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Ocean City, New Jersey
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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 United States 2000 Census, the city population was 15,378 in the winter months. In the summer months, Ocean City's population has been estimated to reach 115,000 to 130,000.
Ocean City was originally formed as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 3, 1884, from portions of Upper Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 30, 1884, and was reincorporated as a borough on March 31, 1890.
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Encyclopedia
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 United States 2000 Census, the city population was 15,378 in the winter months. In the summer months, Ocean City's population has been estimated to reach 115,000 to 130,000.
Ocean City was originally formed as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 3, 1884, from portions of Upper Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 30, 1884, and was reincorporated as a borough on March 31, 1890. Ocean City was incorporated as a city, its current type of government, on March 25, 1897.
Ocean City is known as a family seaside resort that has prohibited the sales of alcoholic beverages within its limits since the city's founding in 1879. With miles of guarded beaches, a 2.5 mile boardwalk, and a quaint downtown there is always something to occupy locals' and visitors' time.
The Travel Channel rated Ocean City as the Best Family Beach of 2005. 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.
Ocean City requires purchase of a beach tag for all individuals age 12 and up to go on the beach from early June through Labor Day. For the 2008 season, tags could be purchased on a daily basis for $5, weekly for $10 or $20 for the entire season.
Geography
Ocean City is located at (39.265371, -74.593814).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.1 square miles (28.7 km˛), of which, 6.9 square miles (17.9 km˛) of it is land and 4.2 square miles (10.8 km˛) of it (37.58%) is 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.
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 2,222.8 people per square mile (858.0/km˛). There were 20,298 housing units at an average density of 2,934.0/sq mi (1,132.5/km˛). 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.
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. 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.
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 Salvatore Perillo. Members of the City Council are:
- At-Large - Scott Ping, Council President
- At-Large - Keith Hartzell, Council Vice President
- At-Large - Michael Allegretto
- First Ward - John Kemenosh
- Second Ward - Karen Bergman
- Third Ward - Susan Sheppard
- Fourth Ward - Roy Wagner
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 Ocean City School District serves public school students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district are (K-3), (4-8) and Ocean City High School (9-12).
Public school 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 and Sea Isle City also attend Ocean City High School for grades 9-12, also as part of sending/receiving relationships.
a K-8 coeducational Catholic school closed in June, 2008.
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 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. 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.
From these beginnings Ocean City has grown into the town 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. A large fire in 1927 changed the town significantly.
Popular culture references
Sports
The Ocean City Barons of the USL Premier Development League play at Carey Stadium.
Media
Media publications in Ocean City include , , and The Sure Guide. In addition to its newspapers, Ocean City High School airs its own student run news show called , which airs locally.
Noted residents
Noted current and former residents of Ocean City include:
- David Akers, kicker for the Eagles, owns a house on the beach at the south end of the island.
- A. R. Ammons, author and poet, winner of the National Book Award.
- Maurice Catarcio, former professional wrestler with the World Wrestling Federation and record holder in The Guinness Book of World Records.
- Bobby Clarke, played 15 seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers and led them to two Stanley Cups and was awarded the Hart Trophy as league MVP three times.
- Pat Croce, former owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, owns a summer home in the Gardens section of the city.
- Stephen Dunn, poet.
- Rich Gannon (1965-), former Oakland Raiders quarterback and league MVP in 2002, owns a home on the beach in the mid-section of the island.
- Andrew Golota (1968-), boxer.
- Grace Kelly (1929-1982), Academy Award-winning actress, and Princess of Monaco, was a summer resident of Ocean City.
- Kurt Loder (1945-), Former Editor of Rolling Stone Magazine and anchor for MTV News, graduated from Ocean City High School in 1963
- Dave Mustaine (1961-), Guitar player of Megadeth and former guitar player for Metallica owns a summer home here.
- Brian Propp (1959-), former NHL hockey player who is now a broadcaster for the Philadelphia Flyers.
- Ed Rendell (1944-), Governor of Pennsylvania, owns a summer home.
- James Stewart (1908-1997), actor, spent summers at his family's vacation home during his childhood.
- Gay Talese (1932-), author grew up in the "Italian" section of the city. He still vacations there with his wife.
- Walter Trout (1951-), blues musician.
- Mike Tyson, former heavyweight champion, owns a summer home in the Gardens section of Ocean City.
- Brian Westbrook (1979-), a Philadelphia Eagles running back, owns a summer home in the Gardens section of Ocean City.
- The Wrigley Family, founders of the Wrigley Gum Company, once owned a summer home in the Gardens.
- Jay Wright (1961-), coach of Villanova University Men's Basketball team has a beach residence in Ocean City
External links
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