Beach Haven West, New Jersey

The 2010 United States census counted 3,896 people, 1,915 households, and 1,212 families in the CDP. The population density was 2,439.1 per square mile (941.7/km²). There were 4,571 housing units at an average density of 2,861.7 per square mile (1,104.9/km²). The racial makeup was 97.33% (3,792) White, 0.49% (19) Black or African American, 0.23% (9) Native American, 0.72% (28) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.69% (27) from other races, and 0.54% (21) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.77% (147) of the population.[13]

Of the 1,915 households, 11.0% had children under the age of 18; 53.5% were married couples living together; 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 36.7% were non-families. Of all households, 32.1% were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.51.[13]

10.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 13.8% from 25 to 44, 36.9% from 45 to 64, and 33.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.2 males.[13]

As of the 2000 United States Census[6] there were 4,444 people, 2,086 households, and 1,372 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 849.4/km² (2,200.8/mi²). There were 4,514 housing units at an average density of 862.8/km² (2,235.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.73% White, 0.36% African American, 0.02% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.18% of the population.[14]

There were 2,086 households, out of which 14.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.59.[14]

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 12.6% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 35.0% from 45 to 64, and 27.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.[14]

The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,508, and the median income for a family was $54,132. Males had a median income of $46,500 versus $30,491 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $39,273. About 1.5% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.[14]

The first model home, an expandable Cape Cod-style house, opened on Selma Drive in 1957. Like many Capes, this home had one finished floor with two bedrooms, the attic was capable of expansion with dormers, and there was an outside shower. The style was pure 1950s: wide-exposure asbestos siding, aluminum jalousie windows throughout, and dark wood paneling inside. The colors were all pastels, ranging from canary yellow, pistachio green, and bright pink, to name a few. Mass production methods were utilized to erect the homes efficiently.

The lots were all 50 feet wide along the lagoon and 80 feet deep running towards the street. Phase one featured 60-foot-wide (18 m) lots. Double lots and irregular lots were available along the bends and corners of the lagoon. In the 1950s, waterfront lots with a house sold for $6,990, and financing of $66 a month was available.

Soon, additional models were added and the two-bedroom cape was dropped. The least expensive was the Sandpiper model, totaling $11,990. which was a 3 bedroom ranch. Keeping the same modern architectural style, the three bedrooms were arranged along the front of the house facing the street. Behind them was a single full bath, a kitchenette, and a living room. All interior spaces featured exposed rafter vaulted ceilings with rigid insulation on the roof. Base models featured a screened porch stretching completely across the back of the house, which was covered by a long, gently sloping roof. A common upgrade was to have the porch enclosed with jalousie windows. The home was completed with an outdoor shower, an option of either a wooden bulkhead or a wooden deck along the lagoon, and two young willow trees in the back yard.

The largest model available was the Continental Riviera, which sold for about $23,000 in the 1970s. Homes in East Point and Village Harbour were built in the typical 1980s Post-Modern style. Colony Lakes homes were Colonial representative. All homes built by Lincoln were reversed living homes, where the bedrooms were downstairs and the living spaces on the second floor.[15]

Originally, the community had a recreation center located at intersection of Jonathan Drive, Morris Boulevard, Jennifer Lane, and Jeffrey Drive. The rec center featured a clubhouse, boat slips, and a swimming pool, which was the center of the Beach Haven West social scene throughout the 1950s and 1960s. By the 1980s, the pool was infilled and the clubhouse demolished. Modern 1980s-style homes were later built on the site, and belong to some of few homes in the complex which do not have waterfront access.

The Civic Association has been revitalized, and continues to operate at a new location on Mill Creek Road. It serves the community in many capacities, from "Mom and Me" playgroups and other Stafford Recreation-sponsored programs, to other usergroup functions (Stafford Township Regular Republican Club meetings) as well as a voting location on Election Days.[15]