What counties make up Long Island?

Montauk Point Lighthouse overlooks the Atlantic Ocean from the easternmost tip of Long Island, where rugged bluffs meet the sea. First commissioned by President George Washington in 1792 and placed into service in 1796, the historic lighthouse remains New York State's oldest and continues to serve as one of Long Island's most iconic landmarks and enduring symbols of the East End. — Montauk Point Lighthouse overlooks the Atlantic Ocean from the easternmost tip of Long Island, where rugged bluffs meet the sea. First commissioned by President George Washington in 1792 and placed into service in 1796, the historic lighthouse remains New York State’s oldest and continues to serve as one of Long Island’s most iconic landmarks and enduring symbols of the East End. File photo: Haveseen, licensed.

Long Island is made up of four counties: Kings County (Brooklyn), Queens County (Queens), Nassau County, and Suffolk County. While Brooklyn and Queens are geographically part of Long Island, they are also two of the five boroughs that make up New York City. As a result, when most people refer to “Long Island,” they are usually talking only about Nassau and Suffolk counties.

In Short

Long Island consists of four counties: Kings County (Brooklyn), Queens County (Queens), Nassau County, and Suffolk County. Geographically, all four counties are located on Long Island, although Brooklyn and Queens are also part of New York City.

What Counties Make Up Long Island?

Geographically, Long Island is divided into four counties: Kings County (Brooklyn), Queens County (Queens), Nassau County, and Suffolk County. Together, these counties occupy the entire island from New York Harbor to the eastern tips of Montauk and Orient Point.

Brooklyn and Queens occupy the western portion of Long Island and are two of the five boroughs of New York City. Although they are geographically part of Long Island, they are governed as part of New York City rather than as independent counties in the same way as Nassau and Suffolk.

Nassau County lies immediately east of Queens and is the smaller of Long Island’s two suburban counties. It is home to numerous incorporated villages, thriving downtowns, beautiful parks, and popular attractions while serving as a major residential and business center within New York State.

Suffolk County occupies the eastern two-thirds of Long Island and is the largest county on the island by land area. It includes destinations such as the North Fork, South Fork, Hamptons, Montauk, and hundreds of miles of shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound.

Quick Facts

County	Description
Kings County (Brooklyn)	Westernmost county on Long Island; one of the five boroughs of New York City.
Queens County (Queens)	Located east of Brooklyn; also one of the five boroughs of New York City.
Nassau County	The western suburban county of Long Island, immediately east of Queens.
Suffolk County	The eastern and largest county on Long Island, extending to Montauk and Orient Point.
Total Counties	Four
State	New York State

Understanding the four counties that make up Long Island helps explain many of the region’s geographic, political, and cultural distinctions. While Brooklyn and Queens are part of New York City, Nassau County and Suffolk County have their own governments and identities, together forming the suburban region that most people know simply as “Long Island.”