Somers Point, New Jersey
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Somers Point is a city situated on the Jersey Shore that is the oldest settlement in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It was settled by Europeans in 1693 and was incorporated as a borough in 1886. Somers Point was incorporated as a city in 1902. The city is located in eastern Atlantic County, southwest of Atlantic City, in the South Jersey region of the state.
As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 10,469,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 326 (−3.0%) from the 2010 census count of 10,795,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 819 (−7.1%) from the 11,614 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> Somers Point and all of Atlantic County lie within the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn constitutes part of the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area.<ref>New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.</ref>
History
[edit]
The earliest residents of the area were the Lenape Native Americans. John Somers was the first European settler in what is now Somers Point. Somers purchased the land along the northern periphery of the Great Egg Harbor Bay from Thomas Budd in 1693, making it the oldest European settlement in what is now Atlantic County. Great Egg Harbour Township was designated in 1693 from the eastern portions of Gloucester County, which included Somers Point. Somers named the area Somerset Plantation. In 1695, John Somers operated the first ferry service across the Great Egg Harbor Bay to Cape May County. His son Richard built Somers Mansion overlooking the harbor sometime between 1720 and 1726, which remains the county's oldest existing home.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Story/><ref>"A Short History of Somers Point", Somers Point Historical Society. Accessed May 22, 2017. "Somers Point was originally settled by John Somers, an Englishman and practicing Quaker, who bought the land from Thomas Budd. Early names for the area were Somerset Plantation, Somers Ferry, and Somers Plantation, named after the first settlers in 1693."</ref><ref name="sp">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Somers' Mansion, Col. Richard Somers Chapter. Accessed May 22, 2017. "Somers Mansion, situated on Shore Road in Somers Point, NJ, is the oldest house in Atlantic County. It was built about 1725 by Richard Somers, oldest son of John Somers."</ref> Early names for the area were Somerset Plantation, Somers Ferry, and Somers Plantation, until the name Somers Point was established in 1750. Somers Point was designated as a port of entry in 1791 and remained one until it was abolished in 1915.<ref>"An Historic Trip Up the Great Egg Harbor River", Somers Point Historical Society. Accessed November 20, 2013.</ref><ref>Treasury decisions under customs and other laws, p. 804. United States Department of the Treasury, 1916. Accessed November 20, 2013.</ref> By the 1830s, when Somers Point became part of Atlantic County, it was a popular summer resort with several boarding houses.<ref name="hist">Barber, John Warner. Historical Collections of the State of New Jersey: Containing a General Collection of the Most Interesting Facts, Traditions, Biographical Sketches, Anecdotes, Etc., Relating to Its History and Antiquities, with Geographical Descriptions of Every Township in the State, p. 64. Accessed March 8, 2020.</ref>
Somers Point was originally incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 24, 1886, from portions of Egg Harbor Township, based on the results of a referendum held five days earlier.<ref name=Story/> At that time, there were 48 people registered to vote in the borough.<ref name="sp"/> Somers Point was subsequently reincorporated as a borough on April 2, 1890, based on the previous day's referendum, and was finally incorporated as a city on April 9, 1902, from all of Somers Point borough and additional portions of Egg Harbor Township. All were named for John Somers.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 70. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref><ref>Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 262. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 3, 2015.</ref><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 3, 2015.</ref><ref>Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 287. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed October 3, 2015.</ref>
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 5.23 square miles (13.55 km2), including 4.01 square miles (10.39 km2) of land and 1.22 square miles (3.17 km2) of water (23.37%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Ocean Heights.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>
The city borders Egg Harbor Township, Longport and Linwood in Atlantic County; and both Ocean City and Upper Township in Cape May County.<ref>Areas touching Somers Point, MapIt. Accessed March 8, 2020.</ref><ref>Atlantic County District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed May 23, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>
Demographics
[edit]2010 census
[edit]The 2010 United States census counted 10,795 people, 4,655 households, and 2,826 families in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 5,556 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 78.75% (8,501) White, 10.68% (1,153) Black or African American, 0.25% (27) Native American, 3.08% (332) Asian, 0.06% (6) Pacific Islander, 4.17% (450) from other races, and 3.02% (326) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.49% (1,024) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 4,655 households, 26.2% had children under the age of 18; 36.8% were married couples living together; 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 39.3% were non-families. Of all households, 31.9% were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.90.<ref name=Census2010/>
21.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 88.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 84.5 males.<ref name=Census2010/>
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $47,312 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,646) and the median family income was $51,489 (+/− $7,704). Males had a median income of $45,385 (+/− $6,862) versus $37,536 (+/− $3,731) for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,626 (+/− $1,822). About 11.9% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.6% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Somers Point city, Atlantic County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 1, 2012.</ref>
2000 census
[edit]At the 2000 United States census,<ref name="GR2" /> there were 11,614 people, 4,920 households and 2,952 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 5,402 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 85.66% White, 7.01% African American, 0.25% Native American, 3.17% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.25% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Somers Point city, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 4, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Somers Point city, Atlantic County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 4, 2012.</ref>
There were 4,920 households, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.97.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
Age distribution was 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
The median household income was $42,222, and the median family income was $51,868. Males had a median income of $39,650 versus $28,691 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,229. About 5.0% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
Economy
[edit]The largest employer in Somers Point is Shore Medical Center, with 1,500 employees, 370 physicians, and 296 beds.<ref name="sp"/><ref>About, Shore Medical Center. Accessed May 22, 2017.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Somers Point is the home to the largest crabbing tournament in the United States, the Assault on Patcong Creek. Founded in 2010, the tournament takes place annually in June and attracts participants from over a dozen states.<ref>Marino, Suzanne. "Patcong Creek Foundation, crab tourney support environmental initiatives", The Current of Egg Harbor Township, January 25, 2017. Accessed May 22, 2017. "Harbormaster Ron Meischker organizes the annual Assault on Patcong Creek crabbing tournament here – the success of which spawned the Patcong Creek Foundation, a nonprofit organization that looks to help the local environment through education. The tournament, scheduled for Saturday, June 24, began in 2010 with a few friends getting together for a crabbing tournament on Patcong Creek, with the winner getting bragging rights and everyone enjoying a day on the water.... Today organizers are billing the Assault on Patcong Creek as the largest crabbing tournament in the country, with crabbers and their families coming from as far away as Texas."</ref>
Parks and recreation
[edit]Portions of the Right-of-way of the Atlantic City and Shore Railroad, running for Template:Convert between Pleasantville and Somers Point have been repurposed as the Somers Point Bike Path.<ref>Klenk, Steffen. "On The Move: History of South Jersey Railroads", Shore Local, March 29, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2023. "The six-mile long Somers Point Bike Path, a six-mile long trail that stretches between Somers Point and Pleasantville, runs along the former Atlantic City and Shore Railroad. This railroad, also known as the Shore Fast Line, operated from 1907 until 1948 and provided service between Atlantic City and Ocean City."</ref> Along the Somers Point bay lays a 6.18 acre park named after 35th United .States President John F. Kennedy.
Government
[edit]Local government
[edit]Somers Point is governed under the City form of government, as one of 15 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this traditional form of government.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the seven-member City Council, all elected on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor serves a four-year term, with a single council at-large seat and one council member from each of the two wards up for election each year in a three-year cycle.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 8.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 4. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The Mayor is responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the municipality. As the city's Chief Executive Officer, the Mayor puts into effect the municipal laws, known as ordinances. The Mayor can veto ordinances and may vote in the event of a tie. The Mayor makes appointments to certain boards, including the Planning Board, Recreation Commission, and Environmental Commission. The Council elects one of its members as president to chair the Council meetings and perform the other duties of a presiding officer. The City Council enacts ordinances, adopts an annual budget and sets policy for the city.<ref>Government, City of Somers Point. Accessed May 23, 2024.</ref>
Template:As of, the Mayor of Somers Point is Republican Dennis Tapp, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2027.<ref name=Mayor>Mayorr, City of Somers Point. Accessed May 23, 2024.</ref> Members of the City Council are Council President Janice Johnston (R, 2024; 1st Ward), Richard L. DePamphilis III (R, 2026; 1st Ward), Charles J. Haberkorn (R, 2026; 2nd Ward), Howard W. Dill (R, 2024; 2nd Ward), Joseph T. McCarrie Jr. (R, 2024; At Large), Sean T. McGuigan (R, 2025; 1st Ward) and Michael Owen (R, 2025; 2nd Ward).<ref>City Council, City of Somers Point. Accessed May 23, 2024.</ref><ref>2024 Municipal Data Sheet, City of Somers Point. Accessed May 23, 2024.</ref><ref name=Govt>Municipal Governments, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed May 23, 2024.</ref><ref name=Atlantic2023>2023 General Election November 7, 2023 Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated November 27, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Atlantic2022>2022 General Election Results - Amended, Atlantic County Clerk, updated December 5, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Atlantic2021>General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated January 4, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2022.</ref>
After Stacy Ferreri resigned in January 2022 from her seat expiring in December 2023, the City Council appointed Ken Adams, though Adams was forced to step down in February after it was discovered that he had a felony conviction that disqualified him from serving. In March 2022, Richard DePamphilis was appointed to fill the vacant seat.<ref>"Somers Point Council picks DePamphilis",Ocean City Sentinel, March 2, 2022. Accessed July 29, 2022. "Republicans cited his lengthy government experience in appointing Richard DePamphilis to the open Ward I seat Feb. 24, despite strong support for another nominee.... Members voted 4-1 in favor of DePamphilis over Democrat Lisa Bender.... Former Councilwoman Stacy Ferreri resigned in January, one year into her term.... City Council then unanimously appointed Ken Adams on Jan. 27 to take her place. However, Adams was forced to resign Feb. 3 because it was revealed that his felony conviction in 2004 for theft and misconduct while chief of the Northfield Police Department barred him from serving."</ref> In the November 2022 general election, DePamphilis won the balance of the term of office.<ref name=Atlantic2022/>
In August 2019, the City Council selected Janice Johnston from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the First Ward seat expiring in December 2021 that had been held by Ron Meischker until he resigned the previous month after announcing that he was moving out of the city.<ref>Kelleher, Kristen. "Johnston is new council member in Somers Point", Ocean City Sentinel, August 29, 2029. Accessed March 8, 2020. "Somers Point City Council swore in a new council member, Janice Johnston, during a Thursday, Aug. 22, meeting. Johnston will take over former City Councilman Ron Meischker’s term. Meischker resigned from the council last month. In his resignation letter, Meischker wrote that he purchased a property outside of Somers Point and planned to move out of the city."</ref>
In September 2017, the City Council selected Ron Meischker from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican Municipal Committee to fill the vacant 1st Ward seat expiring in December 2018 that had been held by Thomas Smith until he resigned from office earlier that month.<ref>Marino, Suzanne. "Somers Point Harbormaster Meischker appointed to City Council", The Current of Linwood, Northfield and Somers Point, September 20, 2017. Accessed January 23, 2018. "Longtime local Republican campaign chairman Ron Meischker was selected last week to replace 1st ward Councilman Thomas Smith on City Council.... Meischker was one of three names proffered by the Republican Club to replace Smith, a seven-year veteran of the governing body who resigned effective Sept. 11."</ref>
In January 2016, the City Council selected James Toto from three names nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the 2nd Ward seat expiring in 2017 that was vacated by Maureen Kern when she took office as a member of the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders.<ref>Lowe, Claire. "Toto selected to replace Kern on Somers Point Council", The Press of Atlantic City, January 19, 2016. Accessed June 15, 2016. "Republican James Toto will fill the vacancy on Somers Point Council created by newly seated Freeholder Maureen Kern. Kern, who represented the 2nd Ward, resigned effective Jan. 5 with two years left of her third three-year term. At its Jan. 14 meeting, council approved Toto to fill the vacancy until December 2016."</ref> Toto served on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term.<ref name=Atlantic2016>General Election Results - November 8, 2016, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed January 30, 2017.</ref>
In elections held on November 8, 2011, Jack Glasser defeated Democrat-turned Independent Daniel Gudauskas by 1,650–558, making it the largest margin of victory in a contested election on the municipal level in Somers Point history. Triboletti and Kern ran unopposed in the first and second wards respectively.<ref>Smith, Shaun. "Glasser, Kern, Triboletti win re-election in Somers Point ", Shore News Today, November 9, 2011. Accessed November 27, 2011. "Republican John L. "Jack" Glasser has been elected here to his second term as mayor, and he will be joined by fellow incumbent council members Maureen Kern and Ralph Triboletti."</ref>
Federal, state and county representation
[edit]Somers Point is located in the 2nd Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 2nd state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>
Template:NJ Congress 02 Template:NJ Senate
Template:NJ Atlantic County Commissioners
Politics
[edit]As of March 2011, there were a total of 6,619 registered voters in Somers Point City, of which 1,624 (24.5% vs. 30.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,979 (29.9% vs. 25.2%) were registered as Republicans and 3,009 (45.5% vs. 44.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 7 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Atlantic, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref> Among the city's 2010 Census population, 61.3% (vs. 58.8% in Atlantic County) were registered to vote, including 77.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 76.6% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref>
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 2,506 votes (53.5% vs. 57.9% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 2,077 votes (44.4% vs. 41.1%) and other candidates with 53 votes (1.1% vs. 0.9%), among the 4,681 ballots cast by the city's 7,075 registered voters, for a turnout of 66.2% (vs. 65.8% in Atlantic County).<ref>Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Atlantic County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Atlantic County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 2,597 votes (51.5% vs. 56.5% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 2,309 votes (45.8% vs. 41.6%) and other candidates with 71 votes (1.4% vs. 1.1%), among the 5,042 ballots cast by the city's 7,120 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.8% (vs. 68.1% in Atlantic County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,529 votes (51.2% vs. 46.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 2,313 votes (46.9% vs. 52.0%) and other candidates with 43 votes (0.9% vs. 0.8%), among the 4,936 ballots cast by the city's 6,642 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.3% (vs. 69.8% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref>
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2024<ref name="2024Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|52.1% 2,692 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|46.0% 2,380 | 1.9% 86 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020<ref name="2020Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|47.8% 2,714 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|50.8% 2,885 | 1.4% 81 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2016<ref name="2016Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|47.8% 2,148 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|47.2% 2,120 | 5.1% 227 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2012<ref name="2012Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|44.4% 2,077 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|53.5% 2,506 | 1.1% 53 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2008<ref name="state.nj.us">[1], New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref> | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|45.8% 2,309 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|51.5% 2,597 | 1.4% 71 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2004<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">[2], New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref> | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|51.2% 2,529 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|46.9% 2,313 | 0.9% 43 |
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,963 votes (64.3% vs. 60.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 938 votes (30.7% vs. 34.9%) and other candidates with 49 votes (1.6% vs. 1.3%), among the 3,052 ballots cast by the city's 7,272 registered voters, yielding a 42.0% turnout (vs. 41.5% in the county).<ref>2013 Governor: Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 5, 2013 General Election Results : Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,677 votes (51.3% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,282 votes (39.2% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 224 votes (6.8% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 42 votes (1.3% vs. 1.2%), among the 3,271 ballots cast by the city's 6,794 registered voters, yielding a 48.1% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Atlantic County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref>
Somers Point native Maureen Kern currently serves as a member of the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners.<ref>Biography for Maureen Kern, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed May 23, 2024. "Maureen Kern, a lifelong resident of Somers Point, was elected District Two Commissioner in November 2015."</ref>
Historic district
[edit]The Bay Front Historic District is an Template:Convert historic district encompassing an area roughly bounded by Decatur Avenue, Egg Harbor Bay, George Avenue, and Shore Road in the community. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 22, 1989, for its significance in architecture, entertainment/recreation, and social history. The district includes 189 contributing buildings.<ref name="nrhpdoc">Template:Cite web With Template:NRHP url</ref>
Education
[edit]Students in kindergarten through eighth grade are served by the Somers Point Public Schools.<ref>Somers Point Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Somers Point Public Schools, adopted July 23, 1998. Accessed June 15, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades K through 8 in the Somers Point School District. Composition: The Somers Point School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Somers Point."</ref> As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 763 students and 78.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.8:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Somers Point School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref> The Somers Point School District consists of three school facilities: Jordan Road School, constructed in 1966 with an addition in 1991; Dawes Avenue School, constructed in 1998; and New York Avenue School, constructed in 1914 with an addition in 1922 and a refurbishing project in 2005, which houses preschool and the district's central offices.<ref>About, Somers Point Public Schools. Accessed January 26, 2025. "The Somers Point School District (Preschool through 8th grade) consists of three schools. The Jordan Road School, constructed in 1966 with an addition in 1991, is a Fourth through Eighth-grade building. Dawes Avenue School was constructed in 1998 and sits on the other side of town and houses Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Our third school is the New York Avenue School, constructed in 1914 with an addition in 1922 and refurbished in 2005. The New York Avenue School houses five full-day Preschool classes."</ref> Schools in the district (with 2023–24 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Somers Point School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref>) are New York Avenue School<ref>New York Avenue School, Somers Point School District. Accessed January 26, 2025.</ref> with 4 students in pre-kindergarten, Dawes Avenue School<ref>Dawes Avenue School, Somers Point School District. Accessed January 26, 2025.</ref> with 384 students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade and Jordan Road Middle School<ref>Jordan Road Middle School, Somers Point School District. Accessed January 26, 2025.</ref> with 366 students in 4th through 8th grade.<ref name=Contacts>District Contacts, Somers Point School District. Accessed January 26, 2025.</ref><ref>Public School Directory 2024–2025, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Somers Point School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Somers Point School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>
Students in public school for ninth through twelfth grades attend Mainland Regional High School, which also serves students from Linwood and Northfield.<ref>Shott, Meghan. "Mainland Regional High School", SouthJersey.com, February 23, 2015. Accessed January 26, 2025. "Mainland Regional High School is a regional public high school serving students from the communities of Linwood, Northfield and Somers Point in Atlantic County."</ref><ref>One Family, One School, One Community, Mainland Regional High School. Accessed January 26, 2025. "The Mainland Regional High School District is a comprehensive, four-year public high school with an enrollment of approximately 1,300 students serving the communities of Somers Point, Northfield and Linwood, New Jersey. The District also participates in school choice, which permits 44 students that reside outside of the sending districts to attend Mainland Regional High School."</ref> The high school is located in Linwood. For the 1997–98 school year, Mainland Regional High School was recognized by the United States Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School.<ref>Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002 (PDF), United States Department of Education. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref> As of the 2023–24 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,171 students and 106.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.0:1.<ref>School data for Mainland Regional High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref>
City public school students are also eligible to attend the Atlantic County Institute of Technology in the Mays Landing section of Hamilton Township<ref>Frequently Asked Questions, Atlantic County Institute of Technology. Accessed May 17, 2017. "What does it cost to attend ACIT? As a public school, there is no cost to Atlantic County residents of high school age. New Jersey Title 18A:54-20.1 entitles students the right to choose ACIT for their high school education."</ref> or the Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts, located in Somers Point.<ref>Profile, Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts. Accessed May 18, 2017.</ref>
St. Joseph Regional School is an elementary school serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade, operated under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden.<ref>Home Page, Saint Joseph Regional School. Accessed February 20, 2023. "St. Joseph Regional School is located in Somers Point, New Jersey and is staffed by the Sisters of Saint Joseph and lay teachers."</ref><ref>Schools, South Jersey Catholic Schools. Accessed February 20, 2023.</ref>
Transportation
[edit]_from_the_overpass_for_U.S._Route_9_(New_Road)_in_Somers_Point,_Atlantic_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
Roads and highways
[edit]Template:As of, the city had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Atlantic County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.<ref>Atlantic County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 19, 2013.</ref>
The Garden State Parkway passes through the city, connecting Egg Harbor Township on either side of the city.<ref>Garden State Parkway Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, August 2014. Accessed February 20, 2023.</ref> Interchange 30 for the Parkway is located in the city, signed for Somers Point and Downtown Ocean City.<ref>Travel Resources: Interchanges, Service Areas & Commuter Lots, New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Accessed July 28, 2014.</ref>
On the city's southern border, bridges connect to Cape May County via the Garden State Parkway to Upper Township, into Ocean City via Route 52 and over the Beesley's Point Bridge, which has been demolished.<ref>About our Community, City of Somers Point. Accessed July 28, 2014.</ref> As part of a $400 million project completed by the New Jersey Department of Transportation in 2012, a new causeway for Route 52 was completed over Great Egg Harbor Bay, replacing the Howard S. Stainton Memorial Causeway that had been completed in 1933.<ref>Smith, Shaun. "Bridge opening reconnects Somers Point, Ocean City ", The Current, May 30, 2012. Accessed July 28, 2014. "The bridge it replaced was named the Howard S. Stainton Memorial Causeway, built in 1933."</ref> the Beesley's Point Bridge was demolished in 2013 as part of a project adding a new bridge for traffic on the Parkway.<ref>Campbell, Braden. " As one bridge goes up, one comes down at Beesley's Point Contractor balances two jobs at once", The Press of Atlantic City, November 6, 2013. Accessed July 28, 2014. "This is the task facing Route 52 Contractors - the same outfit responsible for the new roadway between Somers Point and Ocean City - which earlier this year was awarded a $130 million contract by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to take down the decaying Beesleys Point Bridge and build a new southbound Garden State Parkway span bridging Somers Point and Upper Township."</ref>
Public transportation
[edit]NJ Transit offers bus transportation in the city between Ocean City and Atlantic City on the 507 and 509 routes.<ref>Template:Usurped, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 23, 2011. Accessed November 19, 2013.</ref><ref>South Jersey Transit Guide Template:Webarchive, Cross County Connection, as of April 1, 2010. Accessed November 19, 2013.</ref>
Popular culture
[edit]The 1983 movie Eddie and the Cruisers was largely filmed in Somers Point, using the defunct Tony Mart's nightclub as a setting.<ref>Staff. "Nostalgia rules / Classic sounds and theater headline a busy Friday", The Press of Atlantic City, November 21, 2008. Accessed April 8, 2011. "In 1983, American rock fans fell in love with Eddie and the Cruisers, a cult film about a fictional rock band that was shot partly in former Somers Point nightspot Tony Mart's."</ref>
Notable people
[edit]Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Somers Point include:
- Joe Bastardi (born 1955), meteorologist<ref>Joe Bastardi Private Client Services: Biography, AccuWeather. Accessed January 1, 2012. "Joe was born in Providence, R.I., and grew up in College Station, Texas, and Somers Point, N.J."</ref>
- Matt Broomall (born 1994), soccer player who played goalkeeper for the Richmond Kickers in USL League One<ref>Matt Brommall, Rutgers Newark men's soccer. Accessed February 12, 2025. "Hometown: Somers Point, NJ; High School: Mainland H.S."</ref><ref>Matthew Broomall, Averett University. Accessed February 12, 2025. "A native of Somers Point, New Jersey, Broomall played collegiately at Division III Rutgers University-Newark where he was named to the New Jersey Athletic Conference First Team twice and Honorable Mention Team twice."</ref>
- Joshua Cohen (born 1980), novelist and story writer, known for his works Witz and Book of Numbers<ref>Witz, Dalkey Archive Press. Accessed June 15, 2020. "Joshua Cohen, born in 1980 in Somers Point, NJ, is one of the most ambitious young novelists in English."</ref>
- Doug Colman (born 1973), former NFL linebacker<ref>Template:Usurped, database Football. Accessed November 6, 2007.</ref>
- Peter Erskine (born 1954), jazz drummer<ref>Stewart, Zan. "Drummer Discovers Small Is Beautiful", Los Angeles Times, April 25, 1993. Accessed November 19, 2013. "Last year, [Peter Erskine], along with bassist John Patitucci, traveled through the United States for a month with a threesome led by pianist Chick Corea. The Somers Point, N. J., native also worked in Italy and Spain as part of pianist Joey Calderazzo's trio, then recorded on the latter's upcoming Blue Note release."</ref>
- John H. Hamilton Jr. (1919–1986), member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives<ref>Van Atta, Burr. Template:Usurped, The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 12, 1986. Accessed November 30, 2014. "John H. Hamilton Jr., 67, who represented a large portion of northwestern Philadelphia in the state House during the 1960s and 1970s, died Sunday night at his summer home in Somers Point, N.J. He lived in the Roxborough section of the city."</ref>
- Joe Maloy (born 1985), triathlete who was chosen to represent the United States in triathlon at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics<ref>Joe Maloy Template:Webarchive, United States Olympic Committee. Accessed August 10, 2016. "Birthplace: Somers Point, N.J.; Hometown: Wildwood Crest, N.J.; Current Residence: San Diego, Calif.; High School: Wildwood Catholic High School"</ref>
- Osun Osunniyi (born 1998), college basketball player for the St. Bonaventure Bonnies of the Atlantic 10 Conference<ref>LeConey, Bill. "Osunniyi’s triple-double powers Mainland past Absegami", The Press of Atlantic City, December 21, 2016. Accessed March 17, 2021. "The Absegami High School boys basketball team found out just how tough it is to play against Mainland Regional’s 6-foot-8 center Osun Osunniyi on Wednesday night.... I’m just a rim protector,' said Osunniyi, a 6-foot-8 Somers Point resident."</ref>
- Jennifer Pershing (born 1980), Playboy Playmate of the Month, March 2009<ref>Lemongello, Steven. "Playmate's journey began in Somers Point", The Press of Atlantic City, April 19, 2009. Accessed March 31, 2011. ""From Gregory's to Caroline's to the Anchorage", Jennifer Pershing, 28, listed her hometown drinking establishments, 'pretty much any time I walk into one, I see somebody I know.' The former Jennifer Ackley, a 1998 graduate of Mainland Regional High School, returned to the area this weekend for an appearance at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort - or, as this week's At The Shore puts it, locals and visitors had the chance to 'Party with a Playmate.'"</ref>
- Cody Stashak (born 1994), professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins<ref>Cody Stashak, Baseball America. Accessed July 21, 2019. "Born: Jun 4, 1994 in Somers Point, N.J. USA"</ref>
- John Stone (born 1979), wide receiver who played in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders<ref>Hilt, Ed. "Brief time with Pats enough to make Stone a believer", The Press of Atlantic City, February 3, 2008. Accessed November 19, 2013. "'That was after they came off that (playoff) loss to Denver,' said Stone, from Somers Point, who was in the Patriots' camp in 2006 as a wide receiver after three years with the Oakland Raiders."</ref>
- Gregory L. Verdine (born 1959), chemical biologist, university professor, entrepreneur, venture capitalist and business executive<ref>Gregory L. Verdine C.V., Studylib.net. Accessed December 17, 2017. "Born:June 10, 1959, Somers Point, New Jersey, USA"</ref>
See also
[edit]- Richard Somers, a U.S. Navy hero in the First Barbary War.
- Capt. John Jeffries Burial Marker, a marble gravestone that stands 12-feet high in the cemetery of the Palestine Bible Church.<ref>Template:NRHP url, National Register of Historic Places. Accessed August 12, 2013.</ref>
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Somers Point webpage
- Somers Point Public Schools
- Template:NJReportCard
- School Data for the Somers Point Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
- Template:Usurped
Template:Atlantic County, New Jersey Template:NRHP in Atlantic County, New Jersey Template:Jersey Shore region Template:Authority control