Ocean Beach is a village in the southern part of the Town of Islip, on Fire Island, within Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 153 at the time of the 2020 census.[2] Known for its strict local ordinances, the village is nicknamed "The Land of No".[3]
The Incorporated Village of Ocean Beach is a popular tourist destination, due to its beachfront location accompanied by a commercial district featuring nightlife, hotels, waterfront restaurants, and a variety of stores.
History
Ocean Beach was incorporated as a village in 1921.[4] It formed with the merger between the tract of land owned by John A. Wilbur and Stay-A-While Estates. It is the location of Fire Island's only elementary school, which first opened in 1918.[4]
When artistic bohème of New York started frequenting Fire Island during the Jazz Age, Ocean Beach became the first gay village of the island.[6] This caused tensions between the gay (often famous) tourists and locals, which peaked when Antoine de Paris built on his land an outdoor toilet with revealing saloon door right across the street from a Catholic church. The villagers arranged a provocation by choosing a teenage boy to "seduce" one of Antoine's guests, and after catching the guest in flagranti, they burned down Antoine's property.[6] After that and the Great Hurricane of 1938, the gay community settled in the Cherry Grove.[7]
As of the 2000 census there were 138 people, 61 households, and 35 families in the village.[2] The population density was 967.1 inhabitants per square mile (373.4/km2). There were 595 housing units at an average density of 4,169.6 per square mile (1,609.9/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 96.38% White and 1.45% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.17%.
Of the 61 households 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.6% were non-families. 29.5% of households were one person and 4.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.91.
The age distribution was 21.7% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 126.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.4 males.
The median household income was $48,125 and the median family income was $49,375. Males had a median income of $41,719 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $28,782. There were 15.2% of families and 11.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including 21.6% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.
Government
As of June 2023, per the village website[10]
, the Mayor of Ocean Beach is James S. Mallott, and the Village Trustees are Marco Arment, Dawn L. Hargraves, Ian Levine, and Jennifer Moritz.
The village is known for its strict local ordinances and is nicknamed "The Land of No".[3]
Ocean Beach is located within the boundaries of Fire Island's library district.[12]
Infrastructure
Transportation
There are four methods to travel to/from Ocean Beach and throughout Fire Island: travel by car (restricted by permit obtainable via Fire Island National Seashore), ride the Fire Island Ferries, take a water taxi, or arrive by private boat.[12] It is also possible to reach Ocean Beach by foot or bicycle from other Fire Island communities by one of the inland walks or via the beach.[12]
Sewer district
Ocean Beach is served by the Ocean Beach Sewer District.[12]
^ abJiler, John (1993). Dark wind: a true account of hurricane Gloria's assault on Fire Island. New York: St Martin's press. pp. 28–31. ISBN978-0-312-09311-2.
^Jiler, John (1993). Dark wind: a true account of hurricane Gloria's assault on Fire Island. New York: St Martin's press. pp. 46–48. ISBN978-0-312-09311-2.
