Somers Point, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Somers Point is a city
in Atlantic County
, New Jersey
, United States. At the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 10,795.
The City of Somers Point is in the eastern part of Atlantic County, southwest of Atlantic City
.
Somers Point was originally incorporated as a borough
by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on April 24, 1886, from portions of Egg Harbor Township
, based on the results of a referendum held five days earlier. The borough was reincorporated on April 2, 1890, based on the previous day's referendum. Somers Point was incorporated as a city on April 9, 1902, from all of Somers Point borough and additional portions of Egg Harbor Township.
The Capt. John Jeffries Burial Marker
and Somers Mansion
are landmarks from earlier times.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.17 square miles (13.4 km²), of which, 4.03 square miles (10.4 km²) of it is land and 1.14 square miles (3 km²) of it (22.05%) is water.
, there were 10,795 people, 4,655 households and 2,827 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 78.7% White, 10.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 3.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.2% from other races
, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.5% of the population.
At the 2000 census
, there were 11,614 people, 4,920 households and 2,952 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,883.1 per square mile (1,112.7/km2). There were 5,402 housing units at an average density of 1,341.0 per square mile (517.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.66% White, 7.01% African American, 0.25% Native American, 3.17% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.25% from other races
, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% of the population.
There were 4,920 households of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples
living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.97.
Age distribution was 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.
The median household income
was $42,222, and the median family income was $51,868. Males had a median income of $39,650 versus $28,691 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $22,229. About 5.0% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.
The City Council consists of seven members. There are three members from each of two wards, elected for staggered three-year terms, and one at large representative, elected four years. The Council elects one of its members as President to chair the Council meetings and perform the other duties of a presiding officer. The City Council is the governing body of the City. They enact ordinances. The Council is responsible for adopting the annual budget, and setting other policy for the municipality.
, the Mayor
of Somers Point is John L. Glasser, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2015. The members of the City Council are Council President Sean T. McGuigan (2013), Councilmember-At-Large Carl D’Adamo (2012), Ward One Councilmembers Thomas G. Smith (2012), Sean T. McGuigan (2013) and Ralph Triboletti (2014); and Ward Two Councilmembers, Howard Dill (2012), Maureen Kern (2014) and Dennis Tapp (2013). The mayor and all councilmembers, with the exception of D'Adamo, are Republican.
In elections held on November 8, 2011, Glasser defeated Democrat-turned Independent Daniel Gudauskas in a landslide 1,650-558, making it the largest margin of victory in a contested election on the municipal level in Somers Point history. Triboletti and Kern ran unopposed in the first and second wards respectively.
Somers Point is in the
. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are
New York Avenue School with 81 students in pre-school,
Dawes Avenue School with 400 students in grades K-6 and
Jordan Road Middle School with 611 students in Pre-K through 8th grade.
Students in public school for grades 9 - 12 attend the Mainland Regional High School
, and which serves students from Linwood
, Northfield
and Somers Point. The high school is located in Linwood.
St. Joseph Regional School is a Catholic elementary school
, operated under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Camden
.
movie Eddie and the Cruisers
was largely filmed in Somers Point, using the defunct Tony Mart's nightclub as a setting.
City (New Jersey)
A City in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
in Atlantic County
Atlantic County, New Jersey
-National protected areas:* Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge * Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River -Demographics:...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. At the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 10,795.
The City of Somers Point is in the eastern part of Atlantic County, southwest of Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
.
History
Somers Point was once known as the Somerset Plantation and its settlement started around 1693.Somers Point was originally incorporated as a borough
Borough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on April 24, 1886, from portions of Egg Harbor Township
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
Egg Harbor Township is a township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the township population was 43,323, a growth of more than 40% since the previous enumeration....
, based on the results of a referendum held five days earlier. The borough was reincorporated on April 2, 1890, based on the previous day's referendum. Somers Point was incorporated as a city on April 9, 1902, from all of Somers Point borough and additional portions of Egg Harbor Township.
The Capt. John Jeffries Burial Marker
Capt. John Jeffries Burial Marker
Capt. John Jeffries Burial Marker is a historic burial marker at Somers Point, New Jersey.It was built in 1887 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.-References:...
and Somers Mansion
Somers Mansion
Somers Mansion is a historic house at Shore Road and Somers Point Circle in Somers Point, New Jersey.It was built in 1725 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.-See also:...
are landmarks from earlier times.
Geography
Somers Point is located at 39.319165°N 74.600300°W (39.319165, -74.600300).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 city has a total area of 5.17 square miles (13.4 km²), of which, 4.03 square miles (10.4 km²) of it is land and 1.14 square miles (3 km²) of it (22.05%) is water.
Demographics
At the 2010 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, there were 10,795 people, 4,655 households and 2,827 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 78.7% White, 10.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 3.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.2% 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 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.5% of the population.
At the 2000 census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, there were 11,614 people, 4,920 households and 2,952 families residing in the city. The population density
Population 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 2,883.1 per square mile (1,112.7/km2). There were 5,402 housing units at an average density of 1,341.0 per square mile (517.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.66% White, 7.01% African American, 0.25% Native American, 3.17% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.25% 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 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% of the population.
There were 4,920 households of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.97.
Age distribution was 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.
The median household income
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
was $42,222, and the median family income was $51,868. Males had a median income of $39,650 versus $28,691 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 city was $22,229. About 5.0% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
The Mayor is elected to a four-year term. The Mayor is generally responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the municipality. As Chief Executive Officer, the Mayor is charged with putting into effect the municipal laws, known as ordinances. The Mayor is not a member of the governing body, but has the statutory authority to veto ordinances, and may vote in the event of a tie. The Mayor makes appointments to certain boards, including the Planning Board, Recreation Commission, and Environmental Commission.The City Council consists of seven members. There are three members from each of two wards, elected for staggered three-year terms, and one at large representative, elected four years. The Council elects one of its members as President to chair the Council meetings and perform the other duties of a presiding officer. The City Council is the governing body of the City. They enact ordinances. The Council is responsible for adopting the annual budget, and setting other policy for the municipality.
, the Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Somers Point is John L. Glasser, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2015. The members of the City Council are Council President Sean T. McGuigan (2013), Councilmember-At-Large Carl D’Adamo (2012), Ward One Councilmembers Thomas G. Smith (2012), Sean T. McGuigan (2013) and Ralph Triboletti (2014); and Ward Two Councilmembers, Howard Dill (2012), Maureen Kern (2014) and Dennis Tapp (2013). The mayor and all councilmembers, with the exception of D'Adamo, are Republican.
In elections held on November 8, 2011, Glasser defeated Democrat-turned Independent Daniel Gudauskas in a landslide 1,650-558, making it the largest margin of victory in a contested election on the municipal level in Somers Point history. Triboletti and Kern ran unopposed in the first and second wards respectively.
Federal, state and county representation
Somers Point is in the 2nd Congressional district.Somers Point is in the
Education
Students in grades K - 8 are served by the Somers Point Public SchoolsSomers Point Public Schools
The Somers Point Public Schools are a community public school district that serves students in pre-school through eighth grade from Somers Point, in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States....
. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are
New York Avenue School with 81 students in pre-school,
Dawes Avenue School with 400 students in grades K-6 and
Jordan Road Middle School with 611 students in Pre-K through 8th grade.
Students in public school for grades 9 - 12 attend the Mainland Regional High School
Mainland Regional High School (New Jersey)
Mainland Regional High School is a regional public high school and school district serving students in grades nine through twelve from the communities of Linwood, Northfield and Somers Point in Atlantic County, New Jersey, serving a total population of over 25,000 in the three communities. The high...
, and which serves students from Linwood
Linwood, New Jersey
Linwood is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 7,092.Linwood was originally incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 20, 1889, from portions of Egg Harbor Township, based on the...
, Northfield
Northfield, New Jersey
Northfield is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 8,624.Northfield was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 21, 1905, from portions of Egg Harbor Township...
and Somers Point. The high school is located in Linwood.
St. Joseph Regional School is a Catholic elementary school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
, operated under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Camden
Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden is a particular church or diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, located in New Jersey, United States, and presides over Roman Catholic parishes and schools in the six southern New Jersey counties of Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland,...
.
Popular culture
The 19831983 in film
-Events:*February 11 - The Rolling Stones concert film Let's Spend the Night Together opens in New York*May 25 - Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, the final film in the original Star Wars trilogy, is released. Like the previous films, it goes on to become the top grossing picture of...
movie Eddie and the Cruisers
Eddie and the Cruisers
Eddie and the Cruisers is a 1983 American film directed by Martin Davidson with the screenplay written by the director and Arlene Davidson, based on the novel by P. F. Kluge...
was largely filmed in Somers Point, using the defunct Tony Mart's nightclub as a setting.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Somers Point include:- Doug ColmanDoug ColmanDouglass Clayton Colman is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He last served as defensive assistant/linebackers coach in NFL Europa for the Amsterdam Admirals.-Playing career:...
(born 1973), former NFL linebacker. - David Kagen (born 1948), actor.
- Jason LawrenceJason LawrenceJason Lawrence is a professional motocross racer competing in the AMA Supercross division and Lucas Oil AMA Outdoor Nationals. He currently lives in California...
(born 1987), professional motocross racer. - Jennifer Pershing (Born 1980), PlayboyPlayboyPlayboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
Playmate of the Month, March 2009.
External links
- Somers Point webpage
- Somers Point Public Schools
- 300 Years at the Point - The History of Somers Point, NJ
- Data for the Somers Point Public Schools, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- The Current of Somers Point