West Wildwood, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Wildwood, New Jersey
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Borough
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Entrance sign
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| Motto(s):
Small Town Charm on the Back Bay
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Location of West 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 West Wildwood, New Jersey
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 West Wildwood, New Jersey
Location in Cape May County, New Jersey
West Wildwood, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
West 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 | April 21, 1920 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Walsh Act | |
| • Body | Board of Commissioners | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 0.36 sq mi (0.94 km2) | |
| • Land | 0.29 sq mi (0.74 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.20 km2) 21.67% | |
| Area rank | 551st of 565 in state 15th of 16 in county |
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| Elevation | 0 ft (0 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 540 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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542 | |
| • Rank | 550th of 565 in state 15th of 16 in county |
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| • Density | 1,887.7/sq mi (728.8/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 301st of 565 in state 4th 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 | 3400980210 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885441 | |
West Wildwood is a small town, called a borough, located in Cape May County, New Jersey. It is part of a larger area known as the Philadelphia metropolitan area. In 2020, about 540 people lived here. However, during the summer, the population can grow to as many as 5,000 visitors! West Wildwood became an official borough on April 21, 1920.
Contents
Exploring West Wildwood's Location
West Wildwood covers about 0.36 square miles (0.94 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but a good part is water.
Where is West Wildwood?
The borough is on a small island. A two-lane bridge connects it to the nearby town of Wildwood. West Wildwood is surrounded by other towns in Cape May County. These include Middle Township, North Wildwood City, and Wildwood City.
How West Wildwood Was Built
In the 1920s, West Wildwood was created by filling in marshy areas with land. To protect the town from floods, especially during high tides or strong winds, it is surrounded by special walls called bulkheads.
What You'll Find in West Wildwood
West Wildwood is mostly made up of homes. Many are used for vacations, but some people live there all year. The town also has a night club, a miniature golf course, and several places for boats called marinas.
People and Population of West Wildwood
The number of people living in West Wildwood changes over time. Here's a look at how the population has grown and shrunk:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 178 | — | |
| 1940 | 146 | −18.0% | |
| 1950 | 237 | 62.3% | |
| 1960 | 207 | −12.7% | |
| 1970 | 235 | 13.5% | |
| 1980 | 360 | 53.2% | |
| 1990 | 453 | 25.8% | |
| 2000 | 448 | −1.1% | |
| 2010 | 603 | 34.6% | |
| 2020 | 540 | −10.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 542 | −10.1% | |
| Population sources: 1930–2000 1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
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Population Details from 2010
In 2010, there were 603 people living in West Wildwood. Most residents (95.36%) were White. About 1.49% were Black or African American. A small number (2.65%) were of Hispanic or Latino background.
The average age of people in West Wildwood in 2010 was 52.8 years old. About 17.4% of the population was under 18 years old.
Economy and Business in West Wildwood
West Wildwood is part of a special program called an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ). This program helps encourage businesses and create jobs. It includes West Wildwood and nearby towns like North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest.
Benefits of the Urban Enterprise Zone
One big benefit of being in a UEZ is that shoppers pay a lower sales tax rate. Instead of the usual state tax, they pay about half that amount at certain stores. This helps businesses in the area. West Wildwood joined this program in 2002, and its status is set to end in December 2023.
Education for West Wildwood Students
West Wildwood does not have its own public schools. Instead, students attend schools in neighboring towns.
Elementary and Middle School
Students from West Wildwood in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade go to Margaret Mace School. This school is located in North Wildwood. In 2019, about 20 students from West Wildwood attended this school.
High School Education
For high school, students from West Wildwood attend Wildwood High School. This school is part of the Wildwood City School District and serves students from 9th to 12th grade.
Other School Options
Students can also choose to attend Cape May County Technical High School. This school is in Cape May Court House and offers both regular and job-focused programs for students from all over the county. There are also special schools for students with unique learning needs, like the Cape May County Special Services School District.
Looking at School Choices
In 2020, a study looked at whether West Wildwood could save money by sending its younger students (K-8) to the Wildwood School District instead of North Wildwood. The study suggested it could save over $175,000 each year. However, many parents preferred their children to stay at Margaret Mace School.
Getting Around West Wildwood
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As of 2010, West Wildwood has about 5.59 miles of roads. Most of these roads are maintained by the town itself.
Main Roads
County Route 614, also known as Glenwood Avenue, is a main road that runs through the borough. It goes all the way to the northern tip of West Wildwood.
See also
In Spanish: West Wildwood para niños
