Is Long Island part of New York City?

Part of Long Island is within New York City, but most of what people commonly call Long Island is not. Geographically, the island includes Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. Brooklyn and Queens are two of New York City’s five boroughs, while Nassau and Suffolk are separate counties outside the city.

In Short

Yes and no. Brooklyn and Queens are both physically located on Long Island and are part of New York City. Nassau County and Suffolk County are also on Long Island, but they are not part of New York City. In everyday conversation, the term “Long Island” usually refers only to Nassau County and Suffolk County.

Is Long Island Part of New York City?

The answer depends on whether the question is about geography or government. Geographically, Long Island is one continuous island extending east from New York Harbor to the eastern tips of Montauk and Orient Point. The island contains four counties: Kings County, Queens County, Nassau County, and Suffolk County.

Kings County is the borough of Brooklyn, and Queens County is the borough of Queens. Both are part of New York City. Nassau County and Suffolk County are separate county governments outside the city’s jurisdiction. Therefore, the western portion of Long Island is part of New York City, while the central and eastern portions are not.

Which Parts of Long Island Are in New York City?

The New York City portion of Long Island consists of Brooklyn and Queens. These two boroughs occupy the island’s western end and are governed as part of New York City.

The portions outside New York City are Nassau County and Suffolk County. These counties contain the suburban, rural, coastal, and East End communities that most people associate with the name Long Island.

Why Is There So Much Confusion?

The confusion exists because “Long Island” has both a geographic meaning and a common regional meaning. In geography, the term includes the entire island, including Brooklyn and Queens. In everyday use, however, Long Island almost always means Nassau County and Suffolk County, excluding the New York City boroughs.

As a result, both of the following statements can be correct:

• Brooklyn and Queens are located on Long Island.
• Long Island is outside New York City.

The first statement uses the geographic definition. The second uses the common regional definition that refers only to Nassau and Suffolk counties.

What Do People Usually Mean by Long Island?

When residents, businesses, news organizations, and visitors say “Long Island,” they generally mean Nassau County and Suffolk County. This common usage reflects political boundaries, local identity, suburban development, school systems, county services, and the fact that Brooklyn and Queens are more commonly identified as New York City boroughs.

Residents of Nassau County and Suffolk County generally say they live on Long Island rather than in New York City, even though they share the same physical island with Brooklyn and Queens. This distinction is deeply established in local culture and everyday language.

What About Long Island City?

Long Island City is not a separate city and should not be confused with Long Island as a whole. It is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens, located directly across the East River from Manhattan. Its name reflects its location on Long Island and its history as an independent city before it became part of New York City in the late 19th century.

Today, Long Island City is fully within New York City, while the term “Long Island” in common conversation usually refers to Nassau and Suffolk counties farther east.

How Government Boundaries Work

Brooklyn and Queens are governed by New York City and use city agencies, services, zoning systems, public schools, and elected government. Nassau County and Suffolk County maintain their own county governments, police agencies, courts, parks, public works systems, and local municipalities.

Within Nassau County and Suffolk County, residents may live in towns, incorporated villages, or hamlets rather than New York City boroughs. This is one reason Long Island outside the city has a distinctly different governmental structure and regional identity.

Continue Exploring

Readers interested in Long Island’s geography can also learn why Brooklyn is on Long Island, why Queens is on Long Island, whether Long Island is really an island, where Long Island is located, and which counties make up Long Island.

Quick Facts

Question	Answer
Is Long Island part of New York City?	Part of it is. Brooklyn and Queens are in New York City, while Nassau County and Suffolk County are not.
Which New York City boroughs are on Long Island?	Brooklyn and Queens.
Which Long Island counties are outside New York City?	Nassau County and Suffolk County.
What do people usually mean by “Long Island”?	Nassau County and Suffolk County.
Is Brooklyn geographically on Long Island?	Yes. Brooklyn occupies the western end of Long Island.
Is Queens geographically on Long Island?	Yes. Most of Queens is physically located on Long Island.
Is Long Island City a separate city?	No. Long Island City is a neighborhood in Queens.
What state is Long Island in?	New York State.

Long Island and New York City overlap geographically, but they are not the same region. Brooklyn and Queens are both New York City boroughs located on Long Island, while Nassau County and Suffolk County remain outside the city. Understanding the difference between the island’s geographic boundaries and the way the name is used in everyday conversation resolves most of the confusion.