Beachwood is a borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough’s population increased to 11,045, reflecting an increase of 670 (+6.5%) from the 10,375 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 1,051 (+11.3%) from the 9,324 counted in the 1990 Census the highest recorded in any decennial census.
Beachwood was incorporated as a Borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 22, 1917, from portions of Berkeley Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 12, 1917.
What is now the borough of Beachwood dates its settlement to a 1914 plan backed by the publishers of the New-York Tribune, under which 1,763 acres (7.13 km2) of Berkeley Township were purchased and sectioned off as a summer colony called “Beachwood”. Buyers paid $19.60 for a plot of land measuring 20 by 100 feet (6.1 m × 30.5 m) and received a six-month subscription to The Tribune as a bonus. The first residents of the community moved in during April 1915, and work on a Club House, the Pier, the Bath House, the Lodge, a dining hall and a railroad station were planned to be completed by the end of May. Other offerings within the development included tennis courts, and facilities along the beach and on the river for canoeing, sailing and swimming. The first “cottages” in the community were constructed during that first summer season.
A Property-Owner’s Association was established in 1916. In addition to overseeing local services within the development, the organization also advocated that the community should become an independent municipality. Legislation was passed by the Legislature on March 22, 1917, and a referendum approving the establishment of the borough passed on April 12. On May 11, the borough’s first council was elected, along with Joseph H. Senior, who was chosen by the voters as Beachwood’s first mayor. A Board of Education was formed the following year, with school transportation provided on the back of a truck outfitted with wooden benches.
In December 2008, the Beachwood Historical Alliance was established, with the goal of the creation of an official town-run Preservation Commission for the purpose of recognizing, restoring and preserving aspects of Beachwood’s formation, history and heritage.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.849 square miles (7.377 km2), including 2.848 square miles (7.376 km2) of land and 0.001 square miles (0.001 km2) of water (0.02%).
The borough borders the Ocean County municipalities of Berkeley Township, Pine Beach and South Toms River.
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 11,045 people, 3,682 households, and 2,952.964 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,878.4 per square mile (1,497.5/km2). There were 3,826 housing units at an average density of 1,343.5 per square mile (518.7/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 92.81% (10,251) White, 1.79% (198) Black or African American, 0.07% (8) Native American, 1.50% (166) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 2.44% (269) from other races, and 1.38% (152) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.13% (898) of the population.
Source: Wikipedia
