Westhampton Beach, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Westhampton Beach, New York
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| Incorporated Village of Westhampton Beach | |
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The front entrance to the historic Westhampton Beach Post Office on September 14, 2018.
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Location within Suffolk County and New York.
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 Westhampton Beach, New York
Location in Long Island
Westhampton Beach, New York
Location in New York
Westhampton Beach, New York
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| County | Suffolk |
| Town | Southampton |
| Incorporated | 1928 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.01 sq mi (7.79 km2) |
| • Land | 2.94 sq mi (7.62 km2) |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.17 km2) |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,150 |
| • Density | 731.29/sq mi (282.31/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
11978
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| Area code(s) | 631 |
| FIPS code | 36-80181 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0970921 |
Westhampton Beach is a small village located in Suffolk County, New York. It's on the South Shore of Long Island, a long island off the coast of New York. The village is part of the larger Town of Southampton.
In 2010, about 1,721 people lived here. By 2020, the population grew to 2,150.
Contents
History of Westhampton Beach
Westhampton Beach officially became a village in 1928. Just ten years later, in 1938, a very strong hurricane hit the area. This storm destroyed almost all the summer homes on the nearby barrier beach. Sadly, twenty-nine people in the area lost their lives during this hurricane.
Protecting the Beaches from Erosion
Like many places along the southern coast of Long Island, the beaches at Westhampton Beach were slowly being washed away by the ocean. This problem, called erosion, became a big concern in the 1960s.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started a project in 1966 to protect these beaches. However, the project was not fully finished. This was partly because they couldn't get enough money from the state and local governments. Also, the way the project was designed had some serious problems.
Because of these issues, the beaches in Westhampton Beach continued to erode even more. Meanwhile, beaches further up the coast actually grew larger. Through the late 1970s and 1980s, many beach homes were washed away by severe storms, known as nor'easters.
It wasn't until a big nor'easter in November 1992 destroyed over eighty homes that the Army Corps of Engineers started new repair efforts. In the mid-1990s, they moved fifteen historic houses away from the beach. This helped keep the homes safe for a while. However, the beach is still eroding, and storms continue to cause damage. More work was needed after Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012.
Geography of Westhampton Beach
Westhampton Beach covers a total area of about 3.0 square miles (7.79 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 2.9 square miles (7.62 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.1 square miles (0.17 square kilometers), is water.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 994 | — | |
| 1940 | 969 | −2.5% | |
| 1950 | 1,087 | 12.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,460 | 34.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,926 | 31.9% | |
| 1980 | 1,629 | −15.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,571 | −3.6% | |
| 2000 | 1,902 | 21.1% | |
| 2010 | 1,721 | −9.5% | |
| 2020 | 2,150 | 24.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,902 people living in Westhampton Beach. The village had 805 households. About 22.2% of these households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.25 people.
The median age of people in the village was 44 years old. About 20.5% of the population was under 18. About 20.7% of the population was 65 years or older.
Education in Westhampton Beach
Most students in Westhampton Beach attend schools in the Westhampton Beach Union Free School District. A small part of the village, on its southeastern side, is served by the Quogue Union Free School District.
Emergency Services
Westhampton Beach has its own police department to keep the community safe. It also has ambulance services for medical emergencies and a fire department to respond to fires.
Transportation Options
Westhampton Beach is connected to other parts of Long Island and New York City by several important roads.
- Sunrise Highway (NY 27): This is a major road that helps people travel to the western parts of Long Island and into New York City.
- Montauk Highway (CR 80): This two-lane road runs all the way from New York City to Montauk. It acts like the "Main Street" for many towns and villages along the south shore of Long Island.
Public Transport
- Long Island Rail Road: The Long Island Rail Road offers train service seven days a week. You can take a train from the Westhampton station on the Montauk Branch to Montauk or New York City.
- Hampton Jitney: This is a coach bus service that provides more frequent trips between New York City and Westhampton, especially during the summer.
- Suffolk County Buses: Local buses also offer service to nearby areas.
Important Landmarks
Several buildings in Westhampton Beach are considered important historical sites. These include the Crowther House, the Foster-Meeker House, and the U.S. Post Office. These buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are recognized for their historical importance.
See also
In Spanish: Westhampton Beach para niños
