Sayville, New York

Sayville is a town located in Suffolk County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 16,735.

History

Sayville was founded by John Edward (b. 1738, East Hampton, New York). He built his home, the first in Sayvile, in 1761.

From 1919 to May 1932 Sayville was home to Father Divine a controversial African American religious leader who claimed to be God. His religious movement, which came to be called the International Peace Mission movement, managed a commune-like house on 72 Baker Street which was the first black-owned residence in Sayville. At that time Sayville was predominantly a seasonal vacation community, and Father Divine's followers made good livings as native house sitters. Turning all of their profits over to Father Divine built several extensions on his house. He bought a pricey Cadillac when neighbors complained about his noisy Hudson.

This apparent flaunting of wealth annoyed the middle class town, and the street-clogging traffic that arrived to hear Father Divine speak made him unpopular even to businesses he patronized with large cash purchases. Following a June, 1932 trail and prison sentence for disturbing the peace, Father Divine moved to Harlem, New York claiming that Sayville was bigoted. His commune remained on the Baker Street property for many years, however. He still preached in Sayville, but as an outpost of his movement, not as its center stake.

Geography

Sayville is located at 40°44'47" North, 73°4'52" West (40.746282, -73.081112)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.5 km² (5.6 mi²). 14.3 km² (5.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.07% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 16,735 people, 5,603 households, and 4,353 families residing in the town. The population density is 1,168.4/km² (3,028.4/mi²). There are 5,721 housing units at an average density of 399.4/km² (1,035.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 95.81% White, 0.72% African American, 0.04% Native American, 2.03% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 3.02% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 5,603 households out of which 40.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.2% are married couples living together, 9.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% are non-families. 17.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.92 and the average family size is 3.34.

In the town the population is spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $75,236, and the median income for a family is $85,229. Males have a median income of $57,055 versus $35,091 for females. The per capita income for the town is $28,723. 4.1% of the population and 2.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 3.6% are under the age of 18 and 4.6% are 65 or older.

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