Northport, New York

An aerial view of The Northport Power Station, on a cloudy day. A natural gas and conventional oil, electric power generating plant. It is the largest power generation facility on Long Island, NY. File photo: Audley C Bullock, licensed.

Northport is an incorporated village in the Town of Huntington, Suffolk County, situated on the North Shore of Long Island, roughly 40–50 miles east of Manhattan. It sits adjacent to Northport Harbor, just south of the Long Island Sound.

History & Heritage

  • Originally known as Great Cow Harbour, named by early settlers after grazing cattle around the harbor. The name changed to Northport officially in 1837.
  • A shipbuilding boom from the 1830s through late 1800s fueled growth—by 1874, Northport was the busiest village on the North Shore, home to three shipyards and multiple marine industries.
  • The Northport trolley operated along Main Street from 1902–1924, elements of which remain in its rails seen today .
  • Incorporated as a village in 1894, Northport has preserved its historic waterfront, transforming it into Northport Memorial Park in 1932.

Population & Demographics

  • 2020 population: 7,347; 2023 estimate: ~7,320
  • Median age: ~52 years
  • Racial makeup: ~92% White, ~6.6% two+ races, ~1.1% Asian; Hispanic ~5%; foreign-born ~5.5%
  • Median household income: ~$141,378; median home value: ~$708,400; homeownership rate: ~84%

Transportation & Infrastructure

  • Served by the LIRR via East Northport (original Royalton station moved), with trolley rails echoing the old route to the harbor.
  • Village maintains its own police and volunteer fire department; police unit includes a marine patrol for the harbor.
  • The Northport Power Station, built in the 1960s–70s and still operating, stands as one of Long Island’s largest generating plants; its four stacks are visible across the Sound.

Education

  • Served by Northport–East Northport Union Free School District, established 1922, with ~4,400 students across nine schools, and a student-teacher ratio of ~11:1.
  • District known for its International Baccalaureate program, over 20 AP/IB courses, science research, and strong arts offerings.

Culture, Recreation & Institutions

  • Cow Harbor Day: Annual festival in mid‑September featuring parades, live music, boat races, celebrating the village’s heritage.
  • Northport Memorial Park offers waterfront trails, a gazebo, playgrounds, and boating access.
  • Historic Carnegie Library built in 1914, now home to the Northport Historical Society Museum; listed on the NRHP.

Real Estate & Quality of Life

  • The village retains a low-density, heritage character, showcasing Victorian homes and historic streetscape.
  • A range of properties spans from restored 19th-century houses to waterfront residences overlooking the harbor.
  • Well-regarded for its quality-of-life amenities: waterfront parks, small boutiques, theaters, and civic pride.

Village Snapshot

FeatureDetails
Population~7,320 (2023); median age ~52
Demographics~92% White, ~6.6% multi-racial; foreign-born ~5.5%
Income & HousingMedian household income ~$141K; home value ~$708K; 84% homeownership
FoundedSettled 1656; renamed 1837; incorporated 1894
HeritageHistoric shipbuilding, trolley rails, Victorian architecture
TransportLIRR via East Northport, historic trolley rail remnants
EducationUnified school district with IB & IB programs
CultureCow Harbor Day, Carnegie Library Museum, waterfront park
LandmarksMemorial Park, power plant stacks, harborfront vista