Brigantine, New Jersey

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 10.364 square miles (26.844 km²), including 6.387 square miles (16.543 km²) of land and 3.977 square miles (10.301 km²) of water (38.37%). Brigantine is located on Brigantine Island.

The only road to and from Brigantine is New Jersey Route 87, locally known as Brigantine Boulevard. The Justice Vincent S. Haneman Memorial Bridge is the only way on and off the island. The original bridge to the island that was constructed in 1924 was destroyed in the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944. The current bridge was constructed in 1972.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Brigantine has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

2010 Census

The 2010 United States Census counted 9,450 people, 4,294 households, and 2,521 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,479.5 per square mile (571.2/km²). The city contained 9,222 housing units at an average density of 1,443.8 per square mile (557.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.33% (8,253) White, 2.91% (275) Black or African American, 0.17% (16) Native American, 4.72% (446) Asian, 0.03% (3) Pacific Islander, 2.51% (237) from other races, and 2.33% (220) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 6.88% (650) of the population.

Out of a total of 4,294 households, 18.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the city, 16.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 21.0% from 25 to 44, 33.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.4 years. For every 100 females the census counted 95.4 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 92.1 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $62,212 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,472) and the median family income was $79,318 (+/- $7,962). Males had a median income of $55,595 (+/- $5,655) versus $42,622 (+/- $5,179) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,571 (+/- $3,305). About 5.9% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 12,594 people, 5,473 households, and 3,338 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,959.0 people per square mile (756.2/km²). There were 9,304 housing units at an average density of 1,447.2 per square mile (558.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.15% White, 3.94% African American, 0.18% Native American, 5.72% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 4.67% from other races, and 2.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.41% of the population.

There were 5,473 households out of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,639, and the median income for a family was $51,679. Males had a median income of $40,523 versus $29,779 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,950. About 7.6% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest

Local government

Since 1989, the City of Brigantine has been governed within the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law) under the Council-Manager form (Plan 5), implemented by direct petition effective as of January 1, 1991. The city is governed by a City Council consisting of a Mayor (elected at large), two at-large Council members and four ward council members, all of whom serve terms of office of four years. The mayor and the two at-large council seats come up for vote as part of the November general election in leap years, with the four ward seats up for vote simultaneously two years later. The Mayor presides over the meetings of City Council. The Council adopts the municipal budget and enacts ordinances to promote and ensure the security, health, government and protection of the City and its residents.

As of 2016, the Mayor of Brigantine is Republican Philip J. Guenther, whose term of office ends December 31, 2018. Members of the City Council are Karen Bew (Ward 1; R, 2016, appointed to serve an unexpired term), Rick DeLucry (Ward 4; D, 2016), Lisa McClay (Ward 2; D, 2016), John Withers, IV (Ward 3; D, 2016 - appointed to fill an unexpired term), Vincent Sera (at-large; R, 2018) and Andrew C. Simpson (at-large; R, 2018).

In December 2015, John Withers, IV was selected from three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the Ward 3 seat expiring in December 2016 that had been vacated following the resignation of Joseph M. Picardi earlier that month.

Karen Bew was selected in January 2015 from among three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the Ward 1 seat that was vacated by Andrew Simpson when he took office in an at-large seat. In November 2015, she was elected to serve the balance of the term.

Federal, state and county representation

Brigantine is located in the 2nd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 2nd state legislative district.

New Jersey's Second Congressional District is represented by Frank LoBiondo (R, Ventnor City). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).

For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 2nd Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Jim Whelan (D, Atlantic City) and in the General Assembly by Chris A. Brown (R, Ventnor City) and Vince Mazzeo (D, Northfield). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Atlantic County is governed by a directly elected executive and a nine-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, responsible for legislation. The executive serves a four-year term and the freeholders are elected to staggered three-year terms, of which four are elected from the county on an at-large basis and five of the freeholders represent equally populated districts. As of 2015, Atlantic County's Executive is Republican Dennis Levinson, whose term of office ends December 31, 2015. Members of the Board of Chosen Freeholders are Chairman Frank D. Formica, Freeholder District 2, including Atlantic City (part), Egg Harbor Township (part), Linwood, Longport, Margate, Northfield, Somers Point and Ventnor (R, 2015), Vice Chairman James A. Bertino, Freeholder District 5, including Buena Borough, Buena Vista Township, Corbin City, Egg Harbor City, Estell Manor, Folsom, Hamilton Township (part), Hammonton, Mullica Township and Weymouth (R, 2015), Colin G. Bell, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2015), John Carman, Freeholder District 3, including Egg Harbor Township (part) and Hamilton Township (part) (R, 2017), Ernest D. Coursey, Freeholder District 1, including Atlantic City (part), Egg Harbor Township (part) and Pleasantville (R, 2016), Richard Dase, Freeholder District 4, including Absecon, Brigantine, Galloway Township and Port Republic (D, 2016), Alexander C. Marino, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2017), Will Pauls, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2016) and John W. Risley, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2017). Constitutional officers are County Clerk Edward P. McGettigan (2016), Sheriff Frank X. Balles (R, 2017) and Surrogate James Curcio (2015).

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there was a total of 6,430 registered voters in Brigantine City, of whom 1,219 (19.0% vs. 30.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 2,679 (41.7% vs. 25.2%) were registered as Republicans, and 2,524 (39.3% vs. 44.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 8 voters registered to other parties. Among the city's 2010 Census population, 68.0% (vs. 58.8% in Atlantic County) were registered to vote, including 81.4% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 76.6% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 2,462 votes (53.5% vs. 41.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 2,068 votes (44.9% vs. 57.9%) and other candidates with 49 votes (1.1% vs. 0.9%), among the 4,605 ballots cast by the city's 6,944 registered voters, for a turnout of 66.3% (vs. 65.8% in Atlantic County). In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 2,652 votes (53.2% vs. 41.6% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 2,218 votes (44.5% vs. 56.5%) and other candidates with 67 votes (1.3% vs. 1.1%), among the 4,984 ballots cast by the city's 7,214 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.1% (vs. 68.1% in Atlantic County). In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,627 votes (53.7% vs. 46.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 2,181 votes (44.6% vs. 52.0%) and other candidates with 36 votes (0.7% vs. 0.8%), among the 4,888 ballots cast by the city's 6,847 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.4% (vs. 69.8% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 2,270 votes (73.2% vs. 60.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 715 votes (23.1% vs. 34.9%) and other candidates with 35 votes (1.1% vs. 1.3%), among the 3,099 ballots cast by the city's 6,977 registered voters, yielding a 44.4% turnout (vs. 41.5% in the county). In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,877 votes (57.7% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,147 votes (35.2% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 173 votes (5.3% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 26 votes (0.8% vs. 1.2%), among the 3,255 ballots cast by the city's 6,632 registered voters, yielding a 49.1% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).

Education

The Brigantine Public Schools serves students in pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade. The district is governed by the Brigantine Board of Education and operates as a Type I school district. The school board consists of seven members who are appointed to three-year terms by the Mayor, the Council and the City Manager on a staggered basis.

As of the 2011-12 school year, the district's two schools had an enrollment of 768 students and 68.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.15:1. Schools in the district (with 2011-12 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Brigantine Elementary School serves grades PreK-4 (473 students) and Brigantine North Middle School serves grades 5-8 (295 students).

Students in public school for ninth through twelfth grades, along with those from Longport, Margate City and Ventnor City, attend Atlantic City High School in neighboring Atlantic City, as part of sending/receiving relationships with the Atlantic City School District. As of the 2013-14 school year, the school had an enrollment of 2,005 students and 196.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.2:1.

City public school students are also eligible to attend the Atlantic County Institute of Technology or the Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts, located in Somers Point.

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the city had a total of 64.45 miles (103.72 km) of roadways, of which 60.54 miles (97.43 km) were maintained by the municipality, 3.74 miles (6.02 km) by Atlantic County, 0.06 miles (0.097 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 0.11 miles (0.18 km) by the South Jersey Transportation Authority.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provide bus service to and from Atlantic City on the 501 route.

Notable people

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