Belmar, New Jersey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Belmar is a Borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 6,045. The Borough of Belmar is governed under the Faulkner Act (Small Municipality) system of municipal government.
What is now Belmar was originally incorporated as Ocean Beach borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1885, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier. On April 16, 1889, it became the City of Elcho borough, which lasted for a few weeks until the name was changed to the City of Belmar borough as of May 14, 1889. The city acquired its current name, Belmar borough, on November 20, 1890.[1]
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[edit] Geography
Belmar is located at (40.178342, -74.022446)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 4.4 km² (1.7 mi²). 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is land and 1.7 km² (0.7 mi²) of it (39.65%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 3,491 |
|
|
| 1940 | 3,435 | -1.6% | |
| 1950 | 4,636 | 35.0% | |
| 1960 | 5,190 | 11.9% | |
| 1970 | 5,782 | 11.4% | |
| 1980 | 6,771 | 17.1% | |
| 1990 | 5,877 | -13.2% | |
| 2000 | 6,045 | 2.9% | |
| historical data source: [2] | |||
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 6,045 people, 2,946 households, and 1,316 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,288.2/km² (5,921.7/mi²). There were 3,996 housing units at an average density of 1,512.6/km² (3,914.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.53% White, 3.46% Black, 0.18% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 1.99% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.85% of the population.
There were 2,946 households out of which 17.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.0% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.3% were non-families. 44.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the borough the population was spread out with 17.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $44,896, and the median income for a family was $61,250. Males had a median income of $40,557 versus $34,323 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,456. About 4.5% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Recreation
Belmar beach (as well as the towns to the south, such as Manasquan and Point Pleasant) is among the most popular surf spots on the East Coast. Belmar frequently hosts surfing events and competitions.
The Jersey Shore Basketball League, a competitive summer basketball league, takes place at St. Rose High School every summer.[3]
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
In July 1990, the voters of Belmar overwhelmingly passed a referendum changing Belmar's form of government from a three-person, non-partisan Commission form of government under the Walsh Act to the Small Municipality Plan form of government under the Faulkner Act. This referendum followed nine months of research and hearings by a Charter Study Commission elected by the residents at a referendum that occurred in November 1989.
Under the version of the Small Municipality Plan form applicable to Belmar, the Council consists of four members who are elected for staggered, three-year terms at partisan elections each November, and the Mayor, who is directly elected by the voters for a four-year term. The Mayor serves as the chief executive officer of the municipality, and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Borough. The Mayor sits as a member of the Council, and chairs Council meetings. He is able to vote as a Councilmember, but has no veto over the Council's actions[4].
Members of the Belmar Borough Council are[5]:
- Mayor Kenneth E. Pringle
- Meredith Brennan
- Bill Merkler (2008)
- Barry Zimmerman (2007)
- Matt Doherty (2007)
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Belmar is in the Sixth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 11th Legislative District[6].
New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District, covering portions of Middlesex County and Monmouth County, is represented by Frank Pallone (D). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
The 11th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Joseph A. Palaia (R, Deal) and in the Assembly by Steve Corodemus (R, Atlantic Highlands) and Sean T. Kean (R, Wall Township). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).
Monmouth County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director William C. Barham, Freeholder Deputy Director Robert D. Clifton, Lillian G. Burry, Anna C. Little and Theodore J. Narozanick.
[edit] Education
Belmar Elementary School consists of a single school that provides a comprehensive educational program for the 620 students in preschool through eighth grade from Belmar, as well as those from Lake Como who attend as part of a sending/receiving relationship. The school was constructed in 1909 and has had additions built in 1929, 1949, 1969 and 1993. There are 65 certified staff members. This includes administrators, teachers, nurses and child study team personnel. Thirty non-certified staff members support them. The single school is two schools in one, a primary school for grades preschool through fifth and a middle school organization plan for grades six through eight.
Students attending public high school are assigned based on sending/receiving relationships to Manasquan High School, Asbury Park High School, Red Bank Regional High School, Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Academy of Allied Health & Science, Academy Charter School, High Technology High School, Communications High School or Biotechnology High School.
Belmar is also the home of St. Rose High School [1].
[edit] References
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 178.
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990. Retrieved on 2007-03-03.
- ^ Big-time games played in a small gym on Seventh, Asbury Park Press, July 2, 2000
- ^ Belmar's Form of Government, accessed September 1, 2006
- ^ Borough of Belmar Municipal Directory, accessed September 1, 2006
- ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 54, accessed August 30, 2006
[edit] External links
- Belmar NJ Official Homepage
- Belmar Elementary School
- NJ School Report Card
- National Center for Education Statistics data for the Belmar Elementary School
- Belmar Beach Webcam
- Belmar Elementary School Weather Station
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
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