The History of Ocean City, NJ

The personal injury lawyers in Ocean City, NJ, at NJ Injury Guys would like to bring you some interesting facts about the coastal community.

Ocean City

The coastal city of Ocean City is situated on the eastern edge of Cape May County in the state of New Jersey. The community is the principal city of Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which combines several counties. The city takes up 7,398.4 acres, of which 41.87% or 3,097.6 acres, is water. The nearest communities include Margate City, Beesleys Point, Ventnor City, and Linwood. 

History

Historically the area was filled with Native American camps along the coast and islands during the summer month. They lived off the resources of the area, with activities such as fishing and shell hunting. The natives would travel inland during the winter months to hunt. 

The earliest time the island was recorded was in 1633, when David Pietersz de Vries, a Dutch navigator, referred to the area as having flat sand beaches and low hills. However, Thomas Budd surveyed the region in 1695 for the West Jersey Society. For some time in 1700, whale hunting took place with the island as its base of operation. This led to the name Peck's Beach. The first home was constructed in 1752, and the first resident was Parker Miller in 1859.

In 1879 a group of men formed a Christian retreat that meets within the community still to this day. The four Methodist founders included:

• Ezra B. Lake
• James Lake
• S. Wesley Lake
• William Burrell

Neighborhood

The city has a 2.45-mile boardwalk that travels along the coast from St. James Place to 23rd Street. Construction began in 1880, and an addition extended the strip in 1885. This is now home to the following attractions: 

• Playland's Castaway Cove
• OC Waterpark
• Gillian's Wonderland Pier
• Haunted Golf
• Ocean City Music Pier

Demographics

The city was home to 11,701 people, 5,890 households, and 3,086 families in 2010. This was a decrease in its population by 23.9% from the count taken in 2000. The following is a breakdown of the racial percentages within the townspeople:

• 92.05% white 
• 3.50% African American
• 5.50% Hispanic or Latino
• 0.13% Native American
• 0.71% Asian
• 0.03% Pacific Islander
• 1.91% other races
• 1.67% two or more races

The community's median income per household was $55,202 in 2010, an increase from $44,158 in 2000. The median annual income for the male residents was $48,475, and the female residents were $41,154. Some of the common professions held by the working population were the following:

• 11.7% Sales and Related
• 11.5% Management
• 11.4% Education
• 10.4% Administrative
• 6.9% Food Service
• 6.5% Facilities
• 6.5% Construction

To learn more follow along: A Historic View of Somers Point, NJ

Our Local Office

Our Ocean City, NJ personal injury lawyers at NJ Injury Guys have been representing the injured residents for years. Let us fight for you to recover the financial compensation you deserve by calling today for a free review of your possible case.

NJ Injury Guys
2628 Fire Rd #102,
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 241-9990