Location of North Wildwood in Cape May County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Cape May County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
The city's beaches were ranked the fourth-best in New Jersey in the 2008 Top 10 Beaches Contest sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium.[23] North Wildwood is one of five municipalities in the state that offer free public access to oceanfront beaches monitored by lifeguards, joining Atlantic City, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and Upper Township's Strathmere section.[24]
History
What is now North Wildwood City was originally incorporated as the borough of Anglesea on June 13, 1885, from portions of Middle Township, based on the results of a referendum held 11 days earlier. The borough was reincorporated on March 6, 1896, and again on May 4, 1897. On May 16, 1906, the Borough of North Wildwood was incorporated, replacing Anglesea Borough.[25]
Legislation passed in April 1908 established a potential consolidation of North Wildwood and Holly Beach City into Wildwood, subject to approval of referendums in each of the three municipalities, though this merger never took effect.[26]
On April 30, 1917, the area was reincorporated as the City of North Wildwood, in turn replacing North Wildwood borough.[25] The city's name comes from Wildwood, which in turn was named for the area's wild flowers.[27]
In November 2016, more than 60% of voters rejected a non-binding referendum that would ask to change the name of the city from North Wildwood to its historic name of Anglesea. Opponents cited the confusion that would be created and the impact on commerce.[28]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 2.50 square miles (6.46 km2), including 1.73 square miles (4.47 km2) of land and 0.77 square miles (2.00 km2) of water (30.80%).[1][2]
Of the 2,047 households, 12.0% had children under the age of 18; 41.1% were married couples living together; 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 47.0% were non-families. Of all households, 41.3% were made up of individuals and 21.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.64.[19]
13.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 17.4% from 25 to 44, 32.9% from 45 to 64, and 30.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.5 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $45,041 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,807) and the median family income was $56,116 (+/− $10,273). Males had a median income of $60,068 (+/− $9,524) versus $35,879 (+/− $5,208) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $31,748 (+/− $5,814). About 10.6% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.[39]
2000 census
As of the 2020 U.S. census,[15] there were 4,935 people, 2,309 households, and 1,394 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,794.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,079.0/km2). There were 7,411 housing units at an average density of 4,196.7 per square mile (1,620.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.62% White, 0.81% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.77% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.95% of the population.[37][38]
There were 2,309 households, out of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.73.[37][38]
In the city, the population was spread out, with 17.2% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.[37][38]
The median income for a household in the city was $32,582, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $32,986 versus $22,064 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,656. About 9.9% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.[37][38]
Economy
Portions of the city—together with areas in West Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest—are part of a joint Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. The four municipalities in The Wildwoods were selected in 2002 as one of a group of three zones added to participate in the program as part of a joint zone with.[40] In addition to other benefits to encourage employment and investment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate (half of the 6+5⁄8% rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants.[41] Established in November 2002, the city's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in December 2023.[42] The joint UEZ is overseen by the Enterprise Zone Development Corporation of the Wildwoods Board, which includes representatives from all four municipalities.[43]
Government
Local government
North Wildwood operates under the City form of municipal government, which is used in 15 municipalities (of the 564) statewide.[44] Under this form of government, the council functions as a legislative body: it passes ordinances and approves the appointments of the mayor. The mayor, as executive, is responsible for administrative functions and appointment of all officials. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a city council. The mayor serves a four-year term of office. The city council includes seven members, of which six members are elected from wards for three-year terms on a staggered basis and one at-large councilmember is elected for a two-year term. Members of the governing body are selected in partisan voting as part of the November general election.[7][45][46][47]
As of 2023[update], the mayor is Republican Patrick T. Rosenello, whose term of office ends December 31, 2025.[3] Members of the City Council are Council President Salvatore T. Zampirri Sr. (R, 2023; at-large), Margaret Anne "Peggy" Bishop (R, 2025; 1st Ward), David J. Del Conte (R, 2023; 1st Ward), James F. Kane (R, 2024; 1st Ward), Edwin W. Koehler (R, 2025; 2nd Ward), Joseph V. Rullo (R, 2024; 2nd Ward) and Kellyann Tolomeo (R, 2023; 2nd Ward).[48][49][50][51][52][53]
In January 2014, the city council chose Joseph Rullo from among three names nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the vacant second ward seat of Patrick Rosenello, who vacated the seat earlier that month when he took office as mayor.[54]
Emergency services
The city is protected by the North Wildwood Police Department.[55]
The city is protected by a fire department that includes career and volunteer units. The two volunteer units are Anglesea Volunteer Fire Company #1 (founded in 1897) and the North Wildwood Volunteer Fire Company #1.[56][57]
Federal, state and county representation
North Wildwood is located in the 2nd Congressional District[58] and is part of New Jersey's 1st Legislative District.[59][60][61]
Cape May County is governed by a five-person Board of County Commissioners whose members are elected at-large on a partisan basis to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year; At an annual reorganization held each January, the commissioners select one member to serve as director and another to serve as vice-director.[66] As of 2025[update], Cape May County's Commissioners are
Director Leonard C. Desiderio (R, Sea Isle City, 2027),[67]
Robert Barr (R, Ocean City; 2025),[68]
Will Morey (R, Wildwood Crest; 2026),[69]
Melanie Collette (R. Middle Township; 2026),[70] and
Vice-Director Andrew Bulakowski (R, Lower Township; 2025).[71][66][72]
The county's constitutional officers are Clerk Rita Marie Rothberg (R, 2025, Ocean City),[73][74]
Sheriff Robert Nolan (R, 2026, Lower Township)[75][76] and
Surrogate E. Marie Hayes (R, 2028, Ocean City).[77][78][79][72]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,279 registered voters in North Wildwood, of which 528 (16.1%) were registered as Democrats, 1,640 (50.0%) were registered as Republicans and 1,111 (33.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[80]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 57.2% of the vote (1,209 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 42.1% (889 votes), and other candidates with 0.8% (16 votes), among the 2,146 ballots cast by the city's 3,282 registered voters (32 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 65.4%.[81][82] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 58.0% of the vote (1,415 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama, who received 39.6% (967 votes), with 2,441 ballots cast among the city's 3,263 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.8%.[83] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 56.4% of the vote (1,556 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry, who received around 42.0% (1,158 votes), with 2,760 ballots cast among the city's 4,001 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 69.0.[84]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 82.7% of the vote (1,268 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 16.2% (248 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (17 votes), among the 1,596 ballots cast by the city's 3,173 registered voters (63 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 50.3%.[85][86] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 57.7% of the vote (987 ballots cast), ahead of both Democrat Jon Corzine with 32.9% (563 votes) and Independent Chris Daggett with 5.7% (98 votes), with 1,711 ballots cast among the city's 3,336 registered voters, yielding a 51.3% turnout.[87]
Students are also eligible to attend Cape May County Technical High School in the Cape May Court House area, which serves students from the entire county in its comprehensive and vocational programs, which are offered without charge to students who are county residents.[92][93] Special needs students may be referred to Cape May County Special Services School District in the Cape May Court House area.
Wildwood Catholic Academy (Pre-K–12) operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden.[94] There was previously a Catholic elementary school in Wildwood, St. Ann's School, which operated until 2010, when it merged into Cape Trinity Regional School (Pre-K–8) in North Wildwood.[95] Upon its creation Cape Trinity Catholic Regional School operated separately from Wildwood Catholic High School but shared a common building.[96] In April 2020, the Diocese of Camden announced that both of its Wildwood schools would permanently close at the end of the school year due to declining enrollment, which had dropped by 12% over the previous five years.[97][98] By June 2020, both schools avoided closure after agreeing to merge.[99]
Arts and culture
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2024)
The Irish Fall Festival is the largest on the East Coast.[100]
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010[update], the city had a total of 35.57 miles (57.24 km) of roadways, of which 33.19 miles (53.41 km) were maintained by the municipality, 1.42 miles (2.29 km) by Cape May County and 0.96 miles (1.54 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[101]
Parking in the beach area and Entertainment District of North Wildwood is regulated by parking meters between May 15 and September 30, whichever comes first. Yearly and weekly parking meter permits are also available.[105]
The Great American Trolley Company operates trolley service in North Wildwood during the summer months. The company runs a trolley route that provides service from North Wildwood to the boardwalk at Schellenger Avenue in Wildwood on Friday and Saturday evenings.[108] Another trolley route runs from North Wildwood to shopping centers in Rio Grande, operating Mondays through Fridays.[109] The Great American Trolley Company also runs two trolley routes to the Irish Fall Festival in North Wildwood during the weekend of the festival, with one route connecting Wildwood Crest and Wildwood to the festival site and the other route connecting points in North Wildwood to the festival site.[110]
The Tramcar is a trackless train service running along the entire length of the Wildwoods boardwalk from Cresse Avenue in Wildwood to 16th Avenue in North Wildwood during the summer season.[111]
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification system, North Wildwood 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 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature at or above 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature at or above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months in North Wildwood, 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 95.0 °F (35.0 °C). During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values below 0.0 °F (−17.8 °C). The plant hardiness zone at North Wildwood Beach is 7b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 6.3 °F (−14.3 °C).[112] The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is 12 to 18 inches (300 to 460 mm), and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.
Climate data for North Wildwood Beach, NJ (1981–2010 Averages)
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2024)
Notre Dame de la Mer Catholic Parish, which has its administrative offices at Wildwood Catholic Academy, is of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden.[116] The worship sites are in Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. In 2008 the diocese announced that it would merge two standalone parish churches in those cities into one parish,[117] and the merger occurred in 2010.[118]
Cozy Morley (c. 1926–2013), singer-songwriter, entertainer, comedian and owner of Club Avalon in North Wildwood, best known for his rendition of "On the Way to Cape May"[125]
^Spoto, MaryAnn. "Surfers fighting to save dwindling free beaches", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 20, 2015. Accessed October 30, 2015. "New Jersey has five free guarded ocean beaches – Atlantic City, Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and the Strathmere section of Upper Township."
^Tomczuk, Jack. "Voters reject Anglesea referendum, favor keeping North Wildwood name", The Press of Atlantic City, November 8, 2016. Accessed May 12, 2020. "North Wildwood — About 60 percent of voters Tuesday turned down a proposal to change the city’s name to Anglesea.... The island is currently comprised of four municipalities — Wildwood, North Wildwood, West Wildwood and Wildwood Crest — and Diamond Beach, a section of Lower Township.... Proponents of the name change said they wanted to honor the city’s history — it was called the borough of Anglesea from 1885 until 1906. Opponents said the name change would harm businesses."
^Urban Enterprise Zone Tax Questions and Answers, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, May 2009. Accessed October 28, 2019. "The legislation was amended again in 2002 to include 3 more zones. They include Bayonne City, Roselle Borough, and a joint zone consisting of North Wildwood City, Wildwood City, Wildwood Crest Borough, and West Wildwood Borough."
^Urban Enterprise Zone Program, City of Wildwood. Accessed November 19, 2019. "The Enterprise Zone Development Corporation of the Wildwoods Board is comprised of business owners, elected officials and employees representing the City of Wildwood, City of North Wildwood, the Borough of West Wildwood, and the Borough of Wildwood Crest."
^Home Page, City of North Wildwood. Accessed July 11, 2008. The City's website refers to a "Mayor-council form of government", but does not explicitly mention the Faulkner Act or Optional Municipal Charter Law.
^City of North Wildwood v. North Wildwood Taxpayers Association, Findlaw. Accessed December 20, 2015. "Voters may petition the Clerk to change the form of government from a mayor-council form pursuant to the Faulkner Act, N.J.S.A. 40:69A-1 to : 69A-17, to a commission form of government under the Walsh Act. N.J.S.A. 40:70-1 to : 96-27."
^Gilfillian, Trudi. "North Wildwood swears in Joseph Rullo as newest council member", The Press of Atlantic City, January 21, 2014. Accessed February 23, 2015. "Councilman Joseph Rullo was sworn into office Tuesday morning by Municipal Court Judge Louis Belasco after council unanimously voted for him to fill the 2nd Ward council seat vacated by Mayor Patrick Rosenello. Rosenello resigned from the position Jan. 7 after becoming mayor, and the city's Republican Club submitted to council the names of three possible replacements."
^Home Page, North Wildwood Police Department. Accessed February 23, 2015.
^Fire Department, City of North Wildwood. Accessed May 12, 2020. "The North Wildwood Fire Department is a combination career and volunteer department currently operating out of 3 stations: Headquarters (Station 2); North Wildwood Volunteer Fire Company #1 (Station 2-1); and Anglesea Volunteer Fire Company #1 (Station 2-2)"
^Home Page, Anglesea Volunteer Fire Company #1. Accessed May 12, 2020. "Situated on the barrier island of North Wildwood, NJ, The Anglesea Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 has been serving the city since 1897.... The AVFC #1 responds to various types of emergencies including, reported structure fires, residential and commercial fire alarms, and other assignments. We are part of the North Wildwood Fire Department, which is comprised of a Career Division and a Volunteer Division which is comprised of two Volunteer companies – The Anglesea Volunteer Fire Company No.1 and the North Wildwood Volunteer Fire Company No. 1."
^ abBoard of County Commissioners, Cape May County, New Jersey. Accessed April 28, 2022. "Cape May County Government is governed by a Board of County Commissioners. These individuals are elected at large by the citizens of Cape May County and hold spaced 3-year terms." Note that as of date accessed, Desiderio is listed with an incorrect term-end year of 2020.
^Frequently Asked Questions, Cape May County Technical High School. Accessed October 27, 2019. "All residents of Cape May County are eligible to attend Cape May County Technical High School.... The Cape May County Technical High School is a public school so there is no cost to residents of Cape May County."
^Gilfillian, Trudi. "Cape Trinity Catholic School opens in Wildwood Catholic building", The Press of Atlantic City, September 8, 2010. Accessed May 18, 2011. "Wildwood Catholic High School, which once occupied the entire building, will make use of parts of the second and all of the third floor, while Cape Trinity students will use the first and parts of the second floor. Both schools will share a first-floor cafeteria, but not at the same time.... The school hosts students who previously attended St. Ann's in Wildwood and Star of the Sea in Cape May, which includes students who once attended St. Raymond's in Lower Township."
^Franklin, Chris. "2 Jersey Shore Catholic schools slated to close have been saved", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 5, 2020. Accessed February 22, 2023. "Two of the five Catholic schools in South Jersey run by the Diocese of Camden that were scheduled to close their doors for good have been saved and will reopen. A June 1 letter sent by the Bishop of Camden Dennis J. Sullivan to Reverend Joseph Wallace and posted in the Save Wildwood Catholic Academy Facebook group Thursday stated the Diocese had approved a proposal from Wildwood Catholic High School and Cape Trinity Catholic Elementary School for the two schools to merge."
^"Annual Irish Fall Festival", New Jersey Monthly. Accessed September 4, 2023., "Held along Olde New Jersey Avenue and surrounding pubs in North Wildwood from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, The Wildwoods Irish Festival is the largest Irish Festival on the East Coast."
^"Summer Mass Schedule"(PDF). Notre Dame de la Mer Catholic Parish. Retrieved April 21, 2024. WCHS/CTC School ** -1500 Central Avenue, North Wildwood ** Compare to (check address): "Home". Notre Dame de la Mer Catholic Parish. Retrieved April 21, 2024. Parish Offices 1500 Central Ave, Suite 100 North Wildwood, NJ 08260
^McAleer, Pete. "Sen. Cafiero to Cast Final Career Vote", The Press of Atlantic City, January 11, 2004. Accessed August 9, 2007. "On Monday, the rapid-talking, fast-walking, fence-climbing gentleman from North Wildwood closes the book on a 27-year career in the state Legislature."
^Vanore, Jim. "Unanswered prayers, unanswered questions won't stop this journey", Cape May County Herald, May 19, 2008. Accessed May 27, 2008. ""Working in the family business as a kid, I knew I didn't want to do that for a living," said Justin, a North Wildwood native, who was raised in a traditional Catholic family, and graduated from Wildwood Catholic High School."
^Dubin, Murray. "A Journey From Songs To Seashells", The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 4, 1999. Accessed May 28, 2013. "North Wildwood, N.J. — He has worked for and with people you read about or listen to: Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Aerosmith, Madonna, Rick Springfield and hundreds more.... Antonio Fulginiti was one of the first Italians on the island in 1900, but his grandson, Gregory, left for New York as quickly as he could, one day after his graduation from Wildwood High School in 1969."
^MacIntosh, Jeane; and Cornell, Kati. "A Deal with the Devil: NJ Bishop Sold Home to Vati-'Con'", New York Post, July 15, 2008. Accessed February 1, 2011. "Bishop Joseph Galante, a former undersecretary at the Vatican and current head of the Camden Diocese, pocketed $400,000 for his four-bedroom townhouse in North Wildwood, NJ, in the sale to Follieri in February 2007, The Post has learned."
^Morrison, John F. "Thomas "Cozy" Morley, 87, popular South Jersey comedian and musician.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 26, 2013. Accessed April 10, 2022. "Thomas Francis 'Cozy' Morley, who became an iconic part of the South Jersey entertainment scene, a jokester who could pack his 1,200-seat Club Avalon in North Wildwood every night and became a hit in the Atlantic City casinos, died last week. He was 87. He had homes in North Wildwood, Haddon Township and Fort Lauderdale, Fla."