Melville, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Melville, New York
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Melville Fire Department firehouse
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U.S. Census map of Melville
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 Melville, New York
Location in Long Island
Melville, New York
Location in New York
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| County | Suffolk |
| Town | Huntington, New York |
| Named for | Herman Melville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12.11 sq mi (31.37 km2) |
| • Land | 12.11 sq mi (31.37 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 135 ft (41 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 19,284 |
| • Density | 1,592.27/sq mi (614.78/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
11747, 11760, 11775
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| Area codes | 631, 934 |
| FIPS code | 36-46514 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0956931 |
Melville is a small community called a hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP) in Suffolk County, New York. It is located on Long Island within the Town of Huntington. In 2020, about 19,284 people lived there.
Contents
History of Melville
The area where Melville is now was once known as Sunsquams by the Native Americans. Later, in the 1600s, it was called Samuel Ketcham's Valley. It was also known as Sweet Hollow for a while.
How Melville Got Its Name
In 1854, the community was renamed Melville. This was done to honor the famous American writer Herman Melville. He wrote the well-known book Moby-Dick, which came out in 1851. His book Typee from 1846 was also very popular back then.
Early Buildings and Transportation
A Presbyterian church was built in Melville in 1829. It was located at the corner of Old Country and Sweet Hollow Roads.
In 1909, a trolley line was built to connect Melville to Huntington. This trolley line also linked to Amityville and Babylon. However, the trolley line closed about ten years later. Farmers complained that the noise from the trolleys scared their animals. After the trolleys stopped running, buses provided local transportation. Later, more people started using their own cars, which reduced the need for the trolley line even more.
Attempts to Form a Village
In the 1950s, Melville and nearby areas like Dix Hills and Wyandanch tried to become one big village. They wanted to call it the Incorporated Village of Half Hollow Hills. This new village would have covered a large area and included the Half Hollow Hills Central School District. However, these plans did not work out.
Later, in 2001, Melville, Dix Hills, Wheatley Heights, and East Farmingdale tried again to form a single village. These communities are all part of the same school district. But these plans also failed, and all these places remain hamlets today.
Melville's Location
Melville covers an area of about 31.3 square kilometers (12.1 square miles). It is located on the eastern side of Suffolk County, right next to the border with Nassau County.
Melville's Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 19,284 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
As of the 2020 census, Melville had a population of 19,284 people living in 6,883 households. The population density was about 614.78 people per square kilometer (1,592.27 people per square mile).
Economy and Businesses
Melville is one of the main business centers in Suffolk County. Many important companies have their U.S. headquarters or major offices here.
Some of these companies include:
- Canon USA
- Nikon USA
- Henry Schein (a medical and dental supply company)
- The Estée Lauder Companies (a beauty company)
In 2013, Canon Inc. moved its main office for North and South America to Melville. They built a huge glass building near the Long Island Expressway. About 1,500 workers moved there because they wanted to stay in the area.
Some companies that used to be in Melville have moved to other places. For example, Arrow Electronics moved to Colorado, and Adecco Staffing, USA moved its U.S. headquarters to Florida.
Education in Melville
Melville is served by two school districts:
- Half Hollow Hills Central School District
- Huntington Union Free School District
For students who have finished high school, Katharine Gibbs School – Melville offers certificates and associate degrees.
Media Outlets
The main newspaper for Long Island, Newsday, is published right here in Melville.
The independent television station WLNY-TV also has a studio in Melville.
Transportation and Services
Getting Around Melville
Roads
Two of Long Island's busiest highways, the Long Island Expressway and the Northern State Parkway, pass through Melville. These roads are major ways to get in and out of New York City. NY Route 110 also runs through the community.
Trains
Melville used to have a streetcar line until 1927. Today, the closest train station is Pinelawn station on the LIRR's Main Line. However, this station only has weekend service. The Huntington station in Huntington is the closest station with full service.
Buses
The main public bus service in Melville is Suffolk County Transit's Route 1 bus. This bus runs along Route 110 every day of the week. It connects to different Long Island Railroad lines. There is also an express bus service called the "Suffolk Clipper" that serves the business areas in South Melville during weekdays.
Fire Protection
The Melville Volunteer Fire Department protects Melville. This department was started in 1947. They handle all kinds of emergencies, including fires, rescues, ambulance calls, and hazardous materials. The fire department responds to over 3,500 calls every year.
Images for kids
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Melville Fire Department firehouse
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U.S. Census map of Melville
See also
In Spanish: Melville (Nueva York) para niños
