Is East Setauket Safe, Pros and cons of living in East Setauket
East Setauket, a charming hamlet on Long Island’s North Shore, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities. Known for its picturesque surroundings and strong community spirit, it appeals to those seeking a balanced lifestyle. The area boasts excellent educational institutions and a generally safe environment, making it an attractive option for families and professionals alike.
The community benefits from its strategic location, providing residents with proximity to beaches, parks, and cultural attractions. With a rich history and a forward-looking perspective, East Setauket continues to evolve while retaining its distinct character. This exploration delves into the various facets of life in East Setauket, covering safety, cost of living, employment, climate, education, and demographics.
Is it Safe to Live in East Setauket?
East Setauket is considered a very safe place to live, with crime rates significantly lower than both national and state averages. The overall crime rate is 62% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Violent crimes are also substantially lower, at 60% below the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).
Your chance of becoming a victim of any crime in East Setauket is approximately 1 in 125 (as reported by AreaVibes). The area is safer than 64% of cities in the United States (as reported by AreaVibes). Year over year, crime in East Setauket has seen a decrease of 4% (as reported by AreaVibes).
Cost of Living in East Setauket
The cost of living in East Setauket is notably higher than the national average. Overall living costs are approximately 71% higher than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com). This is influenced by several factors, including housing, transportation, and food expenses.
Housing costs in East Setauket are about 25.4% higher than the national average, with a single person expecting to pay around $1505 per month for housing (as reported by Salary.com). For a family of four, housing costs can reach approximately $2759 per month (as reported by Salary.com). These figures indicate that housing is a significant component of the higher cost of living in this area.
Housing Costs
The median housing cost in Setauket-East Setauket is $3,096 per month, while the median gross rent is $2,411 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). The median listing price for homes in the 11733 ZIP code, which includes East Setauket, is $899,000 (as reported by realtor.com®). This reflects a strong seller’s market with solid rental demand.
The housing market in East Setauket is described as very competitive. The median sale price per square foot has increased by 30.2% over the past year (as reported by Redfin). Year-over-year, the median rent has also risen by 13.39%, indicating strong rental demand and potential for investment returns (as reported by realtor.com®).
Utilities and Transportation
Utilities, transportation, and healthcare costs in East Setauket are approximately 15.2% lower than the national average, estimated at around $742 per month for one person and $1636 for a household (as reported by Salary.com). However, food expenses run about 38.1% below the national average, costing an individual $248 monthly and a family of four $805 (as reported by Salary.com).
Despite some cost savings in utilities and transportation, the overall cost of living remains high due to housing expenses. The total monthly expenses for a single person in East Setauket are estimated at $2495, and for a family of four, $5200 (as reported by Salary.com). These figures underscore East Setauket’s position as one of America’s more expensive cities.
Job Market and Employment
The employment landscape in East Setauket shows a diverse range of industries and a generally stable job market. The most common employment sectors for residents include Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (as reported by Data USA). These sectors indicate a strong presence of knowledge-based and service-oriented industries.
From 2018 to 2019, employment in Setauket-East Setauket saw a slight decline of 4.21% (as reported by Data USA). However, recent data indicates a more positive trend. The unemployment rate in Setauket-East Setauket is 3% (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).
Major Employers
While specific major employers are not explicitly detailed in all sources, the presence of educational institutions and healthcare facilities suggests these are significant employment hubs. Stony Brook University, located nearby, is a major institution that influences the job market, with many of its students and faculty residing in the Setaukets (as reported by Wikipedia). Other notable companies in the area include Tritec Real Estate and Excel Technology (as reported by Zippia).
Retail giants like Walmart, Target, and Lowe’s Home Improvement also have a presence in or near East Setauket, providing numerous job opportunities in the retail and service sectors (as reported by Indeed.com). The concentration of these businesses points to a varied job market catering to different skill sets and career aspirations.
Salaries and Income
The average salary in Setauket-East Setauket is approximately $78,737 per year, or $38 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). The median household income in East Setauket was reported as $151,603 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes). This indicates a relatively high earning potential for residents.
The average individual income is cited as $78,033 (as reported by Mark Brode). However, other sources place the median household income higher, at $173,281, with a slight year-over-year decrease of 0.9% (as reported by Point2Homes). These figures suggest that while individual incomes are substantial, household incomes can vary significantly.
Climate in East Setauket
East Setauket experiences a climate characterized by warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The temperature typically ranges from 24°F to 82°F throughout the year and rarely goes below 11°F or above 89°F (as reported by Weather Spark). This temperate climate offers distinct seasons for residents to enjoy.
Summers in East Setauket are warm and humid, with average daily high temperatures above 73°F from June to September. The hottest month is July, with average highs around 81°F and lows of 67°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The cold season lasts from December to March, with average daily high temperatures below 46°F.
Temperature and Precipitation
The coldest month is January, with average lows of 26°F and highs of 38°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Winter temperatures tend to be in the 30s, while summer temperatures are in the 70s (as reported by IDcide). Temperature variations between day and night are generally limited, with a difference of about 19°F in summer and 16°F in winter (as reported by IDcide).
Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with an annual average of 9.99 inches (as reported by IDcide). The wettest month is April, with an average rainfall of 3.8 inches (as reported by Weather Spark). The frequency of wet days shows little seasonal variation, ranging from 23% to 33% (as reported by Weather Spark).
Education in East Setauket
East Setauket is served by the highly-regarded Three Village Central School District, which consistently ranks among the top school districts in New York State. The district demonstrates a strong commitment to academic excellence, with exceptional performance in math, reading, and science proficiency (as reported by Public School Review).
The district boasts a high graduation rate of 98%, which has shown an increasing trend over the past five school years (as reported by Public School Review). This commitment to education is a significant draw for families considering a move to the area.
School Ratings and Performance
Public schools in East Setauket have an average ranking of 10/10, placing them in the top 5% of New York public schools (as reported by BestPublicSchools.com). Schools in the area show significantly higher math and reading proficiency scores compared to the state averages (as reported by Public School Review).
Ward Melville Senior High School and Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School are among the top-ranked institutions (as reported by BestPublicSchools.com). Minnesauke Elementary School is also highly rated, with 85% of its students proficient in math and 68% in reading (as reported by Niche).
Demographics of East Setauket
East Setauket is home to a diverse population with a median age of 43.8 years (as reported by East Setauket CDP, New York – U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts). The population is composed of approximately 75.8% White residents, with significant Asian and Hispanic populations as well (as reported by East Setauket, New York – Wikipedia).
The racial makeup includes 75.8% Caucasian, 2.5% African American, and 10.7% of Asian descent, with smaller percentages for Indigenous American and Pacific Islander residents (as reported by Point2Homes). A notable 9.1% of residents identify as having two or more races (as reported by Point2Homes).
Age and Gender Distribution
The median age in East Setauket is 44 years (as reported by Mark Brode). The population distribution shows approximately 14.5% are children under 15, 17.4% are in the 15 to 24 age group, and 19.6% are adults between 25 and 44 (as reported by Point2Homes). Those aged 45 to 64 make up 29.1%, and around 19.4% are 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes).
Gender-wise, 49.3% of East Setauket’s residents are male, and 50.7% are female (as reported by Point2Homes). For every 100 females, there are approximately 92.6 males (as reported by East Setauket, New York – Wikipedia).
Citizenship and Ethnicity
Approximately 88.3% of the population in East Setauket are U.S.-born citizens, while 8.1% have gained naturalized citizenship, and 3.6% are non-citizens (as reported by Point2Homes). The community is home to a mix of ethnicities, with White residents forming the largest group.
In Setauket-East Setauket, there were 10.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents than any other race or ethnicity in 2019 (as reported by Data USA). Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents and White (Hispanic) residents were the second and third most common ethnic groups, respectively (as reported by Data USA).