Babylon, New York

Babylon, New York
source
Name	Babylon
Settlement type	Town
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New York
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Suffolk County

Babylon, New York. Babylon is a town in Suffolk County on the southern shore of Long Island. Established in 1872 from parts of the adjacent Town of Huntington and Town of Islip, it is a prominent suburban community known for its extensive waterfront along the Great South Bay and Fire Island. The town contains several incorporated villages, including its namesake Babylon Village, which serves as the governmental seat, as well as popular destinations like Lindenhurst and Amityville.

History

The area was originally inhabited by the Algonquian-speaking Massapequa and Secatogue peoples before European settlement. Following Dutch and English colonization, it became part of the extensive land patents of the 17th century, including the Bethpage Purchase. The town's official formation occurred in 1872, spurred by the arrival of the South Side Railroad, which connected the area to Brooklyn and New York City and catalyzed its growth as a resort and commuter destination. Historic sites include the Argyle Theatre in Babylon Village, a restored Gilded Age playhouse, and the American Hotel, a landmark dating to 1891. The town's southern shore played a role in the development of yachting on the Great South Bay, with clubs like the Babylon Yacht Club established in the late 19th century.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 53.3 square miles, of which 41.3 square miles is land and 12.0 square miles is water. Its southern border is defined by the Great South Bay, a lagoon separating it from the barrier beach of Fire Island, part of the Fire Island National Seashore. Major waterways within the town include Carmans River, which flows into the bay, and Belmont Lake, part of Belmont Lake State Park. The geography is largely coastal plain, featuring several protected parks and preserves such as the Southards Pond Park and the Tackapausha Preserve in Seaford. The town is traversed by key transportation routes including Southern State Parkway, Sunrise Highway, and the Long Island Rail Road's Babylon Branch.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the town was home to 218,223 residents. The population density was approximately 5,284 people per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly Non-Hispanic White, with significant communities identifying as Hispanic or Latino, African American, and Asian. The median household income historically exceeds the national average, reflecting its suburban character. Educational attainment is high, with a large percentage of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Population centers are concentrated in its hamlets and villages, with Copiague, West Babylon, and North Babylon among the most populous.

Government

The town operates under a council-manager system led by a Town Supervisor and a four-member Town Council. All are elected at-large to four-year terms. The town government provides services including public safety through the Babylon Town Police Department, park maintenance, and waste management. It is part of New York's 2nd and 3rd congressional districts, represented in the U.S. House by Andrew Garbarino and Thomas Suozzi. At the state level, portions of the town fall within the New York Senate districts of Alexis Weik and Dean Murray, and the New York Assembly districts of Jodi Giglio and Michael Durso.

Notable people

Many prominent individuals have resided in the town, spanning fields such as politics, arts, and sports. Former U.S. Vice President Nelson Rockefeller lived in the Lloyd Harbor area. Famed author and Nobel laureate John Steinbeck resided in Sag Harbor for a time. Music legend Billy Joel, a longtime Long Island resident, has strong ties to the area. Sports figures include Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, who grew up in Bridgehampton, and National Football League coach Bill Parcells. Actress and singer Mandy Moore was born in Nashua but spent her early years in the town. Noted artist Willem de Kooning, a leading figure in Abstract expressionism, lived and worked in The Springs on the East End of Long Island.

Category:Towns in New York (state) Category:Towns in Suffolk County, New York Category:Populated coastal places in New York (state)