The borough's name was derived from a March 1817 incident in which a woman was saved from a wrecked ship that had capsized as her rescuers used axes to cut through the bottom of the hull.[1][24]
What is now Ship Bottom was originally incorporated as the borough of Ship Bottom-Beach Arlington by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 3, 1925, from portions of Long Beach Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 23, 1925. The borough name was shortened to Ship Bottom in 1947.[25]
The borough is known as the "Gateway to Long Beach Island", as Route 72 provides the sole road access from Manahawkin in Stafford Township, ending in Ship Bottom as it crosses Manahawkin Bay via the Manahawkin Bay Bridge (formally known as the Dorland J. Henderson Memorial Bridge).
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.99 square miles (2.58 km2), including 0.71 square miles (1.84 km2) of land and 0.28 square miles (0.73 km2) of water (28.48%).[2][3]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Beach Arlington.[26]
The 2010 United States census counted 1,156 people, 555 households, and 329 families in the borough. The population density was 1,620.6 inhabitants per square mile (625.7/km2). There were 2,066 housing units at an average density of 2,896.3 per square mile (1,118.3/km2). The racial makeup was 92.91% (1,074) White, 1.30% (15) Black or African American, 0.17% (2) Native American, 0.43% (5) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 3.98% (46) from other races, and 1.21% (14) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.17% (106) of the population.[20]
Of the 555 households, 13.7% had children under the age of 18; 46.8% were married couples living together; 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 40.7% were non-families. Of all households, 32.8% were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.60.[20]
12.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 20.2% from 25 to 44, 32.0% from 45 to 64, and 28.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 104.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 99.4 males.[20]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $60,673 (with a margin of error of +/− $15,872) and the median family income was $97,841 (+/− $19,072). Males had a median income of $51,641 (+/− $9,381) versus $33,580 (+/− $4,778) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $41,184 (+/− $4,936). About 5.4% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.[35]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[17] there were 1,384 people, 664 households, and 395 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,991.1 inhabitants per square mile (768.8/km2). There were 2,218 housing units at an average density of 3,191.0 per square mile (1,232.1/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.32% White, 0.29% African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 1.08% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.78% of the population.[33][34]
There were 664 households, out of which 14.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.65.[33][34]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 14.8% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 26.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.2 males.[33][34]
The median income for a household in the borough was $42,098, and the median income for a family was $60,417. Males had a median income of $36,382 versus $28,958 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,870. About 4.1% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.[33][34]
Government
Local government
Ship Bottom 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.[36] 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.[8] The borough form of government used by Ship Bottom 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.[37][38] Each Council member chairs a committee that oversees a department: Revenue and Finance; Public Safety; Water/Sewer; Parks and Recreation; Public Property and Community Affairs; and Public Works.[39]
As of 2022[update], the mayor of Ship Bottom Borough is Republican William Huelsenbeck, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2022. Members of the Ship Bottom Borough Council are Council President Edward English (R, 2023), Robert J. Butkus (R, 2022), David Hartman (R, 2023), Peter J. Rossi Sr. (R, 2024), Tom Tallon (R, 2022) and Joseph Valyo (R, 2024).[4][40][41][42][43][44][45][46]
Federal, state and county representation
Ship Bottom is located in the 2nd Congressional District[47] and is part of New Jersey's 9th state legislative district.[48]
Ocean County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members who are elected on an at-large basis in partisan elections and serving staggered three-year terms of office, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization held in the beginning of January, the board chooses a director and a deputy director from among its members.[54] As of 2024[update], Ocean County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year and residence) are:
Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are:
Clerk Scott M. Colabella (R, 2025, Barnegat Light),[62][63]
Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy (R, 2025; Toms River)[64][65] and
Surrogate Jeffrey Moran (R, 2028, Beachwood).[66][67][68]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 988 registered voters in Ship Bottom, of which 142 (14.4%) were registered as Democrats, 497 (50.3%) were registered as Republicans and 349 (35.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[69] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 85.5% (vs. 63.2% in Ocean County) were registered to vote, including 97.1% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 82.6% countywide).[69][70]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 57.3% of the vote (335 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 42.4% (248 votes), and other candidates with 0.3% (2 votes), among the 590 ballots cast by the borough's 998 registered voters (5 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 59.1%.[71][72] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 57.2% of the vote (419 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 40.3% (295 votes) and other candidates with 1.4% (10 votes), among the 732 ballots cast by the borough's 1,036 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.7%.[73] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 57.3% of the vote (449 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 41.5% (325 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (7 votes), among the 784 ballots cast by the borough's 1,084 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 72.3.[74]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 75.3% of the vote (381 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 23.7% (120 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (5 votes), among the 523 ballots cast by the borough's 967 registered voters (17 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 54.1%.[75][76] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 63.2% of the vote (349 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 29.2% (161 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 5.8% (32 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (5 votes), among the 552 ballots cast by the borough's 1,005 registered voters, yielding a 54.9% turnout.[77]
Education
For pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, public school students attend the Long Beach Island Consolidated School District, which also serves students from Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Township and Surf City.[8][78][79] As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 215 students and 30.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 7.0:1.[80] Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[81]) are
Ethel Jacobsen School[82] in Surf City with 111 students in pre-kindergarten to second grade and
Long Beach Island Grade School[83] in Ship Bottom with 125 students in grades 3–6.[84][85][86] The district's board of education is comprised of nine members who are directly elected from the constituent municipalities on a staggered basis, with three members elected each year.[87][88] Of the nine seats, one is elected from ShipBottom.[89]
Route 72 westbound in Ship Bottom, the route's eastern terminus
Roads and highways
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 18.57 miles (29.89 km) of roadways, of which 13.32 miles (21.44 km) were maintained by the municipality, 4.65 miles (7.48 km) by Ocean County and 0.60 miles (0.97 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[97]
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Ship Bottom 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 Ship Bottom, 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 Ship Bottom Beach is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 3.9 °F (−15.6 °C).[103] 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 Ship Bottom Beach, NJ (1981–2010 Averages)
Zack Hanle (c. 1915–1999), was a cooking author and journalist who served as an editor of Bon Appetit, in addition to writing books about cooking, diet and exercise[109]
^ abHistory of Ship Bottom, Borough of Ship Bottom. Accessed August 31, 2020. "Ship Bottom is one of the oldest place names on Long Beach Island. According to the local historian John Bailey Lloyd, author of Six Miles at Sea, the name dates from an unusual shipwreck that occurred in March, 1817.... With an ax, Willets chopped a hole in the ship's bottom near the keel and, after much struggling, freed the young woman trapped inside.... But the place of the shipwreck and the rescue became known as 'Ship Bottom'."
^Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
^LAN Associates. Study of School Consolidation Long Beach Island, New JerseyArchived 2013-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, Long Beach Island Consolidated School District, January 21, 2011. Accessed September 25, 2013. "The Long Beach Island Consolidated School District serves the needs of the citizens of Long Beach Island including the communities of Barnegat Light Borough, Long Beach Township, Harvey Cedars Borough, Surf City Borough, and Ship Bottom Borough. The remaining community of Beach Haven at the south end of the island currently has its own school. The Long Beach Island Consolidated Schools serve children from the age of pre-school through sixth grade after which the students attend Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin."
^Long Beach Island Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Long Beach Island Consolidated School District. Accessed July 4, 2022. "Purpose The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through six in the Long Beach Island School District. Composition The Long Beach Island School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom, and Surf City."
^Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Long Beach Island Consolidated School District, New Jersey Department of Education, June 30, 2021. Accessed July 4, 2022. "The School District is a Type II district located in the County of Ocean, State of New Jersey. As a Type II district, the School District functions independently through a Board of Education. The Board is comprised of nine members appointed to three-year terms. These terms are staggered so that three members' terms expire each year. The District provides a full range of educational services appropriate to grades levels kindergarten through 6th grade."
^"Four on Ballot for LBI School Board", The SandPaper, October 23, 2019. Accessed July 4, 2022. "The LBI school board is comprised of nine members, four from Long Beach Township, two from Surf City, and one each from Ship Bottom, Harvey Cedars and Barnegat Light."
^Southern Regional High School 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 2, 2016. "Located in Manahawkin, the Southern Regional School District draws from the constituent districts of Long Beach Township, Beach Haven, Surf City, Ship Bottom, Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars and Stafford Township, as well as the tuition sending district of Ocean Township (Waretown).
^About Us, Southern Regional School District. Accessed July 4, 2022. "Our school is a 7-12 comprehensive regional high school district. Our middle school covers grades 7-8 and our high school covers grades 9-12. The district is comprised of the constituent members of Stafford Township, Beach Haven, Long Beach Township, (which includes the municipalities [sic] of Loveladies, North Beach, High Bar Harbor and Brant Beach and Long Beach Township) Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars, Ship Bottom, and Surf City. Waretown is our sending district."
^Mongelli, Tom. "Late Stafford Mayor's Wife Settles Debt, Moves On", WOBM-FM, June 10, 2009. Accessed December 20, 2016. "Bell, a Philadelphia native, was three when his family moved to Ship Bottom in 1940. He became a Stafford elected official in 1969."
^Staff. "Island Native Matt Cook Stars in Sitcom ‘Clipped’ Premiering Tuesday on TBS ", TheSandPaper.net, June 9, 2015. Accessed October 9, 2017. "Matt Cook, Island boy and Southern Regional High School alumnus, formerly of Barnegat Light and Ship Bottom, has landed a starring role in the new half-hour, multi-camera, live-studio-audience show by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, the creators of Will and Grace."
^Grimes, William. "Dorothea Zack Hanle, 83, Editor And Writer About Fine Cooking", The New York Times, February 18, 1999. Accessed October 10, 2017. "Dorothea Zack Hanle, a longtime editor at Bon Appetit, a cookbook writer and one of the founders of Les Dames d'Escoffier, an international women's organization that promotes fine dining and wine, died Tuesday at the home of her son, Alan, in North Brunswick, N.J. She was 83 and lived in Manhattan and Ship Bottom, N.J."
^Staff. "Obituary: Stanley B. Smullen Jr.", Asbury Park Press, July 11, 1998. Accessed October 9, 2017. "Stanley B. Smullen Jr., 91, of Ship Bottom, died Thursday at home. He was a self-employed real estate broker for many years in the Philadelphia area and also was a Republican Ward Leader and served on the Philadelphia City Council, retiring in 1971.... Born in Philadelphia, he lived there before moving to Ship Bottom in 1971, where he had been a summer resident for many years."