Cape May population shrank; Atlantic County about even
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
The U.S. Census is going to be used to redraw legislative districts, something that will have an impact on the congressional districts, but it also includes a number of interesting statistical facts on the populations in the counties and in our local communities.
Cape May County’s population dropped to 95,263 in the 2020 Census, down from 97,265, a loss of just more than 2,000 people, or 2 percent.
Atlantic County’s population was virtually unchanged, going from 274,549 in 2010 to 274,534 in 2020.
Cape May County is also showing its aging population. Just more than 27 percent of the population is over 65, compared to 18.6 percent in Atlantic County, and the number of residents under 18 is 17.3 percent to 21.1 percent, county to county, respectively.
The ethnic makeup of the population is also different, with 91.8 percent of Cape May County residents identifying as white alone, compared to 71.3 percent in Atlantic County. Blacks or African Americans make up 17.1 percent of Atlantic County compared to 4.8 percent in Cape May County and the Hispanic or Latino population also was substantially different, 19.4 to 8.1 percent.
Those identifying as white alone (non-Hispanic) were 56 percent in Atlantic County compared to 85 percent in Cape May County.
The foreign-born population in Atlantic County was 16.5 percent in the 2020 Census, compared to 4.7 percent in Cape May County.
The median value of owner-occupied homes was $300,500 in Cape May County versus $217,900 in Atlantic County.
In education, the numbers were not that far off, with 92.5 percent with a high school diploma or higher and 32.8 percent with at least a bachelor’s degree in Cape May County, versus 87 percent and 28.1 percent, respectively, in Atlantic County.
Overall, the median household income was $67,074 in Cape May County compared to $62,110 in Atlantic and the per-capita income was $40,389 compared to $33,284.
The poverty rate was slightly higher in Atlantic County, 11.3 percent versus 9.8 percent in Cape May.
Ocean City
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Ocean City lost 4 percent of its residents over the prior decade, dropping from 11,701 to 11,229 as of April 1, 2020.
The Census also showed that 35 percent of the population is over 65 and that 16.9 percent is under 18 years of age. The population of the city under 5 years of age is at 4.2 percent.
The city also is 86.9 percent white, about 6.2 percent Hispanic or Latino, 3.2 percent Black or African America, 1.4 percent Asian and 2.3 percent of two or more races.
Females comprise 53.5 percent of Ocean City’s population.
In statistics on the U.S. Census (listed as 2015-2019) just over half of Ocean City residents, or 51.4 percent, have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The Census reports 96.2 percent have at least a high school diploma.
The Census put the number of veterans in Ocean City at 795, or just over 14 percent of the population. The foreign-born population is 5.1 percent.
The median household income in 2019 dollars was $81,076 and the per-capita income was $53,652.
Upper Township
Upper Township’s population at the time of the census was 12,539, up a little from 12,393 in 2010, an increase of about 1 percent.
In the township, 18.6 percent of the population is over age 65 and 21.8 percent of the population is under 18; 4.6 percent are children under 5 years of age.
Upper Township is 96.3 percent white (non-Hispanic), 2.2 percent Hispanic or Latino. 0.5 percent Asian, 0.9 percent two or more races, and 0.1 percent Black of African American. Although that number totals more than 100 percent, those identifying as white alone, without Hispanic or Latino heritage, is 96.3 percent.
The Census puts the number of veterans in Upper Township at 706 and foreign-born as 1.7 percent.
In the 2015-2019 statistics, 45.9 percent in Upper Township have a bachelor’s degree or higher and 98.7 percent have a high school diploma or higher.
The median household income in 2019 dollars was $91,167 and the per capita income was $44,650.
Somers Point
Somers Point’s population at the time of the census was 10,469 in 2020, down from 10,795 in 2010, or a decline of 3 percent.
Somers Point is 70.5 percent white (non-Hispanic), 11.6 percent Black or African American, 11.3 percent Hispanic or Latino, 5.6 percent Asian, 1.2 percent two or more races, 0.1 percent American Indian and Alaska Native alone.
For an age distribution, 17.8 percent of the population is 65 or older, 22.7 percent is under 18 and 5.9 percent is under 5 years old.
In the 2015-2019 statistics, 45.9 percent of Somers Point residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher and 98.7 percent have a high school diploma or higher.
Somers Point had a median income of $61,366 and per-capita income was $34,074.
Linwood
Linwood’s population at the time of the census was 6,971, down from 7,092 in 2010, or a decrease of 1.7 percent.
Linwood is 82.9 percent white (non-Hispanic), 8.3 percent Hispanic or Latino, 6.2 percent Asian, 2.2 percent two or more races, 1.7 percent Black or African American, and 0.1 percent Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.
For an age distribution, 20.3 percent of the population is 65 or older, 21.8 percent is under 18, and 5.2 percent is under 5 years old.
The Census puts the number of veterans in Linwood as 291 and foreign-born as 8.9 percent.
In the 2015-2019 statistics, 45.9 percent of Linwood residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher and 98.7 percent have a high school diploma or higher.
Linwood had a median household income of $109,103 and per-capita income was $53,693.
Northfield
Northfield’s population at the time of the census in 2010 was 8,624, but it declined to 8,434 in 2020, a drop of 2.2 percent.
Northfield is 77.7 percent white alone (non-Hispanic), 13.3 percent Hispanic or Latino, 5.4 percent Asian, 2.5 percent Black or African American, 2.1 percent two or more races, 0.1 percent American Indian or Alaska Native alone.
For an age distribution, 17.5 percent of the population is 65 or older, 21.2 percent is under 18 and 3.3 percent is under 5 years of age.
The Census puts the number of veterans in Northfield at 457 and foreign-born as 14.3 percent.
In the 2015-2019 statistics, 45.9 percent of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher and 98.7 percent have a high school diploma or higher.
The city has a median household income of $87,156 and per-capita income was $39,492.