Medford, New York
Encyclopedia
Medford is a hamlet
(and census-designated place
) in Suffolk County
, New York
, United States. The population was 21,985 at the 2000 census.
Medford is a community in the southwest part of the Town of Brookhaven
. It is served by the Patchogue-Medford School District
, except for extreme southeastern Medford, which is served by the South Country Central School District
, and extreme northeastern Medford, which is served by the Longwood Central School District
. Some neighborhoods in Yaphank have Medford's zip code (11763.)
in 1843 in a flat wilderness in the Central Long Island Pine Barrens. The station connected to the Patchogue Stage Road
between Patchogue, New York
and Port Jefferson, New York
and a post office was established.
In 1850 the LIRR auctioned the land around the station which was purchased by the O.L. Schwenke Land & Investment Co. which bought four square miles and then subdivided them into 25-by-100-foot lots which sold for $10 to $75. The land remained poor for farming and according to legend, in a marketing attempt a mock factory with a phony roof was built near the tracks and when a train neared tar paper was burned to give the impression that a booming industry existed in the community.
In 1907 the LIRR established the Medford Prosperity Farm to show that crops could be raised in the Pine Barrens. Theodore Roosevelt
visited the station in August 1910. As the car drove across a trail between Medford and Wading River, New York
, it got stuck in the mud and Roosevelt was said to take a "flying leap" to get out.
east of NY 112 in 1966, although it was planned as far back as the 1930s. The development included a King Kullen
shopping center on Horse Block Road west of Eagle Avenue, and a youth baseball and athletic field east of Sipp Avenue between Wave and Race Avenues. The Long Island Expressway ran through Medford in 1970, with interchanges at NY 112 and Horse Block Road, the latter of which is close to an older interchange with Horse Block Road and Long Island Avenue, and was not completed until 1999. The Pines was established in the 1970s east of Buffalo Avenue, south of Jamaica Avenue, north of Woodside Avenue
and far west of Patchogue-Yaphank Road.
A segment of Peconic Avenue east of Buffalo Avenue has been lined with automotive junk yards since the mid-20th Century. Two long standing auto wreckers have been Medford Auto Wreckers and Gershow Recycling.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 10.5 square miles (27.2 km²), all land.
Medford, New York is serviced by several busy roadways, such as Horseblock Road (Suffolk CR 16)
, NY 112, Patchogue-Yaphank Road/Sills Road (Suffolk CR 101) and the Long Island Expressway.
Public transportation in Medford has been provided by the Long Island Rail Road since the town was created. Suffolk County Transit provides bus service.
of 2000, there were 21,985 people, 6,791 households, and 5,629 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 2,088.5 per square mile (806.1/km²). There were 6,939 housing units at an average density of 659.2/sq mi (254.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.18% White, 3.98% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.11% from other races
, and 2.07% from two or more races.
There were 6,791 households out of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.2% were married couples
living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.1% were non-families. 13.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.23 and the average family size was 3.52.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $67,153, and the median income for a family was $70,493 (these figures had risen to $91,400 and $100,323 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $66,485 versus $50,427 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $52,579. About 1.5% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
(and census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
) in Suffolk County
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States. The population was 21,985 at the 2000 census.
Medford is a community in the southwest part of the Town of Brookhaven
Brookhaven, New York
The Town of Brookhaven is one of the ten towns into which Suffolk County, New York, United States, has been divided. Part of the New York metropolitan area, it is located in central Suffolk County and is the only town in the county that stretches from the North Shore to the South Shore of Long...
. It is served by the Patchogue-Medford School District
Patchogue-Medford School District
Patchogue Medford School District is a public school district that covers approximately in the southern part of the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, United States....
, except for extreme southeastern Medford, which is served by the South Country Central School District
South Country Central School District
The South Country Central School District is a district of approximately located in southern Brookhaven Town, Suffolk County, New York, United States. It is composed of the Village of Bellport, the Hamlets of Brookhaven, North Bellport, and East Patchogue, and parts of Yaphank, and Medford.-...
, and extreme northeastern Medford, which is served by the Longwood Central School District
Longwood Central School District
Longwood Central School District covers in central Brookhaven Town, Suffolk County, New York, United States. It serves the hamlets of Ridge, Middle Island, Coram, and Yaphank, and parts of Shoreham, Shirley, Medford, Miller Place, Mount Sinai, and Upton...
. Some neighborhoods in Yaphank have Medford's zip code (11763.)
History
The Long Island Railroad established the Medford StationMedford (LIRR station)
Medford is a station in the hamlet of Medford, New York on the Main Line of the Long Island Railroad. Medford is located on New York State Route 112 between Peconic Avenue and Long Island Avenue. Access to the station is available from a narrow curving roadway leading off Route 112...
in 1843 in a flat wilderness in the Central Long Island Pine Barrens. The station connected to the Patchogue Stage Road
New York State Route 112
New York State Route 112 is a New York state highway, entirely within the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County. It runs from Montauk Highway, formerly part of NY 27A, in the village of Patchogue to NY 25A in Port Jefferson Station. It is known locally as Medford Ave in Patchogue...
between Patchogue, New York
Patchogue, New York
-Notable citizens:* Franc D'Ambrosio, Broadway Actor, best known for being the longest running Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. Graduated Pat-Med HS 1981* Michael Fagan, professional bowler...
and Port Jefferson, New York
Port Jefferson, New York
The Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson is located in the town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the 2000 United States Census, the village population was 7,837...
and a post office was established.
In 1850 the LIRR auctioned the land around the station which was purchased by the O.L. Schwenke Land & Investment Co. which bought four square miles and then subdivided them into 25-by-100-foot lots which sold for $10 to $75. The land remained poor for farming and according to legend, in a marketing attempt a mock factory with a phony roof was built near the tracks and when a train neared tar paper was burned to give the impression that a booming industry existed in the community.
In 1907 the LIRR established the Medford Prosperity Farm to show that crops could be raised in the Pine Barrens. Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
visited the station in August 1910. As the car drove across a trail between Medford and Wading River, New York
Wading River, New York
Wading River is a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, USA, on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the CDP population was 7,719....
, it got stuck in the mud and Roosevelt was said to take a "flying leap" to get out.
Growth and development
By the mid-to-late-20th Century, developers were building new neighborhoods within Medford. Eagle Estates was built along Horse Block RoadCounty Route 16 (Suffolk County, New York)
Suffolk County Route 16 is a main thoroughfare through central Suffolk County, New York. Its western terminus is at Middle Country Road in Smithtown, on the eastern border of the Village of the Branch, and its eastern terminus is at Montauk Highway in Brookhaven near Southhaven...
east of NY 112 in 1966, although it was planned as far back as the 1930s. The development included a King Kullen
King Kullen
King Kullen Grocery Co. is an American supermarket chain with 45 stores, on Long Island and Staten Island. The company is headquartered in Bethpage, New York and was founded by Michael J. Cullen in 1930. It is notable for its title of "America's First Supermarket" as recognized by the Smithsonian...
shopping center on Horse Block Road west of Eagle Avenue, and a youth baseball and athletic field east of Sipp Avenue between Wave and Race Avenues. The Long Island Expressway ran through Medford in 1970, with interchanges at NY 112 and Horse Block Road, the latter of which is close to an older interchange with Horse Block Road and Long Island Avenue, and was not completed until 1999. The Pines was established in the 1970s east of Buffalo Avenue, south of Jamaica Avenue, north of Woodside Avenue
County Route 99 (Suffolk County, New York)
Suffolk County Road 99 is a county road in southern Suffolk County, New York. It runs east and west from Suffolk CR 19 in Holtsville to Suffolk CR 16 near Yaphank and Brookhaven.-Route description:...
and far west of Patchogue-Yaphank Road.
A segment of Peconic Avenue east of Buffalo Avenue has been lined with automotive junk yards since the mid-20th Century. Two long standing auto wreckers have been Medford Auto Wreckers and Gershow Recycling.
Geography
Medford is located at 40°49′4"N 72°59′10"W (40.817733, −72.986125).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 10.5 square miles (27.2 km²), all land.
Medford, New York is serviced by several busy roadways, such as Horseblock Road (Suffolk CR 16)
County Route 16 (Suffolk County, New York)
Suffolk County Route 16 is a main thoroughfare through central Suffolk County, New York. Its western terminus is at Middle Country Road in Smithtown, on the eastern border of the Village of the Branch, and its eastern terminus is at Montauk Highway in Brookhaven near Southhaven...
, NY 112, Patchogue-Yaphank Road/Sills Road (Suffolk CR 101) and the Long Island Expressway.
Public transportation in Medford has been provided by the Long Island Rail Road since the town was created. Suffolk County Transit provides bus service.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 21,985 people, 6,791 households, and 5,629 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,088.5 per square mile (806.1/km²). There were 6,939 housing units at an average density of 659.2/sq mi (254.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.18% White, 3.98% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.11% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.07% from two or more races.
There were 6,791 households out of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.1% were non-families. 13.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.23 and the average family size was 3.52.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $67,153, and the median income for a family was $70,493 (these figures had risen to $91,400 and $100,323 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $66,485 versus $50,427 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $52,579. About 1.5% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- Tricia CastTricia CastTricia Cast is an American actress, best known for her role as Nina Webster on The Young and the Restless.-Personal life:...
, soap opera actress. - Bryant Neal VinasBryant Neal VinasBryant Neal Vinas is a Hispanic Muslim American convicted of participating in and supporting Al-Qaeda plots in Afghanistan and the U.S....
, convicted of participating in and supporting al-QaedaAl-QaedaAl-Qaeda is a global broad-based militant Islamist terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad...
plots in Afghanistan and the U.S., and helping al-Qaeda plan a bomb attack on the LIRRLirrLirr or LIRR may refer to:*Long Island Rail Road, a commuter railroad in Long Island, New York, USA*Lapeer Industrial Railroad, in Lapeer, Michigan*Leeds Inner Ring Road, a motorway and A-road circling Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...