Long Branch, New Jersey


Long Branch is a beachside city in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 31,667, an increase of 948 from the 2010 census count of 30,719, which in turn reflected a decline of 621 from the 31,340 counted in the 2000 census. As of the 2020 census, it was the 6th-most-populous municipality in Monmouth County and had the 74th-highest population of any municipality in New Jersey.
Long Branch was formed on April 11, 1867, as the Long Branch Commission, from portions of Ocean Township. Long Branch was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1903, based on the results of a referendum, replacing the Long Branch Commission.

History

Long Branch emerged as a beach resort town in the late 18th century, named for its location along a branch of the South Shrewsbury River. In the 19th century, theatrical performers of the day often gathered and performed there. It was visited by many Presidents during the Gilded Age, including Chester A. Arthur, James A. Garfield, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, Rutherford B. Hayes, William McKinley, and Woodrow Wilson, along with President Donald Trump in the modern era. Seven Presidents Park, a park near the beach, is named in honor of the visits of the first seven of these presidents. The Church of the Presidents, where these same seven presidents worshiped, is the only structure left in Long Branch associated with them.
President Grant and his family summered at their beachfront cottage in Long Branch the first year of his presidency in 1869 and for most of the rest of Grant's life. During this time, Long Branch came to be called the "summer capital". President James A. Garfield was brought to Long Branch in the hope that the fresh air and quiet might aid his recovery after being shot on July 2, 1881, an incident that left the assassin's bullet lodged in his spine. He died here on September 19, 1881, at age 49. The Garfield Tea House, constructed from railroad ties that had been laid to carry Garfield's train, is in Elberon.
The famous Long Branch Saloon of the American Old West, located in Dodge City, Kansas, was given its name by its first owner, William Harris, who had moved west from Long Branch, New Jersey, his hometown.
Originally a resort town with a few hotels and large estates and many farms in the early 20th century, Long Branch grew in population. Italian, Irish and Jewish immigrants settled in during this period. During the 1930s, the city used government policies to enforce racial segregation against Blacks at local beaches, assigning all black applicants for beach passes to a single, segregated beach.
By the 1950s, Long Branch like many other towns had developed new residential spots and housing to make room for the growing population. Many of the former farms of Long Branch were transformed into residential suburbs. Many of the estates and a few old historic resorts still remain.
In the early 20th century, Long Branch lost much of its activity as a theater spot. In addition, the opening of the Garden State Parkway in the mid-1950s allowed shore visitors to access points further south, which added to Long Branch's decline. The civil unrest of the 1960s caused riots in neighboring Asbury Park, and many fled the shore cities for the suburban towns west of the beach. Decades later, the older, more dilapidated parts of the resort town were condemned and redeveloped, in part by using eminent domain legislation.
Long Branch continues to be a popular resort area. Many people from New York City travel or settle into the area to escape the crowded city and enjoy Long Branch's beaches.

Hurricane Sandy

On October 29, 2012, Long Branch was one of many shore communities that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Although Sandy's winds were powerful, Long Branch's position between Long Beach Island and Sea Bright gave Long Branch a much larger wall of security because it could not be engulfed by surrounding waters. Despite this mainland advantage, there were still several instances of flooding in Long Branch during the storm. Many residents went without electricity for as long as two weeks. The boardwalk was destroyed; the city began rebuilding it in 2015, and it reopened in April 2016, making it the last boardwalk damaged by Sandy to be rebuilt.

Geography

Long Branch takes its name from the "long branch" or south branch of the Shrewsbury River.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 6.29 square miles, including 5.12 square miles of land and 1.16 square miles of water.
The city borders the Monmouth County communities of Deal, Monmouth Beach, Ocean Township, Oceanport and West Long Branch.

Neighborhoods

There are several distinct neighborhoods and areas in the City of Long Branch, each with its own character. Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include Branchport, East Long Branch, Elberon, Hollywood, Kensington Park, North Long Branch, Pleasure Bay and West End. Other areas include North End, Beachfront North and South, Downtown and Uptown. As the city's redevelopment initiatives continue to expand, the lower Broadway area will become an Arts District.
In years past, Long Branch was a major destination for beachgoers, along with Asbury Park, and enjoyed an upscale connotation with tourists. Long Branch is home to Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, named for the United States presidents who visited the fashionable resort town, including Ulysses S. Grant, Chester A. Arthur, Rutherford Hayes, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, Woodrow Wilson and James Garfield.
Long Branch's fame as the Nation's First Seaside Resort waned in the years following World War II. The defining moment marking the end of this era occurred on June 8, 1987, when the largest fire in the history of the city destroyed the landmark amusement pier and adjoining Haunted Mansion, "Kid's World" Amusement Park and other businesses.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Long Branch 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 at or above, at least one month with an average temperature at or above and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are slightly humid with a cooling afternoon sea breeze in Long Branch, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur with heat index values above. Since 1981, the highest air temperature was on August 9, 2001, and the highest daily average mean dew point was on August 13, 2016, and July 19, 2019. July is the peak in thunderstorm activity and the average wettest month is August. 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, Long Branch 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 23 and fall color typically peaks in early-November.

Economy

Portions of the city are part of a joint Urban Enterprise Zone with Asbury Park, one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. The city was selected in 1994 as one of a group of 10 zones added to participate in the program. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment and investment within the UEZ, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate at eligible merchants. Established in November 1994, the city's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in November 2025.

Development

Broadway Center is a planned entertainment and commercial hub of Long Branch, as envisioned by the City Government and Thompson Design Group, who created the Master Plan for the city. This complex is planned to offer retail shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and two performing arts theaters as well as 500 new residences sitting atop a 1,500 car parking garage. It will be designed by the architectural firms of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum.
In June 2013, the city approved designation of the area around its train station as a transit village, which can bring incentives for revitalization and denser development.
There are several mid-rise buildings lining the oceanfront. In December 2013 another 12-story residential project was approved.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 30,719 people, 11,753 households, and 6,876 families in the city. The population density was. There were 14,170 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup was 65.30% White, 14.21% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 2.13% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 13.24% from other races, and 4.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.07% of the population.
Of the 11,753 households, 26.3% had children under the age of 18; 36.2% were married couples living together; 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 41.5% were non-families. Of all households, 31.0% were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.23.
21.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 12.2% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 100.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 98.3 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $52,792 and the median family income was $56,778. Males had a median income of $36,404 versus $33,397 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,381. About 11.5% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 31,340 people, 12,594 households, and 7,248 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 13,983 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 68.03% White, 18.66% African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.64% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 7.08% from other races, and 4.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.67% of the population.
There were 12,594 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.9% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,651, and the median income for a family was $42,825. Males had a median income of $37,383 versus $27,026 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,532. About 13.9% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.3% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Long Branch is governed under the Mayor-Council form of municipal government under the Faulkner Act, enacted by direct petition as of July 1, 1966. The city is one of 71 of New Jersey's 564 municipalities that use this form of government. The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the five-member City Council, whose members are elected at-large on a non-partisan basis in the May municipal elections to serve concurrent four-year terms of office.
, the Mayor of Long Branch is John Pallone. Members of the City Council are Bill Dangler, Glen Rassas, Mario Vieria, Anita Voogt and Rose Widdis. The mayor and city council members serve concurrent terms of office ending on June 30, 2026.
In February 1966, a nearly 3-1 margin of voters supported a proposal promoted by the Better Government League, which abolished the city's council-manager ward-based system that had six members from wards and three at-large and replaced it with a wholly at-large city council with a mayor-council system under the Faulkner Act and an appointed business administrator.

Federal, state, and county representation

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

Politics

Public safety

The Long Branch Department of Public Safety consists of the Long Branch Police Department, the Long Branch Fire Department and the Office of Emergency Management. The LBPD did not have a police chief between 1970 and 2017, with the Director of Public Safety being directly responsible for the department.
On November 20, 1997, Long Branch Police Department Detective Sergeant Patrick A. King was killed by gunshot while ordering food at a Chinese restaurant. The killer led law enforcement on a chase which ended in his suicide.

Education

The Long Branch Public Schools serves children in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district is one of 31 former Abbott districts statewide that were established pursuant to the decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court in Abbott v. Burke which are now referred to as "SDA Districts" based on the requirement for the state to cover all costs for school building and renovation projects in these districts under the supervision of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority. All Long Branch Public Schools are free, including the district's preschool programs which are full-day and accommodate children ages 3–5 years old. Long Branch schools offer free breakfast each morning for the students. In addition, Long Branch Public Schools provide free summer programs for most of the summer.
As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of eight schools, had an enrollment of 5,494 students and 495.0 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 11.1:1. Schools in the district are
Lenna W. Conrow School,
Joseph M. Ferraina Early Childhood Learning Center,
Morris Avenue School,
Amerigo A. Anastasia School,
George L. Catrambone Elementary School,
Gregory School,
Long Branch Middle School,
Long Branch High School and
Audrey W. Clark School / The Academy of Alternative Programs, an alternative education program.
George L. Catrambone Elementary School was constructed at a total cost over $40 million for a facility that was designed to house 800 students in a facility covering for which construction began in 2012. With the start of the 2014–2015 school year, a realignment of the district closed West End School, converted Morris Avenue School for early childhood use and repurposed Audrey W. Clark School for alternative education.
Seashore School is a private K–8 school, with class size limited to 16 students.
Declining attendance led the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton to close the K–8 Holy Trinity School in June 2006.

Media

WRLB "Radio Long Branch" signed-on June 1, 1960, at 107.1 FM. Since December 1996 the call letters have been WWZY.

Transportation

Roads and highways

As of 2010, the city 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 36 and Route 71 are the most significant highways that pass through the city.

Public transportation

Long Branch is connected to New York City and Northern New Jersey via NJ Transit commuter train service running on the North Jersey Coast Line. The Long Branch station located three blocks away from the beach, marks the end of electrified trackage, where passengers continuing south must change to diesel-powered trains. A second station is located at Elberon, just north of the borough of Deal. In the past there were stops in the West End neighborhood and on Broadway, but they were closed to reduce travel time to New York City.
Local bus transportation is provided by NJ Transit on the List of [NJ Transit bus routes #Monmouth County local service|831] and 837 routes. Transportation to New York City is provided by Academy Bus on its Route 36 and Shore Points routes.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Long Branch include: