Brookhaven
RANK #425 / 996 NAT · #25 / 45 NY · POP 1,524,486
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
Suffolk County, located on the eastern two-thirds of Long Island, New York, is known for its diverse landscapes, from the upscale Hamptons to historic towns like Port Jefferson and Huntington. The county is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound, offering over 1,000 miles of coastline and numerous beaches. Commuting to New York City is possible via the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Suffolk County Transit, and express bus services like the Hampton Jitney. The area provides extensive outdoor recreation, including state parks like Heckscher State Park and Sunken Meadow State Park, offering hiking, fishing, and camping.
Life in Suffolk County offers a suburban feel with access to natural surroundings. The public school system is highly rated, with districts like Half Hollow Hills, Harborfields, and Kings Park High School recognized for strong academic performance. The economy is diverse, with significant contributions from science, agriculture, fishery, and tourism. Major institutions like Brookhaven National Laboratory and Stony Brook University are located within the county. Recent economic developments include investments in infrastructure and downtown revitalization, with a focus on creating varied housing options.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Long Island Wind Offshore Wind Farm
Ørsted
|
$1,485M | Proposed |
|
Sunrise Wind Offshore Wind Farm
Ørsted
|
$700M | Under Construction |
|
Suffolk County Sewer Infrastructure (Carlls River-Wyandanch, Wheatley Heights, Deer Park, Forge River, Southwest Sewer District No. 3, Smithtown)
Suffolk County
|
$541M | Planned |
|
Suffolk County Road, Bridge, and Transit Improvements (including NYS Route 110 Bus Rapid Transit)
Suffolk County
|
$247M | Planned |
|
Holtsville Energy Storage Facility
None
|
$110M | Proposed |
|
Boralex Yaphank Battery Energy Storage System
Boralex Inc. & Savion, LLC
|
$77M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Suffolk County scores 57/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#425). Median household income is $122,498 and job growth is running at +2.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Suffolk County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $490,800 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.25 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $2,113/month on average.
Employers in Suffolk County are hiring — job growth of +2.3% — but the population is close to flat (+0.1% YoY). Home values moved +3.0% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.1% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Suffolk County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.