SMITHTOWN, LONG ISLAND

Smithtown, Long Island

Smithtown is a town in Suffolk County, on the North Shore of Long Island, New York. As of the 2000 census, there were 115,715 people, 38,487 households, and 31,482 families residing in the area. The median income for a household in the town was $80,421 and the median income for a family was $87,335. Males had a median income of $61,348 and only $38,208 for females. The Town is located at 40° 52' 13" North, 73° 13' 3" West (40.862786, -73.215175). Smithtown is bordered on the north by the Long Island Sound, the west by Huntington, the south by Islip and the east by Brookhaven, and lies in the western part of Suffolk County, approximately 50 miles east of New York City.

The town was first settled in 1650. The local legend has it that Native Americans told Smith (an early settler) that he would be granted title to all the land he could ride across in one day on a bull. The land he acquired in this way is said to estimate the current town's location. There is a large statue of Smith's bull known as Whisper, at the fork of Jericho Turnpike and St. Johnland Road. The town was originally named as Smithfield.

The Nissequogue River is in the area with attractions such as the 543-acre Caleb Smith State Park and historic sites like the Franklin O. Arthur Farm. The hamlet has attracted young buyers and a great place to raise a family because of its child-friendly environment and many quality homes which are made at affordable prices. The growing demand for new homes in Smithtown has lead to many new developments being built.

The Smithtown Central School District has a total of nine elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools on two different campuses. The Smithtown Christian School is the only private school in the area (pre-school to twelfth grade). The Town of Smithtown is also home to the Kings Park Central School District, a portion of the Commack Union-Free School District (shared with the Town of Huntington), and a portion of the Sachem Central School District (shared with the Town of Brookhaven).

--- Town of Smithtown --- Smithtown Central School District --- Smithtown Historical Society