Freeport is a village located in Nassau County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 43,783. Freeport is near the south shore of Long Island.

The Village of Freeport is in the southern part of the county.

History and Culture

The Village of Freeport was incorporated in 1892 and is within the Town of Hempstead. The south part of the village is penetrated by several canals that allow access to the Atlantic Ocean by means of passage through salt marshes. Freeport has extensive small boat facilities and a resident fishing fleet, as well as charter and open fishing boats. In the early years Freeport was a tourist and sportsman's destination due to the boating and fishing, but after WWII it became a bedroom community for New York City. The separation between the two eras was marked by the fire that destroyed the Freeport Hotel in the late 50's.

Geography

Freeport is located at 40°39'14" North, 73°35'13" West (40.653935, -73.587005).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²). 11.9 km² (4.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.97% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 43,783 people, 13,504 households, and 9,911 families residing in the village. The population density is 3,682.9/km² (9,531.3/mi²). There are 13,819 housing units at an average density of 1,162.4/km² (3,008.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the village is 42.92% White, 32.57% African American, 0.46% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 17.21% from other races, and 5.41% from two or more races. 33.46% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 13,504 households out of which 36.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% are married couples living together, 17.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% are non-families. 21.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.20 and the average family size is 3.65.

In the village the population is spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village is $55,948, and the median income for a family is $61,673. Males have a median income of $37,465 versus $31,869 for females. The per capita income for the village is $21,288. 10.6% of the population and 8.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.5% of those under the age of 18 and 7.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Famous Freeporters

Graduates of Freeport High School include:

• Musician Lou Reed.
• Entrepreneur and philanthropist Mitch Kapor.
• Nobel laureate Harold Varmus.

Freeport was also the home to Guy Lombardo during the latter portion of his life. His former residence on South Grove Street (now Guy Lombardo Boulevard) included a boat house where he kept his powerful speed boats, which he raced on the ocean.

External links

• Freeport official website