Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Cape May Court House is a census-designated place
and unincorporated area located within Middle Township
, in Cape May County
, New Jersey. It is part of the Ocean City
Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 4,704. It is the county seat of Cape May County and serves as the principal administrative hub for the township.
Cape Regional Medical Center is located at 2 Stone Harbor Boulevard in Cape May Court House, and is the only hospital in Cape May County. The Cape May County Park and Zoo is also located in Cape May Court House.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 23.6 km2 (9.1 mi2). 23.3 km2 (9.0 mi2) of it is land and 0.4 km2 (0.1 mi2) of it (1.54%) is water.
was 202.3/km2 (524.1/mi2). There were 2,086 housing units at an average density of 89.7/km2 (232.4/mi2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.35% White, 10.88% African American, 0.19% Native American, 2.70% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races
, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.57% of the population.
There were 1,732 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 24.9% 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 2.56 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $48,902, and the median income for a family was $56,707. Males had a median income of $39,848 versus $28,043 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $21,541. About 5.3% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.
". (Lyrics: If you want to be my spouse, better head for that Court House...)
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
and unincorporated area located within Middle Township
Middle Township, New Jersey
Middle Township is a township in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 16,405....
, in Cape May County
Cape May County, New Jersey
-Climate:Being the southernmost point in New Jersey, Cape May has fairly mild wintertime temperatures. Contrary to that, the summertime has lower temperatures than most places in the state, making the county a popular place to escape the heat. It is in zone 7a/7b, which is the same as parts of...
, New Jersey. It is part of the Ocean City
Ocean City, New Jersey
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...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 4,704. It is the county seat of Cape May County and serves as the principal administrative hub for the township.
Cape Regional Medical Center is located at 2 Stone Harbor Boulevard in Cape May Court House, and is the only hospital in Cape May County. The Cape May County Park and Zoo is also located in Cape May Court House.
History
Cape May Court House was laid out in 1703 by Jeremiah Hand and was first called Rumney Marsh and afterward Middleton before the adoption of its present name. The Court of Cape May County met in private homes and the First Baptist Church until 1764, when Daniel Hand set 1 acres (4,046.9 m²) of his own property to construct a court house and jail. It was replaced by the current structure in 1849.Geography
Cape May Court House is located at 39.080425°N 74.824428°W (39.080425, −74.824428).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 23.6 km2 (9.1 mi2). 23.3 km2 (9.0 mi2) of it is land and 0.4 km2 (0.1 mi2) of it (1.54%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,704 people, 1,732 households, and 1,221 families residing in the CDP. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 202.3/km2 (524.1/mi2). There were 2,086 housing units at an average density of 89.7/km2 (232.4/mi2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.35% White, 10.88% African American, 0.19% Native American, 2.70% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.57% of the population.
There were 1,732 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 24.9% 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 2.56 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $48,902, and the median income for a family was $56,707. Males had a median income of $39,848 versus $28,043 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $21,541. About 5.3% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.
Popular culture
Cape May Court House is mentioned in the regionally famous song "On the Way to Cape MayOn The Way To Cape May
"On The Way To Cape May" is a song that has become a Jersey Shore sound summertime anthem for the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley and South Jersey Shore area. It was written by Maurice "Buddy" Nugent according to BMI and the The Philadelphia Inquirer...
". (Lyrics: If you want to be my spouse, better head for that Court House...)
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Cape May Court House include:- Kevin BrambleKevin BrambleKevin Bramble is an American disabled ski racer, freeskier, and monoski designer/builder from Cape May Court House, New Jersey...
(1972–), disabled ski racer, freeskier, and monoski designer/builder. - Wesley WilsonWesley WilsonWesley Wilson was an American blues and jazz singer and songwriter. His own stage craft, plus the double act with his wife and musical partner, Coot Grant, was popular with African American audiences in the 1910s, 1920s and early 1930s.His stage names included Kid Wilson, Jenkins, Socks, and...
(1893–1958), a bluesBluesBlues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
and jazzJazzJazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musician, who wrote "Take Me for a Buggy Ride" and "Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer)", which continue to be ranked among Bessie SmithBessie SmithBessie Smith was an American blues singer.Sometimes referred to as The Empress of the Blues, Smith was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s...
's most popular recordings. Wilson died in Cape May Court House in 1958.
External links
- The Cape May County Gazette Local community newspaper
- The Beachcomber