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Bradley Beach, New Jersey facts for kids

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Bradley Beach, New Jersey
Borough
The Bradley Beach Public Library
The Bradley Beach Public Library
Official seal of Bradley Beach, New Jersey
logo
Motto(s): 
"New Jersey's Family Resort"
Location of Bradley Beach in Monmouth County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Monmouth County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Location of Bradley Beach in Monmouth County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Monmouth County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Census Bureau map of Bradley Beach, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Bradley Beach, New Jersey
Bradley Beach, New Jersey is located in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Bradley Beach, New Jersey
Bradley Beach, New Jersey
Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Bradley Beach, New Jersey is located in New Jersey
Bradley Beach, New Jersey
Bradley Beach, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Bradley Beach, New Jersey is located in the United States
Bradley Beach, New Jersey
Bradley Beach, New Jersey
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State  New Jersey
County Monmouth
Incorporated March 13, 1893
Named for James A. Bradley
Government
 • Type Faulkner Act (small municipality)
 • Body Borough Council
Area
 • Total 0.63 sq mi (1.64 km2)
 • Land 0.61 sq mi (1.58 km2)
 • Water 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)  3.33%
Area rank 535th of 565 in state
44th of 53 in county
Elevation
16 ft (5 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 4,282
 • Estimate 
(2023)
4,219
 • Rank 404th of 565 in state
37th of 53 in county
 • Density 7,014.4/sq mi (2,708.3/km2)
 • Density rank 66th of 565 in state
5th of 53 in county
Time zone UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code
07720
Area code(s) 732
FIPS code 3402506970
GNIS feature ID 0885167
Website

Bradley Beach is a small town, called a borough, located in Monmouth County, New Jersey. In 2020, about 4,282 people lived there. This was a small decrease from 2010. During the summer, the population can grow to as many as 30,000 people!

What is the History of Bradley Beach?

Bradley Beach is named after James A. Bradley. He was a developer who helped create both Bradley Beach and Asbury Park. In 1871, James A. Bradley and William B. Bradner bought land near the ocean. This area was first known as Ocean Park.

Later, citizens asked the New Jersey Legislature to make Bradley Beach its own town. On March 13, 1893, Bradley Beach officially became a borough.

In 1929, Bradley Beach was the first place in the United States to charge people to use the beach. They made special tin badges for beach access. In the mid-1900s, many Chinese people moved to the borough from Chinatown, Manhattan. This led to the nickname "Chinatown by the Sea."

In 2000, Sand dunes were built on the beaches to help protect the shore. However, these dunes did not offer much protection when Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012. The storm caused over $3 million in damage to the beach and homes.

After World War II, the town became less popular. But around 2000, more people started buying homes there. Many seasonal visitors and new residents helped the town grow again.

Where is Bradley Beach Located?

Bradleybeach
The beach and boardwalk of Bradley Beach

Bradley Beach is a small area, covering about 0.63 square miles (1.64 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

The borough shares its borders with other towns in Monmouth County. These include Avon-by-the-Sea, Neptune City, and Neptune Township.

How Many People Live in Bradley Beach?

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 982
1910 1,807 84.0%
1920 2,307 27.7%
1930 3,306 43.3%
1940 3,468 4.9%
1950 3,911 12.8%
1960 4,204 7.5%
1970 4,163 −1.0%
1980 4,772 14.6%
1990 4,475 −6.2%
2000 4,793 7.1%
2010 4,298 −10.3%
2020 4,282 −0.4%
2023 (est.) 4,219 −1.8%
Population sources:1900–1920
1900–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000
2000 2010 2020

In 2010, there were 4,298 people living in Bradley Beach. Most residents were White, but there were also many Black or African American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino people.

The average age of people in Bradley Beach was about 41.5 years old.

What About Education in Bradley Beach?

Students in Bradley Beach attend public schools through the Bradley Beach School District. This district has one school, Bradley Beach Elementary School. It serves students from pre-kindergarten up to eighth grade.

For high school, students usually go to Asbury Park High School or Neptune High School. These schools are in nearby towns. Students can also apply to special schools like Red Bank Regional High School or schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School District.

There is also Academy Charter High School in Lake Como. Students from Bradley Beach can apply to attend this school through a lottery.

The Bradley Beach Public Library is a great place for learning and fun. It is located at 511 Fourth Avenue. The library has many activities for all ages. These include story times for younger kids and a writing group. In 2014, the library even started using a book bike. A librarian rides it around town to share books and tell people about library events.

How Do People Get Around Bradley Beach?

2018-05-25 17 32 49 View south along New Jersey State Route 71 (Main Street) at Monmouth County Route 2 (Brinley Avenue) in Bradley Beach, Monmouth County, New Jersey
Route 71 (Main Street), the main highway in Bradley Beach

The main road through Bradley Beach is Route 71, also known as Main Street. Other major highways like Route 18, the Garden State Parkway, and Interstate 195 are also nearby.

Bradley Beach Station
Bradley Beach station, which is served by NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line

For public transportation, NJ Transit offers train service at the Bradley Beach station. You can take a train from here to places like Hoboken Terminal and New York Penn Station. NJ Transit also has bus routes connecting Bradley Beach to Philadelphia and other local areas.

What is the Climate Like in Bradley Beach?

Bradley Beach has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm, humid summers and mild winters. In summer, the ocean breeze helps keep things cool. However, it can sometimes get very hot and humid. The highest temperature ever recorded was 100.3°F (37.9°C) in August 2001.

Winters are generally mild, but cold snaps can happen. The coldest temperature recorded was -5.7°F (-20.9°C) in January 1984. Bradley Beach usually gets about 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm) of snow each winter. February is often the snowiest month.

Who are Some Famous People from Bradley Beach?

See also (related category): People from Bradley Beach, New Jersey

Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Bradley Beach:

  • James A. Bradley (1830–1921), the person the town is named after.
  • Linda Deutsch (1943–2024), a well-known journalist.
  • TJ Lubinsky (born 1972), a radio host.
  • James D. Melville Jr. (born 1957), who was a United States Ambassador.
  • Jeannette Mirsky (1903–1987), an author who wrote about explorers.
  • Pat Pacillo (born 1963), a former professional baseball player.
  • Christine Quinn (born 1966), a political leader in New York City.
  • Cesar Romero (1907–1994), a famous actor.
  • Philip Roth (1933–2018), a very famous author.
  • Isaac Schlossbach (1891–1984), an explorer and aviation pioneer.
  • Bruce Springsteen (born 1949), a world-famous musician.
  • Thomas Vezzetti (1928–1988), a former Mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey.
  • Tommy West (1942–2021), a singer, songwriter, and music producer.
  • Murray A. Wiener (born 1909), another polar explorer.

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See also

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