Somers Point, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Somers Point, New Jersey
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City
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The site of the former Somers Point Circle at Route 52, CR 559, and CR 585
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| Motto(s):
"The Shore Starts Here"
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Map of Somers Point in Atlantic County. Inset: Location of Atlantic County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
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Census Bureau map of Somers Point, New Jersey
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 Somers Point, New Jersey
Location in Atlantic County, New Jersey
Somers Point, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Somers Point, 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 | Atlantic | |
| European settlement | 1693 | |
| Incorporated | April 24, 1886 (as Borough) | |
| Reincorporated | April 2, 1890 | |
| Reincorporated | April 9, 1902 (as city) | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | City | |
| • Body | City Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 5.23 sq mi (13.55 km2) | |
| • Land | 4.01 sq mi (10.39 km2) | |
| • Water | 1.22 sq mi (3.17 km2) 23.37% | |
| Area rank | 270th of 565 in state 18th of 23 in county |
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| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,469 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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10,465 | |
| • Rank | 235th of 565 in state 7th of 23 in county |
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| • Density | 2,610.7/sq mi (1,008.0/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 243rd of 565 in state 5th of 23 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
08244
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| Area code | 609 exchanges: 601, 653, 926, 927 | |
| FIPS code | 34001684307 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885397 | |
| Website | ||
Somers Point is a city located on the Jersey Shore in New Jersey. It is the oldest settlement in Atlantic County. The area was first settled by Europeans in 1693. It officially became a borough in 1886 and then a city in 1902. Somers Point is in eastern Atlantic County, just southwest of Atlantic City.
In 2020, the city had a population of 10,469 people. Somers Point is part of the larger Atlantic City-Hammonton area. This area is also part of the even bigger Philadelphia-Reading-Camden region.
Contents
History of Somers Point
The first people to live in this area were the Lenape Native Americans. The first European settler was John Somers, who bought land here in 1693. This made Somers Point the oldest European settlement in Atlantic County.
In 1695, John Somers started the first ferry service across the Great Egg Harbor Bay. His son, Richard, built the Somers Mansion between 1720 and 1726. This mansion is still the oldest home in the county. The area was known by different names like Somerset Plantation before being called Somers Point in 1750.
Somers Point became an official port of entry in 1791, which meant ships could enter and leave the country from here. By the 1830s, it was a popular summer vacation spot with many boarding houses.
Somers Point officially became a borough on April 24, 1886. This happened after people voted for it. Later, it was reincorporated as a borough in 1890. Finally, on April 9, 1902, Somers Point became a city. All these names honor John Somers, the first European settler.
Geography and Location
Somers Point covers a total area of about 5.23 square miles (13.55 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 4.01 square miles (10.39 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 1.22 square miles (3.17 square kilometers), is water. This means about 23% of the city is water.
The city shares its borders with several other towns. In Atlantic County, it borders Egg Harbor Township, Longport, and Linwood. It also borders Ocean City and Upper Township in Cape May County.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 191 | — | |
| 1900 | 308 | 61.3% | |
| 1910 | 604 | 96.1% | |
| 1920 | 843 | 39.6% | |
| 1930 | 2,073 | 145.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,992 | −3.9% | |
| 1950 | 2,480 | 24.5% | |
| 1960 | 4,504 | 81.6% | |
| 1970 | 7,919 | 75.8% | |
| 1980 | 10,330 | 30.4% | |
| 1990 | 11,216 | 8.6% | |
| 2000 | 11,614 | 3.5% | |
| 2010 | 10,795 | −7.1% | |
| 2020 | 10,469 | −3.0% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 10,465 | −3.1% | |
| Population sources: 1890–2000 1890–1920 1890–1920 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
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In 2010, Somers Point had 10,795 people living in 4,655 households. About 26% of these households had children under 18. The average household had 2.32 people. The median age in the city was 41.4 years old.
The city's population was made up of different groups. About 78.75% were White, 10.68% were Black or African American, and 3.08% were Asian. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 9.49% of the population.
Economy and Jobs
The biggest employer in Somers Point is Shore Medical Center. This hospital has 1,500 employees and 296 beds.
Somers Point also hosts the largest crabbing tournament in the United States. It's called the "Assault on Patcong Creek." This event started in 2010 and happens every June. People from many different states come to take part.
Parks and Recreation
Somers Point has a bike path that is 6 miles long. It follows the old Atlantic City and Shore Railroad route. There is also a park named after former U.S. President John F. Kennedy. This park is 6.18 acres and is located along the Somers Point bay.
Historic Bay Front District
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Bay Front Historic District
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Decatur Avenue, Egg Harbor Bay, George Avenue, and Shore Road |
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| Area | 82 acres (33 ha) |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/craftsman, Stick/eastlake, Cottage |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000227 |
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| Added to NRHP | March 22, 1989 |
The Bay Front Historic District is a special area in Somers Point. It covers about 82 acres and is known for its interesting buildings. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. It's important for its architecture, fun activities, and social history.
Education in Somers Point
Students in Somers Point attend public schools from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. These schools are part of the Somers Point Public Schools district. In 2018–19, the district had 894 students and three schools:
- New York Avenue School (pre-kindergarten)
- Dawes Avenue School (Kindergarten to 3rd grade)
- Jordan Road Middle School (4th to 8th grade)
For high school, students go to Mainland Regional High School. This school is in Linwood and also serves students from Linwood and Northfield. Mainland Regional High School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in 1997–1998.
Students can also choose to attend special schools. These include the Atlantic County Institute of Technology or the Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts, which is located in Somers Point.
There is also a private Catholic school, St. Joseph Regional School. It serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Transportation Options
_from_the_overpass_for_U.S._Route_9_(New_Road)_in_Somers_Point,_Atlantic_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Somers Point has many roads, including major highways. The Garden State Parkway goes through the city. This parkway connects Somers Point to Egg Harbor Township and has an exit (Exit 30) for Somers Point and Downtown Ocean City.
Bridges connect Somers Point to Cape May County. One important connection is via Route 52. A new causeway for Route 52 was finished in 2012. This new bridge goes over the Great Egg Harbor Bay.
NJ Transit provides bus services in Somers Point. You can take a bus to Ocean City or Atlantic City using routes 507 and 509.
Famous People from Somers Point
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Somers Point, including:
- Joe Bastardi (born 1955), a meteorologist (someone who studies weather).
- Joshua Cohen (born 1980), a well-known novelist and story writer.
- Peter Erskine (born 1954), a famous jazz drummer.
- Joe Maloy (born 1985), a triathlete who competed for the United States in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Cody Stashak (born 1994), a professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.
Images for kids
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The site of the former Somers Point Circle at Route 52, CR 559, and CR 585
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Seal of Somers Point
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Map of Somers Point in Atlantic County. Inset: Location of Atlantic County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
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Census Bureau map of Somers Point, New Jersey
See also
In Spanish: Somers Point para niños
