Neptune Township, New Jersey

Not to be confused with Neptune City, New Jersey.

Neptune Township, New Jersey
—  Township  —
Motto: Where Community, Business & Tourism Prosper
Map of Neptune Township in Monmouth County. Inset: Location of Monmouth County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Neptune Township, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°12′33″N 74°2′19″W / 40.20917°N 74.03861°W / 40.20917; -74.03861Coordinates: 40°12′33″N 74°2′19″W / 40.20917°N 74.03861°W / 40.20917; -74.03861
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Monmouth
Incorporated	February 26, 1879
Government[1]
- Type	Township
- Mayor	Kevin McMillan
Area
- Total	8.8 sq mi (22.7 km2)
- Land	8.2 sq mi (21.3 km2)
- Water	0.5 sq mi (1.4 km2)
Elevation[2]	69 ft (21 m)
Population (2010)[3]
- Total	27,935
- Density	3,187.3/sq mi (1,230.6/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	07753-07754
Area code(s)	732
FIPS code	34-49890[4][5]
GNIS feature ID	0882111[6]
Website	http://www.neptunetownship.org

Neptune Township is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 27,935.^[3]

Neptune was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 26, 1879, from portions of Ocean Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Neptune City (October 4, 1881), Bradley Beach (March 13, 1893) and Ocean Grove (April 5, 1920, until it was found unconstitutional and restored to Neptune Township as of June 16, 1921).^[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 8.8 square miles (23 km²), of which 8.2 square miles (21 km²) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), or 6.16%, is water. There are a number of parks in and near Neptune, including the sizable Boswell Park.^[8]

Ocean Grove (2010 Census population of 3,342) and Shark River Hills (pop. 3,697) are census-designated places and unincorporated areas within Neptune Township. Other communities within Neptune Township are Mid-Town, Bradley Park, the Gables, Summerfield, Green Grove, Seaview Island and West Neptune.^[9]

Neptune Township stretches from the Atlantic Ocean west to the Garden State Parkway (exit 100). The southern border is the Shark River estuary, and the northern border is with the city of Asbury Park and Ocean Township. Neptune Township is a diverse community, both in terms of population and landscape, extending from the seaside community of Ocean Grove, a national historic site, to Mid-town which is undergoing a municipal-led revitalization, to the riverside residential community of Shark River Hills, to the open spaces of Shark River Park and the commercial corridor on Route 66 in the west.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1930	10,625		—
1940	10,207		−3.9%
1950	13,613		33.4%
1960	21,487		57.8%
1970	27,863		29.7%
1980	28,366		1.8%
1990	28,148		−0.8%
2000	27,690		−1.6%
2010	27,935		0.9%
Population 1930 - 1990.[10]

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 27,690 people, 10,907 households, and 6,805 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,366.8 people per square mile (1,300.6/km²). There were 12,217 housing units at an average density of 1,485.4 per square mile (573.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 55.92% White, 38.16% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.17% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.98% from other races, and 2.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.55% of the population.

There were 10,907 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the township the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $46,250, and the median income for a family was $57,735. Males had a median income of $42,920 versus $31,057 for females. The per capita income for the township was $22,569. About 7.6% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Neptune Township is governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year.^[1] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.

As of 2011^[update], members of the Neptune Township Committee are Mayor Kevin McMillan, Deputy Mayor Randy Bishop, Dr. Michael Brantley, Eric Houghtaling and Mary Beth Jahn.^[11]

Federal, state and county representation

Neptune Township is in the 6th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 11th state legislative district.^[12]

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).^[13] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).^[14] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).^[15]

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. ^[16] As of 2011, Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan; term ends December 31, 2013)^[17], Freeholder Deputy Director John P. Curley (R, Red Bank; 2012)^[18], Thomas A. Arnone (R, Neptune City; 2013), Lillian G. Burry (R, Colts Neck Township; 2011)^[19] and Amy A. Mallet (D, Fair Haven, 2011).^[20][21][22]

Education

The Neptune Township Schools serve students in Pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district is one of 31 Abbott Districts statewide.^[23]

Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics^[24]) are the Early Childhood Center (Pre-K, 290 students), five PreK-5 elementary schools — Gables School (479), Green Grove School (513), Midtown Community School (297), Shark River Hills School (469) and Summerfield School (448) — Neptune Middle School for grades 6-8 (1,104) and Neptune High School for grades 9-12 (1,580).

Transportation

Neptune Township can be reached by way of the Garden State Parkway at exits 100 and 102. Route 18, Route 33, Route 35, Route 66 and Route 71 all pass through the township.

Interstate 195 is southwest of the township in neighboring Wall. The New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) entrance for Exit 8 is about 25 miles west on Route 33 in East Windsor, Mercer County.

Neptune Township is also served by New Jersey Transit trains at the Bradley Beach station on the North Jersey Coast Line.^[9]

NJ Transit bus service to Philadelphia is available on the 317 route. Local service is provided by the 830, 832 and 836 routes.^[25]

Notable residents

Among the notable residents (present and former) of the township are:

• Jack Armstrong, pitcher, Major League Baseball: Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers (Neptune HS, 1983).^[26]
• Nicole Atkins (born 1978), singer-songwriter on Columbia Records.^[27][28]
• Pat Battle (born 1959), WNBC-TV's New Jersey Bureau Reporter, Saturday Today (NBC) in New York co-anchor, and occasional fill in anchor.^[29]
• Taquan Dean (born 1983), University of Louisville basketball player in 2006 (Neptune HS, 2002)
• Danny DeVito (born 1944), actor^[30]
• Dedrick Dodge (born 1965), safety (American football position for eight NFL seasons, from 1991-1998.^[31]
• Brian Gaskill (born 1970), actor.^{[citation needed]}
• Jack Nicholson (born 1937 as John Joseph Nicholson), actor.^[32]
• Haydn Proctor (1903–96), member of the New Jersey Senate.^[33]
• Ed Radwanski (born 1963), professional soccer player (Neptune HS, 1981)
• Nate Ramsey (born 1941), safety and cornerback who played for the Philadelphia Eagles for most of his 11-year NFL career from 1963 through 1973.^[34]
• Isaac Schlossbach (1891–1984), polar explorer, submariner and aviation pioneer.^[35]
• Rusty Schweickart (born 1935), astronaut.^[36]
• Southside Johnny (born 1948), singer songwriter^[37]
• Bob Verga (born 1945), Dallas Chaparrals, Denver Rockets, New York Nets, Pittsburgh Condors, Portland Trail Blazers and Carolina Cougars basketball player, from 1964-1967 at Duke University and 1967-1974 professionally. Owns the Duke men's basketball record for points per game (26.7) in a single season.^[38]
• Clinton Wheeler (born 1959), former professional basketball player.^[39]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 58.
2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Township of Neptune, Geographic Names Information System, accessed October 15, 2007.
3. ^ ^{a b} "Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File (QT-PL), Neptune township, Monmouth County, New Jersey". U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder 2. http://factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved September 1, 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
5. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
6. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
7. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 183.
8. ^ Monmouth County Parks Listing
9. ^ ^{a b} Neptune Township Overview, Neptune Township. Accessed February 12, 2007.
10. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
11. ^ 2011 Township Committee Members, Neptune Township. Accessed May 27, 2011.
12. ^ 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 61. Accessed May 27, 2011.
13. ^ "Legislative Roster: 2010-2011 Session". New Jersey Legislature. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp. Retrieved 2010-02-08. 
14. ^ "About the Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/about/. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
15. ^ "About the Lieutenant Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/lt/. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
16. ^ Monmouth County Government, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 5, 2011.
17. ^ Freeholder Director Robert D. Clifton, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
18. ^ Deputy Director Freeholder John P. Curley, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
19. ^ Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
20. ^ Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
21. ^ Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
22. ^ Rizzo, Nina. "Monmouth County freeholders sworn into office", Asbury Park Press, January 6, 2011. Accessed January 7, 2011.
23. ^ Abbott Districts, New Jersey Department of Education, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 15, 2009. Accessed May 27, 2011.
24. ^ Data for the Neptune Township Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed June 8, 2008.
25. ^ Monmouth County Bus/Rail Connections, New Jersey Transit. Accessed June 19, 2007.
26. ^ "Armstrong Disarms Mets", The Record (Bergen County), May 4, 1990. "OK, let's get the obvious out of the way.Born in Englewood and a star at Neptune High School who went on to pitch at Rider College and the University of Oklahoma, 6-foot-5, 220-pound Cincinnati right-hander Jack Armstrong fulfills the qualifications for the obvious nickname, All-American Boy, like the fictional character of the same name."
27. ^ "Nicole Atkins & the Sea Perform 'War Torn,' Chat 'Neptune City'", SPIN.com, January 22, 2008 Accessed January 29, 2008 "But the neighborhood I live in is called Shark River -- it's part of Neptune -- I live right across the street from the river, and there's a bird sanctuary."
28. ^ Kitchin, Jessica. "New Faces NJ: Nicole Atkins", New Jersey Monthly, July 18, 2008. Accessed December 1, 2008. "Growing up in Neptune, Nicole Atkins wrote songs, searching for a way to blend country and '60s rock...“I grew up in Neptune in a mostly Sicilian family,” she says. “Everyone listened to a lot of oldies rock-n-roll like Frankie Valli and the Everly Brothers...Her home base is still Asbury Park, and she says she’s regularly back with the family in Neptune “doing lots of laundry.”"
29. ^ Lewis, Evelyn Stryker. "Neptune and Shark River Hills", via Google Books, p. 88, Arcadia Publishng, 1998. ISBN 0-7385-5699-8. Accessed November 15, 2008.
30. ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence. "AT THE MOVIES", The New York Times, April 18, 1986. Accessed October 15, 2007. "While Mr. DeVito, who was born in Neptune on the Jersey Shore and grew up in Asbury Park, was filming a scene for Wise Guys at the Resorts International Hotel in Atlantic City, his wife, the Brooklyn-born actress Rhea Perlman, was awaiting the birth of the couple's second child."
31. ^ Dedrick Dodge, database Football. Accessed December 8, 2007.
32. ^ Carney, Leo H. " Neptune Journal; Residents Dismayed About Cluttered Museum and Its Curator", The New York Times, May 10, 1992. Accessed November 16, 2008. "Jack Nicholson, the movie star, was born here 55 years ago."
33. ^ Thomas, Robert McG., Jr. "Haydn Proctor, 93, a Judge And New Jersey State Senator", The New York Times, October 5, 1996. Accessed February 10, 2011. "Haydn Proctor, a longtime New Jersey official who operated at the highest levels of all three branches of state government, died on Wednesday at a hospital near his home in Lakewood, N.J."
34. ^ Nate Ramsey profile, database Football. Accessed June 19, 2007.
35. ^ " Neptune and Neptune City: A brief history", Asbury Park Press, January 17, 2002. Accessed September 24, 2007. "After World War II, the Asbury Park Air Terminal, later known as the Gibson Air Academy, is founded by one of Neptune's most famous residents, Lt. Cmdr. Isaac Schlossbach, who explored the Arctic three times and the Antarctic nine times with Adm. Richard E. Byrd."
36. ^ Biographical Data, NASA. Accessed February 2, 2007.
37. ^ Minor, E. Kyle. "MUSIC; A Bar Band Once Again Takes to The Road", The New York Times, June 18, 2000. Accessed January 8, 2008. "That association was made in Mr. Lyon's youth, growing up Ocean Grove, N.J., half a mile from Asbury Park."
38. ^ Bob Verga, Basketball-Reference. Accessed November 16, 2008.
39. ^ Clinton Wheeler, database Basketball. Accessed October 1, 2007.

External links

• Neptune Township official website
• Neptune Township Schools
• Neptune Township Schools's 2009–10 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
• Data for the Neptune Township Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• Neptune Township Public Library