Sea Isle City, New Jersey
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement
Sea Isle City is a city in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The city, and all of Cape May County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Ocean City metropolitan statistical area, and is part of the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD combined statistical area, also known as the Delaware Valley or Philadelphia metropolitan area.<ref>New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 22, 2022.</ref> As of the 2020 United States census, the city's year-round population was 2,104,<ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 10 (−0.5%) from the 2010 census count of 2,114,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 721 (−25.4%) from the 2,835 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> Visitors raise the population to as much as 40,000 during the peak summer season from Memorial Day to Labor Day.<ref>Wilson, Michael. "Where Police Rookies Get Their Feet Wet", The New York Times, May 22, 2009. Accessed July 4, 2011. "That season has arrived in Sea Isle City, a small coastal community about 140 miles from New York and 75 miles from Philadelphia whose population starting this weekend swells to 40,000 from about 2,600 and stays ballooned through Labor Day."</ref> Sea Isle City is located on Ludlam Island, which also contains the Strathmere section of Upper Township.
Sea Isle City was originally incorporated as a borough on May 22, 1882, from portions of Dennis Township, based on the results of a referendum held six days earlier. The borough was reincorporated on March 31, 1890. In March 1907, portions of Dennis Township and Upper Township were annexed to Sea Isle City. In April 1905, portions of Sea Isle City were annexed to Upper Township. On April 30, 1907, the area was reincorporated as the City of Sea Isle City, based on the results of a referendum held on April 20, 1907.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 115. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref><ref>Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 255. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 1, 2015.</ref> The name derives from its location on the Atlantic Ocean.<ref>Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 278. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed October 1, 2015.</ref>
History
[edit]
Sea Isle City was founded in 1882 by Charles K. Landis, who was also the founder of Vineland, New Jersey. The main street in town, Landis Avenue, is named for its founder. The oldest building in Sea Isle City is The Colonnade Inn, a Victorian building dating back to the 1800s. From 1885 until 1924, Sea Isle City was the location of Ludlam's Beach Lighthouse. The structure was moved to the corner of Landis Avenue and 35th Street (3414 Landis Avenue), and was a private residence (offered for rental) for many years. A non-profit group, The Friends of the Ludlam Beach Lighthouse, was unsuccessful in its efforts to raise enough money to save the building from demolition by moving it to a new location and restoring it. It was demolished on September 21, 2010, to make way for new town homes.<ref>Greenberg, Ted. "Historic Lighthouse Gets Demolished", WCAU, September 22, 2010. Accessed November 5, 2013. "Demolition began Tuesday on a Sea Isle City landmark after a failed bid to save it. The former 1885 Ludlam Beach Lighthouse, situated about a block from the beach at 3414 Landis Ave., was torn down to make way for new homes."</ref>
The oil tanker MV Sea Isle City was renamed for this city when it was reflagged and registered in the United States in 1987 during Operation Earnest Will. It was struck by a Silkworm missile off Kuwait on October 16, 1987, wounding 18 crew members and seriously damaging the ship.<ref>Mann, Jim. "Silkworm Missile Off World Market, China's Envoy Says", Los Angeles Times, November 25, 1987. Accessed August 4, 2011. "On Oct. 16, a Silkworm apparently fired by Iranian forces heavily damaged the Sea Isle City, one of the Kuwaiti oil tankers re-registered under the American flag as part of the U.S. tanker escort effort."</ref>
Coastal storms
[edit]There have been many hurricanes and huge storms that have hit the small island of Sea Isle City, New Jersey. The storms of the 1890s, 1920s, and the 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane have been some of the worst natural disasters to hit the coast of New Jersey. The Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962, a major Nor'easter that hit on March 6, 1962, tops all other storms that have hit the area in the recent past, with three days of continuous rain. Many people evacuated in time to save their lives, but came back to find their homes and assets destroyed. Eventually, the only way out of town was the causeway, and when that flooded, rescuers had to use helicopters to evacuate the rest of the town. It was categorized as a "100-year storm," in which almost every beachfront home or property was destroyed or damaged.<ref>Urgo, Jacqueline. "Face-lift for Sea Isle City Shore resort embarks on a $13.4 million project to spiff up its entryway.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 7, 2009. Accessed August 4, 2011. "Building booms occurred after severe storms battered much of the New Jersey coastline in 1944 and 1962. In Sea Isle, the 1962 nor'easter destroyed or significantly damaged nearly every beachfront structure."</ref>
About a week later when the storm had subsided, Sea Isle City citizens moved back into their homes and began the needed revisions. As a result of the storm, a "dune line" was formed, and this caused beachfront businesses and homes to move back from the shoreline an average of one block.
Tourism
[edit]Sea Isle City has long been popular with summer visitors. In 2002, the printed message on its signature water tower was changed from "Welcome to Sea Isle City" to "Smile! You're in Sea Isle City". The word "City" was later removed from the message in 2018.
The "Sara the Turtle Festival" is one of the city's annual festivals, celebrating a fictional turtle named Sara. Aimed towards families with young children, the festival features live animal exhibits and face painting meant to educate children about the local environment.<ref>"Sea Isle City's 2013 Sara the Turtle Festival Was Largest to Date", Cape May County Herald, June 21, 2013. Accessed November 5, 2013. "Sea Isle City – The 2013 Sara the Turtle Festival attracted hundreds of children and their families to Sea Isle City's Excursion Park on June 20. The annual event, which is hosted by Sea Isle's Division of Tourism, featured live animal and environmental exhibits, a 'Diaper Derby' for crawling babies, 'Turtle Races' on the sand for older children, a live performance by 'The Turtlesingers' and other free entertainment."</ref> The city hosts a Polar bear plunge every February, holding the 25th annual event in 2019, featuring many participants dressed in costume.<ref>Rose, Lisa. "Polar Bear Plunge in Sea Isle City features sleet, Speedos and bikinis", The Star-Ledger, February 19, 2013. Accessed November 5, 2013. "Sleet rained down on folks in Speedos and bikinis in Sea Isle City this past weekend, as the town hosted its 19th annual Polar Bear Plunge. The cold jump in the ocean was only part of the politically incorrect spectacle, which featured a phantasmagoric costume contest and a ceremonial crowning of a Polar Bear King and Queen."</ref>
In 1999, the city's only amusement park, Fun City, was closed and the land was sold for development of beach homes. In 2009, a new amusement park called Gillian's Funland was opened on JFK Boulevard by the bay as a public-private venture between Sea Isle City and neighboring Ocean City mayor Jay Gillian. Funland was permanently removed, however, following the 2013 summer season for financial reasons in part due to losses from Hurricane Sandy.<ref>Ianieri, Brian [1], "Sea Isle amusement park closes for good", Press of Atlantic City, February 22, 2014. Accessed July 21, 2014</ref>
In 2011, Sea Isle City began a $14 million makeover to create a public corridor from the bay to the ocean. Plans included a new boathouse on the marina, installing a new playground and basketball courts on JFK Boulevard and erecting a pavilion and band shell at Excursion Park on the city's Promenade overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.<ref>Miller, Michael. "Sea Isle City officials hope bay-to-ocean corridor will lead visitors to local attractions", The Press of Atlantic City, May 5, 2011. Accessed July 22, 2014.</ref> Sea Isle City became one of the first municipalities in New Jersey, along with Salem and Egg Harbor City, to implement LED streetlights powered solely by wind and solar energy. The lights were installed at the Promenade at JFK Boulevard by the South Jersey Economic Development District and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.<ref>Procida, Lee. "Egg Harbor City and Sea Isle City to test hybrid streetlights", The Press of Atlantic City, May 11, 2011. Accessed July 22, 2014. "Egg Harbor and Sea Isle cities will join Salem as the first in the state to get streetlights powered solely by the wind and sun, a technology with the potential to take tens of thousands of lampposts off the electricity grid in southern New Jersey."</ref>
Geography
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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 2.75 square miles (7.13 km2), including 2.20 square miles (5.71 km2) of land and 0.55 square miles (1.42 km2) of water (19.93%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />
Sea Isle City is a beach town with most of its housing used for vacation rentals and second homes. It has a Template:Convert beachfront promenade starting at 29th Street and ending on 57th street and several arcades, shops, restaurants and bars in the center of town. The epicenter of the town is John F. Kennedy Blvd. (41st Street).
Sea Isle is not an "island city" as it shares its land on Ludlam Island with Strathmere, which is part of Upper Township. Neighboring Ocean City, however, is an island city as it includes the entire island.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include Ludlam Beach and Townsends Inlet (located at the south end of Ludlam Island).<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>
Sea Isle City borders Avalon Borough, Dennis Township, Middle Township and Upper Township, along with the Atlantic Ocean.<ref>Areas touching Sea Isle City, MapIt. Accessed March 5, 2020.</ref><ref>Cape May County, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 5, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>
Demographics
[edit]2010 census
[edit]The 2010 United States census counted 2,114 people, 1,041 households, and 646 families in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 6,900 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 98.63% (2,085) White, 0.09% (2) Black or African American, 0.24% (5) Native American, 0.19% (4) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.47% (10) from other races, and 0.38% (8) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.41% (51) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 1,041 households, 9.8% had children under the age of 18; 50.0% were married couples living together; 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 37.9% were non-families. Of all households, 34.1% were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.54.<ref name=Census2010/>
10.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 13.2% from 25 to 44, 37.6% from 45 to 64, and 32.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 97.4 males.<ref name=Census2010/>
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $54,715 (with a margin of error of +/– $9,859) and the median family income was $80,219 (+/– $21,265). Males had a median income of $66,771 (+/– $34,710) versus $44,087 (+/– $6,534) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $47,174 (+/– $10,684). About 3.1% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Sea Isle City city, Cape May County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 21, 2012.</ref>
2000 census
[edit]As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 2,835 people, 1,370 households, and 794 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 6,622 housing units at an average density of 1, 162.2/km2 (3,006.9/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 97.88% White, 0.28% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Sea Isle City city, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 17, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Sea Isle City city, Cape May County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 17, 2012.</ref>
As of the 2000 Census, 30.5% of Sea Isle City residents were of Irish ancestry, the 34th-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States, and sixth-highest in New Jersey, among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.<ref>Irish Communities, EPodunk. Accessed June 9, 2007.</ref>
There were 1,370 households, out of which 15.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.0% were non-families. 37.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.71.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
In the city, the population was spread out, with 15.7% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 31.4% from 45 to 64, and 27.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
The median income for a household in the city was $45,708, and the median income for a family was $62,847. Males had a median income of $42,713 versus $31,375 for females. The per capita income for the city was $28,754. About 6.4% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
Government
[edit]
Local government
[edit]Since July 1, 2007, Sea Isle City has been governed within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Mayor-Council form of government.<ref>Burczewski, Ron. "Sea Isle City 11/07/07 Our new government", Cape May County Herald, November 7, 2007. Accessed April 30, 2008.</ref> The city is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the five-member City Council. The mayor and council members serve four-year terms of office and are chosen at-large on a non-partisan basis as part of the May municipal elections. Either three council seats or two council seats and the mayoral seat are up for election in odd-numbered years.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 8.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 10. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> Prior to 2007, Sea Isle City had been governed under the Walsh Act form of New Jersey municipal government, by a three-member commission, starting in 1913.<ref>"The Commission Form of Municipal Government" Template:Webarchive, p. 53. Accessed June 3, 2015.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 8. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>
Template:As of, the Mayor of Sea Isle City is Leonard C. Desiderio, whose term of office ends on June 30, 2023.<ref name=Mayor>Office of the Mayor, Sea Isle City. Accessed July 17, 2023.</ref> Members of the City Council are Council President Mary L. Tighe (2025), Frank P. Edwardi Jr. (2027), J. B. Feeley (2025), Jack C. Gibson (2025) and William J. Kehner Sr. (2027).<ref name=Council>City Council, Sea Isle City. Accessed July 17, 2023.</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Sea Isle City. Accessed July 17, 2023.</ref><ref name=CapeMayOfficials>2023 County & Municipal Elected Officials Cape May County, NJ -- July 2023, Cape May County, New Jersey, August 3, 2023. Accessed August 23, 2023.</ref><ref name=CapeMay2023Municipal>Cape May County Statement of Vote 2023 Cape May County Municipal Election, Cape May County, New Jersey, updated May 17, 2023. Accessed Jul 17, 2023.</ref><ref name=CapeMay2021Municipal>Statement of Vote 2021 Cape May County Municipal Election, Cape May County, New Jersey, updated May 18, 2021. Accessed April 28, 2022.</ref>
Federal, state and county representation
[edit]Sea Isle City is located in the 2nd Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 1st state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>
Template:NJ Congress 02 Template:NJ Senate
Template:NJ Cape May County Freeholders
Politics
[edit]As of March 2011, there were a total of 2,060 registered voters in Sea Isle City, of which 340 (16.5%) were registered as Democrats, 1,090 (52.9%) were registered as Republicans and 629 (30.5%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.<ref>Voter Registration Summary - Cape May, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed October 17, 2012.</ref>
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 60.4% of the vote (916 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 38.7% (587 votes), and other candidates with 0.9% (13 votes), among the 1,532 ballots cast by the city's 2,082 registered voters (16 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 73.6%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 58.6% of the vote (977 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama, who received 40.1% (669 votes), with 1,668 ballots cast among the city's 2,041 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.7%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Cape May County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed October 17, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 61.7% of the vote (1,041 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry, who received 37.0% (625 votes), with 1,687 ballots cast among the city's 2,177 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 77.5.<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Cape May County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed October 17, 2012.</ref>
| Year | Republican | Democratic |
|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2024<ref name="2024Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|56.5% 803 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|40.8% 580 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2020<ref name="2020Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|57.9% 879 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|41.0% 622 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2016<ref name="2016Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|63.0% 891 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|33.9% 480 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2012<ref name="2012Election">Template:Cite web</ref> | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|60.4% 916 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|38.7% 587 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2008<ref name="state.nj.us">2008 Presidential General Election Results: Cape May County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 13, 2025.</ref> | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|58.6% 977 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|40.1% 669 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2004<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">2004 Presidential Election: Cape May County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 13, 2025.</ref> | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|61.7% 1,041 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|37.0% 625 |
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 81.2% of the vote (936 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 17.9% (206 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (11 votes), among the 1,172 ballots cast by the city's 2,033 registered voters (19 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 57.6%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 59.6% of the vote (753 ballots cast), ahead of both Democrat Jon Corzine with 32.4% (409 votes) and Independent Chris Daggett with 4.6% (58 votes), with 1,264 ballots cast among the city's 2,094 registered voters, yielding a 60.4% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Cape May County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed October 17, 2012.</ref>
Education
[edit]
Resident public school students had been served by a school operated by the Sea Isle City School District until the end of the 2012 school year. Merger discussions with the Ocean City School District in 2008 ended after the Ocean City district indicated that it did not want to accept Sea Isle City's tenured teachers, which it would be required to do under state law. Sea Isle City had been spending as much as $35,000 per student and hoped to see savings through the merger, even after adding in transportation costs.<ref>Editorial. "Merging schools / Law makes it hard", The Press of Atlantic City, June 30, 2008.</ref> The Sea Isle City district graduated its last eighth-grade class in June 2009 and with the 2010–2011 school year, students from Sea Isle City started attending the Ocean City schools starting in fifth grade.<ref>Ianieri, Brian. "Sea Isle sends off eight in city's last graduation", The Press of Atlantic City, June 19, 2009. Accessed August 4, 2011. "Facing declining enrollment and fewer children left in the seasonal city, the school board in March made a controversial decision to send fifth-grade to eighth-grade students to the Ocean City School District in the fall. Sea Isle's school will retain pre-kindergarten through fourth-grade classes. The city's high school-age students have long attended Ocean City High School."</ref> As of June 30, 2012, Sea Isle City School District no longer operates any schools, in the face of an order by the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education that was based on declining enrollment and budgetary issues.<ref>Rudloff, Mary. "State orders Sea Isle City school to close; Sea Isle, Ocean City school boards vote not to stand in the way; students to come to Ocean City", Ocean City Sentinel, May 2, 2012. Accessed October 28, 2019. "By voting to not oppose the Order to Show Cause, both school districts agree to expand the send-receive relationship, sending Sea Isle's students in kindergarten through third grade to Ocean City beginning in September. Sea Isle's students in grades four through 12 already attend school in Ocean City."</ref> In March 2023, the Sea Isle City Public School was demolished to clear ground for a planned $20 million community center due to be completed in 2025.<ref>Wittkowski, Donald. "Demolition Starts on Sea Isle’s Old School", Sea Isle News, March 22, 2023. Accessed March 25, 2023. "Sea Isle City’s former public school was simply no match for the metal claws of two giant excavators that began turning the 50-year-old building into piles of broken glass, twisted metal and concrete rubble.... Culminating years of planning and discussion, the city is going to use the site at 4501 Park Road to build a $20 million community recreation center tentatively scheduled to open in early 2025."</ref>
All Sea Isle City students in public school for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade are served by the Ocean City School District. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 2,056 students and 220.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.3:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Ocean City School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Ocean City School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed August 5, 2022.</ref>) are Ocean City Primary School<ref>Ocean City Primary School, Ocean City School District. Accessed August 5, 2022.</ref> with 299 students in grades PreK-3, Ocean City Intermediate School<ref>Ocean City Intermediate School, Ocean City School District. Accessed August 5, 2022.</ref> with 468 students in grades 4-8 and Ocean City High School<ref>Ocean City High School, Ocean City School District. Accessed August 5, 2022.</ref> with 1,274 students in grades 9–12.<ref>About, Ocean City School District. Accessed August 5, 2022.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Ocean City School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 1, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for Ocean City School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> Students from Corbin City, Longport and Upper Township attend Ocean City High School for ninth through twelfth grades as part of sending/receiving relationships with their respective school districts.<ref>Ocean City High School 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed August 6, 2017. "Ocean City High School is a comprehensive high school serving the communities of Ocean City, Upper Township, Sea Isle City, Corbin City and Longport, with an enrollment of over 1,250 students."</ref>
Students are also eligible to attend Cape May County Technical High School in the Cape May Court House area, which serves students from the entire county in its comprehensive and vocational programs, which are offered without charge to students who are county residents.<ref>Frequently Asked Questions, Cape May County Technical High School. Accessed October 27, 2019. "All residents of Cape May County are eligible to attend Cape May County Technical High School.... The Cape May County Technical High School is a public school so there is no cost to residents of Cape May County."</ref><ref>Technical High School Admissions, Cape May County Technical High School. Accessed October 27, 2019. "All students who are residents of Cape May County may apply to the Technical High School."</ref> Special needs students may be referred to Cape May County Special Services School District in the Cape May Court House area.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden operates Bishop McHugh Regional School, a Catholic K–8 school, in the Ocean View area, Dennis Township,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which has a Cape May Courthouse postal address.<ref>Template:Cite web - Compare to the address: "2221 Rt. 9 North, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210"</ref> It is the parish school of Sea Isle City Catholic Church and three other churches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Cape May County Library operates Sea Isle City Branch Library.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Transportation
[edit]_between_40th_Street_and_39th_Street_in_Sea_Isle_City,_Cape_May_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
Roads and highways
[edit]The city had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality and Template:Convert by Cape May County.<ref>Cape May County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 5, 2013.</ref>
Exit 17 on the southbound Garden State Parkway in Dennis Township provides access to Sea Isle City via Sea Isle Boulevard (County Route 625), which becomes JFK Boulevard.<ref>Cape May County Route 625 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated July 2011. Accessed February 12, 2023.</ref> Landis Boulevard (County Route 619) follows the ocean and forms part of Ocean Drive, traversing Template:Convert across the city, from the Strathmere section of Upper Township in the north to Avalon in the south.<ref>Cape May County Route 619 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated July 2011. Accessed February 12, 2023.</ref><ref>Cape May County Highway Map, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed February 12, 2023.</ref>
Turtle awareness is an important aspect in Sea Isle City. There are numerous signs in the city to watch for turtle crossings in order to prevent further endangerment of the species. One of the more common species of turtles located on the island is the diamondback terrapin. Due to coastal development, natural turtle nesting areas have deteriorated, leading the turtles to create their nesting areas on highway embankments and increased risk of being struck by a motor vehicle. From 1989 to 1995, a total of 4,020 turtles were killed in Cape May Peninsula.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Public transportation
[edit]NJ Transit offers the 315 inter-city bus route that runs through the town three times a day and shuttles people to and from Philadelphia, and the 319 route to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.<ref>Cape May County Bus/Rail Connections, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed August 4, 2011.</ref><ref>South Jersey Transit Guide Template:Webarchive, Cross County Connection, as of April 1, 2010. Accessed December 15, 2014.</ref> However, due to weight restrictions on the Townsend Inlet Bridge, New Jersey Transit 315/319 bus service only stops on Central Avenue and JFK Boulevard. Service was previously suspended due to summer traffic until a deal has been reached.<ref>Procida, Lee. "NJ Transit suspends bus service to Sea Isle City, citing aging bridge, soon-to-be crowded resort streets", The Press of Atlantic City, May 29, 2012. Accessed July 22, 2014. "NJ Transit is indefinitely suspending bus service to Sea Isle City starting today and continuing at least until the county repairs the aged Townsends Inlet Bridge."</ref>
Sea Isle City used to have a trackless trolley service that operated along Landis Avenue.<ref>Sea Isle City Trolley, SeaIsleTourism.com. Accessed November 5, 2013.</ref><ref>Staff. "Take the trolley in Sea Isle City", Cape May County Herald, June 21, 2998. Accessed November 5, 2013.</ref> Since 2013, Atlantic City Jitney has served Sea Isle City with a route running along Landis Avenue from June through September.<ref>Jitney Information, Visit Sea Isle City. Accessed October 28, 2019.</ref>
Rail service was provided to the island by both the Atlantic City Railroad, a subsidiary of the Philadelphia and Reading Railway, and the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad, owned by the rival Pennsylvania Railroad. The Atlantic City Railroad's line was a continuation of its line to Ocean City, running across Corson's Inlet and through Strathmere.<ref>Acton, John; and Andrescavage, Michael. Station Page for the Atlantic City Railroad - Cape May Branch, SJRail.com. Accessed November 7, 2013.</ref> The West Jersey and Seashore Railroad tracks branched from the Cape May Line at Sea Isle Junction, and entered the city at 41st Street, from where it continued south to Stone Harbor.<ref>Andrescavage, Michael W. Sr. West Jersey and Seashore Railroad, SJRail.com. Accessed November 7, 2013.</ref> The train was in use from the early 1900s until the mid-1930s after the merger of the two railroads when the tracks were removed and the streets were paved due to increased use of cars.
Climate
[edit]According to the Köppen climate classification system, Sea Isle City has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) with hot, moderately humid summers, cool winters and year-around precipitation. Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature above Template:Convert, at least four months with an average mean temperature at or above Template:Convert, at least one month with an average mean temperature at or above Template:Convert and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months in Sea Isle City, a cooling afternoon sea breeze is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values at or above Template:Convert. During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values below Template:Convert. The plant hardiness zone at Sea Isle City Beach is 7b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of Template:Convert.<ref name="USDA">Template:Cite web</ref> The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is Template:Convert, and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.
Ecology
[edit]According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Sea Isle City would have a dominant vegetation type of Northern Cordgrass (73) with a dominant vegetation form of Coastal Prairie (20).<ref name="Conservation Biology Institute">U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions), Data Basin. Accessed March 18, 2020.</ref>
Notable people
[edit]Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Sea Isle City include:
- Richard M. Atwater (1844–1922), chemist and glassmaker, who served as mayor of Sea Isle City from 1913 to 1917<ref>Edward Wanton Smith Papers, 1681-1971 Template:Webarchive, Haverford College. Accessed December 3, 2011.</ref><ref>Stafford, Michael F. Sea Isle City, p. 6. Arcadia Publishing, 2001. Template:ISBN. Accessed December 3, 2011.</ref>
- Angelo Cataldi (born 1951) is a sports radio personality for 94.1 WIP in Philadelphia<ref>Fiorillo, Victor. "Angelo Cataldi: Next Year May Be the 'End of the Run' at WIP", Philadelphia, August 2, 2016. Accessed February 4, 2023. "These days, I live in … Medford. I’m trying to downsize, so I have the house on the market. At $899,000, because $900,000 would be way too much. And I have a house in Sea Isle City. We do the show from the Borgata on Fridays, so I try to sneak down on Thursday to Sea Isle."</ref>
- Jeff Carter (born 1985), professional hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins<ref>Gormley, Chuck. "Trading Gagne may be a must"Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore, Courier-Post, July 9, 2010. Accessed May 21, 2011. "The team of Jeff Carter, a Sea Isle resident, Mike Testwuide and Michael Banwell won in 48 minutes, 1 second."</ref>
- Steve Corino (born 1973), professional wrestler who works for Ring of Honor<ref>Steve Corino, Warriors of Wrestling. Accessed October 1, 2015. "From: Sea Isle City, New Jersey"</ref>
- Alexis Dziena (born 1984), actress<ref>Alexis Dziena, Gossip Rocks. Accessed October 1, 2015. "Alexis spent many of her summers, growing up, in a small South New Jersey shore town, Sea Isle City."</ref>
- Joe Flacco (born 1985), quarterback for the Denver BroncosTemplate:Citation needed
- Charles Lewis Fussell (1840–1909), landscape artistTemplate:Citation needed
- Chris Gheysens (born Template:Circa), president and chief executive officer of Wawa Inc.<ref>Cirilli, Kevin. "Next CEO Christopher T. Gheysens Explains Philly's Wawa Love Affair; Plus: Bangin' quesadillas, healthy eating options, and the business's expansion.", Philadelphia (magazine), April 23, 2012. Accessed October 8, 2015. "I have three brothers and grew up in South Jersey, spent my summers in Sea Isle, graduated from Villanova and then got my MBA at St. Joe's."</ref>
- John C. Gibson (born 1934), former member of the New Jersey General Assembly<ref>2006 Distinguished Service Award Recipients, New Jersey Department of Agriculture. Accessed April 14, 2007. "Jack Gibson's roots are deeply embedded in South Jersey. He was born in Atlantic City and has been a lifelong resident of Sea Isle City."</ref>
- Ann J. Land (Template:Circa–2010), member of the Philadelphia City Council from 1980 to 1992<ref>Downey, Sally A. "Ann J. Chambers Land, 77; was on Council", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 12, 2010. Accessed October 1, 2015. "Ann J. Chambers Land, 77, who represented the Fourth District on Philadelphia City Council for a decade before being unseated by Michael Nutter, died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Tuesday at home in Sea Isle City."</ref>
- Charles K. Landis (1833–1900), property developer in South Jersey, who was the founder and developer of Vineland and Sea Isle City<ref>Our People of the Century; Charles K. Landis: Founder of a City, Creator of a Dream, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed October 28, 2019. "Landis had a hand in establishing other South Jersey communities, including Sea Isle City, which was founded in 1879. Sea Isle was his last full-scale project."</ref>
- Josh Mathews (born 1980), play-by-play commentator with WWE and later, Impact Wrestling<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- John Stevens (born 1966), former defenseman who has coached in the NHL at various levels<ref>Servalli, Frank. "Kings' Stevens enjoys reunion", The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 31, 2010. Accessed October 23, 2011. "Sometime after watching the team he coached earlier in the year lose in the Stanley Cup finals last June, John Stevens was relaxing at his shore house in Sea Isle City when he received a call.... From a father's perspective, Los Angeles is 2,873 miles from his home base in Washington Township, N.J. For a tight-knit family man like Stevens, 44, who would be forced to leave his wife Stacy and hockey-loving sons John and Nolan behind, the decision wasn't an easy one."</ref>
- Jason Kelce center for the Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl champion, fan favorite and philanthropist.
References
[edit]External links
[edit]Template:Wikivoyage Template:Commons category
- Sea Isle City web site
- Sea Isle City Beach Patrol
- Sea Isle City Tourism Commission
- Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce
- The Upper Township Gazette serving Sea Isle Local community newspaper
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