Wildwood, New Jersey

Wildwood is a city located in Cape May County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 5,436. Wildwood is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) system of municipal government. It is home to a popular boardwalk with several amusement piers with Morey's Piers being the most dominant today. Piers of the past include Hunt's Pier (1957-1990) which featured custom built themed rides such as the Whacky Shack, Pirate Ship, Jungleland, Golden Nugget Mine Ride (closed, still standing as of 2004), and Keystone Kops. Nickels Midway Pier which built Castle Dracula, a horror walkthrough attraction with live actors over the 1919 old mill boat ride which was renamed Dungeon. The 1919 Jack Rabbit wooden coaster was renamed Scream Machine, and a few years later, Dracula's Screem Machine. It was demolished in fall 1984. From 1985 through 1998 Nickels had portable rides, mostly children's rides. A fire in late 1992 destroyed the front of the pier including the wax museum, formerly the carousel building. A new food court was built in 1993. In 1999 the rides were removed, but the castle remained open and in 2000 Splash Zone water park opened. In January 2002 Castle Dracula was destroyed by two juvenile males lighting matches to see their way after they broke into the castle, the castle was a total loss and after 25 years of standing and operating, the castle was completely gone. The Dungeon boat ride was lost, too. In summer of 2002 and beyond a bungee trampoline thrill ride operated on the site of the once great castle. Fun Pier at Spencer Av. was home to the Lost World dark ride, Crazy House fun house, Castle Frankenstein horror walkthrough, all burned in 1984. Morey's got the pier in late 1980's and reopened in 1992 as Wild Wheels, home of the Great White wooden coaster, built in 1996, Wildwood's only wooden coaster since the Hunt's Pier Flyer was torn down in 1989.

1964 Arson Kills Three Children in Mars Ride Fire - In 1964, the Casino Arcade Amusement Pier was struck with a tragic fire, later found to be arson. During the August, 1964 fire, the old dark ride called "Mars", built in the 1940's, burnt to the ground, killing three young children, including Gregory Thompson, Michael Thompsion and their cousin, Melody Dey. A third brother, James Thompson - the oldest of the children, escaped with the help of a ride attendant. The pier's owner - Gibert Ramagosa - was the second generation to own and operate the amusement pier, but he lost interest in its operation after the arson, and turned his attention to amusement ride importing, until his death, just a few years later. Information and photographs pertaining to the Mars Ride fire can be seen at: http://public.fotki.com/MarsRideMurders/

Geography

Wildwood is located at 38°59'20" North, 74°49'12" West (38.988969, -74.819863)Template:GR. It is situated on a barrier island facing the Atlantic Ocean comprised of five separate municipalities: Wildwood, North Wildwood, West Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and Diamond Beach, a place in Lower Township. Wildwood also borders Middle Township

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.6 km² (1.4 mi²). 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 6.52% water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 5,436 people, 2,333 households, and 1,273 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,627.0/km² (4,212.6/mi²). There are 6,488 housing units at an average density of 1,941.9/km² (5,027.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 70.55% White, 16.65% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 8.85% from other races, and 2.94% from two or more races. 17.62% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,333 households out of which 25.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.2% are married couples living together, 17.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 45.4% are non-families. 38.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.30 and the average family size is 3.06.

In the city the population is spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $23,981, and the median income for a family is $28,288. Males have a median income of $30,787 versus $23,320 for females. The per capita income for the city is $13,682. 26.4% of the population and 20.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 39.7% of those under the age of 18 and 21.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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External links

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