Cape May County, New Jersey
| Cape May County, New Jersey | |
 |
|
| Map | |
 Location in the state of New Jersey |
|
 New Jersey's location in the USA |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1685 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Cape May Court House |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,607 km² (620 mi²) 661 km² (255 mi²) 946 km² (365 mi²), 58.86% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
102,326 155/km² |
| Website: www.co.cape-may.nj.us | |
Cape May County is the southernmost county in the U.S.
state of New Jersey. As of the 2000
Census, the population is 102,326. It is included in the Ocean City
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its county
seat is the Cape May Court House section of Middle Township
This county is part of the Delaware Valley area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,607 km² (620 mi²). 661 km² (255 mi²) of it is land and 946 km² (365 mi²) of it (58.86%) is water.
Most of the county is flat and coastal. Sea level is the lowest point; the highest elevation is found at three areas in Belleplain State Forest in the county's northern corner which are approximately 60 feet (18.2 m) above sea level.
Adjacent Counties
- Atlantic County, New Jersey - north
- Cumberland County, New Jersey - northwest
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were
102,326 people, 42,148 households, and 27,354 families residing in the county. The population density was 155/km² (401/mi²). There were 91,047 housing units at an average density of
138/km² (357/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.57% White, 5.06% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.35% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 3.30% of the population
were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.0% were of Irish, 16.7% Italian, 15.9% German, 9.4%
English and 5.8%
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 |
—
|
||
| 1800 | 19.3% | ||
| 1810 | 18.5% | ||
| 1820 | 17.4% | ||
| 1830 | 15.7% | ||
| 1840 | 7.9% | ||
| 1850 | 20.8% | ||
| 1860 | 10.8% | ||
| 1870 | 17.1% | ||
| 1880 | 17.0% | ||
| 1890 | 15.4% | ||
| 1900 | 17.2% | ||
| 1910 | 49.6% | ||
| 1920 | -1.4% | ||
| 1930 | 51.5% | ||
| 1940 | -1.9% | ||
| 1950 | 28.4% | ||
| 1960 | 30.8% | ||
| 1970 | 22.7% | ||
| 1980 | 38.1% | ||
| 1990 | 15.6% | ||
| 2000 | 7.6% | ||
| Est. 2005 | [1] | -3.0% | |
| historical census data source: [2][3] | |||
There were 42,148 households out of which 26.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.50% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.30% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 20.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,591, and the median income for a family was $51,402. Males had a median income of $39,340 versus $27,621 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,172. About 6.40% of families and 8.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.70% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Cape May County Government is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of five members, elected at large by the citizens of Cape May County in partisan elections to serve staggered 3-year terms. Cape May County's Freeholders are:[4]
- Daniel Beyel (Freeholder Director, term expires December 31, 2008),
- Ralph E. Sheets, Jr. (Freeholder Vice-Director, 2008)
- Ralph E. Bakley, Sr. (2007)
- Leonard C. Desiderio (2009)
- Gerald M. Thornton (2007)
Industry
The majority of Cape May County's industry is tourism, due to its beaches and location between the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. During the summer season (which traditionally ranges from Memorial Day to Labor Day), tourists often outnumber "locals" 9 to 1.
Municipalities
The following municipalities are located in Cape May County. The municipality type is listed in parentheses after the name, except where the type is included as part of the name. Census-designated places and other unincorporated communities are listed under their municipalities.
- Avalon (borough)
- Cape May Point (borough)
- Cape May (city)
- Dennis Township
- Lower Township
- Middle Township
- North Wildwood (city)
- Ocean City
- Sea Isle City
- Stone Harbor (borough)
- Upper Township
- West Cape May (borough)
- West Wildwood (borough)
- Wildwood Crest (borough)
- Wildwood (city)
- Woodbine (borough)
Education
Atlantic Cape Community College, founded in 1964 with campuses in Mays Landing and Cape May Court House, serves students from both Atlantic County and Cape May County.
References
- ^ QuickFacts: Cape May County, New Jersey. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by County: 1880 - 1930.
- ^ Geostat Center: Historical Census Browser. University of Virginia Library. Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
- ^ Freeholders Home Page, Cape May County. Accessed June 11, 2007.
External links
- Official county website
- The Cape May County Gazette Newspaper
- The Beachcomber
- Cape May County Herald Newspaper
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Municipalities and communities of Cape May County, New Jersey |
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|---|---|---|
| County seat: Cape May Court House | ||
| Boroughs |
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| Cities | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities |
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