Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey Explained

Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey
Settlement Type:Borough
Mapsize:250x200px
Image Map1:Census_Bureau_map_of_Spring_Lake_Heights,_New_Jersey.png
Mapsize1:250x200px
Map Caption1:Census Bureau map of Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey
Pushpin Map:USA New Jersey Monmouth County#USA New Jersey#USA
Pushpin Label:Spring Lake Heights
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Monmouth County##Location in New Jersey##Location in the United States
Pushpin Relief:yes
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Monmouth
Government Type:Borough
Governing Body:Borough Council
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Christopher M. Campion Jr. (R, term ends December 31, 2023)[1]
Leader Name1:John E. Barrett[2]
Leader Title2:Municipal clerk
Leader Name2:Janine Gillis[3]
Established Title:Incorporated
Established Date:March 19, 1927
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[4]
Area Total Km2:3.43
Area Land Km2:3.35
Area Water Km2:0.08
Area Total Sq Mi:1.32
Area Land Sq Mi:1.29
Area Water Sq Mi:0.03
Area Water Percent:2.26
Area Rank:468th of 565 in state
40th of 53 in county[5]
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:4890
Population Rank:380th of 565 in state
33rd of 53 in county[6]
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Density Sq Mi:3776.8
Population Density Rank:173rd of 565 in state
18th of 53 in county
Population Est:4834
Pop Est As Of:2023
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:−05:00
Timezone Dst:Eastern (EDT)
Utc Offset Dst:−04:00
Elevation Footnotes:[7]
Elevation Ft:23
Coordinates Footnotes:[8]
Coordinates:40.1495°N -74.0462°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP Code
Postal Code:07762[9] [10]
Area Code:732 exchanges: 282, 449, 974[11]
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:3402570140[12] [13]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0885407[14]

Spring Lake Heights is a borough located in the southern coastal portion of Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,890, an increase of 177 (+3.8%) from the 2010 census count of 4,713, which in turn reflected a decline of 514 (−9.8%) from the 5,227 counted in the 2000 census.[15]

The borough of Spring Lake Heights was formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 19, 1927, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 3, 1927.[16] The borough was named for Spring Lake, which was named for a clear spring-fed lake.[17] [18] [19]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.43 km2), including 1.30 square miles (3.35 km2) of land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) of water (2.26%).[5]

Wreck Pond is a tidal pond located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Wall Township and the boroughs of Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, and Sea Girt. The Wreck Pond watershed covers about 12.8sqmi in eastern Monmouth County.[20]

The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Lake Como, Sea Girt, Spring Lake and Wall Township.[21] [22] [23]

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Villa Park.[24]

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 4,713 people, 2,316 households, and 1,202 families in the borough. The population density was 3,671.3 per square mile (1,417.5/km2). There were 2,972 housing units at an average density of 2,315.1 per square mile (893.9/km2). The racial makeup was 96.61% (4,553) White, 0.64% (30) Black or African American, 0.15% (7) Native American, 1.08% (51) Asian, 0.02% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.47% (22) from other races, and 1.04% (49) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.29% (155) of the population.

Of the 2,316 households, 17.1% had children under the age of 18; 40.3% were married couples living together; 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 48.1% were non-families. Of all households, 41.7% were made up of individuals and 21.4% 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 2.82.

16.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 20.2% from 25 to 44, 32.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 83.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 81.2 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $72,083 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,741) and the median family income was $102,173 (+/− $13,664). Males had a median income of $80,819 (+/− $9,463) versus $56,615 (+/− $7,658) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $43,370 (+/− $4,154). About 1.1% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.[25]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 5,227 people, 2,511 households, and 1,358 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3947.7sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 2,950 housing units at an average density of 2228sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the borough was 97.28% White, 1.11% African American, 0.02% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.12% of the population.[26] [27]

As of the 2000 Census, 32.7% of Spring Lake Heights residents were of Irish ancestry, the 16th-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States, and fifth-highest in New Jersey, among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.[28]

There were 2,511 households, out of which 17.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.9% were non-families. 41.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.82.[26] [27]

In the borough the population was spread out, with 16.8% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 29.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.[26] [27]

The median income for a household in the borough was $51,330, and the median income for a family was $64,345. Males had a median income of $48,640 versus $40,363 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,093. About 4.2% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.[26] [27]

Government

Local government

Spring Lake Heights is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[29] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[30] The borough form of government used by Spring Lake Heights is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. Most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[31] [32]

, the mayor of Spring Lake Heights is Republican Christopher M. Campion Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the borough council are Council President William K. Graetz (R, 2025), Leonard Capristo (R, 2024), John C. Casagrande (R, 2023), Michele Degnan-Spang (R, 2023; appointed to serve an unexpired term), Sara King (R, 2024) and Christopher C. Willms (R, 2025).[33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38]

In October 2022, the borough council appointed Michele Degnan-Spang to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Peter A. Gallo Jr.[39]

In January 2016, the borough council selected Arthur Herner from three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Thomas O'Brien until he took office as mayor.[40]

In January 2020, the borough council selected John Casagrande from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Christopher Campion until he took office as mayor.[41] [42]

Federal, state and county representation

Spring Lake Heights is located in the 4th Congressional District[43] and is part of New Jersey's 10th state legislative district.[44]

Politics

|}As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,635 registered voters in Spring Lake Heights, of which 976 (26.9%) were registered as Democrats, 1,106 (30.4%) were registered as Republicans and 1,549 (42.6%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[45]

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 56.3% of the vote (1,481 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 42.6% (1,122 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (28 votes), among the 2,654 ballots cast by the borough's 3,811 registered voters (23 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 69.6%.[46] [47] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 64.4% of the vote (1,326 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 32.8% (676 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (20 votes), among the 2,059 ballots cast by the borough's 2,692 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.5%.[48] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 64.0% of the vote (1,427 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 30.1% (670 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (30 votes), among the 2,229 ballots cast by the borough's 2,873 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 77.6.[49]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 71.5% of the vote (1,365 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 25.7% (491 votes), and other candidates with 2.7% (52 votes), among the 1,942 ballots cast by the borough's 3,831 registered voters (34 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 50.7%.[50] [51] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 68.8% of the vote (1,144 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 23.3% (388 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 5.7% (95 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (11 votes), among the 1,663 ballots cast by the borough's 2,593 registered voters, yielding a 64.1% turnout.[52]

Education

The Spring Lake Heights School District, located on a 12acres campus, serves public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade at Spring Lake Heights Elementary School. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 336 students and 34.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.7:1.[53]

Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Manasquan High School in Manasquan, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Manasquan Public Schools. Manasquan High School also serves students from Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Brielle, Lake Como, Sea Girt and Spring Lake, who attend Manasquan High School as part of sending/receiving relationships with their respective districts.[54] [55] As of the 2018–19 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 969 students and 72.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.3:1.[56]

Students from the borough, and all of Monmouth County, are eligible to attend one of the magnet schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School DistrictMarine Academy of Science and Technology, Academy of Allied Health & Science, High Technology High School, Biotechnology High School, and Communications High School.[57]

Spring Lake Heights students are also served by Saint Catharine School (grades K–8) in Spring Lake and St. Rose High School (9–12) in Belmar, which operate under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton.[58]

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Monmouth County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[59]

Route 71 is the only state highway which traverses the borough. It follows Seventh Avenue from Sea Girt in the south to Wall Township in the north.[60] County Route 524 (Allaire Road) heads across Spring Lake Heights from Wall Township in the west to its eastern terminus where it meets Route 71 in the eastern portion of the borough.[61] Route 35 just misses the northwest corner of the borough.

Public transportation

NJ Transit offers passenger train service at the Spring Lake station.[62] Commuter service is provided on the North Jersey Coast Line, offering express and local service. Diesel service operates from Hoboken Terminal to Bay Head station. Electric service operates from Penn Station to Long Branch station, where the electrified portion of the line ends. Mid-line stations include Newark Penn Station, Newark Liberty International Airport Station, and Secaucus Junction.[63] [64]

NJ Transit bus service is available between the borough and Philadelphia on the 317 route, with local service offered on the 830 route.[65]

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Spring Lake Heights include:

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.state.nj.us/dca/home/2023mayors.pdf 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory
  2. https://springlakehts.com/contact-directory/ Contact Directory
  3. https://springlakehts.com/departments/borough-clerk-registrar-of-vital-statistics/ Municipal Clerk's Office
  4. Web site: ArcGIS REST Services Directory. United States Census Bureau. October 11, 2022.
  5. https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_cousubs_34.txt 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places
  6. https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/dmograph/est/mcd/density.xlsx Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021
  7. , Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 14, 2013.
  8. https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990
  9. http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=spring%20lake%20heights&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Spring Lake Heights, NJ
  10. http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/njzips.htm Zip Codes
  11. http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCity=Spring+Lake+Heights Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Spring Lake Heights, NJ
  12. https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website
  13. https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey
  14. http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names
  15. https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2010/2010data/table7cm.xls Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010
  16. Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 186. Accessed May 30, 2024.
  17. Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 7, 2015.
  18. [Henry Gannett|Gannett, Henry]
  19. http://www.springlakeboro.org/about-us/history.html Brief History
  20. http://www.nj.gov/dep/wreckpond/ Wreck Pond
  21. https://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/720160/touches.html Areas touching Spring Lake Heights
  22. http://co.monmouth.nj.us/documents/24/Figure%201.1__.png Regional Location Map
  23. https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries
  24. http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search
  25. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3402570140 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Spring Lake Heights borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey
  26. http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/1603470140.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Spring Lake Heights borough, New Jersey
  27. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3402570140 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Spring Lake Heights borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey
  28. http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Irish.html Irish Communities
  29. https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey
  30. 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 58.
  31. Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014.
  32. https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=6 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"
  33. https://springlakehts.com/mayor-and-borough-council/ Mayor & Borough Council
  34. https://springlakehts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1349_certifiedintrobudget_2023.pdf#page=14 2023 Municipal Data Sheet
  35. https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Monmouth/116246/web.307039/#/summary General Election November 8, 2022 Official Results
  36. https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Monmouth/111499/web.278093/#/summary November 2, 2021 General Election Official Results
  37. https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Monmouth/107171/web.264614/#/summary November 3, 2020 General Election Official Results
  38. https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Monmouth/98884/web/#/summary General Election November 5, 2019 Official Results
  39. https://springlakehts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/M2022-10-17.pdf Borough Council Meeting Minutes for October 17, 2022
  40. http://www.springlakehts.com/filestorage/554/559/3017/2016-01-25.pdf Borough Council Meeting Minutes January 25, 2016
  41. https://springlakehts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/M2020-01-16.pdf
  42. Yunker, Scorr. "Council will modify meetings to spur resident participation", The Coast Star, January 9, 2020. Accessed February 8, 2020. "Newly-minted Mayor Christopher Campion swore in a new council member and advanced plans to expedite and increase accessibility to borough council meetings, during the council’s annual reorganization meeting on Monday, Jan. 6. After appointing Councilman John Casagrande to office, he proposed a reshuffled meeting format and announced weekly mayor’s office hours and consistent livestream coverage of future council meetings.... Mr. Casagrande, who was selected from a batch of three candidates, will serve out the remainder of Mr. Campion’s term on borough council, which Mr. Campion left to become mayor."
  43. https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report
  44. https://nj1015.com/whats-your-new-nj-legislative-district-20-moved-on-new-map/ Districts by Number for 2023-2031
  45. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-monmouth-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Monmouth
  46. Web site: Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Monmouth County . March 15, 2013 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  47. Web site: Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Monmouth County. March 15, 2013 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  48. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-monmouth.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Monmouth County
  49. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_monmouth_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Monmouth County
  50. Web site: Governor - Monmouth County . January 29, 2014 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  51. Web site: Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Monmouth County. January 29, 2014 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  52. http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-monmouth.pdf 2009 Governor: Monmouth County
  53. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3415600&DistrictID=3415600 District information for Spring Lake Heights School District
  54. https://www.manasquanschools.org/domain/330 Sending districts
  55. https://www.nj.gov/education/pr/1415/narrative/25/2930/000.html Manasquan Public Schools 2015 Report Card Narrative
  56. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3409420&ID=340942003940 School data for Manasquan High School
  57. http://www.mcvsd.org/career-academy-policy.html Career Academy Admissions
  58. https://dioceseoftrenton.org/schoolfinder School Finder
  59. http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Union.pdf Union County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction
  60. http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000071__-.pdf#page=2 Route 71 Straight Line Diagram
  61. http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000524__-.pdf#page=10 County Route 524 Straight Line Diagram
  62. https://www.njtransit.com/station/spring-lake-station Spring Lake station
  63. https://www.visitmonmouth.com/Page.aspx?Id=5128 Transportation Map - Rail Service
  64. https://content.njtransit.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/rail/2023/04/230004/njcl.pdf North Jersey Coast Line schedule
  65. https://www.visitmonmouth.com/Page.aspx?Id=2906 Bus Routes
  66. Staff. "John Amabile; Obituary", Asbury Park Press, April 24, 2012. Accessed August 9, 2012. "John Amabile, 73, of Spring Lake Heights, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2012, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, with his devoted family at his bedside. He was born and raised in Jersey City and moved to Spring Lake Heights in 1968, where he has resided for the past 44 years."
  67. http://www.history.njd.uscourts.gov/judges/district_bios/Anthony_Thomas_Augelli Anthony Thomas Augelli
  68. https://www.app.com/story/money/business/2014/05/30/local-business-briefs/9779543/ "Langosta Lounge chef wins award"
  69. Carino, Jerry. "Shore legend reflects on her unbreakable javelin record", Asbury Park Press, June 2, 2015. Accessed April 10, 2016. "'I was mad at my coach, Mr. (George) Bower,' said Friedrich, who lives in Spring Lake Heights and goes by the last name of her husband, Clifford Parcinski."
  70. http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000840 James John Howard
  71. Flint, Peter B. "Joseph P. Lordi, Former Chief Of Jersey Casino Commission", The New York Times, October 22, 1983. Accessed October 8, 2015. "Joseph P. Lordi, the first chairman of New Jersey's Casino Control Commission, died, apparently of a heart attack, yesterday at his home in Spring Lake Heights, N.J."
  72. Rosenberg, Michelle. "'The American Dream' lives on in Keyport: Wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes headlines local charity event", Independent, October 12, 2004. Accessed June 12, 2012. "Also at the event, Candido will take on John 'Balls' Mahoney, a Spring Lake Heights native of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) fame, in an extreme strap match."
  73. Staff. "Thomas McLernon, Manager Of Transit Authority in 1950s", The New York Times, May 17, 1986. Accessed December 27, 2016. "Thomas J. McLernon, general manager of the New York City Transit Authority in the 1950s, died Wednesday at his home in Spring Lake Heights, N.J."
  74. Williams, Carol Gorga. "Local teen wins beauty pageant", Asbury Park Press, November 11, 2013. Accessed July 20, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "In her first try competing in an American beauty pageant, 18-year-old Valentina Sanchez newly relocated to Monmouth County and a student at Manasquan High School has been crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2014.... The teen, who was born in California but moved to Venezuela when she was 3, divides her time between relatives in Asbury Park and Spring Lake Heights."