Fortescue, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fortescue, New Jersey
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Fortescue Beach
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 Fortescue, New Jersey
Location in Cumberland County, New Jersey
Fortescue, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Fortescue, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Cumberland |
| Township | Downe |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.32 sq mi (0.81 km2) |
| • Land | 0.29 sq mi (0.75 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 189 |
| • Density | 651.7/sq mi (251.6/km2) |
| ZIP Code |
08321
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| FIPS code | 34-24360 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0876423 |
Fortescue is a small community in New Jersey, United States. It is also known as a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes. Fortescue is located on the southern coast of New Jersey, right on the Delaware Bay. It's special because marshland surrounds it on three sides. The area was named after John Fortescue, who owned land here when America became independent. In 2020, about 189 people lived in Fortescue.
Contents
Discover Fortescue, New Jersey
Where is Fortescue?
Fortescue is found in Downe Township, which is part of Cumberland County. It sits on the southern coast of the state, right by the Delaware Bay. This location makes it a unique place.
The community is almost completely surrounded by marshland. This natural feature creates a special environment. It's a great spot for anyone who loves nature and wildlife.
How Fortescue Got Its Name
The name Fortescue comes from a person named John Fortescue. He was a local property owner many years ago. This was around the time when the United States was becoming an independent country.
Fortescue's Fishing History
From the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, Fortescue was famous for its amazing fishing. Anglers, or people who fish, caught huge numbers of a fish called weakfish every summer. Because of this, Fortescue proudly called itself the "weakfish capital of the world."
However, too much fishing started to cause problems. By 1990, the number of weakfish had dropped a lot. This had a big impact on the people who made a living from commercial fishing in the area.
Nature and Wildlife
Fortescue is part of a larger protected area. It's called the Fortescue State Wildlife Management Area. This area covers about 1,312 acres (which is about 5.3 square kilometers). It helps protect the natural environment and the animals that live there.
Population Information
As of the 2020 United States census, the population of Fortescue was 189 people. This number helps us understand how many people live in this small coastal community.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 189 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 |
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Climate in Fortescue
The weather in Fortescue has warm, humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate. On climate maps, this is often shown as "Cfa." This means it's a climate with hot summers and no dry season.
