Pleasantville, New Jersey

Pleasantville is a city in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 20,629, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 380 (+1.9%) from the 2010 census count of 20,249, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,237 (+6.5%) from the 19,012 counted in the 2000 census.

Geographically, the city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Atlantic City- Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia-Reading- Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.

Pleasantville was originally incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 10, 1889, from portions of Egg Harbor Township, based on the results of a referendum held on December 15, 1888. Pleasantville was incorporated as a city on April 14, 1914, replacing Pleasantville borough, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.Snyder, John P
''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''
Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 70. Accessed May 30, 2024. the city was named by David Ingersoll for its surroundings.

The city had the eighth-highest property tax rate in New Jersey, with an equalized rate of 4.903% in 2020, compared to 2.560% in the county as a whole and a statewide average of 2.279%.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 7.28 square miles (18.86 km²), including 5.72 square miles (14.82 km²) of land and 1.56 square miles (4.05 km²) of water (21.46%). Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include Mount Pleasant, Risleyville and Smiths Landing.

The city borders the Atlantic County municipalities of Absecon, Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Northfield and Ventnor City.

Demographics

2020 census

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 20,249 people, 6,661 households and 4,569 families in the city. The population density was . There were 7,219 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 24.33% (4,926) White, 45.94% (9,303) Black or African American, 0.83% (168) Native American, 2.42% (490) Asian, 0.03% (6) Pacific Islander, 22.00% (4,454) from other races and 4.45% (902) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 41.06% (8,314) of the population.

Of the 6,661 households, 34.3% had children under the age of 18; 33.3% were married couples living together; 26.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.4% were non-families. Of all households, 25.0% were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.53.

27.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64 and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 87.2 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $39,560 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,092) and the median family income was $48,873 (+/− $5,405). Males had a median income of $32,494 (+/− $4,209) versus $29,961 (+/− $2,187) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,527 (+/− $1,356). About 12.2% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 32.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Portions of the city are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. Pleasantville was selected in 1994 as one of a group of 10 zones added to participate in the program and one of four of those chosen based on a competition. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment and investment within the UEZ, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate (half of the % rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants. Established in March 1995, the city's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in March 2026. By 2019, there had been 169 businesses that had been certified to participate in the city's UEZ program.

Sports

In 1945, the Boston Red Sox held their spring training at Ansley Field in Pleasantville, rather than in Florida, due to travel restrictions related to World War II. The New York Yankees were based at Bader Field in Atlantic City and the two clubs played a series of eight exhibition games against each other with wartime restrictions in intercity travel in place.

Laoma Byrd's Gym, formally known as the South Jersey Athletic Club, operated professionally from the mid-1940s to 1960s. This gym, which was located on West Wright Street, became a tourist destination after it was adapted as a boxing gym by top amateurs and pro fighters. Many noted boxers had trained there, including Ezzard Charles, Jersey Joe Walcott, Sonny Liston, Johnny Bratton, Johnny Saxton, Ike Williams, Ernie Terrell and numerous professional fighters from the local area.

Parks and recreation

Portions of the right-of-way of the Atlantic City and Shore Railroad, running for between Pleasantville and Somers Point have been repurposed as the Somers Point Bike Path.Klenk, Steffen
"On The Move: History of South Jersey Railroads"
Shore Local, March 29, 2018. Accessed March 21, 2023. "The six-mile long Somers Point Bike Path, a six-mile long trail that stretches between Somers Point and Pleasantville, runs along the former Atlantic City and Shore Railroad. This railroad, also known as the Shore Fast Line, operated from 1907 until 1948 and provided service between Atlantic City and Ocean City."

Government

Local government

Pleasantville operates under the city form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 15 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this traditional form of government. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the seven-member city council, all of whom are elected in partisan elections as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected to a four-year term of office. The city council includes one member elected at-large and six members elected from each of two wards to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with two seats up for election each year in a three-year cycle.''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', Rutgers University.

Augustus Harmon was appointed in November 2011 to fill the seat of his brother, Johnson Harmon, who died before the election in which he had won a fifth term of office.

In September 2016, the City Council appointed Nolan Q. Allen to fill the Ward 1 seat expiring in December 2017 that had been held by Lincoln Green Sr. until his death the previous month. Allen served on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when he was chosen to serve the balance of the term.General Election Results - November 8, 2016
Atlantic County, New Jersey of the City of Pleasantville is Democrat Judy Ward, whose term of office ends December 31, 2024. Members of the city council are Council President Ricky Cistrunk (D, 2023; Ward 1), James D. Barclay (D, 2025; Ward 1), Victor M. Carmona (D, 2025; Ward 2), Bertilio "Bert" Correa (D, 2024; Ward 2), Lawrence "Tony" Davenport (D, 2024; Ward 1), Joanne Famularo (D, 2023; Ward 2) and Carla Thomas (D, 2023; at-large).Mayor and Council
City of Pleasantville. Accessed June 6, 2023.Municipal Government
Atlantic County, New Jersey