Longport is a borough situated on the Jersey Shore on Absecon Island, within Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, on the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 893, a decrease of two people (−0.2%) from the 2010 census count of 895, which in turn reflected a decline of 159 (−15.1%) from the 1,054 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.

Geographically, the city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.

In 2018, New Jersey Business Magazine listed Longport at 22nd in its listing of "The Most Expensive ZIP Codes in New Jersey", with a median sale price 2017 of $767,500."The Most Expensive ZIP Codes in New Jersey", New Jersey Business Magazine, February 15, 2018. Accessed May 11, 2023. "22 08403 Longport Atlantic County $767,500"

History

James Long, an absentee owner, purchased a parcel in 1857 that grew over the years as sand accumulated and as additional property was purchased. Acquired by M. Simpson McCullough in 1882, the community was named Longport in honor of Long.History of Longport, Borough of Longport. Accessed September 3, 2015. "Three years later, Barton traded what was known as Lot 32 for a total of $2,000 plus land in Arkansas to James Long. Long kept the property for 25 years and over the years, his property value increased in both value and size. His property increased by a little more than a mile in length after accumulating sand from an erosion updrift from Atlantic City between 1870 and 1880....McCullough purchased the area, which had increased to a size of 250 acres for a total of $150,000. He then decided to name the area "Longport" in honor of the previous parcel owner and his friend."Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 3, 2015.

Longport was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 7, 1898, from portions of Egg Harbor Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 170. Accessed May 29, 2024.

In 2014, residents of Seaview Harbor, located across Beach Thorofare, submitted a petition to join neighboring Longport, citing lack of access to the rest of Egg Harbor Township and high taxes. In November 2016, the Township Committee voted to deny the secession plan."Egg Harbor Township Committee denies Seaview Harbor deannexation", The Current of Egg Harbor Towsnhip, December 8, 2016. Accessed September 25, 2019. "The Township Committee Wednesday, Nov. 30 denied the Seaview Harbor Realignment Committee's petition for deannexation, bringing to a close the township’s role in the waterfront community's efforts to secede from the township. In February 2014, the citizens organization submitted a petition to the governing body asking for the township's consent to a deannexation of the Seaview Harbor portion of the township and to allow it to request annexation to the borough of Longport." The plan has been brought before an appeals judge and the outcome is pending.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.56 square miles (4.03 km2), including 0.40 square miles (1.02 km2) of land and 1.16 square miles (3.01 km2) of water (74.49%).

Longport is located on the southwest corner of long Absecon Island, along with Margate City, Ventnor City and Atlantic City to the northeast.Absecon Island Shore Protection Project , United States Army Corps of Engineers. Accessed May 1, 2008. "Construct an approximate $63 million beach and dune system along the 8.1 mile oceanfront of Absecon Island that includes, the cities of Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport."Areas touching Longport, MapIt. Accessed February 26, 2020.Atlantic County District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed July 9, 2024.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Streets at the southern end of the borough start at 11th Avenue, as the that made up the ten numbered streets below it were washed out on the barrier island by a series of storms between 1900 and 1916.Peterson, Iver. "The Public-Private Clash Over Beaches", The New York Times, October 15, 1989. Accessed January 15, 2012. "That those 10 city blocks have disappeared from the map is a lesson that New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection wishes more people would remember when they seek to build houses on the seashore, particularly on barrier islands like the one Longport shares with Atlantic City." The Great Egg Harbor Inlet shifted north, and Ocean City island was extended by what is now the Gardens neighborhood of that city.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 895 people, 470 households, and 252 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,656 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 98.88% (885) White, 0.34% (3) Black or African American, 0.11% (1) Native American, 0.45% (4) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.11% (1) from other races, and 0.11% (1) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% (10) of the population.

Of the 470 households, 11.1% had children under the age of 18; 45.1% were married couples living together; 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 46.4% were non-families. Of all households, 43.2% were made up of individuals and 25.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.90 and the average family size was 2.61.

11.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 10.6% from 25 to 44, 36.3% from 45 to 64, and 37.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $70,625 (with a margin of error of +/− $13,665) and the median family income was $107,188 (+/− $48,480). Males had a median income of $72,143 (+/− $53,388) versus $65,357 (+/− $24,760) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $78,988 (+/− $16,924). About 1.0% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Longport borough, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 16, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,054 people, 544 households, and 317 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,574 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 98.58% White, 0.09% African American, 1.14% Asian, and 0.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.47% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Longport borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 16, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Longport borough, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 16, 2012.

There were 544 households, out of which 10.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.94 and the average family size was 2.53.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 11.4% under the age of 18, 2.6% from 18 to 24, 18.9% from 25 to 44, 32.6% from 45 to 64, and 34.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $51,324, and the median income for a family was $68,194. Males had a median income of $53,250 versus $36,146 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $50,884. About 2.9% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation Longport offers surfing and other water sports recreation on the beaches. There is also a tennis court and playground.The Best of the Jersey Shere: Surfing, The Boardwalk Catalog. Accessed October 21, 2013.

Government

Local government Longport operates under the Walsh Act commission form of New Jersey municipal government.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 12."The Commission Form of Municipal Government", p. 53. Accessed June 3, 2015."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 8. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. The city is one of 30 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use the commission form of government.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of three commissioners, who are elected at-large to four-year concurrent terms of office on a non-partisan basis as part of the May municipal election. Each commissioner is assigned a department to oversee and administer. The Mayor is then selected from among the three elected Commissioners by a vote between them and assigned to the office by resolution.

, members of the Longport Borough Commission are Mayor Nicholas Russo (Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public Property), Daniel Lawler (Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety) and James P. Leeds Sr. (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance), all of whom are serving terms that end December 31, 2024.Mayor and Commissioners, Borough of Longport. Accessed June 6, 2023. "Longport operates under the borough type of government under the Walsh Act of 1911. Three non-partisan commissioners are elected at large for a four year term."2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Longport. Accessed June 6, 2023.Municipal Government, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2023.November 3, 2020 General Election Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, update January 4, 2021. Accessed February 1, 2021.