over time.
Economy
The economy of Brookhaven employs 1.34K people. Retail Trade, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Educational Services are the largest industries. Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory are the major employers in the area.
Tourism is also a big part of the local economy with traditional downtowns located in Port Jefferson and Patchogue. The unemployment rate stands at 6.1%, slightly higher than the US average of 6%.
However, job growth over the last year has increased by 0.9%, while future job growth over the next decade is estimated to be 26.8% – lower than that of the US average of 33.5%. Public Administration, Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing are some of the highest-paying industries in Brookhaven.
Brookhaven offers a wide variety of jobs for potential employees at competitive wages and benefits compared to other parts of New York and America as a whole.
Health
Brookhaven, NY is known to have a very comprehensive healthcare system. In 2017, the total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue in the city was reported to be $3,763,407.
95.8% of the population in Brooklyn has said to have health coverage. Approximately 25.8% of this population were under 18 years old and 12.8% were between 18 and 34 years old, with 43% of all insured people falling between 35 and 64 years old and only 18.4% being over 64 years of age.
Gender wise, 51.9% of the insured persons are men while 48.1% are women.
Education
Brookhaven offers educational opportunities to its residents and students through the 2 local public schools in the area. Unfortunately, no private schools are based in this town.
For tertiary education, the town is home to many colleges and universities, including Franklin University, New York Institute of Technology, and Fordham University. These institutions offer online courses and teaching degrees for those who seek higher learning near the town.
The Brookhaven Youth Bureau also provides educational programs to enrich the community’s knowledge base. The INTERFACE Back to School Supply Drive is an annual event that collects school materials for families in need, while their environmental education program offers field trips, workshops, and events, teaching the locals about the environment and sustainability.
Transportation
Brookhaven, NY offers a variety of transportation options for residents. The Jitney Transportation Program provides curb-to-curb shared ride services to senior citizens and disabled individuals Monday through Friday.
Private transportation services such as Nesconset Taxi Service, Long Island South Shore Car Service, L. I. Sprinter Guy, and NorthEast Truck Broker Inc. can also be used for personal needs.
The town is additionally served by Suffolk County Transit bus routes and the Long Island Rail Road which has three lines running through it providing public transit options for locals and visitors traveling in or out of the region.
Points of Interest
Brookhaven has many points of interest for visitors and residents alike that include:
Watch Hill Beach stands out as a beautiful beach with clear waters and soft sand. Visitors can go swimming, sunbathing, and take in the scenery.
The Gateway – The Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County is a theater offering plays, concerts, and dance shows.
Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area with diverse wildlife and habitats suitable for hikes, birdwatching, and learning about conservation efforts.
Longwood Estate includes the William Sidney and Eleanor Jones Smith home with guided tours as well as grounds, picnic areas, a Ridge Schoolhouse, a barn, nature trails, and the Smith Family Cemetery.
Swan River Schoolhouse is a one-room building dating back to 1858 which features an accessible mini museum that can be accessed by appointment.
Ketcham Inn Foundation Inc., listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places offers tours by appointment as well as access to its Book Barn full of antiquarians to local history books.
The visitors of Museum Manor of St George can see the home of Wm Tangier Smith’s family descendants.
William Floyd Estate was his ancestral home where he was born in 1734 featuring grounds around it plus his cemetery located nearby.
The Brookhaven Town Hall offers friendly service for inquiries about the town’s information through the courteous personnel provided there.
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