Wildwood Crest, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
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Borough
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Wildwood Crest arch
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Location of Wildwood Crest 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 Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
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 Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
Location in Cape May County, New Jersey
Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Wildwood Crest, 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 6, 1910 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Walsh Act | |
| • Body | Board of Commissioners | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1.48 sq mi (3.84 km2) | |
| • Land | 1.30 sq mi (3.36 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.18 sq mi (0.48 km2) 12.50% | |
| Area rank | 452nd of 565 in state 13th of 16 in county |
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| Elevation | 3 ft (0.9 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,101 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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3,063 | |
| • Rank | 445th of 565 in state 8th of 16 in county |
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| • Density | 2,388.6/sq mi (922.2/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 260th of 565 in state 2nd 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 | 3400981200 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885445 | |
Wildwood Crest is a small town, called a borough, located in Cape May County, New Jersey. It is part of a larger area that includes Ocean City and Philadelphia. In 2020, about 3,101 people lived here.
Wildwood Crest became an official borough on April 6, 1910. It was created from parts of Lower Township. Philip Baker first developed the area in the 1910s. He wanted it to be an extension of the nearby resort town of Wildwood. The name "Wildwood" comes from the many wild flowers that grew in the area.
Wildwood Crest is a "dry town," which means that alcohol cannot be sold there. This rule was decided by a public vote in 1940. Other towns in Cape May County, like Cape May Point and Ocean City, also have similar rules. However, the neighboring town of Wildwood does allow alcohol sales.
In 2008, Wildwood Crest was named the second-best beach in New Jersey. This was part of a "Top 10 Beaches Contest." It is one of only five towns in New Jersey that offer free public access to its ocean beaches, which are watched by lifeguards.
Contents
Wildwood Crest History
The Unique "Doo Wop" Architecture
Wildwood Crest is famous for its unique "Doo Wop" or Googie style buildings, especially its motels. Together with Wildwood, it has the largest collection of these mid-century buildings in the country.
The term "Doo Wop" was created in the early 1990s. It describes the special, space-age building style popular in the 1950s and 1960s. After World War II, America was a very hopeful and excited country. This new style of architecture showed that spirit. It used bright colors, sharp angles, starbursts, and plastic palm trees. "Doo Wop" celebrated the fun and modern culture of the 1950s and 1960s.
During the 1950s, the economy grew a lot. Many Americans became more prosperous than ever before. Because of this growth, hundreds of motels were built in Wildwood and Wildwood Crest in the "Doo Wop" style. The first motel with this look was the Ebb Tide Motel, built in 1957. It was designed by Will and Lou Morey, who were experts in this style.
Some "Doo Wop" motels, like the Caribbean Motel, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In recent years, some of these historic motels have been torn down to build new condominiums. People are now working to save the remaining "Doo Wop" buildings.
Wildwoods: A Popular Vacation Spot
Wildwood Crest, along with its nearby towns of Wildwood, North Wildwood, and West Wildwood, forms "The Wildwoods" resort. This area is a very popular vacation spot. Many visitors come from New Jersey, Philadelphia, New York City, and even Canada. They enjoy the mild summer weather.
Wildwood Crest is generally quieter than Wildwood and North Wildwood. It offers some of the most peaceful and undisturbed beach areas. In recent years, many motels have been replaced by condominiums. This has changed the area from a family vacation spot to more of a weekend getaway for wealthier families.
Wildwood Crest Geography
Wildwood Crest covers about 1.48 square miles (3.84 square kilometers). Most of this is land (1.30 square miles or 3.36 square kilometers), with some water (0.19 square miles or 0.48 square kilometers).
A part of the beach is closed off to protect native birds like the piping plover. These small birds need a safe place for their eggs. There is a nature trail through the sand dunes where you can explore this protected beach area.
Wildwood Crest shares borders with Diamond Beach (part of Lower Township) to the south. To the north is the City of Wildwood. The Atlantic Ocean is to the east.
Wildwood Crest Population
Wildwood Crest has seen its population change over the years. In 2020, the population was 3,101 people. This was a small decrease from the 3,270 people counted in 2010. The town is home to a mix of families and individuals. Many people who live alone are 65 years old or older.
Wildwood Crest Economy
Wildwood Crest is part of a special area called an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ). This zone includes parts of North Wildwood, West Wildwood, and Wildwood. The UEZ program helps encourage jobs and businesses in the area.
One benefit of being in a UEZ is that shoppers pay a lower sales tax rate. Instead of the usual state tax, they pay half the rate at eligible stores. This program started in September 2002. The Enterprise Zone Development Corporation of the Wildwoods Board manages this joint UEZ.
The Caribbean Motel is a notable building in Wildwood Crest. It was built in 1957 in the "Doo-Wop style" and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
Parks and Recreation
Wildwood Crest has a beautiful area called Sunset Lake on its bay side. This lake was once connected to the Atlantic Ocean by a channel called Turtle Gut Inlet, which closed in 1922.
You can visit Sunset Lake and Turtle Gut Park at New Jersey and Miami Avenues. There is a memorial nearby that remembers the Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet. This battle happened on June 29, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. It was the only battle of that war fought in Cape May County.
Wildwood Crest Government
Local Leadership
Wildwood Crest has been governed by a three-member commission since 1937. This is a special type of local government called the Walsh Act system. The three commissioners are elected by all voters in the borough. They serve four-year terms at the same time.
After each election, the commissioners choose one of their members to be the Mayor. Each commissioner is also given a specific department to manage. For example, one might oversee public works, another finance, and another public safety. This system helps to keep the government running smoothly.
As of 2023, the Board of Commissioners includes Mayor Don Cabrera, Deputy Mayor Joseph Franco Jr., and Joseph Schiff. Their terms end on December 31, 2025.
Political Views
Wildwood Crest has many registered voters. In March 2011, most voters were registered as Republicans or Unaffiliated (meaning they don't belong to a specific party). A smaller number were registered as Democrats.
In recent presidential elections, Republican candidates have generally received more votes in Wildwood Crest. For example, in the 2020 election, the Republican candidate received 61.9% of the votes.
Education in Wildwood Crest
The Wildwood Crest School District serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. These students attend Crest Memorial School. In the 2019–20 school year, the school had 275 students.
For high school, students from Wildwood Crest attend Wildwood High School in Wildwood. This is part of a special arrangement with the Wildwood Public School District. Students from North Wildwood also attend Wildwood High School.
Students can also choose to go to Cape May County Technical High School. This school is in Cape May Court House and offers both regular and vocational programs for students from across the county. For students with special needs, there is the Cape May County Special Services School District.
There is also a private Catholic school, Wildwood Catholic Academy, located in North Wildwood. The Cape May County Library also has a branch in Wildwood Crest.
Transportation
Roads and Highways
Wildwood Crest has about 31.88 miles of roads. Most of these roads are maintained by the borough itself. County Route 621 (Pacific Avenue/New Jersey Avenue) runs through the town. It connects Wildwood Crest from Lower Township in the south to Wildwood in the north.
If you visit the beach area, you'll find that parking is controlled by parking meters. These meters are active from mid-May to mid-September.
Public Transportation
NJ Transit offers bus services from Wildwood Crest to Philadelphia. There are also seasonal bus routes to Philadelphia and to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
During the summer, the Great American Trolley Company runs trolley service in Wildwood Crest. These trolleys can take you from Wildwood Crest to the boardwalk in Wildwood in the evenings. The company also provides trolley service to the Irish Fall Festival in North Wildwood when it takes place.
Landmarks
- Crest Fishing Pier
- Sunset Lake
Religion
Notre Dame de la Mer Catholic Parish has a church in Wildwood Crest that is open during the summer. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden.
Climate
Wildwood Crest 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 blows in the afternoon. 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 typically the snowiest month.
Ecology
The natural plant life in Wildwood Crest is mostly Cordgrass and Coastal Prairie.
Notable People
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Wildwood Crest:
- J. Thompson Baker (1847–1919), one of the original developers of Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. He was also a politician.
- Aliki Brandenberg (born 1929), a well-known author of children's literature.
- Joe Maloy (born 1985), a professional triathlete.
- Bill Osborn (born around 1966), a football scout and sports commentator who played in the NFL.
- Bernie Parent (born 1945), a famous hockey goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers. He helped them win two Stanley Cups.
- Frank Vogel (born 1973), a head coach in the NBA, currently for the Phoenix Suns.
Images for kids
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Fire Station
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"Shore is Beautiful"
See also
In Spanish: Wildwood Crest para niños
