Surf City is a borough situated on the Jersey Shore in southern Ocean County, within the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,243, an increase of 38 (+3.2%) from the 2010 census count of 1,205, which in turn had reflected a decline of 237 (−16.4%) from the 1,442 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. The borough borders the Atlantic Ocean on Long Beach Island.
What is now Surf City was originally formed as Long Beach City borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on September 19, 1894, from portions of Stafford Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day. The borough was renamed Surf City by a resolution of the Borough Council as of May 26, 1899.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 205. Accessed May 30, 2024. The name was changed to avoid confusion with other places on the island and along the Jersey Shore.Borough of Surf City History, LBI.net. Accessed October 11, 2015. "The residents of the Great Swamp area (now sometimes referred to as Old Mansion) wanted their community to acquire the same prestige and popularity, so in 1875, they elected to call their town Long Beach City. However, the name lasted for only nineteen years because it was too similar to other area names such as Long Beach, Long Branch and Long Island. The name Surf City was selected and has been used since 1894."Somerville, George B. The Lure of Long Beach, p. 52. Long Beach Board of Trade, 1914. Accessed October 11, 2015. "Next down the beach from Harvey Cedars is Surf City. The original name of this resort, founded in 1873, was Long Beach City, but the similarity of the name with that of Long Branch caused much confusion in mails, freights and express, and the name was changed to Surf City."
History Present-day Surf City was home to one of the earliest big boarding hotels on the Jersey Shore, called the Mansion of Health, one of whose owners was Hudson Buzby. In the 1830s and 1840s, the area surrounding this hotel was called "Buzby's Place". The Mansion of Health burned down in 1874, but some old-timers still call the cove at the foot of South First Street on the bay side "Mansion Cove."Lloyd, pgs. 31-33.
In 1875, the 20 or so permanent residents of the area decided to call the area Long Beach City, even though the area was still part of Stafford Township. In 1894, Surf City was incorporated, changing its name to Surf City in 1899 after the United States Postal Service required a name change before the town could incorporate, preventing it from being confused with Long Branch in Monmouth County.Lloyd, pg. 32.Africano, Lilian; and Africano, Nina. Jersey Shore, p. 12. Globe Pequot Press, 2004. . Accessed September 24, 2013.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.32 square miles (3.43 km2), including 0.74 square miles (1.93 km2) of land and 0.58 square miles (1.5 km2) of water (43.94%).
The borough is located east-southeast of Philadelphia and south of New York City. Surf City is also from the capitol of New Jersey, Trenton.
The borough borders the Ocean County municipalities of Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom and Stafford Township.Areas touching Surf City, MapIt. Accessed March 6, 2020.Ocean County Map, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 6, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Climate According to the Köppen climate classification system, Surf City has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) with hot, moderately humid summers, cool winters and year-around precipitation. Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature above , at least four months with an average mean temperature at or above , at least one month with an average mean temperature at or above and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months in Surf City, a cooling afternoon sea breeze is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values at or above . During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values below . The plant hardiness zone at Surf City Beach is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of . The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.
Ecology According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Surf City would have a dominant vegetation type of Northern Cordgrass (73) with a dominant vegetation form of Coastal Prairie (20).U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions), Data Basin. Accessed March 18, 2020.
Demographics
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,205 people, 622 households, and 366 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,566 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 95.52% (1,151) White, 1.33% (16) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 0.58% (7) Asian, 0.33% (4) Pacific Islander, 1.41% (17) from other races, and 0.83% (10) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.06% (61) of the population.
Of the 622 households, 10.5% had children under the age of 18; 48.6% were married couples living together; 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 41.2% were non-families. Of all households, 35.9% were made up of individuals and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.94 and the average family size was 2.45.
9.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 14.6% from 25 to 44, 32.9% from 45 to 64, and 38.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.4 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $63,375 (with a margin of error of +/− $12,908) and the median family income was $74,479 (+/− $16,901). Males had a median income of $58,750 (+/− $18,197) versus $51,000 (+/− $27,120) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $42,677 (+/− $4,230). About 2.9% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Surf City borough, Ocean County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,442 people, 706 households, and 420 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,621 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 98.06% White, 0.14% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.42% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.94% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Surf City borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Surf City borough, Ocean County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.
There were 706 households, out of which 13.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.61.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 12.4% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 34.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $38,190, and the median income for a family was $50,268. Males had a median income of $40,625 versus $25,208 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,632. About 5.6% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
Sports The Surf City Yacht Club participates in weekly races against other yacht clubs throughout the Island, with many sailors and swimmers ranging in age dedicating their summers to the Yacht Club.Home page, Surf City Yacht Club. Accessed January 2, 2013.
The Surf City Beach Patrol won the Surf City Epic, Lavallette, Ortley Beach, Island Beach State Park, the Midway Beach, and "Islands" Tournaments in 2008, narrowly missing out on victories at Sandy Hook (2nd) and the Ship Bottom (2nd) "State Tournament" losing by only a combined 4.5 points. The SCBP squad were back-to-back LBIBPA Island Champions (2007 & 2008) for the first time in the last 25+ years. The high point of the season came during the IBSP tournament when Surf City won by 23 points.Home page, Surf City Beach Patrol. Accessed January 2, 2013.
Government Local government Surf City is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes 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.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 49. The borough form of government used by Surf City 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.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.