Brookhaven, New York
Brookhaven: This town in Suffolk County, New York, is the most populous in the state.
About
Brookhaven is a town located in the county of Suffolk in the U.S. state of New York. Its population at the 2010 census was 486,040 and a population density of 914 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 479,883 inhabitants.
The town was created 371 years ago in 1654.
Brookhaven is a town located in Suffolk County, Long Island in New York. With close to 500,000 residents, it is the most populous town in the state outside of northern New York.
Early Settlement
The Town of Brookhaven was first settled in 1655 and incorporated in 1664 under English rule. The town included several smaller hamlets and villages across its 550 square miles. Brookhaven's early economy relied on agriculture and milling. The Setauketarea was known for livestock, while portions near the Great South Bay focused more on fishing and oystering.
In the 18th century, Brookhaven became recognized for its lumber mills thanks to the presence of significant timber resources. Milling lumber and producing paper from wood pulp would eventually support several prominent industries in the town.
19th and 20th Century Growth
The arrival of the Long Island Railroad in 1844 truly transformed Brookhaven, connecting it to New York City and enabling the rise of tourism, farming, and residential development.
In the post-WWII period, suburbanization and population growth exploded in Brookhaven as NYC residents sought homes along Long Island. Between 1950 and 1980, the population skyrocketed from under 50,000 to over 360,000 residents.
Modern Brookhaven is a product of this suburban expansion, with developments and hamlets like Shirley, Mastic, Lake Grove, Centereach and others forming in this period. As the population grew, commercial corridors, retail centers and civic infrastructure had to be built as well.
Brookhaven Today
Present-day Brookhaven functions as an expansive residential suburb along with some remaining industry. The northern coast along Long Island Sound consists of wealthier communities, while southern inland parts have more suburban density.
Brookhaven also contains significant historic and natural sites like the William Floyd Estate and Fire Island National Seashore. The Labrador Duck, now extinct, was first identified as a unique species in 1778 in Brookhaven.
While suburban in nature, Brookhaven retains much of its historical small-town identity through its hamlets, architecture, and natural spaces. The town balances steady population growth with preserving its past and providing a high quality of life.
Quick Facts about Brookhaven
| Population | 479,883 (2020) |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | New York (United States) |
| County | Suffolk County |
| Postal code | 11719 |
| Phone Area Codes | 631 |
| Area | 531.54 km2 |
| Latitude & Longitude | 40.7793,-72.9154 |
| Altitude | 79 feet / 24 meters |
| Establishment | January 01, 1655 (371 years ago) |
| Time Zone | America/New_York |
| Local time | 08:24:55 (17th April 2026) |
| Density | 903 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth | -1.28% (2010-2020) |
| Weather | 70℉ Chance Rain Showers 7-days weather |
Geography
Brookhaven is located at 40°46'45"N 72°54'55"W (40.7792700, -72.9153800).
Brookhaven map
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Weather
A chance of rain showers after 8am. Partly sunny. High near 70, with temperatures falling to around 66 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Ch...
7-Day ForecastOfficial website of Brookhaven
Official WebsiteDemographics
According to census records, the population of Brookhaven decreased by 1.28% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 486,040 | - | census |
| 2011 | 488,253 | 0.45% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 487,629 | -0.13% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 487,959 | 0.07% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 487,385 | -0.12% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 486,195 | -0.24% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 484,726 | -0.3% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 483,963 | -0.16% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 483,191 | -0.16% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 481,537 | -0.34% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 479,883 | -0.34% | estimation process |
People born in Brookhaven (14)
People born in Brookhaven, including politician Felix Grucci, politician Edgar A. Sharp, politician Selah B. Strong, .
More notable people
- Arthur B. Reeve (American journalist) he was born in 15/10/1880
- Benjamin Tallmadge (American politician (1754-1835)) he was born in 25/02/1754
- Tapping Reeve (American lawyer, judge and law educator (1744-1823)) he was born in 01/10/1744
- William Floyd (American statesman (1734-1821)) he was born in 17/12/1734
- Pat Cardi (American actor) he was born in 02/05/1951
- Derrick Rowland (basketball player) he was born in 21/06/1959
- Jack Giarraputo (American film producer) he was born in 01/01/2000
- Eric Sawyer (American composer) he was born in 02/06/1962
- Norman Thaddeus Vane (screenwriter, producer, film director) he was born in 07/07/1928
- Anthony Palumbo (American politician) he was born in 14/09/1970
- Lewis Overton Conklin (American civil war participant) he was born in 01/01/1843
Nearby Schools and Colleges
Schools and campuses linked to Brookhaven, NY. Select a name to open its map and contact details.
| Code | Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 195562 | St. Joseph's College-Long Island | Patchogue (NY) | 11772 |
| 366395 | Suffolk County Community College | Selden (NY) | 11784-2899 |
| 195933 | Branford Hall Career Institute-Bohemia Campus | Bohemia (NY) | 11716 |
| 486886 | Eastern Suffolk BOCES | Oakdale (NY) | 11769-1650 |
| 196097 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook (NY) | 11794 |
Nearby Transit Stations (18)
Rail and bus stations connected to Brookhaven, NY. Select a station to open its map and address details.
| Code | Name | Address | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRP | Bridgeport | 525 Water St. | RAIL |
| NHV | Union Station | 50 Union Avenue | RAIL |
| STM | Stamford Transportation Center | Washington Blvd and South State St. | RAIL |
| OSB | Old Saybrook station | 455 Boston Post Road | RAIL |
| NRO | New Rochelle station | 1 Railroad Plaza | RAIL |
Closest post offices linked to Brookhaven.
| Post Office Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Brookhaven Post Office | Brookhaven (NY) | 11719 |
| Bellpor Post Office | Bellport (NY) | 11713 |
| Mastic Beach Post Office | Mastic Beach (NY) | 11951 |
| Shirley Post Office | Shirley (NY) | 11967 |
| Ma Post Office | Mastic (NY) | 11950 |
Other places with the same name (3)
- Brookhaven, Georgia A city in Fulton County, Georgia. with a population of 56,112 people.
- Brookhaven, Mississippi city in Mississippi, United States with a population of 11,861 people.
- Brookhaven, Pennsylvania borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania with a population of 8,053 people.
Other cities in Suffolk County
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Suffolk County , NY. (more)
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Islip | 322,328 | This Long Island community is situated on the south shore of Suffolk County, New York, at an elevation of 13 feet. |
| Babylon | 218,223 | A town in Suffolk County, New York. |
| Huntington | 200,102 | Town in Suffolk County, New York, United States |
| Smithtown | 110,876 | Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York |
| Brentwood | 60,664 | Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York |
| Southampton | 58,549 | Town in Suffolk County, New York, partly on the South Fork of Long Island, USA |
| West Babylon | 43,213 | Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York |
| Coram | 39,113 | Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York |
| Commack | 36,124 | Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York |
| Central Islip | 34,450 | Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York |
| Riverhead | 33,434 | Town in New York |
| Huntington Station | 33,029 | Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York |
| Centereach | 31,578 | Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York |
| West Islip | 28,335 | Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York |
| Shirley | 27,854 | Census-designated place in New York, USA |
| Holbrook | 27,195 | City in and county seat of Navajo County, Arizona, United States |
Distance to Other Cities
Brookhaven distances to largest New York cities