Suffolk
County Profile
2017
A collection of recent demographic, social and economic data
Compiled by
Jan Vink
Cornell Program on Applied Demographics
Suffolk County Profile
This profile is a part of a set of profiles generated for each county in New York State. The profiles were
developed and generated by the Cornell Program on Applied Demographics. The work is sponsored by the New
York State Data Center in the New York State Department of Labor.
Cornell Program on Applied Demographics:
The Program on Applied Demographics (PAD) brings skills in demographics, economics, statistics,
data gathering and data analysis together to provide a variety of organizations with data,
information and advice. PAD is located in the Department of Policy Analysis and Management
within the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. PAD is also affiliated with the Cornell
Institute for Social and Economic Research and the Cornell Population Center.
For more information: http://pad.human.cornell.edu/
New York State Data Center:
The New York State Data Center (NYSDC) is located in the Division of Research and Statistics
within the New York State Department of Labor. The State Data Center operates as part of a
nationwide effort to improve public access to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. The U.S.
Census Bureau collects and tabulates data on a multitude of subjects such as population, social,
economic and housing demographics, labor force data, health care, migration and
transportation. These data play a critical role in understanding our local and larger surrounding
communities. Census data also influence state and federal funding, aid decision making in the
legislative process, and determine each state's number of congressional seats. As the lead
agency in New York for the SDC program, the New York State Data Center helps users navigate
through the multitude of surveys and products provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
For more information: https://labor.ny.gov/nys-data-center/
All profiles are freely downloadable as PDF documents on the PAD website:
http://pad.human.cornell.edu/profiles/index.cfm
This profile is an update from the County Profile produced in 2013. The 2013 profile also contained information
on agriculture related items and can be found at https://pad.human.cornell.edu/profiles/2013/Suffolk.pdf
Page 1 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
Contents
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Reference Maps (towns and places as defined in 2010) .....................................................................................3
Population density and Urban Areas Map ...........................................................................................................5
Total Population ...................................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Historic and projected .................................................................................................................................6
3.2 Change since previous Census .....................................................................................................................6
3.3 Annual population estimates.......................................................................................................................7
3.4 Sub County population change 2010-2015 .................................................................................................8
3.5 Sub County population change 2010-2015 .................................................................................................8
Components of population change .....................................................................................................................9
4.1 Vital Statistics...............................................................................................................................................9
4.2 Migration .................................................................................................................................................. 10
Population by age ............................................................................................................................................. 11
5.1 Historic and projected population pyramids ............................................................................................ 11
5.2 Selected age groups .................................................................................................................................. 12
5.3 Median age ............................................................................................................................................... 13
Race ................................................................................................................................................................... 14
6.1 Total and household population by race .................................................................................................. 14
6.2 Race composition by age .......................................................................................................................... 14
Housing units .................................................................................................................................................... 15
7.1 Characteristics .......................................................................................................................................... 15
7.2 Historical data on number of housing units and occupancy status.......................................................... 16
7.3 Building Permits 2000-2015...................................................................................................................... 16
Education .......................................................................................................................................................... 17
8.1 Enrollment by level of school ................................................................................................................... 17
8.2 Enrollment by age ..................................................................................................................................... 17
8.3 Percentage age 18-24 enrolled in college ................................................................................................ 17
8.4 Educational attainment ............................................................................................................................ 18
Language spoken at home ................................................................................................................................ 18
Labor Force Characteristics ............................................................................................................................... 19
10.1 Labor force, employment and unemployment ........................................................................................ 19
10.2 Annual unemployment rate...................................................................................................................... 20
10.3 Employment and number of jobs ............................................................................................................. 20
10.4 Class of worker.......................................................................................................................................... 21
Household Income ............................................................................................................................................ 22
11.1 Income Distribution .................................................................................................................................. 22
11.2 Median household income: Trends over time.......................................................................................... 23
Poverty .............................................................................................................................................................. 23
12.1 Family Income to Poverty Ratio ................................................................................................................ 23
12.2 Poverty: Trends over time: Count............................................................................................................. 24
12.3 Poverty: Trends over time: Rate ............................................................................................................... 24
12.4 Poverty characteristics.............................................................................................................................. 25
Glossary ............................................................................................................................................................. 26
References ........................................................................................................................................................ 29
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Suffolk County Profile
1
Reference Maps (towns and places as defined in 2010)
Page 3 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
Page 4 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
2
Population density and Urban Areas Map
Page 5 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
3
Total Population
3.1
Historic and projected
197,355
276,129
666,784
1,132,780
1,284,231
1,321,864
1,419,369
1,493,350
1,530,550
1,548,368
1,534,811
Total population, Suffolk County, 1940-2040
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
2030
2040
Decennial Census
PAD projections
Source: 1940-2010 Decennial Census and projections by Cornell Program on Applied Demographics
3.2
Change since previous Census
PAD
projections
Decennial Census
Total
population
Change
Number
Percent
1940
197,355
1950
276,129
78,774
39.9%
1960
666,784
390,655
141.5%
1970
1,132,780
465,996
69.9%
1980
1,284,231
151,451
13.4%
1990
1,321,864
37,633
2.9%
2000
1,419,369
97,505
7.4%
2010
1,493,350
73,981
5.2%
2020
1,530,550
37,200
2.5%
2030
1,548,368
17,818
1.2%
2040
1,534,811
-13,557
-0.9%
Source: 1940-2010 Decennial Census and projections by Cornell Program on Applied Demographics
Page 6 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
3.3
Annual population estimates
Annual population estimates
Suffolk County, 1990-2016
Max
2013
1,500,776
Last
2016
1,492,583
Min
1990
1,322,686
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates (1990-1999 and 2000-2009 intercensal and vintage 2016
postcensal)
Page 7 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
3.4
Sub County population change 2010-2015
Total Population
2000
2010
Difference
Count
New York State
18,976,821 * 19,378,102
401,281
Suffolk County
1,419,369
1,493,350
73,981
Towns
Babylon
211,792
213,603
1,811
Brookhaven
448,248
486,040
37,792
East Hampton
19,719
21,457
1,738
Huntington
195,289
203,264
7,975
Islip
322,782 *
335,543
12,761
Riverhead
27,680
33,506
5,826
Shelter Island
2,228
2,392
164
Smit
115,545 *
117,801
2,256
Southampton
54,712
56,790
2,078
Southold
20,599
21,968
1,369
Reservations
Poospatuck
271
324
53
Shinnecock
504
662
158
* Original counts revised through Count Question Resolution Program (CQR)
%
2.1%
5.2%
0.9%
8.4%
8.8%
4.1%
4.0%
21.0%
7.4%
2.0%
3.8%
6.6%
19.6%
31.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau intercensal population estimates 2000-2010
3.5
Sub County population change 2010-2015
New York State
Suffolk County
Towns
Babylon
Brookhaven
East Hampton
Huntington
Islip
Riverhead
Shelter Island
Smit
Southampton
Southold
Reservations
Poospatuck
Shinnecock
Total Population
2010 base
2015
19,378,087
1,493,291
19,795,791
1,501,587
213,568
486,040
21,457
203,247
335,543
33,505
2,390
117,794
56,792
21,969
324
662
Difference
Count
%
417,704
8,296
2.2%
0.6%
213,776
489,278
22,019
204,398
336,113
33,774
2,418
118,275
58,254
22,274
208
3,238
562
1,151
570
269
28
481
1,462
305
0.1%
0.7%
2.6%
0.6%
0.2%
0.8%
1.2%
0.4%
2.6%
1.4%
326
682
2
20
0.6%
3.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates 2010-2015
Page 8 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
4
Components of population change
4.1
Vital Statistics
Vital Statistics, Suffolk County
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
Births
Deaths
0
2000
2005
2010
2015
10,000
8,000
Natural increase
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
Source: New York State Department of Health
Page 9 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
4.2
Migration
Domestic and international migration, Suffolk County
10,000
5,000
0
-5,000
-10,000
-15,000
-20,000
2000
2005
Net Domestic Migration
2010
2015
Net International Migration
Source: Census Bureau population estimates (V2010 and V2016)
Page 10 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
5
Population by age
5.1
Historic and projected population pyramids
1950 Population Pyramid, Suffolk
County
75+
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
1980 Population Pyramid, Suffolk
County
75+
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
100,000
50,000
0
Male
50,000
100,000
100,000
Female
0
85+
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
50,000
100,000
Female
Male
2010 Population Pyramid, Suffolk
County
100,000
50,000
2040 Population Pyramid, Suffolk
County
85+
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
50,000
0
Male
50,000
Female
100,000
100,000
50,000
0
Male
50,000
100,000
Female
Source: 1950, 1980, 2010 Decennial Census and projections by Cornell Program on Applied Demographics
Page 11 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
5.2
Selected age groups
Population age 5-14, Suffolk County, 1940-2040
23.9%
20.6%
13.5%
213,620
204,186
192,237
201,592
196,594
12.8%
176,241
13.0%
233,092
12.6%
270,658
13.7%
137,084
15.1%
37,408
13.3%
27,565
14.0%
18.2%
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
2030
2040
Decennial Census
PAD projections
Share of total population
Source: 1940-2010 Decennial Census and projections by Cornell Program on Applied Demographics
Population age 25-64, Suffolk County, 1940-2040
56.5%
55.8%
53.8%
53.8%
616,379
711,823
773,664
804,024
813,114
797,811
776,001
50.6%
499,632
51.5%
319,870
53.1%
154,110
44.1%
54.5%
48.0%
111,568
48.0%
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
2030
2040
Decennial Census
PAD projections
Share of total population
Source: 1940-2010 Decennial Census and projections by Cornell Program on Applied Demographics
Page 12 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
Population age 65 and over, Suffolk County, 1940-2040
19.5%
19.8%
16.2%
85,979
115,828
141,717
167,558
201,793
247,572
301,758
304,620
11.8%
56,814
7.6%
10.7%
27,680
8.5%
9.0%
17,286
8.8%
10.0%
13.5%
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
2030
2040
Decennial Census
PAD projections
Share of total population
Source: 1940-2010 Decennial Census and projections by Cornell Program on Applied Demographics
5.3
Median age
Suffolk County New York State
Median age
2000
2010
2015
36.5
39.8
41.2
35.9
38.0
38.3
Source: 2000, 2010 Decennial Census, 2015 Population Estimates
Page 13 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
6
Race
6.1
Total and household population by race
Total
Count Percentage
Total population
In Group
Quarters
In households
Count Percentage
Count
1,493,350
100% 1,463,944
100%
29,406
1,068,728
71.6% 1,048,929
71.7%
19,799
Not Hispanic or Latino
One race
White
Black or African American
American Indian and Alaska Native
Asian
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
Some other race
Two or more races
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
102,117
6.8%
97,731
6.7%
4,386
2,906
0.2%
2,842
0.2%
64
50,295
3.4%
48,127
3.3%
2,168
275
0.0%
257
0.0%
18
3,041
0.2%
3,000
0.2%
41
19,749
1.3%
19,434
1.3%
315
246,239
16.5%
243,624
16.6%
2,615
Source: 2010 Decennial Census
6.2
Race composition by age
Share of total population
Race composition by age, Suffolk County
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0
10
20
30
40
50
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
60
70
80
90
100
Age
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic or Latino
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic or Latino
Asian alone, not Hispanic or Latino
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Source: 2010 Decennial Census
Page 14 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
7
7.1
Housing units
Characteristics
COUNT
HOUSING OCCUPANCY
Total housing units
Occupied housing units
Vacant housing units
YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT
Total housing units
Built 2014 or later
Built 2010 to 2013
Built 2000 to 2009
Built 1990 to 1999
Built 1980 to 1989
Built 1970 to 1979
Built 1960 to 1969
Built 1950 to 1959
Built 1940 to 1949
Built 1939 or earlier
HOUSING TENURE
Occupied housing units
Owner-occupied
Renter-occupied
HOUSE HEATING FUEL
Occupied housing units
Utility gas
Bottled, tank, or LP gas
Electricity
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
Coal or coke
Wood
Solar energy
Other fuel
No fuel used
VALUE
Owner-occupied units
Less than $50,000
$50,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $149,999
$150,000 to $199,999
$200,000 to $299,999
$300,000 to $499,999
$500,000 to $999,999
$1,000,000 or more
Median (dollars)
PERCENTAGE
Margin
Estimate
of error
100.0%
86.6%
± 0.3
13.4%
± 0.3
570,194
493,849
76,345
Margin
of error
± 427
± 1,846
± 1,751
570,194
289
2,641
43,726
50,783
58,546
101,777
119,703
107,019
29,329
56,381
± 427
± 122
± 375
± 1,368
± 1,607
± 1,541
± 1,945
± 1,874
± 2,021
± 1,362
± 1,432
100.0%
0.1%
0.5%
7.7%
8.9%
10.3%
17.8%
21.0%
18.8%
5.1%
9.9%
± 0.1
± 0.1
± 0.2
± 0.3
± 0.3
± 0.3
± 0.3
± 0.4
± 0.2
± 0.3
493,849
392,390
101,459
± 1,846
± 2,710
± 2,072
100.0%
79.5%
20.5%
± 0.4
± 0.4
493,849
180,960
10,445
33,330
262,244
459
3,854
169
1,475
913
± 1,846
± 1,936
± 716
± 1,104
± 2,054
± 149
± 509
± 71
± 221
± 264
100.0%
36.6%
2.1%
6.7%
53.1%
0.1%
0.8%
0.0%
0.3%
0.2%
± 0.3
± 0.1
± 0.2
± 0.4
± 0.1
± 0.1
± 0.1
± 0.1
± 0.1
392,390
9,065
5,209
7,658
14,852
73,339
186,401
79,970
15,896
375,100
± 2,710
± 575
± 454
± 546
± 855
± 1,532
± 2,228
± 1,346
± 678
± 1,462
100.0%
2.3%
1.3%
2.0%
3.8%
18.7%
47.5%
20.4%
4.1%
± 0.1
± 0.1
± 0.1
± 0.2
± 0.4
± 0.5
± 0.3
± 0.2
Estimate
Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey
Page 15 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
7.2
Historical data on number of housing units and occupancy status
Change
since
Occupancy
Occupied
previous
rate
Census
Vacant
295,587
88.4%
38,791
Year
Number of
Housing
Units
1970
334,378
1980
431,722
29.1%
385,719
89.3%
46,003
1990
481,317
11.5%
424,719
88.2%
56,598
2000
522,323
8.5%
469,299
89.8%
53,024
2010
569,985
9.1%
499,922
87.7%
70,063
Source: 1970-2010 Decennial Census
7.3
Building Permits 2000-2015
Building permits by number of permitted units in building,
Suffolk County
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
2000
2005
2010
Units in 1 unit buildings
Units in 2 unit buildings
Units in 3-4 unit buildings
Units in buildings with 5 or more units
2015
Total permitted units
Source: Census Bureau Building Permits Survey
Page 16 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
8
Education
8.1
Enrollment by level of school
387,238
Margin
of error
± 2,406
Nursery school, preschool
24,684
± 1,151
Kindergarten to 12th grade
259,723
± 1,196
Kindergarten
16,773
± 1,021
Elementary: grade 1 to grade 4
74,515
± 1,642
Elementary: grade 5 to grade 8
79,171
± 1,424
High school: grade 9 to grade 12
89,264
± 1,018
College, undergraduate
81,597
± 1,426
Graduate, professional school
21,234
± 1,023
Estimate
Total enrolled in school
Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey
8.2
Enrollment by age
3 and 4 years
60.0%
Margin
of error
± 2.5
5 to 9 years
96.7%
± 0.4
10 to 14 years
98.6%
± 0.3
15 to 17 years
97.7%
± 0.4
18 and 19 years
80.5%
± 1.5
20 to 24 years
46.6%
± 1.1
25 to 34 years
11.7%
± 0.6
1.8%
± 0.1
Estimate
35 years and over
Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey
8.3
Percentage age 18-24 enrolled in college
138,167
Margin
of error
± 136
49.0%
± 0.9
71,748
± 47
45.1%
± 1.3
66,419
± 142
53.3%
± 1.3
Estimate
Population 18 to 24 years
Enrolled in college or graduate school
Males 18 to 24 years
Enrolled in college or graduate school
Females 18 to 24 years
Enrolled in college or graduate school
Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey
Page 17 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
8.4
Educational attainment
COUNT
PERCENTAGE
Margin
Estimate
of error
100%
1,022,970
Margin
of error
± 131
Less than 9th grade
47,721
± 1,771
4.7%
± 0.2
9th to 12th grade, no diploma
55,269
± 1,768
5.4%
± 0.2
High school graduate (includes equivalency)
299,525
± 4,160
29.3%
± 0.4
Some college, no degree
Estimate
Population 25 years and over
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
180,501
± 2,799
17.6%
± 0.3
Associate's degree
92,028
± 1,830
9.0%
± 0.2
Bachelor's degree
191,189
± 2,723
18.7%
± 0.3
Graduate or professional degree
156,737
± 2,512
15.3%
± 0.2
Percent high school graduate or higher
89.9%
± 0.3
Percent bachelor's degree or higher
34.0%
± 0.3
Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey
9
Language spoken at home
COUNT
SPEAK ENGLISH LESS
THAN "VERY WELL"
PERCENTAGE
Estimate
1,419,141
Margin
of error
±6
1,106,900
± 4,763
78.0%
± 0.3
312,241
± 4,764
22.0%
± 0.3 133,576
± 3,451
191,822
± 2,889
13.5%
± 0.2
91,441
± 2,945
Other Indo-European languages
84,130
± 3,340
5.9%
± 0.2
27,071
± 1,582
Asian and Pacific Islander languages
30,291
± 1,601
2.1%
± 0.1
13,788
± 1,041
5,998
± 779
0.4%
± 0.1
1,276
± 314
Estimate
Population 5 years and over
100%
Margin Estimate
of error
Margin
of error
LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME
English only
Language other than English
Spanish
Other languages
Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey
Page 18 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
10 Labor Force Characteristics
10.1 Labor force, employment and unemployment
UNEMPLOYMENT
RATE
Margin
Margin
Margin
Margin
Estimate
of Estimate
of Estimate
of Estimate
of
error
error
error
error
1,204,453 ± 787 65.3% ± 0.2 61.0% ± 0.2
6.4% ± 0.2
TOTAL
Population 16 years and over
IN LABOR FORCE
EMPLOYED
AGE
16 to 19 years
83,372
± 800
34.1%
± 1.2
27.3%
± 1.1
19.8%
± 1.5
20 to 24 years
98,111
± 141
72.3%
± 1.2
64.2%
± 1.2
11.2%
± 0.8
25 to 29 years
85,536
± 124
83.4%
± 1.0
76.3%
± 1.1
8.3%
± 0.7
30 to 34 years
83,672
± 46
82.9%
± 0.9
76.9%
± 1.0
7.0%
± 0.7
35 to 44 years
194,315
± 93
83.6%
± 0.6
79.5%
± 0.6
4.8%
± 0.4
45 to 54 years
244,867
± 87
83.6%
± 0.5
79.8%
± 0.6
4.5%
± 0.4
55 to 59 years
105,500 ± 1,514
77.5%
± 0.8
73.8%
± 0.8
4.8%
± 0.6
87,185 ± 1,507
60 to 64 years
65 to 74 years
75 years and over
60.9%
± 1.2
57.7%
± 1.2
5.2%
± 0.6
123,558
± 57
29.8%
± 0.6
28.2%
± 0.6
5.4%
± 0.7
98,337
± 57
7.5%
± 0.5
7.0%
± 0.5
7.1%
± 1.6
RACE AND HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN
White alone
992,626 ± 3,154
65.1%
± 0.3
61.0%
± 0.3
6.2%
± 0.2
Black or African American alone
American Indian and Alaska Native
alone
Asian alone
88,120 ± 1,072
65.2%
± 1.3
58.9%
± 1.3
9.6%
± 0.9
Two or more races
2,327
± 431
63.5%
± 6.7
53.5%
± 6.2
15.7%
± 7.0
45,499
± 857
61.5%
± 1.6
58.4%
± 1.6
4.9%
± 0.7
22,611 ± 2,005
66.0%
± 2.5
61.4%
± 2.6
6.9%
± 1.5
Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race)
191,971
± 413
71.5%
± 0.7
66.9%
± 0.7
6.3%
± 0.6
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
868,871
± 742
64.1%
± 0.3
60.1%
± 0.3
6.2%
± 0.2
899,186
± 116
79.4%
± 0.3
74.6%
± 0.3
6.0%
± 0.2
Male
448,101
± 101
84.5%
± 0.4
79.0%
± 0.4
6.4%
± 0.3
Female
451,085
± 98
74.2%
± 0.5
70.2%
± 0.5
5.5%
± 0.3
166,894 ± 2,028
73.5%
± 0.7
69.7%
± 0.7
5.1%
± 0.4
801,075
SEX
Population 20 to 64 years
With own children under 18 years
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Population 25 to 64 years
± 131
80.2%
± 0.3
75.9%
± 0.3
5.4%
± 0.2
Less than high school graduate
High school graduate (includes
equivalency)
Some college or associate's degree
71,269 ± 2,279
67.2%
± 1.2
62.0%
± 1.3
7.7%
± 1.0
214,814 ± 3,735
75.2%
± 0.7
70.2%
± 0.7
6.7%
± 0.5
225,638 ± 2,826
81.1%
± 0.6
76.5%
± 0.6
5.6%
± 0.3
Bachelor's degree or higher
289,354 ± 3,124
86.5%
± 0.4
83.0%
± 0.5
4.0%
± 0.3
Table formula:
LABOR FORCE
% IN LABOR FORCE
% EMPLOYED
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
=
=
=
=
# EMPLOYED + # UNEMPLOYED
LABOR FORCE / TOTAL * 100%
# EMPLOYED / TOTAL * 100%
# UNEMPLOYED / LABOR FORCE * 100%
Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey
Page 19 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
10.2 Annual unemployment rate
Annual unemployment rate, Suffolk County and New York State
10.0%
9.0%
8.0%
7.0%
6.0%
5.0%
4.0%
3.0%
2.0%
1.0%
0.0%
2000
2005
2015
2010
NY State
Suffolk County
Source: Bureau Labor Statistics (BLS)
10.3 Employment and number of jobs
Labor force, number of employed workers and number of jobs
Suffolk County
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
2000
2005
Labor Force (BLS)
2010
Employed (BLS)
2015
Number of jobs (QCEW)
Source: Bureau Labor Statistics (BLS) and NY Department of Labor - Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
(QCEW) – annual averages
Page 20 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
10.4 Class of worker
Total
%Male %Female
Civilian employed population 16
years and over
Estimate
735,010
52.8%
47.2%
Margin of error
± 3,031
± 0.2
± 0.2
Private for-profit wage and salary
workers:
Estimate
514,622
56.0%
44.0%
Margin of error
± 3,365
± 0.3
± 0.3
Employee of private company
workers
Estimate
473,323
54.3%
45.7%
Margin of error
± 3,583
± 0.3
± 0.3
Self-employed in own
incorporated business workers
Estimate
41,299
75.6%
24.4%
Margin of error
± 1,369
± 1.4
± 1.4
Estimate
52,250
35.2%
64.8%
Margin of error
± 1,714
± 1.3
± 1.3
Estimate
73,241
45.7%
54.3%
Margin of error
± 1,956
± 1.2
± 1.2
Estimate
43,122
42.0%
58.0%
Margin of error
± 1,561
± 1.6
± 1.6
Estimate
16,413
55.9%
44.1%
± 912
± 2.5
± 2.5
35,362
59.3%
40.7%
± 1,309
± 1.9
± 1.9
Private not-for-profit wage and
salary workers
Local government workers
State government workers
Federal government workers
Margin of error
Self-employed in own not
Estimate
incorporated business workers and
Margin of error
unpaid family workers
Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey
Page 21 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
11 Household Income
11.1 Income Distribution
Estimate
493,849
Total:
Interval
Margin width (in
of error
$1,000)
± 1,846
Est. per
$1,000
section
1,724.1
Less than $10,000
17,241
± 1,086
$10,000 to $14,999
13,282
± 808
$15,000 to $19,999
14,822
± 828
$20,000 to $24,999
15,719
± 813
$25,000 to $29,999
14,640
± 791
$30,000 to $34,999
15,204
± 859
$35,000 to $39,999
14,439
± 775
$40,000 to $44,999
15,560
± 761
$45,000 to $49,999
14,195
± 804
$50,000 to $59,999
29,557
± 1,023
$60,000 to $74,999
43,934
± 1,400
$75,000 to $99,999
67,847
± 1,625
$100,000 to $124,999
60,246
± 1,433
$125,000 to $149,999
42,835
± 1,067
$150,000 to $199,999
56,563
± 1,543
$200,000 or more
57,765
± 1,327
10
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
10
15
25
25
25
50
-
2,656.4
2,964.4
3,143.8
2,928.0
3,040.8
2,887.8
3,112.0
2,839.0
2,955.7
2,928.9
2,713.9
2,409.8
1,713.4
1,131.3
-
Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey
1.2%
Income distribution, Suffolk County
% per $1,000 section
1.0%
0.8%
0.6%
0.4%
0.2%
0.0%
0
50
100
150
200
Household Income (in Thousands)
NY State
Suffolk County
Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey
Page 22 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
11.2 Median household income: Trends over time
Median Household Income ($), Suffolk County, 2000-2015
100,000
90,000
80,000
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
2000
2005
2010
90% Confidence interval
Estimate
2015
NY state estimate
Source: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE)
12 Poverty
12.1 Family Income to Poverty Ratio
TOTAL
PERCENT OF ALL
Margin
Margin
Estimate
of error
of error
367,526 ± 2,424
Estimate
All families
ALL FAMILIES WITH INCOME:
Below 50 percent of poverty level
Below 100 percent of poverty level
Below 125 percent of poverty level
Below 150 percent of poverty level
Below 185 percent of poverty level
Below 200 percent of poverty level
Below 300 percent of poverty level
Below 400 percent of poverty level
Below 500 percent of poverty level
7,181
17,767
24,438
32,712
44,985
51,115
94,690
140,995
184,619
± 742
± 1,067
± 1,197
± 1,389
± 1,507
± 1,490
± 2,004
± 1,996
± 2,029
2.0%
4.8%
6.6%
8.9%
12.2%
13.9%
25.8%
38.4%
50.2%
± 0.2
± 0.3
± 0.3
± 0.4
± 0.4
± 0.4
± 0.5
± 0.5
± 0.4
Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey
Page 23 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
12.2 Poverty: Trends over time: Count
Number of people in poverty, Suffolk County, 2000-2015
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
2000
2005
2010
90% Confidence interval
2015
Estimate
Source: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE)
12.3 Poverty: Trends over time: Rate
Poverty rate, Suffolk County, 2000-2015
18%
16%
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
6.2% 6.6% 6.6%
7.3% 7.0%
6.6%
5.2%
5.3% 5.6% 5.7%
7.4% 7.5% 7.7% 7.8%
6.6% 6.9%
2%
0%
2000
2005
90% Confidence interval
2010
Estimate
2015
NY State estimate
Source: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE)
Page 24 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
12.4 Poverty characteristics
BELOW POVERTY PERCENT BELOW
LEVEL
POVERTY LEVEL
Margin
Margin
Margin
Estimate
Estimate
Estimate
of error
of error
of error
1,471,614 ± 1,312 103,269 ± 4,312
7.0%
± 0.3
TOTAL
Population for whom poverty status is determined
AGE
Under 18 years
Under 5 years
5 to 17 years
18 to 34 years
35 to 64 years
65 years and over
SEX
Male
Female
RACE AND HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN
White alone
Black or African American alone
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
Asian alone
Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race)
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Population 25 years and over
Less than high school graduate
High school graduate (includes equivalency)
Some college, associate's degree
Bachelor's degree or higher
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Civilian labor force 16 years and over
Employed
Male
Female
Unemployed
Male
Female
WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS
Population 16 years and over
Worked full-time, year-round
Worked part-time or part-year
Did not work
334,513
80,289
254,224
294,738
628,283
214,080
± 720
± 360
± 529
± 699
± 411
± 658
29,249
8,080
21,169
25,251
36,233
12,536
± 2,079
± 925
± 1,592
± 1,565
± 1,740
± 920
8.7%
10.1%
8.3%
8.6%
5.8%
5.9%
± 0.6
± 1.1
± 0.6
± 0.5
± 0.3
± 0.4
723,466
748,148
± 890
± 864
45,309 ± 2,292
57,960 ± 2,468
6.3%
7.7%
± 0.3
± 0.3
1,197,942
110,701
3,094
52,309
261,961
1,030,406
± 4,523
± 1,544
± 535
± 1,111
± 696
± 1,106
66,981
14,283
739
4,520
32,096
50,059
± 3,199
± 1,338
± 316
± 778
± 2,293
± 2,493
5.6%
12.9%
23.9%
8.6%
12.3%
4.9%
± 0.3
± 1.2
± 9.0
± 1.5
± 0.9
± 0.2
1,009,307
99,352
293,905
269,966
346,084
± 859
± 2,483
± 4,206
± 3,044
± 3,416
62,950 ± 2,533
15,859 ± 1,215
22,843 ± 1,369
14,065
± 874
10,183
± 829
6.2%
16.0%
7.8%
5.2%
2.9%
± 0.3
± 1.2
± 0.4
± 0.3
± 0.2
781,972
731,879
386,805
345,074
50,093
28,654
21,439
± 3,092
± 2,985
± 2,152
± 2,200
± 1,557
± 1,129
± 972
29,742 ± 1,601
21,785 ± 1,294
9,959
± 809
11,826
± 891
7,957
± 786
4,265
± 647
3,692
± 469
3.8%
3.0%
2.6%
3.4%
15.9%
14.9%
17.2%
± 0.2
± 0.2
± 0.2
± 0.3
± 1.4
± 2.1
± 2.0
11,826
7,957
4,265
3,692
3.4%
15.9%
14.9%
17.2%
± 0.3
± 1.4
± 2.1
± 2.0
345,074 ± 2,200
50,093 ± 1,557
28,654 ± 1,129
21,439
± 972
± 891
± 786
± 647
± 469
Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey
Page 25 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
13 Glossary
American Community Survey (ACS) - The American Community Survey is an ongoing survey of the population
that provides data every year on a variety of social and economic characteristics—age, sex, race, family and
relationships, income and benefits, health insurance, education, veteran status, disabilities, where you work and
how you get there, where you live and how much you pay for some essentials. The ACS replaced the information
previously gathered by what was known as the “long form” of the decennial censuses. The ACS provides
communities, companies and other institutions with current information they need to plan investments and
services. Information from the survey generates data that help determine how more than $400 billion in federal
and state funds are distributed each year. Every estimate presented in the American Community Survey, as in
other surveys, has an uncertainty associated with it. Often the magnitude of that uncertainty is expressed as the
Margin of Error.
Confidence Interval (CI) - indication of the degree of uncertainty about a sample estimates. Confidence intervals
have been traditionally reported at the 90, 95 and 99 percent levels. A 90 percent confidence interval can be
interpreted, for example, roughly as providing 90 percent certainty that the interval defined by the upper and
lower bounds contain the true value of the characteristic. If a Margin of Error is given, the lower bound of the
confidence interval is equal to the estimate minus the Margin of Error and the upper bound is equal to the
estimate plus the Margin of Error. (See further, Margin of Error definition below.)
County subdivision or Minor Civil Division (MCD) - The Census Bureau geography for primary administrative
units below the county level in New York is collectively referred to as county subdivisions or minor civil divisions.
These include towns, cities and Indian Reservations.
Decennial Census - the Census of the population and housing taken every 10 years in the United States, at the
start of each decade, since 1790.
Employed – either “at work” or “with a job, but not at work”.
Group Quarters Population - all U.S. residents who live in group living facilities including correctional
institutions, juvenile facilities, skilled nursing facilities, college residence halls, military barracks, group homes,
and workers' dormitories.
Household Population - all U.S. residents who live in housing units such as single family homes, townhouses,
apartments, and mobile homes.
Intercensal Population Estimates - estimates produced for the years between two decennial censuses when
both the beginning and ending populations are known. They are produced once a decade by adjusting the
existing time series of postcensal estimates for the entire decade to smooth the transition from one decennial
census count to the next. They differ from the postcensal estimates that are released annually because the
difference between the April 1 postcensal estimate and April 1 census count for the end of the decade is
redistributed across the estimates for that decade. For dates when both postcensal and intercensal estimates
are available, intercensal estimates are preferred.
Labor Force - consists of people classified as employed or unemployed.
Margin of Error (MOE) - a measure of the precision of an estimate at a given level of confidence. The confidence
level of a margin of error indicates the likelihood that the difference between the population value (which you
Page 26 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
would get if you could measure the whole population instead of a sample) and the estimate is less than or equal
to the margin of error. The range from the estimate minus the margin of error to the estimate plus the margin of
error is called the confidence interval. All ACS estimates are published with their margins of error at the 90
percent confidence level. Margins of error are useful in assessing the reliability of estimates and whether
differences between estimates are significant.
Numeric Population Change - difference between the population of an area at the beginning and end of a time
period. It is computed by taking the difference between the population at one point in time (t1) and some future
time (t2).
Percent Population Change - difference between the population of an area at the beginning and end of a time
period, expressed as a percentage of the beginning population. It is computed by dividing the population change
(t2 - t1) by t1 and multiplying the result by 100.
Population Estimates - The calculated number of people living in an area as of a specified point in time, usually
July 1st. The estimated population is calculated using a component of change model that incorporates
information on natural increase (births, deaths) and net migration (net domestic migration, net international
migration) that has occurred in an area since the latest decennial census. A procedure for estimating the current
population using a procedure involving a “base population” value at time t -1, adding to that the births during
the interval t-1 to t, subtracting the deaths during that interval t-1 to t, and then adding the net domestic and
net international migration that occurred during that interval.
Population Density - Total number of people per areal unit like a square mile or square kilometer.
Population Pyramids - A graphical way of portraying a population’s age and sex composition at a given slice in
time. The first horizontal bar, constituting the base of the graph, is the youngest age group (typically 0-4) with
the number of males in that age group on the left and the number of females in that age group on the right. On
top of that age group is another horizontal bar for the next age group (e.g. 5-9) and so forth with the top bar
typically for those aged 75 and over. In a population with lots of births and deaths, the shape typically forms a
pyramid with a broad base and a narrow top. It is one of the most basic ways to understand population change
over time as well as between different geographic units of a similar status (e.g. counties).
Postcensal Estimates - estimates produced for the years after a decennial census when only the beginning
population is known. They are produced and revised each year, targeted to July 1 of that year.
Projection - estimated population at some future time based on assumptions about births, deaths, migration,
and ages.
Race/Ethnicity - the Census Bureau collects racial data in accordance with guidelines provided by the U.S. Office
of Management and Budget (OMB), and these data are based on self-identification. The racial categories
included in the census questionnaire generally reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country and
not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically, or genetically. In addition, it is recognized that the
categories of the race item include racial and national origin or sociocultural groups. People may choose to
report more than one race to indicate their racial mixture, such as “American Indian” and “White.” People who
identify their origin as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be of any race. OMB requires five minimum categories:
White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander. Hispanics may be classified as white or black. So we generally separate them out as an ethnic group
first.
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Suffolk County Profile
Unemployed – Not employed, but actively looking for work and available to accept a job.
Unemployment rate – Fraction of the Labor Force that is unemployed.
Urban Area – A densely settled area with at least 2,500 people. If the total number of people is less than 50,000
the Census Bureau calls it an Urban Cluster, otherwise an Urbanized Area.
Vintage - each year, the U.S. Census Bureau produces and publishes estimates of the population for each state
and county, as well as the nation as a whole. These are called “vintages.” In producing these vintages, the
Bureau utilizes administrative data from a number of sources to estimate 1) the change in population since the
most recent decennial census, and 2) the population for each year since the most recent decennial census. With
each annual release of population estimates (vintage), the entire time series of estimates beginning on April 1,
2010 is revised and updated.
Vital Statistics - quantitative data concerning a population, such as the number of births, marriages, and deaths.
Page 28 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
14 References
Suffolk County homepage: http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/
At Cornell:
•
•
•
Program on Applied Demographics (PAD)
URL: http://pad.human.cornell.edu/
o More county trends: https://pad.human.cornell.edu/counties/trends1geo.cfm?geo=103
Community and Regional Development Institute (CaRDI)
URL: https://cardi.cals.cornell.edu/
Cornell Cooperative Extensions (CCE)
Home page: http://www.cce.cornell.edu
o Suffolk local office: http://ccesuffolk.org/
Data sources and background information:
•
•
•
•
•
•
New York State Data Center
o https://labor.ny.gov/nys-data-center/index.shtm
U.S. Census Bureau - general
o QuickFacts: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045216/36,36103
o American FactFinder: http://factfinder.census.gov/
U.S. Census Bureau - population
o Decennial Census
 Background: https://www.census.gov/2010census/
 Demographic Profile:
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/SF1DP1/0500000US3610
3
o American Community Survey (ACS)
 Background: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/
 Social Data Profile:
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_5YR/DP02/0500000US36103
 Economic Data Profile:
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_5YR/DP03/0500000US36103
 Housing Data Profile:
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_5YR/DP04/0500000US36103
 Demographics Data Profile:
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_5YR/DP05/0500000US36103
o Population estimates:
 General: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html
 Explorer: https://www.census.gov/censusexplorer/censusexplorer-popest.html
U.S. Census Bureau – Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates (SAIPE)
o http://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe/
U.S. Census Bureau - Public Use Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI) – annual averages
o https://qwiexplorer.ces.census.gov/static/explore.html
U.S. Census Bureau – Building Permits Survey
o https://www.census.gov/construction/bps/
Page 29 of 30
Suffolk County Profile
•
•
•
•
Bureau Labor Statistics (BLS)
o Local Area Unemployment Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/lau/
o Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW): https://www.bls.gov/cew/data.htm
NY Department of Labor o Labor statistics: https://labor.ny.gov/stats/index.shtm
o Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW): https://labor.ny.gov/stats/LSQCEW.shtm
NY State Department of Health
o Vital Statistics: https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/vital_statistics/
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) – Local Area Personal Income and Employment:
http://bea.gov/iTable/iTable.cfm?ReqID=70&step=1
Alternative sites for data retrieval:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government – New York State Statistical Yearbooks
http://www.rockinst.org/nys_statistics/
Headwaters Economics: Economic Profile System – Human Dimensions Toolkit
http://headwaterseconomics.org/tools/eps-hdt
National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
https://www.nhgis.org/
Social Explorer
http://www.socialexplorer.com/pub/home/home.aspx
Stats America
http://www.statsamerica.org/Default.aspx
Missouri Census Data Center
http://mcdc.missouri.edu/
DataFerret
http://dataferrett.census.gov/
Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Census project
http://census.ire.org/
Page 30 of 30