Belmar is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 5,794, reflecting a decline of 251 (-4.2%) from the 6,045 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 168 (+2.9%) from the 5,877 counted in the 1990 Census.
What is now Belmar was originally incorporated as Ocean Beach borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1885, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier. On April 16, 1889, it became the City of Elcho borough, which lasted for a few weeks until the name was changed to the City of Belmar Borough as of May 14, 1889. The city acquired its current name, Borough of Belmar, on November 20, 1890.
Geography
Belmar is located at 40°10′47″N 74°01′28″W (40.179663,-74.02444). According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.647 square miles (4.266 km2), of which, 1.045 square miles (2.707 km2) of it was land and 0.602 square miles (1.559 km2) of it (36.54%) was water.
Belmar borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Avon-by-the-Sea to the north, Neptune Township, New Jersey to the northwest, Wall Township, New Jersey to the west, and Lake Como, New Jersey and Spring Lake, New Jersey to the south.
Demographics
Census 2010
At the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,794 people, 2,695 households, and 1,267 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,544.0 per square mile (2,140.6/km2). There were 3,931 housing units at an average density of 3,761.4 per square mile (1,452.3/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 87.06% (5,044) White, 3.49% (202) Black or African American, 0.24% (14) Native American, 0.91% (53) Asian, 0.14% (8) Pacific Islander, 5.66% (328) from other races, and 2.50% (145) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 16.76% (971) of the population.
There were 2,695 households, of which 18.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.9% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 53.0% were non-families. 41.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the borough, 16.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.3 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $59,928 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,993) and the median family income was $59,929 (+/- $10,255). Males had a median income of $52,215 (+/- $4,278) versus $44,453 (+/- $11,259) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,223 (+/- $4,105). About 9.2% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.
Census 2000
As of the 2000 United States Census there were 6,045 people, 2,946 households, and 1,316 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,921.7 people per square mile (2,288.2/km2). There were 3,996 housing units at an average density of 3,914.5 per square mile (1,512.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.53% White, 3.46% Black, 0.18% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 1.99% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.85% of the population.
As of the 2000 Census, 28.2% of Belmar's residents were of Irish ancestry, the 12th highest of any municipality in New Jersey, for all communities in which at least 1,000 people listed their ancestry.
There were 2,946 households out of which 17.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.0% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.3% were non-families. 44.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the borough the population was spread out with 17.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $44,896, and the median income for a family was $61,250. Males had a median income of $40,557 versus $34,323 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,456. About 4.5% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.
Recreation
Belmar is a popular vacation destination because of its natural and recreational resources and close proximity to New York and Philadelphia. It features wide beaches for sunbathing, surfing, swimming, and fishing. The boardwalk and town offer shops, restaurants, an active arts scene, sporting events, festivals, and a variety of family-oriented activities (see "Annual Events" below). Belmar sits on south side of the Shark River and boasts a large municipal marina in the bay and on the inlet itself, the only private marina in town, Seaport Inlet Marina.
Belmar beach (as well as those of municipalities to the south, such as Manasquan and Point Pleasant) is among the most popular surf spots on the East Coast. Belmar frequently hosts surfing events and competitions. Along with surfing, Belmar also has an active skate community and skatepark constructed by American Ramp Company. The Jersey Shore Basketball League, a competitive summer basketball league, takes place at St. Rose High School every summer.
The Belmar Arts Council (BAC) sponsors regular art shows, workshops, concerts, and performances year around. BAC's gallery and workshop, the Boatworks, is located at 608 River Road, Belmar, around the corner from Klein's Seafood Restaurant near the Shark River Inlet.
Government
Local government
In July 1990, the voters of Belmar overwhelmingly passed a referendum changing Belmar's form of government from a three-person, non-partisan Commission form of government under the Walsh Act to the Small Municipality plan 3 form of government under the Faulkner Act. This referendum followed nine months of research and hearings by a Charter Study Commission elected by the residents at a referendum that passed in November 1989 and implemented effective January 1, 1991.
Under the version of the Small Municipality Plan form applicable to Belmar, the Council consists of four members who are elected for staggered, three-year terms at partisan elections each November, with either one or two seats up for vote in a three-year cycle. The Mayor is directly elected by the voters for a four-year term and serves as Belmar's chief executive office, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Borough. The Mayor sits as a member of the Council, and chairs Council meetings. He is able to vote as a Councilmember, but has no veto over the Council's actions.
As of 2015, members of the Belmar Borough Council are Mayor Matthew Doherty (D, term of office end December 31, 2017), Thomas Brennan (D, 2017), Janis Keown-Blackburn (D, 2016), Brian P. Magovern (D, 2016) and Jennifer Nicolay (D, 2015).
Federal, state and county representation
Belmar is located in the 4th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 30th state legislative district. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Belmar had been in the 11th state legislative district. Prior to the 2010 Census, Belmar had been part of the 6th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.
New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District is represented by Christopher Smith (R). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).
The 30th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Robert Singer (R, Lakewood Township) and in the General Assembly by Sean T. Kean (R, Wall Township) and Dave Rible (R, Wall Township). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).
Monmouth County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of five members who are elected at-large to serve three year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as Director and another as Deputy Director. As of 2014, Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry (R, Colts Neck Township; term ends December 31, 2014), Freeholder Deputy Director Gary J. Rich, Sr. (R, Spring Lake; 2014), Thomas A. Arnone (R, Neptune City; 2016), John P. Curley (R, Middletown Township; 2015) and Serena DiMaso (R, Holmdel Township; 2016). Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are County Clerk M. Claire French (Wall Township), Sheriff Shaun Golden (Farmingdale) and Surrogate Rosemarie D. Peters (Middletown Township).
Politics
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 3,823 registered voters in Belmar, of which 1,074 (28.1%) were registered as Democrats, 765 (20.0%) were registered as Republicans and 1,982 (51.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were two voters registered to other parties.
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 51.5% of the vote (1,310 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 47.0% (1,196 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (36 votes), among the 2,584 ballots cast by the borough's 4,011 registered voters (42 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 64.4%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 49.5% of the vote (1,389 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 47.4% (1,332 votes) and other candidates with 1.6% (44 votes), among the 2,808 ballots cast by the borough's 3,938 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.3%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 50.4% of the vote (1,394 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 48.0% (1,327 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (32 votes), among the 2,764 ballots cast by the borough's 4,014 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 68.9.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 70.6% of the vote (1,440 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 27.2% (555 votes), and other candidates with 2.2% (45 votes), among the 2,096 ballots cast by the borough's 4,043 registered voters (56 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 51.8%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 57.4% of the vote (1,173 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 34.0% (694 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.8% (138 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (20 votes), among the 2,044 ballots cast by the borough's 3,698 registered voters, yielding a 55.3% turnout.
Education
The Belmar School District serves students in public school for pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade at Belmar Elementary School. As of the 2011-12 school year, the district's one school had an enrollment of 559 students and 50.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a studentâ€"teacher ratio of 11.07:1. The district also serves students from Lake Como who attend as part of a sending/receiving relationship. The school was constructed in 1909 and has had additions built in 1929, 1949, 1969 and 1993. There are 61 certified staff members, including the district's administrators, teachers, nurses and child study team personnel, with an additional 12 paraprofessionals. The single school is two schools in one, a primary school for grades preschool through fifth and a middle school organization plan for grades six through eight. The school was constructed in 1909 and has had additions built in 1929, 1949, 1969 and 1993. There are 65 certified staff members. This includes administrators, teachers, nurses and child study team personnel. Thirty non-certified staff members support them. The single school is two schools in one, a primary school for grades preschool through fifth and a middle school organization plan for grades six through eight.
Students attending public high school for ninth through twelfth grades are assigned to either Manasquan High School or Asbury Park High School based on sending/receiving relationships with the Manasquan Public Schools and Asbury Park Public Schools, respectively. Manasquan High School also serves students from Avon-by-the-Sea, Brielle, Lake Como, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights who attended Manasquan High School as part of sending/receiving relationships with their respective districts. Students may also attend Red Bank Regional High School, Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Academy of Allied Health & Science, Academy Charter School, High Technology High School, Communications High School or Biotechnology High School.
Students also have the option to attend Academy Charter High School in Lake Como, which accepts students on a lottery basis from the communities of Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Deal, Interlaken and Lake Como.
Belmar is also the home of St. Rose High School, which was established in 1923 by the local parish and the Sisters of St. Joseph, and operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton.
Mesivta Keser Torah of Central Jersey, a yeshiva and yeshiva high school for men serves Haredi students mainly from Lakewood, Deal and Brooklyn, has existed since the 1920s.
The Belmar Public Library, one of New Jersey's original 36 Carnegie libraries is in need of repairs and may be consolidated into the town's borough hall, and possibly join the Monmouth County Library system. The building may be demolished or possibly relocated from the intersection made famous by the E Street Band.
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 26.12 miles (42.04Â km) of roadways, of which 20.85 miles (33.55Â km) were maintained by the municipality, 3.40 miles (5.47Â km) by Monmouth County and 1.87 miles (3.01Â km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Public transportation
New Jersey Transit provides rail transportation at the Belmar station to and from Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal on the North Jersey Coast Line. New Jersey Transit also provides bus transportation between Belmar and Philadelphia on the 317 route and service on the 830 route.
Annual events
- Belmar 5 Mile Johnny Cobb Memorial Run
- New Jersey Seafood Festival
- New Jersey Sand Castle Contest, which featured 200 participants at the 27th annual event in 2013
- St. Patrick's Day Parade
- Belmar Pro Surf Contest
- Belmar Fall Festival
- Belmar Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Belmar Spring Kite Festival
- Howard Rowland Memorial Lifeguard Tournament - an annual tournament of lifeguard teams from the Jersey Shore
- Belmar Mile Swim
- Belmar Sprint Triathlon
- The Jersey Shore Relay Run which has a leg that goes through Belmar
- Surfer's Healing
Sister city
In August 2008, the borough established a Sister City relationship with Balbriggan, a town of nearly 16,000 in County Dublin, Ireland.
Community
- Belmar is home to the first and oldest first-aid squad in the United States.
- Belmar's "E" Street is the original source of Bruce Springsteen's "E Street Band". Springsteen's original keyboardist, David Sancious, was a resident of E Street in Belmar at the time the band was formed. The Sancious' family home was often used as a practice venue where they honed their musical craft in the formative pre-fame years.
- Monmouth Executive Airport in nearby Wall Township is designated with the call letters "BLM" based on its initial name of Belmar Airport.
- In the HBO series The Sopranos, Belmar is shown as the home port of Tony Soprano's boat, the Stugots.
- Guy Fieri visited Belmar to feature local restaurant, 10th Avenue Burrito to feature on the episode of Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives which originally aired on December 13, 2010.
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Belmar include:
- Jay Alders (born 1973), artist and photographer.
- Tom Brower (born 1965), member of the Hawaii House of Representatives.
- Brian Lynch (born 1978), American-Irish professional Basketball player and former standout at Villanova University who played for the Belgian team Euphony Bree. Lynch is married to former World No. 1-ranked tennis star Kim Clijsters.
- Balls Mahoney (born 1972), professional wrestler.
- Joseph Mayer (1877â€"1942), Mayor of Belmar who later served on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
- Tom McGowan (born 1956), actor.
- Douglas Crawford McMurtrie (1888â€"1944), type designer.
- Richie Rosenberg, trombonist who performed with Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes.
- David Sancious (born 1953), early member of the E Street Band.
- E. Donald Sterner (1894â€"1983), politician.
References
External links
- Belmar Official Homepage
- Belmar Elementary School
- School Data for the Belmar Elementary School, National Center for Education Statistics
- Belmar Elementary School's 2012â€"13 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Belmar Elementary School Weather Station
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