South Shore

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Merrick / Bellmore / East Meadow / Massapequa Area

Population Estimates and Demography

South Shore is home to 31,000 Jewish adults and 4,000 Jewish children in 18,000 households. These households are home to 52,000 total people, including both Jews and non-Jews in Jewish households. 18% of households in South Shore include a Jewish person.

The average age of adults in Jewish households in South Shore is 46, lower than the average age in Nassau. 28% of these adults are seniors over the age of 65. Additionally, 19% of this area's population are children.

The percentage of adults in Jewish households by age groups.

    74% of adults in Jewish households in South Shore are married, compared with 73% in the county overall. 5% have never married and 5% are divorced or separated.

    The percentage of adults in Jewish households who are single, married, widowed, or divorced.

      7% of adults in Jewish households in South Shore were born outside of the U.S., and 77% in Nassau were born in the New York area, a rate higher than in the eight-county area as a whole.

      Poverty and Well-Being

      South Shore has a similar median income compared with that of the entire county. The share of low-income households is lower compared with Nassau as a whole.

      The percentage of Jewish households by income bracket. Income reflects earnings from all members of the household, before taxes and not including government benefits.

        Compared with the entire county, the share of Jewish households who are poor or near poor is higher: 14% earn up to two and a half times the federal poverty line.

        15% of households say they can't make ends meet or are just managing, while 31% say they have some extra money or are well off.

        6% of households in South Shore are food-insecure, reporting that they have run out of food at least sometimes in the last year.

        The percentage of Jewish households that, in the past year, have run out of food before they had money to buy more.

            Jewish Engagement

            33% of Jewish adults in South Shore report feeling some or more a part of the Jewish community in New York. 89% feel being Jewish is important to them, less than the rate among Jewish adults in Nassau overall, but greater than the rate across the eight counties.

            22% of Jewish adults are synagogue members.

            1% of Jewish adults in South Shore are Orthodox, 30% are Conservative, and 29% are Reform. 40% have no denomination or identify with a group not listed above.

            The percentage of Jewish adults who identify as Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or other/none of the above.
              Jewish Practices and Behaviors

              11% of adults in Jewish households say they attend synagogue at least monthly, and 11% say they attend Jewish programs at least monthly, less than the rate among Jewish adults in Nassau overall, but greater than the rate across the eight counties.

              Jewish behaviors South Shore Nassau 8-County Total
              The percentage of adults in Jewish households who celebrate Chanukah. 82% 85% 80%
              The percentage of adults in Jewish households who participate in a Passover seder. 80% 84% 77%
              The percentage of adults in Jewish households who observe Yom Kippur in some way. 72% 78% 70%
              The percentage of adults in Jewish households who mark Shabbat in a way different from other days. 29% 43% 48%
              The percentage of adults in Jewish households who keep a kosher home. 5% 19% 21%
              The percentage of adults in Jewish households who attend Jewish prayer services, at least monthly. 11% 21% 23%