Beach Haven is a borough situated on the Jersey Shore in southern Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The borough is located on Long Beach Island (LBI) and borders the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,027, a decrease of 143 (−12.2%) from the 2010 census count of 1,170, which in turn reflected a decline of 108 (−8.5%) from the 1,278 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

Beach Haven was incorporated as a Borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on November 11, 1890, from portions of Eagleswood Township, based on the results of a referendum held five days earlier.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 201. Accessed May 1, 2026.

History Beach Haven, known as the "Queen City,"McGarry, Michael. "Parade, Fun And Games Planned For Beach Haven's Centennial", The Press of Atlantic City, October 2, 1990. Accessed August 25, 2013. "The Queen City will celebrate its 100th birthday Saturday with a parade and plenty of fun and games for people of all ages." is a late 19th-century beachfront resort originally established in 1873 to house wealthy summer residents from Philadelphia. Although some of the major structures, including several hotels and a boardwalk, were lost to storms in the 1940s including the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944,DiUlio, Nick. "LBI: A World Apart; Summer crowds and chic amenities have encroached on Long Beach Island, but for most, it's still a magic place.", New Jersey Monthly, May 9, 2011. Accessed August 25, 2013. "It even had a small, 16-block boardwalk in Beach Haven, but that was washed away in a devastating 1944 hurricane." a large portion of the town retains its Victorian and Edwardian character. The Beach Haven Historic District listed in the New Jersey and the National Register of Historic Places in the early 1980s, encompasses the most intact buildings at the core of the resort.

The first incident in the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916 took place at the east end of Engleside Avenue.Capuzzo, Michael. Close to Shore. Broadway Books, New York 2001.Cronin, Steven V. "When Jaws Was Real / Shark's Four Victims Never Saw Death Coming", The Press of Atlantic City, June 3, 2001. Accessed December 25, 2012. "The shark's first victim was killed on July 1, 1916. Charles Vansant, a well-off 25-year-old Philadelphian, was playing with a dog in the surf off Engleside Avenue in Beach Haven when people on the beach saw a shark's fin heading toward him. The crowd tried to warn Vansant, who couldn't understand what the panicked crowd was shouting." The ensuing series of attacks along the Jersey Shore became the basis for the book Jaws, by Peter Benchley.Gambino, Megan. "The Shark Attacks That Were the Inspiration for Jaws One rogue shark. Five victims. A mysterious threat. And the era of the killer great white was born", Smithsonian, August 6, 2012. Accessed August 29, 2022. "In the summer of 1916, panic struck the Jersey Shore. A shark sunk its teeth into Charles Vansant, the 25-year-old son of a Philadelphia businessman, out for an evening swim in the resort town of Beach Haven on July 1."

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.33 square miles (6.03 km2), including 0.98 square miles (2.54 km2) of land and 1.35 square miles (3.50 km2) of water (57.94%).

The borough borders the Ocean County municipalities of Little Egg Harbor Township and Long Beach Township.Areas touching Beach Haven, MapIt. Accessed March 18, 2020.Ocean County Map , Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 18, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 1,170 people, 531 households, and 301 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,667 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 92.65% (1,084) White, 0.34% (4) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 0.77% (9) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 5.90% (69) from other races, and 0.34% (4) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.91% (116) of the population.

Of the 531 households, 15.4% had children under the age of 18; 43.5% were married couples living together; 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 43.3% were non-families. Of all households, 36.7% were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.81.

13.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 34.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.7 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $71,532 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,910) and the median family income was $89,306 (+/− $12,115). Males had a median income of $54,750 (+/− $63,730) versus $51,875 (+/− $34,023) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $52,498 (+/− $9,292). About 3.8% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 25, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,278 people, 586 households, and 346 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,555 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 98.83% White, 0.08% African American, 0.55% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.69% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Beach Haven borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 25, 2012., United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 25, 2012.

There were 586 households, out of which 18.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 17.1% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 27.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $48,355, and the median income for a family was $68,036. Males had a median income of $39,444 versus $29,688 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,267. About 1.2% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

The Surflight Theatre is a 450-seat theater originally established in 1950 that offers theatrical productions for adults and children. It and its sister establishment, the cabaret-style sing-for-your dessert restaurant the Showplace Ice Cream Parlour, closed in 2015 after filing for bankruptcy with $2.6 million in debt, re-opening in 2017 under new ownership.Mikle, Jean. "Surflight Theatre declares bankruptcy, shuts doors", Asbury Park Press, February 24, 2015. Accessed July 26, 2016. "Operators say they had no choice but to close down the 65-year-old theater, which is $2.6 million in debt.... The 450-seat theater opened in 1950, when Joseph P. Hayes set up an open-air performance venue in Beach Haven Crest."Larsen, Erik. "Surflight Theatre to reopen, amid skepticism", Asbury Park Press, March 9, 2017. Accessed April 23, 2023.

The New Jersey Maritime Museum is a Beach Haven establishment dedicated to the maritime history of the Jersey Shore with a focus on shipwrecks in the region. It is run by Deborah Whitcraft, who previously served on the Long Beach city council and formerly ran a diving company.

The Long Beach Island Historical Museum is in Beach Haven, and displays artifacts related to the history of Long Beach Island in general.

Parks and recreation

Veteran's Bicentennial Park, in the heart of Beach Haven, hosts many concerts, flea markets, and food and art festivals in the summer months. Like Nelson Avenue Park, Taylor Park, and Walsh Field, these areas provide open parks for general recreation and host frequent events during the summer months. Beach Haven’s parks also offer a mixture of public sporting facilities including those for tennis, pickleball, baseball, soccer, and basketball.

As the island is only a few blocks wide, the beach and the bay (Little Egg Harbor) are readily accessible from anywhere in Beach Haven. Pavilions could be found at Fifth and Pearl Streets, both of which were washed away by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012Staff. "Ocean County to Assist Beach Haven With Storm Debris Removal", TheSandPaper, December 13, 2012. Accessed December 25, 2012. "Crane said the storm washed away the Fifth and Pearl street pavilions, and also severely damaged the beach patrol headquarters on Centre Street." and subsequently rebuilt in June 2013.Staff. ""Beach Pavilions Returning to Beach Haven", TheSandPaper, June 13, 2013. Accessed August 18, 2013. "The beach pavilions at Fifth Street and Pearl Street are under construction and are 2½ feet higher than the ones Sandy washed away, said Beach Haven Mayor Robert Keeler during the June 10 borough commission meeting." Beach volleyball facilities have also been erected adjacent to the Fifth Street pavilion and on Second Street.

Beach badges are required to access the beach during guarded hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and can be purchased at Borough Hall or the office at the Beach Patrol Headquarters on Centre Street, however daily and weekly badges may be purchased via mobile app.Beach Information, Borough of Beach Haven. Accessed March 18, 2020. Beach badges are not required for access on Wednesdays.

Beach Haven is home to multiple attractions, including the only amusement park on the island, Fantasy Island,Home Page, Fantasy Island Amusement Park Official website. Accessed February 11, 2015. and the only waterpark on the island, Thundering Surf. Both of these highlights are located on the north end of the municipality nearby Historic Bay Village and Schooners Wharf shopping districts.

Beach haven also has numerous miniature golf courses including Adventure Golf, adjacent to Thundering Surf Waterpark, and Mr. Tee's Family Arcade & Mini Golf.

Government

Local government