Riverhead, New York

For the smaller subdivision which includes the Riverhead downtown area, see Riverhead (CDP), New York.

Riverhead, New York
Town
Town of Riverhead
Moore House in Riverhead
Moore House in Riverhead
Flag of Riverhead, New York
Flag
Official seal of Riverhead, New York
Seal
Motto(s): 
Pax et prosperitas per progressum (Latin: Peace and prosperity through progress)
Location in Suffolk County
Location in Suffolk County
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates: 40°55′42″N 72°39′44″W / 40.92833°N 72.66222°W / 40.92833; -72.66222
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
CountySuffolk
Government
 • TypeTown Council
 • Town SupervisorTim Hubbard
 • Town Council
Members' List
Area
[1]
 • Town201.27 sq mi (521.28 km2)
 • Land67.43 sq mi (174.63 km2)
 • Water133.84 sq mi (346.65 km2)
Elevation
13 ft (4 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Town35,902
 • Estimate 
(2016)[2]
33,637
 • Density532.43/sq mi (205.59/km2)
 • Urban
51,120
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
11901
Area code(s)631, 934
FIPS code36-103-61984
GNIS feature ID0962565
Websitewww.townofriverheadny.gov

Riverhead is a town in Suffolk County, New York, United States, on the north shore of Long Island. Since 1727, Riverhead has been the county seat of Suffolk County,[3] though most county offices are in Hauppauge.[4] As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,902. The town rests on the mouth of the Peconic River, from which it derives its name. The smaller hamlet of Riverhead lies within it, and is the town's principal economic center. The town is 166 miles (267 km) southwest of Boston via the Orient Point-New London Ferry, and is 76 miles (123 km) northeast of New York City.

In the beginning of the 20th century, the town saw an influx of Polish immigrants.[5] This led to the creation of Polish Town, a section of the Town and County seat where the popular Polish Town Fair is held annually.[6]

Riverhead is the agricultural apex of Long Island, with 20,000 of the 35,000 acres of the island's farmland located within the town. The town is also home to four separate beaches which are open year round. Iron Pier, Wading River, and Reeves Beach each offer boating access for residents and visitors alike.[5]

  1. ^ "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  2. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Suffolk County Government". Suffolk County, New York. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Town of Riverhead". TownOfRiverheadNY.org. Town of Riverhead, New York.
  6. ^ "Polish Town Fair". Polish Town Civic Association.