Riverhead, New York

Riverhead
Riverhead Police Department gear up for protests as they try to protect and defend Town Hall. Riverhead, NY / USA – 5/31/2020 : File photo: Ray Larsen, licensed. Riverhead blends historic purpose, riverfront charm, and agricultural roots with a reinvigorated downtown cultural core and strong civic identity. It’s the gateway to the Forks—a community alive with museums, festivals, farms, and waterfront vibrancy.

Riverhead is the vibrant town and hamlet at the head of the Peconic River, positioned on Long Island’s North Fork. It serves as Suffolk County’s seat since 1727, making it the administrative heart of the region .

History & Heritage

  • Early origins: Inhabited by Native Americans for over 10,000 years; formally formed from Southold in 1792.
  • Agricultural legacy: One of Long Island’s prime farming centers, with over 20,000 acres of farmland, earning its title as the island’s “breadbasket”.
  • Industrial past: 19th-century shipping and milling turned hamlet into a commercial center.
  • Ethnic heritage: Polish immigration in early 1900s led to the formation of “Polish Town” and its fair.
  • Historic preservation: Downtown revitalization began ~2012; many districts now recognized on the National Register.

Population & Demographics

Based on 2023 data for the hamlet/CDP:

  • Population: 15,073 (+4.8% since 2022) 
  • Median age: ~44 years
  • Ethnic mix: 43‑50% White (non‑Hispanic), 17‑30% Hispanic, 12% Black, ~3% Asian, ~15% multi-racial
  • Household income: Median ≈ $83,500 (rose ~14% YoY), poverty ~10%
  • Housing: Median property value ~$449K, 61% owner-occupied
  • Foreign-born: ~27% of the population 

Transportation & Connectivity

  • Format: LIRR connects via Riverhead and Greenport stations (town-wide).
  • Drive: Average commute around 27–28 minutes, with most driving alone.
  • Road access: US‑Route 25, NY‑24, and Little Peconic Bay bridges link to both forks and beyond.

Civic Institutions & Museums

  • County seat functions: Historic courthouse and county offices still in downtown Riverhead.
  • Railroad Museum of Long Island: Located in restored freight depot; houses restored rolling stock and operational model train layouts.
  • Vail‑Leavitt Music Hall: Built 1881; restored as a 300-seat Beaux-Arts performance venue and community space.
  • Suffolk County Historical Society: Situated in a 1930 Colonial Revival structure housing 20,000+ volumes and artifacts .
  • The Big Duck: Iconic 1931 sculptural building moved nearby—though technically in Flanders, its roots remain Riverhead’s .

Culture, Entertainment & Events

  • Suffolk Theater: Historic Art Deco performing arts venue 
  • Vail-Leavitt Music Hall: Hosts concerts, theaters, community programming
  • Polish Town Fair: Celebrates heritage each spring
  • Seasonal events: Art installations downtown (e.g. “Reflexions”), farmers markets, and cultural festivals 

Parks & Nature

  • Peconic River waterfront: Public access and scenic walks along the head of the estuary.
  • Nearby preserves: Open farmland and natural spaces in North and South Fork agricultural zones.

Dining, Wineries & Local Economy

  • Downtown restaurants & breweries: Reflect farm-to-table spirit and culinary diversity (e.g. LI Farm breweries, North Fork Oyster Co. in region.
  • Aquatic/farm tourism: Local wineries, breweries, and waterfront dining anchor the visitor economy.

Town Snapshot

FeatureDetails
Population (hamlet)15,073 (+4.8%)
Town population~35,900
Median age~44 years
Median income$83,521
Home value / owner rate$449,000 / 61%
Ethnic mixWhite 43–50%, Hispanic 17–30%, Black ~12%
Foreign-born~27%
Commute~27–28 min, mostly driving
Key sitesRailroad & Historical Museums, Music Hall
EventsPolish Town Fair, art installations
Agriculture20,000+ acres; “breadbasket” of LI
Culture & DiningBrewery, Oyster Co., waterfront eateries