2007 Report and Key Findings

Read the Report  

Sections: Introduction, Economy, Communities, Health, Education, Environment, Governance, Appendix

Please Note:  These reports are available in PDF format.

Highlights from the 2007 Index

ECONOMY

Long Island’s economy continues to grow but shows signs of weakness.

  • Annual average wages are growing at a slower rate than in the U.S. and are now only 5% higher than U.S. average.
  • The top 10% of households account for 31% of the total household income on Long Island and the bottom 60% of households account for 32% of the total household income.
  • Long Island is experiencing the greatest growth in the lowest paying jobs and a decline in the highest paying jobs.
  • Long Island firms receive almost no venture capital or federal R&D funds. 

Small firms dominate.

  • 88% of Long Island firms have fewer than 30 employees and many new firms with a small number of employees are being created.

OUR COMMUNITIES

Most Long Island downtown business centers have low vacancy rates (average is 7.3%).

Long Island continues to diversify, age and lose young adults as housing affordability worsens.

  • 21% of the population reports having a very difficult time paying rent or mortgage – up from 7% in 2003.
  • Only 17% of housing units on Long Island are rental – a much lower percentage than other neighboring areas.
  • More Long Islanders need food stamps.

 

HEALTH

Long Island has high quality health care, but not all Long Islanders have access.

  • Long Islanders have very different health risks depending on economic factors and the community where they live.
  • 43% of inpatient health care is paid by Medicare.

 

EDUCATION

Overall Long Island students excel but marked disparities persist in areas of concentrated poverty.

  • Long Island students far surpass statewide results in completing Regent’s Diploma requirements (86% for Long Island vs. 69% for New York State) and in high school graduation rates (90% for Long Island vs. 80% for New York State).
  • Rates for graduates receiving New York State Regent’s Diplomas vary across the Island: 67% of students in high-poverty schools located in high-need districts receive Regent’s diplomas compared to 83% high-poverty schools located in average-need districts.
  • The gap between low poverty and high poverty schools is declining for the 4th Grade English Language Arts test and is increasing for the 8th Grade Mathematics test.
  • There are schools in areas of concentrated poverty where the number of children receiving free lunch exceeds 50%.
  • Students with Limited English Proficiency are growing markedly in high-poverty schools.

 

OUR ENVIRONMENT

Between 2000 and 2005 Long Island preserved land at a rate of 2,200 acres per year.

Air quality is considered “good” two out of every three days.

 

GOVERNANCE

Bond ratings remain high for both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Property taxes as a share of personal income were 18% higher than the state average.

 

Click here to download the free Acrobat Reader