Long Island Index

The Long Island Index project gathers and publishes data on the Long Island region.

The index does not advocate specific policy. Instead, our goal is to be a catalyst for action, by engaging the community in thinking about our region and our future.

Explore data

Indicators

More Indicators

Did you know?

Fact

of 20

Since 2004, the number of Long Islanders who think things are heading in the wrong direction has grown steadily from 39% in 2004 to 45% in 2012. Read More

Fact

of 20

Long Islanders support change. Did you know that 60% support making it legal to install rental apartments in a single-family home? Read More

Fact

of 20

Two-thirds of Long Island residents say that the lack of affordable housing is a very or extremely serious problem in their county. Read More

Fact

of 20

Long Island used to be a much younger place. In 1950, 23% of the population was between the ages of 20-34; in 2010 it was down to 17%. Read More

Fact

of 20

Long Island schools struggle with high degrees of segregation. Blacks and Hispanics comprise 90% of the students in high-poverty schools but only 23% in medium-poverty schools and 9% in low-poverty schools. Read More

Fact

of 20

Long Island struggles harder than its suburban neighbors in keeping young people. Read More

Fact

of 20

Long Islanders are more worried about affordable housing and more concerned about young people moving away than our suburban neighbors because we offer fewer housing options to attract and keep people just starting out. Read More

Fact

of 20

Long Island has 8,300 acres of land in our downtowns that could create new housing, civic centers, multi-storied garages and more. Read More

Fact

of 20

If you live in an unincorporated village, there could be as many as 9 different entities that determine a piece of your property tax. Read More

Fact

of 20

Property taxes on Long Island grew 64% from 2000 to 2009; inflation grew 30% in those same years. Read More

Fact

of 20

School segregation on Long Island is double the national average; Nassau’s is almost triple. Read More

Fact

of 20

Over three out of four Long Islanders view young people leaving Long Island for more affordable areas as a very or extremely serious problem. Read More

Fact

of 20

Long Islanders strongly support the creation of magnet schools: 69% of residents are in favor and 22% opposed. Read More

Fact

of 20

Long Islanders express stronger interest in national rather than local or state politics. Just over a quarter of local residents are very interested in local politics. Read More

Fact

of 20

Almost three out of every five Long Islanders support new multi-level parking facilities in downtowns. Read More

Fact

of 20

Taxes are voted Long Island’s biggest problem; 81% say it is an extremely or very serious problem. Read More

Fact

of 20

52,993 Long Island families received food stamps in 2011. Four years earlier it was less than half that number – 23,577. Read More

Fact

of 20

Half of all Long Island residents said they were somewhat or very likely to leave Long Island in the next five years. Read More

Fact

of 20

43% of Long Islanders reported driving two hours or more on an average weekday getting to work, driving children to school or after-school activities, running errands, or attending social events. Read More

Fact

of 20