Beachwood, New Jersey


Beachwood is a borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population increased to 11,045, reflecting an increase of 670 from the 10,375 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 1,051 from the 9,324 counted in the 1990 Census. the highest recorded in any decennial census.
Beachwood was incorporated as a Borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 22, 1917, from portions of Berkeley Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 12, 1917.

History

What is now the borough of Beachwood dates its settlement to a 1914 plan backed by the publishers of the New-York Tribune, under which of Berkeley Township were purchased and sectioned off as a summer colony called "Beachwood". Buyers paid $19.60 for a plot of land measuring and received a six-month subscription to The Tribune as a bonus. The first residents of the community moved in during April 1915, and work on a Club House, the Pier, the Bath House, the Lodge, a dining hall and a railroad station were planned to be completed by the end of May. Other offerings within the development included tennis courts, and facilities along the beach and on the river for canoeing, sailing and swimming. The first "cottages" in the community were constructed during that first summer season.
A Property-Owner's Association was established in 1916. In addition to overseeing local services within the development, the organization also advocated that the community should become an independent municipality. Legislation was passed by the Legislature on March 22, 1917, and a referendum approving the establishment of the borough passed on April 12. On May 11, the borough's first council was elected, along with Joseph H. Senior, who was chosen by the voters as Beachwood's first mayor. A Board of Education was formed the following year, with school transportation provided on the back of a truck outfitted with wooden benches.
In December 2008, the Beachwood Historical Alliance was established, with the goal of the creation of an official town-run Preservation Commission for the purpose of recognizing, restoring and preserving aspects of Beachwood's formation, history and heritage.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.849 square miles, including 2.848 square miles of land and 0.001 square miles of water.
The borough borders the Ocean County municipalities of Berkeley Township, Pine Beach and South Toms River.

Demographics

2010 Census

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $78,611 and the median family income was $83,083. Males had a median income of $58,981 versus $46,632 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,366. About 5.2% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% 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 10,375 people, 3,475 households, and 2,818 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,757.3 people per square mile. There were 3,623 housing units at an average density of 1,312.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 95.66% White, 0.97% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.22% of the population.
There were 3,475 households, out of which 42.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.9% were non-families. 15.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 28.5% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $59,022, and the median income for a family was $64,190. Males had a median income of $41,204 versus $30,189 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $21,247. About 2.9% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Beachwood was originally governed under the Walsh Act commission form of government, which was maintained until the mid-1970s. Beachwood is now governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 of 565 municipalities statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of a Mayor and a Borough Council, with all positions elected at-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 is comprised of 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. The Borough form of government used by Beachwood 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 can veto ordinances subject to an override 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.
, the Mayor of Beachwood is Republican Ronald F. Roma Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Beachwood Borough Council are Council President Edward Zakar, William J. Cairns, Beverly Clayton, Gregory Feeney, Steven Komsa and Gerald LaCrosse,.
Bill Cairns was appointed to fill the vacant seat expiring in December 2015 of Thomas Miserendino, who died in office in June 2015.

Federal, state and county representation

Beachwood is located in the 3rd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 9th state legislative district.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 6,714 registered voters in Beachwood, of which 1,329 were registered as Democrats, 1,661 were registered as Republicans and 3,718 were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 6 voters registered to other parties. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 60.8% were registered to vote, including 81.5% of those ages 18 and over.
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 51.9% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 47.0%, and other candidates with 1.1%, among the 4,397 ballots cast by the borough's 6,979 registered voters, for a turnout of 63.0%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 51.5% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 46.2% and other candidates with 1.3%, among the 5,064 ballots cast by the borough's 7,008 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.3%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 58.9% of the vote, outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 40.0% and other candidates with 0.6%, among the 4,676 ballots cast by the borough's 6,492 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 72.0.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 71.4% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 27.1%, and other candidates with 1.5%, among the 2,960 ballots cast by the borough's 6,897 registered voters, for a turnout of 42.9%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 64.3% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 27.8%, Independent Chris Daggett with 5.2% and other candidates with 1.7%, among the 3,375 ballots cast by the borough's 6,933 registered voters, yielding a 48.7% turnout.

Education

Public school students in kindergarten through twelfth grade attend the Toms River Regional Schools, a regional public school system based primarily in Toms River Township that is the state's largest suburban district. In addition to students from Toms River, the district also serves the boroughs of Beachwood, Pine Beach and South Toms River. Students in kindergarten through 5th grades attend either Beachwood Elementary School in Beachwood or Pine Beach Elementary in the neighboring community of Pine Beach. Intermediate school students attend Toms River Intermediate School South in Beachwood for grades 6–8. High school students attend Toms River High School South in Toms River Township for grades 9–12. The district's board of education has nine members; seats are allocated based on population, with one seat allocated to Beachwood.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Ocean County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
The Garden State Parkway passes through the borough, connecting Berkeley Township in the south to South Toms River in the north.

Public transportation

offers local bus service to and from Atlantic City on the 559 route.

Notable people

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