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Smithtown, NY

Frequently asked questions

Smithtown, NY

Smithtown is a town in Suffolk County, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island. It is part of the New York metropolitan area. The population was 116,296 at the 2020 Census. The census-designated place (CDP) of Smithtown lies within the town's borders.

Smithtown is bounded by Long Island Sound to the north, Islip to the south, Brookhaven to the east, and Huntington to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 111.5 square miles (289 km2), of which 53.8 square miles (139 km2) is land and 57.7 square miles (149 km2) (51.75%) is water.

An oft-repeated but apocryphal story has it that, after rescuing a Native American chief's abducted daughter, Richard Smith was told that the chief would grant title to all of the lands Smith could encircle in one day while riding a bull. Smith chose to ride the bull on the longest day of the year (summer solstice) 1665, to enable him to ride longer "in one day." The land he acquired in this way is said to approximate the current town's borders. A large statue of Smith's bull, known as Whisper, pays homage to the legend at the fork of Jericho Turnpike (New York State Route 25) and St. Johnland Road (New York State Route 25A).

According to local historians, the bull story is a myth. It was English settler Lion Gardiner who had helped rescue the daughter of Nissequogue Grand Sachem Wyandanch after she was kidnapped by rival Narragansetts. Smith, who lived in nearby Setauket, was a friend of Gardiner; it was at Smith's house where the Nissequogue princess was returned to Wyandanch. The Grand Sachem awarded a large tract of land to Gardiner as a gesture of gratitude. In 1663 Gardiner sold the Nissequogue lands to Smith.

In Smithtown, NY, residents have access to a range of health and wellness resources to support their well-being. Planet Fitness is known for its affordable memberships and no-frills approach to fitness, Planet Fitness has several locations in NYC. 24 Hour Fitness provides round-the-clock access to fitness facilities and a variety of workout options, including cardio, strength training, and group classes. Blink Fitness offers a clean and friendly environment with budget-friendly memberships and a focus on functional training. YMCA has multiple branches throughout NYC, offering fitness classes, swimming pools, and other recreational activities for all ages. Barry's Bootcamp is known for its intense interval training workouts, Barry's Bootcamp combines cardio and strength training in a high-energy environment. Life Time Fitness offers a luxurious fitness experience with amenities such as indoor and outdoor pools, spa services, and a variety of classes.

Top sites in Smithtown, NY are Caleb Smith State Park, Blydenburgh County Park, and Sweetbriar Nature Center.

Population: 116,000 (2024). ZIP codes: 11725, 11745, 11754, 11755 (part), 11768 (part), 11779 (part), 11780, 11787, 11788. Area codes: 631, 934. Elevation: 105 ft (32 m). Area: 111.45 sq mi (288.64 km sq).

FAQs

What is Smithtown, NY famous for?

The statue is a famous landmark and is officially titled 'The Statue of Whisper the Bull. ' Incorporated villages of the Town of Smithtown include Head of the Harbor, Village of the Branch, and Village of Nissequogue. Within these incorporated villages of Suffolk County reside 1117,801 people who live in Commack, Fort Salonga, Hauppauge, Kings Park, Nesconset, Smithtown, and St. James.

What is the crime rate in Smithtown, NY?

Smithtown has an overall crime rate of 8 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Smithtown is 1 in 133. How does Smithtown fare compared to other communities in New York of all population sizes? Smithtown's crime rate is lower than approximately 54% of New York communities.

What is the poverty rate in Smithtown, NY?

In 2022, the median household income of Smithtown households was $147,104. Smithtown households made slightly more than Eastchester households ($146,289) and Williston Park households ($145,956). However, 2.2% of Smithtown families live in poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Smithtown

US Census

NY Demographics by Cubit

Neighborhood Scout

Niche

Caleb Smith State Park

Blydenburgh County Park

Sweetbriar Nature Center

Planet Fitness

24 Hour Fitness

Blink Fitness

YMCA

Barry's Bootcamp

Life Time Fitness 

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