Census-designated place · New York
West Islip, New York
West Islip, census-designated place, in Suffolk County, New York. West Islip had 26,865 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (±1,855). GEOID 3680302.
Residents, 2020-2024
26,865
±1,855 (90% margin)
2020 Census count: 27,048
Median household income
$176,281
±$13,483 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$614,300
±$14,318 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$2,765
±$337 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
Where is West Islip and what county is it in?
West Islip is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Suffolk County, New York. It covers 6.1 square miles of land, 4,438 residents per square mile in 2020.
West Islip is in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 22 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
West Islip lies entirely within the Town of Islip, a town with its own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in West Islip, and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts West Islip's population at 26,865 (±1,855). The 2020 Census counted 27,048 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; West Islip is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | West Islip | Suffolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 26,865 ±1,855 | 1,530,146 | no clear change |
| Households | 8,507 ±495 | 512,565 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.13 ±0.10 | 2.93 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,607 ±496 | 580,772 | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in West Islip?
The median resident of West Islip is 38.5 years old; 21.3% are under 18 and 13.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 12.8%. 5.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | West Islip | Suffolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.5 ±1.9 | 41.7 | −4.6 |
| Under 18 years | 21.3% ±1.4 pts | 20.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.9% ±1.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Male | 51.0% ±1.8 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.8% ±3.0 pts | 22.8% | +6.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.2% ±3.3 pts | 62.0% | −9.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±0.5 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±0.9 pts | 4.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2% ±1.1 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.8% ±1.3 pts | 16.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.5% ±2.0 pts | 24.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.6% ±0.7 pts | 4.0% | – |
| With a disability | 7.6% ±1.1 pts | 10.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.0% ±0.8 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.7% ±1.2 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 49.8% ±3.0 pts | 40.2% | +11.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 22.9% ±2.5 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 95.0% ±1.6 pts | 92.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in West Islip earn?
Half of West Islip's 8,507 households earn less than $176,281 a year (±$13,483), against $130,686 in Suffolk County and $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 the median was $154,795 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $21,486 after inflation. 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | West Islip | Suffolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $176,281 ±$13,483 | $130,686 | +$21,486 |
| Mean household income | $202,648 ±$10,195 | $166,220 | – |
| Per capita income | $66,243 ±$3,400 | $57,164 | +$8,263 |
| People below the poverty line | 2.7% ±1.0 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 2.3% ±1.5 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 1.9% ±0.9 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.9% ±1.0 pts | 96.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.7% ±1.6 pts | 93.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in West Islip?
Owners occupy 95.0% of West Islip's occupied homes and renters 5.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $614,300 by its owner (±$14,318). The median renter pays $2,765 a month including utilities, and 29.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | West Islip | Suffolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $614,300 ±$14,318 | $578,400 | +$89,163 |
| Median gross rent | $2,765 ±$337 | $2,255 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 29.7% ±17.7 pts | 49.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,521 ±$112 | $3,320 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 95.0% ±1.6 pts | 82.2% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 5.0% ±1.6 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Housing units | 8,607 ±496 | 580,772 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±9.5 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 95.5% ±1.7 pts | 79.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.4% ±2.1 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.6% ±1.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.9% ±0.8 pts | 5.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in West Islip work and get to work?
75.1% of West Islip's workers drive alone and 12.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.7%.
| Measure | West Islip | Suffolk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 71.2% ±1.9 pts | 65.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% ±0.9 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.1% ±2.9 pts | 72.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.9% ±1.8 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 4.7% ±1.3 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Walked | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.9% ±2.6 pts | 12.0% | +9.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.2 min ±2.0 | 31.1 min | −3.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in West Islip?
7 census tracts lie mostly in West Islip, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $133,355 (Tract 1467.04) to $223,273 (Tract 1469.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1468Suffolk County | 6,087 | $176,382 |
| Tract 1469.01Suffolk County | 5,116 | $188,056 |
| Tract 1470.01Suffolk County | 4,729 | $154,792 |
| Tract 1469.02Suffolk County | 3,675 | $223,273 |
| Tract 1467.05Suffolk County | 2,951 | $175,700 |
| Tract 1467.04Suffolk County | 2,167 | $133,355 |
| Tract 1467.06Suffolk County | 2,508 | $160,795 |
| Tract 1470.04Suffolk County | 164 | $41,711 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in West Islip) · Census block assignment files
How does West Islip compare with other places in New York?
West Islip ranks 82nd of 1,623 places in New York with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 117th | 1,657 |
| Residents per square mile | 165th | 1,657 |
| Median household income | 82nd | 1,623 |
| Per capita income | 224th | 1,653 |
| Median home value | 260th | 1,637 |
| Median gross rent | 66th | 1,515 |
| Poverty rate | 1,308th | 1,331 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 344th | 1,640 |
| Median age | 1,319th | 1,654 |
| Owner-occupied share | 77th | 1,639 |
| Work from home | 647th | 1,350 |
| Travel time to work | 502nd | 1,652 |
West Islip's figures with every place in New York (CSV)
Every place in New York, sortable · Compare West Islip with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for West Islip?
11 of the 57 figures for West Islip on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for West Islip are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.