Population 21,415 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Stony Brook
Household size in Stony Brook
| Period | Stony Brook | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.57 | 2.79 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.88 | 2.85 | 2.72 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.85 | 2.82 | 2.69 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.84 | 2.79 | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.27 | −0.00 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Stony Brook holds 2.84 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.57 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the east and smallest in the northwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Stony Brook
| Period | Stony Brook | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.5 | 38.0 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.8 | 38.7 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.4 | 39.8 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.2 | 40.4 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.8 | +2.4 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 34.2, Stony Brook is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 32.5, in line with the national trend. Of the 488 New York cities with 5,000+ people, only 26 are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Stony Brook
| Period | Stony Brook | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 13.1% | 13.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.5% | 12.8% | 12.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 11.4% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.0% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 3.0% of households in Stony Brook, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 4.4 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 488 New York cities with 5,000+ people, only 14 have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Stony Brook
Renters in Stony Brook
| Period | Stony Brook | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.7% | 47.1% | 44.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 48.7% | 46.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 48.8% | 46.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 48.6% | 45.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Stony Brook is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 9.2% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 43.1% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 2.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Stony Brook
| Period | Stony Brook | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 9.1% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.0% | 9.0% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 32.7% | 9.1% | 11.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 7.9% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Stony Brook is close to the national rate: 9.5% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the wider New York area (7.9%).
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Stony Brook
| Period | Stony Brook | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1965 | 1957 | 1956 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1959 | 1958 | 1957 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1966 | 1959 | 1958 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1965 | 1962 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Stony Brook is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1965, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The picture is much the same across the New York area. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the northwest has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Stony Brook
| Period | Stony Brook | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,139 | $1,268 | $1,095 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,706 | $1,377 | $1,201 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,224 | $1,645 | $1,426 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $3,142 | $2,060 | $1,794 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$2,002 | +$792 | +$698 | +$606 |
Rent in Stony Brook runs $3,142 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $2,002 a month from 2006–10, a 176% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 36.3% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northwest; the highest are in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Stony Brook
Bachelor's degrees in Stony Brook
| Period | Stony Brook | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 63.3% | 35.0% | 31.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 68.8% | 36.7% | 33.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 57.9% | 39.9% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 72.1% | 43.6% | 39.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.7 pts | +8.6 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Stony Brook is highly educated: about seven in ten adults 25 and older (72.1%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 8.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 488 New York cities with 5,000+ people, only 18 have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Stony Brook
| Period | Stony Brook | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 98.2% | 83.7% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.6% | 84.6% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.4% | 86.2% | 86.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.8% | 86.9% | 87.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | +3.3 pts | +3.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Stony Brook: 97.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Only 19 of the 488 New York cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Stony Brook
| Period | Stony Brook | New York area | New York | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 7.9% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 9.5% | 9.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.9% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.7% | 6.9% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Stony Brook: 6.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.5 points, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Stony Brook compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook | 2.84 | 34.2 | 3.0% | 9.2% | 9.5% | 1965 | $3,142 | 72.1% | 97.8% | 6.7% |
| Stony Brook University | 2.82 | 28.9 | 2.3% | 9.5% | 8.5% | 1965 | $3,501 | 40.0% | 90.3% | 0.0% |
| East Setauket | 2.78 | 48.2 | 11.3% | 13.4% | 12.4% | 1964 | $2,852 | 58.4% | 97.1% | 7.4% |
| Setauket-East Setauket | 2.81 | 44.8 | 6.7% | 14.3% | 7.6% | 1969 | $2,566 | 64.3% | 97.6% | 5.0% |
| Head of the Harbor | 3.02 | 44.6 | 6.0% | 3.2% | 20.6% | 1976 | $2,340 | 65.3% | 93.5% | 1.2% |
| St. James | 2.71 | 48.3 | 5.9% | 13.3% | 4.8% | 1971 | $2,547 | 50.6% | 95.5% | 3.3% |
| Centereach | 3.31 | 39.3 | 8.8% | 12.6% | 7.7% | 1970 | $2,419 | 36.4% | 92.5% | 5.6% |
| Lake Grove | 3.00 | 41.8 | 9.4% | 21.9% | 2.7% | 1971 | $1,821 | 44.4% | 94.9% | 5.3% |
| Nissequogue | 2.70 | 46.4 | 10.8% | 12.3% | 13.9% | 1977 | $3,283 | 62.9% | 98.2% | 3.0% |
| Poquott | 2.84 | 42.8 | 9.0% | 12.1% | 7.8% | 1959 | $2,917 | 69.5% | 97.9% | 3.1% |
| Old Field | 2.76 | 45.9 | 8.8% | 19.3% | 15.1% | 1970 | $3,501 | 81.1% | 96.5% | 4.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Cary, IL · Washington, NC · Vidor, TX · Versailles, KY · Cohoes, NY · Clinton, UT · Chowchilla, CA · Chalfont, PA · Chagrin Falls, OH · Central Falls, RI
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Stony Brook. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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