The New York State Department of Economic Development serves as the New York State Data Center to improve access to and extend the use of U.S. Census Bureau statistical resources and related products concerning New York State. The Long Island Regional Planning Board serves as an affiliate data center covering Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The Planning and Research division of the Suffolk County Planning Department provides the staffing for the Long Island Regional Planning Board's data center affiliate role.

The Suffolk County Department of Planning maintains a reference collection of Census Bureau statistical and geographic products and related economic and demographic information. We provide information services in locating, distributing, and understanding Census data and related information. Information covers Suffolk and Nassau Counties and the contact persons for this information at the Suffolk County Planning Department are Peter Lambert at (631) 853-5196 and Seth Forman at (631) 853-6148.

Following Are Highlights of Information Available:

Census of Population and Housing; Demographic Data

2000 Census of Population: data by county, town, community or census tract

• Population
• Population by race
• Population by age
• Household type
• Household size
• Income and poverty
• Labor force and industry of employment
• Journey to work

2000 Census of Housing: data by county, town, community or census tract

• Home value or rent paid
• Tenure (owner vs. renter occupied)
• Year built
• Type of heat, source of water, sewage disposal

Previous Censuses: 1990, 1980, 1970, 1960, etc. (The U.S. census is taken every ten years)

• (Similar data as above, but less detailed)
• Historical population data by community

Economic Census

1997 Economic Censuses: sales, establishments, and employment data by county; some data by town, village and zip code.

• Retail trade
• Wholesale trade
• Service industries
• Manufacturing

Previous Economic Censuses: 1992, 1987, 1982, 1977, etc. (The economic censuses are taken every five years).

The Suffolk County Planning Department also maintains information and databases concerning the following topics:

• Population Estimates: Up-to-date annual estimates of population by community
• Economic Data: Number of businesses and employees by industry (County Business Patterns)
• Building permits
• Employment and unemployment
• Inflation
• Retail sales

Commercial and Residential Development Information

• Apartment/Condominium/Cooperative housing complexes inventory
• Shopping Center inventory
• Hotel/Motel inventory
• Office Building inventory

Other sources of information:

Nassau County Planning Department (516) 571-5953
New York City
New York City Department of City Planning (212) 720-3446
Westchester County
Westchester County Planning Department
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (212) 435-5315
New York State
Empire State Development Corporation (518) 474-6005
New York State Department of Transportation
New York State Office for Aging
New York State Department of Labor
New York State Department of Health
New York State Department of Education Educational Status of the State's Schools
Northeastern States U.S. Census Bureau New York Regional Office (212) 264-4730
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau (301) 457-2422
Looking for 1990 Census information? Search the 1990 US Census records by Place, Name or Zip Code

Planning Links

State University of NY @ Buffalo: The Planning and Architecture Internet Resource Center
NYS Department of State, Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws
Pace University: The Land Use Law Center Website
The American Planning Association