West Islip, New York

History

The first people to settle in the area were the Secatogue Native Americans. The unearthing of a Native American burial ground north of West Islip beach enabled historians to reconstruct a village of these Native Americans who lived along the edges of the Great South Bay, Sampawams Creek, Trues Creek and Willetts Creek.

Farming and fishing were the main occupations. In the mid-19th century, the completion of the Long Island Rail Road brought travelers to West Islip.

Today West Islip has its own fire department, post office, public library and Good Samaritan Hospital. A short drive affords access to good fishing and swimming.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 17.5 km2, of which 16.4 km2 is land and 1.1 km2, or 6.46%, is water.

Great South Bay, Jones Beach Island and Fire Island lie to the south. Babylon and North Babylon form the western border. Bay Shore lies to the east, and in the north West Islip borders on Deer Park and Brentwood. West Islip is 45 mi east of Manhattan and 45 mi west of Southampton, New York. West Islip's western boundary is a natural one formed by Sampawams Creek, Hawley's Lake, and the Guggenheim Lakes.

Demographics

There were 7,459 families, out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.2% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.5% were non-families. Nearly 11.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09, and the average family size was 3.43.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $103,789, and the median income for a family was $117,451. Males had a median income of $75,868 versus $54,389 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $38,933. About 2.9% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

West Islip is located approximately 1 mi east of Babylon station on the Long Island Rail Road. Suffolk County Transit bus route 2 runs along Montauk Highway in West Islip, also serving Good Samaritan University Hospital.

Health

• Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center

Education

All of the West Islip CDP (as of the 2020 U.S. Census) is in the West Islip School District. The boundary of the CDP differed in the 2010 censuses and before,

• • Page A01
• • pages 1 and 2
• 1990 U.S. census: Index map, with West Islip on pages 100, 101, 110, and 111 and so that boundary extended into the Bay Shore Union Free School District.

Private schools:

• St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School https://web.archive.org/web/20070510134833/http://www.stjohnsdhs.org/
• Our Lady of Lourdes School
• The Bridges Academy

Public libraries:

• West Islip Public Library

Notable people

• Matt Anderson, New Jersey Devils forward
• A. J. Benza, gossip columnist and television host
• Tom Bohrer, two-time Olympic silver medalist in the coxless four (1988 and 1992) and head coach of the Boston University Men's Crew.
• Doris Burke, American sports announcer and analyst for the NBA
• Sal Caccavale, soccer player and coach
• Kevin Cosgrove, victim of the September 11th terrorist attacks whose 9-1-1 call and last words were recorded
• Thomas Joseph Downey, congressman from 1975 to 1993, West Islip High School Class of 1966
• Edie Falco, actress best known for her role on the long-running hit TV series The Sopranos
• Sean Henry, CEO of the Nashville Predators
• John J. Flanagan, New York State Senator
• Aidan Kelly, 2014 USA Olympic Luge slider
• Mike Komisarek, retired NHL player for the Toronto Maple Leafs
• Rick Lazio, 1976 WIHS graduate, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 2nd congressional district, 1993–2001
• Ken Marino, best known for his work with MTV's The State and Wet Hot American Summer
• Reed Morano, Emmy award-winning film director and cinematographer
• Al Oerter, Olympic discus thrower. Prior to Mexico City Olympics in 1968 he lived in West Islip and would frequently work out at the high school field.
• Logan O'Hoppe, Major League Baseball catcher
• Daniel Penny
• Gary Sullivan, professional soccer player
• Brett Swenson, placekicker in the NFL (Indianapolis Colts) born in West Islip
• Kris Statlander, professional wrestler for All Elite Wrestling
• Nick Tropeano, Major League Baseball pitcher
• Frank Vignola, virtuoso guitarist
• Jarett Gandolfo, New York State Assemblyman
• Maria Tash, jewelry designer and founder of the eponymous luxury piercing and fine jewelry brand

References

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau.
2. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
3. (2007-10-25). "US Board on Geographic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): West Islip CDP, New York". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder.
5. (2011-02-12). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
6. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
7. "United States Census Bureau". data.census.gov.
8. "American FactFinder". Factfinder.census.gov.
9. "2020 census - school district reference map: Suffolk County, NY". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
10. "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Suffolk County, NY". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
11. "Sal Caccavale".