The Town of Babylon is one of ten towns in Suffolk County, New York, United States. Its population was 218,223 as of the 2020 census. Parts of Jones Beach Island, Captree Island and Fire Island are in the southernmost part of the town. It borders Nassau County to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.[2] At its westernmost point, it is about 20 miles (32 km) from New York City at the Queens border, and about 30 miles (48 km) from Manhattan. The village of Babylon is also within the town.[3]
Babylon, New York | |
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Town | |
Town of Babylon | |
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Babylon, New York Babylon, New York | |
Coordinates: 40°41′40″N 73°19′46″W | |
Country | United States |
State | New York |
County | Suffolk |
Formed | 1872; 150 years ago (1872) |
Government | |
• Supervisor | Rich Schaffer (D) |
Area | |
• Total | 114.20 sq mi (295.78 km2) |
• Land | 52.31 sq mi (135.48 km2) |
• Water | 61.89 sq mi (160.30 km2) 54.19% |
Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 218,223 |
• Density | 1,900/sq mi (740/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
FIPS code | 36-103-04000 |
Website | Babylon, NY Official Website |
The region was once called Huntington South. Nathaniel Conklin moved his family to the area, and around 1803 named it New Babylon, after the ancient city of Babylon.[4]
The town was officially formed in 1872 by a partition of the Town of Huntington.[4]
The following communities and locations are within the Town of Babylon:[2][5]
WBAB 102.3FM is licensed to Babylon with studios at 555 Sunrise Highway.[6]
The Babylon Beacon has covered the town for many years.[7]
The western town line is the border of Nassau County, and the southern town boundary is the Atlantic Ocean.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 114.2 square miles (295.7 km2), of which 52.3 square miles (135.4 km2) is land and 61.9 square miles (160.2 km2) is water. The total area is 54.20% water.
Babylon, New York is governed by supervisor Rich Schafferr, and four town council members.
Republic Airport is an airport in East Farmingdale originally built by Fairchild Aircraft in 1927, and acquired by Republic Aviation in 1939. Currently, it also houses the American Airpower Museum.[8] Zahn's Airport also existed in North Amityville from 1936 to 1980.[9] Long Island Macarthur Airport is a nearby commercial city-owned airport in Ronkonkoma, with daily commercial flights.
The Long Island Rail Road's Babylon Branch is the primary railroad line in the town running from the Nassau County Line and terminating in the Village of Babylon with stations from Amityville to Babylon. Rail freight service also exists along the Central Branch which also uses some Montauk Branch trains running from the Main Line in Bethpage. East of Babylon station, the Montauk Branch continues across the Babylon-Islip Town Line. Additionally, the Main Line runs through the northern part of the town with stations in Pinelawn, Wyandanch and Deer Park.
The Town of Babylon is served primarily by Suffolk County Transit bus routes.
Historical population | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1880 | 4,739 | — | |
1890 | 6,035 | 27.3% | |
1900 | 7,112 | 17.8% | |
1910 | 9,030 | 27.0% | |
1920 | 11,315 | 25.3% | |
1930 | 19,291 | 70.5% | |
1940 | 24,297 | 25.9% | |
1950 | 45,556 | 87.5% | |
1960 | 142,309 | 212.4% | |
1970 | 204,256 | 43.5% | |
1980 | 203,483 | −0.4% | |
1990 | 202,889 | −0.3% | |
2000 | 211,792 | 4.4% | |
2010 | 213,603 | 0.9% | |
2020 | 218,223 | 2.2% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[10] |
As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 211,792 people, 69,048 households, and 52,407 families residing in the town. The population density was 4,050.0 people per square mile (1,563.8/km2). There were 71,186 housing units at an average density of 1,361.3 per square mile (525.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 76.34% White, 15.65% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.89% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.36% from other races, and 2.47% from two or more races. 10.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 69,048 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.45.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $60,064, and the median income for a family was $66,261. Males had a median income of $45,160 versus $32,062 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,844. 6.7% of the population and 4.6% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.4% of those under the age of 18 and 7.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
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