| Ocean City, New Jersey |
Article Index for Ocean City |
Website Links For Ocean City |
Information AboutOcean City, New Jersey |
|
Ocean City is a City located in Cape May County , New Jersey . As of the United States 2000 Census , the city had a total population of 15,378 in the winter months. In the summer months, the town's population can (and often does) swell over 110,000. The city is known as a family seaside resort and prohibits the sales of alcoholic beverages within its limits. Ocean City is a very popular vacation area in South Jersey . More families flock here than other New Jersey beaches because of its laws regarding the sale of alcohol. As a result, the Travel Channel has rated Ocean City as the Best Family Beach of 2005. GEOGRAPHY Ocean City is located at 39°15'55" North, 74°35'38" West (39.265371, -74.593814). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 28.7 Km&2 (11.1 Mi&2 ). 17.9 km&2 (6.9 mi&2) of it is land and 10.8 km&2 (4.2 mi&2) of it is water. The total area is 37.58% water. Ocean City is a barrier island with bridge connections to Upper Township , Atlantic County , Somers Point , and Strathmere . The Eastern side of Ocean City borders the Atlantic Ocean , while the Western side faces the Great Egg Harbor bay. DEMOGRAPHICS As of the Census of 2000, there were 15,378 people, 7,464 households, and 4,008 families residing in the city. The Population Density was 858.0/km&2 (2,222.8/mi&2). There were 20,298 housing units at an average density of 1,132.5/km&2 (2,934.0/mi&2). 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. 1.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 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. In the city the population was spread out with 16.4% under the age of 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. 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. 6.8% of the population and 4.3% of families were below the Poverty Line . 10.0% of those under the age of 18 and 6.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. GOVERNMENT Local government 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. The Mayor is the chief executive of the community who is chosen for a four-year term at the Municipal Election in May and serves part-time for a yearly salary. The Mayor does not preside over, nor have a vote on the Council. The Mayor has a veto power over ordinances, but vetoes can be overridden by a vote of two-thirds of the Council. City Council is the legislative body. There are seven elected members. Four members represent individual wards and three are elected at large. Each of the Councilpersons serves a staggered four-year term. The Mayor of Ocean City is Henry S. "Bud" Knight. He ran a successful pharmacy business before becoming mayor. Members of the City Council are:
Federal, state and county representation Ocean City is in the Second Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 1st Legislative District. EDUCATION The (9-12). Students from Corbin City , a non-operating school district, attend the Ocean City schools as part of a sending / receiving relationship. Students from Upper Township attend Ocean City High School as part of a sending / receiving relationship. HISTORY 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 Indians, 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. In 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 . They met under a tall cedar tree, which stands today at 6th Street and Asbury Avenue. Having chosen the name “Ocean City”, the founders incorporated the “Ocean City Association”, laid out street and lots for cottages, hotel and businesses. The Tabernacle was built between Wesley and Asbury Avenues and between 5th and 6th Streets. Camp Meetings were held by the following summer. From these beginnings Ocean City has grown into the town as it exists today. The first bridge was built to the island in 1883. The 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. A large fire in 1927 changed the town significantly. TRIVIA
EXTERNAL LINKS
|
|
|