Education, Employment and Housing
Suffolk County, NY has over 70 public high schools and more than 200 schools overall. Approximately 91% of residents hold a high school diploma, while 39% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average public school ratings score 6-8/10 (GreatSchools). The county offers robust adult education through BOCES and local colleges. School safety measures are continuously updated, with incidents below the national average. Diverse educational programs include STEM, AP, arts, and vocational training, supporting its 240,000+ student population.
Suffolk County, NY, had an unemployment rate of 3.2% as of early 2024. Major employment sectors include healthcare and social assistance (18%), retail trade (11%), educational services (10%), and professional/business services (9%). About 65% of workers are in white-collar occupations, 17% in blue-collar, and 18% in service roles. Over 82% of residents commute by car, with a median travel time of 31 minutes; around 30% work outside the county, primarily commuting to Nassau County and New York City.
Suffolk County, NY, has a homeownership rate of about 80%, with median home values around $550,000 as of early 2024. Rents average roughly $2,600 per month. Popular housing types include single-family homes, condos, and waterfront properties across neighborhoods like Huntington, Brookhaven, and Smithtown. Home prices have shown a 5% increase year-over-year. Property taxes are high, averaging $11,000 annually, reflecting strong local school funding. Rental properties are more prevalent near villages and transit hubs. Neighborhoods range from suburban to rural, offering a variety of lifestyle options.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Suffolk County, NY, has a population of approximately 1.5 million. The median age is about 42 years. Females constitute 51.3%, and males 48.7% of the population. Racially, the county is 73.7% White (Non-Hispanic), 8.5% Black or African American, 4.5% Asian, and 18.3% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The county’s diversity continues to grow, reflecting trends seen across Long Island and the New York metropolitan area.
Elections
Suffolk County, NY, has over 950,000 registered voters as of 2024, with Democrats (36%), Republicans (31%), and unaffiliated voters (28%). The county oversees federal, state, local, and school board elections, with recent turnout at 53% in 2022 midterms. Polling locations number over 340. Key issues include property taxes, housing affordability, and environmental concerns. Elections are administered by the bipartisan Suffolk County Board of Elections. Major parties are Democratic and Republican, with third parties such as Conservative and Working Families present. Recent results include a Republican win in 2023 county executive race.
County Crime & Safety
Suffolk County, NY, reported a 2.5% decrease in overall crime in 2023, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Violent crimes totaled 1,037 incidents, including 19 homicides and 348 robberies. Property crimes, such as burglary and larceny, accounted for over 7,200 cases. The area maintains a crime rate lower than the national average, with 12.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity through the county’s online portal and anonymous tip lines, supporting ongoing efforts to improve community safety.
Popular names
- John Smith
- Robert Johnson
- Jose Rodriguez
- Robert Jones
- Michael Smith
- Jose Hernandez
- Robert Smith
- James Smith
- Jose Gonzalez
- Michael Murphy
- Jose Martinez
- Robert Miller
- Michael Johnson
- Michael Jones
- James Davis
- Jose Lopez
- Robert Brown
- Michael Miller
- Jose Garcia
- Maria Rodriguez
- Jennifer Smith
- Michael Williams
- Brian Smith
- Jose Rivera
- Jose Diaz
- Maria Garcia
- Jose Cruz
- Michael Kelly
- Maria Lopez
- Richard Johnson
- William Smith
- Jose Argueta
- Jose Flores
- Jose Reyes
- John Kelly
- John Williams
- Maria Hernandez
- Thomas Murphy
- James Brown
- James Johnson
- Jose Torres
- Thomas Smith
- Michael Russo
- Michael Ryan
- Richard Smith
- James Miller
- John Murphy
- Joseph Russo
- Kevin Smith
- Michael Brown
- John Walsh
- James Murphy
- John Johnson
- Michael Walsh
- Robert Moore
- Christopher Smith
- Daniel Smith
- Maria Gonzalez
- Maria Rivera
- Maria Sanchez
Other Counties in New York
- Albany
- Allegany
- Bronx
- Broome
- Cattaraugus
- Cayuga
- Chautauqua
- Chemung
- Chenango
- Clinton
- Columbia
- Cortland
- Delaware
- Dutchess
- Erie
- Essex
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Genesee
- Greene
- Hamilton
- Herkimer
- Jefferson
- Kings
- Lewis
- Livingston
- Madison
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Nassau
- New York
- Niagara
- Oneida
- Onondaga
- Ontario
- Orange
- Orleans
- Oswego
- Otsego
- Putnam
- Queens
- Rensselaer
- Richmond
- Rockland
- Saint Lawrence
- Saratoga
- Schenectady
- Schoharie
- Schuyler
- Seneca
- Steuben