Belmar, New Jersey
Belmar, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
 Map of Belmar in Monmouth County | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Monmouth |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.7 sq mi (4.4 km2) |
| • Land | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.7 sq mi (1.7 km2) |
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 6,045 |
| • Density | 5,921.7/sq mi (2,286.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 07715, 07719 |
| Area code | 732 |
| FIPS code | 34-04930Template:GR |
| GNIS feature ID | 0874659Template:GR |
Belmar is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 6,045. The Borough of Belmar is governed under the Faulkner Act (Small Municipality) system of municipal government.
What is now Belmar was originally incorporated as Ocean Beach borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1885, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier. On April 16, 1889, it became the City of Elcho borough, which lasted for a few weeks until the name was changed to the City of Belmar Borough as of May 14, 1889. The city acquired its current name, Borough of Belmar, on November 20, 1890.[1]
Geography
Belmar is located at 40°10′42″N 74°1′21″W / 40.17833°N 74.02250°WInvalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (40.178342, -74.022446)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²), of which, 1.0 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.7 km²) of it (39.65%) is water.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 3,491 | — | |
| 1940 | 3,435 | −1.6% | |
| 1950 | 4,636 | 35.0% | |
| 1960 | 5,190 | 11.9% | |
| 1970 | 5,782 | 11.4% | |
| 1980 | 6,771 | 17.1% | |
| 1990 | 5,877 | −13.2% | |
| 2000 | 6,045 | 2.9% | |
| 2006 (est.) | 5,923 | [2] | |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[3] | |||
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 6,045 people, 2,946 households, and 1,316 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,921.7 people per square mile (2,288.2/km²). There were 3,996 housing units at an average density of 3,914.5/sq mi (1,512.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.53% White, 3.46% Black, 0.18% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 1.99% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.85% of the population.
There were 2,946 households out of which 17.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.0% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.3% were non-families. 44.3% 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 2.05 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the borough the population was spread out with 17.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $44,896, and the median income for a family was $61,250. Males had a median income of $40,557 versus $34,323 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,456. About 4.5% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.
As of the 2000 census, 28.2% of Belmar's residents were of Irish ancestry, the 12th highest of any municipality in New Jersey, for all communities in which at least 1,000 people listed their ancestry.[4]
Recreation
Belmar beach (as well as the towns to the south, such as Manasquan and Point Pleasant) is among the most popular surf spots on the East Coast. Belmar frequently hosts surfing events and competitions.
The Jersey Shore Basketball League, a competitive summer basketball league, takes place at St. Rose High School every summer.[5]
Government
Local government
In July 1990, the voters of Belmar overwhelmingly passed a referendum changing Belmar's form of government from a three-person, non-partisan Commission form of government under the Walsh Act to the Small Municipality Plan form of government under the Faulkner Act. This referendum followed nine months of research and hearings by a Charter Study Commission elected by the residents at a referendum that occurred in November 1989.
Under the version of the Small Municipality Plan form applicable to Belmar, the Council consists of four members who are elected for staggered, three-year terms at partisan elections each November, and the Mayor, who is directly elected by the voters for a four-year term. The Mayor serves as the chief executive officer of the municipality, and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Borough. The Mayor sits as a member of the Council, and chairs Council meetings. He is able to vote as a Councilmember, but has no veto over the Council's actions.[6]
Members of the Belmar Borough Council are[7]:
Federal, state and county representation
Belmar is in the Sixth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 11th Legislative District[8]
For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 6th congressional district is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch).[9][10] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027)[11] and Bob Menendez (Englewood Cliffs, term ends 2025).[12][13]
For the 2024-2025 session, the 11th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Vin Gopal (D, Long Branch) and in the General Assembly by Margie Donlon (D, Ocean Township) and Luanne Peterpaul (D, Long Branch).[14] Template:NJ Governor
Template:NJ Monmouth County Freeholders
Education
Belmar Elementary School consists of a single school that provides a comprehensive educational program for the 620 public school students in preschool through eighth grade from Belmar, as well as those from Lake Como who attend as part of a sending/receiving relationship.[15] The school was constructed in 1909 and has had additions built in 1929, 1949, 1969 and 1993. There are 65 certified staff members. This includes administrators, teachers, nurses and child study team personnel. Thirty non-certified staff members support them. The single school is two schools in one, a primary school for grades preschool through fifth and a middle school organization plan for grades six through eight.
Students attending public high school are assigned based on sending/receiving relationships to either Manasquan High School or Asbury Park High School.[16] Manasquan High School also serves students from Avon-by-the-Sea, Brielle, Lake Como, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights who attended Manasquan High School as part of sending/receiving relationships with their respective districts.[17][18] Students may also attend Red Bank Regional High School, Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Academy of Allied Health & Science, Academy Charter School, High Technology High School, Communications High School or Biotechnology High School.
Students may also attend Academy Charter High School, located in Lake Como, which serves residents of Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Deal, Interlaken and Lake Como, and accepts students on a lottery basis.[19]
Belmar is also the home of St. Rose High School.
Annual Events
- Belmar 5k run
- New Jersey Seafood Festival
- New Jersey Sand Castle Contest
- St. Patrick's Day Parade
Trivia
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Belmar include:
- Brian Lynch, American-Italian professional Basketball player and former standout at Villanova University who currently plays for the Belgian team Euphony Bree. Lynch is married to former World No. 1-ranked tennis star Kim Clijsters.[22]
- Balls Mahoney, WWE Superstar.[citation needed]
- David Sancious (1953-), early member of the E Street Band.[23]
References
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 178.
- ^ Census data for Belmar borough, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 25, 2007.
- ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ Irish Communities, Epodunk. Accessed August 22, 2007.
- ^ Big-time games played in a small gym on Seventh, Asbury Park Press, July 2, 2000.
- ^ Belmar's Form of Government, Borough of Belmar. Accessed September 1, 2006.
- ^ Borough of Belmar Municipal Directory, Borough of Belmar. Accessed April 29, 2007.
- ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 54. Accessed August 30, 2006.
- ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 3, 2019.
- ^ Biography, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Frank Pallone, Jr., was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, where he grew up and still resides."
- ^ U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
- ^ Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
- ^ Home, sweet home: Bob Menendez back in Hudson County. nj.com. Accessed April 30, 2021. "Booker, Cory A. - (D - NJ) Class II; Menendez, Robert - (D - NJ) Class I"
- ^ Legislative Roster for District 11, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2022.
- ^ Belmar Elementary School 2007 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 8, 2008. "The Belmar Elementary School has a long history of providing the students of Belmar and Lake Como with an outstanding education as well as enriching extracurricular activities."
- ^ Cheslow, Jerry. " LIVING IN/Belmar, N.J.; Pushing Back on a Rowdy Reputation", The New York Times, June 20, 2004. Accessed October 23, 2007. "From Belmar Elementary, students are slotted to go to either Manasquan High School or Asbury Park High School, according to a 56-44 percent formula worked out with the New Jersey Department of Education in the late 1940's."
- ^ Manasquan Public Schools 2007 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 18, 2008. "Manasquan High School receives students from seven different districts; Avon, Brielle, Belmar, Lake Como, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, and Spring Lake Heights."
- ^ About MBOE, accessed September 7, 2006.
- ^ Academy Charter High School 2007 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 12, 2008.
- ^ "Belmar First Aid Squad" "The Belmar First Aid Squad was organized in 1927 and is believed to be the oldest independent volunteer squad in the U.S."
- ^ Sucato, Kristy. "ON THE MAP ; A First-Aid Station That Faces an Emergency of Its Own", The New York Times, September 21, 1997. Accessed February 4, 2008. "Belmar's first aid squad this year is celebrating its 70th anniversary, and it is the oldest volunteer squad in the United States and Canada."
- ^ "Clijsters, Lynch wed in Belgian ceremony", Asbury Park Press, July 14, 2007. Accessed July 25, 2007. "Retired tennis star Kim Clijsters and U.S. basketball player Brian Lynch, a Belmar resident, were married Friday in a secret early morning ceremony.... Clijsters said she wanted to focus on her wedding and a new life with Lynch, a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy who went on to play basketball at Villanova and plays professionally in the Belgian league."
- ^ Lustig, Jay. "Revisiting E Street: Ex-Springsteen sideman looks forward to Shore gig", The Star-Ledger, July 15, 2005. Accessed July 30, 2007. "Sancious grew up in Asbury Park and Belmar. The E Street Band was named after the address of his mother's Belmar home, where they sometimes practiced. Sancious lived in Red Bank in the late '70s, before relocating to his current hometown, Woodstock, N.Y."
External links
- Belmar NJ Official Homepage
- National Center for Education Statistics data for the Belmar Elementary School
- School Performance Reports for the Belmar Elementary School, New Jersey Department of Education
- Belmar Elementary School Weather Station
- Photos and Images from Belmar NJ
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