Long Branch, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Long Branch, New Jersey
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City
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Church of the Presidents
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| Nicknames:
The First Seaside Resort, Friendly City
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| Motto(s):
Tide In
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Location of Long Branch 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 Long Branch, New Jersey
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 Long Branch, New Jersey
Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Long Branch, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Long Branch, 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 | April 11, 1867 (as Long Branch Commission) | |
| Reincorporated | April 8, 1903 (as city) | |
| Named for | location on the "long branch" of the Shrewsbury River | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Faulkner Act (mayor–council) | |
| • Body | City Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 6.29 sq mi (16.28 km2) | |
| • Land | 5.12 sq mi (13.27 km2) | |
| • Water | 1.16 sq mi (3.01 km2) 18.49% | |
| Area rank | 250th of 565 in state 17th of 53 in county |
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| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 31,667 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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32,745 | |
| • Rank | 74th of 565 in state 6th of 53 in county |
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| • Density | 6,180.1/sq mi (2,386.1/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 86th of 565 in state 9th of 53 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
07740
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| Area code(s) | 732/848 | |
| FIPS code | 3402541310 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885285 | |
Long Branch is a city located on the beach in Monmouth County, New Jersey. In 2020, about 31,667 people lived here. This was a small increase from 2010. Long Branch is the 6th largest town in Monmouth County by population. It is also the 74th largest in all of New Jersey.
The city was first created on April 11, 1867. It was called the Long Branch Commission back then. Later, on April 8, 1903, it officially became a city. This change happened after people voted for it.
Contents
Exploring Long Branch's Past
Long Branch became a popular beach resort in the late 1700s. It got its name from a "long branch" of the South Shrewsbury River. In the 1800s, many famous actors and performers came here.
A Favorite Spot for Presidents
Many United States Presidents visited Long Branch during the "Gilded Age." This was a time of great economic growth. Presidents like Ulysses S. Grant, James A. Garfield, and Woodrow Wilson enjoyed spending time here. Even President Donald Trump has visited in modern times.
A park near the beach, Seven Presidents Park, is named after the first seven presidents who visited. The Church of the Presidents is the only building left that is connected to these seven leaders.
President Grant and his family spent their summers in Long Branch. They had a cottage right on the beach. Because of this, Long Branch was often called the "summer capital."
A Sad Day in History
President James A. Garfield was brought to Long Branch in 1881. He had been shot and people hoped the fresh air would help him recover. Sadly, he died here on September 19, 1881, at age 49. The Garfield Tea House in Elberon was built from railroad ties. These ties were used to carry Garfield's train.
Growth and Change Over Time
Long Branch started as a resort town with hotels and large homes. Many farms were also in the area. In the early 1900s, more people moved in, including immigrants from Italy, Ireland, and Jewish communities.
By the 1950s, Long Branch grew even more. Many farms became new neighborhoods. Some old estates and resorts are still here today.
In the mid-1900s, Long Branch became less popular as a theater spot. Also, a new highway, the Garden State Parkway, opened. This made it easier for people to visit beaches further south. This led to a decline in visitors to Long Branch.
Today, Long Branch is still a popular resort. Many people from New York City come here to enjoy the beaches. They want to escape the busy city life.
Hurricane Sandy's Impact
On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit Long Branch hard. Many homes flooded, and some residents lost power for weeks. The boardwalk was destroyed by the storm. The city started rebuilding it in 2015, and it reopened in April 2016. It was the last boardwalk damaged by Sandy to be rebuilt.
Where is Long Branch?
Long Branch gets its name from a "long branch" or south branch of the Shrewsbury River. The city covers about 6.29 square miles (16.28 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with some water areas.
Neighborhoods and Local Spots
Long Branch has many different neighborhoods, each with its own feel. Some well-known areas include Branchport, Elberon, and West End. There's also the North End, Beachfront North and South (including Pier Village), and the Downtown area. The lower Broadway area is becoming an Arts District.
Long Branch was once famous as "The Nation's First Seaside Resort." But its popularity changed after World War II. A big fire in 1987 destroyed the famous amusement pier and other businesses. This marked the end of an era for the city.
Weather in Long Branch
Long Branch has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm, humid summers and mild winters. In summer, temperatures can get very hot, sometimes over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). July is usually the wettest month.
In winter, the average low temperature is around 3.9 degrees Fahrenheit (-15.6 degrees Celsius). Snowfall averages about 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm) each winter. February is usually the snowiest month.
| Climate data for Long Branch, New Jersey (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 76 (24) |
78 (26) |
87 (31) |
92 (33) |
97 (36) |
99 (37) |
106 (41) |
101 (38) |
98 (37) |
95 (35) |
83 (28) |
74 (23) |
106 (41) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 41.8 (5.4) |
43.1 (6.2) |
49.2 (9.6) |
58.9 (14.9) |
68.3 (20.2) |
77.8 (25.4) |
83.5 (28.6) |
81.8 (27.7) |
76.2 (24.6) |
65.5 (18.6) |
55.6 (13.1) |
46.9 (8.3) |
62.4 (16.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 33.3 (0.7) |
34.5 (1.4) |
40.8 (4.9) |
50.0 (10.0) |
59.5 (15.3) |
69.3 (20.7) |
75.1 (23.9) |
73.6 (23.1) |
67.6 (19.8) |
56.2 (13.4) |
46.4 (8.0) |
38.4 (3.6) |
53.7 (12.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 24.8 (−4.0) |
25.9 (−3.4) |
32.3 (0.2) |
41.0 (5.0) |
50.8 (10.4) |
60.9 (16.1) |
66.8 (19.3) |
65.4 (18.6) |
58.9 (14.9) |
46.9 (8.3) |
37.3 (2.9) |
30.0 (−1.1) |
45.1 (7.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −8 (−22) |
−12 (−24) |
4 (−16) |
12 (−11) |
29 (−2) |
37 (3) |
45 (7) |
43 (6) |
32 (0) |
24 (−4) |
13 (−11) |
−8 (−22) |
−12 (−24) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.20 (107) |
3.31 (84) |
4.33 (110) |
3.91 (99) |
4.13 (105) |
4.34 (110) |
4.40 (112) |
6.27 (159) |
4.33 (110) |
4.71 (120) |
3.82 (97) |
4.78 (121) |
52.53 (1,334) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 5.2 (13) |
1.8 (4.6) |
1.6 (4.1) |
trace | 0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
1.6 (4.1) |
10.3 (26.05) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 11.0 | 8.8 | 9.8 | 11.2 | 11.7 | 10.4 | 9.3 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 9.9 | 9.2 | 10.4 | 119.5 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.01 in) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | 1 | 5.1 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Sandy Hook, NJ Ocean Water Temperature (16 N Long Branch) | |||||||||||||
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| 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 | |||||||||||||
Long Branch's Economy and Growth
Long Branch is part of an Urban Enterprise Zone. This program helps encourage jobs and businesses. Shoppers in these zones pay a lower sales tax. This helps local businesses grow.
Future Plans for Development
The city has plans for a new area called Broadway Center. This will be a hub for entertainment and shopping. It will have stores, cafes, restaurants, and theaters. There will also be new homes and a large parking garage.
In 2013, the city approved plans for a "transit village" near its train station. This means there will be more development and growth around the station. Several tall buildings are also being built along the oceanfront.
Who Lives in Long Branch?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 3,833 | — | |
| 1890 | 7,231 | 88.7% | |
| 1900 | 8,872 | 22.7% | |
| 1910 | 13,298 | 49.9% | |
| 1920 | 13,521 | 1.7% | |
| 1930 | 18,399 | 36.1% | |
| 1940 | 17,408 | −5.4% | |
| 1950 | 23,090 | 32.6% | |
| 1960 | 26,228 | 13.6% | |
| 1970 | 31,774 | 21.1% | |
| 1980 | 29,819 | −6.2% | |
| 1990 | 28,658 | −3.9% | |
| 2000 | 31,340 | 9.4% | |
| 2010 | 30,719 | −2.0% | |
| 2020 | 31,667 | 3.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 32,745 | 6.6% | |
| Population sources: 1880–1920 1880–1890 1890–1910 1880–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
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In 2010, Long Branch had 30,719 people living in 11,753 households. About 65% of the people were White, and 14% were Black or African American. About 28% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Long Branch was 33.8 years old. About 21.7% of the population was under 18. The median household income was about $52,792.
Schools in Long Branch
Long Branch has its own public school system, the Long Branch Public Schools. These schools serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. All public schools in Long Branch are free. This includes full-day preschool programs for children aged 3-5. The schools also offer free breakfast and summer programs.
In the 2022-2023 school year, the district had 5,494 students and 495 teachers. This means there were about 11 students for every teacher.
Schools in the District
- Lenna W. Conrow School (PreK–K)
- Joseph M. Ferraina Early Childhood Learning Center (PreK–K)
- Morris Avenue School (PreK–K)
- Amerigo A. Anastasia School (Grades 1–5)
- George L. Catrambone Elementary School (Grades 1–5)
- Gregory School (Grades 1–5)
- Long Branch Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- Long Branch High School (Grades 9–12)
- Audrey W. Clark School / The Academy of Alternative Programs (alternative education)
George L. Catrambone Elementary School cost over $40 million to build. It was designed for 800 students.
There is also a private school called Seashore School for grades K-8. Class sizes there are limited to 16 students.
Getting Around Long Branch
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Long Branch has many roads, with over 89 miles (144 kilometers) of roadways. Route 36 and Route 71 are the main highways.
Trains and Buses
Long Branch is connected to New York City by NJ Transit trains. The North Jersey Coast Line ends its electric service at the Long Branch station. Passengers going further south must switch to diesel trains. There is also a second station at Elberon.
Local buses are provided by NJ Transit. You can also take Academy Bus to New York City.
Famous People from Long Branch
Many interesting people have connections to Long Branch. Here are a few:
- Richard Anderson (1926–2017), an actor known for The Six Million Dollar Man.
- Clint Black (born 1962), a country music singer.
- MarShon Brooks (born 1989), a basketball player.
- Rick Cerone (born 1954), a former baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.
- James A. Garfield (1831–1881), the 20th President of the United States, who died here.
- Winslow Homer (1836–1910), a famous artist who painted scenes in Long Branch.
- Sam Mills (1959–2005), a football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.
- Dorothy Parker (1893–1967), a famous writer. Her birthplace is a National Literary Landmark.
- Robert Pinsky (born 1940), a former Poet Laureate of the United States.
- Fred Schneider (born 1951), the lead singer of the band the B-52's.
- Scott Schoeneweis (born 1973), a former baseball pitcher for the New York Mets.
- Bruce Springsteen (born 1949), a famous musician born in Long Branch. He wrote some of his well-known songs here.
- Meghan Tierney (born 1997), a snowboarder who competed in the Olympics.
- Phil Villapiano (born 1949), a former football linebacker for the Oakland Raiders.
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See also
In Spanish: Long Branch (Nueva Jersey) para niños
