shelter island (town), new york

Shelter Island is a town located in Suffolk County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,228. The Town of Shelter Island is at the eastern end of the county, located on an island called Shelter Island.

Geography

The island is surrounded on three sides by Shelter Island Sound. The fourth side, on the east, is adjacent to Gardiners Bay. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 70.2 km² (27.1 mi²). 31.4 km² (12.1 mi²) of it is land and 38.7 km² (15.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 55.20% water.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there are 2,228 people, 996 households, and 656 families residing in the town. The population density is 70.9/km² (183.6/mi²). There are 2,370 housing units at an average density of 75.4/km² (195.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.32% White, 0.72% Black or African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. 2.38% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 996 households out of which 20.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% are married couples living together, 7.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% are non-families. 28.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.24 and the average family size is 2.75. In the town the population is spread out with 18.1% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 28.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 49 years. For every 100 females there are 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.8 males. The median income for a household in the town is $53,011, and the median income for a family is $63,750. Males have a median income of $41,508 versus $36,316 for females. The per capita income for the town is $30,346. 7.7% of the population and 4.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.0% of those under the age of 18 and 1.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Communities and locations in Shelter Island

Coecles Harbor -- An inlet on the east side of the island.
Dering Harbor -- The Village of Dering Harbor is on the north side of the island.
Shelter Island Heights -- A hamlet on the north side of the island.
Montclair Colony -- A hamlet on the south side of the island.
Silver Beach -- A hamlet on the southwest side of the island.
Smith Cove -- an inlet on the south side of the island.
Westmoreland -- A hamlet on the west side of the island.
West Neck Harbor -- An inlet at the southwest end of the island.