Bradley Beach, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bradley Beach, New Jersey
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Borough
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The Bradley Beach Public Library
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| Motto(s):
"New Jersey's Family Resort"
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Location of Bradley Beach in Monmouth County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Monmouth County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
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Census Bureau map of Bradley Beach, New Jersey
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 Bradley Beach, New Jersey
Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Bradley Beach, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Bradley Beach, 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 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 |
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| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,282 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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4,219 | |
| • Rank | 404th of 565 in state 37th of 53 in county |
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| • Density | 7,014.4/sq mi (2,708.3/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 66th of 565 in state 5th of 53 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
07720
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| Area code(s) | 732 | |
| FIPS code | 3402506970 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885167 | |
| Website | ||
Bradley Beach is a borough in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,282, a decrease of 16 (−0.4%) from the 2010 census count of 4,298, which in turn had reflected a decrease of 495 (−10.3%) from the 4,793 counted at the 2000 census. The summer population can reach 30,000.
Contents
History
Bradley Beach was named for James A. Bradley, the developer responsible for the creation of the Bradley Beach and Asbury Park. In 1871, William B. Bradner, with James A. Bradley as an investor, acquired 54 acres (22 ha) of land north of Avon-by-the-Sea, and south of Ocean Grove. At the time the area where they had purchased their land was known informally as Ocean Park and was part of Ocean Township and later became part of Neptune Township.
Citizens appealed to the New Jersey Legislature for a referendum to separate Bradley Beach from Neptune Township, and on March 13, 1893, Bradley Beach was incorporated, based on the results of a referendum held on March 6, 1893. The borough's incorporation was confirmed on March 13, 1925.
It was the first location in the United States to charge sea bathers for beach access when it began minting its own tin badges starting in 1929. In the mid-20th century, Bradley Beach became known as "Chinatown by the Sea", in reference to the significant number of Chinese people who migrated to the borough from Chinatown, Manhattan.
Sand dunes were constructed on the borough's beaches in 2000 at a cost of $10,000, using snow fences and discarded Christmas trees to build a base of wind-driven sand that rose 15 feet (4.6 m), atop which dune grass was planted. These dunes did little to provide protection from the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Damage in the borough to beach areas and homes near the shore was more than $3 million, while some neighboring communities that hadn't constructed such dunes also suffered similar damage.
The borough had gone into decline after World War II, with growth returning around 2000 as seasonal visitors and new residents purchased properties, which borough regulations require that they must be renovated on the same footprint as the original home.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.63 square miles (1.64 km2), including 0.61 square miles (1.58 km2) of land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) of water (3.33%).
The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Avon-by-the-Sea, Neptune City and Neptune Township.
Demographics
| 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 |
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2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 4,298 people, 2,098 households, and 980 families in the borough. The population density was 7,023.6 per square mile (2,711.8/km2). There were 3,180 housing units at an average density of 5,196.6 per square mile (2,006.4/km2). The racial makeup was 85.06% (3,656) White, 4.96% (213) Black or African American, 0.42% (18) Native American, 1.81% (78) Asian, 0.02% (1) Pacific Islander, 5.21% (224) from other races, and 2.51% (108) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.54% (840) of the population.
Of the 2,098 households, 17.0% had children under the age of 18; 32.0% were married couples living together; 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 53.3% were non-families. Of all households, 42.2% were made up of individuals and 10.1% 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 2.80.
14.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 99.9 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $59,792 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,658) and the median family income was $75,575 (+/− $7,930). Males had a median income of $51,250 (+/− $12,410) versus $39,902 (+/− $12,133) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,446 (+/− $4,420). About 2.5% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Bradley Beach School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Bradley Beach Elementary School. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 263 students and 37.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 7.0:1.
For public school students in ninth through twelfth grades, the school district maintains sending/receiving relationships with the Asbury Park Public Schools and Neptune Township Schools under which 93% of Bradley Beach students are sent to Asbury Park High School and the other 7% are sent to Neptune High School. As of the 2020–21 school year, Asbury Park High school had an enrollment of 682 students and 54.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.5:1 and Neptune High School had an enrollment of 1,270 students and 115.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.0:1.
An application program with Red Bank Regional High School or the schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School District are alternatives available for students from the borough attending public high school.
Public 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.
Public high school students may also apply to attend one of the magnet schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School District—Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Academy of Allied Health & Science, High Technology High School, Biotechnology High School, and Communications High School.
The Bradley Beach Public Library is located at 511 Fourth Avenue, on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Hammond Avenue. In early 2017, a building expansion was added to the south elevation of the circa 1927 built library building. The structural design was performed by the Structural Engineering department of French Parrello Associates (FPA). There are many activities at the library for people of all ages including various story times, a writing group and weekly Overeaters Anonymous meetings. In the spring of 2014 the library introduced a book bike which a librarian or volunteer rides around town and on the boardwalk to give books and to tell residents about the opportunities and activities coming up at the library and around the borough.
Transportation
_at_Monmouth_County_Route_2_(Brinley_Avenue)_in_Bradley_Beach,_Monmouth_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Roads and highways
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 14.31 miles (23.03 km) of roadways, of which 10.90 miles (17.54 km) were maintained by the municipality, 2.56 miles (4.12 km) by Monmouth County and 0.85 miles (1.37 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Route 71 (Main Street) is the main road that runs through the town. Route 18 is in neighboring Neptune Township, and both the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 195 are within a 10 to 15 minute drive.
Public transportation
NJ Transit provides rail service at the Bradley Beach station. Commuter service connects the borough to Hoboken Terminal, Newark Penn Station, Secaucus Junction and New York Penn Station on the North Jersey Coast Line.
NJ Transit bus service is available between the borough and Philadelphia on the 317 route, with local service offered on the 830 route.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Bradley Beach has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average temperature above 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average temperature greater than or equal 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), at least one month with an average temperature greater than or equal 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are slightly humid with a cooling afternoon sea breeze in Bradley Beach, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur with heat index values greater than 103 °F (39 °C). Since 1981, the highest air temperature was 100.3 °F (37.9 °C) on August 9, 2001, and the highest daily average mean dew point was 77.3 °F (25.2 °C) on August 13, 2016. The average wettest month is July which correlates with the peak in thunderstorm activity. Since 1981, the wettest calendar day was 5.60 inches (142 mm) on August 27, 2011. During the winter months, the average annual extreme minimum air temperature is 3.8 °F (−15.7 °C). Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was −5.7 °F (−20.9 °C) on January 22, 1984. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values below −6 °F (−21 °C). The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm) and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.
| Climate data for Bradley Beach, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1981–2019 | |||||||||||||
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| 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) |
82.1 (27.8) |
88.9 (31.6) |
94.9 (34.9) |
96.8 (36.0) |
99.8 (37.7) |
100.3 (37.9) |
97.5 (36.4) |
93.9 (34.4) |
80.6 (27.0) |
75.0 (23.9) |
100.3 (37.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 40.1 (4.5) |
42.7 (5.9) |
49.2 (9.6) |
58.7 (14.8) |
68.2 (20.1) |
77.5 (25.3) |
82.8 (28.2) |
81.7 (27.6) |
75.5 (24.2) |
65.1 (18.4) |
55.3 (12.9) |
45.2 (7.3) |
61.9 (16.6) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 32.4 (0.2) |
34.8 (1.6) |
40.9 (4.9) |
50.3 (10.2) |
59.9 (15.5) |
69.4 (20.8) |
74.9 (23.8) |
73.9 (23.3) |
67.3 (19.6) |
56.4 (13.6) |
47.3 (8.5) |
37.7 (3.2) |
53.9 (12.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 24.8 (−4.0) |
26.8 (−2.9) |
32.7 (0.4) |
41.9 (5.5) |
51.5 (10.8) |
61.2 (16.2) |
67.0 (19.4) |
66.0 (18.9) |
59.1 (15.1) |
47.6 (8.7) |
39.2 (4.0) |
30.1 (−1.1) |
45.7 (7.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −5.7 (−20.9) |
1.0 (−17.2) |
6.0 (−14.4) |
18.3 (−7.6) |
35.5 (1.9) |
44.9 (7.2) |
49.0 (9.4) |
45.5 (7.5) |
39.5 (4.2) |
26.8 (−2.9) |
15.1 (−9.4) |
−0.1 (−17.8) |
−5.7 (−20.9) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.62 (92) |
3.07 (78) |
3.97 (101) |
4.12 (105) |
3.75 (95) |
3.61 (92) |
4.70 (119) |
4.66 (118) |
3.59 (91) |
3.90 (99) |
3.88 (99) |
4.02 (102) |
46.89 (1,191) |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 64.6 | 61.7 | 60.3 | 61.8 | 65.7 | 70.0 | 69.6 | 71.2 | 71.3 | 69.4 | 67.3 | 65.3 | 66.5 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 21.8 (−5.7) |
23.0 (−5.0) |
28.2 (−2.1) |
37.7 (3.2) |
48.4 (9.1) |
59.2 (15.1) |
64.3 (17.9) |
64.0 (17.8) |
57.7 (14.3) |
46.5 (8.1) |
37.0 (2.8) |
27.1 (−2.7) |
43.0 (6.1) |
| Source: PRISM | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Sandy Hook, NJ Ocean Water Temperature (18 N Bradley Beach) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 37 (3) |
36 (2) |
40 (4) |
46 (8) |
55 (13) |
62 (17) |
69 (21) |
72 (22) |
68 (20) |
59 (15) |
51 (11) |
43 (6) |
53 (12) |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Ecology
According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Bradley Beach would have a dominant vegetation type of Appalachian Oak (104) with a dominant vegetation form of Eastern Hardwood Forest (25). The plant hardiness zone is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 3.8 °F (−15.7 °C). The average date of first spring leaf-out is March 24 and fall color typically peaks in early-November.
Chess
In 1929, Bradley Beach hosted an international chess tournament at Hotel La Reine. Alexander Alekhine, the reigning world chess champion at the time, won the tournament with an impressive score of 8.5/9.
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Bradley Beach include:
- James A. Bradley (1830–1921), New Jersey State Senator, philanthropist and real estate developer, who developed Asbury Park and was the namesake of Bradley Beach
- Linda Deutsch (1943–2024), journalist who worked for the Associated Press
- TJ Lubinsky (born 1972), radio host
- James D. Melville Jr. (born 1957), diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Estonia
- Jeannette Mirsky (1903–1987), author who was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1947 for her biographical writings on the history of exploration
- Pat Pacillo (born 1963), former Major League Baseball player who pitched for the Cincinnati Reds in 1987 and 1988
- Christine Quinn (born 1966), Speaker of the New York City Council
- Cesar Romero (1907–1994), actor
- Philip Roth (1933–2018), author of Goodbye, Columbus and Portnoy's Complaint
- Isaac Schlossbach (1891–1984), polar explorer, submariner and aviation pioneer
- Bruce Springsteen (born 1949), musician
- Thomas Vezzetti (1928–1988), 33rd Mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey
- Tommy West (1942–2021, born as Thomas Picardo), singer-songwriter and record producer
- Murray A. Wiener (born 1909), polar explorer
See also
In Spanish: Bradley Beach para niños
