Margate City, New Jersey
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| Margate City, New Jersey | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Atlantic |
| Incorporated | September 7, 1885 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Walsh Act (New Jersey) |
| - Mayor | Michael Becker |
| Area | |
| - Total | 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²) |
| - Land | 1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²) |
| - Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Elevation [1] | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Population (2006)[2] | |
| - Total | 8,601 |
| - Density | 5,825.4/sq mi (2,249.2/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 08402 |
| Area code(s) | 609 |
| FIPS code | 34-43890[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885292[4] |
| Website: http://www.margate-nj.com | |
- See also: other Margates
Margate City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city population was 8,193.
Margate City was originally incorporated as a the borough of South Atlantic City by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on September 7, 1885, from portions of Egg Harbor Township, based on the results of a referendum held on August 1, 1885. South Atlantic City was reincorporated as a city on April 23, 1897, and then reincorporated with the name Margate City April 20, 1909.[5]
Margate City is located on 8.1-mile long Absecon Island, along with Atlantic City and Ventnor City to the northeast, and Longport on the southwest.[6] The city stretches approximately eight blocks from the Atlantic Ocean to the bay at most points in town. Margate is a popular Jersey Shore destination, especially during the summer. Margate City is the home of Lucy the Elephant, a large wooden elephant 65 ft (19.7 m) tall. Marven Gardens, of Monopoly board game fame, is also located there.
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[edit] Geography
Margate City is located at (39.329416 , -74.506613)[7].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), of which, 1.4 square miles (3.7 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (11.39%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 2,913 |
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| 1940 | 3,266 | 12.1% | |
| 1950 | 4,715 | 44.4% | |
| 1960 | 9,474 | 100.9% | |
| 1970 | 10,576 | 11.6% | |
| 1980 | 9,179 | −13.2% | |
| 1990 | 8,431 | −8.1% | |
| 2000 | 8,193 | −2.8% | |
| Est. 2006 | 8,601 | [2] | 5% |
| Population 1930 - 1990[8] | |||
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 8,193 people, 3,984 households, and 2,302 families residing in the city. The population density was 2, 243.5/km² (5,825.4/sq mi). There were 7,006 housing units at an average density of 4,981.4/sq mi (1,918.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.73% White, 0.87% African American, 0.02% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.71% of the population.
There were 3,984 households out of which 16.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.67.
In the city the population was spread out with 15.4% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 28.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,876, and the median income for a family was $63,917. Males had a median income of $48,152 versus $31,025 for females. The per capita income for the city was $33,566. About 7.0% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
Margate City has operated under the Walsh Act commission form of municipal government since 1911.[9][10] There are three commission seats, which are elected during a non-partisan at-large election. Each commission seat is for a four-year concurrent term. The Mayor is then selected from among the three elected Commissioners by a vote between them and assigned to the office by resolution.[11]
Members of the Margate City Commission are:[12][11]
- Michael Becker - Mayor and Commissioner of Revenue and Finance
- Maurice "Maury" Blumberg - Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety
- Daniel Campbell - Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public Property
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Margate City is in the Second Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 2nd Legislative District.[13]
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, Ventnor). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
The 2nd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Jim Whelan (D, Atlantic City), and in the Assembly by John F. Amodeo (R, Margate) and Vincent J. Polistina (R, Egg Harbor Township).[14] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[15]
Atlantic County's County Executive is Dennis Levinson (Linwood).[16] The Board of Chosen Freeholders, the county's legislature, consists of nine members elected to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with three seats coming up for election each year. As of 2008, Atlantic County's Freeholders are Freeholder Chairman Joseph F. Silipena, (Egg Harbor City, term expires December 31, 2008), Freeholder Vice Chairman Frank Sutton (Egg Harbor Township, 2008), Alisa Cooper (Linwood, 2008), James Curcio (Hammonton, 2009), Richard Dase (Galloway Township, 2010), Charles Garrett (Atlantic City, 2010), Frank V. Giordano (Hamilton Township, 2009), Joseph McDevitt (Ventnor City, 2010) and Thomas Russo (Atlantic City, 2009).[17]
[edit] Education
For Kindergarten through eighth grade, public school students attend the Margate City Schools, together with students from Longport Borough, who attend as part of a sending/receiving relationship.[18] Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[19]) are Union Avenue Elementary School with 224 students in grades K - 2, William H. Ross III Intermediate with 164 students in grades 3 - 5 and Eugene A. Tighe Middle School with 195 students in grades 6 - 8. Eugene A. Tighe Middle School provides many programs including Project Challenge for advanced students and Special Services for disabled kids.
Public school students in grades 9-12, along with those from Brigantine, Longport and Ventnor City, attend Atlantic City High School in neighboring Atlantic City, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Atlantic City School District.[20]
Blessed Sacrament Regional School is a Catholic school serving students in grades pre-k through 8, located on Jerome Avenue, in connection with the Blessed Sacrament Church. Those who wish to attend private, catholic high school choose Holy Spirit High School, located in Absecon.
[edit] Summers
[edit] Residency
Along with other spots on the Jersey Shore, Margate becomes a popular destination in the summer months. Many houses in Margate are second homes used during the Summer, but a considerable number are owned by year-round residents. Most people who vacation in Margate own their 'shore house', and will come down on nearly all summer weekends. They will also usually take a few full weeks at the shore, and several visits in the winter months. Unlike in other places, such as Cape May or Ocean City, where many visitors spend a few nights in a hotel, Margate has no hotel, so most of the people who choose this town are regulars. Margate does not have the feel of a tourist destination. Also unlike other area towns such as Ocean City and the municipalities on Long Beach Island, weekly house/condominium rentals are almost non-existent in Margate. Municipal codes require a new Certificate of Occupancy every time a new party takes up "residence," thus making weekly rentals difficult and almost non-viable.[citation needed]
[edit] Beaches
Margate beaches are narrower than beaches at many other places at the Jersey Shore. There are a few dunes and those that do exist are artificial. They were created to protect beaches from nor'easters and hurricanes. Most beachfront houses are right against the bulkhead with nothing between them and the ocean. In summer months, beaches are more crowded than places such as Avalon and Long Beach Island, but much less crowded than more touristy locations such as Atlantic City and Ocean City.
Margate City Beach Patrol operates lifeguard stands and beach patrol operations for the Margate beaches. Lifeguards are on duty during summer months from 10 am to 6 pm, with more limited hours in the late Spring and early Autumn months.
[edit] Retail
There are two small commercial areas in Margate. One is in the northern end of the city, and the other is located in the south. Both contain clothing stores, ice cream shops, and restaurants.
[edit] Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Margate City include;
- Tim Cavanaugh (1967-), a Los Angeles Times editor, is a Margate native and was an MCBP lifeguard.
- Steven C. Flanagan, a criminal defense attorney living in Los Angeles, California, who defended in a major criminal case recently depicted in Michael Connley's bestseller, Crime Beat: A Decade of Covering Cops and Killers.[citation needed]
- Walter S. Jeffries (1893-1954), represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional district from 1939-1941, and was mayor of Margate City from 1931-1935.[21]
- Thomas C. McGrath, Jr. (1927-1994), represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1965-1967.[22]
[edit] References
- ^ USGS GNIS: Margate City, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b Census data for Margate City, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 1, 2008.
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 70.
- ^ Absecon Island Shore Protection Project, United States Army Corps of Engineers. Accessed May 1, 2008. "Construct an approximate $63 million beach and dune system along the 8.1 mile oceanfront of Absecon Island that includes, the cities of Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport."
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ The Commission Form of Municipal Government, p. 53. Accessed August 11, 2007.
- ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 12.
- ^ a b Margate City Government Overview, Margate City. Accessed May 1, 2008.
- ^ DeAngelis, Martin. Mike Becker becomes new mayor of Margate", Press of Atlantic City, May 15, 2007. Accessed May 16, 2007.
- ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 60. Accessed August 30, 2006.
- ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ County Executive Dennis Levinson, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed March 31, 2008.
- ^ Board of Chosen Freeholders, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed March 31, 2008.
- ^ About Margate and the School District, Margate City School District, Accessed May 1, 2008. "The Public School System of Margate City is composed of PK through 8th grade children who reside in the City of Margate and the Borough of Longport."
- ^ Data for the Margate City Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 1, 2008.
- ^ Atlantic City High School 2006 Report Card, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 14, 2007. "Atlantic City High School is a unique, comprehensive state-of-the-art facility that serves a diverse student population from Atlantic City, Brigantine, Longport, Margate and Ventnor."
- ^ Walter Sooy Jeffries biography, United States Congress. Accessed August 3, 2007.
- ^ Thomas Charles McGrath, Jr. biography, United States Congress. Accessed June 18, 2007.
[edit] External links
- Margate City official website
- Official site for Lucy the Elephant
- Marvelous Margate
- Margate City Schools
- Margate City Schools's 2006-07 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Data for the Margate City Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
- Atlantic City High School
- Margate City Public Library
- The Current of Longport, Margate, Ventnor (Downbeach)
- Margate City, New Jersey is at coordinates Coordinates:
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