Absecon (, Coleman, Chris. "South Jersey’S Most Mispronounced Town Names", WPG Talk Radio, Dec 29, 2021. Accessed Dec 4, 2022. "Locals know it's 'ab-SEE-kin' -- but this time of year, you may be hearing 'ABB-seh-con' or 'ab-seh-CON.'") 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 9,137, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 726 (+8.6%) from the 2010 census count of 8,411, which in turn reflected an increase of 773 (+10.1%) from the 7,638 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

History The current City of Absecon was originally incorporated as a town by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 29, 1872, from portions of Egg Harbor Township and Galloway Township. Then on March 24, 1902, the City of Absecon replaced the town.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 67. Accessed May 1, 2026. The city is named for the Absegami tribe of Native Americans, from the word "Absogami", which means "little stream".Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 26, 2015.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, Absecon city had a total area of 7.22 square miles (18.69 km2), including 5.47 square miles (14.16 km2) of land and 1.75 square miles (4.53 km2) of water (24.22%).

The city borders the Atlantic County municipalities of Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township and Pleasantville.Areas touching Absecon, MapIt. Accessed March 17, 2020.Atlantic County District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed May 23, 2024.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Climate The climate in Absecon is subtropical, as the summers are hot and humid, and the winters are mild. The coldest month is January, and the hottest month is July.Absecon Climate, Weather by Month, Average Temperature (New Jersey, United States), Weather Spark. Accessed November 10, 2025.

Demographics

The city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Absecon had a population of 9,137. The median age was 45.4 years. 18.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.4 males age 18 and over.

97.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 2.7% lived in rural areas.

There were 3,614 households in Absecon, of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.2% were married-couple households, 18.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 3,888 housing units, of which 7.0% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.6%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 6,083 66.6% Black or African American 1,114 12.2% American Indian and Alaska Native 50 0.5% Asian 701 7.7% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 4 0.0% Some other race 507 5.5% Two or more races 678 7.4% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 1,086 11.9%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 8,411 people, 3,179 households, and 2,254 families in the city. The population density was . There were 3,365 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 76.45% (6,430) White, 9.89% (832) Black or African American, 0.38% (32) Native American, 7.93% (667) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 2.94% (247) from other races, and 2.41% (203) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.50% (631) of the population.

Of the 3,179 households, 27.2% had children under the age of 18; 53.3% were married couples living together; 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.1% were non-families. Of all households, 22.8% were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.07.

20.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $64,370 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,398) and the median family income was $77,784 (+/− $9,673). Males had a median income of $47,043 (+/− $7,593) versus $43,673 (+/− $3,797) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $31,194 (+/− $4,373). About 5.2% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 13, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 7,638 people, 2,773 households, and 2,085 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,902 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 83.31% White, 6.01% African American, 0.17% Native American, 7.46% Asian, 1.51% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.77% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Absecon city, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 13, 2012., United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 13, 2012.

There were 2,773 households, out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $55,745, and the median income for a family was $61,563. Males had a median income of $47,984 versus $31,663 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,615. About 3.2% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government Absecon operates under the City form of New Jersey municipal government. The city is one of 15 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this traditional form of government.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the seven-member City Council. The mayor is elected to a four-year term of office. The City Council includes six members elected from the city's two wards to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with one seat from each ward up for election each year, along with one member elected at-large to a four-year term in office, all of whom are elected on a partisan basis as part of the November general election.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 13."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 4. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.Form of Government, City of Absecon. Accessed May 23, 2024. "Voters Elect Mayor and Council. Partisan... The Mayor is selected at-large to a four-year term.... Council is the legislative body of the municipality and consists of seven members. Three members each represent Ward 1 and Ward 2 of the City and are elected to staggered three-year terms. One member is an at-large representative elected to a four-year term."

, the Mayor of Absecon is Republican Thomas A. Marrone, serving a term of office ending December 31, 2028.Mayor Tommy Marrone, City of Absecon. Accessed January 22, 2025. Members of the Absecon City Council are Council President Richard DeRose (R, 2028; Ward 2), Alexander C. Clark IV (R, 2026; Ward 1), Linda Evans (R, 2027; Ward 2), Nicholas L. LaRotonda (R, 2027; Ward 1), Stephen S. Light (R, 2029; At Large), Christine Parker (R, 2026; Ward 2), and Michael Sykes (R, 2028; Ward 1).City Council, City of Absecon. Accessed June 15, 2026.Municipal Governments, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 15, 2026.2025 General Election November 4, 2025 Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated February 5, 2026. Accessed June 15, 2026.2024 General Election November 5, 2024 Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated December 2, 2024. Accessed June 15, 2026.2023 General Election November 7, 2023 Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated November 27, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.2022 General Election Results - Amended, Atlantic County Clerk, updated December 5, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.

In September 2021, the City Council selected Donna Poley to fill the Ward 1 seat expiring in December 2022 that had been held by Keith C. Bennett until he resigned from office.City Council Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2021, City of Absecon. Accessed May 10, 2022. "Nomination To Fill The Vacancy Of Councilman Keith Bennett: Nomination was made for Donna Poley by Council Pro Tern Betty Howell — seconded by Councilwoman Cain No other nominations were made.... Filling the vacant Councilperson, Ward 1 position.... Administration of Oath of Office Donna was sworn in by Mayor Horton."