Wading River, New York

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Wading River, New York
Wading River, New York (New York)
Wading River, New York
Wading River, New York
Coordinates: 40°57′9″N 72°49′48″W / 40.9525, -72.83
Country United States
State New York
County Suffolk
Area
 - Total 9.8 sq mi (25.5 km²)
 - Land 9.8 sq mi (25.4 km²)
 - Water 0.0 sq mi (0.1 km²)
Elevation 92 ft (28 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 6,668
 - Density 680.5/sq mi (262.7/km²)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 11792
Area code(s) 631
FIPS code 36-77772
GNIS feature ID 0968624

Wading River is a hamlet (and census-designated place) in Suffolk County, New York, USA, on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 6,668.

The community of Wading River is on the town line between the Town of Brookhaven and the Town of Riverhead. The name of the hamlet comes from the original Native American name for the area, Pauquaconsuk, meaning "the place where we wade for thick, round-shelled clams". Thankfully, the more simple translation of this descriptive native word, "Wading in the River" or Wading River was adopted by the first settlers.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] 1671

The earliest records show a settlement known as Wading River was originally founded with eight families. "The spot for the village was chosen with care. There was a stream adequate for water power and abounding in seafood…good water for drinking…soil rich enough to grow essential crops, woodland for fuel, building material and food, topography to offer protection from the elements, meadowland for its grass."

[edit] Until 1947

The Hamlet of Wading River had a year-round population of less than 500. But during the summer months hundreds of visitors filled the town utilizing Wildwood State Park, the cottages on the cliffs and dunes and, of course, the beaches.

[edit] 1947

This year was a landmark year of change for the sleepy little Hamlet; noteworthy accomplishments include the following:

  • Returning service men from World War II began building homes in Wading River
  • The formation of Wading River's own volunteer Fire Department, Wading River Fire Department
  • The military instillation known as Camp Upton was no longer necessary and became Brookhaven National Laboratory
  • The Wading River Historical Society was formed.

[edit] Geography

Wading River is located at 40°57′9″N, 72°49′48″W (40.952599, -72.829907)[1].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.5 km²), of which, 9.8 square miles (25.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.41%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 6,668 people, 2,370 households, and 1,813 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 680.5 per square mile (262.7/km²). There were 2,713 housing units at an average density of 276.9/sq mi (106.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.10% White, 1.96% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.97% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.81% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.69% of the population.

There were 2,370 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.7% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $63,938, and the median income for a family was $73,059. Males had a median income of $58,214 versus $34,594 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,322. About 2.0% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.7% of those under age 18 and 1.3% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] References

  1. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links

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