Wading River is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in Suffolk County, New York, located on the North Shore of Long Island.
History
The area was given its name based on its original Native American title “Pauquaconsuk” – meaning “the place where we wade for thick, round-shelled clams”. Historians have found evidence of a settlement as far back as 1671 when eight families founded a village near what is now known as North Country Road.
From 1895 to 1938, Wading River served as the terminus for an extension of the Long Island Rail Road’s Port Jefferson Branch, with plans to eventually reach Riverhead or Calverton. From 1905 to 1928 it also had an LIRR demonstration farm that demonstrated various agricultural techniques and products available in the area at the time.
In 1936 Albert Einstein famously rented a cottage on Creek Road to spend his summer vacation here with his wife and stepdaughter. He enjoyed sailing around in Long Island Sound and playing his beloved violin at various local gatherings while he stayed there.
The area is home to Wildwood State Park which was established in 1953 on land formerly belonging to William Floyd’s estate. The park covers 600 acres and offers camping, hiking, fishing, swimming and picnicking facilities all within its boundaries. Wading River has many unique features like this that help maintain its reputation as one of New York’s most interesting places to visit.
Population
Wading River is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in Suffolk County, New York, United States, on the North Shore of Long Island. It has a population of 7,734 as of 2023, which makes it the 245th largest city in New York and the 4997th largest city in the United States. It has a population growth rate of 0.01% annually.
The population density is 1,022 people per square mile, which is higher than the national average of 87 people per square mile.
The median age is 44.4 years, which is higher than the national average of 38.1 years.
The racial composition is 93.5% White, 2.3% Hispanic or Latino, 1.6% Asian, 1.2% Black or African American, and 1.4% other races or two or more races.
The household income distribution is skewed towards higher incomes, with a median household income of $123,750 and a mean household income of $144,882. The poverty rate is only 2%, which is lower than the national average of 10.5%.
Education
The Shoreham-Wading River Central School District is located in Wading River and serves approximately 2,200 students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12. The district consists of four schools: Miller Avenue School (pre-kindergarten – Grade 2), Wading River School (Grades 3 – 5), Albert G. Prodell Middle School (Grades 6 – 8), and Shoreham-Wading River High School (Grades 9 – 12).
Statistics regarding the district’s education are quite impressive. For instance, the student-teacher ratio of 10:1 is lower than the state average of 13:1. The district spends $25,757 per pupil, significantly higher than both the state and national averages of $24,040 and $12,612 respectively. The district’s graduation rate at 97% is higher than both the state and national averages of 83% and 85%, respectively.
Math proficiency for the district stands at an impressive 69%, whereas reading proficiency is 58%, both higher than their respective state averages which stand at 50% and 45%. Furthermore, college readiness indexes for elementary schools in New York rank #913 with 54.7 out of 100 benchmarked against average scores of 48.7 within the state alone.
Health
Wading River is a hamlet with high health standards. Life expectancy at birth is 82.2 years, which surpasses the state and national averages of 81.3 years and 78.7 years respectively.
The leading causes of death in Wading River are cancer, heart disease, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease (similar to the state and national trends). The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, asthma, arthritis, and depression is also lower than what’s seen in other areas throughout the state or nation.
Additionally 9% of adults report poor mental health days—under the 11% average for New York State and 12% nationally.
When it comes to lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity, Wading River does better than elsewhere: 10% smoke (lower than the state or national average of 14%/15%), while 23% are obese (lower than 25%/30%).
Quality healthcare services from a variety of providers are available in Wading River, including NY Health Wading River, Northwell Health Labs at Wading River, Peconic Bay Medical Center, Stony Brook University Hospital & Mather Hospital.
Transport
To travel to and from Wading River, New York, there are several public transportation options. The Hampton Jitney Inc. offers a bus service that runs between New York City and Tanger Outlets in Riverhead, near Wading River. A one-way fare for this trip varies from $26 to $40 and the journey will take about 1 hour and 50 minutes. The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is another option and connects Wading River with New York City via Port Jefferson or Riverhead stations. Depending on the zone, ticket type, etcThe cost of a one-way ticket can range from $2.75 to $23.50; the trip time can vary from 1 hour 40 minutes from Port Jefferson station to 2 hours 20 minutes from Riverhead station.
Local bus routes also serve Wading River such as the S62, which runs between Smith Haven Mall and East End Center in Riverhead. A regular ride will cost you $2.25 while a reduced fare ride costs just $1.25.
For those who prefer traveling by car, there are several highways nearby such as I-495 (Long Island Expressway), NY-24 (Narrows Road South),NY-25A (North Country Road), NY-27 (Sunrise Highway), and NY-25 (North Ocean Avenue). Additionally, Interstate 678 is just 45 minutes away providing access to Queens borough in New York City via the Throgs Neck Bridge or Whitestone Bridge depending on your destination points within the city limits.
Points of Interest
If you’re looking for some places to explore in Wading River, there are plenty of options available. Wildwood State Park is a great place to visit and offers a beach, hiking trails, camping sites, picnic areas and playgrounds. East Wind Long Island is an ideal destination for shopping with a variety of stores, restaurants and spa services.
There’s also the Brookhaven State Park which features a nature center, biking trails, fishing spots and wildlife viewing opportunities. Great Rock Golf Club features a clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant and bar as well as an 18-hole golf course.
If you’re into specialty stores, Cheese & Spice Market has you covered with an array of cheese types and spices from around the world plus oils and vinegars. Gingerbread University is another great choice where you can experience gingerbread decorating classes and parties for kids and adults alike. With so many activities to choose from, Wading River is certainly worth exploring.
Services we offer near Wading River, NY
