Cape May Court House, New Jersey

History

Cape May Court House was laid out in 1703 by Jeremiah Hand and was first called Rumney Marsh and afterward Middleton before the adoption of its present name. The Court of Cape May County met in private homes and the First Baptist Church until 1764, when Daniel Hand set 1 acre of his own property to construct a courthouse and jail. It was replaced by the current structure in 1849.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 9.899 mi2, including 8.926 mi2 of land and 0.973 mi2 of water (9.83%).[[File:United Methodist Cape May Courthouse NJ.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|First United Methodist Church, next to the old courthouse]]

Demographics

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020}}

Cape May Court House first appeared as an unincorporated community in the 1950 U.S. census; and then listed as a census designated place in the 1980 U.S. census.

2020 census

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 5,338 people, 2,165 households, and 1,396 families in the CDP. The population density was 598.0 /mi2. There were 2,603 housing units at an average density of 291.6 /mi2. The racial makeup was 85.14% (4,545) White, 9.25% (494) Black or African American, 0.11% (6) Native American, 2.36% (126) Asian, 0.04% (2) Pacific Islander, 0.92% (49) from other races, and 2.17% (116) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.03% (162) of the population.

Of the 2,165 households, 23.5% had children under the age of 18; 48.1% were married couples living together; 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 35.5% were non-families. Of all households, 29.4% were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.95.

19.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 88.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 83.4 males.

The Census Bureau's 20062010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $56,773 (with a margin of error of +/- $14,695) and the median family income was $73,618 (+/- $19,854). Males had a median income of $57,109 (+/- $11,100) versus $50,231 (+/- $6,373) for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $31,865 (+/- $4,296). About 0.9% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2020 U.S. census, there were 4,704 people, 1,732 households, and 1,221 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 202.3 /km2. There were 2,086 housing units at an average density of 89.7 /km2. The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.35% White, 10.88% African American, 0.19% Native American, 2.70% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.57% of the population.

There were 1,732 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $48,902, and the median income for a family was $56,707. Males had a median income of $39,848 versus $28,043 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,541. About 5.3% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Middle Township Public Schools is the local school district for Middle Township: it operates Middle Township High School. All four schools and the district headquarters are in Cape May Court House CDP.

The Cape May County Technical School District operates Cape May County Technical High School which has a CMCH address, but is not within the CDP boundaries. Special needs students may be referred to Cape May County Special Services School District in Cape May Court House.

Areas in Dennis Township with Cape May Court House postal addresses, which are not in the CDP, are in Dennis Township Public Schools for K-8.

There is a private Christian K-12 school in Middle Township, Cape Christian Academy. It is in the CMCH CDP and has a CMCH postal address. Richard Degener of the Press of Atlantic City described it as being in Burleigh.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden operates Bishop McHugh Regional School, a Catholic K–8 school, in Ocean View, Dennis Township, which has a Cape May Courthouse postal address. It is supported by four parishes in Cape May County including the Cape May Courthouse Church. The sole Catholic high school program in Cape May County is in Wildwood Catholic Academy (K–12) in North Wildwood, which also operates under the Camden Diocese.

Church Street Christian School, 18 months to preschool, is on the property of its sponsor, First United Methodist Church. It was formerly a Montessori school.

Cape May County Library has its Cape May Court House branch in the CDP.

Parks and recreation

The Cape May County Park & Zoo in Cape May Court House provides free year-round admission to a collection of over 550 animals representing 250 species in 85 acres of exhibits. The zoo is located in the center of Cape May County's Central Park, and together the zoo and the park cover about 220 acres. The zoo began operation in 1978. Its principal exhibit areas are a 57 acres African Savanna, a free-flight aviary, and a reptile collection.

The Clarence and Georgiana Davies Sports Complex includes basketball courts, soccer fields, and baseball fields. The Middle Township Recreation Department maintains indoor basketball courts, baseball fields, football fields, and soccer fields.

Healthcare

Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional, located in Cape May Court House, is the only hospital in Cape May County. It was known as Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital until April 2007, when it was renamed Cape Regional Medical Center, which was used until June 2024. In May 2021, The Claire C. Brodesser Surgery Center opened to patients needing ambulatory surgery and endoscopy services.

Wineries

• Jessie Creek Winery
• Natali Vineyards

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Cape May Court House include:

• Kevin Bramble (born 1972), disabled ski racer, freeskier and monoski designer/builder.
• Daniel Cohen (1936–2018), children's writer
• Joe Fala (born 1997), soccer player who has played as a defender for New York Red Bulls II in the USL Championship.
• Jonathan F. Leaming (1822–1907) politician and physician.
• Matthew Maher (born 1984), retired soccer defender, who was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for first degree aggravated manslaughter and drunken driving.
• Matt Szczur (born 1989), Major League Baseball player for the San Diego Padres.
• Julius H. Taylor (1914–2011), professor emeritus at Morgan State University who was chairperson of the department of physics.

References

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau.
2. {{Gnis. 2389275. Cape May Court House Census Designated Place, [[Geographic Names Information System]]. Accessed October 18, 2012.
3. [https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/capemaycourthousecdpnewjersey/ QuickFacts Cape May Court House CDP, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed June 18, 2023.
4. [http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=cape%20may%20court%20house&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Cape May Court House, NJ], [[United States Postal Service]]. Accessed May 1, 2012.
5. [http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2010_place_list_34.txt Gazetteer of New Jersey Places], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed July 21, 2016.
6. [https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.
7. [https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey], Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed June 9, 2023.
8. [http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names], [[United States Geological Survey]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.
9. [https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerwebmain/Files/tab20/tigerweb_tab20_cdp_2020_nj.html State of New Jersey Census Designated Places - BVP20 - Data as of January 1, 2020], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.
10. [https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-32.pdf New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32)], [[United States Census Bureau]], August 2012. Accessed November 29, 2012.
11. [http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US34023 GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County – County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Middlesex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive. link. (February 12, 2020 , [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed November 29, 2012.)
12. [https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/reference-maps/2020/state-maps/34_NewJersey_2020.pdf New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed December 22, 2022.
13. reflecting a 4.4% increase from the 5,338 enumerated at the [[2010 United States census. link. (February 12, 2020 , [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed May 1, 2012.)
14. [http://www.nj.gov/state/archives/catctytable.html New Jersey County Map], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed July 10, 2017.
15. [http://cmczoo.com/index.php Home Page], Cape May County Zoo. Accessed November 15, 2016.
16. [http://www.getnj.com/historicroadsides/capemay.shtml Cape May County], getnj.com. Accessed September 6, 2007.
17. Staff. [https://books.google.com/books?id=1AVxMztHPuoC&pg=PA50 ''1980 Census of Population: Number of Inhabitants United States Summary''], p. 1-141. [[United States Census Bureau]], June 1983. Accessed January 12, 2012.
18. "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - New Jersey".
19. "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - New Jersey".
20. "1970 Census of Population - Charecteristics of the Population - New Jersey".
21. "1980 Census of Population - Volume 1 - Characteristics of the Population - Number of Inhabitants - New Jersey".
22. "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - New Jersey".
23. "2000 Census of Population and Housing - Population and Housing Unit Counts - New Jersey".
24. "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - New Jersey".
25. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Cape May Court House CDP, New Jersey".
26. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cape May Court House CDP, New Jersey".
27. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cape May Court House CDP, New Jersey".
28. [http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/1600000US3410300 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Cape May Court House CDP, New Jersey] {{Webarchive. link. (February 12, 2020 , [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed May 1, 2012.)
29. [http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/1600000US3410300 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Cape May Court House CDP, New Jersey] {{Webarchive. link. (February 12, 2020 , [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed May 1, 2012.)
30. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Cape May County, NJ". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
31. "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Cape May Court House CDP, NJ". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
32. All four district schools have CMCH addresses with the Zip code 08210: [https://www.middletwp.k12.nj.us/elem-1/ District HQ and Elementary #1 respectively]: 216 South Main Street and 215 Eldredge Road, [https://www.middletwp.k12.nj.us/elem-2/ Elementary #2]: "101 W. Pacific Ave." - [https://www.middletwp.k12.nj.us/middle-school/ Middle school]: 300 E. Pacific Avenue, [https://www.middletwp.k12.nj.us/high-school/ High school]: 300 East Atlantic Avenue - Compare the school addresses to the CDP address.
33. "Home". [[Cape May County Technical School District]].
34. "Home". Cape Christian Academy.
35. Degener, Richard. (1993-09-23). "Propertied Class / Cape Christian Academy Buys Land For Central Campus". [[The Press of Atlantic City]].
36. Leach, Ben. [https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/bishop-mchugh-regional-catholic-school-in-ocean-view-opens-doors-to-kindergartners-pre-k-students/article_af9943c8-b613-11df-8993-001cc4c03286.html "Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School in Ocean View opens doors to kindergartners, pre-K students"], ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', September 10, 2010. Accessed February 22, 2023. "Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School in the Ocean View section of Dennis Township".
37. [https://dennistwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DennisTownshipZoningMapApril2013-min.pdf Zoning Map], [[Dennis Township, New Jersey. Dennis Township]]. Accessed February 22, 2023.- [https://www.bishopmchugh.com Compare to the address]: "2221 Rt. 9 North, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210"
38. [https://www.bishopmchugh.com/about_us/welcome_to_bishop_mc_hugh Welcome] {{Webarchive. link. (January 15, 2021 , Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School. Accessed February 22, 2023. "The school is part of the Diocese of Camden, and is supported by the four regional parishes of Avalon/Stone Harbor, Cape May Court House, Marmora/Woodbine and Sea Isle City.")
39. [https://southjerseycatholicschools.org/catholic-schools-in-south-jersey/ Schools], South Jersey Catholic Schools. Accessed February 21, 2023.
40. Campbell, Al. (2010-09-10). "Church Street Christian School Rededicated". [[Cape May County Herald]].
41. "Cape May Court House". Cape May County Library.
42. [http://cmczoo.com/parks.php Parks], Cape May County Park & Zoo. Accessed November 15, 2016.
43. "Recreation".
44. Ianieri, Brian. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-burdette-hospital/178797121/ "Bye bye, Burdette: Hospital has new name / Switch to Cape Regional Medical Center reflects new services, officials say"], ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', April 3, 2007. Accessed August 13, 2025, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital's name became history Monday morning, as Cape May County's only hospital changed its name abruptly to Cape Regional Medical Center."
45. Barlow, Bill. [https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/business/health-care/article_56275044-37bb-11ef-8384-6f1c76004fc0.html "Cooper name now part of Cape hospital"], ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', July 1, 2024, Accessed August 13, 2025. "Cape May County's only hospital, begun as Burdette-Tomlin Memorial Hospital in 1950 and operating as Cape Regional Health System, as of Monday became Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional."
46. Staeger, Susan. [https://pressofatlanticcity.com/community/currents_gazettes/cape_may/cape-regional-marks-grand-opening-of-claire-c-brodesser-surgery-center/article_28cf8007-dd6d-5cf2-bc5a-38abb88647a9.html "Cape Regional marks grand opening of Claire C. Brodesser Surgery Center"], ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', May 6, 2021. Accessed August 13, 2025.
47. Berg, Aimee. [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/13/sports/othersports/13ski.html?pagewanted=2 "Disabled Skier Designs His Way to Be a Daredevil"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', December 13, 2006. Accessed November 27, 2007. "These days, Bramble builds the 32-pound aluminum and steel contraptions in a converted woodshop behind the two-story home that he built for his parents in Cape May Court House, N.J., before the accident. He and his fiancée, Leslie, live in an apartment above the shop, which he reaches via an open-air elevator that he also engineered."
48. (2011-10-21). "Lockerbie victim's mom happy to see 'monster' Gadhafi gone". [[Times Herald-Record]].
49. Spencer, Zac. [https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/former-middle-soccer-standout-joe-fala-on-red-bulls-preseason/article_ae918007-f7c0-539c-8826-e7ef174975f2.html "Former Middle soccer standout Joe Fala on Red Bulls 2 preseason roster"], ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', February 20, 2020. Accessed March 8, 2020. "When Joe Fala went into college, he was a three-sport athlete at Middle Township High School.... The 22-year-old Cape May Court House resident has spent the past four years making a name for himself at NCAA Division III Ramapo College in Mahwah, Bergen County, where he's now a senior."
50. (1907). "Recent Deaths". Massachusetts Medical Society.
51. Staff. [http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/crime/article_e1be67c7-cf8a-525b-8928-171db44fd7e4.html "Maher Gets Over Five Years for Drunk Driving Death"], ''[[Cape May County Herald]]'', January 7, 2010. Accessed October 3, 2017. "A former Middle Township High School and Philadelphia Kixx soccer star was sentenced to 5 ½ years in state prison today (Thursday, Jan. 7) for a drunk driving crash that killed a Philadelphia man on March 7. Before being eligible for parole, Matthew Maher, 25, of Court House, must serve 85 percent of the sentence for aggravated manslaughter handed down by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Michael A. Donio."
52. Pesice, Duane. [https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/4/12/11371572/profile-cubs-outfielder-matt-szczur "Szcz the Day: A Profile Of Cubs Outfielder Matt Szczur"], ''Bleedcubbieblue.com'', April 12, 2016. Accessed July 21, 2017. "Matthew Francis Szczur was born on July 20, 1989 in Cape May Court House, an unincorporated community in central New Jersey."
53. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108154298/middle-township-high-school-graduating/ "Middle Township H. S. Graduates 33 Thursday"], ''[[Courier-Post]]'', June 7, 1932. Accessed August 23, 2022, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "The other graduates are: Cape May Court House - Nancy Costande, John F. Foster. Virginia Louise lverson, James Arthur Roorbach, Lillian Irene Saul, Helen Anna Stites, Julius Henry Taylor, George Carl Thompson and Mary Alice Wright."