North Wildwood, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
North Wildwood, New Jersey
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City
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Location of North Wildwood in Cape May County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Cape May County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
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Census Bureau map of North Wildwood, New Jersey
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 North Wildwood, New Jersey
Location in Cape May County, New Jersey
North Wildwood, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
North Wildwood, 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 |  Cape May |
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| Incorporated | June 13, 1885 as Borough of Anglesea | |
| Reincorporated | May 16, 1906 as Borough of North Wildwood | |
| Reincorporated | April 30, 1917 as City of North Wildwood | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | City | |
| • Body | City Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 2.50 sq mi (6.46 km2) | |
| • Land | 1.73 sq mi (4.47 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.77 sq mi (2.00 km2) 30.80% | |
| Area rank | 374th of 565 in state 10th of 16 in county |
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| Elevation | 3 ft (0.9 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,621 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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3,585 | |
| • Rank | 426th of 565 in state 7th of 16 in county |
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| • Density | 2,099.0/sq mi (810.4/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 285th of 565 in state 3rd of 16 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
08260
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| Area code(s) | 609 | |
| FIPS code | 3400953490 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885328 | |
| Website | ||
North Wildwood is a fun city on the Jersey Shore in New Jersey. It's located in Cape May County. The city is part of a larger area that includes Ocean City and Philadelphia. In 2020, about 3,621 people lived here.
North Wildwood is famous for its beautiful beaches. In 2008, its beaches were ranked among the top four in New Jersey! What's even better is that North Wildwood is one of the few places in New Jersey where you can enjoy the oceanfront beaches for free, with lifeguards on duty. The city is also home to the historic Hereford Inlet Lighthouse.
Contents
History of North Wildwood
North Wildwood started as a borough called Anglesea on June 13, 1885. It was created from parts of Middle Township. The name "Anglesea" was used for a while.
Later, on May 16, 1906, the area became the Borough of North Wildwood. This new name replaced Anglesea. Then, on April 30, 1917, it officially became the City of North Wildwood. The name "Wildwood" comes from the many wild flowers that grew in the area.
In 2016, people in North Wildwood voted on whether to change the city's name back to Anglesea. Most voters decided to keep the name North Wildwood. They thought changing it would cause confusion and affect local businesses.
Geography and Location
North Wildwood covers about 2.50 square miles (6.46 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but about 30% is water.
The city is located right on the Atlantic Ocean. It shares borders with other towns in Cape May County. These include Middle Township, Stone Harbor, and Wildwood.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 161 | — | |
| 1900 | 161 | 0.0% | |
| 1910 | 833 | 417.4% | |
| 1920 | 807 | −3.1% | |
| 1930 | 2,049 | 153.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,921 | −6.2% | |
| 1950 | 3,158 | 64.4% | |
| 1960 | 3,598 | 13.9% | |
| 1970 | 3,914 | 8.8% | |
| 1980 | 4,714 | 20.4% | |
| 1990 | 5,017 | 6.4% | |
| 2000 | 4,935 | −1.6% | |
| 2010 | 4,041 | −18.1% | |
| 2020 | 3,621 | −10.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 3,585 | −11.3% | |
| Population sources: 1890–2000 1890–1920 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
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In 2010, North Wildwood had 4,041 people living there. Most residents were White (about 95%). About 13% of the population was under 18 years old. Many people living in North Wildwood are 65 or older, making it a popular place for retirees.
Economy and Business
North Wildwood is part of a special area called an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ). This zone also includes West Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest. The UEZ program helps businesses grow and create jobs.
One cool benefit of being in a UEZ is that shoppers pay a lower sales tax rate. Instead of the usual state tax, you only pay about half that amount at eligible stores! This program started in 2002 and helps the local economy.
Education and Schools
Students in North Wildwood attend public schools through the North Wildwood School District. Young students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade go to Margaret Mace School. This school has a good student-to-teacher ratio, meaning smaller class sizes.
For high school, students from North Wildwood go to Wildwood High School in Wildwood. They attend with students from West Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.
There are also other options for students. They can go to Cape May County Technical High School for special vocational programs. Students with special needs can attend the Cape May County Special Services School District.
There is also a private Catholic school, Wildwood Catholic Academy, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Arts and Culture
North Wildwood hosts the Irish Fall Festival. This is one of the biggest Irish festivals on the East Coast! It brings many visitors to the city each year.
Transportation and Travel
_at_Exit_6_(New_Jersey_State_Route_147,_North_Wildwood,_Whitesboro)_in_Middle_Township,_Cape_May_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
North Wildwood has many roads for getting around. Route 147 starts here and connects to the Garden State Parkway. County Route 621 (New Jersey Avenue) runs through the city and is part of the scenic Ocean Drive.
If you drive, remember that parking meters are used in the beach and entertainment areas from May to September. You can also buy yearly or weekly parking permits.
Public Transportation Options
NJ Transit offers bus services from North Wildwood. You can take a bus to Cape May, Philadelphia, or even Midtown Manhattan in New York City. There are also buses to Atlantic City.
During the summer, the Great American Trolley Company runs trolley services. These trolleys can take you to the Wildwood boardwalk or to shopping centers in Rio Grande. They also run special routes during the Irish Fall Festival.
The Tramcar is another fun way to get around. It's like a small train that runs along the entire Wildwoods boardwalk.
Climate and Weather
North Wildwood has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, somewhat humid summers and cool winters. It rains throughout the year.
In summer, a cool ocean breeze often helps keep temperatures down. However, it can sometimes get very hot and humid. In winter, it can get very cold and windy. The area usually gets about 12 to 18 inches of snow each winter. February is often the snowiest month.
Notable People
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to North Wildwood:
- Patricia Blair (1933–2013), a TV and film actress.
- James Cafiero (1928–2023), a politician who served in the New Jersey State Senate.
- Justin Catanoso (born 1959), a journalist and author.
- Cozy Morley (circa 1926–2013), a singer, entertainer, and comedian. He was known for his song "On the Way to Cape May."
See also
In Spanish: North Wildwood para niños
