Somers Point is a city situated on the Jersey Shore that is the oldest settlement in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It was settled by Europeans in 1693 and was incorporated as a borough in 1886. Somers Point was incorporated as a city in 1902. The city is located in eastern Atlantic County, southwest of Atlantic City, in the South Jersey region of the state.

As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 10,469, a decrease of 326 (−3.0%) from the 2010 census count of 10,795, which in turn reflected a decline of 819 (−7.1%) from the 11,614 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. Somers Point and all of Atlantic County lie within the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn constitutes part of the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.

History

The earliest residents of the area were the Lenape Native Americans. John Somers was the first European settler in what is now Somers Point. Somers purchased the land along the northern periphery of the Great Egg Harbor Bay from Thomas Budd in 1693, making it the oldest European settlement in what is now Atlantic County. Great Egg Harbour Township was designated in 1693 from the eastern portions of Gloucester County, which included Somers Point. Somers named the area Somerset Plantation. In 1695, John Somers operated the first ferry service across the Great Egg Harbor Bay to Cape May County. His son Richard built Somers Mansion overlooking the harbor sometime between 1720 and 1726, which remains the county's oldest existing home."A Short History of Somers Point", Somers Point Historical Society. Accessed May 22, 2017. "Somers Point was originally settled by John Somers, an Englishman and practicing Quaker, who bought the land from Thomas Budd. Early names for the area were Somerset Plantation, Somers Ferry, and Somers Plantation, named after the first settlers in 1693."Somers' Mansion, Col. Richard Somers Chapter. Accessed May 22, 2017. "Somers Mansion, situated on Shore Road in Somers Point, NJ, is the oldest house in Atlantic County. It was built about 1725 by Richard Somers, oldest son of John Somers." Early names for the area were Somerset Plantation, Somers Ferry, and Somers Plantation, until the name Somers Point was established in 1750. Somers Point was designated as a port of entry in 1791 and remained one until it was abolished in 1915."An Historic Trip Up the Great Egg Harbor River", Somers Point Historical Society. Accessed November 20, 2013.Treasury decisions under customs and other laws, p. 804. United States Department of the Treasury, 1916. Accessed November 20, 2013. By the 1830s, when Somers Point became part of Atlantic County, it was a popular summer resort with several boarding houses.Barber, John Warner. Historical Collections of the State of New Jersey: Containing a General Collection of the Most Interesting Facts, Traditions, Biographical Sketches, Anecdotes, Etc., Relating to Its History and Antiquities, with Geographical Descriptions of Every Township in the State, p. 64. Accessed March 8, 2020.

Somers Point was originally incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 24, 1886, from portions of Egg Harbor Township, based on the results of a referendum held five days earlier. At that time, there were 48 people registered to vote in the borough. Somers Point was subsequently reincorporated as a borough on April 2, 1890, based on the previous day's referendum, and was finally incorporated as a city on April 9, 1902, from all of Somers Point borough and additional portions of Egg Harbor Township. All were named for John Somers.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 70. Accessed May 30, 2024.Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 262. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 3, 2015.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 3, 2015.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 287. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed October 3, 2015.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 5.23 square miles (13.55 km2), including 4.01 square miles (10.39 km2) of land and 1.22 square miles (3.17 km2) of water (23.37%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Ocean Heights.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

The city borders Egg Harbor Township, Longport and Linwood in Atlantic County; and both Ocean City and Upper Township in Cape May County.Areas touching Somers Point, MapIt. Accessed March 8, 2020.Atlantic County District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed May 23, 2024.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Somers Point had a population of 10,469. The median age was 47.2 years. 16.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.9 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 4,844 households in Somers Point, of which 19.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 34.7% were married-couple households, 22.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 35.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 5,589 housing units, of which 13.3% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.4%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 7,817 74.7% Black or African American 846 8.1% American Indian and Alaska Native 29 0.3% Asian 296 2.8% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 3 0.0% Some other race 653 6.2% Two or more races 825 7.9% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 1,374 13.1%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 10,795 people, 4,655 households, and 2,826 families in the city. The population density was . There were 5,556 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 78.75% (8,501) White, 10.68% (1,153) Black or African American, 0.25% (27) Native American, 3.08% (332) Asian, 0.06% (6) Pacific Islander, 4.17% (450) from other races, and 3.02% (326) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.49% (1,024) of the population.

Of the 4,655 households, 26.2% had children under the age of 18; 36.8% were married couples living together; 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 39.3% were non-families. Of all households, 31.9% were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.90.

21.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 88.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 84.5 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $47,312 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,646) and the median family income was $51,489 (+/− $7,704). Males had a median income of $45,385 (+/− $6,862) versus $37,536 (+/− $3,731) for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,626 (+/− $1,822). About 11.9% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.6% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Somers Point city, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 1, 2012.

2000 census At the 2000 United States census, there were 11,614 people, 4,920 households and 2,952 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 5,402 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 85.66% White, 7.01% African American, 0.25% Native American, 3.17% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.25% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Somers Point city, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 4, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Somers Point city, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 4, 2012.

There were 4,920 households, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.97.

Age distribution was 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

The median household income was $42,222, and the median family income was $51,868. Males had a median income of $39,650 versus $28,691 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,229. About 5.0% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy The largest employer in Somers Point is Shore Medical Center, with 1,500 employees, 370 physicians, and 296 beds.About, Shore Medical Center. Accessed May 22, 2017.

Somers Point is the home to the largest crabbing tournament in the United States, the Assault on Patcong Creek. Founded in 2010, the tournament takes place annually in June and attracts participants from over a dozen states.Marino, Suzanne. "Patcong Creek Foundation, crab tourney support environmental initiatives", The Current of Egg Harbor Township, January 25, 2017. Accessed May 22, 2017. "Harbormaster Ron Meischker organizes the annual Assault on Patcong Creek crabbing tournament here – the success of which spawned the Patcong Creek Foundation, a nonprofit organization that looks to help the local environment through education. The tournament, scheduled for Saturday, June 24, began in 2010 with a few friends getting together for a crabbing tournament on Patcong Creek, with the winner getting bragging rights and everyone enjoying a day on the water.... Today organizers are billing the Assault on Patcong Creek as the largest crabbing tournament in the country, with crabbers and their families coming from as far away as Texas."

Parks and recreation