Wildwood Crest, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
settlement_type = Borough
nickname =
motto =

imagesize = 200px
image_caption = Wildwood Crest arch


image_

image_

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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Wildwood Crest Borough highlighted in Cape May County. Inset



mapsize1 = 250x200px
map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Wildwood Crest, New Jersey

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Cape May
government_footnotes =
government_type = Walsh Act (New Jersey)
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Carl Groon
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = April 6, 1910

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 3.4
area_land_km2 = 3.0
area_water_km2 = 0.4
area_total_sq_mi = 1.3
area_land_sq_mi = 1.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2

population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3979
population_density_km2 = 1333.6
population_density_sq_mi = 3453.9

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|885445|Borough of Wildwood Crest, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed January 4, 2008.]
elevation_m = 1
elevation_ft = 3
latd = 38 |latm = 58 |lats = 20 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 50 |longs = 19 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 08260
area_code = 609
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-81200GR|2 [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0881831GR|3
website = http://www.wildwoodcrest.org
footnotes =

Wildwood Crest is a borough in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 3,980.

The area of the borough was first developed by Philip B. Baker in the 1900s as a southern addition to the resort of Wildwood, with the first houses going up in 1906.

Wildwood Crest was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 6, 1910, from portions of Lower Township."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 116.]

It was ranked the second best beach in New Jersey in the 2008 Top 10 Beaches Contest sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium. [cite news |last=Urgo |first=Jacqueline L. |title=Triumph for South Jersey |publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=May 23, 2008 |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/entertainment/19204259.html |accessdate=2008-05-30]

Geography

Wildwood Crest is located at coor dms|38|58|21|N|74|50|18|W|city (38.972464, -74.838365)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), of which, 1.1 square miles (3.0 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (11.45%) is water.

Wildwood Crest borders Diamond Beach in Lower Township, Wildwood City, and the Atlantic Ocean.Wildwood Crest and its neighboring towns of West Wildwood, North Wildwood, and Wildwood make up "The Wildwoods" resort, a popular vacation destination for those living in all parts of New Jersey as well as within the New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metropolitan areas. Unlike its sister communities of Wildwood and North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest is generally set apart from the all-hours excitement that the resort area is known for. Many vacationers will find some of the quietest and most undisturbed beach space.

A place once filled with motels of every color imaginable, Wildwood Crest and the surrounding areas have recently undergone some changes in housing. More condominiums have replaced the motels, such as The Grand, The Ocean Breeze, El Coronado, and The Arcadia. Even some restaurants have been torn down and replaced with condominiums, including The Captain's Table and Duffenetti's. These changes in housing have significantly changed the demographics of this area, from being a more family oriented one-vacation-per-summer place to being a weekend retreat for wealthier families.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1930= 738
1940= 661
1950= 1772
1960= 3011
1970= 3483
1980= 4149
1990= 3631
2000= 3980
estimate=3979
estyear=2006
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=ChangeGeoContext&geo_id=16000US3481200&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C16000US3480210&_street=&_county=wildwood&_cityTown=wildwood&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Wildwood Crest borough] , United States Census Bureau, accessed August 5, 2007.]
footnote=Population 1930 - 1990 [ [http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] , Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,980 people, 1,833 households, and 1,114 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,453.9 people per square mile (1,336.2/km²). There were 4,862 housing units at an average density of 4,219.3/sq mi (1,632.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.87% White, 1.23% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 2.21% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.22% of the population.

There were 1,833 households out of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the borough the population was spread out with 18.2% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $36,579, and the median income for a family was $47,462. Males had a median income of $42,727 versus $27,500 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,741. About 4.4% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Wildwood Crest has been governed under the Walsh Act, by a three-member commission, since 1937. [ [http://www.njstatelib.org/NJ_Information/Digital_Collections/MFMG/MFMGCH4.PDF The Commission Form of Municipal Government] , p. 53. Accessed August 11, 2007.] ["2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 8.] The current Board of Commissioners consists of: [ [http://www.wildwoodcrest.org/commissioners.htm Wildwood Crest Borough Commissioners] , Borough of Wildwood Crest. Accessed May 1, 2008.]
*Mayor [http://www.wildwoodcrest.org/mayorgroon.htm Carl Groon] - Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety
* [http://www.wildwoodcrest.org/commcabrera.htm Don Cabrera] - Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public Property
* [http://www.wildwoodcrest.org/commgould.htm Joyce Gould] - Commissioner of Revenue and Finance

Federal, state and county representation

Wildwood Crest is in the Second Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 1st Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 66. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Education

The Wildwood Crest School District serves public school students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Crest Memorial School had an enrollment of 291 students in the 2005-06 school year. [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3417970 Data for the Crest Memorial School] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 1, 2008.]

For grades 9-12, public school students from Wildwood Crest attend Wildwood High School in Wildwood as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Wildwood Public School District. [ [http://education.state.nj.us/rc/rc07/narrative/09/5790/09-5790-000.html Wildwood City School District 2007 Report card Narrative] , New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 30, 2008. "Students from North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest join students from Wildwood and West Wildwood at Wildwood High School."]

The area also has one private school, Wildwood Catholic High School.

Commerce

Portions of Wildwood Crest are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone in The Wildwoods. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3½% sales tax rate (versus the 7% rate charged statewide). [ [http://www.state.nj.us/njbusiness/financing/tax/geographic.shtml#2 Geographic & Urban Redevelopment Tax Credit Programs: Urban Enterprise Zone Employee Tax Credit] , State of New Jersey. Accessed July 28, 2008.]

Noted residents

Noted current and former residents of Wildwood Crest include:
*Aliki Brandenberg (born 1929), children's literature author, was born in Wildwood Crest. [ [http://www.yourlibrary.ws/childrens_webpage/e-author92000.htm Picture Books Author of the Month: Aliki] , Greenville Public Library. Accessed May 1, 2008.]
*Hampton Mears, scout for the Los Angeles Lakers. [Hilt, Ed. [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_docid=0EAEAA9736A7323E&p_docnum=1&p_queryname=NaN&p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated4&p_nbid=L55E57ROMTE4NTg0NzQ0OS4yODY4NjU6MTo3OnJhLTE4ODg "NBA COVERS TOURNEY"] , "The Press of Atlantic City", December 18, 1993. Accessed August 5, 2007. "Said Lakers scout Hampton Mears, who lives in Wildwood Crest and covers part of the East Coast..."]

Local history

Part of the Lower Township beach has been closed off for many years for the protection of many different native birds. These birds include the Piping Plover and the Sandierlings. These small birds have this area all to themselves so that their eggs may be protected from beach-goers. There is a nature trail one may take through the dunes to explore this sheltered area of the beach.

References

External links

* [http://www.wildwoodcrest.org/ Wildwood Crest homepage]
* [http://crest.capemayschools.com/ Crest Memorial School]
*NJReportCard|09|5800|0|Crest Memorial School
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3417970 Data for the Crest Memorial School] , National Center for Education Statistics
* [http://www.cresthistory.org/history.htm Wildwood Crest history]
* [http://www.thewildwoodleader.com "The Wildwood Leader"]