Avalon, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
As of April 2009, the average home sales price in Avalon was $1,567,662 (According to Cape May County Multiple listing service
).
As of the census
of 2000, there were 2,143 people, 1,045 households, and 668 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 508.4 people per square mile (196.5/km2). There were 5,281 housing units at an average density of 1,252.9 per square mile (484.3/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.69% White, 0.14% African American, 0.56% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races
, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.
There were 1,045 households out of which 12.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples
living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% 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 2.56.
In the borough the population was spread out with 14.1% under the age of 18, 2.9% from 18 to 24, 16.3% from 25 to 44, 33.9% from 45 to 64, and 32.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $59,196, and the median income for a family was $72,750. Males had a median income of $60,227 versus $39,886 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $50,016. About 2.2% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 0.1% of those age 65 or over.
system of municipal government by a mayor
and a five-member Borough Council. Members of the Borough Council are elected in non-partisan elections to four-year terms on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year.
, Avalon's mayor is Martin L. Pagliughi. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Richard E. Dean, Council Vice President Nancy M. Hudanich, Charles P. Covington, David Ellenberg and Joseph Tipping.
is a public school district that serves students in public school for first through eighth grade. Avalon Elementary School had an enrollment of 75 students in the 2009-10 school year.
Students in public school for grades 9–12 attend Middle Township High School
in Cape May Court House
, as part of a sending/receiving relationship
with the Middle Township Public Schools
.
and U.S. 9 to the oceanfront.
There is also a seasonal trolley service that runs through the seven-mile-long island. Avalon also has multiple New Jersey Transit
bus stops, and is served by the 315 to Philadelphia and the 319 to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
in Midtown Manhattan
.
Native Americans
, the area was purchased by Aaron Leaming in December 1722 for 79 pounds. Known as Seven Mile Beach (present day Avalon and Stone Harbor
), it was owned and retained by the Leamings for approximately 100 years. It served as a cattle range and was also used for its plentiful timber. The Leamings eventually sold the land, and the island exchanged hands in a number of transactions afterwards. In April 1887, the Seven Mile Beach company was formed. As early as 1893, Avalon was advertised as a resort town. With this rapid development, homes and businesses were erected. The native juniper
forest was graded and cut, and the sandy hills were leveled off, making the island mostly flat. Today it is extremely rare to see hills or native juniper in Avalon.
By the early 1900s, the Leaming Railroad bridge was constructed, allowing train connections into the town. This increased the traffic from nearby Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. Around 1944 the West Jersey and Seashore railroad lines merged with the Reading Railroad. This effectively ended the era of travel by train to the island. A hurricane took several streets and Avalon now has a north end beginning at 7th street. In the mid-1950s the Wolfington Family of Philadelphia purchased and operated the Puritan Hotel later enlarged and re-named the Whitebriar Hotel on the beach block at 21st Street. The Whitebriar was managed for a few seasons in the mid-1950s by one of the future 'great hosts' of Philadelphia hotels, Robert C. Bennett. Currently the most widely used method of transportation to and from Avalon is by car or boat; however, buses run on a regular schedule all over the shore towns.
to Philadelphia with a cargo of molasses, coffee, tobacco, tea, coconut oil, and camphor. Straying from its course in rough weather, the Commonwealth ran aground in Townsend's Inlet. The crew was rescued and most of the cargo was salvaged. However, after a week trapped in the sandy bottom of the inlet, the ship began to come apart in the waves. Some of the remaining cargo washed ashore and most of it was taken by the early residents of Avalon. The wreck, unable to be recovered, was sold to John Townshend on February 2.
, the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962
, tore through the U.S. East Coast
causing massive ocean swells. Much of Avalon suffered very serious flooding and major coastline loss. Much of the island was under water for 4 to 5 days. Damage to homes was dependant on the foundation construction of the home, and location on the island. For example, a home built on the ground on 33rd street had 46" of water in their house, while a raised foundation home had only 6" of water on a nearby street.
Multiple Listing Service
A multiple listing service is a suite of services that enables real estate brokers to establish contractual offers of compensation , facilitates cooperation with other broker participants, accumulates and disseminates information to enable appraisals, and is a facility for the orderly...
).
As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,143 people, 1,045 households, and 668 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 508.4 people per square mile (196.5/km2). There were 5,281 housing units at an average density of 1,252.9 per square mile (484.3/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.69% White, 0.14% African American, 0.56% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.
There were 1,045 households out of which 12.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% 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 2.56.
In the borough the population was spread out with 14.1% under the age of 18, 2.9% from 18 to 24, 16.3% from 25 to 44, 33.9% from 45 to 64, and 32.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $59,196, and the median income for a family was $72,750. Males had a median income of $60,227 versus $39,886 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $50,016. About 2.2% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 0.1% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
The Borough of Avalon is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)
The Faulkner Act, or Optional Municipal Charter Law, provides for New Jersey municipalities to adopt a Mayor-Council government.This form of government provides for election of a mayor and five, seven, or nine council members...
system of municipal government by a mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
and a five-member Borough Council. Members of the Borough Council are elected in non-partisan elections to four-year terms on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year.
, Avalon's mayor is Martin L. Pagliughi. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Richard E. Dean, Council Vice President Nancy M. Hudanich, Charles P. Covington, David Ellenberg and Joseph Tipping.
Federal, state, and county representation
Avalon is in the 2nd Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 1st state legislative district. The legislative district was unchanged based on the results of the 2010 Census.Education
Avalon School DistrictAvalon School District
Avalon School District is a community public school district that serves students in Kindergarten through eighth grade from Avalon, New Jersey, United States....
is a public school district that serves students in public school for first through eighth grade. Avalon Elementary School had an enrollment of 75 students in the 2009-10 school year.
Students in public school for grades 9–12 attend Middle Township High School
Middle Township High School
Middle Township High School is a four-year public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Middle Township in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Middle Township Public Schools...
in Cape May Court House
Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Cape May Court House is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Middle Township, in Cape May County, New Jersey. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 4,704...
, as part of a sending/receiving relationship
Sending/receiving relationship
A sending/receiving relationship is one in which a public school district sends some or all of its students to attend the schools of another district. This is often done to achieve costs savings in smaller districts or continues after districts have grown as part of a historical relationship...
with the Middle Township Public Schools
Middle Township Public Schools
The Middle Township Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade from Middle Township, in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States....
.
Transportation
Avalon Boulevard connects the Garden State ParkwayGarden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
and U.S. 9 to the oceanfront.
There is also a seasonal trolley service that runs through the seven-mile-long island. Avalon also has multiple New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
bus stops, and is served by the 315 to Philadelphia and the 319 to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
Port Authority Bus Terminal
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the main gateway for interstate buses into Manhattan in New York City...
in Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan, or simply Midtown, is an area of Manhattan, New York City home to world-famous commercial zones such as Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Times Square...
.
Early history
Originally a thriving juniper forest, reportedly occupied by Lenni LenapeLenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, the area was purchased by Aaron Leaming in December 1722 for 79 pounds. Known as Seven Mile Beach (present day Avalon and Stone Harbor
Stone Harbor, New Jersey
Stone Harbor is a borough in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. It shares the barrier island Seven Mile Island with its northern neighbor Avalon...
), it was owned and retained by the Leamings for approximately 100 years. It served as a cattle range and was also used for its plentiful timber. The Leamings eventually sold the land, and the island exchanged hands in a number of transactions afterwards. In April 1887, the Seven Mile Beach company was formed. As early as 1893, Avalon was advertised as a resort town. With this rapid development, homes and businesses were erected. The native juniper
Juniper
Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on taxonomic viewpoint, there are between 50-67 species of juniper, widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical Africa in the Old World, and to the...
forest was graded and cut, and the sandy hills were leveled off, making the island mostly flat. Today it is extremely rare to see hills or native juniper in Avalon.
By the early 1900s, the Leaming Railroad bridge was constructed, allowing train connections into the town. This increased the traffic from nearby Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Around 1944 the West Jersey and Seashore railroad lines merged with the Reading Railroad. This effectively ended the era of travel by train to the island. A hurricane took several streets and Avalon now has a north end beginning at 7th street. In the mid-1950s the Wolfington Family of Philadelphia purchased and operated the Puritan Hotel later enlarged and re-named the Whitebriar Hotel on the beach block at 21st Street. The Whitebriar was managed for a few seasons in the mid-1950s by one of the future 'great hosts' of Philadelphia hotels, Robert C. Bennett. Currently the most widely used method of transportation to and from Avalon is by car or boat; however, buses run on a regular schedule all over the shore towns.
The Commonwealth (shipwreck)
On January 4, 1890, the Commonwealth, piloted by Captain W.S. Willets, sank. This 197-ton ship was en route from New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Philadelphia with a cargo of molasses, coffee, tobacco, tea, coconut oil, and camphor. Straying from its course in rough weather, the Commonwealth ran aground in Townsend's Inlet. The crew was rescued and most of the cargo was salvaged. However, after a week trapped in the sandy bottom of the inlet, the ship began to come apart in the waves. Some of the remaining cargo washed ashore and most of it was taken by the early residents of Avalon. The wreck, unable to be recovered, was sold to John Townshend on February 2.
The Nor'easter of 1962
In March 1962, a major Nor'easterNor'easter
A nor'easter is a type of macro-scale storm along the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada, so named because the storm travels to the northeast from the south and the winds come from the northeast, especially in the coastal areas of the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada...
, the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962
Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962
The Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 occurred on March 6–8, 1962 along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. It was considered by the U.S. Geological Survey to be one of the most destructive storms ever to affect the mid-Atlantic states...
, tore through the U.S. East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
causing massive ocean swells. Much of Avalon suffered very serious flooding and major coastline loss. Much of the island was under water for 4 to 5 days. Damage to homes was dependant on the foundation construction of the home, and location on the island. For example, a home built on the ground on 33rd street had 46" of water in their house, while a raised foundation home had only 6" of water on a nearby street.
Protection efforts against storms
While there have been many strong storms since 1962, extensive rock jetty construction on Townsends Inlet (as recent as Summer 2006) has (for the most part) succeeded in protecting the inlet-side homes. However, beaches and property facing the ocean at 8th through 12th streets have struggled to prohibit further loss of this barrier island through various anti-erosion schemes (extending the 8th street rock jetty and the installation of an artificial reef and the extremely expensive beach replenishment that occurs every five years or so). So far, there has been no more "shrinkage" of the island at this location, but at a very high monetary cost.Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Avalon include:- Geno AuriemmaGeno AuriemmaLuigi "Geno" Auriemma is the head coach of the University of Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team, which he has led to seven National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I national championships...
, head coach of the University of Connecticut Huskies women's basketball teamConnecticut Huskies women's basketballThe Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team represents the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut in NCAA women's basketball competition. Under head coach Geno Auriemma, the Huskies have won 7 NCAA Division I national championships, advanced to 12 Final Fours, and won over 30 Big... - Neil HartmanNeil HartmanNeil Hartman is an award-winning sports personality for Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.Hartman was honored by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association as the state's Sportscaster of the Year in 2000. Hartman's career spans over 30 years...
, Comcast Sportsnet personality. - Ron JaworskiRon JaworskiRonald Vincent "Ron" Jaworski is a former American football quarterback and currently an NFL analyst on ESPN. He is also CEO of Ron Jaworski Golf Management, Inc., based out of Blackwood, New Jersey, and manages golf courses in southern New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania, and West Virginia...
(born 1951), former Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
quarterback, Monday Night FootballMonday Night FootballMonday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
broadcaster, owner of the Philadelphia SoulPhiladelphia SoulThe Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII...
. - Tim KerrTim KerrTimothy E. Kerr is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Hartford Whalers.-Playing career:...
(born 1960), formerly played for the Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. - Ed McMahonEd McMahonEdward Peter "Ed" McMahon, Jr. was an American comedian, game show host and announcer. He is most famous for his work on television as Johnny Carson's sidekick and announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. He also hosted the original version of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995...
(1923–2009), television show host. - Joe PaternoJoe PaternoJoseph Vincent "Joe" Paterno is a former college football coach who was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years from 1966 through 2011. Paterno, nicknamed "JoePa," holds the record for the most victories by an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football coach with...
(born 1926), Penn State football head coach - Trent ColeTrent Cole-2005:Cole was selected in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles with the draft pick acquired from the Washington Redskins for wide receiver James Thrash. He signed a 4-year contract before his rookie season....
(born 1982), Defensive End for the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - David AkersDavid AkersDavid Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....
, kicker for the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Sal PaolantonioSal PaolantonioSal Paolantonio is a Philadelphia-based bureau reporter for ESPN, primarily reporting on NFL stories concerning the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and New York Jets...
(born 1956), ESPN analyst for the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Michael W. RiceMichael W. RiceMichael W. Rice , son of Francis Xavier Rice and Arlene Rice of Hanover, Pennsylvania, is an American businessman serving as chairman and chief executive officer of Utz Quality Foods, Inc. since 1978. Rice is an alumnus of Mount St. Mary's University class of 1965, and he holds a law degree from...
(born 1945), CEO/Chairman of UTZ Quality Foods, Inc. - Ed StefanskiEd StefanskiEdward Stefanski is the Executive Vice-President of Basketball Operations for the Toronto Raptors. He was the General Manager for the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA, serving from 2007 to 2011, when he was dismissed by the new 76ers ownership led by Josh Harris on October 18...
, General Manager of the Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
. - Paul HolmgrenPaul HolmgrenPaul Howard Holmgren is an American former professional ice hockey right winger who played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers and Minnesota North Stars. He moved into coaching after his playing career, serving as head coach of the Flyers and Hartford Whalers...
, General Manager of the Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
External links
- Avalon Borough website
- Avalon Elementary School
- Data for the Avalon Elementary School, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- Avalon History
- Avalon Residents Recall 1962 Storm
- Sand Barrens Golf Club, Swainton, NJ
- Avalon Community Guide
- The Cape May County Gazette Local community newspaper
- The Beachcomber
- Avalon New Jersey Information, Directions and History
- Seven Mile Times