LIPA Releases 2005 Population Survey
Uniondale, NY-January 31, 2006- The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) today released its 2005 Long Island Population Survey for Nassau and Suffolk Counties and the Rockaway Peninsula of Queens County. The annual survey shows strong year-to-year population growth continuing throughout LIPA's electric service area, and a significant population increase over the first five years of the new Century. Contrary to the popular notion that the bi-county region is losing population, LIPA's annual survey shows a net increase in the number of residents in Nassau and Suffolk Counties of 19,396 between January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2005. During that same one-year period, the Rockaways added 4,698 new residents. Combined, 24,094 new residents have Since 2000, Nassau and Suffolk have added 79,186 new residents since 2000, which continues a bi-county growth trend started during the 1990's that reversed the regional population decline experienced during the 1980's. More people live in Nassau and Suffolk counties now, 2.83 million, than ever before. The Rockaway Peninsula has added 10,870 new residents over the last five years, which is more than twice the number of people (4,973) added during the 1990s, and far exceeds the 198 person increase of the 1980s. It too has more residents now, 114,978, than ever before. An increasing population usually drives up housing demand. Between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2005, an increase of 27,983 year-round households was recorded within LIPA's service area. Of that number, 3,222 were in Nassau, 20,820 in Suffolk, and 3,941 in the Rockaways. And the number of persons per household has remained at 2.95 for Nassau and Suffolk Counties, which is close to the national average, and at 2.72 for the Rockaways. "LIPA's two thousand and five Population Survey demonstrates that Long Island remains a vital and attractive area that continues to grow by attracting new residents," said LIPA Chairman Richard M. Kessel. "We continue to see net population gains in every town and city in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, while the Rockaway Peninsula is undergoing a tremendous rebirth that is making it a highly attractive area. "The fact that over 90,000 new residents and 27,983 new households have been added to LIPA's service area in the last five years underscores the need for LIPA to continue to strengthen and expand Long Island's electrical system and supply resources, especially in eastern Long Island," said Mr. Kessel. "Long Island's population and appetite for electricity continues to grow at a remarkable rate, and LIPA continues to work hard to meet thechallenge of providing economical and reliable electricity for Long Island's homes and businesses. "LIPA's annual Population Survey is an invaluable tool for Long Island's government, education and business institutions, because it measures community by community growth trends, which helps us forecast future energy needs, as we continue to evolve and change as a region," said Mr. Kessel. Population Survey Summary As of January 1, 2005, the population of the Nassau-Suffolk region totaled 2,831,753 persons, which represents a 19,393 increase over LIPA's January 1, 2004 estimates and a new all-time high. The population estimate for the Rockaway Peninsula stood at 114,978 persons, which is also a new all-time high. Contributing to the population increase of the The population estimate for Nassau was 1,348,357 persons on January 1, 2005, which represents a growth of 3,425 persons above the population estimated for January 1, 2004. All three towns and both cities in Nassau experienced population gains. Hempstead Town gained the most in population with an increase of 1,269 persons to a total population of LIPA's population estimate for Suffolk County on January 1, 2005, was 1,483,396 persons, which is 15,971 individuals more than reported in the 2004 Population Survey. All of Suffolk's ten towns recorded population gains. The Town of Brookhaven leads Suffolk County once again in population growth. Brookhaven accounted for 7,153 persons or almost half of Suffolk's population increase to lead all Long Island towns in numerical growth. It also remains Long Island's most populace town with an estimated 479,578 residents. However, in terms of a percentage increase, the Town of Riverhead led all Suffolk towns with a 3.62% population increase, by adding 1,119 new residents. The Rockaway Peninsula in Queens County is the only community in New York City that LIPA serves. LIPA's January 1, 2005 estimate of 114,978 persons represents an increase of 4,678 individuals over the 2004 survey. Rockaway Beach recorded the largest population gain with 780 new residents or 16% of the Peninsula's one-year population growth. Since LIPA became the region's non-profit electric utility in 1998, the Island's population has grown by 6.77% or 179,638 residents. During this time, the Town of Brookhaven has grown by 49,980 residents, which represents 27% of Long Island's total growth since 1998. Electric Use Trends LIPA's 2005 Population Survey also includes a "Recent Trends in Residential Electric Use Summary." The Summary outlines how the electrical requirements of the modern home have expanded and why. LIPA believes that by helping its customers to understand what's causing electrical usage to grow, customers will have a significant advantages in taking steps to control those costs. As Long Island's population and year-round household inventory continues to climb so does electric consumption. For 1997, the last full year LILCO served the region, the average residential electric consumption stood at 7740 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year or 645 kWh per month. By the end of 2004, the average residential consumption had jumped 21.9 percent to 9430 kWh per year or 786 kWh per month. "Cleary, the demand for electricity is increasing at a rate that is greater than the population growth rate," said Mr. Kessel. "That means that, by and large, that the region's pre-existing customer base is using more electricity than ever before. It's an appetite for energy that seems almost insatiable." Peak summer demand continues to grow. For example, during the summer of 2005 several new records for electrical consumption were set. A new peak hour demand record of 5,267 megawatts (MW) of electricity delivered to the Long Island Control Area (LICA) was set on August 5, which was 28 MWs higher than the previous peak hour record of 5,239 MWs set less than a month earlier on July 19. The new peak demand record beat the previous summer peak set in July, 2003 by over 700 MWs. In fact, nine of the top ten summer peak demand records occurred during the summer of 2005, and Winter peak demand is following the same trend. So far, the winter months of 2005/06 have recorded strong demand as well. On Tuesday, January 18 Long Island reached the third highest winter peak hour ever recorded at 3528 megawatts of demand, and the fourth highest 24-hour winter use on record at 67,528 megawatt hours. Electric Appliance Energy Guide Consumers can become more aware of the energy they use, or could use when purchasing a major appliance, by consulting LIPA's recently updated Electric Appliance Energy Guide, noted Mr. Kessel. "LIPA's Electric Appliance Energy Guide is a handy reference tool that can be used to help make purchasing decision, especially when buying a major appliance such as a large-screen TV or washing machine," said Mr. Kessel. "These are decisions that have long-term energy use implications. By being a conspicuous consumer, electric bills can be lowered by purchasing energy efficient appliances." As reported in LIPA's Electric Appliance Energy Guide, some of the home appliances that consume significant amounts of electricity annually include: Large Screen TV's, 594 kWh per year; Clothes Dryer, 1,122 kWh per year; Room A/C unit, 5,000 BTU, EER of 6.6 (lowest efficiency), 2,106 kWh per year; Range with Oven, 703 kWh per year; electric water The appliance guide also shows the dramatic difference in energy consumption between a 10 to 15 year old frost free refrigerator/freezer, which would consume 2,046 kWh per year, and a new high efficiency model that would consume only 517 kWh per year, which is nearly a 75% reduction in electric consumption. "When buying appliances that work 24/7, it's wise to select the most efficient model possible," said Mr. Kessel. "The investment will be well worth it, many times over, in the long run." Survey Methodology The annual estimate of population is derived from U.S. Census data and utility records of active residential electric meters. For each of the approximately 300 communities in Nassau and Suffolk, plus the Rockaways in Queens, the number of persons per household is determined based on the most recent census. In addition, a relationship is established Each year, these factors are reviewed and adjusted, if necessary, to reflect demographic change. LIPA's population estimates serve as annual updates of the U.S. census information and are based on records of active residential meters and household factors. Each year these factors are reviewed and adjusted, taking into consideration local trends toward increases in apartments, condominiums and senior housing. A copy of LIPA's 2005 Population Survey may be obtained by sending a request to: LIPA - 2005 POP Survey, Communications Dept.- Suite 403, 333 Earle Ovington Ave., Uniondale, NY 11553. The survey may also be viewed or downloaded at LIPA's Web site: LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric utility, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to over 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. In terms of customers served, LIPA is the 3rd largest municipal electric utility in the nation and the 6th largest in terms of electricity delivered. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island electric generating assets. ### Contact Information: Press Release 1/31/06 3:39 PM Eastern |
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