Ridge, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ridge, New York
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Welcome to Ridge sign on NY 25 and Ridge Road.
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U.S. Census map
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 Ridge, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Suffolk |
| Town | Brookhaven |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.29 sq mi (34.41 km2) |
| • Land | 13.19 sq mi (34.17 km2) |
| • Water | 0.09 sq mi (0.24 km2) |
| Elevation | 92 ft (28 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 13,271 |
| • Density | 1,005.99/sq mi (388.40/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern Time Zone) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 |
| ZIP Code |
11961
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| Area code(s) | 631, 934 |
| FIPS code | 36-61665 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0962492 |
Ridge is a small community in Suffolk County, New York, United States. It is known as a hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP). This means it is a small settlement that is part of a larger town, Brookhaven. In 2020, about 13,271 people lived in Ridge.
Contents
History of Ridge
The Longwood Estate's Story
In 1693, a man named William "Tangier" Smith bought a very large piece of land on Long Island. He was allowed to buy this land because he had been the mayor of Tangier, a city in Africa. This huge area was called St. George's Manor. It stretched for many miles, covering about 81,000 acres.
The northern part of this land, where Ridge is today, was once called "The Swamp." Later, a house was built there in 1817. William Sydney Smith lived in this house and renamed the area Longwood.
Much later, in 1955, Elbert Clayton Smith inherited the Longwood property. He was very generous to the community. He gave 51 acres of land for Longwood High School to be built. He also donated 6 acres to a local church. After Elbert Smith passed away in 1967, parts of the estate were sold for new homes. However, people wanted to save the historic house. In 1974, the house and 35 acres of land were given to the Town of Brookhaven. The Smith Estate became a protected historic site in 1981.
How Ridge Got Its Name
In 1738, Samuel Randall, a widower from Connecticut, settled in northern Ridge. He and his son Stephen farmed about 4,000 acres of land. Samuel called this area "the Ridge" because of its hilly shape.
At first, the area was known as "Randallville." But later, the people living there chose "Ridge" for their postal deliveries. This name has stayed with the hamlet ever since.
A burial ground near the William Floyd Parkway holds the grave of Lt. Stephen Randall. He was a patriot during the American Revolution. He fought in the Battle of Long Island in 1776. His wife and other family members are also buried there.
The 2012 Brush Fire
On April 9, 2012, a large brush fire started near the Brookhaven National Laboratory. Strong winds quickly spread the fire east into nearby towns like Manorville and Riverhead.
Many volunteer fire departments from Suffolk County and Nassau County came to help. The fire moved southeast by evening. Some firefighters were hurt while battling the blaze. One firefighter was treated for burns, and two others had smoke inhalation.
The fire was brought under control the next day. It destroyed two houses and one business. About 1,000 acres of land were burned. Officials called it a very serious fire for Suffolk County. The Governor of New York declared a state of emergency for the area.
Geography and Location
Ridge is located at coordinates 40.907128 degrees North and -72.882909 degrees West.
The community covers about 13.3 square miles (34.5 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
Ridge is at the northwestern edge of the Long Island Pine Barrens Region. This area is known for its unique forests and sandy soil. A sign in the center of Ridge calls it the "Gateway to the Pine Barrens."
People and Community
In 2000, Ridge had about 13,380 residents. There were 5,545 households in the community. Many households were families, with married couples living together. About 27% of households had children under 18.
The population included people of different backgrounds. Most residents were White, with smaller groups of African American, Native American, and Asian people. About 3.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Ridge was 43 years old. About 23% of the population was under 18, and 29% was 65 or older.
Education
Students in Ridge attend schools within the Longwood Central School District. This school district is the largest on Long Island, covering about 58 square miles.
Media
Ridge is home to some radio and television facilities.
- Radio stations W293BT and WLIX-LP are licensed to serve Ridge.
- Transmitter facilities for WCBS-TV's translator station and WLNY-TV are also located in Ridge.
