Asbury Park, New Jersey facts for kids
Asbury Park is a vibrant beachfront city located on the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It's part of the larger New York metropolitan area. In 2020, about 15,188 people lived here.
Asbury Park's beach is famous! In 2022, it was named one of the best beaches in the world by Money magazine. Travel + Leisure also called it one of the best in the country.
The city was first established as a borough on March 26, 1874. It became a full city on March 25, 1897.
Quick facts for kids
Asbury Park, New Jersey
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City
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Paramount Theatre and Asbury Park Convention Hall at nightfall, June 2019
Asbury Park station, 2018
Asbury's famous Boardwalk, 2012
The Stone Pony, 2016
Tillie replica on the Wonder Bar, 2006
The Empress Hotel, 2013
Steinbach-Cookman Building at the heart of Downtown Asbury Park, 2016
Skyline of Asbury Park from the beach, 2013
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| Nickname(s):
The Dark City
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Location of Asbury Park in Monmouth County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Monmouth County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
<mapframe text="Interactive map of Asbury Park, New Jersey" zoom="8" width="250" height="250"> { "type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q201127" } </mapframe> |
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 Asbury Park, New Jersey
Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  New Jersey |
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| County | Monmouth | |
| Incorporated | March 26, 1874 (as borough) | |
| Reincorporated | February 28, 1893 (as city) | |
| Named for | Francis Asbury | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Faulkner Act (council–manager) | |
| • Body | City Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1.61 sq mi (4.17 km2) | |
| • Land | 1.43 sq mi (3.70 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.18 sq mi (0.47 km2) 11.18% | |
| Area rank | 439th of 565 in state 36th of 53 in county |
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| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 15,188 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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15,391 | |
| • Rank | 173rd of 565 in state 14th of 53 in county |
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| • Density | 10,628.4/sq mi (4,103.6/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 36th of 565 in state 2nd of 53 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Codes |
07712–07713
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| Area codes | 732 | |
| FIPS code | 3402501960 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885141 | |
Contents
History of Asbury Park
How the City Started
Asbury Park is a city right by the ocean on New Jersey's central coast. It was started in 1871 by James A. Bradley, a brush maker from New York. He wanted to create a nice place for people to visit and live. The city was named after Francis Asbury, an important leader in the Methodist Church.
Because a Methodist camp called Ocean Grove was nearby, Asbury Park was originally a "dry town." This meant no alcohol was sold.
Bradley helped build many important parts of the city. He put in the famous Asbury Park Boardwalk, a place for orchestras to play, public changing rooms, and a pier. Other business people were drawn to the city's success. In 1888, Ernest Schnitzler built the Palace Merry-Go-Round, which became part of the Palace Amusements complex. Many grand hotels were also built, like the Plaza Hotel.
Uriah White, another early leader, created the first water system using artesian wells. In its early years, Asbury Park was a very popular vacation spot. Up to 600,000 people would visit each summer. They came from New York City and Philadelphia by train to enjoy the beautiful oceanfront. By 1912, The New York Times said the summer population could reach 200,000, which was 20 times the number of people who lived there all year.
The city was especially popular in the 1890s. Many beautiful Victorian homes were built then, and you can still see them today. The downtown area also grew a lot during this time, with many shops and businesses.
Growth and Changes in the 20th Century
The 1920s and 1930s
In the 1920s, more famous buildings were added to the boardwalk area. These included the Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall, the Casino Arena, and the Carousel House. These buildings were designed by a famous architect named Warren Whitney. Asbury Park High School was also built during this time, overlooking Deal Lake.
A famous event happened on September 8, 1934. The ocean liner SS Morro Castle caught fire and ended up on the beach near the Asbury Park Convention Hall. The city used this event to attract tourists, making the shipwreck a temporary attraction.
Mid-Century Changes
In 1943, the New York Yankees baseball team held their spring training in Asbury Park. This was unusual because they usually trained in Florida. But during World War II, train travel was limited, so they had to stay closer to home.
After the war, the Garden State Parkway opened in 1947. This highway made it easier for people to drive to the seashore. However, it also meant that fewer people took trains to Asbury Park. New exits on the Parkway led people to other vacation spots further south.
Over the next few decades, many families moved from the city to new suburban homes. This also changed the city's population.
The opening of Monmouth Mall in 1960 and Great Adventure theme park in 1974 also affected Asbury Park. People had new places to shop and have fun, so the boardwalk's older attractions became less popular.
On June 20, 1956, a plane crash happened off the coast of Asbury Park. Linea Aeropostal Venezolana Flight 253 crashed, and all 74 people on board died.
In 1970, some unrest occurred in the city, which led to the destruction of buildings along Springwood Avenue. Many of these areas are still being rebuilt today.
Even though it was a historic place, Palace Amusements closed in 1988 and was torn down in 2004. It was known for the famous face of Tillie, a symbol of the Jersey Shore. In 1990, the carousel from the Casino Pier was sold and moved to South Carolina.
Asbury Park Today
Since 2002, Asbury Park has been going through a big comeback! It's becoming a popular place for artists and new businesses. The downtown area is being fixed up, and there are plans for major rebuilding along the beach and boardwalk.
In 2005, the Casino's walkway reopened, along with many boardwalk pavilions. The eastern part of the Casino building was taken down in 2007, but there are plans to rebuild it to look like the original. It might even become a public market. As of 2025, the Casino building is still being worked on, but it has hosted temporary art shows.
Many historic buildings have been restored, like the Steinbach department store and the Convention Hall. The Berkeley-Carteret Hotel is also being restored. New homes and businesses are opening, bringing new life to the city.
After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Asbury Park was one of the first Jersey Shore towns to reopen for the summer season in 2013. The boardwalk wasn't too badly damaged. Governor Chris Christie and President Barack Obama even visited in May 2013 to celebrate the reopening of Asbury Park and other parts of the Jersey Shore. The message was "Stronger Than The Storm."
Geography
Asbury Park covers about 1.61 square miles (4.17 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small part being water.
The city is next to other towns in Monmouth County, including Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune Township, and Ocean Township.
Deal Lake is a large lake that borders Asbury Park to the north. It's about 158 acres big and is managed by the Deal Lake Commission. Seven towns share the lake's shoreline.
Sunset Lake is another beautiful lake in the city, covering about 16 acres. It's a peaceful spot for both locals and visitors to enjoy outdoor activities.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 4,148 | — | |
| 1910 | 11,150 | 168.8% | |
| 1920 | 13,400 | 20.2% | |
| 1930 | 14,981 | 11.8% | |
| 1940 | 14,617 | −2.4% | |
| 1950 | 17,094 | 16.9% | |
| 1960 | 17,366 | 1.6% | |
| 1970 | 16,533 | −4.8% | |
| 1980 | 17,015 | 2.9% | |
| 1990 | 16,799 | −1.3% | |
| 2000 | 16,930 | 0.8% | |
| 2010 | 16,116 | −4.8% | |
| 2020 | 15,188 | −5.8% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 15,391 | −4.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census Population sources: 1900–1920 1900–1910 1900–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
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2020 Census Details
As of the 2020 United States census, Asbury Park had 15,188 people. The city is home to a diverse population.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop. 2010 | Pop. 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 3,511 | 5,284 | 21.79% | 34.79% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 7,955 | 5,059 | 49.36% | 33.31% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 40 | 14 | 0.25% | 0.09% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 72 | 162 | 0.45% | 1.07% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 13 | 4 | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Some other race alone (NH) | 57 | 79 | 0.35% | 0.52% |
| Mixed race or Multi-racial (NH) | 353 | 507 | 2.19% | 3.34% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4,115 | 4,079 | 25.53% | 26.86% |
| Total | 16,116 | 15,188 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2010 Census Details
In 2010, there were 16,116 people living in Asbury Park. The city had 6,725 households. About 24.1% of households had children under 18. The average household size was 2.35 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 23.8% were under 18, and 10.3% were 65 or older. The average age was 34 years old.
Economy
Urban Enterprise Zone Benefits
Asbury Park is part of an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) with Long Branch. This program helps encourage jobs and businesses in the area. One benefit is a reduced sales tax rate of 3.3125% at eligible stores, which is half of the state's regular rate. Asbury Park joined the program in 1994, and its UEZ status will continue until September 2025.
Hotels in Asbury Park
Asbury Park once had many hotels along the beachfront. Some were torn down after being empty for years. However, several historic hotels have been restored and reopened.
Currently, you can stay at places like the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, The Empress Hotel, the St. Laurent Social Club, Asbury Park Inn, and Oceanic Inn. The Asbury Hotel was the first new hotel built in over 50 years. It offers great views of the ocean from its upper floors. The Asbury Ocean Club Hotel is another newer option.
Media and News
Asbury Park has several local news sources that keep residents informed:
- The Asbury Park Press
- TAPinto Asbury Park, which started publishing local news in 2022.
- The Coaster, a weekly newspaper that has covered local news since 1983.
- The Asbury Park Sun
- TriCity News, a weekly publication about news and art in Asbury Park, Long Branch, and Red Bank.
- The Asbury Park Reporter, an independent local news source.
- Asbury Park Vibes magazine, which focuses on live music and new releases in the area.
Arts and Culture
Music Scene
Asbury Park became famous for its music in the 1960s. Bands mixed rock and roll, rhythm and blues, soul, and doo-wop to create what was called the "Sound of Asbury Park" (S.O.A.P.). A special plaque honoring the "Creators of S.O.A.P." was placed on the boardwalk in 2006.
Many famous musicians and bands have strong connections to Asbury Park. They often played in local clubs on their way to becoming famous. These include Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi and Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Patti Smith, and Clarence Clemons.
In 1973, Bruce Springsteen released his first album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. Another song, "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)," is also about the city. Several books tell the story of Springsteen's early career in Asbury Park.
The music video for Springsteen's song "Tunnel of Love" was filmed at the city's Palace Amusements and on the boardwalk in 1987.
New Jersey Music Hall of Fame
The New Jersey Music Hall of Fame was started in Asbury Park in 2005. There are plans to build a music museum in the city as part of its redevelopment.
Black Music and Springwood Avenue
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The West Side of Asbury Park has a rich history of Black music, including jazz, soul, gospel, and R&B. Famous African American artists like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Clarence Clemons played or were inspired by the music scene on Springwood Avenue.
In 1928, Fats Waller wrote the song "Honeysuckle Rose" on Atkins Avenue. Artists like Billie Holiday, Tina Turner, and Little Richard also performed at places like Cuba's on the West Side.
The former home of the Turf Club, a well-known jazz and R&B spot, now has jazz-themed murals. In 1918, a Black entrepreneur named Reese DuPree turned Lafayette Hall into a popular nightclub. This location was also used for civil rights events, with speakers like Marcus Garvey and W. E. B. Du Bois.
The Asbury Park Music Foundation, along with other groups, started the Hip Hop Institute. It teaches music and life skills to young hip hop fans. The Asbury Park Museum has an exhibit about the history of music on the West Side. The Asbury Park African-American Music Project (AP-AMP) created a virtual museum about Black music in the city.
Live Music and Arts Venues
Asbury Park is known for its live music, especially the Jersey Shore sound. It's a popular stop for both new and famous bands. Some of the venues include:
- The Stone Pony, which opened in 1974 and has been a starting point for many performers.
- Asbury Lanes, a bowling alley and bar that hosts live music, art shows, and other performances.
- Asbury Park Convention Hall, which holds larger events.
- The Paramount Theatre, next to Convention Hall.
- The Wonder Bar and House of Independents.
- The Asbury Park Brewery, which hosts smaller punk music shows.
- The Turf Club, which hosts a summer music series called "Tuesday at the Turf."
- The Empress Hotel, an LGBTQ+ friendly resort with Paradise Nightclub.
- The Baronet, a historic movie theater, was recently torn down. The Asbury Hotel now has a rooftop movie theater called "The Baronet" to honor it.
- The Kingsley Theater at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, where the Asbury Park Theater Company performs.
- The Upstage Club, a legendary blues, R&B, and rock club from 1968 to 1971.
Asbury Park now has many restaurants, bars, coffee houses, and music venues in its boardwalk and downtown areas.
Festivals and Events
Asbury Park hosts many fun festivals and events throughout the year:
- The Asbury Park Porch Fest is a free music festival where bands play on porches, lawns, and in parks.
- The annual North to Shore festival features music, comedy, film, and tech talks in June.
- Jersey Pride, New Jersey's largest and oldest LGBTQ+ pride parade, happens every June.
- The Asbury Park Music Foundation offers free summer concerts in Springwood Park and on the boardwalk. They also have ticketed events to support music education for young people.
- The Asbury Park Surf Music Festival celebrates surf music on the boardwalk in August.
- The Asbury Music Awards recognize local and regional musicians every November.
- The Sea.Hear.Now Festival is a surfing and music festival held on the beach in September.
- Music Mondays are weekly live music events at Springwood Park during the summer.
- The Wave Gathering Music Festival used to be held over several days in the summer, with performances all over the city.
- First Saturdays are popular monthly events where downtown art galleries, shops, and restaurants stay open late with entertainment.
- The Asbury Park Tattoo Convention is held every July.
- The Bamboozle Music Festival returned to Asbury Park in 2012 for its ten-year anniversary, drawing over 90,000 people.
- The Asbury Park Women's Convention is held each winter, focusing on workshops, music, and art by women.
Film Festivals
Asbury Park also hosts several film festivals:
- APin3 Film Challenge (a timed filmmaking contest)
- Asbury Park Music + Film Festival (started in 2015)
- Bread and Roses Film Festival (a women's film festival, started in 2023)
- The Garden State Film Festival, which brings over 30,000 visitors each spring for film screenings, concerts, and workshops.
- Jersey Shore Film Festival
- Jersey Devil Film Festival (focused on horror and folklore)
- Krampus Film Festival (also horror/folklore, with a holiday theme)
- Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival
- QFest New Jersey LGBTQ Film Festival
Murals and Public Art
Many talented artists have created murals and other public art pieces around Asbury Park, especially along the boardwalk. The 2016 Wooden Walls Mural Project added many new murals to the Sunset Pavilion building.
Other Fun Activities
The Asbury Park Zombie Walk is a huge zombie parade held every October. Participants dress up as zombies and walk along the boardwalk and streets. It's one of the largest zombie walks in the world! People can get zombie makeovers, enter costume contests, and enjoy live music. In 2013, it set a world record for the largest gathering of zombies.
LGBTQ+ Community
Asbury Park has been a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community for many years. Every June, Jersey Pride, New Jersey's biggest and oldest pride festival and parade, brings thousands of people to the city.
Over the decades, the LGBTQ+ community in Asbury Park has grown. In the past, there were many places where the community gathered. When property values dropped in the 1970s, many LGBTQ+ people from New York City bought and restored historic homes, helping to bring new life to parts of the city.
Garden State Equality, an organization that supports LGBTQ+ rights, has its main office in Asbury Park. The QSpot LGBTQ+ community center also moved back to the west side of Asbury Park in 2021 and opened the QSpot Café. Georgies is another well-known spot.
Project R.E.A.L. is a community group for young LGBTQ+ people to socialize in Asbury Park. The St. Laurent Social Club, a historic hotel, is now an LGBTQ+ friendly resort. Many restaurants in the city are also owned by members of the LGBTQ+ community.
In 1999, music producer Shep Pettibone opened Paradise, a popular club for the LGBTQ+ community near the ocean. He also opened The Empress Hotel, which is one of New Jersey's only hotels focused on the LGBTQ+ community.
Asbury Park has a long history of welcoming women in the LGBTQ+ community. The Asbury Park Women's Convention is held every winter, with workshops, music, comedy, and art by women. The first Asbury Park Dyke March was held in October 2020.
Surfing and Other Sports
Every winter, when the ocean water gets colder, Asbury Park hosts the Cold War, an annual cold-water surfing competition.
In 1943, the New York Yankees baseball team held their spring training in Asbury Park. This was because of travel rules during World War II.
Asbury Park is also home to Asbury Park FC, a fun, fictional soccer team that has a popular merchandise line.
Parks and Recreation
Asbury Park has many parks and places for fun activities. These parks often host community events like farmer's markets and musical performances.
The most famous spot is the Asbury Park Boardwalk and the beach. The boardwalk has changed over the years and now has many restaurants and shops. It also connects the Asbury Park Convention Hall and the Paramount Theater. Other activities on the boardwalk include the Silverball Retro Arcade & Museum, the Asbury Splash Park, mini-golf, volleyball nets on the beach, a playground, and a dog park.
Here are some of the parks in the city:
- Asbury Park Rain Garden: A garden and seating area near the Asbury Park Station.
- Atlantic Square Park, Bradley Park, Fireman's Park, and Sunset Park & Lake: These four parks are connected and form the largest park area in the city (besides the beach). Bradley Park has a statue of Asbury Park's founder, James A. Bradley. These parks host big events like the Pride Festival. Sunset Lake has a bridge to St. John's Island, where community events are held.
- Bangs Ave. Playground: A playground and open field near Barack Obama Elementary School.
- Community Garden: A small garden behind City Hall that gives out fresh vegetables.
- Deal Lake: The largest lake in the county, located on the city's northern border. It has a boat launch.
- Fourth and Heck Street Playground: A playground.
- Kennedy Park: A park in downtown with a memorial for JFK.
- Library Square Park: Next to the Asbury Park library, with a fountain and a memorial for the Pulse Nightclub shooting.
- Locust Drive Park: A small triangular park.
- Merchant's Square Park: A small park in downtown.
- Springwood Park: A park with a playground and pavilion, established in 2016. It's home to Music Mondays, which are live music events in the summer.
- Soldiers Park: A triangular park with a memorial for Union soldiers from the Civil War.
- Wesley Lake: Located on the city's southern border, it separates Asbury Park from Ocean Grove. It has footpaths, bridges, and pedal boat rentals.
Asbury Park also has many historic houses and buildings. Nearly 50 sites are registered as historic with Monmouth County. Four of these are also national historical landmarks. These include the Stephen Crane House (home of author Stephen Crane), the Trinity Episcopal Church, the Asbury Park Convention Hall, and the Steinbach Brothers Store.
Government
Local Government Structure
The City of Asbury Park is run by a Council-Manager form of government. This means there's a five-member City Council and a professional City Manager. The mayor and four council members are elected by all voters in the city. They serve four-year terms.
The current mayor of Asbury Park is John Moor, whose term ends on December 31, 2026. The City Council members are Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, Angela Ahbez-Anderson, Eileen Chapman, and Barbara "Yvonne" Clayton.
Fire Department
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| Operational area | |
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| State | New Jersey |
| City | Asbury Park |
| Address | 800 Main Street |
| Agency overview | |
| Established | 1887 |
| Annual calls | ~7,647 (2018) |
| Employees | ~54 |
| EMS level | BLS Transport |
| IAFF | L384 |
| Facilities and equipment | |
| Stations | 1 |
| Engines | 3 (including spare) |
| Trucks | 2 (including spare) |
| Rescues | 1 |
| Ambulances | 3 (including spare) |
| Fireboats | 1 |
| Website | |
| http://www.cityofasburypark.com/APFD | |
The Asbury Park Fire Department (APFD) does more than just respond to emergencies. They also work to prevent fires and accidents. Their duties include checking buildings for fire safety, investigating fires, and teaching children, families, and seniors about fire safety.
The APFD has one main fire station. It has one Engine Company, one Ladder Company, two ambulances, a fireboat, and a Duty Battalion Chief. The department has 53 certified Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians.
Political Information
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
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| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 1,100 | 20.08% | 4,238 | 77.36% | 140 | 2.56% |
| 2020 | 968 | 16.62% | 4,767 | 81.82% | 91 | 1.56% |
| 2016 | 746 | 14.65% | 4,179 | 82.07% | 167 | 3.28% |
| 2012 | 480 | 9.91% | 4,317 | 89.08% | 49 | 1.01% |
| 2008 | 522 | 9.96% | 4,693 | 89.51% | 28 | 0.53% |
| 2004 | 759 | 17.07% | 3,659 | 82.30% | 28 | 0.63% |
| 2000 | 548 | 14.59% | 3,091 | 82.27% | 118 | 3.14% |
| 1996 | 594 | 15.63% | 3,019 | 79.43% | 188 | 4.95% |
| 1992 | 865 | 21.65% | 2,738 | 68.54% | 392 | 9.81% |
As of March 2011, Asbury Park had 7,404 registered voters. Most voters were registered as Democrats (36.8%), followed by Unaffiliated (56.8%), and Republicans (6.3%).
In the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden (Democrat) received 81.8% of the votes. Donald Trump (Republican) received 16.6%.
Historic Districts
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Asbury Park Commercial Historic District
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| Location | Roughly bounded by 500, 600, 700 blocks of Cookman and Mattison Avenues and Bond Streets between Lake and Bangs Avenues |
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| NRHP reference No. | 14000536 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | September 30, 2014 |
The Asbury Park Commercial Historic District is an area with important historical buildings. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014 because of its importance in business and entertainment.
There are three other historic districts in Monmouth County:
- The Waterfront Resort Historic District includes the boardwalk, beach, and buildings related to Asbury Park's history as a seaside resort.
- The Library Square Historic District has many old homes, churches, hotels, and the public library. It shows how the city was planned with wide, tree-lined streets.
- The Sunset Lake Historic District is a neighborhood with homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s, along with Sunset Lake Park.
Education
Public Schools
The Asbury Park Public Schools serve students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district is one of 31 "SDA Districts" in New Jersey. This means the state helps cover the costs for school building and renovation projects.
Some students from Allenhurst attend schools in Asbury Park. However, students from Interlaken and Deal now attend other school districts.
As of the 2020–21 school year, the district had about 1,771 students and 175 teachers. This means there were about 10 students for every teacher. The schools in the district are:
- Bradley Elementary School (PreK-5)
- Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (PreK-5)
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Upper Elementary School (6-8)
- Asbury Park High School (9-12)
In 2011, Barack Obama Elementary School was closed due to fewer students in the district. The school board later approved plans to use the building for their offices.
Charter Schools
The Hope Academy Charter School, started in 2001, is another public school option for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Students are chosen by a lottery, with priority for Asbury Park residents.
Students in ninth through twelfth grade from Asbury Park can also attend Academy Charter High School in Lake Como. This school also accepts students from nearby towns through a lottery system.
Transportation
_at_Monmouth_County_Route_16_(Asbury_Avenue)_in_Asbury_Park,_Monmouth_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Roads and Highways
Asbury Park has about 36.20 miles of roads. The main road is Route 71, which runs north and south. Other nearby roads include Route 18, Route 33, Route 35, and Route 66. The Garden State Parkway is about 15 minutes away.
Public Transportation
NJ Transit offers train service from the Asbury Park station. You can take the North Jersey Coast Line to places like Newark Penn Station, New York Penn Station, and Hoboken Terminal.
NJ Transit also has bus routes that serve Asbury Park, including the 317 to Philadelphia. Local bus routes include the 830, 832, 836, and 837. Academy Bus Lines also provides limited service between Asbury Park and New York City.
Bike Sharing
In August 2017, a bike share program started in Asbury Park. It has six stations around the city, making it easy to rent bikes and explore.
Climate
Asbury Park has a Humid subtropical climate (Cfa). This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters.
| Climate data for Asbury Park (40.2203, -74.0119), Elevation 16 ft (5 m), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1981–2022 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 71.6 (22.0) |
78.8 (26.0) |
82.2 (27.9) |
89.2 (31.8) |
95.0 (35.0) |
96.8 (36.0) |
100.0 (37.8) |
100.4 (38.0) |
97.5 (36.4) |
93.8 (34.3) |
80.9 (27.2) |
75.1 (23.9) |
100.4 (38.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 40.9 (4.9) |
42.6 (5.9) |
48.6 (9.2) |
58.8 (14.9) |
68.4 (20.2) |
77.8 (25.4) |
83.3 (28.5) |
81.7 (27.6) |
75.9 (24.4) |
65.5 (18.6) |
54.9 (12.7) |
46.3 (7.9) |
62.2 (16.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 25.8 (−3.4) |
27.0 (−2.8) |
33.3 (0.7) |
42.7 (5.9) |
52.3 (11.3) |
61.9 (16.6) |
67.9 (19.9) |
66.6 (19.2) |
60.4 (15.8) |
48.6 (9.2) |
39.0 (3.9) |
31.3 (−0.4) |
46.5 (8.1) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −6.3 (−21.3) |
0.8 (−17.3) |
5.6 (−14.7) |
18.2 (−7.7) |
34.2 (1.2) |
44.5 (6.9) |
48.6 (9.2) |
45.1 (7.3) |
39.3 (4.1) |
26.5 (−3.1) |
14.9 (−9.5) |
−0.1 (−17.8) |
−6.3 (−21.3) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.79 (96) |
3.15 (80) |
4.29 (109) |
3.89 (99) |
3.81 (97) |
4.11 (104) |
4.20 (107) |
4.93 (125) |
3.90 (99) |
4.24 (108) |
3.42 (87) |
4.64 (118) |
48.35 (1,228) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 8.9 (23) |
7.4 (19) |
4.1 (10) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.3 (0.76) |
3.4 (8.6) |
24.2 (61) |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 22.3 (−5.4) |
22.9 (−5.1) |
28.0 (−2.2) |
37.2 (2.9) |
48.7 (9.3) |
59.4 (15.2) |
64.5 (18.1) |
64.0 (17.8) |
58.5 (14.7) |
47.0 (8.3) |
36.1 (2.3) |
28.2 (−2.1) |
43.2 (6.2) |
| Source 1: PRISM | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: NOHRSC (Snow, 2008/2009 - 2022/2023 normals) | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Atlantic City, NJ Ocean Water Temperature, 1911–present normals | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 39.7 (4.3) |
38.5 (3.6) |
41.9 (5.5) |
48.7 (9.3) |
56.4 (13.6) |
64.7 (18.2) |
68.9 (20.5) |
73.1 (22.8) |
72.2 (22.3) |
64.1 (17.8) |
53.6 (12.0) |
45.2 (7.3) |
55.7 (13.2) |
| Source: NCEI | |||||||||||||
Ecology
Asbury Park's natural plant life would mostly be Appalachian Oak trees, part of the Eastern Hardwood Forest.
Notable People
Many interesting people have been born in, lived in, or are connected to Asbury Park:
- Bud Abbott (1895–1974), a famous comedian from the team Abbott and Costello, was born here.
- Soren Sorensen Adams (1879–1963), invented fun novelty products like the joy buzzer.
- Stewart H. Appleby (1890–1964), a politician who represented New Jersey.
- T. Frank Appleby (1864–1924), also a politician and former mayor of Asbury Park.
- Dave Aron (born 1964), a recording engineer and music producer.
- Nicole Atkins (born 1978), a singer-songwriter.
- Ronald S. Baron (born 1943), a mutual fund manager.
- Frederick Bayer (1921–2007), a marine biologist who worked at the Smithsonian Institution.
- Knowledge Bennett (born 1976), a visual artist.
- Wilda Bennett (1894–1967), an actress.
- Scott "Bam Bam" Bigelow (1961–2007), a professional wrestler.
- Elizabeth Ann Blaesing (1919–2005), daughter of U.S. President Warren G. Harding.
- Daniel Boyarin (born 1946), a historian of religion.
- James A. Bradley (1830–1921), the financier and real estate developer who founded Asbury Park.
- Kurt Braunohler (born 1976), a comedian.
- Charles H. Brower (1901–1984), an advertising executive and author.
- Billy Brown (born 1944), a singer and songwriter.
- Ernest "Boom" Carter, a drummer who played with Bruce Springsteen.
- Marie Castello (1915–2008), a longtime boardwalk fortuneteller known as "Madam Marie."
- Edna Woolman Chase (1877–1957), editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine.
- James M. Coleman (1924–2014), a politician and judge.
- Stephen Crane (1871–1900), the famous author of The Red Badge of Courage.
- Cookie Cuccurullo (1918–1983), an MLB pitcher.
- Holmes E. Dager, (1893–1973), a U.S. Army major general.
- Danny DeVito (born 1944), a well-known actor.
- Leon Dolice (1892–1960), an artist known for his etchings.
- Les Dugan (1921–2002), an American football coach.
- Cari Fletcher (born 1994), an actress, singer, and songwriter.
- Tim Hauser (born 1941), a member of The Manhattan Transfer.
- Leon Hess (1914–1999), an oil magnate who started his business in the city.
- Robert Hess (1932–1994), a scholar and college president.
- Joey Janela (born 1989), a professional wrestler.
- Richard Jarecki (1931–2018), a physician who won a lot of money playing roulette.
- Lou Liberatore (born 1959), an actor.
- Robert Melee (born 1966), an artist.
- Vic Morrow (1929-1982), an actor.
- Arthur Pryor (1870–1942), a bandleader.
- Nazreon Reid (born 1999), a basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Charles J. Ross (1859–1918), a vaudeville performer.
- David Sancious (born 1953), an early member of the E Street Band.
- Arthur Siegel (1923–1994), a songwriter.
- Thomas S. Smith (1917–2002), a former mayor of Asbury Park.
- Bruce Springsteen (born 1949), the famous singer-songwriter, whose first album was named after Asbury Park.
- Ja'Sir Taylor (born 1999), an American football player for the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Lenny Welch (born 1940), a pop singer.
- Margaret Widdemer (1884–1976), a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet.
- Wendy Williams (born 1964), a talk show host and bestselling author, was born here.
- Arthur Augustus Zimmerman (1869–1936), the first world cycling champion.
See also
In Spanish: Asbury Park para niños
- SS Asbury Park, a steamship that traveled between New Jersey and New York City.
