Bradley Beach, New Jersey


Bradley Beach is a borough in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,282, a decrease of 16 from the 2010 census count of 4,298, which in turn had reflected a decrease of 495 from the 4,793 counted at the 2000 census. The summer population can reach 30,000.

History

Bradley Beach was named for James A. Bradley, the developer responsible for the creation of the Bradley Beach and Asbury Park. In 1871, William B. Bradner, with James A. Bradley as an investor, acquired of land north of Avon-by-the-Sea, and south of Ocean Grove. At the time the area where they had purchased their land was known informally as Ocean Park and was part of Monmouth County, New Jersey|Ocean Township] and later became part of Neptune Township.
Citizens appealed to the New Jersey Legislature for a referendum to separate Bradley Beach from Neptune Township, and on March 13, 1893, Bradley Beach was incorporated, based on the results of a referendum held on March 6, 1893. The borough's incorporation was confirmed on March 13, 1925.
The borough was the first place in the United States to charge sea bathers for beach access when it began minting its own tin badges starting in 1929. In the mid-20th century, Bradley Beach became known as "Chinatown by the Sea", in reference to the significant number of Chinese people in the [New York City metropolitan area|Chinese people] who migrated to the borough from Chinatown, Manhattan.
Sand dunes were constructed on the borough's beaches in 2000 at a cost of $10,000, using snow fences and discarded Christmas trees to build a base of wind-driven sand that rose, atop which dune grass was planted. These dunes did little to provide protection from the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Damage in the borough to beach areas and homes near the shore was more than $3 million, while some neighboring communities that hadn't constructed such dunes also suffered similar damage.
The borough had gone into decline after World War II, with growth returning around 2000 as seasonal visitors and new residents purchased properties, which borough regulations require that they must be renovated on the same footprint as the original home.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.63 square miles, including 0.61 square miles of land and 0.02 square miles of water.
The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Avon-by-the-Sea, Neptune City and Neptune Township.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 4,298 people, 2,098 households, and 980 families in the borough. The population density was. There were 3,180 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup was 85.06% White, 4.96% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 1.81% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.21% from other races, and 2.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.54% of the population.
Of the 2,098 households, 17.0% had children under the age of 18; 32.0% were married couples living together; 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 53.3% were non-families. Of all households, 42.2% were made up of individuals and 10.1% 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 2.80.
14.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 99.9 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $59,792 and the median family income was $75,575. Males had a median income of $51,250 versus $39,902 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,446. About 2.5% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 4,793 people, 2,297 households, and 1,086 families residing in the borough. The population density was. There were 3,132 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the borough was 88.15% White, 3.86% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.46% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.01% from other races, and 2.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.83% of the population.
There were 2,297 households, out of which 18.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.4% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.7% were non-families. 42.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 18.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 38.6% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $40,878, and the median income for a family was $49,688. Males had a median income of $37,164 versus $31,276 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,438. About 5.7% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Chinese community

In the 1920s, ethnic Chinese began to vacation in Bradley Beach. Circa 1941 a woman of Chinese ancestry bought a house in Bradley Beach, and other followed her. Bradley Beach became known as a vacation community for ethnic Chinese. They preferred eating non-Chinese foods while in Bradley Beach. This community became known as "Chinatown by the Sea", and a portion of it was formally recognized as such in 2023. They did not open Chinese businesses in the community as they instead had their businesses in New York City.

Government

Local government

Bradley Beach has been governed within the Faulkner Act system of New Jersey municipal government under the Small Municipality plan 5, as implemented on July 1, 1992, based on the recommendations of a Charter Study Commission. The borough is one of 18 municipalities statewide that use this form of government, which is only available to municipalities with a population less than 12,000 at the time of adoption. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the four-member borough council, whose members are elected at-large in nonpartisan elections. The mayor is elected to a four-year term of office and the four council members are chosen to serve three-year terms on a concurrent basis. As of 2010, the borough's nonpartisan elections were shifted from May to the November general election as part of an effort to reduce costs and increase voter participation. The borough had previously operated under the Walsh Act form of New Jersey municipal government starting in 1915, and used a five-member commission, with one member selected to serve as mayor.
, the mayor of Bradley Beach is Alan N. Gubitosi, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2028. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Jane DeNoble, Shana Greenblatt, Paul Nowicki and John Weber, all serving concurrent terms ending December 31, 2025.
The five members of a Charter Study Commission began meetings in December 2024 to consider possible changes to the borough's form of government. The commission will report, having been allocated $50,000 for its work. A report will be produced by August and if a charter change is recommended, the voters will make the choice to accept the change as part of the November 2025 general election.

Federal, state, and county representation

Bradley Beach is located in the 6th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 11th state legislative district.

Education

The Bradley Beach School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Bradley Beach Elementary School. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 263 students and 37.8 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 7.0:1.
For public school students in ninth through twelfth grades, the school district maintains sending/receiving relationships with the Asbury Park Public Schools and Neptune Township Schools under which 93% of Bradley Beach students are sent to Asbury Park High School and the other 7% are sent to Neptune High School. As of the 2020–21 school year, Asbury Park High school had an enrollment of 682 students and 54.5 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 12.5:1 and Neptune High School had an enrollment of 1,270 students and 115.0 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 11.0:1.
An application program with Red Bank Regional High School or the schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School District are alternatives available for students from the borough attending public high school.
Public school students also have the option to attend Academy Charter High School in Lake Como, which accepts students on a lottery basis from the communities of Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Deal, Interlaken and Lake Como.
Public high school students may also apply to attend one of the magnet schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School District—Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Academy of Allied Health & Science, High Technology High School, Biotechnology High School, and Communications High School.
The Bradley Beach Public Library is located at 511 Fourth Avenue, on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Hammond Avenue. In early 2017, a building expansion was added to the south elevation of the circa 1927 built library building. The structural design was performed by the Structural Engineering department of French Parrello Associates. There are many activities at the library for people of all ages including various story times, a writing group and weekly Overeaters Anonymous meetings. In the spring of 2014 the library introduced a book bike which a librarian or volunteer rides around town and on the boardwalk to give books and to tell residents about the opportunities and activities coming up at the library and around the borough.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Monmouth County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Route 71 is the main road that runs through the town. Route 18 is in neighboring Neptune Township, and both the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 195 are within a 10 to 15 minute drive.

Public transportation

provides rail service at the Bradley Beach station. Commuter service connects the borough to Hoboken Terminal, Newark Penn Station, Secaucus Junction and New York Penn Station on the North Jersey Coast Line.
NJ Transit bus service is available between the borough and Philadelphia on the 317 route, with local service offered on the 830 route.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Bradley Beach has a humid subtropical climate. Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average temperature above, at least four months with an average temperature greater than or equal, at least one month with an average temperature greater than or equal and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are slightly humid with a cooling afternoon sea breeze in Bradley Beach, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur with heat index values greater than. Since 1981, the highest air temperature was on August 9, 2001, and the highest daily average mean dew point was on August 13, 2016. The average wettest month is July which correlates with the peak in thunderstorm activity. Since 1981, the wettest calendar day was on August 27, 2011. During the winter months, the average annual extreme minimum air temperature is. Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was on January 22, 1984. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values below. The average seasonal snowfall total is 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, Bradley Beach would have a dominant vegetation type of Appalachian Oak with a dominant vegetation form of Eastern Hardwood Forest. The plant hardiness zone is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of. The average date of first spring leaf-out is March 24 and fall color typically peaks in early-November.

Chess

In 1929, Bradley Beach hosted an international chess tournament at Hotel La Reine. Alexander Alekhine, the reigning world chess champion at the time, won the tournament with an impressive score of 8.5/9.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Bradley Beach include: