Ventnor City, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
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.
Ventnor City was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on March 17, 1903, from portions of Egg Harbor Township
.
Ventnor City is located on 8.1-mile long Absecon Island
, along with Atlantic City
to the northeast, and Margate City
and Longport
on the southeast. "Construct an approximate $63 million beach and dune system along the 8.1 mile oceanfront of Absecon Island that includes, the cities of Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 km²), of which, 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (39.44%) is water.
of 2000, there were 12,910 people, 5,480 households, and 3,255 families residing in the city. The population density
was 6,023.2 people per square mile (2,329.2/km2). There were 8,009 housing units at an average density of 1, 445.0/km2 (3,736.6/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 77.10% White, 2.94% African American, 0.19% Native American, 7.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 9.37% from other races
, and 2.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.14% of the population.
The major ethnic groups in Ventnor City are: Italian
(22.8%), Irish
(15.5%), German
(8.7%), English
(6.2%), Russian
(4.2%), Polish (3.6%).
There were 5,480 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples
living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,478, and the median income for a family was $52,701. Males had a median income of $31,300 versus $26,788 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $22,631. About 3.4% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
, they remembered Ventnor
, a town on the south coast of the Isle of Wight.
Mrs. S. Bartram Richards, suggested that the name, Ventnor, would be an ideal fit for this exciting new area. This name was suggested on January 8, 1889, by Mrs. Richards, who was the wife of the secretary-treasurer of the land company.
This name was formally adopted the following day. Although the City received its name in January 1889, it was not officially recognized until it received its incorporation by the New Jersey Legislature
on March 17, 1903.
Chapter 51 of the laws and Sessions of the State of New Jersey provided the noble beginning to Ventnor City stating, "Be it enacted by the Senate
and General Assembly
of New Jersey that all part or portion of the County of Atlantic, formerly a part of Egg Harbor Township
, situated on Absecon Beach
, lying between the Westwardly limit of Atlantic City
and the Eastwardly limit of South Atlantic City, the Atlantic Ocean
on the south as far as the jurisdiction of the State extends, and to the center of Beach Thoroughfare on the North, be, and is hereby constituted as a City of this State, and all of the inhabitants of the State residing within the limits aforesaid be and they are hereby ordained, constituted and declared to be from time to time forever hereafter one body politic and corporate, in fact and in name, by the name, Ventnor City. This act shall take effect immediately, and was approved on March 17, 1903."
These meetings were originally held in the Carisbrooke Inn, which was located behind the present City Hall, on Atlantic Avenue between Cambridge and Sacramento Avenues; Carisbrooke is also a place name taken from the Isle of Wight. The first meeting was held on April 20, 1903, with a follow up meeting being conducted on April 27, 1903.
, under the Walsh Act
, and consists of three Commissioners. Voters choose three Commissioners to serve four-year terms of office in non-partisan elections. After each election, the three elected commissioners then choose one their members to serve as Mayor.
The Mayor
of Ventnor City is Theresa Kelly (Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety
). The other Commissioners are John Piatt (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance
) and Stephen Weintrob (Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public Property
).
Ventnor City is in the
serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The two schools in the district (with 2005–06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are Ventnor Elementary School (680 students) and Ventnor Middle School (325 students). They are operated as separate schools but are located in a single, large building known as the Ventnor Educational Community Complex or VECC. The original school was built in 1970.
Public school students in grades 9–12, along with those from Brigantine
, Longport
and Margate City
, attend Atlantic City High School
in neighboring Atlantic City
, as part of a sending/receiving relationship
with the Atlantic City School District
that has existed since 1920.
Holy Family Regional School is a Catholic elementary school
, operated under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Camden
.
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...
on 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...
. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 10,650.
Ventnor City was incorporated as a 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 March 17, 1903, 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....
.
Geography
Ventnor City is located at 39.342299°N 74.481922°W (39.342299, −74.481922).Ventnor 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...
to the northeast, and Margate City
Margate City, New Jersey
Margate City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 6,354.Margate City was originally incorporated as the borough of South Atlantic City by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on September 7, 1885, from portions of Egg Harbor...
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 southeast. "Construct an approximate $63 million beach and dune system along the 8.1 mile oceanfront of Absecon Island that includes, the cities of Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport.
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 3.5 square miles (9.1 km²), of which, 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (39.44%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 12,910 people, 5,480 households, and 3,255 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 6,023.2 people per square mile (2,329.2/km2). There were 8,009 housing units at an average density of 1, 445.0/km2 (3,736.6/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 77.10% White, 2.94% African American, 0.19% Native American, 7.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 9.37% 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 2.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.14% of the population.
The major ethnic groups in Ventnor City are: Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
(22.8%), Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
(15.5%), German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
(8.7%), English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
(6.2%), Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
(4.2%), Polish (3.6%).
There were 5,480 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% 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, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,478, and the median income for a family was $52,701. Males had a median income of $31,300 versus $26,788 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 $22,631. About 3.4% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
History
In the latter part of the 19th Century, an American couple visiting Great Britain became so impressed with the beauty of the locality, that in 1889, when the Camden and Atlantic Land Company decided to name the section of the land south of Atlantic CityAtlantic 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...
, they remembered Ventnor
Ventnor
Ventnor is a seaside resort and civil parish established in the Victorian era on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, England. It lies underneath St Boniface Down , and is built on steep slopes and cliffs leading down to the sea...
, a town on the south coast of the Isle of Wight.
Mrs. S. Bartram Richards, suggested that the name, Ventnor, would be an ideal fit for this exciting new area. This name was suggested on January 8, 1889, by Mrs. Richards, who was the wife of the secretary-treasurer of the land company.
This name was formally adopted the following day. Although the City received its name in January 1889, it was not officially recognized until it received its incorporation by 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 March 17, 1903.
Chapter 51 of the laws and Sessions of the State of New Jersey provided the noble beginning to Ventnor City stating, "Be it enacted by the Senate
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
and General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
of New Jersey that all part or portion of the County of Atlantic, formerly a part 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....
, situated on Absecon Beach
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...
, lying between the Westwardly limit of 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 the Eastwardly limit of South Atlantic City, 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...
on the south as far as the jurisdiction of the State extends, and to the center of Beach Thoroughfare on the North, be, and is hereby constituted as a City of this State, and all of the inhabitants of the State residing within the limits aforesaid be and they are hereby ordained, constituted and declared to be from time to time forever hereafter one body politic and corporate, in fact and in name, by the name, Ventnor City. This act shall take effect immediately, and was approved on March 17, 1903."
These meetings were originally held in the Carisbrooke Inn, which was located behind the present City Hall, on Atlantic Avenue between Cambridge and Sacramento Avenues; Carisbrooke is also a place name taken from the Isle of Wight. The first meeting was held on April 20, 1903, with a follow up meeting being conducted on April 27, 1903.
Local government
On September 17, 1968, the then existing Mayor-Council form of government was changed to a Commission form of governmentCity commission government
City commission government is a form of municipal government which once was common in the United States, but many cities which were formerly governed by commission have since switched to the council-manager form of government...
, under the Walsh Act
Walsh 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...
, and consists of three Commissioners. Voters choose three Commissioners to serve four-year terms of office in non-partisan elections. After each election, the three elected commissioners then choose one their members to serve as Mayor.
The Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Ventnor City is Theresa Kelly (Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety
Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety
The 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...
). The other Commissioners are John Piatt (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance
Commissioner of Revenue and Finance
The 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...
) and Stephen Weintrob (Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public Property
Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public Property
The 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
Ventnor City is in the 2nd Congressional district.Ventnor City is in the
Education
The Ventnor City School DistrictVentnor City School District
Ventnor City School District is a community public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade from Ventnor City, in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States....
serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The two schools in the district (with 2005–06 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 Ventnor Elementary School (680 students) and Ventnor Middle School (325 students). They are operated as separate schools but are located in a single, large building known as the Ventnor Educational Community Complex or VECC. The original school was built in 1970.
Public school students in grades 9–12, along with those 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 Margate City
Margate City, New Jersey
Margate City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 6,354.Margate City was originally incorporated as the borough of South Atlantic City by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on September 7, 1885, from portions of Egg Harbor...
, 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 neighboring 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...
, 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 Atlantic City School District
Atlantic City School District
Atlantic City School District is a comprehensive community public school district in Atlantic City, in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States....
that has existed since 1920.
Holy Family Regional School is a Catholic elementary 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...
, operated under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Camden
Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden is a particular church or diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, located in New Jersey, United States, and presides over Roman Catholic parishes and schools in the six southern New Jersey counties of Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland,...
.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Ventnor City include:- Cathy RushCathy RushCathy Rush was the head women's basketball coach at Immaculata from 1972-1977. She led Immaculata to three consecutive AIAW national titles from 1972-1974. She led the Mighty Macs to six consecutive final four appearances in her six seasons with the school, attaining a 149-15 record. Rush was...
(born c. 1946), former head women's basketball coach at Immaculata UniversityImmaculata UniversityImmaculata University is a Catholic University on King Road in East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.-History:Immaculata was founded as Villa Maria College, a women's college in 1920. It was the first Catholic college for women in the Philadelphia area...
who led the team to three consecutive AIAWAssociation for Intercollegiate Athletics for WomenThe Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women was founded in 1971 to govern collegiate women's athletics in the United States and to administer national championships. It evolved out of the Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women . The association was one of the biggest...
national titles from 1972-1974.
External links
- Ventnor City website
- Ventnor Educational Community Complex
- Data for the Ventnor City School District, 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...
- The Downbeach Current
- Taxpayer private citizens group