Margate City, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
- See also: other MargatesMargate (disambiguation)Margate can refer to the following locations:*Margate, Kent, a coastal resort on the Eastern coast of the county of Kent in the district of Thanet in the United Kingdom*Margate, Florida, United States*Margate City, New Jersey, United States...
Margate City is a city
City (New Jersey)
A City in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
in Atlantic County
Atlantic County, New Jersey
-National protected areas:* Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge * Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River -Demographics:...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 6,354.
Margate City was originally incorporated as the borough
Borough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
of South Atlantic City by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on September 7, 1885, from portions of Egg Harbor Township
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
Egg Harbor Township is a township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the township population was 43,323, a growth of more than 40% since the previous enumeration....
, based on the results of a referendum held on August 1, 1885. South Atlantic City was reincorporated as a city on April 23, 1897, and then reincorporated with the name Margate City April 20, 1909.
Margate City is located on 8.1-mile long Absecon Island
Absecon Island
Absecon Island is a barrier island located on the Jersey Shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Atlantic County, New Jersey, USA. On the island are the resort communities of Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate, and Longport...
, along with Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
and Ventnor City
Ventnor City, New Jersey
Ventnor City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey on the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 10,650....
to the northeast, and Longport
Longport, New Jersey
Longport is a borough in Atlantic County, New Jersey on the Atlantic Ocean shore of Absecon Island. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 895....
on the southwest. The city stretches approximately eight blocks from the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
to the bay at most points in town. Margate is a popular Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used to refer to both the Atlantic coast of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the adjacent resort and residential communities. . The New Jersey State Department of Tourism considers the Shore Region, Greater Atlantic City, and the Southern Shore to be distinct, each having...
destination, especially during the summer. Margate City is the home of Lucy the Elephant
Lucy the Elephant
Elephant hotel redirects here. For the National Historic Landmark located in Somers, New York, see Elephant Hotel.Lucy the Elephant is a six-story elephant-shaped example of novelty architecture, constructed of wood and tin sheeting in 1882 by James V...
, a large wooden elephant 65 ft (19.7 m) tall. Marven Gardens
Marven Gardens
Marven Gardens is a housing area in Margate City, New Jersey, in the United States, located two miles south of Atlantic City. It is famous as a Yellow property on the original Atlantic City version of the Monopoly game board, although the game misspelled the name as Marvin Gardens...
, of Monopoly
Monopoly (game)
Marvin Gardens, the leading yellow property on the board shown, is actually a misspelling of the original location name, Marven Gardens. The misspelling was said to be introduced by Charles Todd and passed on when his home-made Monopoly board was copied by Charles Darrow and thence to Parker...
board game fame, is also located there.
Geography
Margate City is located at 39°19′46"N 74°30′24"W (39.329416 , -74.506613).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), of which, 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (11.39%) is water.
Demographics
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 8,193 people, 3,984 households, and 2,302 families residing in the city. 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 2, 243.5/km2 (5,825.4/sq mi). There were 7,006 housing units at an average density of 4,981.4 per square mile (1,918.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.73% White, 0.87% African American, 0.02% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.92% 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 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.71% of the population.
There were 3,984 households out of which 16.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% 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, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.67.
In the city the population was spread out with 15.4% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 28.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,876, and the median income for a family was $63,917. Males had a median income of $48,152 versus $31,025 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 city was $33,566. About 7.0% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Margate City has operated under the Walsh ActWalsh Act (New Jersey)
The Walsh Act is legislation in the U.S. state of New Jersey that permits municipalities to adopt a non-partisan commission form of government. The legislation was signed by Governor of New Jersey Woodrow Wilson on April 25, 1911. The commissions in Walsh Act municipalities are composed of either...
commission form of municipal government since 1911. There are three commission seats, which are elected during a non-partisan at-large election. Each commission seat is for a four-year concurrent term. The Mayor is then selected from among the three elected Commissioners by a vote between them and assigned to the office by resolution.
and continuing through May 2015, Members of the Margate City Commission are:
- Michael Becker - MayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
and Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public SafetyCommissioner of Public Affairs and Public SafetyThe Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety heads one of the departments in those local governments in New Jersey that operate under the Walsh Act form of municipal governance. This is a standalone position in Walsh Act municipalities with a three-member commission... - Maurice "Maury" Blumberg - Commissioner of Revenue and FinanceCommissioner of Revenue and FinanceThe Commissioner of Revenue and Finance heads one of the departments in those local governments in New Jersey that operate under the Walsh Act form of municipal governance...
- Brenda Taube - Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public PropertyCommissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public PropertyThe Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public Property heads one of the departments in those local governments in New Jersey that operate under the Walsh Act form of municipal governance. This is a standalone position in Walsh Act municipalities with a three-member commission...
Federal, state and county representation
Margate City is in the 2nd Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 2nd state legislative district.Education
For Kindergarten through eighth grade, public school students attend the Margate City SchoolsMargate City Schools
The Margate City Schools are a community public school district that serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade from Margate City, in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States...
, together with students from Longport Borough
Longport, New Jersey
Longport is a borough in Atlantic County, New Jersey on the Atlantic Ocean shore of Absecon Island. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 895....
, who attend 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...
. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The 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...
) are
Union Avenue Elementary School (now defunct; had 196 students in grades PreK-2),
William H. Ross III Elementary School (now K-4; had 165 in grades 3-5) and
Eugene A. Tighe Middle School (now 5-8; was 198 in grades 6-8).
For grades 9 - 12, public school students from Margate and Longport attend Atlantic City High School
Atlantic City High School
Atlantic City High School is a four-year public high school located in Atlantic City, in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Atlantic City School District. The current school building opened in 1994 and holds approximately 2,500 students...
in Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, which also serves students from Brigantine
Brigantine, New Jersey
Brigantine is an island city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 9,450....
Longport
Longport, New Jersey
Longport is a borough in Atlantic County, New Jersey on the Atlantic Ocean shore of Absecon Island. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 895....
and Ventnor City
Ventnor City, New Jersey
Ventnor City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey on the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 10,650....
who attend the school as part of 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...
s.
Blessed Sacrament Regional School was a Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
serving students in grades pre-k through 8, located on Jerome Avenue, in connection with the Blessed Sacrament Church, but was merged with St. James of Ventnor to form Holy Family in 2007. Those who wish to attend private, Catholic high school choose Holy Spirit High School, located in Absecon
Absecon, New Jersey
Absecon is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 8,411.What is now the City of Absecon was originally incorporated as a town by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 29, 1872, from portions of Egg Harbor...
, St. Augustine College Preparatory School
St. Augustine College Preparatory School
St. Augustine College Preparatory School is an all-boys Roman Catholic four-year high school located in the Richland section of Buena Vista Township, New Jersey, United States...
located in Richland
Richland, New Jersey
Richland is an unincorporated area within Buena Vista Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 08350....
or Our Lady of Mercy Academy
Our Lady of Mercy Academy (New Jersey)
Our Lady of Mercy Academy is a college preparatory, all-girls Catholic high school founded in 1962 by the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy in Franklin Township, New Jersey, United States. Despite its location in Franklin Township, the school has a Newfield mailing address...
located in Newfield
Newfield, New Jersey
Newfield is a Borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 1,616.Newfield was formed as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 8, 1924, from portions of Franklin Township, based on the results of a...
.
Residency
Along with other spots on the Jersey ShoreJersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used to refer to both the Atlantic coast of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the adjacent resort and residential communities. . The New Jersey State Department of Tourism considers the Shore Region, Greater Atlantic City, and the Southern Shore to be distinct, each having...
, Margate becomes a popular destination in the summer months. Many houses in Margate are second homes used during the Summer, and a considerable number are owned by year-round residents. Unlike in other places, such as Cape May
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a city at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula in Cape May County, New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the country's oldest vacation resort destinations. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 United States...
or Ocean City
Ocean City, New Jersey
Ocean City is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is the principal city of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Cape May County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 11,701...
, where many visitors spend a few nights in a hotel, Margate has no hotel, so most of the people who choose this town are regulars. Also unlike other area towns such as Ocean City and the municipalities on Long Beach Island, weekly house/condominium rentals are almost non-existent in Margate. However, perhaps due to the recent rise in gas prices and the slow pace of the real estate market, weekly rentals have increased over the past several years. More home and condo owners are happy to rent their property for a week or two. Most real estate offices in town can assist vacationers going 'down the shore' in finding a weekly, monthly or summer rental. Winter rentals are also available.
Beaches
Margate beaches attract surfers, kayaking and hobie cat sailing. Some beaches provide rest rooms for beachgoers. The Margate beaches are narrower than beaches at many other places at the Jersey Shore. There are a few dunes and those that do exist are artificial. They were created to protect beaches from 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...
s and hurricanes.
Margate City Beach Patrol operates lifeguard stands and beach patrol operations for the Margate beaches. Lifeguards are on duty during summer months from 10 am to 6 pm, with more limited hours in the late Spring and early Autumn months.
Marinas/Fishing
Margate is host to many bayside docks providing the casual fisherman hours of enjoyment and relaxation.Local charter boats offer sport and deep sea fishing. Margate’s many marinas offer docks for lease, equipment rentals, fuel stations and fishing charters.Attractions
Margate is the home of Lucy the Margate Elephant,the “largest elephant in the world” and is also the oldest remaining example of zoomorphic architecture left in the United States. Over 130 years old, she has been painstakingly restored and is toured by thousands of fans each year.The Margate Farmers market is held every Thursday during summer months. Shoppers can purchase local produce and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Retail
There are two small commercial/business districts in Margate. One located at the north end of town, and the other located further to the south. Local business's include Casel's supermarket, Aversa's Bakery, Jamaican Me Crazy Marielena, Latrice, Knit Wit, and Janeen clothing stores, Margate AAA Bike bicycle rental, Two Cents Plain and Margate Dairy Bar ice cream parlors, Rita's Water Ice, Wawa, Sunny Sunoco and Taylor's Citgo gas stations, Shear Sensations and other nail & beauty salons, Body Elements gym & fitness, South End and other pizza parlors, Dino's Subs, Maynard's Cafe breakfast diners, Robert's Place, Captain Andy's, and Tomatoes and Steve and Cookie's and other fine dining establishments.Popular culture
Margate is referenced as the hometown of the male lead character in the 2009 film (500) Days of Summer. Scott NeustadterScott Neustadter
Scott Neustadter is a professional screenwriter. He often works with his writing partner, Michael Weber. The two writers wrote the screenplays for Days of Summer and The Pink Panther 2. Days of Summer is based on two real relationships Neustadter had.Neustadter was born and raised in Margate,...
, one of the two co-writers of its screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
, was born and raised in Margate. Character Tom Hansen, played by actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph Leonard Gordon-Levitt is an American actor whose career as both a child and adult has included television series and theatrical films....
, is declared as the native New Jerseyan from Margate toward the beginning of the film.
Margate is also mentioned as the main character's place of residence in the 1998 Nicolas Cage mystery/thriller film "Snake Eyes." The film briefly implies that Margate is a pleasant suburban town, drawing a contrast with the grittiness of Atlantic City, which forms the backdrop of the story.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Margate City include;- Tim CavanaughTim CavanaughTim Cavanaugh is a columnist for Reason Magazine. Prior to that, he was Web editor of the Los Angeles Times opinion page. Prior to that, he was Web editor of Reason from 2002 to 2006 and the editor in chief of Suck.com from 1998 to 2001...
(born 1967), a Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles TimesThe Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
editor, is a Margate native and was an MCBP lifeguard. - Nancy FalkowNancy FalkowNancy Falkow is an American singer/songwriter and musician from Philadelphia.-Biography:Falkow grew up in Margate, New Jersey as part of a Jewish family and at sixteen took first prize for writing in the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.After graduating high school in 1988, she...
(born 1970), singer / songwriter. - Vince Fumo (born 1943), former member of the Pennsylvania State SenatePennsylvania State SenateThe Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
who was convicted in 2009 on federal corruption charges. - Walter S. JeffriesWalter S. JeffriesWalter Sooy Jeffries was an American Republican Party politician who represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1939-1941.-Biography:Jeffries was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on October 16, 1893 and attended the local public...
(1893–1954), represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional districtNew Jersey's 2nd congressional districtNew Jersey's Second Congressional District is currently represented by Republican Frank LoBiondo.-Counties and municipalities in the district:...
from 1939–1941, and was mayor of Margate City from 1931-1935. - Thomas C. McGrath, Jr.Thomas C. McGrath, Jr.Thomas Charles McGrath, Jr. was an American Democratic Party politician who represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1965-1967.-Biography:He was born on April 22, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and he graduated from Saint Joseph's...
(1927–94), represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional districtNew Jersey's 2nd congressional districtNew Jersey's Second Congressional District is currently represented by Republican Frank LoBiondo.-Counties and municipalities in the district:...
in the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from 1965-1967. - Scott NeustadterScott NeustadterScott Neustadter is a professional screenwriter. He often works with his writing partner, Michael Weber. The two writers wrote the screenplays for Days of Summer and The Pink Panther 2. Days of Summer is based on two real relationships Neustadter had.Neustadter was born and raised in Margate,...
, Hollywood screenwriter who co-wrote (500) Days of Summer - Jessica SavitchJessica SavitchJessica Beth Savitch was an American television broadcaster and news reporter, host of PBS' Frontline and New York weekend anchor of NBC Nightly News during the short-lived Roger Mudd/Tom Brokaw era....
(1947-83), television broadcaster and reporter. - John TolandJohn Toland (wrestler)John Michael Toland is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in independent promotion Ring of Honor, under the name Tank Toland...
(born 1980), wrestler.
External links
- Margate City official website
- Official site for Lucy the Elephant
- Marvelous Margate
- Margate City Schools
- Data for the Margate City Schools, 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...
- Atlantic City High School
- Margate City Public Library
- The Current of Longport, Margate, Ventnor (Downbeach)