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NEW YORK 1 : Eastern Suffolk County - Brookhaven; Smithtown

Covering the eastern two-thirds of Long Island's Suffolk County, the 1st reaches out into the Atlantic Ocean. At its far eastern end, the 1st takes in the elite estates of some of New York's wealthiest in the Hamptons and Shelter Island. The rural end of the island has retained its pastoral character, with fishing villages, potato and duck farms and wineries scattered throughout.

Moving west, the 1st takes in some blue-collar towns, populated by conservative Irish-Catholics and Italian-Americans. Towns at the district's far west, in Smithtown and Brookhaven, have boomed with suburban growth. Defense once dominated industry in the 1st, but the end of the Cold War weakened the district's healthy economy. Scientific research has replaced some of those jobs, attracted by the State U. of New York in Stony Brook and Brookhaven National Laboratory.

The 1st's lingering rural temperament and small-town feel make it one of the most conservative districts near New York City. Voter registration favors Republicans almost 2-to-1. But the district's brand of conservatism remains moderate, with many residents supporting more liberal views on abortion and gun control. Environmental issues rank high in the 1st, as many of the Island's towns depend on the ocean for fish and tourism. Although Republicans hold considerable leverage at the local level, Democrats have represented the 1st for many of the past 30 years, and Clinton won by a wide margin in 1996.

Major Industry
Higher education, medicine, research, tourism, fishing

Population
580,076 (1990)

Cities
Coram (unincorporated), 30,111; Centereach (unincorporated), 26,720; Shirley (unincorporated), 22,936 (1990)

People
81% urban; 12% age 65+ (ranks 21 of 31 in state; middle third nationally); 67% married couples, 33% married couples with children; 23% college educated (ranks 12 of 31 in state; top third nationally); 63% white collar (ranks 15 of 31 in state; top third nationally), 23% blue collar (ranks 12 of 31 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)

Race
Non-Hispanic: 89% white, 4% black, 2% Asian; 4% Hispanic origin (1990)

Median Household Income
$45,464 (ranks seventh of 31 in state; top third nationally) (1990)

Unusual Features
The Big Duck, a 20-foot duck-shaped structure and museum in Flanders in South Hampton.

© 2002 The Washington Post Company