Kings Park, New York

Kings Park, New York
Hamlet and census-designated place
Route 25A in Downtown Kings Park on August 15, 2021.
U.S. Census map of Kings Park.
Kings Park Location within the state of New York.
Coordinates: 40°53′19″N73°14′33″W / 40.88861°N 73.24250°W / 40.88861; -73.24250
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Suffolk
Town	Smithtown
Area [1]
• Total	7.05 sq mi (18.25 km2)
• Land	6.67 sq mi (17.28 km2)
• Water	0.38 sq mi (0.97 km2)
Elevation	174 ft (53 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	17,085
• Density	2,560.70/sq mi (988.74/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	11754
Area code(s)	631, 934
FIPS code	36-39672
GNIS feature ID	0954667

Kings Park is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Smithtown, in Suffolk County, on Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 17,282 as of the 2010 census. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17.1 km²), of which 6.2 square miles (16.1 km²) is land and 0.39 square miles (1.0 km²), or 5.93%, is water. ^{[2] [5]}

Kings Park is bordered by Nissequogue to its east across the Nissequogue River, by Fort Salonga to its west, by Commack to its southwest, and by the hamlet of Smithtown to its southeast. ^[6]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2020	17,085		—
U.S. Decennial Census [7]

As of the census of 2010, there were 17,282 people and 6,212 households residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,787.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,076.2/km²). There were 6,469 housing units at an average density of 1,043.4 per square mile (402.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 80.1% White, 5.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 8.4% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.9% some other race, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.3% of the population. ^[8]

There were 6,212 households in 2010, out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.2% were headed by married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71, and the average family size was 3.24. ^[8]

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males. ^[8]

Over the period 2007-2011, the median annual income for a household in the CDP was $92,921, and the median income for a family was $106,128. Males had a median income of $78,882 versus $55,872 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $37,980. About 1.6% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over. ^[9]

Kings Park is largely a Catholic community, with nearly 60% identifying as Catholic. The town parish, St. Joseph’s has the largest census population of all religious communities in the Town of Smithtown. The current pastor is Father Peter J. Dugandzic and has been in service since June 26, 2019.

Landmarks

Sunken Meadow State Park borders Long Island Sound and is accessible by the Sunken Meadow State Parkway. It is a part of the New York State Parks system. In addition to the water, the park has 6 miles (10 km) of public trails and 27 holes of golf. The park's facilities are used for different activities, among them various distance running competitions. "Cardiac Hill" is well known by local runners.^{[ citation needed ]}

The Nissequogue River, 6 miles (10 km) in length, empties into Long Island Sound and is used for different types of water activities. ^[6] The river flows through the Nissequogue River State Park. ^[6]

Kings Park Bluff, sandwiched between Sunken Meadow State Park and Short Beach in Smithtown sits the Kings Park Bluff which empties into the Long Island Sound. Used as a boat launch and a popular fishing location for locals.^{[ citation needed ]}

Kings Park is home to Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum, the only school community managed town heritage museum in the United States, which is located in the first school building built in 1928. ^[10]

Notable people

The Carlson Family - In the 1950s, the Carlson family revolutionized human waste disposal with a number of highly innovative inventions that were manufactured and sold in Kings Park and whose patented plans were used throughout the world. The two main inventions are the precast concrete cesspool and the precast concrete septic tank. There are several additional inventions for these two main products including their underground arrangement, metal manufacturing molds, and lifting apparatuses for loading and installation. These precast concrete cesspools and septic tanks are still manufactured and in use today worldwide.

Kings Park is the hometown of Houston Astros catcher/second baseman/outfielder Craig Biggio.^{[ citation needed ]} Biggio was named one of the five greatest second basemen of all time by baseball statistician Bill James. He is also the modern-era record-holder for HBPs with 273, and the first player in history to be named an All-Star at both the catcher and second baseman positions. ^[11] Biggio was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015. Kings Park High School named their men's varsity baseball field after Craig Biggio.

Three original members of the progressive metal band Dream Theater were raised in Kings Park, including guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, and keyboardist Kevin Moore.

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
2. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Kings Park CDP, New York". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
3. "Kings Park, New York - Kings Park". a-better-place.com. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
4. "Kings Park, N.Y.: A Slice of America, With Lots of Shoreline". thenewyorktimes.com. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
6. "Long Island Index: Interactive Map". www.longislandindexmaps.org. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
8. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Kings Park CDP, New York". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
9. "Selected Economic Characteristics: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP03): Kings Park CDP, New York". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
10. Piacentino, Jr., Joseph. "Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum - About". kpheritagemuseum.net. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
11. "Craig Biggio Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved January 27, 2017.

External links

• Kings Park Chamber of Commerce
• Kings Park Central School District
• Kings Park Heritage Museum
• Kings Park Civic Association
• Kings Park Psychiatric Center: A Journey Through History, by Jason Medina
• Kings Park Psychiatric Center, by Chris Marshall, including a high-quality PDF map and a photo essay of the abandoned hospital
• KPPC History, by Robert Saal: photo collection