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NEW YORK 2 : Western Suffolk County; Islip; Babylon

Taking in the central part of Long Island and covering western Suffolk County, the 2nd is full of suburban communities that popped up all over Suffolk County's potato fields during the post-World War II suburban boom. Now, the 2nd is home to a burgeoning computer sector and a waning defense industry.

Most of the district's white-collar workforce commutes to New York City. The district's indigenous industry has long been blue-collar. Defense plants hummed during the height of the Cold War, but the fall of the Iron Curtain brought job losses to the district. Computer and electronics firms have helped fill the void.

With some of the most affordable land on Long Island, the 2nd houses a solid middle class with a relatively large minority population in comparison to the adjacent 1st and 3rd districts. It's also home to Fire Island, a beach-side community where many of New York's affluent retreat for the summer.

With a 20 percent minority population, a significant Jewish community and a blue-collar base, the 2nd has a substantial Democratic vote, but the Republican Party has an edge in voter registration. Almost one-third of the district's voters are registered independents, making the 2nd competitive for centrist candidates of both parties. A Democrat represented the 2nd for almost 20 years before Rep. Lazio unseated him in 1992.

Major Industry
Computers, electronics, service

Population
580,303 (1990)

Cities
Brentwood (unincorporated), 45,218; West Babylon (unincorporated), 42,410; Deer Park (unincorporated), 28,840; West Islip (unincorporated), 28,419 (1990)

People
100% urban; 10% age 65+ (ranks 29 of 31 in state; bottom third nationally); 68% married couples, 33% married couples with children; 19% college educated (ranks 17 of 31 in state; middle third nationally); 60% white collar (ranks 18 of 31 in state; middle third nationally), 26% blue collar (ranks ninth of 31 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)

Race
Non-Hispanic: 79% white, 9% black, 2% Asian; 9% Hispanic origin (1990)

Median Household Income
$50,076 (ranks fifth of 31 in state; top third nationally) (1990)

Unusual Features
Fire Island National Seashore separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Great South Bay.

© 2002 The Washington Post Company