Center Moriches is a hamlet in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York. It’s located on the south shore of Long Island and the CDP has 5.6 square miles (14.6 km) of land, with 0.42 square miles (1.1 km) or 7.36% as water.
The name Moriches derives from Meritces, a Native American who owned land on Moriches Neck. The area was later settled by English immigrants becoming part of East Mastic in 1788, and separating into two hamlets in 1852: East Mastic and Center Moriches.
Population
According to the United States Census Bureau, Center Moriches in New York recorded a population of 8,046 in 2020. By April 2020, this figure had grown to 8,046 – an increase of 0.61% per year over the course of 10 years.
Racial Makeup
| Race | Percentage |
| White | 89.51% |
| African American | 2.32% |
| Native American | 0.13% |
| Asian | 3.66% |
| Pacific Islander | 0.02% |
| Other races | 1.84% |
| Two or more races | 2.54% |
Source: World Population Review
Poverty
The poverty rate in Center Moriches, NY is 4.34%. White people have the lowest rate of 3.47%, while those who haven’t worked in the past 12 months make up the highest poverty rate of 9.03%. People who work full-time are exempt from poverty, while part-time workers have a poverty rate of 1.44%.
Household
Center Moriches, NY households are mainly composed of couples living together. Over half of all households were married couples, with only 13.9% having children under the age of 18. Non-families make up 40% of the population in CDP, with 10.5% having someone living alone over 65 years old.
The average household size is 2.05 and the family size is 2.56. On average, individuals make up 30.9% of all households and 5.5% were female householders without a husband present.
Income
The median income for a household in the CDP was $63,672, and the median income for a family was $74,659.
History
Center Moriches NY was settled in 1700 and reached its heyday around 1890. In the 1920s, it was known as the ‘South Hampton of the 20s’, and a popular spot for the Rockefellers. The Lindenmere, a hotel attributed to Stanford White, served guests until the hurricane of 1938. In recent years, it has been used as housing for transients and released mental patients.
The area recently received $2 million in Federal revitalization funds to upgrade its infrastructure, including water mains and sidewalks. Additional planned improvements include gaslights on Main Street, alleyways bricked over, and a small park. Merchants may take advantage of loans at 12 points below the prime rate to adjust store facades to conform to traditional style specifications.
These changes aim to restore Center Moriches NY to its original turn-of-the-century style. The Lindenmere Hotel is being renovated into condominiums, with the old building serving as a clubhouse. With these efforts, locals hope Center Moriches will be once again celebrated as a beauty spot amongst New Yorkers.
Economy
Center Moriches, NY boasts a low unemployment rate of 6.1%. This is slightly higher than the national average of 6.0%, yet job growth has been steadily increasing by 0.9% over the last year. Projections for the next 10 years forecast a 26.8% job growth, which is lower than the US average of 33.5%. Thus, this may indicate a slower economic shift compared to other areas in the US.
Healthcare
Center Moriches, NY is a suburban area served by various healthcare facilities. Shirley & Center Moriches Multi-Specialty Care and Hamptons Gynecology and Obstetrics provide general care. Stony Brook Medicine also offers advanced pediatric services. Across New York State, per capita, personal healthcare expenditure rose 4.57% from 2013–2014 to $9,778.
97.1% of the town’s population had health coverage in 2020 which was an improvement in 2019 when just 91% had coverage. Of those covered 67.6% have employee plans, 6.74% have Medicaid, 11% have non-group plans, 11.8% are Medicare recipients and 0% are covered under military or VA plans. Uninsured citizens fell from 41.9% to 2.9%.
Education
Center Moriches is served by three schools: Clayton Huey Elementary School, and the combined Center Moriches Middle and High Schools. These two schools are in one building.
Educational Attainment
The town of Center Moriches boasts impressive educational attainment. Almost 90% of its population has attained some form of schooling – much higher than the overall rate of the metro area. In terms of university degrees, the residents exceed other areas in New York-Newark-Jersey City’s region with a bachelor’s degree or higher at 87.3%.
Transportation
The quickest way to get from Manhattan to Center Moriches is by driving. It takes 1 hour and 23 minutes and the cost ranges from $13-$20.
Taking public transit such as a train or bus is the next best option for those without a car. The Long Island Rail Road operates a train from Jamaica to Mastic Shirley every four hours. Hampton Jitney Inc. also runs a bus from 83rd & Lex to Tanger five times a day. This takes around 2 hours and 54 minutes and costs between $30-90.
Points of Interest
Center Moriches, known as the entrance to the Hamptons, offers a number of points of interest for visitors, including:
- Webby’s Park: A public beach with a playground and a view of Smith Point in the distance.
- Terrell River County Park: A large expanse for hiking, running, and being on the beach with pets.
- Clayton Huey Elementary School: Top-ranking elementary school in Center Moriches.
- Center Moriches Middle School and High School: One of the top-ranking middle schools in Center Moriches and the highest-rated high school in Center Moriches with a GreatSchools Rating of 6/10.
- Terry-Ketcham Inn: Town, state, and national landmark that is admired by visitors and residents alike.
- Atlantic Seafood Restaurant: Unique shark mouth entrance to enjoy seafood classics in a cozy atmosphere.
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