Lake Como is a borough located in the Jersey Shore region, within Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,697, a decrease of 62 (−3.5%) from the 2010 census count of 1,759, which in turn reflected a decline of 47 (−2.6%) from the 1,806 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. It is the tenth-smallest municipality by land area in New Jersey.Astudillo, Carla. "The 10 tiniest towns in New Jersey (they're really small)", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, November 1, 2016, updated May 16, 2019. Accessed March 5, 2020. "We used square mile data from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to rank the ten municipalities with the smallest area size.... 10. Lake Como Borough"
Lake Como was originally formed as the borough of South Belmar by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 12, 1924, from portions of Wall Township, subject to the results of a referendum held on May 6, 1924.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 29, 2024. On November 2, 2004, voters in the borough approved changing the locality's name to Lake Como, which became effective as of January 4, 2005.Zhang, Jane. , Asbury Park Press, January 5, 2005. Accessed July 30, 2012. "But alas, the Borough of Lake Como was officially born at the 8 pm meeting via Resolution 2005-1, thanks to a name-change referendum borough voters approved in a 412-to-319 vote Nov. 2."
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.26 square miles (0.67 km2), including 0.25 square miles (0.65 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.02 km2) of water (3.08%).
The borough borders the Monmouth County communities of Belmar, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights and Wall Township.Areas touching Lake Como, MapIt. Accessed February 25, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed February 25, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Demographics
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,759 people, 785 households, and 399 families in the borough. The population density was 6,943.6 per square mile (2,680.9/km2). There were 1,115 housing units at an average density of 4,401.4 per square mile (1,699.4/km2). The racial makeup was 82.89% (1,458) White, 6.14% (108) Black or African American, 0.85% (15) Native American, 1.19% (21) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 6.82% (120) from other races, and 2.10% (37) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.31% (322) of the population.
Of the 785 households, 22.9% had children under the age of 18; 34.9% were married couples living together; 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 49.2% were non-families. Of all households, 38.6% were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 3.05.
19.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 105.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 102.7 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $76,576 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,374) and the median family income was $84,821 (+/− $15,308). Males had a median income of $58,173 (+/− $11,703) versus $49,444 (+/− $25,611) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $37,729 (+/− $5,783). About 10.8% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Lake Como borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 30, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,806 people, 824 households, and 391 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,107 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 82.17% White, 7.75% African American, 0.44% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 5.87% from other races, and 2.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.13% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Lake Como borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 30, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Lake Como borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 30, 2012.
There were 824 households, out of which 22.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.3% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.5% were non-families. 41.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $47,566, and the median income for a family was $56,538. Males had a median income of $41,550 versus $27,708 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,111. About 4.3% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government Lake Como 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 Lake Como 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 Lake Como is Democrat Kevin Higgins, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Douglas E. Witte (D, 2025), Heather Albala-Doyle (D, 2027), Chris D'Antuono (D, 2027), Nicholas DeMauro (D, 2026), Hawley G. Scull (D, 2025) and Peter Ventrice (D, 2026).Borough Offices Information Page, Borough of Lake Como. Accessed January 28, 2025.2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Lake Como. Accessed January 28, 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.
In February 2021, the borough council considered three candidates whose names were submitted by the Democratic municipal committee and chose Peter Ventrice to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by David Gardner until he resigned from office the previous month.Goetz, Cathy. "Lake Como Council Taps Peter Ventrice as Newest Member", TAPinto Belmar / Lake Como, February 5, 2021. Accessed July 5, 2022. "Peter Ventrice is the newest member of Lake Como Council, taking the seat of David Gardner, who resigned last month before starting his new term. During the council's February 2 virtual meeting, Ventrice took the oath of office from Mayor Kevin Higgins after the governing body unanimously approved his appointment, which will run through the end of 2021. The Democrat is likely to seek election for the remaining two years left on the unexpired term." Ventrice served on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election, when he was selected to serve the balance of the term of office.November 2, 2021 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, December 13, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.
In September 2019, the borough council selected Nicholas DeMauro from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that was vacated by John Carvelli after he resigned from office the previous month after announcing that he was moving out of Lake Como.Goetz, Cathy. "Lake Como Council Names Nicholas DeMauro to Its Ranks", TAPinto.net, September 4, 2019. Accessed February 25, 2020. "Nicholas DeMauro has joined the Lake Como Council, replacing John Carvelli who resigned last month after moving out of the borough."
In September 2018, David Gardner was appointed to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been vacated by Kevin Higgins, who was appointed mayor the previous monthto fill the seat vacated by Brian T. Wilton.Meeting Minutes for September 4, 2018, Borough of Lake Como. Accessed February 25, 2020. Kevin Higgins and David Gardner served and were elected to their respective positions in November 2018. Kevin Higgins was elected to a full four-year term ending December 2022.General Election November 6, 2018 Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk, updated January 7, 2020. Accessed February 8, 2020.
In January 2017, Christopher D'Antuono was appointed to fill the seat expiring in December 2018 that was vacated by Michael Noonan; D'Antono will serve on an interim basis until the November 2017 general election, when voters will select a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.Staff. "Primary Petitions Filed for Belmar and Lake Como Council Posts", TAP Into Belmar, April 6, 2017. Accessed May 11, 2017. "In Lake Como, Democrat incumbents Kevin Higgins and John Carvelli submitted petitions for another three-year term each, and Christopher D'Antuono, who was appointed to a council post vacated by Michael Noonan in January, is vying for that unexpired one-year term."