Wildwood Crest, New Jersey

Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
Borough
Wildwood Crest arch
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Location of Wildwood Crest in Cape May County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Cape May County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Census Bureau map of Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
Wildwood Crest Location in Cape May County Show map of Cape May County, New Jersey Wildwood Crest Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Wildwood Crest Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 38°58′N74°50′W / 38.97°N 74.83°W / 38.97; -74.83 [1] [2]
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Cape May
Incorporated	April 6, 1910
Government [3]
• Type	Walsh Act
• Body	Board of Commissioners
•  Mayor	Donald Cabrera (term ends December 31, 2025) [4] [5]
•  Municipal clerk	Patricia A. Feketics [6]
Area [7]
• Total	1.48 sq mi (3.84 km2)
• Land	1.30 sq mi (3.36 km2)
• Water	0.18 sq mi (0.48 km2)  12.50%
• Rank	452nd of 565 in state 13th of 16 in county [1]
Elevation [8]	3 ft (0.9 m)
Population  (2020) [9]
• Total	3,101
• Estimate  (2023) [10]	3,063
• Rank	445th of 565 in state 8th of 16 in county [11]
• Density	2,388.6/sq mi (922.2/km2)
• Rank	260th of 565 in state 2nd of 16 in county [11]
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code	08260 [12] [13]
Area code	609 [14]
FIPS code	3400981200 [1] [15] [16]
GNIS feature ID	0885445 [1] [17]
Website	www.wildwoodcrest.org

Wildwood Crest 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 Ocean City metropolitan statistical area, and is part of the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD combined statistical area, also known as the Delaware Valley or Philadelphia metropolitan area. ^[18] As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 3,101, ^[9] a decrease of 169 (−5.2%) from the 2010 census count of 3,270, ^{[19] [20]} which in turn reflected a decline of 710 (−17.8%) from the 3,980 counted in the 2000 census. ^[21]

Wildwood Crest was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 6, 1910, from portions of Lower Township. ^[22] The area of the borough was first developed by Philip Baker in the 1910s as a southern extension to the resort of Wildwood. ^[23] The borough's name comes from Wildwood, which in turn was named for the area's wild flowers. ^[24]

It is a dry town, where alcohol cannot be sold, affirmed by the results of a referendum held in 1940. ^{[25] [26]} Wildwood Crest joins Cape May Point and Ocean City among municipalities in Cape May restricting the sale of alcohol. ^[27] Adjoining Wildwood allows the sale of alcohol, including at bars on its boardwalk. ^[28]

The borough was ranked the second-best beach in New Jersey in the 2008 "Top 10 Beaches Contest" sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium. ^[29] Wildwood Crest is one of five municipalities in the state that offer free public access to oceanfront beaches monitored by lifeguards, joining Atlantic City, North Wildwood, Wildwood and Upper Township's Strathmere section. ^[30]

History

The Caribbean Motel, an architectural landmark of the "Doo Wop" era

The motels of Wildwood Crest are characterized by a distinctive "Doo Wop" or Googie style of architecture. Collectively, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest contain the nation's largest collection of mid-century "Doo Wop" resort architecture. ^[31]

The term "Doo Wop" was coined by the Mid-Atlantic Center For The Arts in the early 1990s to describe the unique, space-age architectural style that was common in the 1950s and 1960s. ^[31] Post World War II America was an optimistic, confident, and enthusiastic society. The new age style of architecture evolved into a showcase of colorful, flashy, modernistic architecture that captured the spirit of the times; it incorporated modern, sweeping angles, bright colors, starbursts, boomerang shapes, plastic palm trees, and angular wall and roof styles. "Doo Wop" was a celebration of the architecture, design, music, and pop culture of the 1950s and 1960s. During the 1950s, the economy had grown to unprecedented levels. Americans achieved a level of prosperity they had never known before. In response to this unprecedented growth, hundreds of motels were constructed in Wildwood and Wildwood Crest with the distinct "Doo Wop" style of architecture. ^[32] The first motel to reflect this style was the Ebb Tide Motel, constructed in 1957, which was designed and built by Will and Lou Morey, who specialized in such designs. ^[31]

Several "Doo Wop" motels, such as the Caribbean Motel, are registered on the National Register of Historic Places. In recent years, historic "Doo Wop" motels have been demolished to make way for the construction of condominiums, leading to organized efforts to preserve the remaining examples. ^[33]

Wildwood Crest and its neighboring towns of Wildwood, North Wildwood, and West Wildwood make up "The Wildwoods" resort, a popular vacation destination for those living in all parts of New Jersey as well as the Philadelphia and New York City metropolitan areas. Many vacationers and tourists have come from as far away as, New England and Canada and have made The Wildwoods a vacation hotspot, due to the area's mild summer climate. Unlike its sister communities of Wildwood and North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest is generally set apart from the all-hours excitement that the resort area is known for. Many vacationers will find some of the quietest and most undisturbed beach space.

In recent years, condominiums have replaced many of the motels the area was known for, such as The Grand, The Ocean Breeze, El Coronado, and The Arcadia. Some restaurants have been torn down and replaced with condominiums, including The Captain's Table, The Surfside, and Duffenetti's. These changes in housing have significantly changed the demographics of this area, from being a more family oriented one-vacation-per-summer place (for the middle class) to being a weekend retreat for wealthier families.

Geography

The back bay of Wildwood Crest at sunset

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.48 square miles (3.84 km²), including 1.30 square miles (3.36 km²) of land and 0.19 square miles (0.48 km²) of water (12.50%). ^{[1] [2]}

Part of the borough's beachfront has been closed off for the protection of native birds such as the piping plover. These small birds have this area all to themselves so that their eggs may be protected from beachgoers. ^[34] There is a nature trail one may take through the dunes to explore this sheltered area of the beach.

Wildwood Crest borders the Diamond Beach section of Lower Township to the south, the City of Wildwood to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean. ^{[35] [36] [37]}

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	103		—
1920	161		56.3%
1930	738		358.4%
1940	661		−10.4%
1950	1,772		168.1%
1960	3,011		69.9%
1970	3,483		15.7%
1980	4,149		19.1%
1990	3,631		−12.5%
2000	3,980		9.6%
2010	3,270		−17.8%
2020	3,101		−5.2%
2023 (est.)	3,063	[10]	−1.2%
Population sources: 1900–2000 [38] 1900–1920 [39] 1900–1910 [40] 1910–1930 [41] 1940–2000 [42] 2000 [43] [44] 2010 [19] [20] 2020 [9]

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 3,270 people, 1,532 households, and 918 families in the borough. The population density was 2,884.0 per square mile (1,113.5/km²). There were 5,569 housing units at an average density of 4,911.6 per square mile (1,896.4/km²). The racial makeup was 93.18% (3,047) White, 1.68% (55) Black or African American, 0.15% (5) Native American, 1.01% (33) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.80% (59) from other races, and 2.17% (71) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.63% (184) of the population. ^[19]

Of the 1,532 households, 18.7% had children under the age of 18; 44.6% were married couples living together; 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 40.1% were non-families. Of all households, 35.4% were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.73. ^[19]

16.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 30.7% from 45 to 64, and 26.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.9 males. ^[19]

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $46,111 (with a margin of error of +/− $13,652) and the median family income was $67,917 (+/− $15,113). Males had a median income of $49,567 (+/− $20,496) versus $54,250 (+/− $12,982) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $40,032 (+/− $8,687). About 8.1% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over. ^[45]

2000 census

As of the 2000 U.S. census, ^[15] there were 3,980 people, 1,833 households, and 1,114 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,453.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,333.6/km²). There were 4,862 housing units at an average density of 4,219.3 per square mile (1,629.1/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.87% White, 1.23% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 2.21% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.22% of the population. ^{[43] [44]}

There were 1,833 households, out of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.76. ^{[43] [44]}

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 18.2% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males. ^{[43] [44]}

The median income for a household in the borough was $36,579, and the median income for a family was $47,462. Males had a median income of $42,727 versus $27,500 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,741. About 4.4% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over. ^{[43] [44]}

Economy

Portions of the borough—together with areas in North Wildwood, West Wildwood and Wildwood—are part of a joint Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. The four municipalities in The Wildwoods were selected in 2002 as one of a group of three zones added to participate in the program as part of a joint zone with. ^[46] In addition to other benefits to encourage employment and investment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate (half of the 6+5⁄8% rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants. ^[47] Established in September 2002, the borough's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in December 2023. ^[48] The joint UEZ is overseen by the Enterprise Zone Development Corporation of the Wildwoods Board, which includes representatives from all four municipalities. ^[49]

Notable motels in Wildwood Crest include the Caribbean Motel, built in 1957 in the Doo-Wop style and added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 24, 2005. ^{[50] [51]}

Parks and recreation

The Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet memorial in Wildwood Crest to the seamen and officers of the Brigantine Nancy

The borough is bordered on the bay side by Sunset Lake. This was once connected to the Atlantic Ocean by Turtle Gut Inlet, which was closed in 1922. The Sunset Lake and Turtle Gut Park is located at New Jersey and Miami Avenues. A nearby memorial commemorates the Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet fought on June 29, 1776. This was the only American Revolutionary War battle fought in Cape May County. ^[52]

Government

Local government

Wildwood Crest Borough Hall

Wildwood Crest has been governed under the Walsh Act, by a three-member commission, since 1937. The borough is one of 30 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use the commission form of government. ^[53] The governing body is comprised of three commissioners, who are elected at-large on a non-partisan basis to serve concurrent four-year terms of office, with the vote taking place as part of the November general election. At a reorganization conducted after each election, the commission selects one of its members to serve as mayor and gives each commissioner an assigned department to oversee and operate. ^{[3] [54] [55]} As part of an effort to reduce the costs of conducting a standalone election for commissioners and to generate greater participation from voters, the election for borough commissioners was shifted from May to November by an ordinance passed in 2012, with the first November election held in 2013. ^[56]

As of 2023 ^[update] , the Board of Commissioners consists of Mayor Don Cabrera (Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public Property), Deputy Mayor Joseph Franco Jr. (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance) and Joseph Schiff (Commissioner of Public Safety), all serving concurrent terms of office ending December 31, 2025. ^{[4] [57] [58] [59]}

Federal, state, and county representation

Wildwood Crest is located in the 2nd Congressional District ^[60] and is part of New Jersey's 1st state legislative district. ^{[61] [62] [63]}

For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented by Jeff Van Drew ( R , Dennis Township ). ^[64] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) ^[65] and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). ^{[66] [67]}

For the 2024-2025 session , the 1st legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Mike Testa ( R , Vineland ) and in the General Assembly by Antwan McClellan (R, Ocean City ) and Erik K. Simonsen (R, Lower Township ). ^[68]

Cape May County is governed by a five-person Board of County Commissioners whose members are elected at-large on a partisan basis to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year; At an annual reorganization held each January, the commissioners select one member to serve as director and another to serve as vice-director. ^[69] As of 2024 ^[update] , Cape May County's Commissioners are Director Leonard C. Desiderio (R, Sea Isle City, 2024), ^[70] Robert Barr (R, Ocean City; 2025), ^[71] Will Morey (R, Wildwood Crest; 2026), ^[72] Melanie Collette (R. Middle Township; 2026), ^[73] and Vice-Director Andrew Bulakowski (R, Lower Township; 2025). ^{[74] [69] [75]}

The county's constitutional officers are Clerk Rita Marie Rothberg (R, 2025, Ocean City), ^{[76] [77]} Sheriff Robert Nolan (R, 2026, Lower Township) ^{[78] [79]} and Surrogate E. Marie Hayes (R, 2028, Ocean City). ^{[80] [81] [82] [75]}

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 2,341 registered voters in Wildwood Crest, of which 436 (18.6%) were registered as Democrats, 1,052 (44.9%) were registered as Republicans and 850 (36.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens. ^[83]

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 61.1% of the vote (1,046 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 38.5% (659 votes), and other candidates with 0.4% (6 votes), among the 1,724 ballots cast by the borough's 2,419 registered voters (13 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 71.3%. ^{[84] [85]} In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 59.2% of the vote (1,090 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama, who received 39.6% (729 votes), with 1,842 ballots cast among the borough's 2,319 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.4%. ^[86] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 60.4% of the vote (1,203 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry, who received around 38.4% (766 votes), with 1,993 ballots cast among the borough's 2,644 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 75.4. ^[87]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 77.4% of the vote (920 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 20.9% (249 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (20 votes), among the 1,233 ballots cast by the borough's 2,410 registered voters (44 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 51.2%. ^{[88] [89]} In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 60.8% of the vote (806 ballots cast), ahead of both Democrat Jon Corzine with 32.9% (436 votes) and Independent Chris Daggett with 4.5% (59 votes), with 1,325 ballots cast among the borough's 2,448 registered voters, yielding a 54.1% turnout. ^[90]

Education

Wildwood Crest Memorial School

Wildwood Crest Library

The Wildwood Crest School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Crest Memorial School. ^{[91] [92]} As of the 2019–20 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 275 students and 34.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.0:1. ^[93]

For ninth through twelfth grades, public school students from Wildwood Crest attend Wildwood High School in Wildwood as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Wildwood Public School District, together with students from North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. ^[94] As of the 2019–20 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 245 students and 29.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.2:1. ^[95]

Students are also eligible to attend Cape May County Technical High School in the Cape May Court House area, which serves students from the entire county in its comprehensive and vocational programs, which are offered without charge to students who are county residents. ^{[96] [97]} Special needs students may be referred to Cape May County Special Services School District in the Cape May Court House area.

Wildwood Catholic Academy in North Wildwood (prior to 2020 it was two separate schools: Cape Trinity Catholic elementary school and Wildwood Catholic High School) operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. ^[98]

Cape May County Library operates the Wildwood Crest Library. ^[99]

Transportation

CR 621 in Wildwood Crest

Roads and highways

The borough has a total of 31.88 miles (51.31 km) of roadways, of which 29.83 miles (48.01 km) were maintained by the municipality and 2.05 miles (3.30 km) by Cape May County. ^[100]

County Route 621 (Pacific Avenue/New Jersey Avenue) runs for 2.0 miles (3.2 km) through the borough, from Lower Township to the south to Wildwood in the north. ^[101]

Parking in the beach area of Wildwood Crest is regulated by parking meters between mid-May and mid-September. ^[102]

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides bus service to Philadelphia on the 313 and 315 routes, with seasonal service to Philadelphia on the 316 route and to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 319 route. ^{[103] [104]}

The Great American Trolley Company operates trolley service in Wildwood Crest during the summer months. The company runs a trolley route that provides service from Wildwood Crest to the boardwalk at Schellenger Avenue in Wildwood daily during the evening hours. ^[105] The Great American Trolley Company also runs trolley service to the Irish Fall Festival in North Wildwood, with a route connecting Wildwood Crest to the festival site during the weekend of the festival. ^[106]

Landmarks

• Crest Fishing Pier
• Sunset Lake

Religion

Notre Dame de la Mer Catholic Parish, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden has a worship site in Wildwood Crest active in the summer. Previously it was a standalone church, Assumption Church. In 2008 the diocese announced that it would merge into St. Ann's Church of Wildwood, ^[107] and the merger occurred in 2010. ^[108]

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Wildwood Crest has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) with hot, moderately humid summers, cool winters and year-around precipitation. Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature above 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature at or above 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature at or above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months in Wildwood Crest, a cooling afternoon sea breeze is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values at or above 95.0 °F (35.0 °C). During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values below 0.0 °F (−17.8 °C). The plant hardiness zone at Wildwood Crest Beach is 7b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 6.8 °F (−14.0 °C). ^[109] The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm), and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.

Climate data for Wildwood Crest Beach, NJ (1981–2010 Averages)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	41.9 (5.5)	43.7 (6.5)	50.4 (10.2)	59.4 (15.2)	68.7 (20.4)	77.9 (25.5)	82.9 (28.3)	81.7 (27.6)	76.2 (24.6)	66.2 (19.0)	56.2 (13.4)	46.6 (8.1)	62.7 (17.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)	34.9 (1.6)	36.7 (2.6)	43.1 (6.2)	52.2 (11.2)	61.3 (16.3)	70.7 (21.5)	75.9 (24.4)	74.9 (23.8)	68.9 (20.5)	58.3 (14.6)	48.8 (9.3)	39.5 (4.2)	55.5 (13.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	27.9 (−2.3)	29.7 (−1.3)	35.8 (2.1)	44.9 (7.2)	53.8 (12.1)	63.6 (17.6)	68.9 (20.5)	68.1 (20.1)	61.6 (16.4)	50.4 (10.2)	41.3 (5.2)	32.4 (0.2)	48.3 (9.1)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	3.36 (85)	2.82 (72)	4.16 (106)	3.63 (92)	3.60 (91)	3.19 (81)	3.79 (96)	4.10 (104)	3.29 (84)	3.61 (92)	3.25 (83)	3.62 (92)	42.42 (1,077)
Average relative humidity (%)	66.9	66.2	64.4	63.0	67.1	71.7	70.7	73.3	70.2	68.8	68.0	67.4	68.2
Average dew point °F (°C)	25.0 (−3.9)	26.5 (−3.1)	31.9 (−0.1)	40.0 (4.4)	50.3 (10.2)	61.1 (16.2)	65.7 (18.7)	65.8 (18.8)	58.8 (14.9)	48.1 (8.9)	38.7 (3.7)	29.6 (−1.3)	45.2 (7.3)
Source: PRISM [110]

Climate data for North Cape May, NJ Ocean Water Temperature (7 W Wildwood Crest)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Daily mean °F (°C)	37 (3)	37 (3)	42 (6)	50 (10)	59 (15)	68 (20)	73 (23)	74 (23)	72 (22)	61 (16)	52 (11)	42 (6)	56 (13)
Source: NOAA [111]

Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Wildwood Crest would have a dominant vegetation type of Northern Cordgrass (73) with a dominant vegetation form of Coastal Prairie (20). ^[112]

Notable people

See also: Category:People from Wildwood Crest, New Jersey

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Wildwood Crest include:

• J. Thompson Baker (1847–1919), one of the original developers of Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, who was also a politician who represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional district from 1913 to 1915 ^[113]
• Kenneth A. Black Jr. (1932–2019), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from District 3A from 1968 to 1974 ^[114]
• Aliki Brandenberg (born 1929), children's literature author, was born in Wildwood Crest ^[115]
• Joe Maloy (born 1985), professional triathlete ^[116]
• Bill Osborn (born c. 1966), football scout and color analyst who played in the National Football League, World League and the Arena Football League ^[117]
• Bernie Parent (born 1945), goalie for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and most notably Philadelphia Flyers where he back-stopped the team to two consecutive Stanley Cups ^[118]
• Frank Vogel (born 1973), head coach of the Phoenix Suns ^[119]

Gallery

• 
  Fire Station
• 
  "Shore is Beautiful"

References

1. 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 1, 2020.
2. US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
3. 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 8.
4. Borough Commissioners, Borough of Wildwood Crest. Accessed August 27, 2023. "Wildwood Crest Commissioners Joseph Franco Jr., Joseph M. Schiff and Don Cabrera were sworn into office on Jan. 4, 2022, and will serve as borough commissioners through Dec. 31, 2025."
5. 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, updated February 8, 2023. Accessed February 10, 2023.
6. Municipal Clerk, Borough of Wildwood Crest. Accessed August 19, 2022.
7. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
8. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Borough of Wildwood Crest, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 14, 2013.
9. Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.
10. Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023, United States Census Bureau, released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.
11. Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed March 1, 2023.
12. Look Up a ZIP Code for Wildwood Crest, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed December 10, 2011.
13. Zip Codes, State of New Jersey. Accessed November 10, 2013.
14. Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Wildwood Crest, NJ, Area-Codes.com. Accessed November 11, 2013.
15. U.S. Census website, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
16. Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.
17. US Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
18. New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 22, 2022.
19. DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Wildwood Crest borough, Cape May County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 24, 2012.
20. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Wildwood Crest borough Archived May 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed July 24, 2012.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. Strauss, Robert. "Real Estate; Save Our Mansion", The New York Times , December 5, 2004. Accessed August 7, 2018. "So far, Wildwood Crest, founded and developed by Philip Baker in the 1910s, at the same time the house was built, has eluded much of the tear-down syndrome."
24. Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 29, 2015.
25. New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. New Jersey ABC list of dry towns (May 1, 2013)
26. Giordano, Rita. "More towns catching liquor-license buzz; Moorestown considers ending its dry spell", The Philadelphia Inquirer , June 24, 2007. Accessed February 16, 2014.
27. Schaad Jr., Jacob. "Bizarre History of Cape May - Wet or dry?", The Cape May Gazette, October 30, 2013. Accessed November 11, 2013. "Wildwood Crest, Ocean City, West Cape May and Cape May Point have opted to stay dry while the 12 other communities in the county still permit their people to lift a few."
28. Hart, Joe. "Boardwalk Alcohol Gets First Nod in Wildwood", Cape May County Herald , March 23, 2010. Accessed October 16, 2017. "Wildwood Crest is a dry town, thus no alcoholic beverages can be sold."
29. Urgo, Jacqueline L. "Triumph for South Jersey", The Philadelphia Inquirer , May 23, 2008. Accessed October 29, 2015. "Neighboring Wildwood Crest came in second, followed by Ocean City, North Wildwood, Cape May, Asbury Park in Monmouth County, Avalon, Point Pleasant Beach in northern Ocean County, Beach Haven in southern Ocean County and Stone Harbor."
30. Spoto, MaryAnn. "Surfers fighting to save dwindling free beaches", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 20, 2015. Accessed October 30, 2015. "New Jersey has five free guarded ocean beaches – Atlantic City, Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and the Strathmere section of Upper Township."
31. The "Doo Wop" Architecture of Wildwood Crest, Wildwood Crest Historical Society. Accessed December 7, 2015. "The first motel to reflect this style in Wildwood Crest was the Ebb Tide Motel at 5711 Atlantic Avenue, built in 1957."
32. "The Origins of Wildwood's Fabulous Doo Wop", Doo Wop Preservation League. Accessed December 7, 2015.
33. Gilfillian, Trudi. "Once in jeopardy, Wildwood's 1950s doo-wop buildings now imitated", The Press of Atlantic City , July 24, 2014. Accessed December 7, 2015. "Tim Maher knew the doo-wop motels of the Wildwoods were in trouble. A booming real estate market meant the island's 1950s and 1960s-era properties were being torn down and replaced with rows of very un-doo-wop, very profitable condominiums."
34. Jacobs, Andrew. "Metro Briefing New Jersey: Wildwood Crest: Beach Off Limits To Humans", The New York Times , May 2, 2001. Accessed September 4, 2011.
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43. Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Wildwood Crest borough, New Jersey ^{[ permanent dead link ]}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 24, 2012.
44. DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Wildwood Crest borough, Cape May County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 24, 2012.
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46. Urban Enterprise Zone Tax Questions and Answers, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, May 2009. Accessed October 28, 2019. "The legislation was amended again in 2002 to include 3 more zones. They include Bayonne City, Roselle Borough, and a joint zone consisting of North Wildwood City, Wildwood City, Wildwood Crest Borough, and West Wildwood Borough."
47. Urban Enterprise Zone Program, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed October 27, 2019. "Businesses participating in the UEZ Program can charge half the standard sales tax rate on certain purchases, currently 3.3125% effective 1/1/2018"
48. Urban Enterprise Zone Effective and Expiration Dates, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed January 8, 2018.
49. Urban Enterprise Zone Program, City of Wildwood. Accessed March 13, 2020. "The Enterprise Zone Development Corporation of the Wildwoods Board is comprised of business owners, elected officials and employees representing the City of Wildwood, City of North Wildwood, the Borough of West Wildwood, and the Borough of Wildwood Crest."
50. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
51. Staff. "Doo Wop sings the blues; They twisted and shouted, and rocked around the clock in the southern tip of New Jersey before they did it anywhere else. And, once the sun slips below the horizon, there's enough neon to set your eyes ablaze if you stare at it too long.", Montreal Gazette , October 21, 2006. Accessed November 11, 2013. "But Miller and Caroline Emigh have gone the opposite way. Two years ago the Washington, D.C., natives bought the 30-room Caribbean, built in 1956 and one of the finest examples of Doo Wop architecture remaining in the Wildwoods area. They have succeeded in getting the property placed on the national historic registry."
52. The Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet, Wildwood Crest Historical Society. Accessed November 11, 2013.
53. Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.
54. "The Commission Form of Municipal Government" Archived June 5, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , p. 53. Accessed June 3, 2015.
55. "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 8. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
56. Gilfillian, Trudi. "Three incumbents seek re-election in Wildwood Crest", The Press of Atlantic City , October 15, 2013. Accessed November 11, 2013. "Borough voters will choose their next commissioners in just three weeks, a switch from the May elections that had been in place for decades. Like many New Jersey towns, the borough opted to switch the quadrennial elections, passing an ordinance in 2012. The move was designed to save money - the last May election in 2009 cost $20,000 - and increase voter turnout."
57. 2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Wildwood Crest. Accessed August 27, 2023.
58. 2023 County & Municipal Elected Officials Cape May County, NJ -- July 2023, Cape May County, New Jersey, August 3, 2023. Accessed August 23, 2023.
59. 2021 General Election Successful Candidates, Cape May County, New Jersey, updated November 16, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.
60. Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.
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64. Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 3, 2019.
65. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
66. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/nyregion/george-helmy-bob-menendez-murphy.html
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91. New Jersey County School Directory for the Wildwood Crest School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.
92. Wildwood Crest Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Wildwood Crest School District. Accessed September 6, 2021. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the Wildwood Crest School District. Composition: The Wildwood Crest School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Wildwood Crest."
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95. School data for Wildwood High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2021.
96. Frequently Asked Questions, Cape May County Technical High School. Accessed October 27, 2019. "All residents of Cape May County are eligible to attend Cape May County Technical High School.... The Cape May County Technical High School is a public school so there is no cost to residents of Cape May County."
97. Technical High School Admissions, Cape May County Technical High School. Accessed October 27, 2019. "All students who are residents of Cape May County may apply to the Technical High School."
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113. History of Wildwood Crest, NJ, VisitNJShore.com. Accessed October 29, 2015. "They were both taken with the large beaches and beautiful wilderness, and, in 1895, they joined with their brother J Thompson Baker to form the Wildwood Beach Improvement Company.... The Wildwood borough expanded quickly and was very successful, so the Baker brothers decided to expand their development to the land south of the borough. This land would later become Wildwood Crest, and was an unspoiled wilderness of dense thickets and sand dunes."
114. "Black, Kenneth Algernon", Cape May County Herald , January 31, 2019, updated February 11, 2019. Accessed December 6, 2022. "Ken and his wife moved to Wildwood Crest in 1984."
115. Picture Books Author of the Month: Aliki, Greenville Public Library. Accessed May 1, 2008.
116. Joe Maloy, USA Triathlon. Accessed June 27, 2017.
117. via Associated Press. "Pittsburgh's Osborn Plays Three Sports", Los Angeles Times , May 31, 1987. Accessed August 10, 2016. "His friends call the Wildwood Crest, N.J., native 'The Wizard of Oz.'... Osborn won 11 varsity letters at Wildwood High before being recruited by former Pitt football coach Foge Fazio."
118. Brooks, Melissa. "Hall of Famer Bernie Parent's locker a GNPAL raffle prize", The Times Herald, September 5, 2010. Accessed October 31, 2015. "When retrieving his locker from the Spectrum with business manager and friend Dean Smith, Parent, who lives in Wildwood Crest most of the year, was hit with emotions."
119. Staff. "Wildwood High School graduate Frank Vogel promoted to interim head coach of Indiana Pacers", The Press of Atlantic City , January 30, 2011. Accessed January 30, 2011. "Wildwood Crest native Frank Vogel took over as interim head coach of the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, after the team fired Jim O'Brien. Vogel, a 1991 Wildwood High School graduate who was promoted from assistant coach, will take over for the rest of the season."

External links

• Wildwood Crest official website
• Wildwood Crest history

Preceded by Wildwood	Beaches of New Jersey	Succeeded by Diamond Beach