Stone Harbor, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
 Bayside Harbor sunset | |
 Seal | |
| Motto: "The Seashore at its Best"[1] | |
 Location of Stone Harbor inCape May County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Cape May County inNew Jersey highlighted in orange (right). | |
 Census Bureau map of Stone Harbor, New Jersey | |
  Stone Harbor Location in the United States Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:39°02′30″N74°46′08″W / 39.041691°N 74.768837°W /39.041691; -74.768837[2][3] | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County |  Cape May |
| Incorporated | April 28, 1914 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough |
| • Body | Borough Council |
| • Mayor | Timothy J. Carney (R, term ends December 31, 2028)[4] |
| • Administrator | Vacant[5] |
| • Municipal clerk | Emily Dillon[6] |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.19 sq mi (5.68 km2) |
| • Land | 1.42 sq mi (3.68 km2) |
| • Water | 0.77 sq mi (2.01 km2) 35.34% |
| • Rank | 394th of 565 in state 11th of 16 in county[2] |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 796 |
• Estimate (2023)[11] | 791 |
| • Rank | 541st of 565 in state 14th of 16 in county[12] |
| • Density | 560.7/sq mi (216.5/km2) |
| • Rank | 435th of 565 in state 11th of 16 in county[12] |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) |
| ZIP Code | |
| Area code(s) | 609Exchanges: 368, 967[15] |
| FIPS code | 3400971010[2][16][17] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885410[2][18] |
| Website | www |
Stone Harbor is aborough inCape May County, in theU.S. state ofNew Jersey. The borough, and all of Cape May County, is part of theSouth Jersey region of the state and of theOcean Citymetropolitan statistical area, which is part of thePhiladelphia-Wilmington-Camden,PA-NJ-DE-MDcombined statistical area, also known as theDelaware Valley or Philadelphia metropolitan area.[19] It occupies the southern portion ofSeven Mile Island together with its northern neighborAvalon. It is a resort community that attracts visitors looking to enjoy its beaches, sailing facilities and commercial center. The community attracts a large number of vacationers from theMid-Atlantic region andQuebec.
As of the2020 United States census, the borough's population was 796,[20][10] a decrease of 70 (−8.1%) from the2010 census count of 866,[21][22] which in turn had reflected a decline of 262 (−23.2%) from the 1,128 counted at the2000 census.[23] The borough has a summer population in excess of 20,000,[24] who are generally wealthier than full-time residents.[25]
The New York Times described Stone Harbor as a place of "gleamingMcMansions and elegant shops",[26] with an average single-family home selling for US$2.5 million in 2008.[27] In 2017, Stone Harbor was the third-most expensive ZIP Code inNew Jersey based on median home sale price, and had the second-most expensive residential real estate transaction in the state that year at $10 million.[28] In 2014,Forbes magazine ranked Stone Harbor (ZIP Code 08247) at the 191st spot on its list of the most expensive ZIP Codes in the United States.[29]
Development began in the late 19th century as a beach resort along theWest Jersey and Seashore Railroad line. The community was marketed to wealthy residents ofPhiladelphia seeking a resort destination for a second home.[27]
Stone Harbor was incorporated as aborough by an act of theNew Jersey Legislature on April 3, 1914, from portions ofMiddle Township, based on the results of areferendum held on April 28, 1914. The borough gained a portion ofAvalon on December 27, 1941.[30] The borough is said to be named for an English sea captain named Stone who sought shelter from a storm in the area.[31][32]
In 2015, a contract was awarded to dredge adjacent bodies of water. In early 2016, during the dewatering stage of the operation, a total of threegeotubes discharged a small quantity of sediment containing several contaminants. Dredging was halted pending development of a plan to prevent future such spills.[33]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.19 square miles (5.68 km2), including 1.42 square miles (3.68 km2) of land and 0.77 square miles (2.01 km2) of water (35.34%).[2][3]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Seven Mile Beach.[34]
Stone Harbor bordersAvalon Borough,Middle Township,North Wildwood City and theAtlantic Ocean.[35][36][37]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 159 | — | |
| 1930 | 363 | 128.3% | |
| 1940 | 383 | 5.5% | |
| 1950 | 670 | 74.9% | |
| 1960 | 834 | 24.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,089 | 30.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,187 | 9.0% | |
| 1990 | 1,025 | −13.6% | |
| 2000 | 1,128 | 10.0% | |
| 2010 | 866 | −23.2% | |
| 2020 | 796 | −8.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 791 | [11] | −0.6% |
| Population sources: 1920–2000[38] 1920[39] 1920–1930[40] 1940–2000[41] 2000[42][43] 2010[21][22] 2020[20][10] | |||
The2010 United States census counted 866 people, 441 households, and 256 families in the borough. Thepopulation density was 619.6 per square mile (239.2/km2). There were 3,247 housing units at an average density of 2,323.3 per square mile (897.0/km2). The racial makeup was 97.11% (841)White, 1.62% (14)Black or African American, 0.00% (0)Native American, 0.12% (1)Asian, 0.00% (0)Pacific Islander, 0.69% (6) fromother races, and 0.46% (4) from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.35% (29) of the population.[21]
Of the 441 households, 10.2% had children under the age of 18; 49.2% were married couples living together; 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 42.0% were non-families. Of all households, 37.4% were made up of individuals and 21.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.96 and the average family size was 2.54.[21]
10.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 11.8% from 25 to 44, 31.4% from 45 to 64, and 41.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 60.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 89.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 84.2 males.[21]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010American Community Survey showed that (in 2010inflation-adjusted dollars)median household income was $69,286 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,969) and the median family income was $92,083 (+/− $19,643). Males had a median income of $55,417 (+/− $23,166) versus $70,208 (+/− $15,479) for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $60,057 (+/− $10,700). About 2.8% of families and 5.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.[44]
As of the2000 United States census[16] there were 1,128 people, 596 households, and 330 families residing in the borough. The population density was 796.1 inhabitants per square mile (307.4/km2). There were 3,428 housing units at an average density of 2,419.4 per square mile (934.1/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.76%White, 0.80%African American, 0.18% fromother races, and 0.27% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.44% of the population.[42][43]
There were 596 households, out of which 11.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% weremarried couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.89 and the average family size was 2.50.[42][43]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 12.3% under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 14.4% from 25 to 44, 31.6% from 45 to 64, and 38.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.[42][43]
The median income for a household in the borough was $51,471, and the median income for a family was $67,250. Males had a median income of $52,500 versus $35,000 for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $46,427. About 1.5% of families and 3.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.[42][43]
_Fire_House.jpg)
Stone Harbor is governed under theborough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[45] The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions electedat-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[7] The borough form of government used by Stone Harbor is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor canveto ordinances subject to anoverride by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[46][47][48]
As of 2025[update], themayor of Stone Harbor Borough isRepublican Timothy J. Carney, whose term of office ends December 31, 2028. Members of the Stone Harbor Borough Council are Council President Jennifer B. Gensemer (R, 2025), Ken Biddick (R, 2025), Robin Lynn Casper (R, 2023), Francis J. "Frank" Dallahan (R, 2027), Victor Foschini (I, 2025) and Bernadette "Bunny" Parzych (R, 2027).[4][49][50][51][52][53]
In June 2019, Frank Dallahan was selected from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that was vacated by Robert Levins when he resigned from office due to health issues; Dallahan served on an interim basis until the November 2019 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[54][55]
In November 2018, the council selected Reese Moore from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that was vacated the previous month following the resignation of Council President Karen Lane; Moore served on an interim basis until the November 2019 general election, when she was elected to serve the remainder of the term.[56][55]
In 2018, the borough had an average property tax bill of $8,615, the highest in the county, compared to an average bill of $8,767 statewide.[57]
Stone Harbor is located in the 2nd Congressional District[58] and is part of New Jersey's 1st state legislative district.[59][60][61]
For the119th United States Congress,New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented byJeff Van Drew (R,Dennis Township).[62] New Jersey is represented in theUnited States Senate byDemocratsCory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) andAndy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).[63]
For the2024-2025 session, the1st legislative district of theNew Jersey Legislature is represented in theState Senate byMike Testa (R,Vineland) and in theGeneral Assembly byAntwan McClellan (R,Ocean City) andErik K. Simonsen (R,Lower Township).[64]
Cape May County is governed by a five-personBoard of County Commissioners whose members are electedat-large on a partisan basis to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year; At an annual reorganization held each January, the commissioners select one member to serve as director and another to serve as vice-director.[65] As of 2025[update], Cape May County's Commissioners are Director Leonard C. Desiderio (R,Sea Isle City, 2027),[66] Robert Barr (R,Ocean City; 2025),[67] Will Morey (R,Wildwood Crest; 2026),[68] Melanie Collette (R.Middle Township; 2026),[69] andVice-Director Andrew Bulakowski (R,Lower Township; 2025).[70][65][71]
The county's constitutional officers are Clerk Rita Marie Rothberg (R, 2025, Ocean City),[72][73] Sheriff Robert Nolan (R, 2026, Lower Township)[74][75] and Surrogate E. Marie Hayes (R, 2028, Ocean City).[76][77][78][71]
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 778 registered voters in Stone Harbor, of which 62 (8.0%) were registered asDemocrats, 588 (75.6%) were registered asRepublicans and 128 (16.5%) were registered asUnaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[79]
In 2016, Republican Donald Trump received 59.3% of the vote (296 votes) vs. Hillary Clinton's 37.5% (187 votes) with other candidates taking 3.2% (16 votes).[80] In the2012 presidential election, RepublicanMitt Romney received 64.8% of the vote (411 cast), ahead of DemocratBarack Obama with 34.1% (216 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (7 votes), among the 640 ballots cast by the borough's 782 registered voters (6 ballots werespoiled), for a turnout of 81.8%.[81][82] In the2008 presidential election, RepublicanJohn McCain received 62.7% of the vote (416 cast), ahead of DemocratBarack Obama, who received 36.1% (240 votes), with 664 ballots cast among the borough's 801 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.9%.[83] In the2004 presidential election, RepublicanGeorge W. Bush received 69.6% of the vote (519 ballots cast), outpolling DemocratJohn Kerry, who received around 29.1% (217 votes), with 746 ballots cast among the borough's 920 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 81.1.[84]
| Year | Republican | Democratic |
|---|---|---|
| 2024[85] | 50.7%263 | 47.0%244 |
| 2020[86] | 56.0%296 | 43.5%230 |
| 2016[87] | 59.3%296 | 37.5%187 |
| 2012[88] | 64.8%411 | 34.1%216 |
| 2008[89] | 62.7%416 | 36.1%240 |
| 2004[90] | 69.6%519 | 29.1%217 |
In the2013 gubernatorial election, RepublicanChris Christie received 82.7% of the vote (324 cast), ahead of DemocratBarbara Buono with 15.8% (62 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (6 votes), among the 405 ballots cast by the borough's 742 registered voters (13 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 54.6%.[91][92] In the2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 61.9% of the vote (349 ballots cast), ahead of both DemocratJon Corzine with 30.5% (172 votes) and IndependentChris Daggett with 4.4% (25 votes), with 564 ballots cast among the borough's 808 registered voters, yielding a 69.8% turnout.[93]
TheStone Harbor School District serves public school students inkindergarten througheighth grade.[94][95] As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 78 students and 9.7 classroom teachers (on anFTE basis), for astudent–teacher ratio of 8.1:1.[96] In the 2016–17 school year, Stone Harbor had the 4th-smallest enrollment of any school district in the state, with 75 students.[97]
TheAvalon and Stone Harbor school districts operate like a single school district even though they are legally two separate districts; they can move teachers between the two schools. In terms of their student populations both districts having among the lowest numbers in New Jersey. Starting with the 2011–12 school year, in an agreement with theAvalon School District, public school students in grades K–4 from both communities attend school in Stone Harbor while all students in grades 5–8 attend school in Avalon.[98]
Students in public school forninth throughtwelfth grades attendMiddle Township High School inCape May Court House, as part of asending/receiving relationship with theMiddle Township Public Schools, together with students fromAvalon,Dennis Township andWoodbine.[99][100] As of the 2023–24 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 825 students and 66.0 classroom teachers (on anFTE basis), for astudent–teacher ratio of 12.5:1.[101]
Students are also eligible to attendCape May County Technical High School in Cape May Court House, which serves students from the entire county in its comprehensive and vocational programs, which are offered without charge to students who are county residents.[102][103] Special needs students may be referred toCape May County Special Services School District in the Cape May Court House area.
TheRoman Catholic Diocese of Camden operates Bishop McHugh Regional School, a CatholicK–8 school, inOcean View,Dennis Township,[104] which has aCape May Courthouse postal address.[105] It is the parish school of Avalon/Stone Harbor Catholic Church and three other churches.[106]
Cape May County Library operates the Stone Harbor Library.[107]
_just_north_of_117th_Street_in_Stone_Harbor%2c_Cape_May_County%2c_New_Jersey.jpg)
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 24.11 miles (38.80 km) of roadways, of which 21.38 miles (34.41 km) were maintained by the municipality and 2.73 miles (4.39 km) by Cape May County.[108]
No Interstate, U.S., state or major county highways pass through Stone Harbor. The most significant roads are minor county routes such asCounty Route 619, which followsOcean Drive,[109] andCounty Route 657, which provides access to the mainland and connects to theGarden State Parkway andU.S. Route 9.[110][111]
NJ Transit offers the315 inter-city bus route that runs through the town three times a day and shuttles people to and fromPhiladelphia, and the319 route to thePort Authority Bus Terminal inMidtown Manhattan.[112][113]
_and_Watertower.jpg)
The Stone Harbor Water Tower pumping station, built in 1924, is the oldest municipal structure still in use in Stone Harbor. The tower, 133 feet (41 m) high, can be seen from almost anywhere on the island. It holds 500,000 US gallons (1,900,000 L; 420,000 imp gal) of water and is supplied by four individual fresh water wells 890 feet (270 m) deep that tap theKirkwood-Cohansey aquifer.[114] In 2005, artistPeter Max developed a plan to cover the water tower with a mural made up of digital version of his paintings and artworks that covered 30 by 170 feet (9.1 by 51.8 m) that would be glued to the tower from June through September, with facsimiles of the art sold through Ocean Galleries as a fundraiser to benefit The Wetlands Institute and other charities.[26]
Stone Harbor attractions includeThe Wetlands Institute,[115] theStone Harbor Bird Sanctuary[116] and the Stone Harbor Museum.[117] TheSisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, maintain the Villa Maria by the Sea convent, which opened in June 1937. The beach fronting the Villa is called Nun's Beach and is a well known surfing spot.[118]
Stone Harbor's oceanfront was ranked the tenth-best beach in New Jersey in the 2008 Top 10 Beaches Contest sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium.[119]
According to theKöppen climate classification system, Stone Harbor has ahumid subtropical climate (Cfa) with hot, moderately humid summers, cool winters and year-around precipitation. Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature above 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature at or above 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature at or above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months in Stone Harbor, a cooling afternoonsea breeze is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur withheat index values at or above 95.0 °F (35.0 °C). During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur withwind chill values below 0.0 °F (−17.8 °C). Theplant hardiness zone at Stone Harbor Beach is 7b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 6.0 °F (−14.4 °C).[120] The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is 12 to 18 inches (300 to 460 mm), and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak innor'easter activity.
| Climate data for Stone Harbor Beach, NJ (1981–2010 Averages) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 42.2 (5.7) | 44.0 (6.7) | 50.9 (10.5) | 60.4 (15.8) | 69.6 (20.9) | 78.5 (25.8) | 83.3 (28.5) | 81.8 (27.7) | 76.1 (24.5) | 66.2 (19.0) | 56.5 (13.6) | 46.9 (8.3) | 63.1 (17.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 34.6 (1.4) | 36.4 (2.4) | 42.9 (6.1) | 52.3 (11.3) | 61.4 (16.3) | 70.7 (21.5) | 75.9 (24.4) | 74.6 (23.7) | 68.4 (20.2) | 57.9 (14.4) | 48.5 (9.2) | 39.2 (4.0) | 55.3 (12.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 27.0 (−2.8) | 28.8 (−1.8) | 34.9 (1.6) | 44.1 (6.7) | 53.2 (11.8) | 62.9 (17.2) | 68.4 (20.2) | 67.4 (19.7) | 60.6 (15.9) | 49.6 (9.8) | 40.5 (4.7) | 31.6 (−0.2) | 47.5 (8.6) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.36 (85) | 2.86 (73) | 4.20 (107) | 3.66 (93) | 3.55 (90) | 3.21 (82) | 3.81 (97) | 4.21 (107) | 3.40 (86) | 3.61 (92) | 3.31 (84) | 3.67 (93) | 42.85 (1,088) |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 66.3 | 65.1 | 63.1 | 61.6 | 66.1 | 70.9 | 70.0 | 73.3 | 70.4 | 69.3 | 67.9 | 66.8 | 67.6 |
| Averagedew point °F (°C) | 24.5 (−4.2) | 25.8 (−3.4) | 31.2 (−0.4) | 39.5 (4.2) | 50.0 (10.0) | 60.8 (16.0) | 65.4 (18.6) | 65.5 (18.6) | 58.4 (14.7) | 47.9 (8.8) | 38.4 (3.6) | 29.1 (−1.6) | 44.8 (7.1) |
| Source: PRISM[121] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for North Cape May, NJ Ocean Water Temperature (12 SW Stone Harbor) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 37 (3) | 37 (3) | 42 (6) | 50 (10) | 59 (15) | 68 (20) | 73 (23) | 74 (23) | 72 (22) | 61 (16) | 52 (11) | 42 (6) | 56 (13) |
| Source: NOAA[122] | |||||||||||||
According to theA. W. Kuchler U.S.potential natural vegetation types, Stone Harbor would have a dominant vegetation type of northerncordgrass (73) with a dominant vegetation form ofcoastalprairie (20).[123]
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Stone Harbor include:
Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School in the Ocean View section of Dennis Township
| Preceded by | Beaches of New Jersey | Succeeded by |
Municipalities and communities ofCape May County, New Jersey,United States | ||
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| Boroughs | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Other communities | ||
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