Rocky Point, New York
Rocky Point, New York | |
---|---|
Rocky Point Landing | |
![]() U.S. Census Map | |
Country | United States |
State | New York |
County | Suffolk |
Area | |
• Total | 10.3 sq mi (26.8 km2) |
• Land | 10.3 sq mi (26.8 km2) |
• Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
Elevation | 194 ft (59 m) |
Population (2000) | |
• Total | 10,185 |
• Density | 984.4/sq mi (380.1/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 ((EDT)) |
ZIP code | 11778 |
Area code | 631 |
FIPS code | 36-63319 |
GNIS feature ID | 0962792 |
Rocky Point is a hamlet (and census-designated place) in Suffolk County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 10,185.Template:GR
Rocky Point is a community in the town of Brookhaven.
Geography
The community is on the southern shore of the Long Island Sound.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 10.4 square miles (26.8 km2), all land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,185 people, 3,557 households, and 2,592 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 984.4 per square mile (379.9/km2). There were 3,949 housing units at an average density of 381.7/sq mi (147.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.60% White, 0.68% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.02% of the population.Template:GR
There were 3,557 households out of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.32.Template:GR
In the CDP the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 37.1% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.Template:GR
The median income for a household in the CDP was $52,463, and the median income for a family was $60,423. Males had a median income of $46,804 versus $35,205 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,050. About 6.7% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.Template:GR
History
Rocky Point is home to the site where American radio company RCA once operated a very large transmitting and transmitter research facility, known as Radio Central. RCA began to transmit transatlantic radio messages from Radio Central after its opening on November 5, 1921. Early Radio Central transmissions were received by many European nations, including Britain, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Poland.
On January 7, 1927, AT&T initiated the first transatlantic commercial telephone service; linking London and New York. AT&T's transmitter was at Radio Central and their receiver was in Houlton, Maine. The radiotelephone signal from Radio Central was received by the British General Post Office's receiver facility in Cupar, Scotland.
Radio Central was one of the many original operating and touring sites of Guglielmo Marconi's radio shack, which now is displayed at Rocky Point's Frank J. Carasiti Elementary School.
The 5200 acre Rocky Point site was decommissioned and demolished in the 1970s and now consists of many concrete ruins and downed telephone poles and radio towers that is owned by the State of New York and is part of the Rocky Point Natural Resources Management Area, which is in the Long Island Central Pine Barrens. The site is an interesting insight into the 1920s, because—being in the middle of the forest—the footprints of the site remain largely untouched since its operational period. The 125-mile long Paumanok Path hiking trail western terminus is in the forest with the eastern terminus at the Montauk Point Light.
A secret project held in Radio Central's building #10 became the world's first color television.
Rocky Point, along with neighboring village Shoreham, was also the home to inventor and scientist Nikola Tesla's early research facilities.
As an additional point of interest, Rocky Point is the home of the only Paragliding site (as designated by the USHPA) on Long Island.