Strathmere, New Jersey

Strathmere is an

With its beaches in the Strathmere section, Upper Township is one of five municipalities in the state that offer free public access to oceanfront beaches monitored by lifeguards, joining Atlantic City, North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest.^[13]

The earliest known people on Ludlam Island (where Strathmere is located) were the Lenape Native Americans, who came to the island in the summertime to hunt fish and crustaceans. Along the northern 1.5 mi (2.4 km) portion of the island was a community named Corson's Inlet, after the waterway separating the island and Ocean City to the north.^[14] A part of Upper Township and Dennis Township became a part of neighboring Sea Isle City in 1905, also on Ludlam Island.^[15] That same year, Sea Isle City sold Corson's Inlet to Upper Township for $31,500 (equivalent to $1,100,000 in 2024) to pay off municipal debt. In 1912, the community of Corson's Inlet was renamed Strathmere.^[14]

The Whale Beach section of Strathmere got its name from the whales that would periodically beach themselves there.^{[citation needed]}

In 2007, Citizens for Strathmere and Whale Beach petitioned to leave Upper Township and join neighboring Sea Isle City, citing an unfair tax burden, inadequate municipal services, and a lengthy wait time for the police. The local planning board held 18 meetings over the next two years, and the township recommended against de-annexation in 2009, noting that taxes would increase school taxes by 20% for the remainder of Upper Township. The group in favor of de-annexation filed a suit with the

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 0.760 square miles (1.97 km²), including 0.598 square miles (1.55 km²) of land and 0.162 square miles (0.42 km²) of water (21.29%).^[17][18]

The

Of the 82 households, 9.8% had children under the age of 18; 52.4% were married couples living together; 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 40.2% were non-families. Of all households, 36.6% were made up of individuals and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.93 and the average family size was 2.49.[11]

8.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 10.1% from 25 to 44, 42.4% from 45 to 64, and 34.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 102.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 108.7 males.^[11]

As of the

Of the 93 households; 7.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.88 and the average family size was 2.44.^[12]

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 8.0% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 17.1% from 25 to 44, 36.6% from 45 to 64, and 34.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.^[12]

The median income for a household in the CDP was $78,709, and the median income for a family was $77,783. Males had a median income of $40,972 versus $43,750 for females. The

As with other parts of Upper Township, the area is zoned to Upper Township School District (for grades K-8) and Ocean City School District (for high school). The latter operates Ocean City High School.

Countywide schools include Cape May County Technical High School and Cape May County Special Services School District.

• Strathmere web site
• The Upper Township Gazette serving Strathmere Local community newspaper