Brookhaven, New York
Brookhaven, formally the Town of Brookhaven, is a large suburban town in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. With a population of 488,497 as of 2022, it is the second most populous town in the United States and in New York (after Hempstead, in the adjacent Nassau County) and the third most populous community in the state.
Brookhaven, New York | |
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Clockwise from top-left: Stony Brook University, mill in Frank Melville Park in Setauket, Stony Brook Village Center, Old Field Point Light, downtown Port Jefferson, Miller homestead in Miller Place, and the Long Island Museum | |
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Seal | |
Location in Suffolk County | |
| Coordinates: 40°49′N 72°56′W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Suffolk |
| Settled | 1655 |
| Incorporated | 1686 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Civil township |
| • Supervisor | Daniel J. Panico (R) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 531.54 sq mi (1,376.68 km2) |
| • Land | 259.44 sq mi (671.93 km2) |
| • Water | 272.11 sq mi (704.75 km2) |
| • Rank | 1st (when water area included) |
| Elevation | 79 ft (24 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 485,773 |
| • Rank | 3rd |
| • Density | 1,873.4/sq mi (724.18/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern Time Zone) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 |
| Area code(s) | 631, 934 |
| FIPS code | 36-10000 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0978758 |
| Website | www |
The first settlement in what is now Brookhaven was known as Setauket. Founded as a group of agricultural hamlets in the mid-17th century, Brookhaven first expanded as a major center of shipbuilding in the 19th century. Its proximity to New York City facilitated the establishment of resort communities, followed by a post-war population boom. In the 2020 census record, Brookhaven contained 485,773 people.
The township is home to two renowned research centers, Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Combined these two research centers are approximately 50% of the Town's top ten employer's employee count. Tourism is also a major part of the local economy. The largest traditional downtowns are located in Port Jefferson, a regional transportation hub for the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry, and Patchogue. The area has long been serviced by the Long Island Rail Road.