| Ocean City, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Ocean City seen from a top the giant ferris wheel on the Boardwalk | |
| Ocean City highlighted in Cape May County. Inset map: Cape May County highlighted in the State of New Jersey. | |
| Census Bureau map of Ocean City, New Jersey | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Cape May |
| Incorporated | May 3, 1884 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) |
| • Mayor | Jay A. Gillian (term ends 2014)[1] |
| • Administrator | Michael Dattilo[2] |
| Area[3] | |
| • Total | 11.07 sq mi (28.7 km2) |
| • Land | 6.92 sq mi (17.9 km2) |
| • Water | 4.16 sq mi (10.8 km2) 37.58% |
| Elevation[4] | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Population (2010 Census)[5] | |
| • Total | 11,701 |
| • Density | 1,057/sq mi (407.7/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 08226[6] |
| Area code(s) | 609 |
| FIPS code | 34-54360[7][8] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885332[9] |
| Website | http://www.ocnj.us/ |
Ocean City is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is the principal city of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Cape May County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 11,701.[5] In summer months, with an influx of tourists and second homeowners, there are estimated to be 115,000 to 130,000 within the city's borders.[10][11]
Ocean City originated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 3, 1884, from portions of Upper Township, based on results from a referendum on April 30, 1884, and was reincorporated as a borough on March 31, 1890. Ocean City was incorporated as a city, its current government form, on March 25, 1897.[12]
Known as a family-oriented seaside resort, Ocean City has prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages within its limits since its founding in 1879. Ocean City has miles of guarded beaches, a 2.5-mile boardwalk, and a quaint downtown shopping and dining district.
The Travel Channel rated Ocean City as the Best Family Beach of 2005.[13] It was ranked the third best beach in New Jersey in the 2008 Top 10 Beaches Contest sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium.[14] In the 2009 Top 10 Beaches Contest, Ocean City ranked first.[15]
From early June through Labor Day, Ocean City requires individuals age 12 and up to purchase a beach tag to access its beaches.[16] For the 2010 season, access tags were on offer as follows: One-day pass: $5.00; Weeklong pass: $10.00; Seasonal pass: $25.00 (if purchased before Memorial Day, seasonal tags are $15.00.)[17]
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Known first as Peck's Beach, a seven-mile stretch of sand dunes, meadows and cedar swamps, was probably named for John Peck, a whaler who used the island as a staging spot for his whaling operation. The island had served as a summer fishing camp for local Native Americans, a grazing land for cattle driven out from the mainland and an occasional hunting or picnic spot for mainland residents who would come out by boat. Original ownership of the land was by the Somers family. Several individuals had made their home on the island, most notable of which was Parker Miller who had served as an agent for marine insurance companies. He and his family lived in a home at about what is now the southwest corner of Seventh Street and Asbury Avenue.
September 10, 1879, four Methodist ministers, Ezra B. Lake, James Lake, S. Wesley Lake and William Burrell chose the island as a suitable spot to establish a Christian retreat and camp meeting on the order of Ocean Grove.[18] They met under a tall cedar tree, which stands today in the lobby of the Ocean City Tabernacle. Having chosen the name “Ocean City”, the founders incorporated the “Ocean City Association”, laid out street and lots for cottages, hotel and businesses. The Ocean City Tabernacle was built between Wesley and Asbury Avenues and between 5th and 6th Streets. Camp meetings were held by the following summer. As a result of its religious origins, the sale or public drinking of alcoholic beverages in Ocean City is prohibited.[19]
From these beginnings Ocean City has grown into the city as it exists today. The first bridge was built to the island in 1883, while the first railroad soon followed. The first school began in 1881. The boardwalk grew and was relocated several times. The ship Sindia joined other shipwrecks on the beach on December 15, 1901, on its way to New York City from Kobe, Japan, but has since sunk below the sand. A failed salvage attempt was launched in the 1970s, but none have been tried since. It was assumed by treasure hunters that after sailing back from Asia large amounts of treasure and plunder from the Boxer Rebellion had been on board, although both crew and captain said otherwise.[20] A large fire in 1927 changed the town significantly.
The Ocean City boardwalk is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the resort. It is also one of the most well-known boardwalks in the world. It is 2½ miles long and runs north from 23rd Street to St. James Place. The boardwalk is marked with mile markers for people who are exercising.
The boardwalk was first built in 1880 from the Second Street wharf to Fourth Street and West Avenue. In 1885, plans to extend the boardwalk along the entire beach were made as the city's first amusement house, a pavilion on the beach at 11th street called "The Excursion" opened. A second amusement park, the "I.G. Adams pavilion", at Ninth Street and the boardwalk, opened soon after but was destroyed by fire in 1893. Following a second catastrophic fire in 1927, the boardwalk and its businesses were rebuilt 300 feet (91 m) closer to the ocean on concrete pilings. Where the buildings and boardwalk once stood, parking was created for automobiles, which were gaining in popularity at the time. The Ocean City Music Pier opened one year later.
In 1965, the Wonderland Amusement Park opened on the boardwalk at 6th street, which is still open to this day and known as "Gillian's Wonderland Pier". Another amusement park, Playland's Castaway Cove, is also located nearby.
In 2007 controversy emerged about the city's proposed use of ipê, a type of wood, to redeck parts of the boardwalk. Environmental activists immediately launched a campaign to stop the city's use of the wood, but Mayor Sal Perillo stood by the plan.
Bicycle and surrey riding is permitted on the boardwalk at designated hours.
Ocean City is located at (39.265371, -74.593814).[21]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.07 square miles (28.7 km2), of which 6.92 square miles (17.9 km2) is land and 4.16 square miles (10.8 km2) (37.58%) is water.[3]
Ocean City is a barrier island with bridge connections to Marmora (Upper Township) by the 34th Street (Roosevelt Boulevard) Bridge, Egg Harbor Township by the Ocean City-Longport Bridge, Somers Point by the 9th Street Bridge (NJ 52), and Strathmere (Upper Township) by the Corson's Inlet Bridge. The eastern side of Ocean City borders the Atlantic Ocean
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 1,950 |
|
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| 1920 | 2,512 | 28.8% | |
| 1930 | 5,525 | 119.9% | |
| 1940 | 4,672 | −15.4% | |
| 1950 | 6,040 | 29.3% | |
| 1960 | 7,618 | 26.1% | |
| 1970 | 10,575 | 38.8% | |
| 1980 | 13,949 | 31.9% | |
| 1990 | 15,512 | 11.2% | |
| 2000 | 15,378 | −0.9% | |
| 2010 | 11,701 | −23.9% | |
| Population sources:1910-1930[22] 1930-1990[23] 2000[24] 2010[5] |
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The 2010 United States Census reported that there were 11,701 people, 5,890 households and 3,087 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of Ocean City was 92.1% (10,771) White, 3.5% (410) African American, 0.1% (15) Native American, 0.7% (83) Asian, 0.0% (3) Pacific Islander, 1.9% (224) from other races, and 1.7% (195) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.5% (643).[5][25]
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 15,378 people, 7,464 households, and 4,008 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,222.8 people per square mile (858.0/km2). There were 20,298 housing units at an average density of 2,934.0 per square mile (1,132.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.57% White, 4.31% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of the population.[24]
There were 7,464 households out of which 16.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.3% were non-families. 40.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.71.[24]
In the city, the population was spread out with 16.4% under age 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.8 males.[24]
The median income for a household in the city was $44,158, and the median income for a family was $61,731. Males had a median income of $42,224 versus $31,282 for females. The per capita income for the city was $33,217. About 4.3% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.[24]
The City of Ocean City was incorporated on March 25, 1897. Since July 1, 1978, the City has operated under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) system of municipal government.[26]
The mayor, the chief executive of the community, is chosen for a four-year term at the municipal election in May and serves part-time for a yearly salary. The mayor neither presides over, nor has a vote on the council. The mayor has veto power over ordinances, but such vetoes can be overridden by a vote of two-thirds of the Council.
City council is the legislative body and has seven members. Four members represent individual wards and three are elected at large. Each council person serves a staggered four-year term.
As of 2011[update], the mayor is Jay Gillian. Members of the city council are Council President Michael Allegretto (at-large), Council Vice president Karen Bergman (Second Ward), Keith Hartzell (at-large), Tony Wilson (Third Ward), John Kemenosh (First Ward), Scott Ping (at-large) and Roy Wagner (Fourth Ward).[27]
Ocean City is in the 2nd Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 1st state legislative district.[28]
New Jersey's Second Congressional District is represented by Frank LoBiondo (R, Ventnor City). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
1st legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Jeff Van Drew (D, Dennis Township) and in the Assembly by Nelson Albano (D, Vineland) and Matthew W. Milam (D, Vineland).[29] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[30] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[31]
Cape May County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of five members, elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. As of 2011, Cape May County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Daniel Beyel (Upper Township, term expires December 31, 2011)[32], Leonard C. Desiderio (Sea Isle City, 2012)[33], Ralph E. Sheets, Jr. (2011)[34], M. Susan Sheppard (Ocean City, 2013)[35] and Gerald M. Thornton (2013).[36][37]
The Ocean City School District serves public school students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[38]) are Ocean City Primary School (K-3; 327 students), Ocean City Intermediate School (4-8; 488 students) and Ocean City High School (9-12; 1,284 students).
Students from Corbin City and Upper Township attend Ocean City High School for grades 9-12, while those from Sea Isle City attend grades 5-12, as part of sending/receiving relationships with the respective school districts.[39][40]
St. Augustine Regional School a K-8 coeducational Catholic school closed in June 2008.[41]
Ocean City Nor'easters of the USL Premier Development League play at Carey Stadium.
Media publications in Ocean City include its two newspapers, The Gazette and The Sentinel, in addition to its two other weekly prints, The Sandpaper and The Sure Guide. The city also has a lifestyle magazine known as Ocean City Magazine.
Noted current and former residents of Ocean City include:
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