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Amityville, NY

Frequently asked questions

Amityville, NY

Amityville is a village in the Town of Babylon in Suffolk County, on the South Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 9,500 at the 2020 census. The village maintains its own accredited law enforcement agency the Amityville Police Department known for very fast response times to calls.

Huntington settlers first visited the Amityville area in 1653 due to its location as a source of salt hay for use as animal fodder. Chief Wyandanch granted the first deed to land in Amityville in 1658. The area was originally called Huntington West Neck South (it is on the Great South Bay and Suffolk County, New York border in the southwest corner of what once called Huntington South), but is now the Town of Babylon. According to village lore, the name was changed in 1846 when residents were working to establish its new post office. The meeting turned into bedlam and one participant was to exclaim, "What this meeting needs is some amity". Another version says the name was first suggested by mill owner Samuel Ireland to name the town for his boat, the Amity.

The place name is strictly speaking an incidental name, marking an amicable agreement on the choice of a place name. The village was formally incorporated on March 3, 1894. In the early 1900s, Amityville was a popular tourist destination with large hotels on the bay and large homes. Annie Oakley was said to be a frequent guest of vaudevillian Fred Stone. Will Rogers had a home across Clocks Boulevard from Stone. Gangster Al Capone also had a house in the community. Congregants began holding meetings for St. Mary's Church in 1886, building a Chapel in 1888 by Wesley Ketcham under Rev. James H Noble, and the church was consecrated in 1889, pre-dating the town incorporation. Amityville has been a sister city to Le Bourget, France since 1979.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2), of which 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) is water, comprising a total of 15.38% water. The Village of Amityville is bordered to the west by East Massapequa (in Nassau County), to the north by North Amityville, to the east and the south by Copiague, and the south by the Great South Bay.

Health and wellness are paramount in Amityville, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Amityville Health Center is a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Amityville Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Crunch Fitness and The Max Challenge. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Amityville, such as the Delano Nature Trail and Edward W. Pearsall Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Amityville, NY are Bragino Creations, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Empire State Building.

Population: 9,573 (2022). Elevation: 20 ft (6 m). ZIP codes: 11701, 11708. Area code(s): 631, 934. Area: 2.47 sq mi (6.41 km sq).

FAQs

What is the history of Amityville, NY?

Huntington settlers first visited the Amityville area in 1653 due to its location as a source of salt hay for use as animal fodder. Chief Wyandanch granted the first deed to land in Amityville in 1658. The area was originally called Huntington West Neck South (it is on the Great South Bay and Suffolk County, New York border in the southwest corner of what once called Huntington South), but is now the Town of Babylon. According to village lore, the name was changed in 1846 when residents were working to establish its new post office.

Is Amityville, NY a good place to live?

Amityville is in Suffolk County. Living in Amityville offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many young professionals and retirees live in Amityville and residents tend to lean conservative.

What is Amityville, NY famous for?

Amityville is the setting of the book The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson, which was published in 1977 and has been adapted into a series of films starting in 1979. The story of The Amityville Horror can be traced back to a real-life murder case in Amityville in November 1974, when Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot all six members of his family at 112 Ocean Avenue. In December 1975 George and Kathy Lutz and Kathy's three children moved into the house, but left after twenty-eight days, claiming to have been terrorized by paranormal phenomena produced by the house. Jay Anson's novel is said to be based on these events but has been the subject of much controversy; the murder case happened, but there has been no evidence that the house is or was haunted.

Sources

Wikipedia

Village of Amityville

Amityville Health Center

Amityville Parks and Recreation Department 

Crunch Fitness 

The Max Challenge

Delano Nature Trail 

Edward W. Pearsall Park

Bragino Creations

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Empire State Building

Niche

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