Suffolk County, New York

Suffolk County /ˈsʌfək/ is a predominantly suburban county and is the easternmost county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the county's population was 1,493,350, estimated to have decreased slightly to 1,476,601 in 2019,[1] making it the fourth-most populous county in New York. Its county seat is Riverhead,[2] though most county offices are in Hauppauge.[3] The county was named after the county of Suffolk in England, from where its earliest European settlers came.

Suffolk County
County
Montauk Point Light
Flag
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of New York
New York's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°56′N 72°41′W
Country United States
State New York
Founded1683
Named forSuffolk, England
SeatRiverhead
Largest CDPBrentwood
Government
 • ExecutiveSteve Bellone
Area
 • Total2,373 sq mi (6,150 km2)
 • Land912 sq mi (2,360 km2)
 • Water1,461 sq mi (3,780 km2)  62%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
1,476,601
 • Density1,637.0/sq mi (632.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd, 3rd
Websitewww.suffolkcountyny.gov
Population is 2019 Census estimate
Part of a series of articles on
Topics
Regions
  • North Fork
  • South Fork

Suffolk County incorporates the easternmost extreme of the New York City metropolitan area. The largest of Long Island's four counties and the second-largest of 62 counties in New York State, Suffolk measures 86 miles (138 km) in length and 26 miles (42 km) in width at its widest (including water).[4]

Major scientific research facilities in Suffolk County include Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Huntington, and Plum Island Animal Disease Center on Plum Island.

Suffolk is the largest county in population in New York State outside of New York City, and the fourth most populous county in the state overall, behind Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

History
Suffolk County 1683

Suffolk County was part of the Connecticut Colony before becoming an original county of the Province of New York, one of twelve created in 1683. From 1664 until 1683 it had been the East Riding of Yorkshire. Its boundaries were essentially the same as at present, with only minor changes in the boundary with its western neighbor, which was originally Queens County but has been Nassau County since the separation of Nassau from Queens in 1899.

According to the Suffolk County website, the county is the leading agricultural county in the state of New York, saying that: "The weather is temperate, clean water is abundant, and the soil is so good that Suffolk is the leading agricultural county in New York State. That Suffolk is still number one in farming, even with the development that has taken place, is a tribute to thoughtful planning, along with the excellent soil, favorable weather conditions, and the work of the dedicated farmers in this region."[5]

Geography
Shinnecock Canal

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 2,373 square miles (6,150 km2), of which 912 square miles (2,360 km2) is land and 1,461 square miles (3,780 km2) (62%) is water.[6] It is the second-largest county in New York by total area and occupies 66% of the land area of Long Island.

Suffolk County occupies the central and eastern part of Long Island, in the extreme east of New York State. The eastern end of the county splits into two peninsulas, known as the North Fork and the South Fork. The county is surrounded by water on three sides, including the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound, with 980 miles (1,580 km) of coastline. The eastern end contains large bays.

The highest elevation in the county, and on Long Island as a whole, is Jayne's Hill in West Hills, at 401 feet (122 m) above sea level.

Climate

Suffolk County is at the convergence of climate zones including the humid continental (Dfa/Dfb), humid subtropical (Cfa), and oceanic (Cfb). Most of the county by land area is in the Dfa zone. Summers are cooler at the east end than in the western part of the county. The hardiness zone is 7a except in Copiague Harbor, Lindenhurst, and Montauk where it is 7b. Average monthly temperatures in Hauppauge range from 31.0 °F in January to 74.0 °F in July, and in the Riverhead town center they range from 30.1 °F in January to 72.8 °F in July, which includes both daytime and nighttime temperatures. PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State U On February 9, 2013, Suffolk County was besieged with 30 inches of snow, making it the largest day of snowfall on record in Suffolk.[7]

Climate data for Montauk, New York (1981–2010 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 38.1
(3.4)		 40.1
(4.5)		 45.6
(7.6)		 54.5
(12.5)		 64.2
(17.9)		 73.3
(22.9)		 79.3
(26.3)		 78.9
(26.1)		 71.9
(22.2)		 62.6
(17.0)		 53.0
(11.7)		 43.6
(6.4)		 58.8
(14.9)
Daily mean °F (°C) 32.3
(0.2)		 33.7
(0.9)		 39.0
(3.9)		 47.5
(8.6)		 56.6
(13.7)		 66.4
(19.1)		 72.4
(22.4)		 72.2
(22.3)		 65.7
(18.7)		 56.4
(13.6)		 47.2
(8.4)		 37.9
(3.3)		 52.3
(11.3)
Average low °F (°C) 26.4
(−3.1)		 27.3
(−2.6)		 32.4
(0.2)		 40.4
(4.7)		 48.9
(9.4)		 59.5
(15.3)		 65.5
(18.6)		 65.5
(18.6)		 59.4
(15.2)		 50.3
(10.2)		 41.4
(5.2)		 32.3
(0.2)		 45.8
(7.7)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.87
(73)		 3.38
(86)		 4.75
(121)		 3.45
(88)		 2.21
(56)		 3.80
(97)		 3.81
(97)		 3.92
(100)		 3.93
(100)		 3.66
(93)		 4.22
(107)		 3.58
(91)		 43.58
(1,109)
Source: NOAA[8]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas
View of western Fire Island from the top of Fire Island Lighthouse

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
179016,400—
180019,73520.3%
181021,1137.0%
182023,93613.4%
183026,78011.9%
184032,46921.2%
185036,92213.7%
186043,27517.2%
187046,9248.4%
188052,88812.7%
189062,49118.2%
190077,58224.1%
191096,13823.9%
1920110,24614.7%
1930161,05546.1%
1940197,35522.5%
1950276,12939.9%
1960666,784141.5%
19701,124,95068.7%
19801,284,23114.2%
19901,321,8642.9%
20001,419,3697.4%
20101,493,3505.2%
Est. 20191,476,601−1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2019[1]

As of the 2010 census[13] there were 1,493,350 people and 569,985 households residing in the county. The census estimated Suffolk County's population decreased slightly to 1,481,093 in 2018, representing 7.5% of the Census-estimated New York State population of 19,745,289[14] and 19.0% of the Census-estimated Long Island population of 7,869,820.[15][16][17][18] The population density in 2010 was 1,637 people per square mile (633/km²), with 569,985 households at an average density of 625 per square mile (242/km²). However, by 2012, with an estimated total population increasing moderately to 1,499,273 there were 569,359 housing units.[19] By 2014, the county's racial makeup was estimated at 85.2% White, 8.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 4.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those identifying as Hispanic or Latino, of any race, were 18.2% of the population. Those who identified as "white alone", not being of Hispanic or Latino origin, represented 69.3% of the population.[20]

In 2006, the county's racial or ethnic makeup was 83.6% White (75.4% White Non-Hispanic). African Americans were 7.4% of the population. Asians stood at 3.4% of the population. 5.4% were of other or mixed race. Latinos were 13.0% of the population.[21] In 2007, Suffolk County's most common ethnicities were Italian (29.5%), Irish (24.0%), and German (17.6%).[22]

In 2002, The New York Times cited a study by the non-profit group ERASE Racism, which determined Suffolk and its neighboring county, Nassau, to be the most racially segregated suburbs in the United States.[23]

In 2006, there were 469,299 households, of which 37.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.00% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.20% were non-families. 18.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.36.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

In 2008, Forbes magazine released its American Community Survey and named Suffolk County number 4 in its list of the top 25 richest counties in America. In 2016, according to Business Insider, the 11962 zip code encompassing Sagaponack, within Southampton, was listed as the most expensive in the U.S., with a median home sale price of $8.5 million.[24]

The median income for a household in the county was $84,767,[25] and the median income for a family was $72,112. Males had a median income of $50,046 versus $33,281 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,577. Using a weighted average from 2009-2014 about 6.40% of the population were below the poverty line[20] In earlier censuses, the population below the poverty line included 2.70% of those under age 18 and 2.30% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2006, Suffolk County was the 21st-most populous county in the United States.[26]

Racial groups, ethnicity, and religious groups on Long Island
compared to state and nation
Place
 Population
2010
census
 %
white
 %
black
or
African
American
 %
Asian
 %
Other
 %
mixed
race
 %
Hispanic/
Latino
of any
race
 %
Catholic
 % not
affiliated
 %
Jewish
 %
Protestant
 Estimate
of % not
reporting
Race Ethnicity Religious groups
Nassau County1,339,53273.011.17.65.92.414.652917715
Suffolk County1,493,35080.87.43.45.92.416.552217811
Long Island Total
(including Brooklyn and Queens)		7,568,30454.720.412.39.33.220.5401815720
NY State19,378,10265.715.97.38.03.017.6422091016
USA308,745,53872.412.64.87.32.916.3223722312
Source for Race and Ethnicity: 2010 Census[27]
American Indian, Native Alaskan, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander make up just 0.5% of the population of Long Island, and have been included with "Other".
Source for religious groups: ARDA2000[28][29]

Law and government

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[30]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 51.5% 350,570 44.6% 303,951 3.9% 26,733
2012 47.5% 282,131 51.2% 304,079 1.4% 8,056
2008 46.5% 307,021 52.5% 346,549 0.9% 6,209
2004 48.5% 309,949 49.5% 315,909 2.0% 12,854
2000 42.0% 240,992 53.4% 306,306 4.6% 26,646
1996 36.1% 182,510 51.8% 261,828 12.1% 60,875
1992 40.4% 229,467 38.9% 220,811 20.7% 117,677
1988 60.5% 311,242 38.7% 199,215 0.8% 3,893
1984 66.0% 335,485 33.7% 171,295 0.3% 1,276
1980 57.0% 256,294 33.4% 149,945 9.7% 43,416
1976 54.1% 248,908 45.3% 208,263 0.6% 2,877
1972 70.3% 316,452 29.4% 132,441 0.2% 1,005
1968 58.2% 218,027 32.7% 122,590 9.1% 34,150
1964 44.4% 144,350 55.5% 180,598 0.1% 385
1960 59.3% 166,644 40.6% 114,033 0.1% 268
1956 77.6% 167,805 22.4% 48,323 0.0% 0
1952 74.6% 115,570 25.3% 39,120 0.2% 262
1948 69.8% 75,519 26.9% 29,104 3.4% 3,642
1944 67.6% 65,650 32.2% 31,231 0.3% 253
1940 65.1% 63,712 34.6% 33,853 0.3% 270
1936 58.1% 48,970 39.2% 33,078 2.7% 2,287
1932 55.5% 40,247 42.5% 30,799 2.0% 1,482
1928 65.1% 41,199 30.8% 19,497 4.1% 2,619
1924 69.2% 31,456 22.1% 10,024 8.8% 3,975
1920 73.1% 26,737 24.2% 8,852 2.7% 985
1916 59.2% 12,742 39.1% 8,422 1.7% 358
1912 28.5% 5,595 40.1% 7,878 31.5% 6,182
1908 60.3% 10,689 33.2% 5,877 6.6% 1,164
1904 57.2% 9,937 39.1% 6,795 3.7% 642
1900 60.2% 9,584 35.9% 5,711 3.9% 615
1896 66.6% 9,388 27.5% 3,872 5.9% 837
1892 49.3% 7,001 44.2% 6,274 6.5% 928
1888 50.2% 7,167 46.3% 6,600 3.5% 500
1884 45.9% 5,876 50.2% 6,429 4.0% 510

Suffolk County had long been a Republican bastion in New York State. U.S. Congressman Rick Lazio, who opposed Hillary Clinton in the 2000 Senate race, was from Suffolk County. However, recent elections have turned the county more toward the Democrats. In 2003, Democrat Steve Levy was elected county executive, ending longtime Republican control. In 2001, Democrat Thomas Spota was elected District Attorney, and ran unopposed in 2005. Although Suffolk voters gave George H. W. Bush a victory here in 1992, the county voted for Bill Clinton in 1996 and continued the trend by giving Al Gore an 11-percent victory in the county in 2000. 2004 Democratic candidate John Kerry won by a much smaller margin of one percent, in 2008 Democratic candidate Barack Obama won by a slightly larger 4.4 percent margin, 52%-47%. In 2016, Republican candidate Donald Trump won Suffolk County by a 6.9 percent margin after absentees, marking the largest margin of victory for the Republicans since 1988. It was the only large county (over 200,000 voters) in New York State that Donald Trump won.[30]

Suffolk County is represented by three New York congressional districts: the first, and parts of the second and third. The third is held by the Democratic Party, while the first and second are held by Republicans. Lee Zeldin represents the first district, which includes almost half of the county, from Smithtown to Montauk, including The Hamptons and Riverhead. The second district is represented by Republican Peter King, and includes parts of southern Suffolk and Nassau counties. The third district is largely split between Nassau County and Suffolk County, and is represented by Tom Suozzi. A Democrat, Suozzi won the seat vacated by Steve Israel in 2016 after Israel declined to seek re-election.

Map showing Long Island congressional districts 1, 2, and 3 after redistricting in 2012. Portions in red are within Suffolk County.

As a whole both Suffolk and Nassau counties are considered swing counties. However, until 2016 they tended not to receive significant attention from presidential candidates, as the state of New York has turned reliably Democratic at the national level. In 2008 and 2012, Hofstra University in Nassau County hosted a presidential debate. Hofstra hosted the first debate of the 2016 presidential election season, on September 26, 2016, making Hofstra the first college or university in the United States to host a presidential debate in three consecutive elections. The presence on the 2016 ticket of Westchester County resident Hillary Clinton and Manhattan resident Donald Trump resulted in greater attention by the candidates to the concerns of Long Island. Trump visited Long Island voters and donors at least 4 times while Hillary made 1 stop for voters and 1 additional stop in the Hamptons for donors.

County Officials
Position Name Party Term
  Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. Dem 2018–Present
  District Attorney Tim Sini Dem 2018–Present
  County Clerk Judith A. Pascale Rep 2006–Present
  Comptroller John M. Kennedy Jr. Rep 2015–Present

Suffolk County Executives
H. Lee Dennison County Executive Building in Hauppauge
Suffolk County Executives
Name Party Term
H. Lee Dennison Democratic 1961–1973
John V.N. Klein Republican 1973–1979
Peter F. Cohalan Republican 1979–1986
Michael A. LoGrande* Republican 1986–1987
Patrick G. Halpin Democratic 1987–1991
Robert J. Gaffney Republican 1992–2003
Steve Levy** Democratic 2004–2010
Steve Levy** Republican 2010–2012
Steve Bellone Democratic 2012–present

* Appointed to complete Cohalan's term

** Levy was originally elected as a Democrat, but became a Republican in 2010.

Suffolk County Legislature

The county has 18 legislative districts, each represented by a legislator. As of 2020, there were 11 Democrats and 7 Republicans. The Partisan Voting Index is as of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections:

District PVI 2020-2021 Legislature 2017-2018 Legislature 2015-2016 Legislature 2014-2015 Legislature 2012-2013 Legislature 2010-2011 Legislature 2008-2009 Legislature 2006-2007 Legislature 2004-2005 Legislature
1 R+8 Al Krupski (D) Al Krupski (D) Al Krupski (D) Al Krupski (D) Al Krupski (D) Edward P. Romaine (R) Edward P. Romaine (R) Edward P. Romaine (R) Micheal J. Caracciolo (R)
2 D+5 Bridget Fleming (D) Bridget Fleming (D) Bridget Fleming (D) Jay Schneiderman(DPO) (I) Jay Schneiderman(DPO) (I) Jay Schneiderman(DPO) (I) Jay Schneiderman (I) Jay Schneiderman (R) Jay Schneiderman (R)
3 R+2 Rudy A. Sunderman (R) Rudy A. Sunderman (R) Kate M. Browning (WF) Kate M. Browning (WF) Kate M. Browning (WF) Kate M. Browning (WF) Kate M. Browning (WF) Kate M. Browning (WF) Peter O'Leary (R)
4 R+7 Thomas Muratore (R) Thomas Muratore (R) Thomas Muratore (R) Thomas Muratore (R) Thomas Muratore (R) Thomas Muratore (R) Brian Beedenbender (D) Joseph T. Caracappa (R) Joseph T. Caracappa (R)
5 D+1 Kara Hahn (D) Kara Hahn (MajL) (D) Kara Hahn(MajL) (D) Kara Hahn (D) Kara Hahn (D) Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D) Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D) Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D) Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D)
6 R+9 Sarah Anker (D) Sarah Anker (D) Sarah Anker (D) Sarah Anker (D) Sarah Anker (D) Daniel P. Losquadro (R)(MinL) / Sarah Anker (D) for 2011 Daniel P. Losquadro(MinL) (R) Daniel P. Losquadro(MinL) (R) Daniel P. Losquadro(MinL) (R)
7 D+1 Robert Calarco (MajL) (D) Robert Calarco (DPO) (D) Robert Calarco(DPO) (D) Robert Calarco(MajL) (D) Robert Calarco(MajL) (D) Jack Eddington (I) Jack Eddington (I) Jack Eddington (D) Brian X. Foley (D)
8 R+9 Anthony Piccirillo (R) William J. Lindsay III (D) William J. Lindsay III (D) William J. Lindsay III (D) William J. Lindsay(PO) (D) William J. Lindsay(PO) (D) William J. Lindsay(PO) (D) William J. Lindsay(PO) (D) William J. Lindsay(PO) (D)
9 D+30 Samuel Gonzalez (D) Monica R. Martinez (D) Monica R. Martinez (D) Monica R. Martinez (D) Ricardo Montano (D) Ricardo Montano (D) Ricardo Montano (D) Ricardo Montano (D) Ricardo Montano (D)
10 R+9 Tom Cilmi (R) Tom Cilmi (R) Tom Cilmi (R) Tom Cilmi (R) Tom Cilmi (R) Tom Cilmi (R) Cameron Alden (R) Cameron Alden (R) Cameron Alden (R)
11 R+7 Steven J. Flotteron (R) Steven J. Flotteron (R) Thomas F. Barraga (R) Thomas F. Barraga (R) Thomas F. Barraga (R) Thomas F. Barraga (R) Thomas F. Barraga (R) Thomas F. Barraga (R) Angie Carpenter (R)
12 R+12 Leslie Kennedy (R) Leslie Kennedy (R) Leslie Kennedy (R) John M. Kennedy, Jr.(MinL) (R) / Leslie Kennedy (R) for 2015 John M. Kennedy, Jr.(MinL) (R) John M. Kennedy, Jr. (R) John M. Kennedy, Jr. (R) John M. Kennedy, Jr. (R) John M. Kennedy, Jr. (R)
13 R+12 Robert Trotta (R) Robert Trotta (R) Robert Trotta (R) Robert Trotta (R) Lynne C. Nowick (R) Lynne C. Nowick (R) Lynne C. Nowick (R) Lynne C. Nowick (R) Lynne C. Nowick (R)
14 R+8 Kevin J. McCaffrey (MinL) (R) Kevin J. McCaffrey (MinL) (R) Kevin J. McCaffrey(MinL) (R) Kevin J. McCaffrey (R) Wayne R. Horsley(PO) (D) Wayne R. Horsley (D) Wayne R. Horsley (D) Wayne R. Horsley (D) David Bishop (D)
15 D+18 Jason Richberg (D) DuWayne Gregory (PO) (D) DuWayne Gregory(PO) (D) DuWayne Gregory(PO) (D) DuWayne Gregory (D) DuWayne Gregory (D) Elie Mystal (D) / DuWayne Gregory (D) since July 29, 2008 Elie Mystal (D) Elie Mystal (D)
16 D+2 Susan A. Berland (D) Susan A. Berland (D) Steven H. Stern (D) Steven H. Stern (D) Steven H. Stern (D) Steven H. Stern (D) Steven H. Stern (D) Steven H. Stern (D) Allan Binder (R)
17 EVEN Tom Donnelly (D) Tom Donnelly (D) Louis D'Amaro (D) Louis D'Amaro (D) Louis D'Amaro (D) Louis D'Amaro (D) Louis D'Amaro (D) Louis D'Amaro (D) Paul J. Tonna (R)
18 D+1 William R. Spencer (D) William R. Spencer (D) William R. Spencer (D) William R. Spencer (D) William R. Spencer (D) Jon Cooper (D) Jon Cooper (D) Jon Cooper (D) Jon Cooper (D)

Republicans controlled the county legislature until a landmark election in November 2005 where three Republican seats switched to the Democrats, giving them control. In November 2007, the Democratic Party once again retained control over the Suffolk County Legislature, picking up one seat in the process. In November 2009, the Republican Party regained the seat lost in 2007 but remained in the minority for the 2010-2011 session. In November 2011, the Democratic Party maintained control over the Suffolk County Legislature picking up one seat that had been held by an Independence Party member. In November 2013, the Republican Party gained the 14th district seat, but remains in the minority.

As of the 2016-2017 session, 15th district legislator DuWayne Gregory serves as Presiding Officer, a position he has held since 2013, 7th district legislator Robert Calarco serves as Deputy Presiding Officer. 5th district legislator Kara Hahn serves as Majority Leader for the Democrats. 14th district legislator Keving McCaffrey is Minority Leader having assumed the office after the election of former legislator John M. Kennedy, Jr. to the office of County Comptroller.

Law enforcement

Police services in the five western towns (Babylon, Huntington, Islip, Smithtown and Brookhaven) are provided primarily by the Suffolk County Police Department. The five "East End" towns (Riverhead, Southold, Shelter Island, East Hampton, and Southampton), maintain their own police and other law enforcement agencies. Also, there are a number of villages, such as Amityville, Lloyd Harbor, Northport, and Westhampton Beach that maintain their own police forces. In an unusual move, the Village of Greenport in 1994 voted to abolish its police department and turn responsibility for law and order over to the Southold Town Police Department.

After the Long Island State Parkway Police was disbanded in 1980, all state parkways in Suffolk County became the responsibility of Troop L of the New York State Police, headquartered at Republic Airport. State parks, such as Robert Moses State Park, are the responsibility of the New York State Park Police, based at Belmont Lake State Park. In 1996, the Long Island Rail Road Police Department was consolidated into the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police, which has jurisdiction over all rail lines in the county. Since the New York state legislature created the New York State University Police in 1999, they are in charge of all law enforcement services for State University of New York property and campuses. The State University Police have jurisdiction in Suffolk County at Stony Brook University and Farmingdale State College.

Suffolk Police boat on Fire Island

The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office is a separate agency. The sheriff, an elected official who serves a four-year term, operates the two Suffolk County correctional facilities (in Yaphank and Riverhead), provides county courthouse security and detention, service and enforcement of civil papers, evictions and warrants. The Sheriff's Office is also responsible for securing all county-owned property, such as county government office buildings, as well as the campuses of the Suffolk County Community College. As of 2008, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office employed 275 Deputy Sheriffs, 850 corrections officers, and about 200 civilian staff.

Suffolk County has a long maritime history with several outer barrier beaches and hundreds of square miles of waterways. The Suffolk Police Marine Bureau patrols the 500 square miles (1,000 km2) of navigable waterways within the police district, from the Connecticut and Rhode Island state line which bisects Long Island Sound[31] to the New York state line 3 miles (5 km) south of Fire Island in the Atlantic Ocean. Some Suffolk County towns (Islip, Brookhaven, Southampton, East Hampton, Babylon, Huntington, Smithtown) also employ various bay constables and other local marine patrol, which are sworn armed peace officers with full arrest powers, providing back up to the Suffolk Police Marine Bureau as well as the United States Coast Guard.

This includes Fire Island and parts of Jones Island barrier beaches and the islands of the Great South Bay. Marine units also respond to water and ice rescues on the inland lakes, ponds, and streams of the District.

In February 2019, legislator Robert Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) put forward a resolution to recover salary and benefits from James Burke, the county's former police chief.[32][33] Burke had pled guilty to beating a man while in police custody and attempting to conceal it, and the county had paid the victim $1.5 million in a settlement; it had also paid Burke more than $500,000 in benefits and salary while Burke was concealing his conduct.[33][32] Trotta said that the faithless servant doctrine in New York common law gave him the power to claw back the compensation.[33] The Suffolk County Legislature supported the suit unanimously.[34] The following month Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone signed the bill.

Courts
Cohalan Court Complex, Central Islip

Suffolk County is part of the 10th Judicial District of the New York State Unified Court System; is home to the Alfonse M. D'Amato Courthouse of the Federal U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York;[35] and has various local municipal courts. The State Courts are divided into Supreme Court, which has general jurisdiction over all cases, and lower courts that either hear claims of a limited dollar amount, or of a specific nature.[36][37] Similarly, the local courts hear claims of a limited dollar amount, or hear specific types of cases. The Federal Court has jurisdiction over Federal Claims, State Law claims that are joined with Federal claims, and claims where there is a diversity of citizenship.[38]

Supreme Court
  • The Suffolk County Supreme Court is a trial court of unlimited general original jurisdiction, but it generally only hears cases that are outside the subject-matter jurisdiction of other trial courts of more limited jurisdiction. The Suffolk County Clerk is the Clerk of the Court of the Supreme Court.
  • The main courthouse for the Supreme Court is in Riverhead, which has been the court's home since 1729. The original courthouse was replaced in 1855, and that courthouse was expanded in 1881.[39] The courthouse was damaged by fire and rebuilt in 1929. In 1994, a new court building was added to the complex. This Courthouse was dedicated as the "Alan D. Oshrin Supreme Court Building" on August 1, 2011.[40]
  • The Supreme Court also shares space in the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip[41] with several other courts and county agencies. Matrimonial actions are heard in the Supreme Court, and those matters are generally heard in the Supreme Court section of the Cohalan Court Complex.

Other Superior Courts
  • The Suffolk County Court is a trial court of limited jurisdiction. It has jurisdiction over all of Suffolk County, and is authorized to handle criminal prosecutions of both felonies and lesser offenses committed within the county, although in practice most minor offenses are handled by the local courts. It is the trial court for felonies, or where a person is indicted by a Grand Jury in Suffolk County. The County Court also has limited jurisdiction in civil cases, generally involving amounts up to $25,000. The County Court is in the Cromarty Court Complex Criminal Courts Building in Riverhead.
  • The Suffolk County Surrogate's Court hears cases involving the affairs of decedents, including the probate of wills and the administration of estates, guardianships, and adoptions. The Surrogate's Court is in the County Center in Riverhead.
  • The Suffolk County Family Court has jurisdiction over all of Suffolk County in petitions filed for Neglect & Abuse, Juvenile Delinquency/Designated Felonies, Persons in Need of Supervision, Adoption, Guardianship, Foster Care, Family Offense (Order of Protection), Custody & Visitation, Paternity, Support Matters (Child & Spousal), Consent to Marry. The court also has a Juvenile Drug Court and Family Treatment Court. Individuals, attorneys, and agencies may initiate a proceeding in the Family Court with the filing of a petition. The Suffolk County Family Court is in the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip[41] and maintains a facility in Riverhead. Case assignment is dependent upon the geographical location of the parties.

Local courts

The District Court and the Town and Village Courts are the local courts of Suffolk County. There are more than 30 local courts, each with limited criminal and civil subject matter and geographic jurisdictions. The local criminal courts have trial jurisdiction over misdemeanors, violations and infractions; preliminary jurisdiction over felonies; and traffic tickets charging a crime. The local civil courts calendar small claims, evictions, and civil actions.

  • Suffolk County District Court has geographic jurisdiction over the 5 western towns of Suffolk County (Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip & Smithtown). The Criminal division of the Suffolk District Court is in the Cohalan Court Complex, Central Islip, and includes Domestic Violence Courts, Drug Court, and a Mental Health Court. The Civil division is divided up in the 5 "outlying" courthouses in Lindenhurst, Huntington Station, Hauppauge, Ronkonkoma, and Patchogue. Civil actions may be filed up to $15,000, and small claims actions up to $5000. Actions are commenced by filing with the court. Summary proceedings under the RPAPL are filed in the district where the property is located.
  • The Town Courts of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, and Southold have geographic jurisdiction over the 5 eastern towns of Suffolk County. Each town maintains a courthouse where judges hear criminal cases (including a regional Drug Court) and civil actions. Civil actions are commenced by serving a summons and complaint for claims up to $3,000, and small claims actions are heard up to $3000. Summary proceedings under the RPAPL are filed in the town where the property is located.
  • The Village Courts of Amityville, Asharoken, Babylon, Belle Terre, Bellport, Brightwaters, Head of the Harbor, Huntington Bay, Islandia, Lake Grove, Lindenhurst, Lloyd Harbor, Nissequogue, Northport, Ocean Beach, Old Field, Patchogue, Poquott, Port Jefferson, Quogue, Sag Harbor, Saltaire, Shoreham, Southampton, Village of the Branch, West Hampton Dunes, and Westhampton Beach have geographic jurisdiction within each incorporated village. Criminal and civil subject matter jurisdiction varies in each court.

Most non-criminal moving violation tickets issued in the 5 west towns are handled by the Traffic Violations Bureau, which is part of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, not the court system.

Economy
See also: Economy of Long Island

Education

Colleges and universities
Stony Brook University
St. Joseph's College

Transportation

Major highways
  • I-495 (Long Island Expressway) traverses the county from the Nassau County line in the West to Riverhead in the East. Original plans called for the Expressway to extend further past Riverhead and along the island's North Fork, possibly to Orient Point, where a crossing to Connecticut could be built. The expressway connects to Manhattan via the Queens-Midtown Tunnel.[49]
  • New York State Route 27 crosses the county from the Nassau County line in the West to Montauk Point in the East, which is also the easternmost point in New York State. The road is limited-access from West Babylon to Southampton.

Airports

Several airports serve commuters and business travelers, most notably Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma, Republic Airport in East Farmingdale and Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach.

Public transportation

Suffolk County is served by Suffolk County Transit. Long Island Rail Road, the Hampton Jitney, and Hampton Luxury Liner connect Suffolk County to New York City.

Media

Newspapers

Notable people

Suffolk seashore

Fire Island Lighthouse was an important landmark for many trans-Atlantic ships coming into New York Harbor in the early 20th century. For many European immigrants, the Fire Island Light was their first sight of land upon arrival in America.

Fire Island Lighthouse

The Fire Island Inlet span of the Robert Moses Causeway connects to Robert Moses State Park on the western tip of Fire Island.

The Great South Bay Bridge, the first causeway bridge, had only one northbound and one southbound lane, was opened to traffic in April 1954. The span of 2 miles (3 km) across Great South Bay to Captree Island features a main span of 600 feet (200 m), with a clearance for boats of 60 feet (20 m).

After crossing the State Boat Channel over Its 665-foot (203 m)-long bascule bridge, the causeway meets the Ocean Parkway at a cloverleaf interchange. This interchange provides access to Captree State Park, Gilgo State Park and Jones Beach State Park.

F I N S

The Fire Island Inlet Bridge continues the two-lane road, one lane in each direction, across Fire Island Inlet to its terminus at Robert Moses State Park and The Fire Island Lighthouse. Robert Moses Causeway opened in 1964.

Suffolk County has the most lighthouses of any United States county, with 15 of its original 26 lighthouses still standing. Of these 15, eight are in Southold township alone, giving it more lighthouses than any other township in the United States.

Secessionist movements
Main article: Peconic County, New York

At various times, there have been proposals for a division of Suffolk County into two counties. The western portion would be called Suffolk County, while the eastern portion of the current Suffolk County would comprise a new county to be called Peconic County. Peconic County would consist of the five easternmost towns of Suffolk County: East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton and Southold, plus the Shinnecock Indian Reservation.

The proposed Peconic County flag showed the two forks at the east end of Long Island separated by Peconic Bay. The star on the north represents Southold. The stars on the South Fork represent Southampton and East Hampton. Riverhead is at the fork mouth and Shelter Island is between the forks.

The secessionist movement has not been active since 1998.

The End of the Hamptons: Scenes from the Class Struggle in America's Paradise, by Corey Dolgon (New York University Press, 2005[50]) examined the class roots of the secessionist movement in the Hamptons. In his review, Howard Zinn wrote that the book "[t]akes us beyond the much-romanticized beaches of Long Island to the rich entrepreneurs and their McMansions, the Latino workers, and the stubborn indigenous residents refusing to disappear. The book is important because it is in so many ways a microcosm of the nation."[51] The book won the Association for Humanist Sociology's 2005 Book Prize and the American Sociological Association's Marxist Section Book Award in 2007.

Finance and taxation

Suffolk County has an 8.625% sales tax, compared to an overall New York State sales tax of 4%, consisting of an additional 4.25% on top of the state and MTA assessment of .375%[52]

Health

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic first affected the county. As of 22 April 2020 there are a total of 29,476 cases, 926 deaths and 1,913 recoveries.

Communities
Main article: List of municipalities on Long Island
The Montauk Lighthouse is a landmark of Suffolk County, NY
Municipalities of Suffolk County

In New York State, a town is the major subdivision of each county. Towns provide or arrange for most municipal services for residents of hamlets and selected services for residents of villages. All residents of New York who do not live in a city or on an Indian reservation live in a town. A village is an incorporated area which is usually, but not always, within a single town. A village is a clearly defined municipality that provides the services closest to the residents, such as garbage collection, street and highway maintenance, street lighting and building codes. Some villages provide their own police and other optional services. A hamlet is an informally-defined populated area within a town that is not part of a village.

Towns

Villages

Census-designated places

Gardiners Island
Gardiners Island, Suffolk County, NY
Main article: Gardiners Island

Gardiners Island is an island off eastern Suffolk County. The Island is 6 miles (10 km) long, and 3 miles (5 km) wide and has 27 miles (43 km) of coastline. The same family has owned the Island for nearly 400 years; one of the largest privately owned islands in America or the world. In addition, it is the only American real estate still intact as part of an original royal grant from the English Crown.

Robins Island
Main article: Robins Island

Robins Island is an Island in the Peconic Bay between the North and South folks of eastern Suffolk County. It is within the jurisdiction of Town of Southold in Suffolk County, New York. The Island is 435 acres (1.8 km2) and presently undeveloped. The island is privately owned and not accessible to the public.

Indian reservations

Two Indian reservations are within the borders of Suffolk County:

  • Shinnecock Reservation
  • Poospatuck Reservation

See also

References
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  20. Source U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts. Data derived from Population Estimates, American Community Survey, Last Revised: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 16:00:26 ED
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  34. "Lawmakers vote to sue to recoup Burke salary". Newsday.
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