Strathmere, New Jersey
Census-designated place
Map of Strathmere highlighted within Cape May County. Right: Location of Cape May County in New Jersey.
Strathmere Location in Cape May County Show map of Cape May County, New Jersey Strathmere Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Strathmere Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 39°11′46″N 74°39′34″W / 39.19614°N 74.659412°W / 39.19614; -74.659412
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Cape May
Township	Upper
Area [1]
• Total	0.76 sq mi (1.96 km2)
• Land	0.53 sq mi (1.36 km2)
• Water	0.23 sq mi (0.60 km2)  21.29%
Elevation [2]	3 ft (1 m)
Population  (2020)[3]
• Total	137
• Density	258.5/sq mi (99.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code	08248[4]
Area code	609
FIPS code	34-71250[5][6]
GNIS feature ID	02390365[7]

Strathmere is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP)^[8] located within Upper Township in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.^[9][10] As of the 2020 United States census, the CDP's population was 137,^[3] a decrease of 21 (−13.3%) from the 158 counted at the 2010 U.S. census,^[11] which reflected a decrease of 17 (−9.7%) from the 175 enumerated at the 2000 census.^[12]

With its beaches in the Strathmere section, Upper Township is one of five municipalities in the state that offer free public access to oceanfront beaches monitored by lifeguards, joining Atlantic City, North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest.^[13]

History

The earliest known people on Ludlam Island (where Strathmere is located) were the Lenape Native Americans, who came to the island in the summertime to hunt fish and crustaceans. Along the northern 1.5 mi (2.4 km) portion of the island was a community named Corson's Inlet, after the waterway separating the island and Ocean City to the north.^[14] A part of Upper Township and Dennis Township became a part of neighboring Sea Isle City in 1905, also on Ludlam Island.^[15] That same year, Sea Isle City sold Corson's Inlet to Upper Township for $31,500 (equivalent to $1,070,000 in 2023) to pay off municipal debt. In 1912, the community of Corson's Inlet was renamed Strathmere.^[14]

The Whale Beach section of Strathmere got its name from the whales that would periodically beach themselves there.^{[citation needed]}

In 2007, Citizens for Strathmere and Whale Beach petitioned to leave Upper Township and join neighboring Sea Isle City, citing an unfair tax burden, inadequate municipal services, and a lengthy wait time for the police. The local planning board held 18 meetings over the next two years, and the township recommended against de-annexation in 2009, noting that taxes would increase school taxes by 20% for the remainder of Upper Township. The group in favor of de-annexation filed a suit with the New Jersey Superior Court, which ruled against the petition in 2010. An appeal to the New Jersey Supreme Court was denied in January 2013.^[16]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 0.760 square miles (1.968 km²), including 0.598 square miles (1.549 km²) of land and 0.162 square miles (0.419 km²) of water (21.29%).^[17][18]

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 158 people, 82 households, and 49 families in the CDP. The population density was 264.2 per square mile (102.0/km²). There were 447 housing units at an average density of 747.5 per square mile (288.6/km²). The racial makeup was 98.73% (156) White, 0.00% (0) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 0.00% (0) Asian, 0.63% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.00% (0) from other races, and 0.63% (1) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% (1) of the population.^[11]

Of the 82 households, 9.8% had children under the age of 18; 52.4% were married couples living together; 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 40.2% were non-families. Of all households, 36.6% were made up of individuals and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.93 and the average family size was 2.49.^[11]

8.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 10.1% from 25 to 44, 42.4% from 45 to 64, and 34.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 102.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 108.7 males.^[11]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census^[5] there were 175 people, 93 households, and 54 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 104.0/km² (269.6/mi²). There were 464 housing units at an average density of 275.6/km² (714.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.71% White, 1.14% Asian, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.71% of the population.^[12]

Of the 93 households; 7.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.88 and the average family size was 2.44.^[12]

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 8.0% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 17.1% from 25 to 44, 36.6% from 45 to 64, and 34.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.^[12]

The median income for a household in the CDP was $78,709, and the median income for a family was $77,783. Males had a median income of $40,972 versus $43,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $52,045. None of the population or families were below the poverty line.^[12]

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Strathmere 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 Strathmere, 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 Strathmere Beach is 7b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 5.0 °F (−15.0 °C).^[19] The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is between 12 and 18 inches (30 and 46 cm) 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, Strathmere would have a dominant vegetation type of Northern Cordgrass (73) with a dominant vegetation form of Coastal Prairie (20).^[22]

Education

As with other parts of Upper Township, the area is zoned to Upper Township School District (for grades K-8) and Ocean City School District (for high school). The latter operates Ocean City High School.

Countywide schools include Cape May County Technical High School and Cape May County Special Services School District.