Mastic is a hamlet in Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York. It was formerly named Forge until its change to Mastic in 1893. With the Long Island Rail Road being built there in 1882, it safely connected to nearby Shirley by having its stop renamed Mastic-Shirley in 1960.
The Poospatuck Indian Reservation is located within the community of Mastic near its southern end and alongside the Forge River. This has also been kept up throughout history – symbolizing the presence of Americans since colonial days.
Population
Mastic is home to an estimated population of 15,380 in 2023. It has a population density of 3,940 people per square mile and the current trend shows a decline at a rate of -0.05% each year. Compared to the 2020 census which showed a population of 15,404, it has decreased by -0.16%.
| Demographics | Data |
| Ethnicity | |
| White | 46.1% |
| African American | 22.4% |
| Native American | 0.7% |
| Asian | 2.1% |
| Other Races | 7.2% |
| Two or More Races | 4.3% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 21.8% |
| Income | |
| Median Household Income | $70,979 |
| Median Family Income | $79,839 |
| Median Male Income | $51,315 |
| Median Female Income | $40,581 |
| Per Capita Income | $26,176 |
| Poverty Rate | |
| Below Poverty Threshold | 18.0% |
| Under 18 Below Poverty | 6.6% |
| Age 65+ Below Poverty | 6.0% |
Source: Wikipedia – Mastic NY
Mastic has a diverse population. Over 46% of residents identify as white, 22.4% identify as African American, and smaller percentages make up Native American, Asian, and other groups. Additionally, 4.3% of Mastic identify with two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino descent make up 21.8%.
The median household income was $70,979 over the 2007 to 2011 period. Males in particular earned higher incomes. The median income for males was $51,315 compared to females’ $40,581. Overall per capita income was $26,176 but poverty is a stark reality here with 18% of households staying under the poverty line while 6.6% were aged below 18 and 6% aged 65 or over living by this threshold.
Economy
From 2019 to 2020, employment declined by 8.44% – from 7.47k employees to 6.84k employees.
On the other hand, Mastic is still home to 6.84k employed people, with the largest industries being Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Construction. The highest-paying industries in the area are Real Estate & Rental & Leasing, Construction, and Finance & Insurance.
Occupations
Mastic offers a wide range of job opportunities. Sales and Related Occupations top the list with the most number of individuals employed in this sector. Office and Administrative Support Occupations come next, followed by Construction and Extraction Occupations. These three job groups offer employment to many people living in Mastic, NY.
Housing & Living
Mastic is 1.16 times more expensive than the national average in terms of real estate property values. The median property value increased by 7.73% from 2019 to 2020, reaching $267,600.
The city’s homeownership rate is 82.2%, a figure close to the national average. Citizens of Mastic have a commute time of 30.6 minutes and typically drive alone to work.
Healthcare
According to Data USA, 95.7% of people living in Mastic have health coverage.
60.6% of the population is said to be covered under employee plans, 16.2% covered by Medicaid, 9.58% by Medicare, 8.99% under non-group plans, and 0.373% insured by military or VA plans.
This reflects that Mastic has a high rate of health coverage among its citizens.
Education
Mastic is primarily served by the William Floyd School District, but parts of the northern hamlet area – Manor Park – are served by the Eastport-South Manor Central School District. This district serves students north of Grove Drive in Mastic.
The schools provide quality education to their students and offer a variety of learning opportunities to meet their needs.
Quality of Life
Mastic is an ideal place for families with children. Long Island National, Handy Pantry Food Store, and Ice Cream Cottage provide playgrounds and recreational facilities for both kids and adults. Families can enjoy picnics in the summer months or take a leisurely walk along the trails.
There are also plenty of childcare options in town. Gentle Hearts Preschool, Bloom Learning Center, Just Kidding A’rnd Daycare, and Dare2imagine preschool all provide quality childcare services.
You can also find nearby grocery stores such as CityMD Shirley Urgent Care – Long Island, Wright Way Services Corporation, and Sacred Gardens Nursery Farm & Market that make life easier for residents.
Transportation
Reaching Mastic, NY can be done through various transportation methods. The S66 and S68 bus lines can take you there in a 2-minute walk away from the Mastic Rd/Patchogue Ave stop. A single ride may cost $2.25 – $2.75.
Those who prefer train rides can travel to Mastic through the MONTAUK BRANCH line with the first trip departing at 4:26 AM, and the last one at 2:09 AM.
For faster travel, local taxi and car services like Mastic Coach Taxi Airport Transportation offer convenient cab rides to reach Mastic, NY, while All Island Marine Transport offers another transport option to visitors with marine supplies such as boats and equipment.
What to Visit in Mastic NY
- William Floyd Estate is a historic site that dates to the 18th century. The place was home to William Floyd, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Now it’s a museum with original furnishings and artwork. Guided tours are available to the public.
- Osprey Park lies north of William Floyd Estate, south of Forge River, and west of Moriches. It’s an ideal spot for birdwatching with ospreys living in their natural habitat. Also, it has a playground and picnic tables for families to enjoy.
- Skydive Long Island is an adventurous skydiving experience where visitors can parachute down from planes after free falling. Thrill-seekers shouldn’t miss this!
- Li Live Steamers is a fun amusement park with miniature trains rideable by all ages. Kids will have a great time here!
- Animal Farm Petting Zoo is a petting zoo with different animals ready for interaction and observation. Families with young kids should come to check it out!
Mastic is not only full of historical tributes but also recreational areas awaiting exploration by locals and outsiders alike!

