West Cape May, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Cape May, New Jersey
|
||
|---|---|---|
|
Borough
|
||
Whilldin-Miller House
|
||
|
||
Location of West Cape May in Cape May County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Cape May County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
|
||
Census Bureau map of West Cape May, New Jersey
|
||
 West Cape May, New Jersey
Location in Cape May County, New Jersey
West Cape May, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
West Cape May, New Jersey
Location in the United States
|
||
| Country |  United States |
|
| State |  New Jersey |
|
| County |  Cape May |
|
| Incorporated | April 17, 1884 | |
| Named for | Cape May / Cornelius Jacobsen May | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Walsh Act | |
| • Body | Board of Commissioners | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1.19 sq mi (3.07 km2) | |
| • Land | 1.17 sq mi (3.04 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) 1.09% | |
| Area rank | 489th of 565 in state 14th of 16 in county |
|
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
|
||
| • Total | 1,010 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
|
1,003 | |
| • Rank | 530th of 565 in state 13th of 16 in county |
|
| • Density | 860.8/sq mi (332.4/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 400th of 565 in state 9th of 16 in county |
|
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
08204
|
|
| Area code(s) | 609 | |
| FIPS code | 3400978530 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885435 | |
West Cape May is a small town, also known as a borough, located in Cape May County, New Jersey. It is part of the South Jersey region and is near the city of Ocean City. In 2020, about 1,010 people lived here.
The borough was officially formed on April 17, 1884. Its name comes from Cape May, which was named after a Dutch captain, Cornelius Jacobsen May. He explored this area between 1611 and 1614.
In October 2012, during Hurricane Sandy, West Cape May received a lot of rain. It had the most rainfall in the entire state of New Jersey.
For many years, West Cape May was a "dry town," meaning alcohol could not be sold. This changed in May 2012 when a new store opened. Voters had approved allowing one license for selling alcohol in stores and another for restaurants.
Contents
History of West Cape May
The history of West Cape May goes back to the time of the Lenape Native Americans. Some buildings in the borough are very old, dating back to the Colonial period.
The area has a rich history of farming. This is still celebrated today with a summer farmers' market. There are also fun festivals for strawberries, tomatoes, and lima beans. West Cape May is even known as the "Lima Bean Capital of the World!" The Lima Bean Festival happens every year in Wilbraham Park.
West Cape May used to be called Eldredge. It is one of four areas that make up Cape Island in Cape May County. The borough was officially created on April 17, 1884.
The borough has connections to the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom.
From 1881 to 1931, the Hastings Goldbeating Company was in West Cape May. Women worked there, pounding thin strips of gold into very thin sheets. These sheets were used for decorating art. This business helped the borough grow and led to its official formation in 1884.
Historic Places to See
The oldest part of the borough was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. This means it's a special place recognized for its history.
The Whilldin-Miller House is one of these historic sites. It was added to the National Register in 2003. The back part of the house was built around 1715. The front part was added in 1860. It is one of the oldest houses on Cape Island.
Geography of West Cape May
West Cape May covers about 1.19 square miles (3.07 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
The borough shares borders with Cape May City and Lower Township. These are all in Cape May County.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 757 | — | |
| 1900 | 696 | −8.1% | |
| 1910 | 844 | 21.3% | |
| 1920 | 967 | 14.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,048 | 8.4% | |
| 1940 | 934 | −10.9% | |
| 1950 | 897 | −4.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,030 | 14.8% | |
| 1970 | 1,005 | −2.4% | |
| 1980 | 1,091 | 8.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,026 | −6.0% | |
| 2000 | 1,095 | 6.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,024 | −6.5% | |
| 2020 | 1,010 | −1.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 1,003 | −2.1% | |
| Population sources: 1890–2000 1890–1920 1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
|||
In 2010, there were 1,024 people living in West Cape May. There were 493 households, which are groups of people living together. The population density was about 878 people per square mile.
The median age of people in West Cape May was 55.0 years old. This means half the people were younger than 55, and half were older.
African-Americans have lived in West Cape May since the early 1800s. There is even a West Cape May African-American Historical Society.
Education in West Cape May
The West Cape May School District serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. These students attend West Cape May Elementary School. In the 2021–22 school year, there were 88 students and about 10 teachers.
For students in seventh through twelfth grades, they attend schools in the Lower Cape May Regional School District. This district serves students from Cape May, Lower Township, and West Cape May. Students from Cape May Point also attend these schools.
The middle school is Richard M. Teitelman Middle School, for grades 7-8. The high school is Lower Cape May Regional High School (LCMRHS), for grades 9-12.
Students can also choose to attend Cape May County Technical High School. This school offers special programs and job training for students from all over the county.
School History
In the past, West Cape May had its own high school. During a time when schools were separated by race, usually only white students could attend. Black students often went to a different industrial high school. The district also had separate elementary schools for white and black students.
Getting Around West Cape May
_just_north_of_Cape_May_County_Route_606_(Sunset_Boulevard)_in_West_Cape_May,_Cape_May_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
West Cape May has about 11.87 miles of roads. Most of these roads are maintained by the local government.
There are no major highways that go through West Cape May. The most important roads are smaller county routes, like County Route 607.
If you need public transportation, NJ Transit offers bus service. You can take a bus between Cape May and Atlantic City on the 552 route.
Parks and Fun Activities
Wilbraham Park is a nice park in West Cape May. Every October, the famous lima bean festival is held there.
There is also a strawberry festival in West Cape May. The West Cape May Business Association sponsors this event.
Wineries
