Great River, New York

Great River is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) located in the Town of Islip, Suffolk County, New York, United States. It is situated approximately 50 miles (80 km) east of New York City on the South Shore of Long Island, adjoining the Great South Bay, a water body protected from the Atlantic Ocean by one of the outer barrier islands – Fire Island.

Great River's name derives from Connetquot, an Algonquian word for "Great River." It was formerly home to many wealthy families. As of the 2010 census, the population of Great River was 1,489.

Great River's buildings include a New York City-style steak house in a turn of the century (20th) house, a delicatessen, a rural delivery post office and the Great River Fire Department.

Geography

Great River is located at 40°43′29″N 73°9′36″W / 40.72472°N 73.16000°W / 40.72472; -73.16000 (40.724626, −73.159916).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13.4 km²), of which 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²) is land and 0.58 square miles (1.5 km²), or 11.46%, is water. Great River CDP and the GRFD responsibilities include Heckscher State Park although most references by NY State for mailing addresses are listed as East Islip, NY.