Somers Point, New Jersey

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Map of Somers Point in Atlantic County
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Map of Somers Point in Atlantic County

Somers Point is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city population was 11,614.

The City of Somers Point is in the eastern part of Atlantic County, southwest of Atlantic City.

Contents

[edit] History

Somers Point was once known as Somerset Plantation and its settlement started around 1693. Somers Point was incorporated as a Borough in 1886.

[edit] Geography

Somers Point is located at 39°19′9″N, 74°36′1″W (39.319165, -74.600300)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.4 km² (5.2 mi²). 10.4 km² (4.0 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.1 mi²) of it (22.05%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 11,614 people, 4,920 households, and 2,952 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,112.7/km² (2,883.1/mi²). There were 5,402 housing units at an average density of 517.5/km² (1,341.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.66% White, 7.01% African American, 0.25% Native American, 3.17% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.25% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% of the population.

There were 4,920 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,222, and the median income for a family was $51,868. Males had a median income of $39,650 versus $28,691 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,229. About 5.0% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

The Mayor is elected to a four-year term. The Mayor is generally responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the municipality. As Chief Executive Officer, the Mayor is charged with putting into effect the municipal laws, known as ordinances. The Mayor is not a member of the governing body, but has the statutory authority to veto ordinances, and may vote in the event of a tie. The Mayor makes appointments to certain boards, including the Planning Board, Recreation Commission, and Environmental Commission.

The City Council consists of seven members. There are three members from each of two wards, elected for staggered three-year terms, and one at large representative, elected four years. The Council elects one of its members as President to chair the Council meetings and perform the other duties of a presiding officer. The City Council is the governing body of the City. They enact ordinances. The Council is responsible for adopting the annual budget, and setting other policy for the municipality.

The Mayor of Somers Point is Dan Reilly, whose term of office ends in December 2007. The members of the City Council are Council President Gregg Clayton (2006), Councilmember-at-Large Kirk Gerety (2008), Ward One Councilmembers Carmen Marotta (2007), Gregg Clayton (2006) and Dennis Tapp (2005); and Ward Two Councilmembers David Parker (2007), John Walsh (2006) and Harvey Smith (2005).[1]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Somers Point is in the Second Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 1st Legislative District.[2]

New Jersey's Second Congressional District, covering all of Atlantic County, Cape May County, Cumberland County and Salem County and portions of Burlington County, Camden County and Gloucester County, is represented by Frank LoBiondo (R, Vineland). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Robert Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 1st legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Nicholas Asselta (R) and in the Assembly by Nelson Albano (D, Vineland) and Jeff Van Drew (D, Dennis Township). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Atlantic County's County Executive is Dennis Levinson. The executive, along with the Board of Chosen Freeholders, administers all county business. Atlantic County's Freeholders are Francis Sutton, James Curcio, Frank Finnerty (Freeholder Vice Chairman), Alisa Cooper, Joe Kelly, Rev. Lawton Nelson, Thomas Russo, Sue Schilling and Joseph F. Silipena (Freeholder Chairman).

[edit] Education

Students in grades K - 8 are served by the Somers Point Public Schools. Schools in the district are New York Avenue School for pre-school, Dawes Avenue School with 550 students in grades K-6 and Jordan Road Middle School with 710 students in Pre-K through 8th grade.

Students in grades 9 - 12 attend the Mainland Regional High School, and which serves students from Linwood, Northfield and Somers Point. The high school is located in Linwood.

[edit] Somers Point in Popular Culture

The 1983 movie Eddie and the Cruisers was largely filmed in Somers Point, using the defunct Tony Mart's nightclub as a setting.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Somers Point City Government, accessed November 14, 2006 - as of this date, some 2005 term ends dates are still shown.
  2. ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 64, accessed August 30, 2006

[edit] External links

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Municipalities of Atlantic County, New Jersey
(County Seat: Mays Landing)
Boroughs Folsom | Longport | Buena
Cities Absecon | Atlantic City | Brigantine | Corbin City | Egg Harbor City | Estell Manor | Linwood | Margate City | Northfield | Pleasantville | Port Republic | Somers Point | Ventnor City
Town Hammonton
Townships Buena Vista | Egg Harbor | Galloway | Hamilton | Mullica | Weymouth
CDPs and other Communities Collings Lakes | Elwood-Magnolia | Mays Landing | Pomona | Richland | Smithville
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