Yaphank is a census-designated place (CDP) in Suffolk County, New York, with a population of about 5,945 people as of 2010. Its name derives from the word “Yamphanke”, a Native American term which means “bank of a river”.
History
The area was first colonized by Europeans in the year 1726 and its early settlers mostly farmed, milled and fished on this land.
During the American Revolution, Yaphank was occupied by British troops who made St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church their barracks and hospital. In 1843, Yaphank became part of the Long Island Rail Road network which brought more trade and visitors to the area. Some notable guests during this period include Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William McKinley as well as inventor Thomas Edison.
However, it wasn’t until 1935 that Yaphank gained notoriety when the German American Settlement League moved into town with the intention of turning it into an enclave for ‘people with pure Aryan blood’. This experiment quickly imploded after World War II when they were disbanded by government forces. Years later, in 1976, Yaphank was named an historic district by the Town of Brookhaven for its many ancient buildings and landmarks that reflect its rich past.
Population
Yaphank is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) located in Suffolk County, New York. According to the 2020 estimate, Yaphank has a population of 6,001 people which makes it the 307th largest city in New York and the 5929th largest city in the United States. This also means that Yaphank’s population grew by about 0.9% from 2010 to 2020 since their most recent census reported a population of 5,945 people.
The 2020 estimate also reports that Yaphank has an area of 13.6 square miles with a population density of 444.2 people per square mile. Looking at its racial composition, the data reveals that 82.4% of the population is white while 8% is black or African American, 3% is Asian, 2.7% is another race while 0.5% are Native American and 0.1% are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders. Furthermore, 10.8% of Yaphank’s residents are Hispanic or Latino while 89.2% are Not Hispanic or Latino according to the same source.
Yaphank offers its residents many opportunities for recreation including Longwood Estate Park, Oakdale Nature Preserve and Big Bush Duck Hunting Club Inc., aIt also contains some historical landmarks like Pennsylvania Railroad Station at Yaphank (circa 1883), Blacksmith Shop at Middle Island Creek County Park (circa 1890) and Schoolhouse No 5 (circa 1845).
Education
Living in Yaphank, you have access to a variety of educational opportunities. In the hamlet, there is one public elementary school, C E Walters School, which serves grades K-4 and has 713 students. This school has an overall rating of 5 out of 10 based on test scores and student progress, as well as a student-teacher ratio of 13:1 – lower than the state average of 14:1. C E Walters School also has a diversity score of 0.55, higher than the state average of 0.54, and proficiency rates for math and reading at 47% and 42%, respectively, which are lower than the respective state averages of 52%.
Yaphank is served by two different school districts: Longwood Central School District and South Country Central School District. Both districts have been rated B+ based on their academic performance, teacher quality, diversity and other factors. The Longwood district serves grades K-12 with 8 schools boasting 8,612 students while South Country covers PK-12 with seven schools housing 3,617 students.
For parents looking to give their children an excellent education in Yaphank or anyone hoping to move there soon and wants to know more about the area’s educational resources available can get an overview here and do further research online or by talking to local community members for valuable additional insights concerning enrollment options.
Health
Yaphank is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) located in Suffolk County, New York. It offers residents a variety of health services and programs to ensure their well-being.
The Suffolk County Health Department, located at 360 Yaphank Avenue, Ste 1B, provides general health services such as immunizations, disease prevention, environmental health, vital records and emergency preparedness.
Mental health services are provided by the Yaphank Center, which operates under the New York State Office of Mental Health. The center offers case management, rehabilitation, support and crisis intervention for adults struggling with serious mental illness.
Those dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues can get the treatment they need at Maryhaven Center of Hope. A part of Catholic Health Services of Long Island, the center offers residential, outpatient and recovery programs to adolescents and adults alike.
Individuals can also look into preventative measures such as exercise routines as well as healthy eating plans that could help boost immunity against illnesses or conditions in the long run. This is one way of continuing to prioritize one’s well-being even if there is limited access to important healthcare resources in Yaphank.
With the presence of local healthcare centers that provide both preventive care and treatment options for individuals suffering from various illnesses or conditions, Yaphank has put importance on its citizens’ physical and emotional wellbeing.
Transport
Here, transportation options are plentiful. Suffolk County Transit offers reduced fares for seniors and people with disabilities and paratransit services for eligible customers.
Long Island Rail Road also has a station on Park Street from which travelers can access other stops in the county; it is 14.7 miles away from Riverhead, the closest station in LIRR’s Main Line (Greenport Branch).
For areas like Yaphank which have local businesses providing convenient transportation services to residents and tourists alike, residents have many options when it comes to getting around.
The low-cost fare available to seniors as well as those with disabilities demonstrate how accommodating public transportation providers like Suffolk County Transit strive to be.
Reliable rail lines such as the Long Island Rail Road keep our high population area connected at all times; one is able to reach stations where most amenities are readily available within 15 miles because of this advantage.
Points of Interest
Yaphank is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in Suffolk County, New York. Here are some points of interest that you can visit:
Suffolk County Farm & Education Center: This is a 200-acre working farm that offers educational programs and activities for children and adults. You can see farm animals, gardens, fields, orchards and greenhouses. You can also enjoy hayrides, pumpkin picking, corn mazes and festivals throughout the year.
Bartlett Pond Park: This is a scenic park that features a pond with a fountain, a gazebo, a playground and picnic tables. You can relax and enjoy nature or fish in the pond. The park also hosts community events such as concerts and holiday celebrations.
Li Vino Tours: This is a company that offers wine tours and tastings in Long Island’s wine country. You can choose from different packages that include transportation, lunch, snacks and visits to various wineries. You can also customize your own tour according to your preferences.

