Long Beach Township is a Walsh Act Township situated on the Jersey Shore, in southeastern Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 3,153, an increase of 102 (+3.3%) from the 2010 census count of 3,051, which in turn reflected a decline of 278 (−8.4%) from the 3,329 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.

Most of the township is located on Long Beach Island, a barrier island along the Atlantic Ocean whose summer population swells to as much as 130,000, including part-time residents and tourists.Eftimiades, Maria. "Long Beach Island Journal; When Summer Ends, Residents Take Back Their Way of Life", The New York Times, September 9, 1990. Accessed November 10, 2012. "That spirit is echoed throughout this 22-mile island, which connects to Manahawkin by four bridges across Barnegat Bay. And although tourism drops considerably in the off-season (according to the 1980 Census, there are 13,000 year-round residents), the population grows to about 130,000 in summer." In October 2012, Long Beach Township was severely affected by Hurricane Sandy, with township mayor Joe Mancini estimating that potential costs to repair the damage estimated as high as $1 billion across Long Beach Island.Hutchins, Ryan. "Long Beach Island officials shocked at extent of damage from Hurricane Sandy", The Star-Ledger, October 31, 2012. Accessed December 24, 2013. "'You go back and look at images of '62,' said Long Beach Township Mayor Joe Mancini, referring to another devastating storm.... The cost of rebuilding is staggering: It will take at least $700 million to remake this 18-mile strip of land, an estimate that could certainly surpass $1 billion as more is learned, Mancini said as he surveyed the damage on the southern tip of the narrow barrier island." As a result of the storm surge, flooding and high winds, dozens of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. After the waters receded, streets were left covered with up to four feet of sand in some spots.Hutchins, Ryan. "Extensive damage from Sandy litters Long Beach Island", The Star-Ledger, October 31, 2012. Accessed November 10, 2012. Governor Chris Christie issued a mandatory evacuation order on October 28, and it remained in place until a full 13 days after the storm.Fuoco, Michael. "In Sandy's Wake: New Jersey road reopens and residents return", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 9, 2012. Accessed November 10, 2012. The township established a Sandy Relief Fund to assist residents in their recovery from the hurricane.Long Beach Township Sandy Relief Fund , Township of Long Beach. Accessed December 24, 2013.

Long Beach Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 23, 1899, from portions of Eagleswood Township, Little Egg Harbor Township, Ocean Township, Stafford Township and Union Township (now known as Barnegat Township). Portions of the township were taken to form Barnegat City (March 29, 1904, now Barnegat Light) and Ship Bottom-Beach Arlington (March 3, 1925, now Ship Bottom).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 204. Accessed May 29, 2024. The name derives from the length of the island along Barnegat Bay.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 3, 2015.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 21.99 square miles (56.95 km2), including 5.45 square miles (14.11 km2) of land and 16.54 square miles (42.84 km2) of water (75.22%).

North Beach Haven (with a 2020 Census population of 2,189) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Long Beach Township.GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Ocean County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 27, 2012.2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 27, 2012.New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed December 27, 2012. Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include the Long Beach Island communities of Bay Vista, Beach Haven Crest, Beach Haven Gardens, Beach Haven Heights, Beach Haven Inlet, Beach Haven Park, Beach Haven Terrace, Brant Beach, Brighton Beach, Haven Beach, High Bar Harbor, Holgate, Loveladies, North Beach, North Beach Haven, Peahala Park, South Beach Haven, Spray Beach, and the Dunes.Election Information , Township of Long Beach. Accessed December 27, 2012.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

The township is divided into four noncontiguous land areas. The most populous, with most of the named places, is located north of Beach Haven and south of Ship Bottom. The Holgate section is south of Beach Haven; most of it is a wildlife preserve. Loveladies and High Bar Harbor form the northernmost, between Harvey Cedars and Barnegat Light.

The township borders the Ocean County municipalities of Barnegat Light, Barnegat Township, Beach Haven, Eagleswood Township, Harvey Cedars, Little Egg Harbor Township, Ocean Township, Ship Bottom, Stafford Township and Surf City.Areas touching Long Beach Township, MapIt. Accessed February 26, 2020.Ocean County Map , Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed February 26, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 3,051 people, 1,539 households, and 943 families in the township. The population density was . There were 9,216 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 96.98% (2,959) White, 0.26% (8) Black or African American, 0.03% (1) Native American, 0.49% (15) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.57% (48) from other races, and 0.66% (20) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.13% (126) of the population.

Of the 1,539 households, 9.6% had children under the age of 18; 53.9% were married couples living together; 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 38.7% were non-families. Of all households, 34.8% were made up of individuals and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.48.

9.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 12.7% from 25 to 44, 33.4% from 45 to 64, and 40.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 61.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 97.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $77,396 (with a margin of error of +/− $15,929) and the median family income was $95,417 (+/− $12,507). Males had a median income of $69,922 (+/− $25,066) versus $59,688 (+/− $18,587) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $63,020 (+/− $9,706). About 2.3% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Long Beach township, Ocean County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 20, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 3,329 people, 1,664 households, and 1,038 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 9,023 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 98.53% White, 0.24% African American, 0.03% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.10% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Long Beach township, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 31, 2016.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Long Beach township, Ocean County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 20, 2012.

There were 1,664 households, out of which 12.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.50.

In the township the population was spread out, with 11.7% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 17.9% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 36.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $48,697, and the median income for a family was $59,833. Males had a median income of $41,681 versus $31,528 for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,404. About 3.8% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Recreation

Long Beach Township Beach Patrol

The Long Beach Township Beach Patrol (LBTBP) was formed in 1936 to serve and protect the public and the environment on the of beaches in the township.About Us, Long Beach Township Beach Patrol. Accessed November 3, 2023. It offers different programs, like the Lifeguard in Training (LIT) Program and the Beach Badge Checking Program, and holds annual competitions and events for lifeguards.Ackerman, Peter. "Lifeguard competition: Spray Beach takes Long Beach Township Cup", Asbury Park Press, July 25, 2021. Accessed November 3,2023.

The six communities that the patrol serves from north to south are Loveladies, North Beach, Brant Beach, Beach Haven Crest, Spray Beach, and Holgate.Beach Info, Long Beach Township Beach Patrol. Accessed November 3, 2023.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish The Saint Francis of Assisi Parish operates largely in Long Beach Township and comprised of four churches and a community center. The church supports traditional Franciscan Catholic beliefs and is led by pastor Francis DiSpigno, OFM.St. Francis of Assisi Parish and Center. Accessed November 20, 2023.St. Francis of Assisi Parish Staff. Accessed November 20, 2023.

The St. Francis Community Center, founded in 1972, provides many programs to the public, including athletics, senior and educational services, and volunteering opportunities.St. Francis Center LBI. Accessed November 21, 2023.

Government

Local government