Islip Notebook: Town Population Sees Some Notable Changes

The population and demographic makeup of Islip saw a significant shift during the first decade of the 21st century, which could have an impact on town-wide policy going forward, officials said.

In a presentation by Dave Genaway, commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development, to the Town Board, he outlined some notable shifts in population seen across the township from 2000 to 2010. Overall, the Town’s population in 2010 was 335,000, up from 322,000 in 2000.

Most noteworthy is the population growth in three communities; Brentwood, up slightly more than 10,000; Central Islip, up slightly more than 2,000; and Bay Shore, up slightly more than 2,000. These three communities account for nearly all of the Town’s population growth over the past decade.

On the flip side, Islip hamlet saw the greatest decline in population, down nearly 1,900. Ronkonkoma and West Islip each also saw a decline in population, but the decrease was less than 1,000 in each hamlet.

Genaway said that within Brentwood, the Hispanic population has risen 31 percent and that community is Islip’s most densely populated hamlet with more the 5,600 people per square mile.

“There are mostly single family dwellings in Brentwood,” Genaway said. “As a result, there could be a need to diversify housing in Brentwood and in other parts of the Town as well.”

His report also highlighted a significant shift in the Town’s population by age. During the first decade of the 21st century, the number of people under the age of 40 living in Islip decreased 12,330. Those age 40 and older living in the Town increased 25,261 over the same time period.

Genaway noted the shift in population by age in Islip mirrors that seen in Suffolk County and across New York State over the past 10 years. Suffolk has seen a 5 percent increase in residents over the age of 40 while the number of New York residents 40 and older has increased 4 percent.

The information on Town’s demographic changes was offered by Genaway as part of Islip’s effort to continue updating its Comprehensive Plan first adopted in 1979.

The initial goals of the Comprehensive Plan include promoting housing that satisfies the needs of local residents, protect natural resources and the environment, provide recreational services, promote/provide efficient and quality public services, promote development, promote commercial developments that are compatible with local employment needs and promote attractive environments that enhance quality of life.