Hampton Bays, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hampton Bays, New York
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Ponquogue Bridge over Shinnecock Inlet (new span on left) looking toward the Coast Guard station.
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 Hampton Bays, New York
Location in New York
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  New York |
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| County | Suffolk | |
| Town | Southampton | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 20.51 sq mi (53.12 km2) | |
| • Land | 12.94 sq mi (33.50 km2) | |
| • Water | 7.57 sq mi (19.61 km2) | |
| Elevation | 33 ft (10 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 15,228 | |
| • Density | 1,177.27/sq mi (454.54/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern Time Zone) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 | |
| ZIP Code |
11946
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| Area code(s) | 631, 934 | |
| FIPS code | 36-31896 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0952135 | |
Hampton Bays is a community located on Long Island, in New York. It is known as a hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a small community that is part of a larger town, the Town of Southampton, in Suffolk County. Hampton Bays is also considered part of a famous area called The Hamptons. In 2020, about 15,228 people lived there.
Contents
History of Hampton Bays
Hampton Bays was first settled in 1740. It was originally called "Good Ground." This name was used for the main community and ten smaller areas nearby.
The Original Hamlets
There were ten other small communities in the area. Their names were Canoe Place, East Tiana, Newtown, Ponquogue, Rampasture, Red Creek, Squiretown, Southport, Springville, and West Tiana. Often, only one or two families lived in these hamlets. Each of them had its own school. Today, you can still find many street names that come from these old hamlet names.
Becoming Hampton Bays
By the early 1900s, more tourists started visiting the Hamptons from New York City. The communities around "Good Ground" were growing. To benefit from the popularity of "The Hamptons," all eleven hamlets decided to join together. In 1922, they officially changed their collective name to "Hampton Bays."
Efforts to Become a Village
In the 1970s and again in the 2010s, some people in Hampton Bays tried to make it an official "Incorporated Village." However, these attempts were not successful.
Geography and Location
Hampton Bays covers an area of about 53.12 square kilometers (20.51 square miles). About 33.5 square kilometers (12.94 square miles) is land, and 19.61 square kilometers (7.57 square miles) is water. The community is surrounded by three bays: Peconic Bay to the north, and Shinnecock and Tiana bays to the south. These southern bays are part of a larger system called the Great South Bay.
Waterways and Inlets
The Shinnecock Canal is a man-made waterway on the eastern side of Hampton Bays. It connects the Great Peconic Bay with Shinnecock Bay. The Shinnecock Inlet connects Shinnecock Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. This inlet is very popular for commercial fishing boats. It was created during the 1938 New England hurricane. The strong storm waves washed over the land, connecting the ocean with the bay.
Neighboring Areas
Hampton Bays is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the south. To the east, across the Shinnecock Inlet and Shinnecock Bay, are the village of Southampton and Shinnecock Hills. To the north, across Peconic Bay, are the towns of Southold and Riverhead. To the west, you'll find the communities of Flanders and East Quogue. Hampton Bays is about 81 miles (130 kilometers) east of Manhattan, New York City.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 15,228 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 12,236 people living in Hampton Bays. There were 4,877 households, which are groups of people living in the same home. About 3,092 of these were families. The population density was about 1,016 people per square mile (392 people per square kilometer).
Diversity in Hampton Bays
Most of the people in Hampton Bays were White (92%). There were also smaller percentages of African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander residents. About 2% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Age and Income
The population was spread out across different age groups. About 20.8% of residents were under 18 years old. The median age was 39 years. This means half the people were younger than 39 and half were older.
In 2000, the average income for a household in Hampton Bays was about $50,161 per year. For families, the average income was about $58,773.
Economy and Jobs
Like many places in The Hamptons, tourism is a very important part of the economy in Hampton Bays. Many people visit the area, especially during the summer.
Commercial Fishing
Commercial fishing is also a key part of the local economy. The main fishing area is at the Shinnecock Inlet. Hampton Bays is the second busiest commercial fishing port in New York State, after Montauk. In 2014, fishermen in Hampton Bays brought in about 4.7 million pounds of fish and shellfish. This catch was worth about $5.5 million!
Filming Location
Hampton Bays has even been a movie set! The 2007 film Margot at the Wedding, starring Nicole Kidman and Jack Black, was filmed there.
Education System
Students in Hampton Bays attend schools run by the Hampton Bays Public Schools district. There are three schools in the district.
- Hampton Bays Elementary School teaches students from Pre-Kindergarten to 4th grade.
- Hampton Bays Middle School serves students in grades 5 through 8. This school opened in 2008 and was the first "green" school in New York State. This means it was built to be very good for the environment.
- Hampton Bays High School is for students in grades 9 through 12.
School Sports Teams
The sports teams at Hampton Bays schools are called the "Baymen." This name honors the local commercial fishermen who work on the bays. The team colors are purple, black, and white.
Media and Communication
WLIR-FM is a radio station that is licensed to serve the Hampton Bays area. This means its official home base is in Hampton Bays.
Transportation and Travel
Hampton Bays has several ways for people to get around and travel to other places.
Major Roads
Sunrise Highway (NY 27) is a big road that helps people travel west towards other parts of Long Island and New York City. Montauk Highway (NY 27A) also runs through Hampton Bays. This highway goes all the way from Queens to Montauk and acts as the "Main Street" for many communities along Long Island's south shore.
Public Transport
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) offers train service to Hampton Bays. Trains run seven days a week on the Montauk Branch. You can take a train from the Hampton Bays to Montauk or to New York City.
For more frequent trips, especially in the summer, you can use coach bus services like Hampton Jitney and Hampton Luxury Liner. These buses travel between New York City and Hampton Bays. Local Suffolk County buses also provide service to nearby areas.
Water Travel
The waterways around Hampton Bays, including the Shinnecock Canal, are important routes for boats.
See also
In Spanish: Hampton Bays para niños
