Ventnor City is a city situated on the Jersey Shore on Absecon Island, within Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, on the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 9,210, a decrease of 1,440 (−13.5%) from the 2010 census count of 10,650, which in turn reflected a decrease of 2,260 (−17.5%) from the 12,910 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023. The city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the Atlantic City–Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which is part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 22, 2022.

Ventnor City was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1903, from portions of Egg Harbor Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 71. Accessed May 30, 2024.Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 307. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 18, 2015.

History S. Bartram Richards, the wife of the secretary-treasurer of the Camden and Atlantic Land Company, suggested the name "Ventnor" for the area then being developed by the company south of Atlantic City, having recently visited the English seaside resort on the Isle of Wight with the same name. The name was chosen in January 1889. The city was formally incorporated by the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1903.History , City of Ventnor City. Accessed December 4, 2011.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 18, 2015.

Chapter 51 of the laws and Sessions of the State of New Jersey provided the beginning to Ventnor City, stating:

The first meeting was held on April 20, 1903, in the Carisbrooke Inn, which was located behind the present City Hall, on Atlantic Avenue between Cambridge and Sacramento Avenues; Carisbrooke is also a place name taken from the Isle of Wight.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, Ventnor City city had a total area of 3.52 square miles (9.13 km2), including 1.96 square miles (5.07 km2) of land and 1.57 square miles (4.06 km2) of water (44.52%).

The city is located on long Absecon Island, along with Atlantic City to the northeast, and Margate City and Longport on the southwest.Absecon Island Shore Protection Project , United States Army Corps of Engineers. Accessed December 4, 2011. "Construct an approximate $63 million beach and dune system along the 8.1 mile oceanfront of Absecon Island that includes, the cities of Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport." The boardwalk runs along the entire Ventnor City beach front and is connected to the Atlantic City Boardwalk. It ends at Ventnor City's border with Margate City.Tanenbaum, Michael. "2018 Jersey Shore beach guide: Ventnor All the info you need about beach tags, weather, events and more in Atlantic City southern neighbor", Philly Voice, May 17, 2018. Accessed March 8, 2020. "And when you're ready to step up the activity level, Ventnor's boardwalk is a 1.7 miles stroll straight into Atlantic City." The city borders Atlantic City and Margate City.Areas touching Ventnor City, MapIt. Accessed March 8, 2020.Atlantic County District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed July 9, 2024.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Ventnor City had a population of 9,210. The median age was 51.7 years. 14.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 26.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.1 males age 18 and over.

99.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.4% lived in rural areas.

There were 4,296 households in Ventnor City, of which 17.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 37.8% were married-couple households, 22.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 33.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 38.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 7,897 housing units, of which 45.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.3%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 6,722 73.0% Black or African American 281 3.1% American Indian and Alaska Native 15 0.2% Asian 723 7.9% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 5 0.1% Some other race 696 7.6% Two or more races 768 8.3% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 1,434 15.6%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 10,650 people, 4,592 households, and 2,645 families in the city. The population density was . There were 7,829 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 75.83% (8,076) White, 4.25% (453) Black or African American, 0.47% (50) Native American, 8.68% (924) Asian, 0.05% (5) Pacific Islander, 8.08% (860) from other races, and 2.65% (282) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.05% (1,922) of the population.

Of the 4,592 households, 20.9% had children under the age of 18; 39.3% were married couples living together; 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 42.4% were non-families. Of all households, 34.6% were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 3.00.

18.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 31.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $52,465 (with a margin of error of ±$3,688) and the median family income was $66,467 (±$9,437). Males had a median income of $42,560 (±$12,377) versus $33,693 (±$5,007) for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,790 (±$4,057). About 9.0% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Ventnor City city, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 17, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 12,910 people, 5,480 households, and 3,255 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 8,009 housing units at an average density of 1, 445.0/km2 (3,736.6/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 77.10% White, 2.94% African American, 0.19% Native American, 7.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 9.37% from other races, and 2.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.14% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Ventnor City city, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 9, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Ventnor City city, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 9, 2012.

The most common ethnic groups reported in the 2000 Census in Ventnor City were Italian (22.8%), Irish (15.5%), German (8.7%), English (6.2%), Russian (4.2%), Polish (3.6%).City Data for Ventnor City, City-Data. Accessed November 27, 2006.

There were 5,480 households, out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out, with 20.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,478, and the median income for a family was $52,701. Males had a median income of $31,300 versus $26,788 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,631. About 3.4% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government On September 17, 1968, the existing Mayor-Council form of government was changed to a Commission form of government, under the Walsh Act, one of seven municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of three Commissioners who are elected at-large to serve four-year terms on a concurrent basis in non-partisan elections held as part of the May municipal election. After each election, the three elected commissioners are each assigned a department to oversee and choose one of their members to serve as Mayor.Administration, Ventnor City. Accessed February 23, 2025. "Ventnor City was incorporated on March 17, 1903. On September 17, 1968, the then Mayor-Council form of government was changed to a Commission form of government. The Ventnor City Commission is governed by the Walsh Act and consists of a Mayor and two Commissioners. The Mayor and Commissioners serve a four-year term. Voters within the City of Ventnor City choose three Commissioners to serve the four-year term. The three top finishers then choose their selection to serve as Mayor."2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 12."The Commission Form of Municipal Government" , p. 53. Accessed June 3, 2015."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 8. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025.

, the members of the Ventnor City Board of Commissioners, serving concurrent terms of office ending May 2028, are Mayor Tim Kriebel (Commissioner of Public Safety),Mayor Tim Kriebel, Ventnor City. Accessed February 23, 2025. Lance B. Landgraf Jr.(Commissioner of Public Works and Code Enforcement)Commissioner Landgraf, Ventnor City. Accessed February 23, 2025. and