Belmar is a borough located on the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 5,907, an increase of 113 (+2.0%) from the 2010 census count of 5,794, which in turn reflected a decline of 251 (−4.2%) from the 6,045 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.

What is now Belmar was originally incorporated as Ocean Beach borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1885, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier. On April 16, 1889, it became the City of Elcho borough, which lasted for a few weeks until the name was changed to the City of Belmar Borough on May 14, 1889. The city acquired its current name, Borough of Belmar, on November 20, 1890.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 178. Accessed May 1, 2026. The borough's name means "beautiful sea" in Italian.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 27, 2015.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.62 square miles (4.18 km2), including 1.05 square miles (2.71 km2) of land and 0.57 square miles (1.48 km2) of water (35.19%).

Belmar borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Monmouth County municipalities of Avon-by-the-Sea to the north, Neptune Township to the northwest, Wall Township to the west, and Lake Como and Spring Lake to the south.Areas touching Belmar, MapIt. Accessed March 19, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 19, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Belmar had a population of 5,907. The median age was 45.7 years. 13.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.7 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 2,867 households in Belmar, of which 15.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 33.6% were married-couple households, 27.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 42.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 4,066 housing units, of which 29.5% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.5%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 4,724 80.0% Black or African American 111 1.9% American Indian and Alaska Native 74 1.3% Asian 72 1.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 0.0% Some other race 485 8.2% Two or more races 441 7.5% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 963 16.3%

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 5,794 people, 2,695 households, and 1,267 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,931 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 87.06% (5,044) White, 3.49% (202) Black or African American, 0.24% (14) Native American, 0.91% (53) Asian, 0.14% (8) Pacific Islander, 5.66% (328) from other races, and 2.50% (145) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.76% (971) of the population.

Of the 2,695 households, 18.1% had children under the age of 18; 33.9% were married couples living together; 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 53.0% were non-families. Of all households, 41.9% were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.98.

16.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 106.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 108.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $59,928 (with a margin of error of ± $6,993) and the median family income was $59,929 (± $10,255). Males had a median income of $52,215 (± $4,278) versus $44,453 (± $11,259) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,223 (± $4,105). About 9.2% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 29, 2012.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 6,045 people, 2,946 households, and 1,316 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,996 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 91.53% White, 3.46% Black, 0.18% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 1.99% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.85% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Belmar borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 29, 2012., United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 29, 2012.

As of the 2000 Census, 28.2% of Belmar's residents were of Irish ancestry, the 12th highest of any municipality in New Jersey, for all communities in which at least 1,000 people listed their ancestry.Irish Communities , EPodunk. Accessed August 22, 2007.

There were 2,946 households, out of which 17.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.0% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.3% were non-families. 44.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 17.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $44,896, and the median income for a family was $61,250. Males had a median income of $40,557 versus $34,323 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,456. About 4.5% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over. Parks and recreation

Belmar is a popular vacation destination because of its natural and recreational resources and close proximity to New York and Philadelphia. It features wide beaches for sunbathing, surfing, swimming, and fishing. The boardwalk and town offer shops, restaurants, an active arts scene, sporting events, festivals, and a variety of family-oriented activities (see "Annual Events" below). Belmar sits on the south side of the Shark River and boasts a large municipal marina in the bay and on the inlet itself, including the only private marina in town, Seaport Inlet Marina.

Belmar beach (as well as those of municipalities to the south, such as Manasquan and Point Pleasant) is among the most popular surf spots on the East Coast. Belmar frequently hosts surfing events and competitions. Along with surfing, Belmar also has an active skate community and skatepark constructed by American Ramp Company.Skaepark, Borough of Belmar. Accessed January 23, 2025

The Jersey Shore Basketball League, a competitive summer basketball league, takes place at St. Rose High School every summer.Big-time games played in a small gym on Seventh, Asbury Park Press, July 2, 2000.

The Belmar Arts Council (BAC) sponsors regular art shows, workshops, concerts, and performances year around. BAC's gallery and workshop, the Boatworks, is located at 608 River Road near the Shark River Inlet.About the BAC, Belmar Arts Council. Accessed August 11, 2013.

Government

Local government In July 1990, the voters of Belmar overwhelmingly passed a referendum changing Belmar's form of government from a three-person, non-partisan commission form of government under the Walsh Act to the Small Municipality plan 3 form of government under the Faulkner Act. This referendum followed nine months of research, analysis and hearings by a Charter Study Commission elected by the residents at a referendum that passed in November 1989 and implemented effective January 1, 1991.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 63."The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities, July 2007. Accessed September 17, 2013."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 14. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025. The borough is one of 18 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government, which is only available to municipalities with fewer than 12,000 residents at the time of adoption.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.

Under the version of the Small Municipality Plan form applicable to Belmar, the Borough Council is comprised of four members who are elected to staggered, three-year terms at partisan elections each year as part of the November general election, with either one or two seats up for vote in a three-year cycle. The Mayor is directly elected by the voters for a four-year term and serves as Belmar's chief executive officer, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Borough. The Mayor sits as a member of the council, chairs Council meetings and is able to vote as a member of the council, but has no veto over the council's actions.Belmar's Form of Government , Borough of Belmar. Accessed September 1, 2006.

, the Mayor of Belmar is Democrat Caitlin Donovan, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Belmar Borough Council are Council President Jodi Kinney (R, 2027), Kevin Moroney (R, 2028), and Michael DeBlasio (R, 2028).Mayor and Council, Borough of Belmar. Accessed January 23, 2025.2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Belmar. Accessed May 15, 2024.November 5, 2024 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated December 16, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.November 8, 2023 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated January 18, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2024.General Election November 8, 2022 Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 27, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.

Federal, state and county representation Belmar is located in the 4th Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 30th state legislative district.Districts by Number for 2023-2031, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed September 18, 2023.

Politics