Sea Girt is a borough situated on the Jersey Shore, within Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,866, an increase of 38 (+2.1%) from the 2010 census count of 1,828, which in turn had reflected a decline of 320 (−14.9%) from the 2,148 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.

In the Forbes magazine 2012 rankings of "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes", the borough was ranked 197th, with a median price of $1,135,184.Brennan, Morgan. "America's Most Expensive Zip Codes 2012", Forbes, October 16, 2012. Accessed September 17, 2013.

History

Sea Girt was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 29, 1917, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 1, 1917.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 185. Accessed May 30, 2024. The borough was named for the estate of Comm. Robert F. Stockton, who had purchased a property in the area in 1853.History, Borough of Sea Girt. Accessed February 5, 2025. "In 1853, Commodore Robert F. Stockton acquired the large tract of land and built a lavish summer estate in the area between Stockton Lake and Wreck Pond."Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 1, 2015.

On April 1, 2023, a brief tornado that was part of a tornado outbreak measured EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale with winds estimated at . It blew off the roof of the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy, with debris strewn up to . Power poles were also damaged and a tree was uprooted."NWS Damage Surveys for April 1, 2023 Tornado Outbreak and Wind Event", Iowa State University. Accessed April 25, 2023. "A tornado formed from an east southeast moving rotating supercell within a line of thunderstorms and made a brief touchdown on the National Guard Training Center Grounds in Sea Girt, NJ. The tornado likely developed over Stockton Lake and tracked east southeast over the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy. The entire half dome, wood frame, shingled roof of the southwest facing academy building, about 25 yards wide and 50 yards long, was lifted and thrown eastward. The debris was lofted and strewn for about 250 yards to the east northeast in a tapering, semi-circled debris drag marks and layout pattern. In addition one tree was uprooted and laid in an east northeast direction. The tornado likely lifted as it tracked east across the parking lot and open grass fields. Based on the degree of damage and construction this was determined to be EF2 wind damage of 110- 120 mph, with debris and downed tree pattern indicative of a tornado."

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.46 square miles (3.77 km2), including 1.06 square miles (2.75 km2) of land and 0.40 square miles (1.03 km2) of water (27.12%).

Wreck Pond is a tidal pond located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Wall Township and the boroughs of Sea Girt, Spring Lake and Spring Lake Heights. The Wreck Pond watershed covers about in eastern Monmouth County.Wreck Pond, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed April 25, 2023. "Wreck Pond Watershed is in southern Monmouth County and comprised of the following four municipalities: Wall Township; and the Boroughs of Spring Lake Heights, Spring Lake and Sea Girt. The watershed is approximately 12.8 square miles (8,172 acres), extending from the headwaters in Wall Township near Allaire Airport and flowing east-southeast to discharge into Wreck Pond."

The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Manasquan, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights and Wall Township.Areas touching Sea Girt, MapIt. Accessed March 4, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 4, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,828 people, 823 households, and 546 families in the borough. The population density was 1,729.6 per square mile (667.8/km2). There were 1,291 housing units at an average density of 1,221.5 per square mile (471.6/km2). The racial makeup was 99.12% (1,812) White, 0.00% (0) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 0.22% (4) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.22% (4) from other races, and 0.44% (8) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.64% (30) of the population.

Of the 823 households, 20.7% had children under the age of 18; 58.1% were married couples living together; 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.7% were non-families. Of all households, 30.7% were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.77.

19.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 11.4% from 25 to 44, 35.7% from 45 to 64, and 29.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 88.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 81.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $96,652 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,474) and the median family income was $150,179 (+/− $26,605). Males had a median income of $118,958 (+/− $48,899) versus $51,953 (+/− $12,836) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $63,422 (+/− $10,659). About 0.9% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Sea Girt borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 28, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 2,148 people, 942 households, and 636 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,285 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 99.12% White, 0.09% African American, 0.28% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Sea Girt borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 7, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Sea Girt borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 7, 2012.

As of the 2000 Census, 34.1% of Sea Girt residents were of Irish ancestry, the 10th-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States, and fourth-highest in New Jersey, among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.Irish Communities , EPodunk. Accessed June 9, 2007.

There were 942 households, out of which 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 18.5% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 27.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $86,104, and the median income for a family was $102,680. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $46,667 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $63,871. About 2.1% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Sea Girt is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.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 the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 58. The borough form of government used by Sea Girt is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.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."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.

, the mayor of Sea Girt Borough is Republican Donald E. Fetzer, whose term of office ending December 31, 2027. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Diane R. Anthony (R, 2026), Hillary DiFeo (R, 2026), Tom Downey (R, 2025), Bryan Perry (R, 2025), Maria Richman (R, 2027) and Alan J. Zakin (R, 2027).Borough Council, Borough of Sea Girt, New Jersey. Accessed February 5, 2025. "The Borough of Sea Girt is governed under the Borough form of government. The governing body consists of a Mayor and six council members who are elected at large. The Mayor is elected by the voters to a four year term and each Council member is elected to serve a three year term.""2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Sea Girt, New Jersey. Accessed February 5, 2025.November 5, 2024 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated December 16, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.November 8, 2023 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated January 18, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2024.General Election November 8, 2022 Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 27, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.