- Belmar, New Jersey
-
Not to be confused with Bellmawr, New Jersey. For other uses, see Belmar (disambiguation).
Belmar, New Jersey — Borough — Map of Belmar in Monmouth County. Inset: Location of Monmouth County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Belmar, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°10′42″N 74°1′21″W / 40.17833°N 74.0225°WCoordinates: 40°10′42″N 74°1′21″W / 40.17833°N 74.0225°W Country United States State New Jersey County Monmouth Incorporated April 9, 1885 as Ocean Beach borough Renamed April 16, 1889 as City of Elcho borough Renamed May 14, 1889 as City of Belmar borough Government – Type Faulkner Act (Small Municipality) – Mayor Matthew Doherty – Administrator Robbin Kirk 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 (2010 Census)[1] – Total 5,794 – Density 5,921.7/sq mi (2,286.4/km2) Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) – Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4) ZIP codes 07715, 07719 Area code(s) 732 FIPS code 34-04930[2][3] GNIS feature ID 0874659[4] Website http://www.belmar.com Belmar is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,794. 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.[5]
Contents
Geography
Belmar is located at 40°10′42″N 74°01′21″W / 40.178342°N 74.022446°W (40.178342, -74.022446).[6]
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 mile (2.6 km2) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) of it (39.65%) is water.
Demographics
Historical populations Census Pop. %± 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% 2010 5,794 −4.2% Population 1930 - 1990.[1][7] As of the census[2] 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 per square mile (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.[8]
Recreation
Belmar is a popular vacation destination because of its natural and recreational resources and close proximity to New York and Philadelphia. It features wide beaches for sunbathing, surfing, swimming, and fishing. The boardwalk and town offer shops, restaurants, an active arts scene, sporting events, festivals, and a variety of family-oriented activities (see "Annual Events" below).
Belmar beach (as well as those of 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. Along with surfing, Belmar also has an active skate community and skatepark constructed by American Ramp Company.[9] The Jersey Shore Basketball League, a competitive summer basketball league, takes place at St. Rose High School every summer.[10]
The Belmar Arts Council (BAC) sponsors regular art shows, workshops, concerts, and performances year around. BAC's gallery and workshop, the Boatworks, is located at 608 River Road, Belmar, around the corner from Klein's Seafood Restaurant near the Shark River Inlet.
Panorama of Belmar's beach from 9th Ave. and Ocean Ave.
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.[11]
As of 2011[update], members of the Belmar Borough Council are Mayor Matthew Doherty , Claire Deicke, Brian Magovern, Jennifer Nicolay and Richard Wright. The Borough Administrator is Robbin Kirk.[12]
Federal, state and county representation
Belmar is in the 6th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 11th state legislative district.[13] The borough was relocated to the 30th state legislative district by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission based on the results of the 2010 Census.[1] The new district will be in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.[13]
New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
11th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Sean T. Kean (R, Wall Township) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Mary Pat Angelini (R, Ocean Township) and Dave Rible (R, Wall Township).[14] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[15] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[16]
Monmouth County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of five members who are elected at-large to serve three year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats up for election each year. [17] As of 2011, Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan; term ends December 31, 2013)[18], Freeholder Deputy Director John P. Curley (R, Red Bank; 2012)[19], Thomas A. Arnone (R, Neptune City; 2013), Lillian G. Burry (R, Colts Neck Township; 2011)[20] and Amy A. Mallet (D, Fair Haven, 2011).[21][22][23]
Education
The Belmar School District serves students in public school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Belmar Elementary School consists of a single school that served an enrollment of 540 students as of the 2005-06 school year.[24] The district also serves students from Lake Como who attend as part of a sending/receiving relationship.[25] 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.[26] 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.[27][28] 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.[29]
Belmar is also the home of St. Rose High School, which operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton.[30]
Mesivta Keser Torah of Central Jersey, a Yeshiva and Yeshiva High school for men serves Haredi students mainly from Lakewood, Deal and Brooklyn, has existed since the 1920s.[31]
The Belmar Public Library, one of New Jersey's original thirty-six Carnegie libraries is in need of repairs and may be consolidated into the town's borough hall, and possibly join the Monmouth County Library system. The building may be demolished or possibly relocated from the intersection made famous by the E Street Band.[32]
Annual events
The intersection of E Street & 10th Avenue in Belmar, which inspired Bruce Springsteen's naming of the E Street Band and the song "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"- Belmar 5 Mile Run
- New Jersey Seafood Festival
- New Jersey Sand Castle Contest
- St. Patrick's Day Parade
- Belmar Pro Surf Contest
- Belmar Fall Festival
- Belmar Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Belmar Spring Kite Festival
- Adam O'Donnell Memorial Run-Swim-Run
- Howard Rowland Memorial Lifeguard Tournament
- Belmar Mile Swim
- Belmar Sprint Triathlon
- Belmar Elks Club Polar Bear Plunge
- The Jersey Shore Relay Run which has a leg that goes through Belmar
Sister city
In August 2008, the borough established a Sister City relationship with Balbriggan, a town of nearly 16,000 in County Dublin, Ireland.[33]
Trivia
Boardwalk in Belmar- Belmar is home to the first and oldest first-aid squad in the United States.[34][35]
- Belmar's "E" Street is world famous as it gave rise to Bruce Springsteen's "E Street Band". Springsteen's original keyboardist, David Sancious, was a resident of E Street in Belmar at the time the band was formed. The Sancious' family home was often used as a practice venue where they honed their musical craft in the formative pre-fame years.
- Monmouth County Regional Airport in nearby Wall Township is designated with the call letters "BLM" in honor of Belmar which provided machinery for clearing fields to establish runway space.
- Tony Soprano's boat is stored in Belmar. As shown on the back of the Stugots.
- The MTV reality show Jersey Shore was filmed in Belmar in Episode 9, Season 1. Ronnie and Sammi are seen going out to dinner at Connolly Station.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Belmar include:
- Jay Alders (born 1973), artist and photographer.[36]
- Tom Brower (born 1965), member of the Hawaii House of Representatives.[37]
- Brian Lynch (born 1978), American-Irish professional Basketball player and former standout at Villanova University who played for the Belgian team Euphony Bree. Lynch is married to former World No. 1-ranked tennis star Kim Clijsters.[38]
- Balls Mahoney (born 1972), professional wrestler.[39]
- Joseph Mayer (1877–1942), Mayor of Belmar who later served on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.[40]
- Tom McGowan (born 1956), actor.[41]
- Douglas Crawford McMurtrie (1888–1944), type designer.[42]
- Richie Rosenberg, trombonist who performed with Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes.[43]
- David Sancious (born 1953), early member of the E Street Band.[44]
- E. Donald Sterner (1894–1983), politician.[45]
References
- ^ a b c 2011 Apportionment Redistricting: Municipalities sorted alphabetically, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed June 4, 2011.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 178.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ Irish Communities, EPodunk. Accessed August 22, 2007.
- ^ NJ, Belmar Online
- ^ 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.
- ^ Telephone and Email Directory, Borough of Belmar. Accessed February 23, 2011.
- ^ a b 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 54. Accessed June 4, 2011.
- ^ "Legislative Roster: 2010-2011 Session". New Jersey Legislature. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
- ^ "About the Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/about/. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ "About the Lieutenant Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/lt/. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ Monmouth County Government, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 5, 2011.
- ^ Freeholder Director Robert D. Clifton, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
- ^ Deputy Director Freeholder John P. Curley, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
- ^ Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
- ^ Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
- ^ Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
- ^ Rizzo, Nina. "Monmouth County freeholders sworn into office", Asbury Park Press, January 6, 2011. Accessed January 7, 2011.
- ^ Data for the Belmar Elementary School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed July 20, 2008.
- ^ 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.
- ^ School Directory, Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton. Accessed June 4, 2011.
- ^ Larsen, Erik. "Neighbor upset with conditions at Belmar yeshiva", Asbury Park Press, May 11, 2007. Accessed February 23, 2011. "On Thursday Mayor Kenneth E Pringle a Democrat said that Mesivta Keser Torah School on 11th Avenue near D Street has been a fixture in Belmar in some form or another since about the 1920s."
- ^ Mulshine, Molly. "Is demolition in future of library?". Star News Group. http://starnewsgroup.com/weekly/2011/09.29.11/is_demolitio_09.29.11_78665.html?featured=*. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
- ^ Reiss, Fraidy. "Belmar now blessed with an Irish sister: Borough, Balbriggan seem to have a a lot in common", Asbury Park Press, August 8, 2008. Accessed August 22, 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."
- ^ Webster, Sarah. "Twisting and changing: Jay Alders is a graphic artist, painter and photographer", Asbury Park Press, January 24, 2008. Accessed February 4, 2011. "Now Alders resides in Belmar as a selfemployed businessman graphic artist painter and photographer."
- ^ Tim Brower, Hawaii State Legislature. Accessed February 4, 2011. "He also lived in Belmar and Spring Lake on the New Jersey Shore as a child, where he attended grammar school and high school."
- ^ "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."
- ^ Polyn, Glenn. "Belmar resident part of the new wave of wrestling", Asbury Park Press, July 5, 2001. Accessed February 4, 2011. "Rechner made a request to the ECW brass that Balls Mahoney be an extension of his own personality.... The 24-year-old Belmar resident sat beside his co-workers, Dave Michaels and Brian Sexton, and explained how he dreams of the day when thousands of people to scream their displeasure at him."
- ^ Staff. "JOSEPH MAYER; Former Mayor of Belmar Was Director of Freeholders", The New York Times, November 19, 1942. Accessed February 9, 2011. "He was born in Hazelton, Pa., Where he was elected to the Common Council at the age of 21 and later served as its president. He moved to Belmar in 1908 after residing in Lakewood."
- ^ Marks, Peter. "On Stage, and Off", The New York Times, September 8, 1995. Accessed August 9, 2008. "Fortunately, the 36-year-old actor, a native of Belmar, N.J., needs a lot of padding on his 200-plus-pound frame to play Otto, whose eating compulsion feeds into one of the central themes of Nicky Silver's new comedy, which opened last month to largely enthusiastic reviews."
- ^ Bruntjen, Scott; Young, Melissa L. "Douglas C. McMurtrie, bibliographer and historian of printing", p. 1. Scarecrow Press, 1979. ISBN 081081188X.
- ^ Wilkowe, Ellen S. "Man with a horn", Asbury Park Press, February 8, 2009. Accessed February 4, 2011. "After joining the Jukes Rosenberg moved to the Shore area and lived in Belmar, Long Branch and even across from the Stone Pony he said."
- ^ 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."
- ^ Staff. "E.D. STERNER NAMED HOFFMAN SECRETARY; Head of the Republican State Committee of Jersey Will Take Office Jan. 15.", The New York Times, November 20, 1934. Accessed February 4, 2011. "E. Donald Sterner of Belmar, chairman of the Republican State Committee, is to be secretary to Harold G. Hoffman, when the latter becomes Governor Jan. 15."
External links
- Belmar NJ Official Homepage
- Official Belmar Cam Website
- Belmar Elementary School
- Data for the Belmar Elementary School, National Center for Education Statistics
- Belmar Elementary School's 2009–10 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Belmar Elementary School Weather Station
- Photos and Images from Belmar NJ
State of New JerseyTopics Regions - Atlantic Coastal Plain
- Central Jersey
- Delaware River Region
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- Gateway Region
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- Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians
- Southern Shore Region
- Skylands Region
- South Jersey
- Tri‑State Region
- West Hudson
Counties Major cities Categories:- Boroughs in Monmouth County, New Jersey
- Faulkner Act Small Municipality
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