Port Jefferson, New York
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| Port Jefferson, New York | |
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  Port Jefferson, New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Suffolk |
| Area | |
| - Total | 3.1 sq mi (7.9 km²) |
| - Land | 3.0 sq mi (7.8 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.1 km²) |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 7,837 |
| - Density | 2,587.2/sq mi (998.9/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 11777 |
| Area code(s) | 631 |
| FIPS code | 36-59355 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0960968 |
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 United States 2000 census, the village population was 7,837. The small town is home to several unique restaurants and shops, and has a growing tourism industry.
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[edit] Geography
Port Jefferson is located at (40.946103, -73.062224)[1], on the North Shore of Long Island, about 56 miles east of New York City. The Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Ferry company operates three vessels that make daily runs from Port Jefferson across Long Island Sound to Bridgeport, Connecticut. The three vessels are the 'Grand Republic' (built in 2003), the 'P.T. Barnum' (built in 1999) and the 'Park City'(built in 1988).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.0 square miles (7.9 km²), of which, 3.0 square miles (7.8 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.98%) is water.
One notable geographic feature is Pirate's Cove, a small cove dredged long ago by the Seaboard Dredging Company. The original name was Seaboard Hole, but it was changed for the sake of appealing to tourists. Several large sand dunes (artificially created by the dredging) are found here.
Port Jefferson is not to be confused with the Hamlet of Port Jefferson Station south of the train tracks.
[edit] History
Port Jefferson at one time was a small ship building community, with the name Drowned Meadow. The community leaders, realizing this was a poor name for the ship building business, eventually changed its name to Port Jefferson after President Thomas Jefferson. The town was once a major whaling port, especially in the 1880s.
The Village was named after Jefferson because he was the major source of funding for a project to prevent the flooding of the lower village from whence the original name originated -- Drowned Meadow.
P.T. Barnum, the famous circus owner, owned a tract of land which ran through the village. His intention was to make Port Jefferson the home base for his circus. The townspeople put a stop to his plans, and he eventually sold his land. A road named "Barnum Ave." now runs though the area that was once his land.
The Village of Port Jefferson was incorporated in 1964.
[edit] Schools
The mission of the Port Jefferson School District is to provide a personalized, rigorous education that develops responsible, independent, adaptable, lifelong learners through acquisition of effective thinking and communication skills, an appreciation of the arts, the proficient use of technology and a healthy lifestyle in an educational community that promotes integrity and mutual respect. The Port Jefferson School District is ranked among the top school districts in country, as our students perform at an exceptional level on all Local and Regional State Assessments.
The Port Jefferson School District is a leader in the area of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology. Students at Port Jefferson perform at the highest levels on all State and Local Assessments and also continue to go on to take a multitude of advanced placement classes.
[edit] Events
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Port Jefferson is home to an annual Charles Dickens Festival every December. This typically includes many events and occurrences, such as the regular sighting of people who dress in 19th century clothing, the reading of winter-related poetry, caroling, and booths set up by local businesses. Students from the Port Jefferson Middle School and High School submit poetry and art that are used in the festival.
As well as this festival, many small festivals are held during the summer, showcasing music and crafts.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 7,837 people, 2,985 households, and 1,982 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,587.2 people per square mile (998.6/km²). There were 3,074 housing units at an average density of 1,014.8/sq mi (391.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 91.97% White, 1.67% African American, 0.04% Native American, 3.33% Asian, 1.70% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.21% of the population.
There were 2,985 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the village the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $65,119, and the median income for a family was $83,981. Males had a median income of $57,125 versus $41,936 for females. The per capita income for the village was $33,852. About 3.9% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.
 The Seawolf in Port Jefferson's harbor |
 Danford's Hotel, which is next to the harbor |
 Port Jefferson-Bridgeport Ferry |
[edit] References
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- Port Jefferson School District
- Port Jefferson Boys' Basketball
- Port Jefferson Free Library
- Official village site
- Port Jefferson guide
- The original Port Jefferson guide
- The Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson
- Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company
- Port Jefferson, New York is at coordinates Coordinates:
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