cover image

Ocean City, New Jersey

City in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:

Can you list the top facts and stats about Ocean City, New Jersey?

Summarize this article for a 10 years old

SHOW ALL QUESTIONS

Ocean City is a city in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is the principal city of the Ocean City metropolitan statistical area, which encompasses all of Cape May County, and is part of the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD combined statistical area, also known as the Delaware Valley or Philadelphia metropolitan area.[21] It is part of the South Jersey region of the state.

Quick facts: Ocean City, New Jersey, Country, State, Count...
Ocean City, New Jersey
City of Ocean City[1]
Ocean City beach from Music Pier, August 2023
Ocean City beach from Music Pier, August 2023
Flag of Ocean City, New Jersey
Official seal of Ocean City, New Jersey
Motto: 
"America's Greatest Family Resort"[2]
Location of Ocean City in Cape May County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Cape May County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Location of Ocean City in Cape May County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Cape May County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Census Bureau map of Ocean City, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Ocean City, New Jersey
Ocean City is located in Cape May County, New Jersey
Ocean City
Ocean City
Location in Cape May County
Ocean City is located in New Jersey
Ocean City
Ocean City
Location in New Jersey
Ocean City is located in the United States
Ocean City
Ocean City
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 39.269523°N 74.599797°W / 39.269523; -74.599797[3][4]
CountryFlag_of_the_United_States.svg United States
StateFlag_of_New_Jersey.svg New Jersey
CountyFlag_placeholder.svg Cape May
IncorporatedMay 3, 1884 (as borough)
ReincorporatedMarch 25, 1897 (as city)
Government
  TypeFaulkner Act (mayor–council)
  BodyCity Council
  MayorJay A. Gillian (term ends June 30, 2026)[6][7]
  AdministratorGeorge Savastano[8]
  Municipal clerkMelissa Rasner[9]
Area
  Total11.55 sq mi (29.93 km2)
  Land6.75 sq mi (17.49 km2)
  Water4.80 sq mi (12.44 km2)  41.87%
  Rank196th of 565 in state
5th of 16 in county[3]
Elevation7 ft (2 m)
Population
  Total11,229
  Estimate 
(2022)[12][14]
11,303
  Rank222nd of 565 in state
4th of 16 in county[15]
  Density1,662.8/sq mi (642.0/km2)
   Rank324th of 565 in state
5th of 16 in county[15]
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code
08226[16]
Area code(s)609 Exchanges: 391, 398, 399, 525, 814[17]
FIPS code3400954360[3][18][19]
GNIS feature ID0885332[3][20]
Websitewww.ocnj.us
Close

As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 11,229,[12][13] a decrease of 472 (−4.0%) from the 2010 census count of 11,701,[22][23] which in turn reflected a decline of 3,677 (−23.9%) from the 15,378 counted in the 2000 census.[24] In summer months, with an influx of tourists and second homeowners, there are estimated to be 115,000 to 130,000 within the city's borders.[25][26]

Ocean City originated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 3, 1884, from portions of Upper Township, based on results from a referendum on April 30, 1884, and was reincorporated as a borough on March 31, 1890. Ocean City was incorporated as a city, its current government form, on March 25, 1897.[27][28] The city is named for its location on the Atlantic Ocean.[29][30]

Known as a family-oriented seaside resort, Ocean City has not allowed the sale of alcoholic beverages within its limits since its founding in 1879,[31][32] offering miles of guarded beaches, a boardwalk that stretches for 2.5 miles (4.0 km), and a downtown shopping and dining district.[33]

Travel Channel rated Ocean City as the Best Family Beach of 2005.[34] It was ranked the third-best beach in New Jersey in the 2008 Top 10 Beaches Contest sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium.[35] In the 2009 Top 10 Beaches Contest sponsored by NJ.com, Ocean City ranked first.[36]