by Chris Jones, Vice President for Research, RPA
The profile compares Nassau and Suffolk counties to other parts of the Tri-State region, including New York City, northern New Jersey and the counties north of New York City (including the lower Hudson Valley and Fairfield County). Highlights from the report include the following:
The profile compares Nassau and Suffolk counties to other parts of the Tri-State region, including New York City, northern New Jersey and the counties north of New York City (including the lower Hudson Valley and Fairfield County). Highlights from the report include the following:
- Although Long Island's population continues to have a higher percentage of white residents (76%) than any other part of the region, the racial composition of the Island is rapidly shifting. While there were 96,000 fewer non-Latino whites on Long Island in 2000 than in 1990, there were 126,000 more Latinos, 39,000 more African-Americans and an additional 38,000 Asians.
- The Island has a higher average income than northern New Jersey, New York City and counties north of the city. However, both Nassau and Suffolk have a number of communities where poverty is concentrated. Over 40% of African-American and Latino public school students are in districts that are classified as "High Need" districts by New York State.
- Nassau and Suffolk have fewer renters and higher rents than other suburban counties in the region. Over a third of renters are paying more than 35% of their income for a place to live. Housing prices, by contrast, are comparable to other counties in the region.
- Following several decades of growth, Long Island is now almost completely developed. Only Suffolk's East End remains undeveloped, and that area is under considerable pressure for new building.
- Over the last twenty years, the number of vehicles on Long Island has tripled, while both highway and transit capacity have remained largely fixed. The Island's auto-dependence is matched by other suburban parts of the region, but congestion is nonetheless a leading source of concern for both the economy and quality of life.
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