Belmar, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Belmar, New Jersey
Borough
Borough of Belmar
Map of Belmar in Monmouth County. Inset: Location of Monmouth County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Belmar, New Jersey
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Monmouth
Incorporated	April 9, 1885 as Ocean Beach borough
Renamed	April 16, 1889 as City of Elcho borough
Renamed	May 14, 1889 as City of Belmar borough
Renamed	November 20, 1890 as Borough of Belmar
Named for	Italian language "beautiful sea"
Government
• Type	Faulkner Act (small municipality)
• Body	Borough Council
Area
• Total	1.62 sq mi (4.18 km2)
• Land	1.05 sq mi (2.71 km2)
• Water	0.57 sq mi (1.48 km2)  35.19%
Area rank	437th of 565 in state 35th of 53 in county
Elevation	13 ft (4 m)
Population  (2010 Census)
• Total	5,794
• Estimate  (2019)	5,545
• Rank	356th of 566 in state 31st of 53 in county
• Density	5,544.0/sq mi (2,140.6/km2)
• Density rank	95th of 566 in state 10th of 53 in county
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Codes	07715, 07719
Area codes	732 exchange: 681
FIPS code	3402504930
GNIS feature ID	0885155

Belmar is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 5,794, reflecting a decline of 251 (-4.2%) from the 6,045 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 168 (+2.9%) from the 5,877 counted in the 1990 Census.

What is now Belmar was originally incorporated as Ocean Beach borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1885, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier. On April 16, 1889, it became the City of Elcho borough, which lasted for a few weeks until the name was changed to the City of Belmar Borough as of May 14, 1889. The city acquired its current name, Borough of Belmar, on November 20, 1890. The borough's name means "beautiful sea" in Italian.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.647 square miles (4.266 km²), including 1.045 square miles (2.707 km²) of land and 0.602 square miles (1.559 km²) of water (36.54%).

Belmar borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Monmouth County municipalities of Avon-by-the-Sea to the north, Neptune Township to the northwest, Wall Township to the west, and Lake Como and Spring Lake to the south.

Demographics

Census 2010

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,794 people, 2,695 households, and 1,267 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,544.0 per square mile (2,140.6/km²). There were 3,931 housing units at an average density of 3,761.4 per square mile (1,452.3/km²)^*. The racial makeup of the borough was 87.06% (5,044) White, 3.49% (202) Black or African American, 0.24% (14) Native American, 0.91% (53) Asian, 0.14% (8) Pacific Islander, 5.66% (328) from other races, and 2.50% (145) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.76% (971) of the population.

There were 2,695 households out of which 18.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.9% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 53.0% were non-families. 41.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the borough, the population was spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 108.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $59,928 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,993) and the median family income was $59,929 (+/- $10,255). Males had a median income of $52,215 (+/- $4,278) versus $44,453 (+/- $11,259) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,223 (+/- $4,105). About 9.2% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

Belmar Fishing Club, a Belmar landmark, 2021

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 6,045 people, 2,946 households, and 1,316 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,921.7 people per square mile (2,288.2/km²). There were 3,996 housing units at an average density of 3,914.5 per square mile (1,512.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.53% White, 3.46% Black, 0.18% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 1.99% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.85% of the population.

As of the 2000 Census, 28.2% of Belmar's residents were of Irish ancestry, the 12th highest of any municipality in New Jersey, for all communities in which at least 1,000 people listed their ancestry.

There were 2,946 households, out of which 17.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.0% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.3% were non-families. 44.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 17.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $44,896, and the median income for a family was $61,250. Males had a median income of $40,557 versus $34,323 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,456. About 4.5% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation

Panorama of Belmar's beach from 9th Ave. and Ocean Ave.

Belmar is a popular vacation destination because of its natural and recreational resources and close proximity to New York and Philadelphia. It features wide beaches for sunbathing, surfing, swimming, and fishing. The boardwalk and town offer shops, restaurants, an active arts scene, sporting events, festivals, and a variety of family-oriented activities (see "Annual Events" below). Belmar sits on the south side of the Shark River and boasts a large municipal marina in the bay and on the inlet itself, including the only private marina in town, Seaport Inlet Marina.

Belmar beach (as well as those of municipalities to the south, such as Manasquan and Point Pleasant) is among the most popular surf spots on the East Coast. Belmar frequently hosts surfing events and competitions. Along with surfing, Belmar also has an active skate community and skatepark constructed by American Ramp Company. The Jersey Shore Basketball League, a competitive summer basketball league, takes place at St. Rose High School every summer.

The Belmar Arts Council (BAC) sponsors regular art shows, workshops, concerts, and performances year around. BAC's gallery and workshop, the Boatworks, is located at 608 River Road, Belmar, around the corner from Klein's Seafood Restaurant near the Shark River Inlet.

Transportation

Route 35 in Belmar

Roads and highways

As of May 2010^[update], the borough had a total of 26.12 miles (42.04 km) of roadways, of which 20.85 miles (33.55 km) were maintained by the municipality, 3.40 miles (5.47 km) by Monmouth County and 1.87 miles (3.01 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Route 35 and Route 71 are the two main roads that pass through Belmar. The closest limited access roads are all in neighboring Wall Township: Route 18, the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 195.

Public transportation

Belmar station, which is served by NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line

NJ Transit provides rail transportation at the Belmar station to and from Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal on the North Jersey Coast Line. New Jersey Transit also provides bus transportation between Belmar and Philadelphia on the 317 route and service on the 830 route.

Annual events

The intersection of E Street & 10th Avenue in Belmar, which inspired Bruce Springsteen's naming of the E Street Band

• Belmar 5 Mile Johnny Cobb Memorial Run
• New Jersey Seafood Festival celebrated its 30th year in 2016. The festival, which attracted an estimated 200,000 visitors in 2015, had to be modified in scope to allow the borough to cope with the volumes of trafic.
• New Jersey Sand Castle Contest, which featured 200 participants at the 27th annual event in 2013
• St. Patrick's Day Parade
• Belmar Pro Surf Contest
• Belmar Fall Festival
• Belmar Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
• Belmar Spring Kite Festival
• Howard Rowland Memorial Lifeguard Tournament - an annual tournament of lifeguard teams from the Jersey Shore
• Belmar Mile Swim
• Belmar Sprint Triathlon
• The Jersey Shore Relay Run, which has a leg that goes through Belmar
• Surfer's Healing

Sister city

In August 2008, the borough established a Sister City relationship with Balbriggan, a town of nearly 16,000 in County Dublin, Ireland.

Community

Boardwalk in Belmar

Renovated Belmar Boardwalk after Hurricane Sandy in 2013

• Belmar is home to the first and oldest first-aid squad in the United States.
• Belmar's "E" Street is the original source of Bruce Springsteen's "E Street Band". Springsteen's original keyboardist, David Sancious, was a resident of E Street in Belmar at the time the band was formed. The Sancious' family home was often used as a practice venue where they honed their musical craft in the formative pre-fame years.
• Monmouth Executive Airport in nearby Wall Township is designated with the call letters "BLM" based on its initial name of Belmar Airport.
• In the HBO series The Sopranos, Belmar is shown as the home port of Tony Soprano's boat, the Stugots.
• Guy Fieri featured Belmar and local restaurant 10th Avenue Burrito in an episode of Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives which originally aired on December 13, 2010.

Education

The Belmar School District serves students in public school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Belmar Elementary School. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 448 students and 52.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.5:1. The district also serves students from Lake Como who attend as part of a sending/receiving relationship. The school was constructed in 1909 and has had additions built in 1929, 1949, 1969 and 1993. There are 61 certified staff members, including the district's administrators, teachers, nurses and child study team personnel, with an additional 12 paraprofessionals. The single school facility is two schools in one, a primary school for PreK-5 and a middle school structure for 6-8.

Students attending public high school for ninth through twelfth grades are assigned to either Manasquan High School or Asbury Park High School based on sending/receiving relationships with the Manasquan Public Schools and Asbury Park Public Schools, respectively. Manasquan High School also serves students from Avon-by-the-Sea, Brielle, Lake Como, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights who attend as part of sending/receiving relationships with their respective districts. As of the 2020–21 school year, Manasquan High School had an enrollment of 1,006 students and 76.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.1:1, while Asbury Park High School had an enrollment of 682 students and 54.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.5:1.

Students may also attend Red Bank Regional High School, Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Academy of Allied Health & Science, Academy Charter School, High Technology High School, Communications High School or Biotechnology High School.

Students also have the option to attend Academy Charter High School in Lake Como, which accepts students on a lottery basis from the communities of Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Deal, Interlaken and Lake Como.

Belmar is home of St. Rose High School, which was established in 1923 by the local parish and the Sisters of St. Joseph, and operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton.

Mesivta Keser Torah of Central Jersey, a yeshiva and high school for men that serves Haredi students mainly from Lakewood, Deal and Brooklyn, has existed since the 1920s.

The Belmar Public Library, one of New Jersey's original 36 Carnegie libraries is in need of repairs and may be consolidated into the town's borough hall, and possibly join the Monmouth County Library system. The building may be demolished or possibly relocated from the intersection made famous by the E Street Band.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Belmar include:

• Jay Alders (born 1973), artist and photographer.
• Tom Brower (born 1965), member of the Hawaii House of Representatives.
• Dave Calloway (born 1968), college basketball coach and the former head men's basketball coach at Monmouth University.
• Christian Fuscarino (born c. 1981), community organizer and LGBT activist who is the Executive Director of Garden State Equality.
• Michael Gerson (born 1964), political writer and commentator who served as chief speechwriter for President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2006.
• Brian Lynch (born 1978), American-Irish professional Basketball player and former standout at Villanova University who played for the Belgian team Euphony Bree. Lynch is married to former World No. 1-ranked tennis star Kim Clijsters.
• Jay Lynch (1945–2017), cartoonist best known for his comic strip Nard n' Pat.
• Marina Mabrey (born 1996), basketball player with the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association.
• Balls Mahoney (1972-2016), professional wrestler.
• Joseph Mayer (1877–1942), Mayor of Belmar who later served on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
• Tom McGowan (born 1956), actor.
• Douglas Crawford McMurtrie (1888–1944), type designer.
• Richie Rosenberg, trombonist who performed with Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes.
• David Sancious (born 1953), early member of the E Street Band.
• Sarah Spiegel, singer and actress.
• Neal Sterling (born 1992), tight end who played in the NFL for the New York Jets.
• E. Donald Sterner (1894–1983), politician.

Images for kids

• 

  View of Belmar, New Jersey from across Shark River.

• 

  The intersection of E Street & 10th Avenue in Belmar, which inspired Bruce Springsteen's naming of the E Street Band. A large replica of Springsteen's Fender Esquire guitar has been placed there. The Belmar Public Library is behind the guitar.

See also

In Spanish: Belmar (Nueva Jersey) para niños