Editing Cape May County, New Jersey

{{short description|County in New Jersey, United States}}
{{Redirect|Cape May County|the World War II tank landing ship of that name|USS LST-521}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county             = Cape May County
| state              = New Jersey
| type               = [[List of counties in New Jersey|County]]
| official_name      =
| ex image           = Cape may.jpg
| ex image size      = 300px
| ex image cap       = Sunset on [[Sunset Beach (New Jersey)|Sunset Beach]] in [[Lower Township, New Jersey|Lower Township]] in May 2009
| leader_title       = Commission Director
| leader_name        = Leonard C. Desiderio ([[Republican Party (New Jersey)|R]], term ends December 31, 2024) 
| seal               = Cape May Seal.png
| flag               = Flag of Cape May County, New Jersey.gif
| founded year       = 1685
| founded date       =
| named for          = [[Cornelius Jacobsen Mey]]
| seat               = [[Cape May Court House, New Jersey|Cape May Court House]]
| largest city       = [[Lower Township, New Jersey|Lower Township]] (population)<br />[[Middle Township, New Jersey|Middle Township]] (area)
| city type          = municipality
| area_total_sq_mi   = 620.31
| area_land_sq_mi    = 251.52
| area_water_sq_mi   = 368.79
| area percentage    =  59.5
| area_footnotes     = <ref name=CensusArea/>
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_total   = 95263
| population_footnotes = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/>
| pop_est_as_of      = 2024
| population_est     = 93875 {{decrease}}
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst/>
| population_density_sq_mi= auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
| coordinates = {{Coord|39.08|-74.86|display=inline,title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NJ_source:UScensus1990}}
| district = 2nd
| web = http://capemaycountynj.gov/ |time zone=Eastern}}
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q497795|type=shape|text=Interactive map of Cape May County, New Jersey}}

'''Cape May County''' is the southernmost [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]]. Much of the county is located on the [[Cape May]] peninsula, bound by the [[Delaware Bay]] to its west and the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to its south and east. Adjacent to the Atlantic coastline are five [[barrier island]]s that have been built up as [[seaside resort]]s. A consistently popular summer destination with {{convert|30|mi}} of beaches, Cape May County attracts vacationers from New Jersey and surrounding states, with the summer population exceeding 750,000. An estimated 11.6&nbsp;million visitors in 2023 generated annual tourism spending of $7.7&nbsp;billion, making it the county's single largest industry.<ref name=Tourism2023>Wieland, Diane. [https://www.stockton.edu/light/lights-on-summer-2024/feature-story-1.html "Determining the 'New Normal' in Tourism on the Jersey Cape"], ''Light's On'' / [[Stockton University]], Summer 2024. Accessed March 17, 2025. "Cape May County reached $7.7 billion in direct visitor spending in 2023, surpassing pre-COVID revenue of 2019 by $804 million over the three-year span. The county also saw an increase in visitors with 11.6 million travelers electing to take their 2023 vacation at the Jersey Cape."</ref> The associated leisure and hospitality industries are Cape May's largest employers. Its [[county seat]] is the [[Cape May Court House, New Jersey|Cape May Court House]] section of [[Middle Township, New Jersey|Middle Township]].<ref name=CountyMap>[https://www.nj.gov/state/archives/catctytable.html New Jersey County Map], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed December 22, 2022.</ref> The county is part of both the [[Jersey Shore]]<ref>[https://bestofnj.com/nj-regions-page/ "Regions: North, Central, South, Shore - Best of NJ"], ''Best of NJ'', Accessed May 30, 2024. "Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Ocean County make up the Jersey Shore region."</ref> and [[South Jersey]] regions of the state.<ref>Willis, David P. [https://www.app.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/2023/02/20/central-jersey-debate-ocean-union-county-nj/69914996007/ "'This is how wars start': Does Central Jersey include both Ocean and Union counties?"], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', February 20, 2023. Accessed March 31, 2024. "North Jersey is defined as Sussex, Warren, Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex and Hudson counties; South Jersey would be Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties. But for Central, things get a little tricky. It would include Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties."</ref>

As of the [[2020 United States census]], the county was the state's [[List of counties in New Jersey|second-least populous county]],<ref name=Largest2020>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_PL94_Summary/Table_1_2020.xlsx Table1. New Jersey Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships: 2020 and 2010 Censuses], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/new-jersey-population-change-between-census-decade.html "New Jersey: 2020 Census - New Jersey Population Topped 9 Million in Last Decade"], [[United States Census Bureau]], August 25, 2021. Accessed December 25, 2022.</ref> with a population of 95,263,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 2,002 (−2.1%) from the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] count of 97,265,<ref name=Census2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 5,061 (-4.9%) from the 102,326 counted in the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]].<ref name=Census2000/> The [[United States Census Bureau]]'s [[Population Estimates Program]] estimated a 2024 population of 93,875, a decrease of 1,388 (-1.5%) from the 2020 decennial census.<ref name=PopEst/> The county is part of the [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]], NJ [[metropolitan statistical area]] and the [[Philadelphia]]-[[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]]-[[Camden, New Jersey|Camden]], [[Pennsylvania|PA]]-NJ-[[Delaware|DE]]-[[Maryland|MD]] [[combined statistical area]], also known as the [[Delaware Valley]].<ref>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/reference-maps/2020/state-maps/34_NewJersey_2020.pdf New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed January 27, 2023.</ref>

Before Cape May County was settled by Europeans, the [[Kechemeche]] tribe of the [[Lenape]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] inhabited [[South Jersey]]. Beginning in 1609, European explorers purchased land from, and contributed to the decline of, the indigenous people. The county was named for [[Cornelius Jacobsen Mey]], a [[Netherlands|Dutch]] captain who explored and charted the area from 1620 to 1621, and established a claim for the province of [[New Netherland]]. In 1685, the court of Cape May County was split from neighboring [[Burlington County, New Jersey|Burlington County]], although the boundaries were not set until seven years later. In 1690, [[Cape May, New Jersey|Cape May]] (originally known as [[Cape Island]]) was founded, becoming America's oldest [[seaside resort]].

The county was subdivided into three [[Township (New Jersey)|townships]] in 1798: [[Lower Township, New Jersey|Lower]], [[Middle Township, New Jersey|Middle]], and [[Upper Township, New Jersey|Upper]]. The other 16 municipalities in the county, including two no longer in existence, were established between 1827 and 1928. In 1863, the first railroad in the county opened, which carried crops from the dominant farming industry. Railroads later led to the popularity of the county's coastal resorts. The need for improved automotive access to the county led to the development of the [[Garden State Parkway]], which opened in 1956.

The most populous place was [[Lower Township, New Jersey|Lower Township]] with 22,057 residents in the 2020 census,<ref name=LWD2020/> and its geographically largest municipality is [[Middle Township, New Jersey|Middle Township]], which covers {{convert|82.96|sqmi}}.<ref name=CPH232/>

==History==
===Etymology===
[[File:Cape May, New Jersey 1777.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|A 1777 map depicting Cape May County, the scene of the [[Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet]] on June 29, 1776, in the [[American Revolutionary War]]]]
Before Cape May County was settled by Europeans, the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous]] [[Kechemeche]] tribe of the [[Lenape]] people inhabited [[South Jersey]], and traveled to the barrier islands during the summer to hunt and fish.<ref name="Story">{{cite book|author=John P. Snyder|url=http://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/bulletin67.pdf|title=The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968|publisher=Bureau of Geology and Topography|year=1969|location=Trenton, New Jersey|access-date=March 26, 2018|archive-date=June 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605161833/http://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/bulletin67.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="his">{{cite news|title=History of the Ten Villages of Upper Township: The Island Village of Strathmere, Part 1|author=Robert F. Holden|url=http://www.shorenewstoday.com/upper_township/history/history-of-the-ten-villages-of-upper-township-the-island/article_0054a943-a234-5873-a079-99bf01a3956d.html|newspaper=The Gazette of Upper Township|date=August 9, 2017|access-date=March 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313092417/http://www.shorenewstoday.com/upper_township/history/history-of-the-ten-villages-of-upper-township-the-island/article_0054a943-a234-5873-a079-99bf01a3956d.html|archive-date=March 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="och">[http://www.ocnj.us/History/ A Brief History of Ocean City New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421084652/http://www.ocnj.us/History/ |date=April 21, 2018 }}, Ocean City, New Jersey. Accessed December 23, 2017.</ref> During the 17th century, the area that is now Cape May County was claimed as part of [[New Netherlands]], [[New Sweden]], the [[Province of New Jersey]] under the British crown, and later [[West Jersey]].<ref name="Story"/> On August 28, 1609, English explorer [[Henry Hudson]] entered the [[Delaware Bay]] and stayed one day on land, north of what is now [[Cape May Point, New Jersey|Cape May Point]].<ref name="getnj">{{cite book|title=Historic Roadsides of New Jersey|year=1928|author=The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Jersey|at=GetNJ.com|access-date=March 28, 2018|url=http://www.getnj.com/historicroadsides/capemay.shtml|archive-date=August 22, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822231824/http://getnj.com/historicroadsides/capemay.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> As early as 1666, the southern tip of New Jersey was known as ''[[Cape May|Cape Maey]]'', named after Dutch explorer [[Cornelius Jacobsen May]], who sailed the coastline of New Jersey from 1620 to 1621.<ref>{{cite web|series=Historical Background Maps|title=Coastal Charts|publisher=Princeton University|access-date=April 22, 2018|year=2014|url=https://library.princeton.edu/njmaps/background/coastal_charts.html|archive-date=October 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026025811/https://library.princeton.edu/njmaps/background/coastal_charts.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1630, representatives of the [[Dutch West India Company]] purchased a {{convert|16|mi2|km2|abbr=on}} tract of land along the Delaware from indigenous people, and bought additional land 11 years later.<ref name="getnj"/> Due to the large number of whales in the region of Cape May, Dutch explorers founded Town Bank around 1640 along the Delaware Bay as a whaling village. It was the first European settlement in what is now Cape May County, and was populated by descendants of [[Plymouth County, Massachusetts|Plymouth County]].<ref name="getnj"/><ref name="proposed"/>

===History===
In 1685, the court of Cape May was split from [[Burlington County, New Jersey|Burlington County]], which at that time encompassed all or nearly all of South Jersey.<ref name="Story"/> In 1690, a settlement began at [[Cape Island]] (now [[Cape May, New Jersey|Cape May]]). As whaling declined due to overpopulation, Town Bank diminished in importance in favor of Cape May, and was largely washed away by 1750.<ref name="proposed">{{cite report|page=5|url=https://capemaycountynj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/422|format=PDF|title=Cape May County Comprehensive Plan|year=2005|publisher=Government of Cape May County|access-date=March 27, 2018|archive-date=July 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721170520/http://capemaycountynj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/422|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=August 1, 2012|title=Bizarre History of Cape May --Town Bank was once touted as a whaling town|newspaper=The Gazette of Cape May|access-date=March 27, 2018|url=http://www.shorenewstoday.com/cape_may/history/bizarre-history-of-cape-may---town-bank-was/article_839d4948-b3c8-5293-9ea7-bfa7fff78fc5.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328102548/http://www.shorenewstoday.com/cape_may/history/bizarre-history-of-cape-may---town-bank-was/article_839d4948-b3c8-5293-9ea7-bfa7fff78fc5.html|archive-date=March 28, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Government of Cape May County|title=Lower Township|access-date=March 27, 2018|url=http://capemaycountynj.gov/394/Lower-Township|archive-date=March 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328041606/http://capemaycountynj.gov/394/Lower-Township|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1692, Cape May County was designated as one of the original four counties of West Jersey, defined as the land from the most northerly portion of [[Great Egg Harbor Bay]] to a point {{convert|20|mi|km|abbr=on}} east of the mouth of the [[Maurice River]] (called [[West Creek (New Jersey)|West Creek]]), south to the tip of Cape May. The limits of the county were adjusted over the next two centuries, mostly the portion near [[Maurice River Township, New Jersey|Maurice River Township]].<ref name="Story"/> The first water mill in the county was constructed in 1699 in [[Cold Spring, New Jersey|Cold Spring]]. Nearby, the First Baptist Church was built in 1712, and the first [[Cold Spring Presbyterian Church]] was built in 1718. Both churches, as well as nearby private homes, functioned as the center of early county government.<ref name="getnj"/>

In 1744, the county chose Romney Marsh – later [[Cape May Court House, New Jersey|Cape May Court House]] – near the county's center to become the county seat. The first jail and courthouse were built in 1764.<ref name="survey"/><ref name="getnj"/> The county's population was around 1,000 in 1750, isolated from the rest of New Jersey by forests.<ref name="survey"/> Cape May grew independently as America's oldest [[Seaside resort|bathing resort]] by 1765, leading to the city's current motto "The Nation's Oldest Seashore Resort".<ref name="getnj"/><ref name="strat"/> Amid the British blockade of the Delaware Bay in the [[American Revolutionary War]], two British ships pursued and attacked the American [[brig]] ''[[Nancy (1775)|Nancy]]'', which fled to the coast at [[Turtle Gut Inlet]] (located in [[Wildwood Crest, New Jersey|Wildwood Crest]] today). The ''Nancy'' was abandoned and sabotaged, killing at least 30 British sailors when the brig exploded after they boarded.<ref>{{cite web|title=Revolutionary War Sites in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey|author=Al Frazza|publisher=Revolutionary War New Jersey|access-date=March 28, 2018|url=http://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/wildwood_crest_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm|archive-date=March 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329054218/http://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/wildwood_crest_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet]] on June 29, 1776, was the only Revolutionary War battle fought in the county.<ref name="war"/>

Cape May County was split into three [[township (United States)|townships]] on February 21, 1798 – [[Lower Township, New Jersey|Lower]], [[Middle Township, New Jersey|Middle]], and [[Upper Township, New Jersey|Upper]]. The three townships were previously established as [[minor civil division|precincts]] on April 2, 1723.<ref name="Story"/><ref name="proposed"/> During the [[War of 1812]], British forces raided farms in the county for food and fresh water. In retaliation, residents dug canals to the ocean, making the water no longer drinkable.<ref name="war">{{cite web |url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/nj2/chap3.htm |title=Southern New Jersey and the Delaware Bay: Historic Themes and Resources within the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430064535/http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/nj2/chap3.htm |archive-date=April 30, 2012 }}</ref> In 1827, [[Dennis Township, New Jersey|Dennis Township]] was created from portions of Upper Township,<ref name="Story"/> 101 years after its namesake [[Dennisville, New Jersey|Dennisville]] was founded in 1726.<ref name="getnj"/> The oldest independent [[Borough (New Jersey)|borough]] in the county was [[Cape May, New Jersey|Cape Island Borough]] in 1848, which became the city of Cape May in 1869.<ref name="Story"/> Over the next 60 years as transport to the region improved, most of the current municipalities in the county were created.<ref name="Story"/> Sea Grove, later renamed Cape May Point, was founded in 1875. In 1879, [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]] was founded as a religious retreat.<ref name="proposed"/> [[Sea Isle City, New Jersey|Sea Isle City]] was founded in 1882, followed by [[West Cape May, New Jersey|West Cape May]] in 1884. In 1885, Anglesea (renamed [[North Wildwood, New Jersey|North Wildwood]] in 1906) and Holly Beach (later a part of [[Wildwood, New Jersey|Wildwood]]) were founded.<ref name="Story"/> A land development company established [[Avalon, New Jersey|Avalon]] in 1887. In 1891, [[Woodbine, New Jersey|Woodbine]] was founded on the mainland as an agriculture settlement for [[History of the Jews in Russia|Russian Jews]] who fled religious persecution.<ref name="proposed"/> From 1894 until 1945, [[South Cape May, New Jersey|South Cape May]] existed as an independent borough until it was largely destroyed by the [[1944 Great Atlantic hurricane]].<ref name="Story"/><ref>{{cite news|date=August 6, 2010|newspaper=New York Times|title=Remembering a Town Swallowed by the Sea|author=Richard Pérez-Peña|access-date=March 28, 2018|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/07/nyregion/07metjournal.html|archive-date=March 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329120836/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/07/nyregion/07metjournal.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1906, the eastern coastal boundary of Cape May County was established at a point {{convert|3|nmi|mi km|lk=in}} east of the coast.<ref name="Story"/> The last municipalities to be established were Wildwood Crest (in 1910), [[Stone Harbor, New Jersey|Stone Harbor]] (in 1914), and [[West Wildwood, New Jersey|West Wildwood]] (in 1920).<ref name="Story"/> In 1928, [[North Cape May, New Jersey|North Cape May]] was founded, but was dissolved in 1945 after it failed to attract development following the [[Great Depression]].<ref name="Story"/><ref name="making">{{cite book|title=Cape May County, New Jersey: The Making of an American Resort Community|author=Jeffery M. Dorwart|publisher=Rutgers University Press|year=1992|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=anseU09GDTkC&q=%22north+cape+may%22+1945&pg=PA235|isbn=9780813517841}}</ref>

During [[World War II]], [[Cape May Canal]] was built to connect the Delaware Bay and Cape May Harbor, completed in March 1943.<ref name="gaz12">{{cite news|title=Bizarre History of Cape May --Cape May Canal's history runs deep|date=June 27, 2012|newspaper=The Gazette of Cape May|access-date=March 28, 2018|url=http://www.shorenewstoday.com/cape_may/history/bizarre-history-of-cape-may---cape-may-canal/article_414f38d3-a67f-5e0b-a4ad-d72d81fdeb30.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329054127/http://www.shorenewstoday.com/cape_may/history/bizarre-history-of-cape-may---cape-may-canal/article_414f38d3-a67f-5e0b-a4ad-d72d81fdeb30.html|archive-date=March 29, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The completion of the [[Garden State Parkway]] in 1955 brought hundreds of thousands of tourists, as well as a larger year-round population.<ref name="making"/> Since the 1970s, the mainland has become more developed, due to the high cost of building on the barrier islands. Commercial development concentrated along [[U.S. Route 9 in New Jersey|U.S. Route 9]] in [[Rio Grande, New Jersey|Rio Grande]], Cape May Court House, and [[Marmora, New Jersey|Marmora]].<ref name="strat"/> Concurrent with the [[1980 United States presidential election|1980 Presidential election]], Cape May County residents voted in favor to create a new state of South Jersey along with five other counties in a nonbinding referendum.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|author=Erik Larson|title=South Jersey voted to secede from NJ|date=March 5, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2018|url=https://www.app.com/story/news/history/erik-larsen/2016/03/05/south-jersey-votes-secede-nj/81323914/}}</ref>

==Geography and climate==
Cape May County is {{convert|29|mi|km|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|15|mi|km|abbr=on}} at its widest.<ref name="proposed"/> According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of {{convert|620.31|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|251.52|sqmi}} was land (40.5%) and {{convert|368.79|sqmi}} was water (59.5%).<ref name=CensusArea>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_34.txt 2020 Census Gazetteer File for Counties in New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed April 1, 2023.</ref> The county is located about {{convert|150|mi|km|abbr=on}} south of [[New York City]], {{convert|80|mi|km|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Philadelphia]], and {{convert|150|mi|km|abbr=on}} east of [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="proposed"/> To the south and east of the county is the [[Atlantic Ocean]].<ref name="fws">{{cite web|series=Significant Habitats and Habitat Complexes of the New York Bight Watershed|title=Cape May Peninsula #1|publisher=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|author=Joseph Dowhan|author2=Thomas Halavik|author3=Andrew Milliken|author4=Andrew MacLachlan|author5=Marcianna Caplis|author6=Kelly Lima|author7=Andrew Zimba|date=November 1997|url=https://nctc.fws.gov/pubs5/web_link/text/cmp_form.htm|access-date=April 7, 2018|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116131657/https://nctc.fws.gov/pubs5/web_link/text/cmp_form.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The location near water provides milder temperatures than surrounding areas, as well as a continuous breeze, which contribute to the area's tourism-driven economy.<ref name="proposed"/> [[Sea level]] along the coast is the lowest point. The highest elevation is found at three areas in [[Belleplain State Forest]] in the county's northern corner, which are approximately {{convert|60|ft|m|abbr=on}} above sea level.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cape May County High Point, New Jersey|date=November 1, 2004|access-date=April 9, 2018|url=http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=23080|publisher=Peakbagger.com|archive-date=April 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411025857/http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=23080|url-status=live}}</ref>

Overall, the county is flat and coastal. Much of Cape May County lies on the [[Cape May Peninsula]], which is part of the [[Atlantic coastal plain]]. The peninsula is bounded to the west by the [[Delaware Bay]], and to the east is {{convert|1.5|to|3|mi|km|abbr=on}} of [[marsh]]es and water channels making up the [[Intracoastal Waterway]].<ref name="proposed"/> There are over {{convert|1574|mi|km|abbr=on}} of streams and rivers in the county, with the [[Great Egg Harbor River]] and its tributaries covering the northern portion of the county. There are also {{convert|24150|acre|ha|abbr=on}} of ponds, lakes, bays, and reservoirs.<ref name="strat"/> There are five barrier islands, measuring {{convert|32|mi|km|abbr=on}} in total, that are adjacent to the mainland. The islands have gently-sloped [[beach]]es and are largely built up.<ref name="proposed"/> There were only four barrier islands from 1922, when Turtle Gut Inlet was filled in to create Wildwood Crest, until 1945, when Cape May Canal was constructed through the southern portion of the county.<ref name="proposed"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet|publisher=Wildwood Crest Historical Society|access-date=April 10, 2018|url=https://cresthistory.org/turtlegut.php|archive-date=April 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174534/https://cresthistory.org/turtlegut.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gaz12"/>

===Climate===
{{climate chart
|[[Cape May Court House, New Jersey]]
|28|42|3.32
|29|44|2.93
|35|51|4.26
|44|61|3.53
|53|70|3.53
|63|79|3.37
|68|85|3.70
|67|83|3.62
|61|78|3.27
|50|67|3.70
|41|57|3.29
|32|47|3.47
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name="weather">{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USNJ0075|title=Monthly Averages for Cape May Court House, New Jersey|publisher=[[The Weather Channel]]|access-date=April 23, 2018|archive-date=July 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718001516/https://weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USNJ0075|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

Given its maritime influence and southernmost location within New Jersey, Cape May County has a more moderate climate than surrounding areas. During the summer, the county is often 3–5 degrees cooler, and 5–10 degrees warmer in the winter.<ref name="ac515"/> Much of the county is in [[Hardiness zone|USDA plant hardiness zone]] 7a/7b, with a small portion in the county's southeastern extreme in zone 8a. This equates to an average annual minimum temperature of {{convert|0|to|10|F|C}}.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|title=New Jersey|series=Plant Hardiness Zone Map|format=JPG|access-date=May 7, 2018|url=http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/Images/72DPI/nj.jpg|archive-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508121442/http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/Images/72DPI/nj.jpg|url-status=dead}}</ref> The average temperatures in the county seat of Cape May Court House range from a low of {{convert|22|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|85|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-22|°F}} was recorded in January 1942 and a record high of {{convert|103|°F}} was recorded in July 1993. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|2.91|in}} in June to {{convert|4.68|in}} in August,<ref name="weather"/> and annual precipitation is around {{convert|40|in|mm|abbr=on}}. The region typically gets {{convert|10|to|15|in|abbr=on}} of snowfall each year, much less than the mountains of New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news|author=Amy Harris|title=The Average Climate of New Jersey|url=http://traveltips.usatoday.com/average-climate-new-jersey-54523.html|access-date=April 25, 2018|newspaper=USA Today|archive-date=April 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423003832/http://traveltips.usatoday.com/average-climate-new-jersey-54523.html|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, Cape May County has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa'').<ref>{{cite web|title=Koppen Climate Classification for the Conterminous United States|url=https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/koppen-climate-classification-for-the-conterminous-united-states63aa7/resource/b2bf2831-934f-4968-8ae5-72e989a8dfac|website=Data.gov|publisher=U.S. General Services Administration|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=January 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108062434/https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/koppen-climate-classification-for-the-conterminous-united-states63aa7/resource/b2bf2831-934f-4968-8ae5-72e989a8dfac|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to the [[Trewartha climate classification]] this climate is ''Do'' (oceanic.) The county has windy conditions throughout the year.<ref name="wind">{{cite report|page=85|url=http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/sadc/home/genpub/capemayplan.pdf|publisher=Cape May County Planning Department|title=Cape May County Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan|date=April 21, 2008|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=March 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323103250/http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/sadc/home/genpub/capemayplan.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Owing to its location along the coast, Cape May County has experienced the effects of [[tropical cyclone]]s for centuries. In [[Strathmere, New Jersey|Whale Beach]] on [[Ludlam Island]], [[core sample]]s suggested the passage of an intense hurricane sometime between 1278 and 1438.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Donnelly J. P. |author2=S. Roll |author3=M. Wengren |author4=J. Butler |author5=R. Lederer |author6=T. Webb III |date=July 2001|title=Sedimentary evidence of intense hurricane strikes from New Jersey |journal=[[Geology (journal)|Geology]]|volume=29|issue=7|issn=0091-7613|pages=615–618|doi=10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0615:SEOIHS>2.0.CO;2|bibcode = 2001Geo....29..615D  }} [http://www.geo.brown.edu/georesearch/esh/QE/Publications/Geology2001/JDonnelly/NewJersey/NewJersey.htm Abstract] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030529/http://www.geo.brown.edu/georesearch/esh/QE/Publications/Geology2001/JDonnelly/NewJersey/NewJersey.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> The [[1821 Norfolk and Long Island hurricane|next significant hurricane]] in the area was September 3, 1821. Around 1800 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] (2:00&nbsp;pm [[Eastern Standard Time (North America)|local time]]), the [[eye (cyclone)|eye]] of the hurricane crossed over Cape May, estimated as a [[List of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes|Category 4]] on the [[Saffir–Simpson scale]]. It is estimated that an identical hurricane to the 1821 storm in the 21st century would cause over $1 billion in damage in Cape May County, and $107 billion in damage nationwide.<ref>{{cite web|author=Protectingnewjersey.org |year=2006 |title=New Jersey: Exposed and Unprepared |access-date=July 4, 2007 |url=http://www.protectingnewjersey.org/Index.asp?PFID=21&PID=79 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901234426/http://www.protectingnewjersey.org/Index.asp?PFID=21&PID=79 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 1, 2006 }}</ref> The [[Gale of 1878]] flooded Cape May County and produced {{convert|84|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/galeof78.htm|title=Re-Analysis of the Gale of '78 - Storm 9 of the 1878 Hurricane Season|author1=David Roth|author2=Hugh Cobb|date=May 27, 2000|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-date=March 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318014114/http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/galeof78.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> During the passage of [[Hurricane Gloria]] in 1985, Ocean City recorded a wind gust of {{convert|101|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Robert A. Case|volume=114|issue=7|pages=1395|title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1985|journal=Monthly Weather Review|date=July 1, 1986|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1986)114<1390:AHSO>2.0.CO;2|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1985.pdf|access-date=November 30, 2012|publisher=American Meteorological Society|bibcode=1986MWRv..114.1390C|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203143521/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1985.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Hurricane Sandy]] struck the state on October 31, 2012, causing at least $150 million in damage in the county from its high winds and high tides. At the terminal for the Cape May–Lewes Ferry in North Cape May, Sandy produced the highest tide on record at {{convert|8.9|ft|m|abbr=on}}, surpassing the previous record of {{convert|8.8|ft|m|abbr=on}} set by Hurricane Gloria.<ref>{{cite report|title=High Wind Event for Eastern Cape May County|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|access-date=April 4, 2018|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=417015|date=|archive-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405025149/https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=417015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tide">{{cite report|date=May 2016|title=Cape May County|publisher=Mount Holly, New Jersey National Weather Service|access-date=April 4, 2018|url=https://www.weather.gov/media/phi/capema.pdf|archive-date=June 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612043849/https://www.weather.gov/media/phi/capema.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cape May County has experienced a variety of other weather effects. In March 1962, a [[Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962|stalled coastal storm]] produced several days of extremely high tides along the barrier islands, which damaged the boardwalks of Cape May, Avalon, and Sea Isle City.<ref>{{cite news|author=Al Campbell|date=March 3, 2016|title=March 1962 Storm Left Its Mark|newspaper=Cape May County Herald|access-date=April 4, 2018|url=http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/weather/article_07a6683c-e17b-11e5-84ba-73db8493b6a8.html|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405102542/https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/weather/article_07a6683c-e17b-11e5-84ba-73db8493b6a8.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=March 3, 2012|title=The '62 Storm: How Bad Was It?|newspaper=Cape May County Herald|access-date=April 4, 2018|url=http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/weather/article_3ae3a8b5-4110-5244-89f6-3dac1e33aa58.html|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405142641/https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/weather/article_3ae3a8b5-4110-5244-89f6-3dac1e33aa58.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[1991 Perfect Storm]] produced high tides and [[Coastal erosion|beach erosion]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Margaret|last=Buchholz|author2=Larry Savadove|year=1993|title=Great Storms of the Jersey Shore|publisher=Down the Shore Publishing|isbn=0-945582-51-X|pages=148–150}}</ref> In January 2016, [[January 2016 United States blizzard|a blizzard]] nicknamed "Winter Storm Jonas" produced record high tides in the county, reaching {{convert|9.0|ft|m|abbr=on}} at the terminal for Cape May–Lewes Ferry, surpassing that of Hurricane Sandy. Nearly every municipality in the county reported damage, and in coastal towns, the beaches were severely eroded.<ref name="tide"/><ref>{{cite news|author=Michael Miller|author2=Nicholas Huba|date=January 29, 2016|title=Jonas' toll: $67 million and counting in Cape May County|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|access-date=April 4, 2018|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/jonas-toll-million-and-counting-in-cape-may-county/article_e46d41bc-c6b1-11e5-be5b-1f9b948ca220.html|archive-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405024808/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/jonas-toll-million-and-counting-in-cape-may-county/article_e46d41bc-c6b1-11e5-be5b-1f9b948ca220.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 1950, ten tornadoes have touched down in the county.<ref>{{cite report|title=Search Results for Cape May County|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|access-date=January 31, 2023|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&beginDate_mm=09&beginDate_dd=01&beginDate_yyyy=1950&endDate_mm=09&endDate_dd=30&endDate_yyyy=2023&county=CAPE%2BMAY%3A9&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=34%2CNEW+JERSEY|date=}}</ref>

===Flora and fauna===
[[File:Charadrius melodus -Cape May, New Jersey, USA -parent and chick-8 (1).jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Piping plover]]s in [[Cape May, New Jersey|Cape May]]]]
The uplands, wetlands, and open waters of the county support one of the largest concentrations of migratory birds in North America. Nearly 900,000 migratory birds were observed in 1995 in Avalon. Along the Delaware Bay, 800,000 to 1.5 million birds pass through the area each spring.<ref name="fws"/> In 1947, the [[Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary]] was established, which was designated as a [[National Natural Landmark]] in 1965.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Sanctuary's History|publisher=Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary|access-date=April 23, 2018|url=http://stoneharborbirdsanctuary.com/history/|archive-date=April 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424135607/http://stoneharborbirdsanctuary.com/history/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to the 151 species of birds that frequent the county, there are two species of whales, the [[loggerhead sea turtle]], the [[Pituophis melanoleucus|northern pine snake]], two species of treefrog, and the [[tiger salamander]] that inhabit the waters of Cape May County. Eight species of fish and four species of shellfish populate the coastal waters.<ref name="fws"/>

About 30% of the county is covered by forests that runs the length of the Cape May peninsula and connects with the Pinelands.<ref name="proposed"/><ref name="fws"/> The largely unfragmented forest provides breeding grounds for the [[barred owl]], [[red-shouldered hawk]], and [[wood thrush]], and also provides habitat for insects and migratory birds. In the county's [[swamp]]y interior, there are over 20 species of trees and 40 species of shrubs. About 42% of the county consists of wetlands. The marshes between the mainland and the barrier island are dominated by the [[Phragmites|common reed]], [[Typha angustifolia|narrow-leaved cattail]], [[Scirpus|bulrushes]], and [[Spartina alterniflora|smooth cordgrass]]. Along the beach, the [[Ammophila breviligulata|American beachgrass]] predominantly make up dune systems, along with other plant species.<ref name="fws"/>

The county utilizes five underground [[aquifer]]s, including two that derive from the [[Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer]]. Severe storms resulted in [[saltwater intrusion]] of the county's freshwater supply.<ref>{{cite report|page=162|title=Compendium of New Jersey Pine Barrens Literature|author=Kenneth Buchhoiz|author2=Ralph E. Good|date=July 1982|publisher=Center for Coastal and Environmental Studies|access-date=May 7, 2018|url=http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/infor/online/pdf%20reports/24%20Compendium%20of%20New%20Jersey%20Pine%20Barrens%20Literature%201982.pdf|archive-date=October 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013032057/http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/infor/online/pdf%20reports/24%20Compendium%20of%20New%20Jersey%20Pine%20Barrens%20Literature%201982.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The suitable growing conditions led to West Cape May considering itself the "[[lima bean]] capital of the world", until Guatemala surpassed it in the 1990s. The city still hosts an annual lima bean festival.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Eric Levin|url=http://njmonthly.com/articles/lifestyle/happy-harvests.html|title=Happy Harvests|magazine=[[New Jersey Monthly]]|date=September 14, 2009|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=July 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704235249/http://njmonthly.com/articles/lifestyle/happy-harvests.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Geology===
The oldest rocks in the county are at a depth of {{convert|5000|ft|m|abbr=on}}, formed during the [[Precambrian]] era. These [[metamorphic rock]]s include [[gneiss]], [[quartzite]], and [[schist]]. During the [[Paleozoic]] era, the region was part of a mountainous landmass that extended from the Arctic to Mexico. Erosion during the [[Triassic]] and [[Jurassic]] periods formed valleys that gathered sediment, which deposited and layered as the coastline receded and rose. In the [[Paleocene]] and [[Eocene]] epochs, as well as the later [[Miocene]] epoch, the area that is now Cape May County was under water. The coastline receded again during the [[Quaternary]] period.<ref name="geo"/>

During the [[Sangamonian]] [[interglacial]] period, melting glaciers formed rivers that carried sediment to the coast. The Bridgeton Formation deposited silt and clay through a [[fluvial]] process, while the later Cape May Formation deposited sand, silt, clay, and gravel. The [[Great Egg Harbor River]] in its formative stage produced a [[river delta|delta]] that covered much of what is now Cape May County with sediment. During the most recent ice age ([[Wisconsin glaciation]]), the sea level dropped to {{convert|430|ft|m|abbr=on}} below its current depth. Around 14,000 years ago, glaciers began melting, and the [[barrier islands]] of Cape May County formed, likely from [[spit (landform)|spits]] and lines of [[dune]]s.<ref name="geo">{{cite report|title=Geology of Cape May County in Brief|year=1976|author=Carol S. Lucey|publisher=New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection|url=http://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/county-series/Cape%20May_County.pdf|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422191520/https://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/county-series/Cape%20May_County.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790=   2571
|1800=   3066
|1810=   3632
|1820=   4265
|1830=   4936
|1840=   5324
|1850=   6433
|1860=   7130
|1870=   8349
|1880=   9765
|1890=  11268
|1900=  13201
|1910=  19745
|1920=  19460
|1930=  29486
|1940=  28919
|1950=  37131
|1960=  48555
|1970=  59554
|1980=  82266
|1990=  95089
|2000= 102326
|2010=  97265
|2020=  95263
| estyear=2024
| estimate=93875
| estref=<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2024/counties/totals/co-est2024-pop-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024], [[United States Census Bureau]], released March 2025. Accessed March 15, 2025.</ref>
|footnote=Historical sources: 1790-1990<ref>Forstall, Richard L. [https://books.google.com/books?id=sezaSI_LPA8C&pg=PA108 ''Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 from the Twenty-one Decennial Censuses''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102172947/https://books.google.com/books?id=sezaSI_LPA8C&pg=PA108 |date=January 2, 2016 }}, pp. 108-109. [[United States Census Bureau]], March 1996. {{ISBN|9780934213486}}. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref><br />1970-2010<ref name=CPH232>[https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-32.pdf#page=32 ''New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts; 2010 Census of Population and Housing''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723055400/http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-32.pdf#page=32 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019110730/http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-32.pdf |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |url-status=live |date=July 23, 2013 }}, p. 6, CPH-2-32. [[United States Census Bureau]], August 2012. Accessed August 29, 2016.</ref> 2000<ref name=Census2000>{{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0500000US34009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212083619/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0500000US34009|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2020|title=DP-1 - Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000; Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Cape May County, New Jersey|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 21, 2013}}</ref> 2010<ref name=Census2010>[https://archive.today/20200212092800/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US34009 DP1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Cape May County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed March 26, 2016.</ref> 2020<ref name=Census2020>[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/capemaycountynewjersey QuickFacts Cape May County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed March 17, 2025.</ref><ref name=LWD2020>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_Mun/MCD%200_All.pdf Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/2020-census-a-look-at-two-nj-counties-on-opposite-ends-of-the-population-growth/ar-AANwTk2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822222254/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/2020-census-a-look-at-two-nj-counties-on-opposite-ends-of-the-population-growth/ar-AANwTk2 |date=August 22, 2021 }} Accessed September 10, 2021.</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census]], the county had 95,263 people, 40,939 households, and 26,792 families. The [[population density]] was {{convert|378.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 99,606 housing units at an average density of {{convert|396.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The county's racial makeup was 85.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.74% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.26% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.95% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 5.95% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 7.83% of the population.

There were 40,939 households, of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 26.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 15.5% had a male householder with no wife present and 34.5% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.70.

About 17.6% of the county's population was under age 18, 6.7% was from age 18 to 24, 29.2% was from age 15 to 44, and 27.0% was age 65 or older. The median age was 50.5 years. The gender makeup of the county was 48.4% male and 51.5% female. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males.

The county's median household income was $69,980, and the median family income was $83,695. About 8.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020|title=Cape May County {{!}} Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US34009|access-date=January 19, 2022|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

Cape May County is part of the [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]], NJ [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]], as well as the [[Philadelphia]]-[[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]]-[[Camden, New Jersey|Camden]], [[Pennsylvania|PA]]-NJ-[[Delaware|DE]]-[[Maryland|MD]] [[Delaware Valley|Combined Statistical Area]].<ref>{{cite report|page=68|title=Metropolitan Statistical Areas: New Standards and Their Impact on Selected Federal Programs|publisher=United States General Accounting Office|url=https://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04758.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040624132457/http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04758.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 24, 2004|access-date=January 22, 2019}}</ref>

===2010 census===
The [[2010 United States census]] counted 97,265 people, 40,812 households, and 25,956 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|386.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 98,309 housing units at an average density of {{convert|391|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup was 89.83% (87,369) [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 4.69% (4,565) [[Black (U.S. census)|Black or African American]], 0.21% (205) [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 0.86% (834) [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.04% (36) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.47% (2,399) from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census#Race|other races]], and 1.91% (1,857) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 6.22% (6,054) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/> 

Of the 40,812 households, 21.6% had children under the age of 18; 48.3% were married couples living together; 11% had a female householder with no husband present and 36.4% were non-families. Of all households, 31.2% were made up of individuals and 15.5% 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 2.89.<ref name=Census2010/> 

18.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 8% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 31.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.4 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

As of the 2010 census, there were 98,365 houses in the county, of which only 42% were occupied year round. There are 47 campgrounds with 17,999 campsites, greater than the number of campsites in all other counties in the state combined. There are also 18,700 hotel rooms in the county.<ref name="strat">{{cite report|title=Strategic Recovery Planning Report|date=March 17, 2016|publisher=Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders|author=Maser Consulting P.A.|access-date=April 11, 2018|url=http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/lps/SRPRs/Cape%20May%20County_SRPR.pdf|archive-date=April 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412001222/http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/lps/SRPRs/Cape%20May%20County_SRPR.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[median household income]] of the county was $57,168 as of 2013, the fourth-lowest of New Jersey's 21 counties. About 10% of residents live below the [[Poverty in the United States|federal poverty line]]. The county ranked last in the state in terms of residents with Assets Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed (ALICE), representing nearly one-third of the county's residents.<ref name="eco">{{cite report|date=May 2015|title=Economic Indicators and Quality of Life in Southern New Jersey|author=Kelly E. Sloane|publisher=Stockton University|page=9|url=https://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/hughescenter/content/docs/Research/Eco%20Indicators%20-%202015-0512.pdf|access-date=March 22, 2018|archive-date=September 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913232521/http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/hughescenter/content/docs/Research/Eco%20Indicators%20-%202015-0512.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Government==
===County government===
Cape May County is governed by a [[Board of County Commissioners (New Jersey)|Board of County Commissioners]] consisting of five members elected [[at-large]] in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for vote as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in January, the board selects a director and deputy director from among its members.<ref>[http://capemaycountynj.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=401 What is a Freeholder?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090713/http://capemaycountynj.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=401 |date=May 18, 2015 }}, Cape May County, New Jersey. Accessed October 23, 2017.</ref> In 2016, commissioners were paid $17,973 and the director was paid an annual salary of $18,973.<ref>Gallo Jr., Bill. [http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/how_much_your_county_freeholders_others_in_nj_earn.html "Which N.J. county freeholders are paid the most?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026113548/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/how_much_your_county_freeholders_others_in_nj_earn.html |date=October 26, 2017 }}, [[NJ.com]], March 11, 2016. Accessed October 25, 2017. "Freeholder director: $18,973; Other freeholders: $17,973"</ref> No Democrat has won countywide office since [[Jeff Van Drew]] did so in 2000. {{As of|2025}}, Cape May County's commissioners are (with terms for director and vice director ending every December 31):<ref name=Directory>[https://capemaycountynj.gov/586/Board-of-County-Commissioners Board of County Commissioners], Cape May County. Accessed September 19, 2022.Note that as of date accessed, Desiderio was listed with an incorrect term-end year of 2021.</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Commissioner 
! Party, Residence, Term 
|-
| Director Leonard C. Desiderio 
| [[Republican Party (United States)|R]], [[Sea Isle City, New Jersey|Sea Isle City]], 2027<ref>[https://capemaycountynj.gov/Directory.aspx?EID=77 Leonard C. Desiderio], Cape May County New Jersey. Accessed September 19, 2022.</ref>
|-
| Vice Director Andrew Bulakowski
| R, [[Lower Township, New Jersey|Lower Township]], 2025<ref>[https://capemaycountynj.gov/Directory.aspx?EID=82 Andrew Bulakowski], Cape May County New Jersey. Accessed January 30, 2023.</ref>
|-
| Robert Barr 
| R. [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]], 2025<ref>[https://capemaycountynj.gov/directory.aspx?EID=266 E. Marie Hayes], Cape May County New Jersey. Accessed September 19, 2022.</ref>
|-
| Will Morey 
| R, [[Wildwood Crest, New Jersey|Wildwood Crest]], 2026<ref>[https://capemaycountynj.gov/Directory.aspx?EID=81 Will Morey], Cape May County New Jersey. Accessed September 19, 2022.</ref>
|- 
| Melanie Collette 
| R. [[Middle Township, New Jersey|Middle Township]], 2026<ref>[https://capemaycountynj.gov/directory.aspx?EID=79 Jeffrey L. Pierson], Cape May County New Jersey. Accessed September 19, 2022.</ref>
|}

Each county in New Jersey is required by the [[New Jersey State Constitution]] to have three elected administrative officials known as "constitutional officers." These officers are the [[County Clerk]] and [[Probate Court|County Surrogate]] (both elected for five-year terms of office) and the [[Sheriff|County Sheriff]] (elected for a three-year term).<ref>[http://www.nj.gov/state/archives/docconst47.html#page16 New Jersey State Constitution (1947), Article VII, Section II, Paragraph 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101123505/http://www.nj.gov/state/archives/docconst47.html#page16 |date=November 1, 2014 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed October 26, 2017.</ref> Cape May County's Constitutional Officers are:<ref>[http://capemaycountynj.gov/908/Constitutional-Offices Constitutional Officers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024045135/http://capemaycountynj.gov/908/Constitutional-Offices |date=October 24, 2017 }}, Cape May County, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2018.</ref><ref name=Directory/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title
! Representative
|-
| County Clerk
| Rita Marie Rothberg (R, 2025, Ocean City)<ref>[https://capemaycountynj.gov/189/County-Clerk County Clerk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917074251/https://capemaycountynj.gov/189/County-Clerk |date=September 17, 2021 }}, Cape May County, New Jersey. Accessed September 17, 2021.</ref><ref name=2020Election>{{cite web |title=2020 General Election Summary Report |url=https://www.capemaycountyvotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2020-general-Summary-Report-Final.pdf |website=Cape May, NJ Elections |publisher=Cape May County Election Departments |access-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917074250/https://www.capemaycountyvotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2020-general-Summary-Report-Final.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://coanj.com/member-list/clerks/ Members List: Clerks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917074251/https://coanj.com/member-list/clerks/ |date=September 17, 2021 }}, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed September 17, 2021.</ref>
|-
| Sheriff
| Robert Nolan (R, 2026, Lower Township)<ref>[http://www.cmcsheriff.net/ Home Page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518073608/http://www.cmcsheriff.net/ |date=May 18, 2015 }}, Cape May County Sheriff. Accessed June 6, 2018.</ref><ref name=2020Election /><ref>[https://coanj.com/member-list/sheriffs/ Members List: Sherriffs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917074252/https://coanj.com/member-list/sheriffs/ |date=September 17, 2021 }}, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed September 17, 2021.</ref>
|-
| Surrogate
| E Marie Hayes (R, 2028, Ocean City)<ref>[https://capemaycountynj.gov/545/Surrogate Surrogate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917074250/https://capemaycountynj.gov/545/Surrogate |date=September 17, 2021 }}, Cape May County, New Jersey. Accessed September 17, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://coanj.com/member-list/surrogates/ Members List: Surrogates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917074254/https://coanj.com/member-list/surrogates/ |date=September 17, 2021 }}, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed September 17, 2021.</ref>
|}

The Cape May County Prosecutor is Jeffrey H. Sutherland, who was appointed to the position by [[Governor of New Jersey]] [[Chris Christie]] and sworn into office on December 21, 2017.<ref>[http://www.cmcpros.net/about-us/ About Us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027025837/http://www.cmcpros.net/about-us/ |date=October 27, 2017 }}, Cape May Office of the Prosecutor. Accessed February 17, 2018. "Our current County Prosecutor, Jeffrey H. Sutherland, was sworn into office on December 21st, 2017 as appointed by Governor Chris Christie."</ref> Cape May County, along with [[Atlantic County, New Jersey|Atlantic County]], is part of Vicinage 1 of [[New Jersey Superior Court]]. [[Atlantic County, New Jersey|Atlantic County]] has a civil courthouse in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]], while criminal cases are heard in [[Mays Landing, New Jersey|Mays Landing]]; the Assignment Judge for Vicinage 1 is Julio L. Mendez.<ref>[https://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/courts/vicinages/atlcm.html Atlantic/Cape May Counties] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010211453/https://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/courts/vicinages/atlcm.html |date=October 10, 2017 }}, New Jersey Courts. Accessed October 23, 2017.</ref>

===Law Enforcement===
The current [[Sheriffs in the United States|county sheriff]] is Bob Nolan, elected in 2017 after working in the sheriff's office for 30 years, most recently as [[undersheriff]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Donald Wittkowski|title=Nolan Wins as CMC Sheriff; Morey, Pierson Win in CMC Freeholder Race; Van Drew in Senate|newspaper=OCNJDaily|date=November 8, 2017|access-date=April 19, 2018|url=http://ocnjdaily.com/nolan-wins-as-cmc-sheriff-morey-pierson-win-in-cmc-freeholder-race-van-drew-in-senate/}}</ref> The first county sheriff was Benjamin Godfrey in 1692. Aside from maintaining law and order, the sheriff's responsibilities include the sale of property, overseeing the corrections facility, transporting of jurors, and collecting court-ordered judgments. The first county jail was built in 1705 in Middle Township, and the current jail was built in 1977.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 30, 2017|title=History of the Sheriff's Office|publisher=Cape May County Sheriff's Office|access-date=April 19, 2018|url=http://www.cmcsheriff.net/history.html|archive-date=April 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420074048/http://www.cmcsheriff.net/history.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A new facility is scheduled to be completed in August 2018, at the cost of $37 million.<ref>{{cite news|author=Al Campbell|newspaper=Cape May County Herald|access-date=April 19, 2018|date=February 18, 2018|title=Jail's Price Tag Now $38.5 Million; Inmates Could Have Grabbed Sprinklers|url=http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_ff37629e-14b0-11e8-98ff-6b7256329dbd.html|archive-date=October 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007064505/https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_ff37629e-14b0-11e8-98ff-6b7256329dbd.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=John DeRosier|title=Cape May County set to unveil new, state-of-the-art jail|date=April 27, 2018|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|access-date=July 15, 2018|url=https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/cape_may/cape-may-county-set-to-unveil-new-state-of-the/article_7743a79e-600a-566b-8532-ef96f2b54a69.html|archive-date=July 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716055448/https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/cape_may/cape-may-county-set-to-unveil-new-state-of-the/article_7743a79e-600a-566b-8532-ef96f2b54a69.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Al Campbell|date=May 25, 2018|access-date=July 15, 2018|title=Jail Project Adds $500,000; Work Extended 159 Days|newspaper=Cape May County Herald|url=http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_62ac78b2-6026-11e8-920d-c7f0ee65be5b.html|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528220611/https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_62ac78b2-6026-11e8-920d-c7f0ee65be5b.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2015, Cape May County had 3,332 criminal offenses, the fifth fewest of any county in New Jersey. This represented a crime rate of 35.1 offenses per 1,000 people, and a violent crime rate of 4.7 offenses per 1,000 people.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 2, 2017|title=Where does crime happen in N.J.? A county-by-county look|author=S.P. Sullivan|work=NJ.com|access-date=April 19, 2018|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/05/heres_where_crime_happens_in_new_jersey.html?ath=9c46bfc08d76232bb5a5e00eeaf0bfa2|archive-date=April 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420012550/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/05/heres_where_crime_happens_in_new_jersey.html?ath=9c46bfc08d76232bb5a5e00eeaf0bfa2|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Federal representatives ===
The 2nd Congressional District covers all of Cape May County.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/leg-cong-district-info/2012-congressional-districts-by-county.pdf 2012 Congressional Districts by County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526005115/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/leg-cong-district-info/2012-congressional-districts-by-county.pdf |date=May 26, 2012 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204063248/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf |date=December 4, 2013 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2011. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref> {{NJ Congress 02}}

=== State representatives ===
The county lies entirely within the 1st Legislative District.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/leg-cong-district-info/2011-legislative-districts-by-county-062311.pdf 2011 Legislative Districts by County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526004842/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/leg-cong-district-info/2011-legislative-districts-by-county-062311.pdf |date=May 26, 2012 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]], Division of Elections, June 2011. Accessed July 18, 2013.</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!District
!Senate<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=New Jersey Legislature - Legislative Roster|url=https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp|access-date=June 16, 2021|website=www.njleg.state.nj.us|archive-date=March 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318205147/https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>
!Assembly<ref name=":0" />
!Notes
|-
|[[New Jersey's 1st legislative district|1st]]
|[[Mike Testa]] [[Republican Party (United States)|(R)]]
|[[Antwan McClellan]] (R)
[[Erik K. Simonsen]] (R)
|The remainder of this district covers portions of Atlantic County and Cumberland County.
|}

== Politics ==
Though New Jersey is generally [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] in recent state-wide elections, Cape May County is a mostly [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] county, with the highest percentage of voters registered as Republicans of any county in the state. Despite the county's strong Republican lean, at least one Democrat has won the county in recent years. In 2018, Democrat [[Jeff Van Drew]] outpolled Republican Seth Grossman in the county by a margin of 21,595 (52.6%) to 19,003 (46.3%) in that year's [[2018 United States House of Representatives elections|congressional election.]] Van Drew subsequently changed his partisan affiliation in 2019 and won the county as a Republican over Democratic challenger Amy Kennedy by a margin of 34,627 (60.7%) to 21,899 (38.4%). Since the founding of the Republican Party in 1856, the county has voted Democratic for president five times: in [[1864 United States presidential election in New Jersey|1864]], [[1912 United States presidential election in New Jersey|1912]], [[1936 United States presidential election in New Jersey|1936]], [[1964 United States presidential election in New Jersey|1964]], and [[1996 United States presidential election in New Jersey|1996]]. As of October 1, 2021, there were a total of 74,585 registered voters in Cape May County, of whom 31,859 (42.7%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]], 18,498 (24.8%) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] and 23,325 (31.3%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|unaffiliated]]. There were 903 voters (1.2%) registered to other parties.<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/svrs-reports/2021/2021-10-voter-registration-by-county.pdf Statewide Voter Registration Summary as of October 1, 2021], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed July 28, 2022.</ref> Among the county's 2010 Census population, 69.9% were registered to vote, including 81.1% of those ages 18 and over.<ref name="VoterRegistration">[http://njelections.org/2014-results/2014-1031-voter-registration-by-county.pdf Statewide Voter Registration Summary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222065450/http://www.njelections.org/2014-results/2014-1031-voter-registration-by-county.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206113818/http://www.njelections.org/2014-results/2014-1031-voter-registration-by-county.pdf |archive-date=December 6, 2014 |url-status=live|date=December 22, 2014}}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, as of October 31, 2014. Accessed May 11, 2015.</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20200213113830/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTP7.ST05/0400000US34 GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State &ndash; County / County Equivalent from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed May 11, 2015.</ref>

{{PresHead|place=Cape May County, New Jersey|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|access-date=July 17, 2017|archive-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|32,151|21,648|987|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|33,158|23,941|834|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|28,446|18,750|2,061|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|25,781|21,657|655|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|27,288|22,893|802|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|28,832|21,475|455|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|23,794|22,189|1,611|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|19,357|19,849|5,830|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|21,502|17,324|10,030|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|28,738|15,105|274|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|28,786|13,378|133|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|22,729|12,708|3,034|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|19,498|16,489|680|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|22,621|8,729|719|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|14,970|9,664|3,538|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|11,390|14,943|47|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|16,076|10,137|9|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|16,887|5,897|31|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|15,218|6,984|7|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|11,227|6,031|159|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|8,252|6,835|27|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|9,429|8,485|30|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|8,531|9,363|58|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|10,112|7,160|210|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|12,207|3,731|40|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|8,139|2,611|496|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|5,785|2,198|192|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|2,904|2,097|107|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|909|2,124|1,996|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|2,937|1,553|152|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,832|1,238|185|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,253|1,109|245|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|2,136|929|197|New Jersey}}
|}

{{Hidden begin
|titlestyle = background:#ccccff;
|title      = Gubernatorial election results
}}
{| align="center" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;"<ref name="uselectionatlas.org">{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title = Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections}}</ref>
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Year
! [[Republican Party (New Jersey)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (New Jersey)|Democratic]]
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2021|2021]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.8%''' ''24,260''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.7% ''14,183''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2017|2017]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''53.2%''' ''16,118''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|44.8% ''13,566''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013|2013]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''71.6%''' ''23,531''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|26.7% ''8,798''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009|2009]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.3%''' ''18,992''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.3% ''13,379''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2005|2005]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.9%''' ''16,179''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.2% ''14,375''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2001|2001]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.5%''' ''17,471''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|48.5% ''17,118''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1997|1997]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.6%''' ''18,227''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.9% ''15,395''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1993|1993]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|44.2% ''16,518''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''53.3%''' ''19,904''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1989|1989]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.4% ''15,408''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.3%''' ''19,642''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1985|1985]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''74.7%''' ''23,331''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|24.5% ''7,665''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1981|1981]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''59.2%''' ''18,488''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|39.3% ''12,274''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1977|1977]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.0% ''13,307''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''53.5%''' ''15,814''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1973|1973]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''63.6%''' ''18,227''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|35.8% ''10,261''
|}
{{Hidden end}}

==Economy==
The primary job sectors in Cape May County are related to hotel accommodation, food service, retail, health care/aide, arts/entertainment, and construction.<ref name="eco"/> Historically, Cape May County's economy was driven by whaling and farming, until seasonal resorts were built in the 19th century. These industries remain a part of the county's job sector, along with [[agritourism]], and around 30,000 people in the private industry. The largest employer is [[Morey's Piers]],<ref name="herald921">{{cite news|title=County Looks to New Industry, Expanded Season to Retain Jobs|date=September 21, 2017|author=Bill Barlow|newspaper=Cape May County Herald|access-date=March 22, 2018|url=http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/article_cead9f92-9ed8-11e7-a7e6-2b82439aa45b.html|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405102544/https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/article_cead9f92-9ed8-11e7-a7e6-2b82439aa45b.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> which hires 1,500 people.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fewer U.S. applicants for summer jobs at Morey's Pier at Jersey Shore|author=William Sokolic|date=May 29, 2016|newspaper=Philly Voice|access-date=March 22, 2018|url=http://www.phillyvoice.com/summer-jobs-jersey-shore/|archive-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323031222/http://www.phillyvoice.com/summer-jobs-jersey-shore/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Cape Regional Medical Center]] hires over 1,000 people. More than 10,000 people are in the hospitality sector.<ref name="herald921"/> As of February 2018, the unemployment rate in Cape May County was 14.3%, significantly more than the 5.2% unemployment rate in August 2017. Each year, the unemployment rate peaks in the wintertime and drops in the summertime,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|title=Unemployment Rate in Cape May County, NJ, retrieved from Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis|date=January 1990|url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NJCAPE1URN|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323030954/https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NJCAPE1URN|url-status=live}}</ref> reflective of the county's dependence on seasonal tourism-driven jobs.<ref name="herald921"/> As of February 2018, Cape May County had the highest unemployment rate in New Jersey, followed by neighboring Atlantic and Cumberland counties.<ref>{{cite report|title=New Jersey Counties Unemployment Rates - February 2018|url=http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/content/maps/laus_month.pdf|publisher=New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development|access-date=April 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618144636/https://nj.gov/labor/lpa/content/maps/laus_month.pdf|archive-date=June 18, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]] calculated that the county's [[gross domestic product]] was $5.0&nbsp;billion in 2021, which was ranked 19th in the state and was a 6.4% increase from the prior year.<ref>[https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/lagdp1222.pdf Gross Domestic Product by County, 2021], [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]], released December 8, 2022. Accessed July 17, 2023.</ref>

In 2023, the tourism industry contributes about $7.7&nbsp;billion worth of income in Cape May County, from 11.6&nbsp;million visitors. Retail spending was $1.4&nbsp;billion, food and beverage represented $1.8&nbsp;billion, while camping and lodging represented about $3.2&nbsp;billion in expenditures. Recreational activities generated $1.4&nbsp;billion in expenditures and transportation costs were $530&nbsp;million.<ref>[https://www.capemaycountychamber.com/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Tourism Cape May County Tourism Report], Cape May County Chamber. Accessed March 17, 2025. "2023 Total Direct Tourism Expenditures - $7.714 billion... Lodging: $3.195 B Food & Beverage: $1.746 B Retail: $1.441 B Recreation: $797.1 M Transportation: $534.6 M... Cape May County saw 11.58 million visitors in 2023 compared to 11.38 million in 2022."</ref> There is little heavy industry in the county due to environmental concerns.<ref name="strat"/><ref name="Seaislenenews">{{cite news |last1=Wittkowski |first1=Donald |title=Tourism Hits $6.6 Billion in Cape May County |url=https://seaislenews.com/tourism-hits-6-6-billion-cape-may-county/ |access-date=May 19, 2019 |publisher=Sea Isle News |date=May 18, 2019 |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125132549/https://seaislenews.com/tourism-hits-6-6-billion-cape-may-county/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Tourism===
[[File:Ocean City NJ beach looking north at 12th Street.jpeg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]], August 2020]]
The majority of Cape May County's industry is tourism, due to its beaches and location between the [[Delaware Bay]] and the Atlantic Ocean. During the summer season (which traditionally ranges from [[Memorial Day]] to [[Labor Day (United States)|Labor Day]]), tourists often outnumber locals 9 to 1. As of 2010, the four largest markets for tourism in Cape May County were [[Greater Philadelphia]], [[North Jersey]], [[New York (state)|New York]], and the Canadian province of [[Québec]].<ref name=DiIonno>Di Ionno, Mark. [http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2010/08/quebec_tourists_continue_to_fl.html "Canadian tourists continue to flock to Wildwoods as vacation destination"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109191145/http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2010/08/quebec_tourists_continue_to_fl.html |date=November 9, 2014 }}, ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', August 3, 2010. Accessed July 12, 2015.</ref>

In addition to sales tax, hotel occupancy tax and other assessments charged throughout the state, tourism-related business in [[North Wildwood, New Jersey|North Wildwood]], [[Wildwood, New Jersey|Wildwood]] and [[Wildwood Crest, New Jersey|Wildwood Crest]], such as hotels and restaurants, are required to collect an additional 2% tourism sales tax that is used to cover costs for promoting tourism.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/capemay_over.shtml Cape May County Tourism Sales Tax Overview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124195637/http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/capemay_over.shtml |date=January 24, 2018 }}, [[New Jersey Department of Treasury]]. Accessed January 24, 2018. "Effective January 1, 2018, businesses in Wildwood, North Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest collect a 2% Cape May Tourism Tax and a 6.625% New Jersey Sales Tax on tourism-related sales (Combined rate, 8.625%) This is in addition to the 1.85% Tourism Assessment and the 3.15% State Occupancy Fee on hotel occupancies."</ref>

Beginning in 1968 the county government began campaigns to attract tourists from Canada. In 1970 it established a tourism office in [[Montreal]] and later made strides to get tourists from other parts of Quebec. The county government made efforts to train tourism establishments on how to receive French-speaking Canadian tourists.<ref>{{cite web|last=Degener|first=Richard|url=https://www.thedailyjournal.com:443/story/news/2014/03/16/cape-may-offers-tips-on-french-canadian-tourists/6497831/|title=Cape May offers tips on French Canadians|newspaper=[[The Daily Journal (New Jersey)|The Daily Journal]]|date=March 16, 2014|access-date=May 22, 2021}}</ref> In 1991, Canadian tourism into Cape May County remained strong despite an economic recession occurring in Canada.<ref>Barlas, Thomas. [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AC&p_theme=ac&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAEA91F69EBF767&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM CANADIANS VISITING CAPE DESPITE ECONOMY] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005014816/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AC&p_theme=ac&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAEA91F69EBF767&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=October 5, 2013 }}." ''[[Press of Atlantic City]]'', July 24, 1991. Accessed August 20, 2013.</ref> As of 1993, most Canadian tourists to the county were [[Francophones]], who typically began their visits during the final two weeks of the month of July, when many Canadians working in the construction and garment sectors receive two-week paid time off.<ref>Barlas, Thomas. [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AC&p_theme=ac&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAEAA4D5AC5A463&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Canadian Invasion Spreading / Visitors From Ontario Seeking Info About Cape May, O.C. Vacations"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004232343/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AC&p_theme=ac&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAEAA4D5AC5A463&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=October 4, 2013 }}, ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', July 18, 1993. Accessed August 20, 2013.</ref> Most of the French Canadian tourists who visit Cape May County stay in hotels in The Wildwoods or campgrounds on the mainland.<ref>{{cite news|last=DeAngelis|first=Martin|title=Incentives keep French-Canadians filing into area resorts|work=The Press of Atlantic City|date=March 1, 2016|url=https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/incentives-keep-french-canadians-filing-into-area-resorts/article_7f6d24cc-e028-11e5-b351-233262e460c9.html|access-date=July 13, 2018|archive-date=July 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714051324/https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/incentives-keep-french-canadians-filing-into-area-resorts/article_7f6d24cc-e028-11e5-b351-233262e460c9.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 1990s, Cape May County established an [[international tourism]] office in [[Montréal]], along St. Catherine's Street,<ref>Lapusheski, Christine. [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AC&p_theme=ac&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAEA83C3A1BC868&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Canadian Connection Seeks Warm Reception / New Tourism Head Busy Touting Cape"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005014614/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AC&p_theme=ac&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAEA83C3A1BC868&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=October 5, 2013 }}, ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', February 28, 1990. Accessed August 20, 2013.</ref><ref name=Gifillian>Gilfillian, Trudi. [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AC&p_theme=ac&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=12A2E2877238F6D0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Canadians invade, to county's delight / Cape May County enjoys influx of tourists"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005020455/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AC&p_theme=ac&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=12A2E2877238F6D0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=October 5, 2013 }}, ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', August 18, 2009. Accessed August 20, 2013.</ref> but closed it around 1995, due to budget cuts. By 2010 the tourism office of Cape May County established a French language coupon booklet.<ref>Staff. [http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2010-02-09-cape-may-canadian-tourists_N.htm "Cape May, N.J., targets Canadian tourists"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005044301/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2010-02-09-cape-may-canadian-tourists_N.htm |date=October 5, 2013 }}, ''[[USA Today]]'', February 9, 2010. Accessed August 20, 2013.</ref> In 2010, Cape May County tourism director estimated that 13% of visitors to the region originated from Quebec.<ref name=DiIonno/>

[[Beach tag]]s are required for beach access in some of the most popular beaches and are collected under the terms of a 1955 state law that allows oceanfront municipalities to charge "reasonable fees" for providing safety and maintenance at the beaches.<ref>St. Martin, Victoria. [http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/more_than_a_third_of_beach_tow.html "More than one third of N.J. beach towns that require beach badges are increasing summer rates"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124200454/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/more_than_a_third_of_beach_tow.html |date=January 24, 2018 }}, ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', May 26, 2011. Accessed January 24, 2018. "The idea behind a 1955 state law was that towns could 'provide facilities and safeguards for public bathing and recreation,' including lifeguards, by charging 'reasonable fees.'"</ref> The highest seasonal beach tag fee in the county was $35.<ref>Hawk, Tim. [http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/07/beach_badges.html "9 surprising facts you may not have known about N.J. beach tags"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124200710/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/07/beach_badges.html |date=January 24, 2018 }}, NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], July 16, 2017. Accessed January 24, 2018. "From Cape May Point to Brigantine, no seasonal fee is more than $35."</ref> The sale of daily, weekly and seasonal tags is a major source of revenue for the communities, with the six beachfront communities in Cape May County that charge for beach tags generating $10 million in revenue in 2016. Ocean City brought in $4.1 million in revenue in the 2016 season, the most of any municipality in the state.<ref name=Beaches2016>Hoover, Amanda. [http://www.nj.com/cape-may-county/index.ssf/2017/09/heres_how_much_money_shore_towns_raked_in_last_yea.html "Here's how much money Shore towns raked in off beach badges last summer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124005928/http://www.nj.com/cape-may-county/index.ssf/2017/09/heres_how_much_money_shore_towns_raked_in_last_yea.html |date=January 24, 2018 }}, NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], September 2, 2017. Accessed January 23, 2018. "Ocean City - Revenue: $4.12 million; Price: Daily-$5; Weekly-$10; Seasonal-$25."</ref> In the 2017 budget, the projected $4.1 million in fees for beach tag and $3 million for parking were two of Ocean City's biggest revenue sources, accounting for almost 9% of the city's annual budget of almost $80 million.<ref>Wittkowski, Donald. [http://ocnjdaily.com/ocean-citys-proposed-2017-municipal-budget-emphasizes-capital-projects/ "Ocean City's Proposed 2017 Municipal Budget Emphasizes Capital Projects"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124011130/http://ocnjdaily.com/ocean-citys-proposed-2017-municipal-budget-emphasizes-capital-projects/ |date=January 24, 2018 }}, ''OCNJ Daily'', March 15, 2017. Accessed January 23, 2018. "Ocean City's proposed $79.7 million operating budget reflects a healthy real estate market and should satisfy Wall Street credit-rating agencies, but will require local property owners to pay more in taxes this year, according to the city's chief financial officer.... Ocean City has the ability to tap different sources of revenue – in addition to local property taxes – to finance the operating budget. Beach tag sales and parking operations are two of the biggest revenue generators. The budget forecasts $4.1 million in beach tag sales and $3 million in parking revenue for 2017."</ref> Cape May City, with revenue of $2.2 million, was ranked third in the state.<ref name=Beaches2016/> Four of the five municipalities in the state with guarded oceanfront beaches available with free public access are in the county, including [[Strathmere, New Jersey|Strathmere]] in [[Upper Township, New Jersey|Upper Township]] and the Wildwoods communities of [[North Wildwood, New Jersey|North Wildwood]], [[Wildwood, New Jersey|Wildwood]] and [[Wildwood Crest, New Jersey|Wildwood Crest]].<ref>Spoto, MaryAnn. [http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2015/05/surfers_fighting_to_save_dwindling_free_beaches.html "Surfers fighting to save dwindling free beaches"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053600/http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2015/05/surfers_fighting_to_save_dwindling_free_beaches.html |date=December 22, 2017 }}, NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], May 20, 2015. Accessed January 24, 2018. "New Jersey has five free guarded ocean beaches – Atlantic City, Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and the Strathmere section of Upper Township."</ref>

===Fishing and farming===
[[File:Cape May County, New Jersey Municipalities.png|thumb|upright=1.1|Index map of Cape May County municipalities (click to see index key)]]
Fishing has been an important industry in Cape May County since at least the 17th century, when the county's first European settlement was founded as a whaling village. In 1693, whaling proved such a successful industry that [[List of colonial governors of New Jersey|colonial Governor]] [[Andrew Hamilton (New Jersey governor)|Andrew Hamilton]] instituted a 10% tax on whale products. By the mid-1700s, overfishing had diminished the whale population in the region.<ref name="proposed"/> In the early 1800s, shipbuilding was an important industry, which declined by the 1850s.<ref name="survey"/> Fishing remains an important aspect of Cape May County's economy. In 2016, the combined port of Cape May and Wildwood ranked the ninth largest commercial fishing port in the United States as measured by monetary value, as well as the second largest on the east coast, only after [[New Bedford, Massachusetts|New Bedford]]. Fishermen brought in 47 million lbs (21 million kg) of seafood, mainly scallops, worth $85 million (2016 USD).<ref>{{cite news|author=Jack Tomczuk|date=November 26, 2017|title=$85 million commercial fishing industry feeds Cape May County economy|newspaper=The Gazette of Cape May|access-date=March 22, 2018|url=http://www.shorenewstoday.com/cape_may/million-commercial-fishing-industry-feeds-cape-may-county-economy/article_ce588a5b-f1ae-583c-83cd-5081988af611.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323031043/http://www.shorenewstoday.com/cape_may/million-commercial-fishing-industry-feeds-cape-may-county-economy/article_ce588a5b-f1ae-583c-83cd-5081988af611.html|archive-date=March 23, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Region's ports rank highly in NOAA's "Fisheries of the US" report|newspaper=Commercial Fisheries News|date=December 2017|access-date=March 22, 2018|url=http://fish-news.com/cfn/regions-ports-rank-highly-in-noaas-fisheries-of-the-us-report/#sthash.gVd00PEQ.dpbs|archive-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323030659/http://fish-news.com/cfn/regions-ports-rank-highly-in-noaas-fisheries-of-the-us-report/#sthash.gVd00PEQ.dpbs|url-status=live}}</ref> This was up from $73.7 million in 2009, when the overall market value of the port was estimated at $442 million, making it the fourth most valuable port in the country. In the 1980s, the scallop industry was worth only $15 million in the state of New Jersey. In 1990, laws limiting the catch and area of scallops led to a healthier and steadier population to harvest, which allowed for growth in the industry.<ref>Degener, Richard. [http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/cape_may/article_956e1b6a-799a-11de-a3fc-001cc4c03286.html "Port of Cape May reels in $73.7M., climbs to fourth in nation"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165908/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/cape_may/article_956e1b6a-799a-11de-a3fc-001cc4c03286.html |date=March 3, 2016 }}, ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', July 26, 2009. Accessed October 3, 2013. "Scallop harvests, boosted by federal regulations that close off huge sections of the ocean to let them grow big and plump, helped the port, which includes docks in Lower Township and Wildwood but none actually in Cape May, move from the eighth largest in the country in 2007 to No. 4 in the nation last year."</ref> Cold Spring Fish and Supply Company provides 500 jobs and is the county's third-largest employer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cape May, NJ|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=June 18, 2018|url=https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/educational_resources/seafood/ports/cape_may__nj.html|archive-date=June 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618230157/https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/educational_resources/seafood/ports/cape_may__nj.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Farming became an important industry in the county by the 19th century, when nearly {{convert|70000|acre|ha|abbr=on}}, or about 40% of the county's land area, was involved in farming. The industry's popularity led to the first freight railroad in 1863, and continued to be a fixture of the county's economy until the 1960s.<ref name="proposed"/>
There is an annual [[lima bean]] festival in West Cape May featuring foods made with the locally grown lima beans.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lima Bean Soup |url=https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/lima-bean-soup/ |website=Taste of Home |access-date=December 1, 2019 |archive-date=November 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126135706/https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/lima-bean-soup/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Education==
There are 16 school districts operating schools, two of them countywide, and three non-operating school districts.

School districts include:<ref name=NJDOE>[https://homeroom5.doe.state.nj.us/directory/district.php?source=01&county=cape%20may New Jersey School Directory for Cape May County], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed August 1, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_list.asp?Search=1&details=1&State=34&County=Cape+May+County Search for Public School Districts in Cape May County, New Jersey], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed August 1, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st34_nj/schooldistrict_maps/c34009_cape_may/DC20SD_C34009.pdf 2020 Census School District Reference Map for Cape May County, NJ], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed August 22, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st34_nj/schooldistrict_maps/c34009_cape_may/DC20SD_C34009_SD2MS.txt 2020 Census School District Reference List for Cape May County, NJ], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed August 22, 2022. The Census Bureau does not indicate countywide districts, and includes non-operating ones.</ref>

'''K-12'''
* [[Cape May County Special Services School District]] (countywide for special education)
* [[Middle Township Public Schools]]
* [[Ocean City School District]]
* [[Wildwood City School District]]

'''Secondary'''
* [[Cape May County Technical School District]] (countywide)
* [[Lower Cape May Regional School District]]

'''Elementary (K-8, except as noted)'''
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Avalon School District]]
* [[Cape May City School District]] (K-6)
* [[Dennis Township Public Schools]]
* [[Lower Township School District]] (K-6)
* [[North Wildwood School District]]
* [[Stone Harbor School District]]
* [[Upper Township School District]]
* [[West Cape May School District]] (K-6)
* [[Woodbine School District]]
* [[Wildwood Crest School District]]{{div col end}}

'''Non-operational'''
* [[Cape May Point School District]] (non-operating since 1931)
* [[Sea Isle City School District]] (non-operating since 2012)
* [[West Wildwood, New Jersey|West Wildwood]] School District

There are 25 public [[Elementary school (United States)|elementary]] and/or [[Middle school|middle]] schools in Cape May County, including two in Avalon and Stone Harbor (which, since 2011, agree to share each other's schools),<ref>{{cite web|title=About Avalon Stone Harbor Schools|publisher=Avalon Stone Harbor Schools|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=https://www.avalonstoneharborschools.org/about|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417105323/https://www.avalonstoneharborschools.org/about|archive-date=April 17, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> one in Cape May,<ref>{{cite web|title=Cape May City Elementary School|access-date=April 16, 2018|publisher=Cape May City Elementary School|url=http://www.cmcboe.org/|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023427/http://www.cmcboe.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> two in Dennis Township,<ref>{{cite web|title=Schools|publisher=Dennis Township School Districts|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=https://www.dtschools.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=460314&type=d&pREC_ID=1008418|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023344/https://www.dtschools.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=460314&type=d&pREC_ID=1008418|url-status=live}}</ref> five in Lower Township,<ref>{{cite web|title=Lower Township Elementary Schools Student–Parent Handbook|date=September 2017|access-date=April 16, 2018|publisher=Lower Township Elementary School District|url=http://lowertwpschools.com/announcements/student-parent-handbook.pdf|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023819/http://lowertwpschools.com/announcements/student-parent-handbook.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Richard M. Teitelman Middle School Performance Report|publisher=Lower Cape May Regional School District|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=http://lcmrschooldistrict.com/announcements/rmt-performance-report-16-17.pdf|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417024530/http://lcmrschooldistrict.com/announcements/rmt-performance-report-16-17.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> three in Middle Township,<ref name="mtps">{{cite web|title=Welcome to Middle Township|publisher=Middle Township Public Schools|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=http://www.middletwp.k12.nj.us/|archive-date=April 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407235911/http://www.middletwp.k12.nj.us/|url-status=live}}</ref> one in North Wildwood,<ref>{{cite web|title=Schools|publisher=North Wildwood School District|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=http://www.nwboe.com/?PN=Schools2|archive-date=December 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202120222/http://www.nwboe.com/?PN=Schools2|url-status=live}}</ref> two in Ocean City,<ref name="ocs">{{cite web|title=Schools|publisher=Ocean City School District|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=http://www.oceancityschools.org/?PN=Schools2|archive-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508111704/http://www.oceancityschools.org/?PN=Schools2|url-status=live}}</ref> three in Upper Township,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=The School District of Upper Township|title=School Information|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=https://www.upperschools.org/domain/150|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023011/https://www.upperschools.org/domain/150|url-status=live}}</ref> one in West Cape May,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=West Cape May School District|title=Mission Statement|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=http://wcm.capemayschools.com/pages/West_Cape_May/About_US/Mission_Statement}}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> three in Wildwood,<ref name="ws">{{cite web|title=Schools|publisher=Wildwood City School District|url=https://nj02210961.schoolwires.net/domain/22|access-date=April 16, 2018|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417024420/https://nj02210961.schoolwires.net/domain/22|url-status=live}}</ref> one in Wildwood Crest,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Crest Memorial School|title=Board of Education Statement|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=http://www.crestmem.edu/|archive-date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419171756/http://www.crestmem.edu/|url-status=live}}</ref> and one in Woodbine.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Woodbine School District|access-date=April 16, 2018|title=Woodbine Elementary School|url=http://www.woodbineschool.com/index.html|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023942/http://www.woodbineschool.com/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The following public high schools are in the county:

* [[Cape May County Technical High School]]<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|publisher=Cape May County Technical School District|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=http://www.capemaytech.com/about-us.html|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417024004/http://www.capemaytech.com/about-us.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Lower Cape May Regional High School]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Lower Cape May Regional High School Performance Report|publisher=Lower Cape May Regional School District|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=http://lcmrschooldistrict.com/announcements/lcmr-performance-report-16-17.pdf|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417024548/http://lcmrschooldistrict.com/announcements/lcmr-performance-report-16-17.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Middle Township High School]]<ref name="mtps" />
* [[Ocean City High School]]<ref name="ocs" />
* [[Wildwood High School]]<ref name="ws" />

There are also nine [[private school]]s in the county:<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Private School Review|title=Cape May County Private Schools|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=https://www.privateschoolreview.com/new-jersey/cape-may-county|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023220/https://www.privateschoolreview.com/new-jersey/cape-may-county|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School]] (Catholic; Cape May Courthouse)
* Cape Christian Academy (Christian; Cape May Courthouse)
* Cape Trinity Catholic School (Catholic; Wildwood)
* Central Bible Church ([[Presbyterian Church (USA)|Presbyterian]]; Wildwood)
* Families United Network Academy (Christian; Ocean View)
* Rio Grande Baptist Academy ([[Baptists|Baptist]]; Rio Grande)
* Tomorrow's World Early Education (Non-religious, [[Montessori education|Montessori]]; Marmora)
* Westminster Christian Academy ([[Calvinist]]; Ocean City) 
* [[Wildwood Catholic Academy]] (Catholic; Wildwood){{div col end}}


As of 2013, 31% of county residents had at least a bachelor's degree, and 89.7% had at least a high school diploma.<ref name="eco" /> In 1973, [[Atlantic Cape Community College|Atlantic Community College]] began offering night classes at Middle Township High School. In 1999, the college name was formally changed to ''Atlantic Cape Community College'', and a full service campus was opened in 2005 in Cape May Court House.<ref name="timeline">{{cite web|publisher=Atlantic Cape Community College|access-date=April 4, 2017|url=http://www.atlantic.edu/capemay/timeline.htm|title=From Dream to Reality: A Timeline|archive-date=April 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405073636/http://www.atlantic.edu/capemay/timeline.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The community college has partnerships with [[Fairleigh Dickinson University]], [[Rutgers University]], and [[Stockton University]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Atlantic Cape Community College|title=Bachelor's Degree Programs at Atlantic Cape|access-date=April 16, 2018|url=http://www.atlantic.edu/studentServ/degreePartners.html|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417024326/http://www.atlantic.edu/studentServ/degreePartners.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Cape May County Library has locations in Cape May, Cape May Court House, Lower Township, Stone Harbor, Sea Isle, Upper Township, Wildwood Crest, and Woodbine, as well as a [[bookmobile]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Library Locations|publisher=Cape May County Library|access-date=April 17, 2018|url=https://cmclibrary.org/about-the-library/locations|archive-date=April 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418032017/https://cmclibrary.org/about-the-library/locations|url-status=live}}</ref> Ocean City also has its own independent library.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ocean City Free Public Library|access-date=April 17, 2018|publisher=City of Ocean City, New Jersey|url=http://www.ocnj.us/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.mapLocation&mapLocationId=40947|archive-date=April 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418092926/http://www.ocnj.us/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.mapLocation&mapLocationId=40947|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Services==
[[Cape Regional Medical Center]] opened as Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital in 1950, keeping that name until 2007. It is the only hospital in the county. The facility has expanded over time since its foundation, and now has 242 beds, with a staff of 1,060 people, to service the population and tourists in the county.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Opening of Cape Regional Medical Center's renovated ICU continues growth trend at South Jersey hospitals|author=Michael Miller|date=July 11, 2011|access-date=April 17, 2018|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/top_three/opening-of-cape-regional-medical-center-s-renovated-icu-continues/article_22454a02-ab5a-11e0-8f70-001cc4c03286.html|archive-date=April 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418031742/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/top_three/opening-of-cape-regional-medical-center-s-renovated-icu-continues/article_22454a02-ab5a-11e0-8f70-001cc4c03286.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cape Regional Medical Center|publisher=New Jersey Department of Health|date=February 12, 2015|author=Cindy Kraemer|url=https://dsrip.nj.gov/Documents/Cape%20Regional%20Feb%202015%20LC%205%20presentation.pdf|access-date=April 17, 2018|archive-date=December 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224013416/https://dsrip.nj.gov/Documents/Cape%20Regional%20Feb%202015%20LC%205%20presentation.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[AtlantiCare]] opened two [[urgent care]] centers in the county since the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Locations & Hours|publisher=AtlantiCare|access-date=July 15, 2018|url=http://www.atlanticareurgentcare.com/urgent-care-hours/|archive-date=July 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716053934/http://www.atlanticareurgentcare.com/urgent-care-hours/|url-status=live}}</ref> From 2010 to 2015, [[Opioid epidemic|opioid prescriptions]] rose 11%, in terms of the amount of morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per person. This rise was among the top 20% of counties nationally, and the second-highest in New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news|title=Opioid prescriptions in NJ 2010-2015: Cape May County|author=Ken Serrano|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|date=January 8, 2018|url=https://www.app.com/story/news/2018/01/08/opioid-rxs-2010-2015-cape-may-county/898864001/}}</ref> In the period from 2011 to 2015, health conditions in the county deteriorated, falling to 19th in a survey of New Jersey's 21 counties for child well-being; only neighboring Cumberland and Atlantic counties were worse.<ref>{{cite news|author=Emily Leaman|title=Report: Cape May Among Worst New Jersey Counties for Kids' Health, Wellbeing|date=June 6, 2016|publisher=Philly Magazine|access-date=July 18, 2018|url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2016/06/06/new-jersey-childrens-health-rankings/#2hleSZU0zmY3i9t3.99|archive-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821160713/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2016/06/06/new-jersey-childrens-health-rankings/#2hleSZU0zmY3i9t3.99|url-status=live}}</ref> The county [[mortality rate]] was 13.7%, the highest in the state, which is largely due to the county's large elderly population.<ref>{{cite news|title=Why living in South Jersey could take years off your life, explained|date=March 31, 2018|author=Carla Astudillo|work=NJ.com|url=https://www.nj.com/data/2018/03/why_youre_more_likely_to_die_living_in_south_jersey_than_north_jersey.html|access-date=July 18, 2018|archive-date=July 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718235109/https://www.nj.com/data/2018/03/why_youre_more_likely_to_die_living_in_south_jersey_than_north_jersey.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Beesley's Point Generating Station]] was a [[Fossil fuel power station#Coal|coal-based power plant]] located in Upper Township that generated 447 [[Watt#Megawatt|megawatts]] of power. The coal plant released among the most emissions of any New Jersey station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklandcapital.com/portfolio/b-l-england-generating-station/|access-date=April 22, 2018|title=B.L. England Generating Station|publisher=Rockland Capital|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920201653/http://www.rocklandcapital.com/portfolio/b-l-england-generating-station/|archive-date=September 20, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=James M. O'Neill|date=May 31, 2017|title=2 N.J. coal power plants close for good, ensuring cleaner air|access-date=April 22, 2018|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/environment/2017/05/31/coal-power-plants/355425001/|archive-date=April 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423102224/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/environment/2017/05/31/coal-power-plants/355425001/|url-status=live}}</ref> The plant's fuel source was scheduled to be changed to natural gas, pending the construction of the Atlantic Reliability Link through the Pinelands National Reserve. In 2017, the Pinelands Commission approved the proposed {{convert|22|mi|km|abbr=on}} pipeline, which would be built under area roads. In response, the New Jersey [[Sierra Club]] and the Pinelands Preservation Alliance sued to stop the construction.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Philadelphia Business Journal|title=Coal-fired B.L. England power plant to stay in service 2 more years|author=Tom Johnson|date=April 17, 2017|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2017/04/17/bl-england-power-plant-beesley-point-pjm-interconn.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=David O'Reilly|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|access-date=April 22, 2018|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/In-Pinelands-proposed-gas-pipeline-gets-mixed-reaction-.html|title=Along the hotly disputed Pinelands pipeline's path, hopes, fears, and doubts|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116131528/http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/In-Pinelands-proposed-gas-pipeline-gets-mixed-reaction-.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Michelle Brunetti|title=Pinelands Commission approves SJ Gas pipeline|date=February 24, 2017|access-date=April 22, 2018|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/pinelands-commission-approves-sj-gas-pipeline/article_2bcb140c-1cfb-578d-8ac4-20a796bbad96.html|archive-date=April 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423232302/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/pinelands-commission-approves-sj-gas-pipeline/article_2bcb140c-1cfb-578d-8ac4-20a796bbad96.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Prospective [[green energy]] projects include the [[Deepwater Wind]]-leased Delaware Wind Energy Area, located about {{convert|16|mi|km|abbr=on}} southeast of Cape May. The prospective wind turbines there are capable of generating 3,500 MW of electricity.<ref>{{cite news|date=April 13, 2018|author=Al Campbell|title=Freeholders Learn Potential Wind Turbine Farms Offer|access-date=April 22, 2018|url=http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_b2ac9f1a-3f54-11e8-8001-3fb34a4262e8.html|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405192114/https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_b2ac9f1a-3f54-11e8-8001-3fb34a4262e8.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Municipalities==
The 16 municipalities in Cape May County (with 2010 Census data for population, housing units and area; along with communities within each municipalities for which [[census-designated place]]s are noted with their population) are:<ref name="strat"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US34009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150420054004/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US34009|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 20, 2015|title=GCT-PH1: Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County &ndash; County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Cape May County, New Jersey|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 11, 2015}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Municipality<br />(with map key)
!Map key
! Mun.<br />type
! Permanent<br />Population
! Summer<br />Population
! Housing<br />units
! Total<br />area
! Water<br />area
! Land<br />area
! Pop.<br />density
! Housing<br />density
! School district
! Communities<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709092825/http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt |date=July 9, 2016 }}, State of [[New Jersey]]. Accessed May 11, 2015.</ref>
|-
|[[Avalon, New Jersey|Avalon]] 
|9|| borough || 1,243 || 35,028 || 5,434 || 4.93 || 0.77 || 4.15 || 321.3 || 1,308.8 || [[Middle Township Public Schools|Middle Township]] (9–12) [[Sending/receiving relationship|(S/R)]]<br />[[Avalon School District|Avalon]] (5–8)<br />[[Stone Harbor School District|Stone Harbor]] (K-4) ||
|-
|[[Cape May, New Jersey|Cape<br />May]] 
|3|| city || 2,768 || 45,874 || 4,155 || 2.74 || 0.34 || 2.40 || 1,500.6 || 1,728.5 || [[Lower Cape May Regional School District|Lower Cape May]] (7–12)<br />[[Cape May City School District|Cape May]] (PK-6) ||
|-
|[[Cape May Point, New Jersey|Cape May<br />Point]] 
|1|| borough || 305 || 4,100 || 619 || 0.31 || 0.02 || 0.30 || 984.5 || 2,094.2 || [[Lower Cape May Regional School District|Lower Cape May]] (7–12)<br />[[Cape May City School District|Cape May]] (PK-6) [[Sending/receiving relationship|(S/R)]] ||
|-
|[[Dennis Township, New Jersey|Dennis<br />Township]] 
|14|| township || 6,285 || 37,339 || 2,672 || 64.33 || 3.53 || 60.80 || 106.4 || 43.9 || [[Middle Township Public Schools|Middle Township]] (9–12) [[Sending/receiving relationship|(S/R)]]<br />[[Dennis Township Public Schools|Dennis Township]] (PK-8) || [[Belleplain, New Jersey|Belleplain]] CDP (614)<br />[[Clermont, Cape May County, New Jersey|Clermont]]<br />[[Dennisville, New Jersey|Dennisville]] CDP (830)<br />[[Eldora, Cape May County, New Jersey|Eldora]]<br />[[Ocean View, New Jersey|Ocean View]] CDP (685)<br />[[South Dennis, New Jersey|South Dennis]] CDP (1,703)<br />[[South Seaville, New Jersey|South Seaville]] CDP (695)
|-
|[[Lower Township, New Jersey|Lower<br />Township]] 
|16|| township || 22,057 || 99,786 || 14,507 || 31.01 || 3.27 || 27.74 || 824.3 || 523.0 || [[Lower Cape May Regional School District|Lower Cape May]] (7–12)<br />[[Lower Township School District|Lower Township]] (PK-6) || [[Diamond Beach, New Jersey|Diamond Beach]] CDP (203)<br />[[Erma, New Jersey|Erma]] CDP (2,031)<br />[[Miami Beach, New Jersey|Miami Beach]]<br />[[North Cape May, New Jersey|North Cape May]] CDP (4,007)<br>[[Rio Grande, New Jersey|Rio Grande]] CDP (part; 3,610)<br />[[Villas, New Jersey|Villas]] CDP (9,134)
|-
|[[Middle Township, New Jersey|Middle<br />Township]] 
|15|| township || 20,380 || 71,321 || 9,296 || 82.96 || 12.62 || 70.33 || 268.9 || 132.2 || [[Middle Township Public Schools|Middle Township]] || [[Burleigh, New Jersey|Burleigh]] CDP (766)<br />[[Cape May Court House, New Jersey|Cape May Court House]] CDP (5,573)<br />[[Dias Creek, New Jersey|Dias Creek]]<br />[[Goshen, New Jersey|Goshen]] CDP (400)<br />[[Green Creek, New Jersey|Green Creek]]<br />[[Mayville, New Jersey|Mayville]]<br />[[Nummytown, New Jersey|Nummytown]]<br />[[Pierces Point, New Jersey|Pierces Point]]<br />[[Rio Grande, New Jersey|Rio Grande]] CDP (part; 3,610)<br />[[Swainton, New Jersey|Swainton]]<br />[[Whitesboro, New Jersey|Whitesboro]] CDP (2,300)
|-
|[[North Wildwood, New Jersey|North<br />Wildwood]] 
|7|| city || 3,621 || 70,118 || 8,840 || 2.13 || 0.38 || 1.75 || 2,305.8 || 5,044.1 || [[Wildwood City School District|Wildwood]] (9–12) [[Sending/receiving relationship|(S/R)]]<br />[[North Wildwood School District|North Wildwood]] (K-8) ||
|-
|[[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean<br />City]] 
|11|| city || 11,229 || 139,654 || 20,871 || 10.80 || 4.46 || 6.33 || 1,847.7 || 3,295.7 || [[Ocean City School District|Ocean City]] ||
|-
|[[Sea Isle City, New Jersey|Sea Isle<br />City]] 
|10|| city || 2,104 || 44,820 || 6,900 || 2.53 || 0.36 || 2.17 || 974.5 || 3,180.8 || [[Ocean City School District|Ocean City]] [[Sending/receiving relationship|(S/R)]] ||
|-
|[[Stone Harbor, New Jersey|Stone<br />Harbor]] 
|8|| borough || 796 || 22,528 || 3,247 || 1.96 || 0.56 || 1.40 || 619.6 || 2,323.3 || [[Middle Township Public Schools|Middle Township]] (9–12) [[Sending/receiving relationship|(S/R)]]<br />[[Avalon School District|Avalon]] (5–8)<br />[[Stone Harbor School District|Stone Harbor]] (K-4) ||
|-
|[[Upper Township, New Jersey|Upper<br />Township]] 
|13|| township || 12,539 || 45,940 || 6,341 || 68.69 || 6.54 || 62.15 || 199.1 || 102.0 || [[Ocean City School District|Ocean City]] (9–12) [[Sending/receiving relationship|(S/R)]]<br />[[Upper Township School District|Upper Township]] (K-8) || [[Beesley's Point, New Jersey|Beesley's Point]] CDP (816)<br />[[Marmora, New Jersey|Marmora]] CDP (2,413)<br>[[Marshallville, New Jersey|Marshallville]] CDP (376)<br />[[Palermo, New Jersey|Palermo]] CDP (3,183)<br />[[Petersburg, Cape May County, New Jersey|Petersburg]]<br />[[Seaville, New Jersey|Seaville]] CDP (695)<br />[[Strathmere, New Jersey|Strathmere]] CDP (137)<br />[[Tuckahoe, New Jersey|Tuckahoe]] CDP (357)
|-
|[[West Cape May, New Jersey|West Cape<br />May]] 
|2|| borough || 1,010 || 8,590  || 1.18 || 0.01 || 1.17 || 1.165 || 895.1 || || [[Lower Cape May Regional School District|Lower Cape May]] (7–12)<br />[[West Cape May School District|West Cape May]] (PK-6) ||
|-
|[[West Wildwood, New Jersey|West<br />Wildwood]] 
|6|| borough || 540 || 7,468 || 893 || 0.35 || 0.07 || 0.28 || 2,188.4 || 3,240.9 || [[Wildwood City School District|Wildwood]] [[Sending/receiving relationship|(S/R)]] ||
|-
|[[Wildwood, New Jersey|Wildwood]] 
|5|| city || 5,157 || 67,258 || 6,843 || 1.39 || 0.09 || 1.30 || 4,082.0 || 5,245.7 || [[Wildwood City School District|Wildwood]] ||
|-
|[[Wildwood Crest, New Jersey|Wildwood<br />Crest]] 
|4|| borough || 3,101 || 54,633 || 5,569 || 1.31 || 0.18 || 1.13 || 2,884.0 || 4,911.6 || [[Wildwood City School District|Wildwood]] (9–12) [[Sending/receiving relationship|(S/R)]]<br />[[Wildwood Crest School District|Wildwood Crest]] (PK-8) ||
|-
|[[Woodbine, New Jersey|Woodbine]] 
|12|| borough || 2,128 || 9,483 || 1,079 || 8.02 || 0.00 || 8.02 || 308.2 || 134.5 || [[Middle Township Public Schools|Middle Township]] [[Sending/receiving relationship|(S/R)]] ||
|-
!Cape May 
! || county || 95,263 || 763,940 || 98,309 || 620.42 || 368.99 || 251.42 || 386.9 || 391.0 ||
|}
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==Recreation==
[[Cape May County Park & Zoo]] is located in [[Cape May Court House, New Jersey|Cape May Court House]].

===Parks and recreation===
[[File:Corson’s Inlet and Russ Chatin Bridge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Corson's Inlet State Park]] along the [[Jersey Shore]]]]
[[File:Anthropoides virgo -Cape May Zoo, New Jersey, USA -head-8a (1).jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|A [[demoiselle crane]] at [[Cape May County Park & Zoo]]]]
As of 2015, 49% of the lands in Cape May County were preserved open space.<ref name="strat"/> On November 9, 1989, the voters of Cape May County approved the Open Space Preservation Tax, which generates $4.9 million each year. Since then, the program spent $65 million to preserve open space, farmlands, and historic sites.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cape May County Open Space Program Guide|year=2018|publisher=Cape May County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Program|access-date=April 18, 2018|url=https://capemaycountynj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4692|format=PDF|archive-date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419121956/https://capemaycountynj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4692|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Belleplain State Forest]] was established in 1928 in northwestern Cape May County and adjacent Cumberland County, and consists of {{convert|21254|acre|ha|abbr=on}} of young pine, oak, and Atlantic white cedar trees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/belle.html|title=Bellplain State Forest|publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection]] Division of Parks and Forestry|access-date=April 11, 2018|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408194906/http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/belle.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Corson's Inlet State Park]] was established in 1969 near the southern end of Ocean City to protect and preserve one of the last undeveloped areas of land along the [[Jersey Shore|New Jersey coastline]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/corsons.html|title=Corson's Inlet State Park|publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection]] Division of Parks and Forestry|access-date=January 22, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230005725/http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/corsons.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Cape May Point State Park]] was established at the southern end of the county in 1974, having been previously used as a military base until the [[Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962]] damaged the facility.<ref name="strat"/><ref name="birdy">{{cite book|title=Birds and Birding at Cape May|author=Clay Sutton|author2=Patricia Sutton|publisher=Stackpole Books|year=2006|isbn=978-0-8117-3134-8|page=470|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6HY9FX_ZfcwC&q=cape+may+point+state+park+1964&pg=PA470}}</ref> There are 10 [[List of New Jersey wildlife management areas|wildlife management areas]] in the county, including Peaslee, which extends into neighboring Cumberland County, and Tuckahoe/MacNamara, which extends into neighboring Atlantic County.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wildlife Management Areas|date=April 11, 2018|publisher=New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife|access-date=April 22, 2018|url=http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/wmaland.htm|archive-date=November 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124181331/http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/wmaland.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1942, a {{convert|40|acre|ha|abbr=on}} area of wooded land was donated to the county, which housed the [[4-H]] fair. In November 1962, county residents approved a referendum to create a park commission, which was established in 1967 to maintain the county's parks. The lands donated in 1942 became Park Central, and is now over {{convert|200|acre|ha|abbr=on}}. In 1978, the [[Cape May County Park & Zoo]] was created within Park Central, which houses 250 species of animals. Nearby Cape May County Park East has basketball and tennis courts. Park North is the Richard M. Cameron Wildlife Sanctuary, located in [[Palermo, New Jersey|Palermo]]. Park South is the Fishing Creek Wildlife Preserve, which is {{convert|1700|acre|ha|abbr=on}} of wetlands and trails.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cape May County Parks|access-date=May 16, 2018|publisher=Government of Cape May County|url=https://capemaycountynj.gov/1021/Parks|archive-date=May 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517083111/https://capemaycountynj.gov/1021/Parks|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Cape May County Park & Zoo|title=History of the Cape May County Park|access-date=May 16, 2018|url=https://www.cmczoo.com/history.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517152817/https://www.cmczoo.com/history.php|archive-date=May 17, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The {{convert|93|acre|ha|abbr=on}} undeveloped Great Sound State Park is in Middle Township.<ref>{{cite report|title=Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey: 2004 Edition|page=159|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zJrtBQAAQBAJ&q=%22great+sound+state+park%22&pg=PA159|year=2004|publisher=Skinder=Strauss Associates|isbn=1-57741-187-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=Transcription of Commission Meeting of State House Commission|date=June 30, 2016|publisher=The New Jersey Office of Legislative Services|access-date=June 26, 2018|url=http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/pubhear/shc06302016.pdf|archive-date=June 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627005534/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/pubhear/shc06302016.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1978, the [[New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve]] became the first National Reserve in the United States,<ref>{{cite web |title=New Jersey Pinelands Commission {{!}} The Pinelands National Reserve |url=https://www.nj.gov/pinelands/reserve/ |website=www.nj.gov |access-date=January 22, 2019 |archive-date=January 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108022403/https://www.nj.gov/pinelands/reserve/ |url-status=live }}</ref> a {{convert|1100000|acre|ha|abbr=on}} region of South Jersey that spans seven counties, including Cape May. The act, and additional legislation from the New Jersey legislature, created the Pinelands Commission, which manages the growth in the [[Pine Barrens (New Jersey)|Pine Barrens]], and coordinates federal, state, and local governments. Each county appoints a commissioner, and since January 2018, Woodbine mayor William Pikolycky has represented the county.<ref>{{cite web|title=CMP Summary|year=2015|access-date=April 18, 2018|publisher=Pinelands Commission|url=http://www.nj.gov/pinelands/cmp/summary/|archive-date=May 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504234444/http://www.nj.gov/pinelands/cmp/summary/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Commission Members|access-date=April 18, 2018|publisher=Pinelands Commission|url=http://www.nj.gov/pinelands/about/memb/|archive-date=May 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505010633/http://www.nj.gov/pinelands/about/memb/|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1988 until 2011, the National Park Service operated the [[New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route]], which promoted awareness and protection of nearly {{convert|300|mi|km|abbr=on}} of New Jersey coastline.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route, 2011 Strategic Plan|year=2011|publisher=United States National Park Service|access-date=April 18, 2018|url=https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=258&projectID=35779&documentID=42791|archive-date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419183215/https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=258&projectID=35779&documentID=42791|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1989, the [[Cape May National Wildlife Refuge]] was established from lands purchased by the [[Nature Conservancy]], and has grown in size since its establishment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cape May National Wildlife Refuge|publisher=United States Fish and Wildlife Service|access-date=April 18, 2018|url=https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_5/NWRS/North_Zone/Cape_May_Complex/Cape_May/CapeMayBrochure.pdf|archive-date=July 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710232638/https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_5/NWRS/North_Zone/Cape_May_Complex/Cape_May/CapeMayBrochure.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=The Nature Conservancy|title=U.S. Public Lands|access-date=April 18, 2018|url=https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/americas-public-lands.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324103514/https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/americas-public-lands.xml|archive-date=March 24, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Breweries, distilleries, and wineries===
Cape May Brewing Company opened in 2011 at the [[Cape May Airport]],<ref>{{cite news |author=Mary Linehan |newspaper=Cape May Gazette |date=August 15, 2012 |title=Council doubles economic development loan to Cape May Brewing Co. |access-date=April 7, 2018 |url=http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/index.php/cape-may/cape-may-gazette/28471-council-doubles-economic-development-loan-to-cape-may-brewing-co.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918153114/http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/index.php/cape-may/cape-may-gazette/28471-council-doubles-economic-development-loan-to-cape-may-brewing-co.html |archive-date=September 18, 2012 }}</ref> and by 2015 was the third-largest brewer in New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news|author=Alicia Vitarelli|publisher=6 ABC|date=August 20, 2015|title=Unique products created ahead of papal visit|access-date=April 7, 2018|url=http://6abc.com/religion/unique-products-created-ahead-of-papal-visit/947723/|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010450/http://6abc.com/religion/unique-products-created-ahead-of-papal-visit/947723/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Tuckahoe Brewing]] also opened in 2011 in [[Ocean View, New Jersey|Ocean View]], but moved to a bigger facility in [[Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey|Egg Harbor Township]] in neighboring Atlantic County in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|author=Felicia Compian|date=April 16, 2013|title=How They Make It: Tuckahoe Brewery shows how to serve up award-winning stout|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|access-date=April 7, 2018|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/life/how-they-make-it-tuckahoe-brewery-shows-how-to-serve/article_a57786ab-4134-5695-ad6c-f04efd7f519b.html|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073553/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/life/how-they-make-it-tuckahoe-brewery-shows-how-to-serve/article_a57786ab-4134-5695-ad6c-f04efd7f519b.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Nicholas Huba|date=October 21, 2015|title=Tuckahoe Brewing moves to bigger digs in Egg Harbor Township|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|access-date=April 7, 2018|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/business/tuckahoe-brewing-moves-to-bigger-digs-in-egg-harbor-township/article_46ec0b6e-7867-11e5-b992-d7028b28f8ed.html|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073500/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/business/tuckahoe-brewing-moves-to-bigger-digs-in-egg-harbor-township/article_46ec0b6e-7867-11e5-b992-d7028b28f8ed.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Slack Tide Brew opened in [[Clermont, Cape May County, New Jersey|Clermont]].<ref name="cul"/> In 2016, Ludlam Island Brewery opened in the former location of Tuckahoe Brewing, after originally seeking to open the facility in Sea Isle City.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=BestofNJ.com|author=Chris Castellani|date=June 27, 2017|title=Brew Jersey: Tuckahoe Brewing Co.|access-date=April 7, 2018|url=https://bestofnj.com/brew-jersey-tuckahoe-brewing|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619213907/https://bestofnj.com/brew-jersey-tuckahoe-brewing|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ludlam Island Brewery|publisher=Inglorious Beerstards|date=February 14, 2017|access-date=April 7, 2018|url=https://ingloriousbeerstards.wordpress.com/2017/02/14/ludlum-island-brewery/|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010448/https://ingloriousbeerstards.wordpress.com/2017/02/14/ludlum-island-brewery/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=March 3, 2015|title=Brew Pubs Rejected, Council Splits 3-2|author=Camille Sailer|access-date=April 7, 2018|newspaper=Cape May County Herald|url=http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_fdd39d01-f74f-5a38-9efd-351b926dd9e1.html|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406004324/https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_fdd39d01-f74f-5a38-9efd-351b926dd9e1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Also in 2016, Cold Spring Brewing began operations out of a barn from 1804, as part of [[Historic Cold Spring Village]],<ref>{{Cite news|title=Tapping into History|publisher=Cape May Magazine|author=John Roth|date=Spring 2016|access-date=April 7, 2018|url=http://www.capemaymag.com/feature/tapping-into-history/|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619222418/http://www.capemaymag.com/feature/tapping-into-history/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Christopher South|date=January 19, 2017|title=1804 barn fits in, supports Cold Spring Village in Lower Township|newspaper=The Gazette of Cape May|access-date=April 7, 2018|url=http://www.shorenewstoday.com/cape_may/barn-fits-in-supports-cold-spring-village-in-lower-township/article_53bda8a0-425a-5430-accc-608184edd813.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010442/http://www.shorenewstoday.com/cape_may/barn-fits-in-supports-cold-spring-village-in-lower-township/article_53bda8a0-425a-5430-accc-608184edd813.html|archive-date=April 8, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 7 Mile Brewery opened in Cape May Court House.<ref>{{cite news|title=7 Mile Brewery sets grand opening Saturday|date=August 31, 2016|newspaper=The Gazette of Middle Township|access-date=April 7, 2018|url=http://www.shorenewstoday.com/middle_township/mile-brewery-sets-grand-opening-saturday/article_068ea514-6f87-11e6-840a-5b931b258875.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010502/http://www.shorenewstoday.com/middle_township/mile-brewery-sets-grand-opening-saturday/article_068ea514-6f87-11e6-840a-5b931b258875.html|archive-date=April 8, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2017, Avalon Brew Pub opened in Avalon,<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=June 29, 2017|title=At the Shore, a wave of new restaurants|access-date=April 7, 2018|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/food/at-the-shore-a-wave-of-new-restaurants-20170629.html|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408141248/http://www.philly.com/philly/food/at-the-shore-a-wave-of-new-restaurants-20170629.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and Bucket Brigade Brewery opened in Cape May Court House.<ref>{{cite news|title=Extinguish Your Thirst at the New Bucket Brigade Brewery|date=January 5, 2018|access-date=April 7, 2018|newspaper=Cape May County Herald|url=http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/community/business/article_1fe5cd4a-f248-11e7-8f83-53942968f3e3.html|archive-date=March 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321163006/https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/community/business/article_1fe5cd4a-f248-11e7-8f83-53942968f3e3.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mudhen Brewery opened in Wildwood in April 2018.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|date=May 23, 2018|access-date=June 26, 2018|title=New spots to get your munch on in South Jersey this summer|author=Ryan Laughlin|url=https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/attheshore/dining/new-spots-to-get-your-munch-on-in-south-jersey/article_79fcfe7d-ba23-57c0-8f21-d54004f4fa6f.html|archive-date=June 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627005239/https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/attheshore/dining/new-spots-to-get-your-munch-on-in-south-jersey/article_79fcfe7d-ba23-57c0-8f21-d54004f4fa6f.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Gusto Brewery opened in December 2018 in North Cape May.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|author=Mark Haynie|date=February 5, 2019|access-date=August 11, 2019|title=Cape May county brews continue to grow|url=https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/attheshore/cape-may-county-brews-continue-to-grow/article_8b7e5c46-4c9a-5817-b2ea-fde40f3246d4.html|archive-date=August 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812004354/https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/attheshore/cape-may-county-brews-continue-to-grow/article_8b7e5c46-4c9a-5817-b2ea-fde40f3246d4.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first [[distillery]] to open in the county since the [[Prohibition in the United States|prohibition era]] was Lazy Eye Distillery, which opened a second facility in Wildwood in 2015 after opening its first facility in Atlantic County in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael Miller|date=June 28, 2015|title=New distillery opens in Wildwood|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|access-date=April 7, 2018|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/new-distillery-opens-in-wildwood/article_a8ecf964-1c68-11e5-8958-db3b5dc21854.html|archive-date=April 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407182743/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/new-distillery-opens-in-wildwood/article_a8ecf964-1c68-11e5-8958-db3b5dc21854.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same year, Cape May Distillery opened in [[Green Creek, New Jersey|Green Creek]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael Miller|title=Middle Township distillery ready to gin up new business|date=May 12, 2015|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/business/middle-township-distillery-ready-to-gin-up-new-business/article_4a5ff4be-f8f0-11e4-bf17-4be14bfafab1.html|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|access-date=April 7, 2018|archive-date=April 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120004/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/business/middle-township-distillery-ready-to-gin-up-new-business/article_4a5ff4be-f8f0-11e4-bf17-4be14bfafab1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, Nauti Spirits opened in Cape May on a {{convert|60|acre|ha|abbr=on}} farm.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=July 27, 2017|title=Farm-to-bottle: Craft distillery making vodka from Jersey sweet potatoes at the Shore|author=Drew Lazor|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/food/farm-to-bottle-a-craft-distillery-making-vodka-from-jersey-sweet-potatoes-at-the-shore-20170727.html|access-date=April 7, 2018|archive-date=April 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407182750/http://www.philly.com/philly/food/farm-to-bottle-a-craft-distillery-making-vodka-from-jersey-sweet-potatoes-at-the-shore-20170727.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture designated Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and [[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean]] counties as the [[Outer Coastal Plain AVA|Outer Coastal Plain]] [[American Viticultural Area]] (AVA) in 2007, recognizing the area as well-suited for grape growing.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Jersey Wine Industry|publisher=New Jersey Department of Agriculture|access-date=April 6, 2018|url=http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/md/news/wine.html|archive-date=April 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407053648/http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/md/news/wine.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In late 2014, local wineries sought for a distinct Cape May Peninsula AVA. As of 2015, there were six wineries in the county.<ref name="ac515">{{cite news|date=May 3, 2015|title=Cape May winemakers seek federal distinction as industry grows|author=Dan Skeldon|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|access-date=April 6, 2018|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/cape-may-winemakers-seek-federal-distinction-as-industry-grows/article_9618cfae-f010-11e4-ade4-3b9ab8308b0a.html|archive-date=April 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407053328/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/cape-may-winemakers-seek-federal-distinction-as-industry-grows/article_9618cfae-f010-11e4-ade4-3b9ab8308b0a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Cape May Winery & Vineyard]] opened in 1995 in North Cape May as the first commercial winery in the county.<ref>{{cite news|author=Howard G. Goldberg|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/27/nyregion/nj-vines-cape-may-a-big-wine-out-of-a-tiny-vineyard.html|title=A Big Wine Out of a Tiny Vineyard|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 27, 2000|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307151237/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/27/nyregion/nj-vines-cape-may-a-big-wine-out-of-a-tiny-vineyard.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="rutger">{{Cite press release|title=Wine Grape Twilight Meeting|last=Frecon|first=Jerome L.|publisher=Rutgers Cooperative Extension|url=http://gloucester.njaes.rutgers.edu/pr/pr-2003-0520-grapemeeting.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005004922/http://gloucester.njaes.rutgers.edu/pr/pr-2003-0520-grapemeeting.pdf|archive-date=October 5, 2013|access-date=April 6, 2018|date=May 16, 2013}}</ref> [[Turdo Vineyards & Winery]] opened to the public in North Cape May in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|author=Charlie Toms|url=http://www.americanwineryguide.com/winery_reviews/turdo-vineyards/585/|title=Turdo Vineyards Review|publisher=[[American Winery Guide]]|date=September 28, 2013|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-date=June 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621221317/http://www.americanwineryguide.com/winery_reviews/turdo-vineyards/585/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Natali Vineyards]] opened in 2007 in the [[Goshen, New Jersey|Goshen]] section of Middle Township.<ref name="cul"/> In 2009, [[Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery]] opened to the public in the [[Rio Grande, New Jersey|Rio Grande]] section of Lower Township.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Kaitlin Kline|date=June 22, 2017|title=Six South Jersey Wineries to Check Out This Summer|publisher=SNJ Today|access-date=April 6, 2018|url=http://www.snjtoday.com/story/35726088/six-south-jersey-wineries-to-check-out-this-summer|archive-date=April 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407115941/http://www.snjtoday.com/story/35726088/six-south-jersey-wineries-to-check-out-this-summer|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2012, [[Jessie Creek Winery]] opened in Cape May Court House, and in the same year, [[Willow Creek Winery]] opened in West Cape May.<ref name="cul">{{cite book|title=Culinary History of Cape May, A: Salt Oysters, Beach Plums & Cabernet Franc|author=John Howard-Fusco|publisher=American Palate|year=2017|access-date=April 6, 2018|pages=124–125|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zwQpDgAAQBAJ&q=natali+vineyards+2007&pg=PA123|isbn=9781626195899}}</ref> <!--G&W Winery coming soon - https://www.newjerseyuncorked.com/2017/04/24/g-w-winery/ -->

==Transportation==
[[File:2021-08-31 11 15 26 View south along New Jersey State Route 444 (Garden State Parkway) from the pedestrian overpass between Exit 9 and Exit 10 in Middle Township, Cape May County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|right|Garden State Parkway southbound in Cape May County]]
The indigenous population left behind a series of trails across Cape May County by the late 17th century.<ref name="Story"/> In 1695, John Somers operated the first ferry service across the Great Egg Harbor Bay to [[Beesley's Point, New Jersey|Beesley's Point]] in Cape May County.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Jersey State Historic Sites|publisher=New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection|date=January 3, 2018|access-date=March 1, 2018|url=http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/historic/index.html|archive-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215171427/http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/historic/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Beginning in 1697 and completed in 1707, the residents of Cape May County financed the construction of a road running from Cape May to the ferry in Beesley's Point, and onward to [[Burlington, New Jersey|Burlington]].<ref name="getnj"/><ref name="survey">{{cite report|pages=117–128|title=New Jersey Historic Bridge Survey|date=September 1994|publisher=New Jersey Department of Transportation|work=A. G. Lichtenstein & Associates|url=https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/works/environment/pdf/Survey_Doc.pdf|access-date=July 16, 2018|archive-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712204810/https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/works/environment/pdf/Survey_Doc.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="early">{{cite book|title=Early History of Cape May County|pages=169–170|year=1857|url=http://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/GEOLOGY-CAPE%20MAY-1857.PDF|access-date=April 11, 2018|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423031915/https://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/GEOLOGY-CAPE%20MAY-1857.PDF|url-status=live}}</ref> Roads were built across the county to connect with the court house, but in low-lying areas these routes were [[corduroy road]]s, built from a series of logs. Local businessmen built the Dennis Creek Causeway in 1803, which eventually became [[New Jersey Route 47|NJ 47]], which contributed to the growth of towns along the Delaware Bay, although people traveled to the county more often by steamboat.<ref name="survey"/>

In August 1863, the [[West Jersey and Seashore Railroad#Cape May and Millville Railroad|Cape May and Millville Railroad]] opened, connecting the county more quickly to points to the northwest. The railroad shipped freight from the county's many farms, and brought more people to the area, contributing to the development of coastal resorts. Travelers often brought their lunch in shoe boxes, leading to their nickname "[[shoobie]]s".<ref name="proposed"/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Princeton University|title=1872: County Wall Map|series=Nova Caesarea: A Cartographic Record of the Garden State 1666-1888|access-date=March 29, 2018|year=2014|url=https://library.princeton.edu/njmaps/counties/cape_may.html|archive-date=October 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026030011/https://library.princeton.edu/njmaps/counties/cape_may.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Excursionists: A Ticket to Success|author=Susan Tischler|date=February 2007|access-date=March 29, 2018|url=http://www.capemay.com/Editorial/feb07/railroad.html|publisher=Cape May Magazine|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170408/http://www.capemay.com/Editorial/feb07/railroad.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1892, much of the county was accessible by railroad, including all of the barrier islands. A second rail line was added in 1893 that connected Cape May to a branch of the [[Atlantic City Line|rail line]] that ran from Atlantic City to Camden. By the 1890s, bicycling became common throughout the county, and bikeriders successfully lobbied the county to build better roads. Between 1900 and 1915, the county government built over 100 miles of [[gravel road]]s, a fact promoted in a county promotional brochure, but also the cause of controversies. County engineer N. C. Price was dismissed in 1903 due to accusations of poor building materials and inflated costs, and in 1921, two freeholders were jailed for defrauding the county, resulting in a smaller board of freeholders.<ref name="survey"/><ref name="dorwart">{{cite book|author=Jeffery M. Dorwart|title=Cape May County, New Jersey: The Making of an American Resort Community|year=1992|pages=201–202|publisher=Rutgers University Press |isbn=9780813517841|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=anseU09GDTkC&q=cape+may+freeholder+engineer+1921+guilty&pg=PA201}}</ref>

In 1916, the New Jersey legislature created the [[State highways in New Jersey|state highway system]], taking responsibility for the maintenance and building of major roads.<ref name="survey"/> In 1917, the road between Cape May and Seaville became Route 14,<ref name="1920r14">{{cite report |title = 1917 Annual Report |publisher = New Jersey Department of Transportation |date = 1917 }}</ref> which was renumbered Route 4 in 1927,<ref name="Map">{{cite map |url = http://www.jimmyandsharonwilliams.com/njroads/1920s/images/1927_routes.gif |title = 1927 New Jersey Road Map |publisher = State of New Jersey |access-date = October 8, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071031111034/http://www.jimmyandsharonwilliams.com/njroads/1920s/images/1927_routes.gif |archive-date = October 31, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> and later [[U.S. Route 9 in New Jersey|U.S. 9]] by the 1940s.<ref name="mwm">{{cite map |publisher = Mid-West Map Co. |title = Map of Pennsylvania and New Jersey |year = 1941 |cartography = [[H.M. Gousha]] |url = http://www.mapsofpa.com/roadcart/1941_1467m.jpg |access-date = March 29, 2009 |archive-date = January 28, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110128192852/http://mapsofpa.com/roadcart/1941_1467m.jpg |url-status = live }}</ref> The road ran the length of the state, and connected Cape May County with Atlantic County via the [[Beesley's Point Bridge]] built in 1928.<ref>{{cite news|author=Lee Procida|title=Closed bridge ties Beesleys Point to the quiet life|date=December 19, 2012|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/closed-bridge-ties-beesleys-point-to-the-quiet-life/article_416e0616-4975-11e2-9246-0019bb2963f4.html|access-date=March 1, 2018|archive-date=March 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302104052/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/closed-bridge-ties-beesleys-point-to-the-quiet-life/article_416e0616-4975-11e2-9246-0019bb2963f4.html|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1934 to 1946, the Cape May County Bridge Commission issued bonds and secured funding for five toll bridges to connect the barrier islands with each other.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bridge History|publisher=Government of Cape May County, New Jersey|access-date=April 17, 2018|url=http://capemaycountynj.gov/653/Bridge-History|archive-date=March 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320212247/http://capemaycountynj.gov/653/Bridge-History|url-status=live}}</ref> By the 1950s, state routes 47, [[New Jersey Route 49|49]], [[New Jersey Route 50|50]], [[New Jersey Route 52|52]], and [[New Jersey Route 83|83]] were established, connecting various municipalities.<ref name="mwm"/><ref name="nj1953">{{Cite report|title=1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering |url=http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1953_New_Jersey_state_highway_renumbering |publisher=New Jersey Department of Highways |access-date=July 31, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183145/http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1953_New_Jersey_state_highway_renumbering |archive-date=June 28, 2011}}</ref>

In 1956, the [[Great Egg Harbor Bridge]] opened, connecting the county with Atlantic County and points north and west via the [[Garden State Parkway]]. A parallel bridge carrying northbound traffic of the [[Garden State Parkway]] opened in 1973.<ref name="njta">{{cite web|title=The Garden State Parkway Crossing the Great Egg Harbor Bay|publisher=[[New Jersey Turnpike Authority]]|url=http://www.njta.com/media/3387/great-egg-harbor-history.pdf|access-date=March 6, 2018|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307023250/http://www.njta.com/media/3387/great-egg-harbor-history.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Parkway to replace southbound Great Egg Harbor bridge; demolition pushed for Beesleys Point Bridge|date=March 2, 2011|author=Michael Miller|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/parkway-to-replace-southbound-great-egg-harbor-bridge-demolition-pushed/article_66d39ecc-4551-11e0-af54-001cc4c002e0.html|access-date=March 28, 2018|archive-date=March 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302103929/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/parkway-to-replace-southbound-great-egg-harbor-bridge-demolition-pushed/article_66d39ecc-4551-11e0-af54-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The road brings hundreds of thousands of people to the county during the summertime.<ref name="making"/> The parkway passes through the length of the county, and has its southern terminus, known as Exit Zero, in Lower Township, connecting with U.S. Route 9.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000444__-.pdf|title=Garden State Parkway Straight Line Diagram|publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]|date=January 1997|access-date=August 19, 2014|archive-date=July 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718095238/http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000444__-.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Further transportation connections were made after the [[Cape May–Lewes Ferry]] began operation in 1964, which can carry up to 100 cars and 800 people on its fleet of five boats.<ref name="gaz12"/> In 1971, [[New Jersey Route 147|Route 147]] replaced county routes for the roadway from North Wildwood to U.S. 9,<ref name="nj147est">{{cite news|title=Gotta Gripe? The Mystery of a Road at Grassy Sound|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15746923/nj_147_july_20_1972/|access-date=December 13, 2017|work=The Courier-Post|date=July 20, 1972|page=3|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213143153/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15746923/nj_147_july_20_1972/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}</ref> and in the same year, [[New Jersey Route 162|Route 162]] was established for a new bridge over the Cape May Canal.<ref name="nbi">{{cite book|title=Structure Number: ++++++++0513150 |publisher=United States Department of Transportation|location=Washington D.C.|year=2008|edition=2008|author=National Bridge Inventory}}</ref> In 1972, U.S. 9 was relocated from its southern terminus in Cape May to the ferry; the former route was redesignated [[New Jersey Route 109|Route 109]].<ref name="AASHTO">{{AASHTO minutes |year=1972A |page=427 |access-date=October 16, 2014 }}</ref> [[New Jersey Route 347|Route 347]] was designated in the 1990s as an alternate route to Route 47.<ref name="rm">{{cite map|publisher=[[Rand McNally]]|title=United States-Canada-Mexico Road Atlas|year=1996}}</ref>

The county has a total of {{convert|1036.15|mi}} of roadways, of which {{convert|730.07|mi}} are maintained by the local municipality, {{convert|200.98|mi}} by Cape May County, {{convert|74.18|mi}} by the [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]] and {{convert|30.92|mi}} by the [[New Jersey Turnpike Authority]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_CapeMay.pdf|title=Cape May County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction|publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]|date=July 2015|access-date=March 7, 2018|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304211528/http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_CapeMay.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> There are 23 bridges owned by the county, including a series of causeways and bridges connecting the five barrier islands to the mainland.<ref name="strat"/>

There is limited public transportation within the county. The ensuing traffic congestion during summer months causes roadway congestion. [[NJ Transit Bus Operations|NJ Transit buses]] operate the following lines in and out of the county: [[List of NJ Transit bus routes (300–399)#Southern Division|313, 315, 316, 319]], [[List of NJ Transit bus routes (500–549)|507, 509, 510]], and [[List of NJ Transit bus routes (550–599)|552]].<ref name="strat"/><ref>{{cite web|title=313 315 Timetable|publisher=New Jersey Transit|access-date=April 22, 2018|url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T1313.pdf|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819123152/https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T1313.pdf/|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|title=316 510 Timetable|publisher=New Jersey Transit|access-date=April 22, 2018|url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0316.pdf|archive-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921124529/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0316.pdf|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|title=319 Timetable|publisher=New Jersey Transit|access-date=April 22, 2018|url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0319.pdf|archive-date=April 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413064336/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0319.pdf|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|title=507 Timetable|publisher=New Jersey Transit|access-date=April 22, 2018|url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0507.pdf|archive-date=April 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413064325/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0507.pdf|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|title=509 Timetable|publisher=New Jersey Transit|access-date=April 22, 2018|url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0509.pdf|archive-date=April 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423101907/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0509.pdf|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|title=552 Timetable|publisher=New Jersey Transit|access-date=April 22, 2018|url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0552.pdf|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619040251/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0552.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The Great American Trolley Company operates private [[tram|trolleys]] in Cape May, the Wildwoods, and Ocean City.<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Transit Trolley Service|access-date=April 22, 2018|url=http://www.gatrolley.com/h_fm1.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813210430/http://www.gatrolley.com/h_fm1.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 13, 2007}}</ref> The county also has a Fare Free Transportation system for limited populations.<ref name="strat"/> There are three airports in the county. The oldest is [[Ocean City Municipal Airport (New Jersey)|Ocean City Municipal Airport]], opened in 1937.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=AirNav, LLC|title=26N Ocean City Municipal Airport|date=March 29, 2018|access-date=April 17, 2018|url=https://www.airnav.com/airport/26N|archive-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406184018/http://www.airnav.com/airport/26N|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1941, [[Cape May Airport]] opened about {{convert|5|mi|km|abbr=on}} north of Cape May, originally as [[Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum|Naval Air Station Wildwood]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Cape May County Airport Business Plan|author=R.A. Wiedemann & Associates, Inc.|publisher=Delaware River and Bay Authority|date=November 2008|url=http://www.capemayairport.com/pdf/Capemay_BP.pdf|access-date=April 17, 2018|archive-date=October 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006220112/http://www.capemayairport.com/pdf/Capemay_BP.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Woodbine Municipal Airport (New Jersey)|Woodbine Municipal Airport]] opened in 1945.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=AirNav, LLC|title=KOBI Woodbine Municipal Airport|date=March 29, 2018|access-date=April 17, 2018|url=https://www.airnav.com/airport/KOBI|archive-date=April 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418161509/https://www.airnav.com/airport/KOBI|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2009, the [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]] [[metropolitan statistical area]], which encompasses all of Cape May County, ranked as the sixth highest in the [[United States]] for percentage of commuters who walked to work (8.4%).<ref>[https://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/acs-15.pdf ''Commuting in the United States: 2009 - American Community Survey Reports''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726134351/https://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/acs-15.pdf |date=July 26, 2017 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]], September 2011. Accessed March 7, 2018.</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Philadelphia|New Jersey}}
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Cape May County, New Jersey]]
* [[South Seaville Camp Meeting]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Cape May County}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040624040338/http://www.co.cape-may.nj.us/ Official county website]
* [http://www.middletownshipgazette.com ''The Cape May County Gazette'' newspaper]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071014193730/http://middletownshipgazette.com/bc/ The Beachcomber]
* [http://www.capemaycountyherald.com ''Cape May County Herald'' newspaper]
* [http://www.rutgersataccc.org Rutgers at Atlantic Cape Community College]

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Cape May County, New Jersey
|North     = [[Atlantic County, New Jersey|Atlantic County]]
|Northeast = 
|East      = 
|Southeast = 
|South     = 
|Southwest = [[Sussex County, Delaware]] -across Delaware Bay
|West      = [[Kent County, Delaware]] -across Delaware Bay
|Northwest = [[Cumberland County, New Jersey|Cumberland County]]
}}
{{Jersey Shore region}}
{{Cape May County, New Jersey}}
{{New Jersey}}
{{Delaware Valley}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cape May County, New Jersey| ]]
[[Category:1685 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Geography of the Pine Barrens (New Jersey)]]
[[Category:Jersey Shore]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1685]]
[[Category:South Jersey]]