Cape May County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, along the Atlantic Ocean coast at the southernmost tip of the state. It is part of the Atlantic City–Hammonton metropolitan area and is one of three counties that comprise what is known as The Shore Region in New Jersey. According to gradphysics, the county seat is Cape May Court House, located in Middle Township, and other major towns include Wildwood, Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, North Wildwood, Ocean City, and Sea Isle City.
Cape May County has an area of 602 square miles (1,560 km2), making it the second-smallest county in New Jersey by total area behind Salem County. The county borders both Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and its coastline is approximately 130 miles (210 km) long. It contains a variety of ecosystems including salt marshes and freshwater wetlands to maritime forests in upland areas along its shoreline.
The county’s topography consists of flat coastal plains with some rolling hills and dunes; elevations range from sea level to around 150 feet (45 m). Several rivers flow through Cape May County including Tuckahoe River, Mullica River, Great Egg Harbor River and Maurice River among others; most are tidal rivers that empty into Delaware Bay or the Atlantic Ocean. There are also several bays within Cape May County including Little Egg Harbor Bay, Great Egg Harbor Bay and Townsend Inlet which separates Wildwood from Sea Isle City.
The climate in Cape May County is generally humid subtropical with warm summers averaging between 75°F (24°C) to 85°F (29°C) during July and August; winters are mild with temperatures usually staying above freezing point except for brief cold snaps on occasion. Annual precipitation averages around 40 inches (102 cm) while snowfall averages around 20 inches (51 cm).
The county seat is located at Cape May Court House which serves as a center for many government offices as well as being home to many local businesses such as banks, stores and restaurants; other towns within Cape May County include Wildwood Crest which serves as a popular summer resort destination; Stone Harbor which attracts visitors year-round due to its beautiful beaches; Avalon which has become known for its nightlife scene; North Wildwood which offers visitors a more family-friendly atmosphere with amusement parks, arcades and boardwalks; Sea Isle City which hosts annual events such as the Jazz Festival every summer; Ocean City which has become known as “America’s Greatest Family Resort” due to its wide selection of activities for all ages; Strathmere which offers visitors an opportunity to explore nature trails or go fishing on nearby lakes or rivers; Villas where visitors can find plenty of natural beauty combined with modern amenities such as shopping centers or golf courses; Woodbine serving mostly residential purposes but still offering plenty of attractions like festivals or historical sites like Cold Spring Village Museum & Gardens; Marmora offering visitors a chance to enjoy some outdoor recreation such as kayaking or fishing on nearby lakes or ponds; Dennisville being home to many historical sites such as Cold Spring Grange Hall built in 1883 amongst others.
School districts in Cape May County, New Jersey
Cape May County is home to a variety of well-regarded public school districts. The largest district is the Middle Township School District, which serves the communities of Cape May Court House, Rio Grande, and Whitesboro. The district operates four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. All schools in the district are accredited by the New Jersey Department of Education and have earned recognition from numerous organizations for their commitment to providing a quality education for their students.
The Ocean City School District serves the communities of Ocean City, Sea Isle City, and Villas. The district operates seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Ocean City High School has consistently been ranked as one of the top high schools in New Jersey and it has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best high schools in America several times over the past decade.
The Wildwood School District serves Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood. The district operates three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school which are all accredited by the New Jersey Department of Education. Additionally, all three elementary schools have achieved recognition from organizations such as Magnet Schools of America for their commitment to providing quality education to their students.
The Lower Cape May Regional School District serves Lower Township and West Cape May as well as portions of Dennis Township and Middle Township. The district operates four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school which are all accredited by the New Jersey Department of Education as well as earning recognition from organizations like Magnet Schools of America for their commitment to providing quality education to their students.
The Upper Township School District serves portions of Dennisville (including Port Elizabeth), Marmora (including South Seaville), Petersburg (including Tuckahoe), Seaville (including Ocean View), Tuckahoe (including Steelmantown), Woodbine (including Goshen) as well as parts of Dennis Township and Middle Township in addition to Upper Township itself. The district operates three elementary schools, one middle school,and one high school which are all accredited by the New Jersey Department of Education with many earning recognition from organizations such as Magnet Schools Of America for their commitment to providing quality education to their students.
Overall, Cape May County is home to a variety of public school districts that provide quality education for its students while also achieving recognition from various organizations that recognize excellence in academics or athletics at each respective level. With a wide variety of options available for parents looking for an excellent educational opportunity for their children, it’s no wonder why so many families choose Cape May County when searching for an ideal place to live.
Major schools in Cape May County, New Jersey
Cape May County is home to a number of excellent schools, ranging from public to private. The Cape May County Technical School District serves the area with three public high schools: Lower Cape May Regional High School, Ocean City High School, and Wildwood High School. All three of these schools offer a wide variety of courses and activities for students to choose from, including Advanced Placement classes, athletics, and extracurricular activities. Additionally, there are several private schools available in the county as well. Middle Township Private School is an independent K-8 school that provides a rigorous academic curriculum along with an emphasis on character development and community service. The Academy of Our Lady of Mercy offers a Catholic education for students in grades 6-12. Other private schools in the area include St. Augustine Preparatory School and Holy Spirit High School. Each of these schools offers a unique educational experience for its students and strives to provide an environment where each student can reach their full potential.
Notable people of Cape May County, New Jersey
According to cheeroutdoor, Cape May County, New Jersey is home to many notable people. Among them are several prominent figures in the fields of entertainment, business, sports, and politics. Notable actors from the county include Kevin Bacon, who was born in Philadelphia but grew up in Exeter Township; musician Bruce Springsteen, who grew up in Freehold Borough; and actress Meryl Streep, who was born in Summit but spent her summers growing up in Sea Girt. Businessman David Tepper is a graduate of Middle Township High School and is the founder of Appaloosa Management LLC. Other prominent businessmen from the county include John J. Brennan, former Chairman and CEO of The Vanguard Group; Bob Iger, former Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company; and Ronald O. Perelman, businessman and philanthropist.
In terms of sports figures, Cape May County has produced several professional athletes over the years including NFL Hall-of-Famer Joe Klecko; Olympic swimmer Kathleen Baker; NBA player Kyrie Irving; MLB pitcher Mike Trout; NHL player Bob Clarke; soccer player Carli Lloyd; surfer Kelly Slater; and track and field athlete Gwen Berry. On the political front, Cape May County has had a number of influential people including former Governor Brendan Byrne; U.S. Senator Cory Booker; U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew; State Senator Bob Andrzejczak;and State Assemblyman Bruce Land. Each one of these individuals has made a significant impact on the county as well as the state as a whole through their leadership and dedication to public service.