The community was supposed to have been named "Bayhead" after the Bayhead Land Company that developed the area in the 1870s.[24] A railroad sign posted in the 1880s labeled the station as "Bay Head," and the name stuck when the borough was incorporated in 1886. The name also comes from the town's location, which is at the "head" of Barnegat Bay.[25][26][27]
History
The Bayhead Land Company was incorporated on September 6, 1879, capitalized at $12,000. The founding partners were David H. Mount of Rocky Hill, and three Princeton men: Edward Howe, his brother Leavitt Howe and William Harris. Within several years, the resort had grown in population, with a seawall installed, roads built and graded. In 1882, Bay Head had 20 new cottages and a population of 75.
The first post office was established in Bay Head in the summer of 1882. Julius Foster was first postmaster.[28]
The Bay Head Historic District, listed in the New Jersey and the National Registers of Historic places in 2005, includes over 550 contributing structures (over half of the town's buildings) making it one of the largest historic districts in New Jersey.[29] Bay Head's historic district is architecturally significant for its large collection of well-preserved Shingle Style, Stick Style, and Queen Anne Style structures.
The 1,260 metres (4,130 ft) stone rubble seawall built in 1882, which had been buried by dunes and largely forgotten, played a role in reducing damage to the town by Hurricane Sandy.[30][31]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.71 square miles (1.83 km2), including 0.59 square miles (1.52 km2) of land and 0.12 square miles (0.32 km2) of water (17.32%).[1][2]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Twilight Lake.[32]
The 2010 United States census counted 968 people, 459 households, and 270 families in the borough. The population density was 1,662.8 inhabitants per square mile (642.0/km2). There were 1,023 housing units at an average density of 1,757.3 per square mile (678.5/km2). The racial makeup was 98.55% (954) White, 0.52% (5) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 0.72% (7) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.00% (0) from other races, and 0.21% (2) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% (10) of the population.[19]
Of the 459 households, 15.0% had children under the age of 18; 49.0% were married couples living together; 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 41.2% were non-families. Of all households, 37.0% were made up of individuals and 22.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.78.[19]
15.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 12.9% from 25 to 44, 32.9% from 45 to 64, and 34.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 86.3 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $88,417 (with a margin of error of +/− $13,902) and the median family income was $134,583 (+/− $24,739). Males had a median income of $75,833 (+/− $22,227) versus $60,625 (+/− $37,439) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $78,226 (+/− $12,220). About 0.9% of families and 1.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.[43]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[16] there were 1,238 people, 584 households, and 349 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,094.3 inhabitants per square mile (808.6/km2). There were 1,053 housing units at an average density of 1,781.3 per square mile (687.8/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.98% White, 0.16% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.[41][42]
There were 584 households, out of which 16.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.73.[41][42]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 15.4% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 33.7% from 45 to 64, and 25.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.[41][42]
The median income for a household in the borough was $77,790, and the median income for a family was $93,055. Males had a median income of $64,063 versus $38,672 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $49,639. About 0.3% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.[41][42]
Government
Local government
Bay Head 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.[44] 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 is comprised of 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.[7] The borough form of government used by Bay Head 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.[45][46]
As of 2022[update], the mayor of the Borough of Bay Head is Republican William W. Curtis, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023.[47] Members of the Bay Head Borough Council are Council President Douglas J. Lyons (R, 2022), Jennifer Barnes-Gambert (R, 2023), Diane M. Cornell (R, 2024), James W. Gates (R, 2023), Holly MacPherson (R, 2022) and Dennis J. Shaning (R, 2024).[3][48][49][50][51][52][53][54]
In February 2020, the borough council chose Andrew Frizzell from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the term expiring in December 2020 that became vacant following the resignation of Brian Magory.[55]
Federal, state and county representation
Bay Head is located in the 4th Congressional district[56] and is part of New Jersey's 10th state legislative district.[57][58][59]
Ocean County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners comprised 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.[66] 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),[74][75]
Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy (R, 2025; Toms River)[76][77] and
Surrogate Jeffrey Moran (R, 2028, Beachwood).[78][79][80]
Bay Head has voted for all Republican presidential candidates since at least 1932, if not all but William Howard Taft's 1912 presidential campaign. The best showing being Dwight Eisenhower's 1956 re-election bid.
As of March 2011, there were a total of 837 registered voters in Bay Head, of which 115 (13.7%) were registered as Democrats, 453 (54.1%) were registered as Republicans and 269 (32.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[104] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 86.5% (vs. 63.2% in Ocean County) were registered to vote, including 102.3% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 82.6% countywide).[104][105]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 80.4% of the vote (370 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 17.8% (82 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (8 votes), among the 471 ballots cast by the borough's 838 registered voters (11 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 56.2%.[106][107] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 70.3% of the vote (392 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 22.2% (124 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.3% (35 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (3 votes), among the 558 ballots cast by the borough's 868 registered voters, yielding a 64.3% turnout.[108]
Education
The Bay Head School District serves students in public school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Bay Head Elementary School.[109][110][111] As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 130 students and 11.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.3:1.[112] The district was ranked as one of the smallest in the state in 2016-17.[113]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 10.74 miles (17.28 km) of roadways, of which 8.24 miles (13.26 km) were maintained by the municipality, 1.16 miles (1.87 km) by Ocean County and 1.34 miles (2.16 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[116]
The main roadway through Bay Head is Route 35, a two-lane highway that connects many of the Jersey Shore's small communities.
^Konrad, Walecia. "Havens; Weekender | Bay Head, N.J.", The New York Times, June 13, 2003. Accessed March 20, 2012."In the 1870s three New Jersey bankers formed the Bayhead Land Company and divided the area's farms, woods and cranberry bogs into building lots. The rail line, laid soon afterward, opened the beach to financiers and industrialists from New York and North Jersey, and Bay Head became one of New Jersey's most high-end resorts."
^Staff. "Bay Head & Mantoloking: A brief history", from Asbury Park Press, June 20, 2002. Accessed March 20, 2012. "Bay Head's two-word name resulted from a typographical error. It was meant to be Bayhead, named for the Bayhead Land Co., organized by three Princeton bankers. But when the railroad station sign was hung in the early 1880s, it read Bay Head. And so, Bay Head was incorporated in 1886."
^Meeting Minutes for February 3, 2020, Borough of Bay Head. Accessed March 18, 2020. "Councilmember Lyons offered Resolution 2020-45 appointing R. Andrew Frizzell to the vacant seat on the Borough Council created by the resignation of Councilmember Brian Magory.... Ms. Cipriani administered the Oath of Office to R. Andrew Frizzell."
^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.."
^Bay Head Board of Education District Policy - Identification, Bay Head School District. Accessed January 30, 2020. "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 eight in the Bay Head School District. Composition: The Bay Head School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Bay Head."
^Guion, Payton. "These 43 N.J. school districts have fewer than 200 students", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 2017. Accessed January 30, 2020. "Based on data from the state Department of Education from the last school year and the Census Bureau, NJ Advance Media made a list of the smallest of the small school districts in the state, excluding charter schools and specialty institutions.... 18. Bay Head Borough (tie) - Enrollment: 129; Grades: K-8"
^Atmonavage, Joe. "Makeup mogul Bobbi Brown sells 'smallest house on beach' for $3.6M (Photos)", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 8, 2018. Accessed July 14, 2023. "Makeup mogul and Montclair resident Bobbi Brown sold her oceanfront Bay Head home for $3.6 million at the beginning of December, according to the property's Trulia listing."
^Staff. "Diaz Victor 'Dean' Cetrulo", The Star-Ledger, May 13, 2010. Accessed August 23, 2015. "Diaz Victor 'Dean' Cetrulo, multiple times a U.S. national fencing champion and a Bronze Medal winner in saber fencing in the 1948 London Olympics, a Broadway actor with Hollywood good looks, the subject of a Hardy Boys mystery, The Clue of the Broken Blade, a war hero, musician and educator died peacefully on Sunday, May 9, 2010, at his home in Bay Head, N.J."
^Hyman, Vicki. "How Scientology was born in N.J.", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, March 27, 2015. Accessed October 29, 2016. "L. Ron Hubbard wrote Dianetics in 1950 at this home on East Avenue in Bay Head."
^"Kellogg leading Duckboat comeback", Asbury Park Press, September 2, 2000. Accessed July 26, 2016. "There's a Duckboat revival under way and Peter Kellogg is the man behind the resurgence. Kellogg, a New York stockbroker and Bay Head summer resident, sponsored a refurbishing competition on Aug. 25 for the annual Duckboat Worlds at Mantoloking Yacht Club."
^The UnHamptons, New York, May 28, 2001. "TV executives Roger and Michael King are known for their lavish parties in Bay Head."
^Konrad, Walecia. "Havens; Weekender - Bay Head, N.J.", The New York Times, June 13, 2003. Accessed August 25, 2013. "Bay Head is still a retreat for wealthy executives. Summer residents include Roger King, chief executive of CBS Enterprises and King World Productions, and Michael Price, formerly of the Mutual Series mutual fund company."
^Huba, Nicholas. "Incumbents fare well in Ocean County primaries", Asbury Park Press, June 4, 2014. Accessed August 12, 2019. "Incumbent Freeholder Joe Vicari, of Shady Lane in Toms River, defeated John B. Paolella, of Wyndham Drive in Bay Head, in the election to represent the Republican Party during the November election."
^Cotter, Kelly-Jane. "Coronavirus NJ: Fox News with Dana Perino, and her dog, broadcasts from Bay Head", Asbury Park Press, April 10, 2020. Accessed April 11, 2020. "Like many broadcast journalists, Fox News anchor Dana Perino now does this every day. Since March, when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted social isolation measures in New York City, Perino has been broadcasting remotely from her home in Bay Head."
^Konrad, Walecia. "Havens; Weekender | Bay Head, N.J.", The New York Times, June 13, 2003. Accessed August 23, 2015 "Bay Head is still a retreat for wealthy executives. Summer residents include Roger King, chief executive of CBS Enterprises and King World Productions, and Michael Price, formerly of the Mutual Series mutual fund company."
United States
New Jersey
Ocean
_just_south_of_Ocean_County_Route_632_(Bridge_Avenue)_in_Bay_Head,_Ocean_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
