Woodbine, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Woodbine, New Jersey
|
||
|---|---|---|
|
Borough
|
||
Woodbine Brotherhood Synagogue
|
||
|
||
| Motto(s):
"Gateway to the Jersey Cape"
|
||
Location of Woodbine 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 Woodbine, New Jersey
|
||
 Woodbine, New Jersey
Location in Cape May County, New Jersey
Woodbine, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Woodbine, New Jersey
Location in the United States
|
||
| Country |  United States |
|
| State |  New Jersey |
|
| County |  Cape May |
|
| Incorporated | March 3, 1903 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Borough | |
| • Body | Borough Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 8.02 sq mi (20.77 km2) | |
| • Land | 8.02 sq mi (20.77 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0.00% | |
| Area rank | 232nd of 565 in state 6th of 16 in county |
|
| Elevation | 33 ft (10 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
|
||
| • Total | 2,128 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
|
2,136 | |
| • Rank | 482nd of 565 in state 10th of 16 in county |
|
| • Density | 265.4/sq mi (102.5/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 486th of 565 in state 14th of 16 in county |
|
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
08270
|
|
| Area code(s) | 609 Exchanges: 628, 861 | |
| FIPS code | 3400981890 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885446 | |
| Website | ||
Woodbine is a small town, called a borough, located in Cape May County, New Jersey. It's part of the South Jersey area and close to Ocean City. The borough is also part of the larger Philadelphia metropolitan area. In 2020, about 2,128 people lived in Woodbine.
Woodbine became an official borough on March 3, 1903. It was formed from parts of Dennis Township.
Contents
History of Woodbine
Woodbine was started in 1891 as a new home for Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. A group called the Baron DeHirsch Fund, led by Maurice de Hirsch, bought a large piece of land in Dennis Township. They wanted to create a farming community for these new arrivals.
Founding a New Community
Immigrants from Poland and Russia were invited to settle in this new place. In just two years, they cleared the forests and built a thriving community. They created farms and set aside land for town buildings. The streets of Woodbine today still follow the original plan from 1891.
A chemist named Hirsch Loeb Sabsovich helped the first settlers use modern farming methods. Because many of the first people were Jewish, Woodbine was sometimes called the "Jewish Colony." It became a very successful farming town.
Becoming a Borough
Woodbine officially became a borough on March 3, 1903. This was done by a special law from the New Jersey Legislature. Since most of its first settlers were Jewish, Woodbine was known as "the first self-governing Jewish community since the fall of Jerusalem."
Changes Over Time
In 1894, the community started the Baron DeHirsch Agricultural College. This college was known for its modern teaching methods until it closed in 1917 during World War I. After the war, Woodbine's economy changed from farming to light manufacturing.
The college building later became the Woodbine Developmental Center. This is a state-run facility that helps people with intellectual disabilities. Today, it is the biggest employer in Cape May County.
Woodbine During World War II
During World War II, the United States Army built an airfield in Woodbine. It was used to train pilots and for planes that looked for German U-boats. These submarines were very active near the East Coast of America. Today, this airfield is the Woodbine Municipal Airport. It is an important part of Woodbine's plans for growth.
Geography and Climate
Woodbine covers about 8.02 square miles (20.77 square kilometers) of land. It does not have any large bodies of water within its borders.
The borough shares its borders with Dennis Township and Upper Township.
Woodbine's Climate
Woodbine has a climate with warm, humid summers. The winters are generally mild to cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 2,399 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,406 | −41.4% | |
| 1930 | 2,164 | 53.9% | |
| 1940 | 2,111 | −2.4% | |
| 1950 | 2,417 | 14.5% | |
| 1960 | 2,823 | 16.8% | |
| 1970 | 2,625 | −7.0% | |
| 1980 | 2,809 | 7.0% | |
| 1990 | 2,678 | −4.7% | |
| 2000 | 2,716 | 1.4% | |
| 2010 | 2,472 | −9.0% | |
| 2020 | 2,128 | −13.9% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 2,136 | −13.6% | |
| Population sources:1910–2000 1910–1920 1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
|||
In 2010, there were 2,472 people living in Woodbine. The population density was about 308 people per square mile. The population included people from many different backgrounds. About 23% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Education in Woodbine
.jpg)
Students in Woodbine attend public schools through the Woodbine School District.
Elementary and Middle School
Children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade go to Woodbine Elementary School. In the 2022–23 school year, there were 239 students and 29 teachers. This means there were about 8 students for every teacher.
High School Education
For ninth through twelfth grade, students attend Middle Township High School. This arrangement started in the 2013-14 school year. Students from other nearby towns like Avalon and Stone Harbor also go to this high school.
Students can also choose to attend Cape May County Technical High School. This school offers both regular and job-focused programs for students from all over the county. For students with special needs, there is the Cape May County Special Services School District.
Catholic School Option
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden runs Bishop McHugh Regional School. This is a Catholic school for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is located in Dennis Township.
Public Library
The Cape May County Public Library has a branch in Woodbine. It is part of the school property.
Local Services
The Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority has a sanitary landfill in Woodbine. This facility helps manage waste for the county.
Getting Around Woodbine
Woodbine has a total of about 32.45 miles of roads. Most of these roads are maintained by the borough itself.
Main Roads
There are no major interstate or U.S. highways that go through Woodbine. The most important roads are County Route 550 and County Route 557.
_from_the_overpass_for_the_rail_line_between_Cape_May_County_Route_660_(Fiddler_Hill_Road)_and_Heine_Avenue_in_Woodbine,_Cape_May_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Public Transportation
NJ Transit offers a bus route, the 313. This bus connects Cape May to Philadelphia.
Culture and Heritage
Stockton University helps run the Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage. This museum is located in the historic Woodbine Brotherhood Synagogue. It teaches visitors about the town's unique history.
Famous People from Woodbine
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Woodbine:
- Samuel Gallu (1918–1991), a writer, producer, and director for movies and TV.
- Bubba Green (born 1957), a former professional football player for the Baltimore Colts.
- Jacob Goodale Lipman (1874–1939), a professor who studied soil chemistry and bacteria.
- Calvin Murray (born 1958), a professional football player for the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Joseph Rabinowitz, who founded the Woodbine Children's Clothing Company. He was also the third mayor of Woodbine.
- Herman Rosenthal (1843–1917), an author, editor, and librarian.
- Hirsch Loeb Sabsovich (1860–1921), an expert in farming and chemistry, and the first mayor of Woodbine.
- Red Weiner (1911–1988), a professional athlete and coach who played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
See also
In Spanish: Woodbine (Nueva Jersey) para niños
