South Dennis, New Jersey

South Dennis is an unincorporated community located within Dennis Township in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.^[5] It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its postal ZIP Code is 08245. The post office was established in 1873, with Robert Hutchinson as the first postmaster.^[6]

South Dennis, New Jersey
Unincorporated community
Route 47 southbound approaching Route 83 in South Dennis
South Dennis Location in Cape May County Show map of Cape May County, New Jersey South Dennis Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey South Dennis Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 39°10′42″N 74°49′12″W
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Cape May
Township	Dennis
Area [1]
• Total	6.28 sq mi (16.27 km2)
• Land	6.21 sq mi (16.08 km2)
• Water	0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2)
Elevation [2]	10 ft (3 m)
Population  (2020)[3]
• Total	1,703
• Density	274.28/sq mi (105.90/km2)
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (EDT)
ZIP Code	08245
Area codes	609, 640
FIPS code	34-68850[4]
GNIS feature ID	880724[2]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2020	1,703		—
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 93 people and 41 households residing in the ZIP Code Tabulation Area 08245. The population density was 930 people per square mile.^[8]

Geography

South Dennis is located at 39°10′42″N 74°49′12″W (39.099980, -74.848733). It lies 10 ft (3 m) above sea level.^[2] According to the United States Census Bureau, ZIP Code 08245 has a total area of 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²), all of which is land.^[8] Dennis Creek serves as the northern border of the community.^[9]

Climate

South Dennis lies on the cusp of a humid subtropical climate zone and experiences four discernible seasons. It receives an average of 44.52 inches (1,131 mm) of precipitation each year, with the wettest season being August. In January 1942, South Dennis experienced its lowest recorded temperature at -22 °F, while the hottest temperature was 103 °F in July 1993.^[10]

Climate data for South Dennis, NJ
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	44 (7)	47 (8)	55 (13)	66 (19)	75 (24)	83 (28)	88 (31)	86 (30)	80 (27)	69 (21)	59 (15)	49 (9)	67 (19)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	22 (−6)	24 (−4)	30 (−1)	38 (3)	48 (9)	57 (14)	63 (17)	61 (16)	54 (12)	43 (6)	34 (1)	26 (−3)	42 (5)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	3.86 (98)	3.08 (78)	4.18 (106)	3.61 (92)	3.58 (91)	2.88 (73)	3.8 (97)	5.31 (135)	3.76 (96)	3.62 (92)	3.37 (86)	3.47 (88)	44.52 (1,132)
Source: The Weather Channel[10]

Infrastructure

Transportation

Route 83 westbound as it approaches its terminus at Route 47 in 2005 before the intersection was reconstructed to feature a traffic light. Note the 1950s-era curb.

South Dennis lies at the intersection of Route 47 (known as Delsea Drive) and Route 83.^[9] A major infrastructure project that realigned Route 47 and added a traffic light was completed in July 2007 at a cost of $6.7 million.^[11] Two county routes, County Route 628 and County Route 657, terminate shortly after entering South Dennis.^[12][13]

Fire services

Main article: Dennis Volunteer Fire Company

Education

As with other parts of Dennis Township, the area is zoned to Dennis Township Public Schools^[14] (for grades K-8) and Middle Township Public Schools (for high school). The latter operates Middle Township High School.

Countywide schools include Cape May County Technical High School^[15][16] and Cape May County Special Services School District.

Notable people

See also: Category:People from Dennis Township, New Jersey

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

• Richard S. Leaming (1828-1895), ship builder and politician who served in both the New Jersey General Assembly and the New Jersey Senate and on the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders.^[17]