Long Beach Island (colloquially known as LBI or simply The Island) is a barrier island and summer colony along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Ocean County, New Jersey in the United States. Aligned north-south, the northern portion is generally slightly higher end, low-density residential; whereas the southern portion possesses more economical, higher-density housing and considerable commercial development. The primary industries include tourism, fishing, and real estate, with the only access point to the island by land is a single bridge.
The island is home to about 20,000 people on a year-round basis. The population is distributed among six separate municipalities, the largest of which is Long Beach Township. However, the island's population swells significantly during the summer months and reaches about 100,000 people, including part-time residents and tourists. The island's close-knit communities are largely affluent and contain vacation homes for wealthy residents who reside elsewhere, especially New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
In October 2012, Long Beach Island was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. As a result of the storm surge, flooding and high winds, dozens of homes and business were damaged or destroyed. After the waters receded, streets were left covered with up to four feet of sand. Early estimates suggest between $750 million and $1 billion in damages to the island alone. Governor Chris Christie issued a mandatory evacuation order on October 28 that would not be lifted until 13 days later.
Read more about Long Beach Island: Geography, History, Demographics, Culture, Transportation, Notable Locations
Famous quotes containing the words long, beach and/or island:
“We know what the animals do, what are the needs of the beaver, the bear, the salmon, and other creatures, because long ago men married them and acquired this knowledge from their animal wives. Today the priests say we lie, but we know better.”
—native American belief, quoted by D. Jenness in “The Carrier Indians of the Bulkley River,” Bulletin no. 133, Bureau of American Ethnology (1943)
“The beach was crowded,
people tossed like ripe corn,
buttering themselves as they went
and on the dunes thousands of crabs,
moved their yellow eyes.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)
“The very best place to be in all the world is St. Mary’s parish, Jamaica. And the best spot in St. Mary’s is Port Maria, though all of St. Mary’s is fine. Old Maker put himself to a lot of trouble to make that part of the island of Jamaica, for everything there is perfect.”
—Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960)