Town of Babylon, NY
The Town of Babylon is located on the south shore of Long Island within Suffolk County. The town covers 53 square miles of land and is considered the most densely populated town in Suffolk County, with approximately 4,030 people per square mile. According to the 2010 census, the town had a population of roughly 213,600 people living within the towns and hamlets that make up the Town of Babylon. The Town of Babylon is made up of several hamlets and incorporated villages that feature charming downtown main streets, many parks and recreational areas, an airport, a state university and of course, beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches.
Town of Babylon History
Historical records indicate that Captain Jacob Conklin built the first home in the Town of Babylon in the area that is now called Wheatley Heights in 1710. Conklin was a sailor who sailed with the well-known local pirate, Captain Kidd. Conklin had a grandson named Nathaniel, who is said to have unofficially named the town Babylon in 1803. The name Babylon caught on, and in 1830, it was officially recognized by the federal government, and the post office name was changed from Huntington South to Babylon.
Before its official name, the area now known as Babylon was commonly referred to as Huntington South. However, over the years the town became divided over disagreements about land purchases, and property division and many town-wide meetings were held. Some residents endorsed the idea of splitting the town. In January of 1872, the voters supported a two-town division and Huntington and Babylon became separate towns.
Hamlets and Towns within Babylon
The town of Babylon is made up of the following hamlets and incorporated villages.
- Amityville Village
- Amityville Village is 2.1 square miles and has a population of 9,523.
- Babylon Village
- Babylon Village is 2.4 square miles and has one a population of 2,166 people.
- Copiague
- Copiague is a hamlet that has approximately 22,993 people living within 3.2 square miles.
- Deer Park
- Deer Park is the second largest hamlet in the town with a population of 27,745 within 6.2 square miles.
- East Farmingdale
- East Farmingdale has a population of about 6,484 residents and is home to the campus of SUNY Farmingdale as well as Republic Airport.
Captree, Gilgo, & Oak Beach Communities
These beachfront communities have a combined total of 417 people living on just over 8.4 miles.
- Lindenhurst Village
- Lindenhurst Village is one of the largest villages on Long Island and has a population of about 27,523 people within 3.8 square miles.
- North Amityville
- North Amityville is a hamlet that is 2.4 square miles and has 17,862 residents.
- North Babylon
- North Babylon is a hamlet that is 3.4 square miles, with approximately 17,500 residents.
- North Lindenhurst
- North Lindenhurst has 11,652 people living in this hamlet of just under 1.9 square miles.
- West Babylon
- West Babylon is the largest hamlet in Babylon's hamlets with a population of 43,253 living within 7.7 square miles.
- Wheatley Heights
- Wheatley Heights is hamlet that is 1.4 square miles in size and has a population of 5,130 people.
- Wyandanch
- Wyandanch is 4.4 square miles in size and has a population of about 11,645 people.
Babylon School Districts
The Town of Babylon encompasses ten separate school districts that serve the residents of each town or hamlet. All school districts offer classes from kindergarten through twelfth grade and offer many accredited and diverse programs as well as a variety of instructional methods to meet the needs of each student. Babylon school districts include:
- Amityville School District
- Babylon School District
- Copiague School District
- Deer Park School District
- Farmingdale School District
- Half Hollow Hills School District (serves residents from both the Town of Huntington and Babylon)
- Lindenhurst School District
- North Babylon School District
- Wyandanch School District
- West Babylon School District
Parks and Beaches
The Town of Babylon is home to numerous beautiful parks, sandy beaches, and recreational locations. Following is a list of some of the most popular sites to visit.
Beaches:
Robert Moses State Park
This state park is located in the town of Babylon and has five beautiful fields with ocean beach access, concession stands, playgrounds, restroom facilities, and two boardwalks. The Fire Island Light House is also on the grounds of Robert Moses State Park. Visitors can climb to the top of this historic lighthouse year round.
Cedar Beach, located on Ocean Parkway
This ocean beach has a pavilion, large playground, a concession stand, picnic area with grills, basketball court, handball court, and restrooms.
Gilgo Beach, located on Ocean Parkway
Gilgo Beach has ocean access, a playground, outdoor showers, and restrooms.
Overlook Beach, located on Ocean Parkway
This is a local resident only beach on the Atlantic Ocean, and it has a playground, concession stand, picnic area, outdoor showers, and restrooms.
Babylon Parks:
The town of Babylon has numerous parks, playgrounds, recreational facilities and athletic fields within its hamlets and incorporated villages. Several of the towns and villages also have community pools. Some of the more popular spots are listed below:
- ACE Center Community Park, Cedar St. North Amityville
- Anthony Sanchez Memorial Park, Sawyer Ave. West Babylon
- Birchwood Park, Sunburst Dr. Deer Park
- Bolden Mack Park, Great Neck Rd. North Amityville
- Colonial Springs Park, Little E. Neck Rd. Wheatley Heights
- Dorner Park, N. Monroe Ave. North Lindenhurst
- Geiger Lake Memorial Park, Grand Blvd. Wyandanch
- Herman Griem Park, Brown Blvd. Wheatley Heights
- John Pape Memorial Park, Old Farmingdale Rd. West Babylon
- Laurel Road Ball Field, Laurel Rd. North Lindenhurst
- Michel Park, Michel Dr. East Farmingdale
- North Amityville Park/Pool, Albany Ave. North Amityville
- North Lindenhurst Park/Pool, Straight Path North Lindenhurst
- Phelps Lane Park, Phelps Lane North Babylon
- Pine Acres Park, Pine Acres Blvd. Deer Park
- State Trooper Fabio Buttitta Memorial Park, Acorn St. Deer Park
- Tanner Park, Kerrigan Rd. Copiague
- Town Hall Park, 200 E. Sunrise Hwy. Lindenhurst
- Van Bourgondien Park, Albin Ave. West Babylon
- Venetian Shores Park/Pool Spray Park, Granada Pkwy. Lindenhurst
- Wyandanch Park, Mount Ave. Wyandanch
- Zahn’s Park, Copiague Rd. North Lindenhurst
Notable and Famous People for Babylon, NY
Following are some famous people that grew up within the Town of Babylon.
Pat Benetar Famous singer and songwriter grew up in Lindenhurst
Rodney Dangerfield Comedian and actor was born in Deer Park.
Geraldo Rivera Famous news anchor and talk show host, he attended West Babylon High School.
The town of Babylon has a lot to offer – quant incorporated villages, suburban neighborhoods, many parks, and recreational locations and stunning Atlantic Ocean beaches.