Long Beach, New York
Long Beach is a city located in Nassau County, New York. It was incorporated in 1922, and is nicknamed The City By the Sea (as seen, in Latin, on its official seal). As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 35,462.
The 2002 movie City By The Sea starring Robert De Niro, James Franco, and Frances McDormand was inspired by a true story, but was based on a fictional interpretation of Long Beach and was filmed in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
History
Long Beach was founded by Reynolds as a real-estate scheme, intending to make it into another Atlantic City. There are pictures of elephants being used to build the boardwalk, reportedly in a publicity stunt by Reynolds. In the 1920s and 1930s, it was a weekend and summer resort for New York City.
The local politics were famously corrupt. A mayor was sent to state prison and, when he returned, was welcomed back with a parade. The same mayor or another one was murdered in office. The city then turned to a mayorless city manager system, which exists to this day.
By the 1940s and 1950s, it had become primarily a bedroom community for New York City, although there was a significant summer population increase into the 1970s. The rundown boardwalk hotels became old-age homes, until a scandal around 1970 led to many of the homes losing licenses. At that time, patients released from mental hospitals were "warehoused" in the hotels.
The boardwalk had a small amusement park until the mid 70s. In the late 1960s, the boardwalk and amusement park area were a magnet for youth from around Long Island, until a police crack down on drug trafficking ended that. The boardwalk then began its final decline. Today, there are only a few businesses located there, although in daytime it is full of bikers, joggers, and walkers.
Beginning in the 1980s and accelerating in the 1990s, Long Beach again began a popular bedroom community for people working in New York, attracted by the quiet beach atmosphere and the easy, 40-minute train connection.
Geography
Long Beach is located at 40°35'17" North, 73°40'5" West (40.588157, -73.668099)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.1 km² (3.9 mi²). 5.5 km² (2.1 mi²) of it is land and 4.6 km² (1.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 45.24% water. The high point, designated by a USGS marker near the train station, is 10 feet above sea level.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 35,462 people, 14,923 households, and 8,103 families residing in the city. The population density is 6,398.1/km² (16,594.9/mi²). There are 16,128 housing units at an average density of 2,909.8/km² (7,547.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 84.20% White, 6.18% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.32% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 4.75% from other races, and 2.26% from two or more races. 12.80% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 14,923 households out of which 21.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% are married couples living together, 10.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 45.7% are non-families. 36.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.26 and the average family size is 3.02.
In the city the population is spread out with 18.5% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $56,289, and the median income for a family is $68,222. Males have a median income of $50,995 versus $40,739 for females. The per capita income for the city is $31,069. 9.4% of the population and 6.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.2% of those under the age of 18 and 10.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Government
City Manager
- Acting City Manager
- Charles T. Theofan
City Council
- City Council President
- James P. Hennessy
- City Council Vice President
- Thomas R. Sofield, Jr.
- City Council Members
- Mona Goodman
- Denis G. Kelly
- Leonard G. Remo
City Court
- City Court Judges
- Stanley A. Smolkin
- Roy Tepper
Public schools
The Long Beach City School District consists of six public schools: 4 Elementary Schools, 1 Middle School, and 1 High School, as well as many various private schools.
Board of Education
Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Robert Greenberg
Elementary schools
There are four public Elementary Schools in Long Beach. Each one educates students who are in Kindergarten through Grade 5. The names of these schools (and their addresses and phone numbers) can be found below.
- East Elementary School
- 456 Neptune Blvd.
- (516) 897-2184
- Lido Elementary School
- 237 Lido Blvd.
- (516) 897-2140
- Lindell Elementary School
- 601 Lindell Blvd.
- (516) 897-2198
- West Elementary School
- 91 Maryland Ave
- (516) 897-2215
Middle schools
There is one public Middle School in Long Beach. It educates students who are in Grades 6 through 8. The name of this school (and its address and phone number) can be found below.
- Long Beach Middle School
- 239 Lido Blvd.
- (516) 897-2162
High schools
There is one public High School in Long Beach. It educates students who are in Grades 9 though 12. The name of this school (and its address and phone number) can be found below.
- Long Beach High School
- 322 Lagoon Dr. W.
- (516) 897-2012
Cultural and Literary References
The Godfather takes place partly in Long Beach, where Sonny lives. He is murdered at the toll booths on the highway leaving Lido Beach. (Mafia members were widely known to live in Long Beach and neighboring Lido Beach throughout the mid-20th century.)
John Dos Passos' Big Money mentions weekends spent in Long Beach in the 1920s.
External links
- City of Long Beach (http://www.longbeachny.org/)
- Long Beach City School District (http://www.lbeach.org/)
- Chuck Jacobi's Collection of Long Beach Photographs (http://www.ilovelbny.com/)
- Long Beach Discussion Forums (http://www.insidelongbeach.com/)