Atlantic County, New Jersey

Etymology

The county was named after the Atlantic Ocean, which borders the county's eastern coast.

History

Since the 6th millennium BC, Native American people have inhabited New Jersey. By the 17th century, the Absegami tribe of the Unalachtigo Lenape tribe – "people near the ocean" – stayed along the streams and back bays of what is now Atlantic County. The group referred to the broader area as Scheyichbi – "land bordering the ocean".^[16][17] European settlement by the Dutch, Sweden, and England contributed to the demise of the indigenous people. In 1674, West Jersey was established, and its provincial government designated the court of Burlington County in 1681, splitting off Gloucester County five years later from the southern portion. This county was bounded by the Mullica River to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Great Egg Harbor River and Tuckahoe River to the south.^[16] Great Egg Harbour Township, also called New Weymouth and later just Egg Harbor, was designated in 1693 from the eastern portions of Gloucester County.^[16]

The region's early European settlers, many of them Quakers, lived along the area's waterways. In 1695, John Somers purchased 300 acres (120 ha) of land on the northern shore of the Great Egg Harbor Bay in 1695, the same year he began ferry service across the bay to Cape May County. His son, Richard, built Somers Mansion between 1720 and 1726, which is the oldest home in existence in the county.^[18] Daniel Leeds first surveyed the coastal waters of Egg Harbor in 1698, eventually finding Leeds Point.^[19] In 1735, according to folklore, Mother Leeds gave birth to her 13th child in the area during a strange thunderstorm; this child would become the Jersey Devil.^[20] In the early 18th century, George May founded Mays Landing.^[19]

In 1774, the northern portion of Egg Harbor Township became Galloway Township.^[16] In 1785, residents in what is now Atlantic County requested to split from Gloucester County to the New Jersey legislature, wanting a local court. Mays Landing – the region's largest community at the time, had more saloons than churches. Criminals could escape custody before reaching Gloucester City on a four-day wagon ride.^[21] In 1798, the western portion split off to become Weymouth Township, and in 1813, the northwestern portion partitioned to become Hamilton Township. On February 7, 1837, the New Jersey legislature designated Atlantic County from Galloway, Hamilton, Weymouth, and Egg Harbor townships,^[16] choosing Mays Landing as the county seat. In the same year, the Board of Freeholders was established as the county government.^[19] As of the 1830 census, the townships making up Atlantic County only had a population of 8,164, making it the least populated New Jersey county. By that time, a continuous line of houses extended from Somers Point to Absecon.^[22]

Mullica Township was established from Galloway Township in 1837.^[16] In 1852, Dr. Jonathan Pitney recommended Absecon Island as a health resort, and formed the Camden and Atlantic Railroad to construct the line from Camden to the coast. The company purchased land from Atlantic and Galloway Townships in 1853, then promoted and sold the lots. Atlantic City formed on May 1, 1854, in advance of the rail line opening on July 4 of that year.^[23] In 1858, Egg Harbor City was formed from portions of Galloway and Mullica townships. In 1866, Hammonton was founded from Hamilton and Mullica townships. A year later, portions of Hamilton Township split off to become Buena Vista Township. In 1872, Absecon was split from portions of Egg Harbor and Galloway townships.^[16] By 1885, more than half of the county's population lived in Atlantic City, and by 1910 this more than two-thirds of the county lived there.^[17]

With more people moving to the area in the late 1800s into the early 1900s, several municipalities were created in short succession – Margate City (then called South Atlantic City) in 1885, Somers Point in 1886, Pleasantville and Linwood in 1889, Brigantine in 1890, Longport in 1898, Ventnor in 1903, Northfield and Port Republic in 1905, and Folsom in 1906. On May 17, 1906, the eastern coastal boundary of Atlantic County was established. The final municipalities in the county to be created were Corbin City from Weymouth Township in 1922, Estell Manor from Weymouth Township in 1925, and Buena from Buena Township in 1948. In 1938, the county's western border was clarified with Camden and Burlington counties using geographic coordinates.^[16] After a peak in prominence in the 1920s during the prohibition era, Atlantic City began declining in population in the 1950s as tourism declined. The county's growth shifted to the mainland.^[17][24]

In 1973, the New Jersey Coastal Area Facilities Review Act required additional state permitting for construction in the eastern half of the county.^[17] In the same ballot as the 1976 presidential election, 56.8% of New Jersey voters approved an initiative to allow legalized gambling in Atlantic City. Two years later, Resorts Atlantic City opened as the first casino in the city, and there were 15 by 1990. Since then, five have closed, including four in 2014, while two casinos – the Borgata and Ocean Resort Casino – have opened. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City opened in 2018, refurbishing the former Trump Taj Mahal.^[25][17] In 1978, Congress created the Pinelands National Reserve, which created the Pinelands Commission and a management policy for the seven counties in the Pine Barrens, including Atlantic County.^[17][26] Concurrent with the 1980 Presidential election, Atlantic County residents voted in favor to create a new state of South Jersey, along with five other counties in a nonbinding referendum.^[27]

Climate

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Mays Landing have ranged from a low of 24 °F (−4 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −11 °F (−24 °C) was recorded in February 1979 and a record high of 106 °F (41 °C) was recorded in June 1969. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.99 inches (76 mm) in February to 4.21 inches (107 mm) in March.^{[30][dead link]}

The county has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Average monthly temperatures in central Atlantic City range from 33.9 °F (1.1 °C) in January to 75.2 °F (24.0 °C) in July, while in Folsom they range from 32.7 °F (0.4 °C) in January to 76.3 °F (24.6 °C) in July.^[31]

In December 1992, a nor'easter produced the highest tide on record in Atlantic City, 9.0 ft (2.7 m) above mean lower low water.^[32] Former Hurricane Sandy struck near Brigantine as an extratropical cyclone, which produced an all-time minimum barometric pressure of 948.5 mbar (28.01 inHg) and wind gusts to 91 mph (146 km/h) in Atlantic City, as well as a storm surge that inundated low-lying areas. Three people died in the county during the storm, and damage was estimated at $300 million (2012 USD).^[33][32]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 274,534. The median age was 42.5 years. 20.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.2 males age 18 and over. 85.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 14.9% lived in rural areas.^[35][36][37]

The racial makeup of the county was 57.1% White, 15.1% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 7.9% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 9.9% from some other race, and 9.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 19.6% of the population.^[37]

There were 106,716 households in the county, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 31.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[36]

There were 132,038 housing units, of which 19.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.6% were owner-occupied and 35.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%.^[36]

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 274,549 people, 102,847 households, and 68,702 families in the county. The population density was 494.1 inhabitants per square mile (190.8/km²). There were 126,647 housing units at an average density of 227.9 per square mile (88.0/km²). The racial makeup was 65.40% (179,566) White, 16.08% (44,138) Black or African American, 0.38% (1,050) Native American, 7.50% (20,595) Asian, 0.03% (92) Pacific Islander, 7.36% (20,218) from other races, and 3.24% (8,890) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.84% (46,241) of the population.^[9]

Of the 102,847 households, 29.8% had children under the age of 18; 45.6% were married couples living together; 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.2% were non-families. Of all households, 26.9% were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.17.^[9]

23.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91 males.^[9]

County government

In 1974, Atlantic County voters changed the county governmental form under the Optional County Charter Law to the County executive form. Atlantic County joins Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Mercer counties as one of the five of 21 New Jersey counties with an elected executive.^[47] The charter provides for a directly elected executive and a nine-member Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners, responsible for legislation. The executive is elected to 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.^[48][49] In 2016, freeholders were paid $20,000 a year, while the freeholder chairman was paid an annual salary of $21,500.^[50]

As of 2025^[update], Atlantic County Executive is Dennis Levinson (R, Northfield), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2027.^[3] Members of the Board of County Commissioners are (with terms for chair and vice-chair ending December 31):^[48][51][49]

Democrats have not won a county-wide office since 2020. Pursuant to Article VII Section II of the New Jersey State Constitution, each county in New Jersey is required to have three elected administrative officials known as "constitutional officers." These officers are the County Clerk and County Surrogate (both elected for five-year terms of office) and the County Sheriff (elected for a three-year term).^[61] Atlantic County's constitutional officers are:^[62]

The Atlantic County Prosecutor is William E. Reynolds of Absecon, New Jersey, who took office in June 2022 after being nominated the previous month on May 16, 2022, by Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy and receiving confirmation on August 8, 2022, from the New Jersey Senate.^[69][70] Atlantic County, along with Cape May County, is part of Vicinage 1 of New Jersey Superior Court. The Atlantic County Civil Courthouse Complex is in Atlantic City, while criminal cases are heard in May's Landing; the Assignment Judge for Vicinage 1 is Michael Blee A.J.S.C.^[71]

Federal representatives

The 2nd Congressional District covers all of Atlantic County.^[72][73] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented by Jeff Van Drew (R, Dennis Township).^[74]

State representatives

The 23 municipalities of Atlantic County are part of four legislative districts.

State elections

Breweries, distilleries, and wineries

In 1864, Louis Nicholas Renault brought property in Egg Harbor City and opened Renault Winery, the oldest active winery in New Jersey, and third-oldest in the United States. During the prohibition era, the winery obtained a government permit to sell wine tonic for medicinal purposes.^[84][85][86] Tomasello Winery grew its first vineyard in 1888, and opened to the public in 1933. Gross Highland Winery operated in Absecon from 1934 to 1987, when it was sold to developers. Balic Winery opened in 1966 in Mays Landing,^[87] although its vineyards date back to the early 19th century.^[88] Sylvin Farms Winery opened in 1985 in Egg Harbor City.^[89] In 2001, Bellview Winery opened in the Landisville section of Buena.^[90] A year later, DiMatteo Vineyards opened in Hammonton,^[91] and in 2007, Plagido's Winery opened in the same town.^[92]

In 1998, Tun Tavern Brewery opened in Atlantic City across from the Atlantic City Convention Center, named after the original Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, which was the oldest brew house in the country, opening in 1685.^[93] In 2015, Tuckahoe Brewing moved from Ocean View to a facility in Egg Harbor Township capable of producing four times the amount of beer.^[94] Garden State Beer Company opened in 2016 in Galloway.^[95] In 2018, Hidden Sands Brewery opened in Egg Harbor Township.^[96]

In 2014, Lazy Eye Distillery opened in Richland in Buena Vista Township.^[97] Little Water Distillery opened in Atlantic City in 2016.^[98]

National protected areas

• Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge covers 47,000 acres (19,000 ha) of coastal habitat in Atlantic and Ocean counties.^[110]
• Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River runs from Camden County to Great Egg Harbor.^[111]

Roads and highways

As of 2017^[update], the county had a total of 1,984 miles (3,193 km) of public roadways, of which 1,395 mi (2,245 km) were maintained by the local municipality, 373 mi (600 km) by the county, 144 mi (232 km) by the NJ Department of Transportation, and 58 mi (93 km) by either the New Jersey Turnpike Authority or South Jersey Transportation Authority. State and local park services are responsible for 7 miles (11 km) of roadway, while 8 mi (13 km) fall under federal jurisdiction (either military, National Park Service, or other federal agency).^[119]

Public transportation

NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line connects the Atlantic City Rail Terminal in Atlantic City with the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, with service at intermediate stations at Hammonton, Egg Harbor City and Absecon in the county.^[122][123]