Surf City, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Surf City is a borough
in Ocean County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 1,205. The borough borders the Atlantic Ocean
on Long Beach Island
.
What is now Surf City was originally formed as Long Beach City borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on September 19, 1894, from portions of Stafford Township
, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day. The borough was renamed Surf City by a resolution of the Borough Council as of May 26, 1899.
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), of which, 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (21.74%) is water.
on the New Jersey
coast
, called the Mansion of Health. The area surrounding this hotel was called "Buzby's Place" in the 1830s and 1940s, after one of the owners of the Mansion of Health, Hudson Buzby. The Mansion of Health burned down in 1874, but some old-timers still call the cove at the foot of South First Street on the bay side "Mansion Cove."
In 1875, the 20 or so permanent members of the area decided to call it Long Beach City, even though the area was still considered part of Stafford Township
. But in 1894, Surf City became incorporated, changing its name to Surf City in 1899 after the United States Postal Service
demanded a name change before the town could incorporate, preventing it from being confused with Long Branch
in Monmouth County
.
of 2000, there were 1,442 people, 706 households, and 420 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 1,990.4 people per square mile (773.3/km²). There were 2,621 housing units at an average density of 3,617.9 per square mile (1,405.5/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.06% White, 0.14% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.42% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races
, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.94% of the population.
There were 706 households out of which 13.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples
living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.61.
In the borough the population was spread out with 12.4% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 34.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $38,190, and the median income for a family was $50,268. Males had a median income of $40,625 versus $25,208 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $26,632. About 5.6% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
and Asbury Park Press
.
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
The Mayor of Surf City Borough is Leonard T. Connors, Jr.
(R
, term ends December 31, 2011), who also is the state senator from the 9th Legislative District. Borough Council members are Council President Francis R. Hodgson, Sr. (R, 2011), Bettie Creevy (R, 2013), Peter M. Hartney, Jr. (R, 2013), William Hodgson (R, 2011), John Klose (R, 2012) and James B. Russell (R, 2012).
, which serves students from Barnegat Light
, Harvey Cedars
, Long Beach Township
, Ship Bottom
, and Surf City. Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are
Ethel Jacobsen School in Surf City with 127 students in grades Kindergarten - 2 and
Long Beach Island Grade School in Ship Bottom with 123 students in grades 3 - 6.
For grades 7 through 12, public school students from the Long Beach Island Consolidated School District attend the Southern Regional Middle School (grades 7 and 8) and Southern Regional High School
(grades 9 - 12); Both schools are located in Manahawkin
. These schools are part of the Southern Regional School District
, which serves the five municipalities in the Long Beach Island Consolidated School District, along with students from Beach Haven
and Stafford Township
and from the sending district of Ocean Township
(Waretown
).
The Surf City Beach Patrol (SCBP) won the Surf City Epic, Lavallette, Ortley Beach, Island Beach State Park, the Midway Beach, and "Islands" Tournaments in 2008, narrowly missing out on victories at Sandy Hook (2nd) and the Ship Bottom (2nd) "State Tournament" losing by only a combined 4.5 points. The SCBP squad were back-to-back LBIBPA Island Champions (2007 & 2008) for the first time in the last 25+ years. The high point of the season came during the IBSP tournament when SC man handled the field winning by 23 pts.
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....
in Ocean County
Ocean County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 510,916 people, 200,402 households, and 137,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 803 people per square mile . There were 248,711 housing units at an average density of 151/km²...
, 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. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 1,205. The borough borders the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
on Long Beach Island
Long Beach Island
Long Beach Island is a barrier island and summer colony along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Ocean County, New Jersey in the United States...
.
What is now Surf City was originally formed as Long Beach City borough 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 September 19, 1894, from portions of Stafford Township
Stafford Township, New Jersey
-Transportation:Stafford is served by a few major roads. CR 539 passes through in the western part. U.S. Route 9 passes north-south through the center of the township and Route 72 is the main artery that passes from the northwest to the southeast...
, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day. The borough was renamed Surf City by a resolution of the Borough Council as of May 26, 1899.
Geography
Surf City is 57 miles east-southeast of Philadelphia and 71 miles south of New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
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 borough has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), of which, 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (21.74%) is water.
History
Home to the first big boarding hotelBoarding house
A boarding house, is a house in which lodgers rent one or more rooms for one or more nights, and sometimes for extended periods of weeks, months and years. The common parts of the house are maintained, and some services, such as laundry and cleaning, may be supplied. They normally provide "bed...
on the 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...
coast
Coast
A coastline or seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A precise line that can be called a coastline cannot be determined due to the dynamic nature of tides. The term "coastal zone" can be used instead, which is a spatial zone where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs...
, called the Mansion of Health. The area surrounding this hotel was called "Buzby's Place" in the 1830s and 1940s, after one of the owners of the Mansion of Health, Hudson Buzby. The Mansion of Health burned down in 1874, but some old-timers still call the cove at the foot of South First Street on the bay side "Mansion Cove."
In 1875, the 20 or so permanent members of the area decided to call it Long Beach City, even though the area was still considered part of Stafford Township
Stafford Township, New Jersey
-Transportation:Stafford is served by a few major roads. CR 539 passes through in the western part. U.S. Route 9 passes north-south through the center of the township and Route 72 is the main artery that passes from the northwest to the southeast...
. But in 1894, Surf City became incorporated, changing its name to Surf City in 1899 after the United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
demanded a name change before the town could incorporate, preventing it from being confused with Long Branch
Long Branch, New Jersey
Long Branch is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 30,719.Long Branch was formed on April 11, 1867, as the Long Branch Commission, from portions of Ocean Township...
in Monmouth County
Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 630,380, up from 615,301 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Freehold Borough. The most populous municipality is Middletown Township with...
.
Demographics
As of the 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...
of 2000, there were 1,442 people, 706 households, and 420 families residing in the borough. 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 1,990.4 people per square mile (773.3/km²). There were 2,621 housing units at an average density of 3,617.9 per square mile (1,405.5/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.06% White, 0.14% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.42% Pacific Islander, 0.55% 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 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.94% of the population.
There were 706 households out of which 13.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% 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, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.61.
In the borough the population was spread out with 12.4% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 34.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $38,190, and the median income for a family was $50,268. Males had a median income of $40,625 versus $25,208 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 borough was $26,632. About 5.6% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
Media
Surf City is served primarily by Philadelphia television stations, Atlantic City and Philadelphia based radio stations and two daily newspapers, The Press of Atlantic CityThe Press of Atlantic City
The Press of Atlantic City is a daily newspaper based in Pleasantville, New Jersey. It is the primary newspaper for most of southeastern New Jersey and the Jersey Shore, publishing regional editions for Atlantic County, Cumberland County, Cape May County, and southern Ocean County...
and Asbury Park Press
Asbury Park Press
The Asbury Park Press is a daily newspaper in Monmouth and Ocean counties of New Jersey and has the third largest circulation in the state...
.
Local government
Surf City is governed under the BoroughBorough (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....
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
The Mayor of Surf City Borough is Leonard T. Connors, Jr.
Leonard T. Connors
Leonard T. Connors, Jr. is a former American Republican Party politician, who served in the New Jersey State Senate from 1982 to 2008, where he represented the 9th Legislative District...
(R
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, term ends December 31, 2011), who also is the state senator from the 9th Legislative District. Borough Council members are Council President Francis R. Hodgson, Sr. (R, 2011), Bettie Creevy (R, 2013), Peter M. Hartney, Jr. (R, 2013), William Hodgson (R, 2011), John Klose (R, 2012) and James B. Russell (R, 2012).
Federal, state and county representation
Surf City is in the 3rd Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 9th state legislative district.Education
For grades K through 6, public school students attend the Long Beach Island Consolidated School DistrictLong Beach Island Consolidated School District
The Long Beach Island Consolidated School District is a regional consolidated public school district which serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade from five communities bordering the Atlantic Ocean on Long Beach Island, in Ocean County, New Jersey...
, which serves students from Barnegat Light
Barnegat Light, New Jersey
Barnegat Light is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 574. The borough borders the Atlantic Ocean on Long Beach Island and is home to Barnegat Lighthouse....
, Harvey Cedars
Harvey Cedars, New Jersey
Harvey Cedars is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the borough population was 337. The borough borders the Atlantic Ocean on Long Beach Island....
, Long Beach Township
Long Beach Township, New Jersey
Long Beach Township is a Walsh Act Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 3,051....
, Ship Bottom
Ship Bottom, New Jersey
Ship Bottom is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 1,156. The borough is located on Long Beach Island and borders the Atlantic Ocean....
, and Surf City. Schools in the district (with 2008-09 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
Ethel Jacobsen School in Surf City with 127 students in grades Kindergarten - 2 and
Long Beach Island Grade School in Ship Bottom with 123 students in grades 3 - 6.
For grades 7 through 12, public school students from the Long Beach Island Consolidated School District attend the Southern Regional Middle School (grades 7 and 8) and Southern Regional High School
Southern Regional High School
Southern Regional High School is a regional public high school in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in grades 9 - 12 and operating as part of the Southern Regional School District. The school is located on of wooded land, upon which future projects are to be completed...
(grades 9 - 12); Both schools are located in Manahawkin
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Manahawkin is a census-designated place and unincorporated area contained within Stafford Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. Manahawkin translates to 'land of good corn' although this has been disputed by recent scholars claiming that it translate to “fertile land sloping into...
. These schools are part of the Southern Regional School District
Southern Regional School District
The Southern Regional School District is a regional public school district in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in grades 7–12...
, which serves the five municipalities in the Long Beach Island Consolidated School District, along with students from Beach Haven
Beach Haven, New Jersey
Beach Haven is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey in the United States. The borough is located on Long Beach Island and borders the Atlantic Ocean...
and Stafford Township
Stafford Township, New Jersey
-Transportation:Stafford is served by a few major roads. CR 539 passes through in the western part. U.S. Route 9 passes north-south through the center of the township and Route 72 is the main artery that passes from the northwest to the southeast...
and from the sending district of Ocean Township
Ocean Township, Ocean County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,450 people, 2,446 households, and 1,743 families residing in the township. The population density was 310.1 people per square mile . There were 2,981 housing units at an average density of 143.3 per square mile...
(Waretown
Waretown, New Jersey
Waretown is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Ocean Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 1,582. Waretown is home to Albert Music Hall and 2009 Nobel Prize winner in Physics, George E...
).
Organizations
The Surf City Yacht Club (SCYC) participates in weekly races against other yacht clubs throughout the Island, with many sailors and swimmers ranging in age dedicating their summers to the Yacht ClubThe Surf City Beach Patrol (SCBP) won the Surf City Epic, Lavallette, Ortley Beach, Island Beach State Park, the Midway Beach, and "Islands" Tournaments in 2008, narrowly missing out on victories at Sandy Hook (2nd) and the Ship Bottom (2nd) "State Tournament" losing by only a combined 4.5 points. The SCBP squad were back-to-back LBIBPA Island Champions (2007 & 2008) for the first time in the last 25+ years. The high point of the season came during the IBSP tournament when SC man handled the field winning by 23 pts.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Surf City include:- Gerry P. LittleGerry P. LittleGerry P. Little Ocean County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders. Little was appointed to the Board of Chosen Freeholders in December 2003 following the death of Freeholder James J...
, served on the Ocean County Board of Chosen FreeholdersBoard of Chosen FreeholdersIn New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures in each of that state's 21 counties.- Origin :New Jersey's system of naming county legislators "freeholders" is unique in the United States...
since 2003, and was elected to the Surf City Borough Council in 1995, where he served for eight years.
Sources
- Lloyd, John Bailey. "Eighteen Miles of History on Long Beach Island." (1994) Down The Shore Publishing and The SandPaper, Inc.
External links
- Surf City Borough municipal information
- Surf City Beach Patrol Home Page
- Long Beach Island School District
- Data for the Long Beach Island School District, 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...
- Southern Regional School District
- Long Beach Island Branch (Surf City) of Ocean County Library