Somers Point was the first European settlement in Atlantic County in the 17th century, and its protected position behind barrier islands on Great Egg Harbor Bay spawned its growth and continues to guard its longevity more than 330 years later. “The first thing that comes to mind about Somers Point is the family atmosphere,” says Alec Wolf, a salesperson with HomeSmart First Advantage Realty that lives in Somers Point. “I live two blocks off Shore Road where there are bars and restaurants that have been there for 100 years. Family-owned, not big corporations. Down the street is Bay Avenue with all the marinas and a little beach that most people don’t know about, where we have concerts and little events. All sorts live in Somers Point.” Somers Point has a lot in common with small towns found throughout America; the hospital, Shore Medical Center, is a major employer, and municipal parks fill with Little League parents during baseball games. A healthy collection of nautically themed Airbnbs and an outsized number of restaurants serving fresh seafood, however, reveal that shore town tourism is the enduring anchor for Somers Point, making it something of a mainland mirror to nearby Ocean City.
Residents are never too far from the water in Somers Point.
Shore Road houses many of the businesses and restaurants in Somers Point.
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Great Egg Harbor Bay marinas and municipal beaches
Marinas coat the shoreline of Great Egg Harbor Bay and Ship Channel, packed with boats of many sizes and types when they’re not out exploring hassocks and salt marshes. John F. Kennedy Park’s municipal fishing piers and boat launches offer access to the water, but its playground and American flag-adorned stage are also hubs for land-based recreation and events. William Morrow Beach is a lesser-known bayside beach, but hot summers cause many to buy a beach tag and head to nearby Atlantic Ocean access points alongside throngs of tourists, also called shoobies. “Ocean City’s beaches are right across the bridge. Even with traffic in the summer, it’s maybe a 10-minute drive,” Wolf says. Though the city doesn’t boast a boardwalk like its barrier island neighbors, the Somers Point Bike Path takes cyclists and foot travelers down more than 6 miles of mainland paths all the way to Pleasantville. The Somers Point Senior Center hosts weekly exercise and hobby classes throughout the year. Other community parks and athletic fields cater to local youth leagues and pick-up games.
Some homeowners in Somers Point are lucky enough to have their own dock access for easy boating trips.
Enjoy scenic views of the Egg Harbor Bay from any of the coastal streets of Somers Point.
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Established prewar homes and developing housing in Somers Point
Sidewalks connect Somers Point’s network of quiet residential streets. Some blocks are full of simple bungalows and cottages built in the prewar era, while others are dominated by Cape Cods and ranch-style homes built through the midcentury. Larger new construction and condos have been built in areas with waterfront views in more recent decades. “Somers Point is still very residential, but after 2022 when prices and interest rates started hitting all-time highs, a lot of people who were priced out of Ocean City started buying summer homes in Somers Point. It’s a big hub for Philadelphia and its suburbs,” Wolf notes. Developers are seeking to fulfill demand throughout Somers Point, including through the potential building of bayfront townhouses. The Oasis at Greate Bay will include dozens of affordable housing units thanks to successfully negotiated tax credit announced in 2024. The median single-family home price in Somers Point is $404,000, on par with the national median of $406,100 reported by the National Association of Realtors.
Many of the homes here in Somers Point are modestly sized around 2 or 3 bedrooms.
Pre-war homes still stand strong for homeowners in Somers Point.
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Event-filled summers in Somers Point
Warm weather in Somers Point brings about the busiest time of year for community events. Kicking off the season in late spring, Bayfest brings tens of thousands to a block party on the waterfront packed with family activities, live music and The Somers Point Beach Concert Series draws visitors and locals alike to William Morrow Beach for Friday evenings filled with free live music. The historic Somers Manor is more than just a local history museum. Depending on the time of year, the grounds play host to Christmas markets, garden tours and weekly farmers markets serenaded by local musicians.
Named after Richard Somers, Somers Point is steeped in history.
Enjoy those sunny summer days on the beach in Lower Chelsea.
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Dining on the waterfront and shopping at Somers Point strip malls
The mom-and-pops lining Shore Road settle on the same blocks as quaint early 20th-century homes and small community churches. The restaurants on Bay Avenue mingle with marinas, offering diners views of boats bobbing in Great Egg Harbor Bay’s channels. Circle Liquor Store stands just to the side of Stainton Memorial Causeway Bridge; because Ocean City is a dry town, it’s a common stop before crossing the salt marshes for a beach day. Big box retailers and strip malls have increasingly collected along Bethel and New roads farther inland, making the city a regional shopping destination.
Easy access to the water is a mainstay for those living in Somers Point.
The Anchorage Tavern in Somers Point is a local favorite for a delicious dinner.
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Taking the Garden State Parkway from Cape May to Atlantic City
The Garden State Parkway runs through Somers Point and offers a 35-mile drive to Cape May, but shore-bound traffic can cause extreme backups on weekends through the summer. Many of Somers Point’s main roads are prone to summertime traffic between those heading to Ocean City or more local coastal accommodations. NJ Transit buses run local routes between Atlantic City and Ocean City. Atlantic City’s many casinos and AtlantiCare healthcare facilities are more than 16 miles away, and Atlantic City International Airport is less than 13 miles from home.
Transitioning from Somers Point schools to Mainland Regional High
Kids attend elementary and middle school through Somers Point School District, which earns a C from Niche. Older students move on to Mainland Regional High School, which earns an A-minus and boasts some of the highest average SAT and Advanced Placement exam scores in all of Atlantic County.
Mainland Regional High School has scored an overall A- grade from Niche.
Niche has rated Seaview Elementary School an overall A- rating.
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Crime data, weather patterns and flooding in Somers Point
According to data reported by the Somers Point Police Department to the FBI, property crime rose less than 1% and violent crime rose by about 18% from 2022 to 2023. Crime rates for both property and violent crime were above state and national averages in the same years.
Somers Point experiences four temperate seasons. Hot summers fill Great Harbor Bay with activity, but boats remain in storage as people retreat indoors through below-freezing winters. Waterways surround Somers Point, and those living near flood zones along Patcong Creek, Great Egg Harbor Bay and Ship Channel may need to purchase flood insurance.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
