Stone Harbor is a borough in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The borough, and all of Cape May County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Ocean City 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. It occupies the southern portion of Seven Mile Island together with its northern neighbor Avalon. It is a resort community that attracts visitors looking to enjoy its beaches, sailing facilities and commercial center. The community attracts a large number of vacationers from the Mid-Atlantic region and Quebec.

As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 796, a decrease of 70 (−8.1%) from the 2010 census count of 866, which in turn had reflected a decline of 262 (−23.2%) from the 1,128 counted at 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 borough has a summer population in excess of 20,000,Master Plan, Borough of Stone Harbor. Accessed May 22, 2008. who are generally wealthier than full-time residents.Master Plan Reexamination 2019, Borough of Stone Harbor. Accessed October 28, 2019. "Harbor is attracting wealthier homeowners. The Cape May County Planning Department Estimates that Stone Harbor's population swells to just over 21,000 people in the summer. The second homeowners who occupy their summer dwellings are typically more affluent than the year round population."

The New York Times described Stone Harbor as a place of "gleaming McMansions and elegant shops",Strauss, Robert. "Worth Noting; Stone Harbor Gets A Coat of Many Colors", The New York Times, June 26, 2005. Accessed April 29, 2013. with an average single-family home selling for US$2.5 million in 2008. In 2017, Stone Harbor was the third-most expensive ZIP Code in New Jersey based on median home sale price, and had the second-most expensive residential real estate transaction in the state that year at $10 million. In 2014, Forbes magazine ranked Stone Harbor (ZIP Code 08247) at the 191st spot on its list of the most expensive ZIP Codes in the United States.Carlyle, Erin. "New York Dominates 2014 List of America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes", Forbes, October 8, 2014. Accessed March 16, 2020.

History Development began in the late 19th century as a beach resort along the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad line. The community was marketed to wealthy residents of Philadelphia seeking a resort destination for a second home.Lyttle, Bethany. "High & Low | Stone Harbor, N.J. - Fine White Sand and Summer Homes", The New York Times, October 10, 2008. Accessed April 29, 2013.

Stone Harbor was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 3, 1914, from portions of Middle Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 28, 1914. The borough gained a portion of Avalon on December 27, 1941.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 116. Accessed May 30, 2024. The borough is said to be named for an English sea captain named Stone who sought shelter from a storm in the area.Truluck, Leslie. "Grassroots Website 'Capt. Stone's Log' Gives Local Stone Harbor Insight", Cape May County Herald, June 19, 2009. Accessed October 10, 2015. "Koch writes from the persona of Capt. Stone, an English seaman who is credited with having named the borough when he sought refuge in the borough's back bay from a storm."Cole, T. Mark; and Glasgow, Cheryl. Stone Harbor, p. 10. Arcadia Publishing, 2001. . Accessed October 10, 2015. "Named for an English sea captain who found refuge from a storm here, the area was first called Stoneharbor. In 1931, the name was changed to Stone Harbor."

In 2015, a contract was awarded to dredge adjacent bodies of water. In early 2016, during the dewatering stage of the operation, a total of three geotubes discharged a small quantity of sediment containing several contaminants. Dredging was halted pending development of a plan to prevent future such spills.Benson, David. "Stone Harbor project shut down after second spill" , The Gazette of Middle Township, April 7, 2016. Accessed May 31, 2016. "A Stone Harbor dredging project aimed at removing about 100,000 cubic yards of silt from the borough's back bays has been shut down by the state after two geotubes failed recently at the Stone Harbor marina parking lot, releasing mud which seeped through bulkhead openings and into the North Basin, officials said."

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.19 square miles (5.68 km2), including 1.42 square miles (3.68 km2) of land and 0.77 square miles (2.01 km2) of water (35.34%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Seven Mile Beach.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

Stone Harbor borders Avalon Borough, Middle Township, North Wildwood City and the Atlantic Ocean.Areas touching Stone Harbor, MapIt. Accessed March 13, 2020.Cape May County, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 13, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Stone Harbor Point, located at the southern end of the borough, is a protected coastal preserve encompassing beaches, dunes, tidal flats, and maritime forest. The area has been recognized as one of New Jersey's most significant habitats for migratory shorebirds and horseshoe crabs, providing nesting and stopover habitat for several state- and federally protected species. The preserve is managed through partnerships between conservation organizations and public agencies to protect coastal habitat while maintaining public access for activities including birdwatching, hiking, fishing, and wildlife observation.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 866 people, 441 households, and 256 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,247 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 97.11% (841) White, 1.62% (14) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 0.12% (1) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.69% (6) from other races, and 0.46% (4) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.35% (29) of the population.

Of the 441 households, 10.2% had children under the age of 18; 49.2% were married couples living together; 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 42.0% were non-families. Of all households, 37.4% were made up of individuals and 21.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.96 and the average family size was 2.54.

10.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 11.8% from 25 to 44, 31.4% from 45 to 64, and 41.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 60.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 89.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 84.2 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $69,286 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,969) and the median family income was $92,083 (+/− $19,643). Males had a median income of $55,417 (+/− $23,166) versus $70,208 (+/− $15,479) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $60,057 (+/− $10,700). About 2.8% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Stone Harbor borough, Cape May County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 13, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,128 people, 596 households, and 330 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,428 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 98.76% White, 0.80% African American, 0.18% from other races, and 0.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.44% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Stone Harbor borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 17, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Stone Harbor borough, Cape May County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 17, 2012.

There were 596 households, out of which 11.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.89 and the average family size was 2.50.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 12.3% under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 14.4% from 25 to 44, 31.6% from 45 to 64, and 38.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $51,471, and the median income for a family was $67,250. Males had a median income of $52,500 versus $35,000 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $46,427. About 1.5% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government