This paper presents a community health assessment of Bayville, NJ, conducted through a windshield survey method. It examines key community dimensions including the physical environment, education, recreation, economics, safety, communication, and health and social services. Bayville is an unincorporated coastal community in Ocean County with a relatively affluent population, strong educational attainment, and abundant recreational resources. The paper identifies several positive health influences — particularly access to green space, low crime rates, and active community engagement — alongside negative influences such as rising unemployment since the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, a below-average physician-to-resident ratio, and a poor water quality index. The analysis concludes that continued unemployment growth poses the most significant threat to community well-being.
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Bayville is a quaint, picturesque community on the coast of New Jersey, approximately 50 miles east of Philadelphia and 50 miles south of Long Island. It is an unincorporated community in Berkeley Township of Ocean County. While it is a small community with just under 7,000 residents, it could until recently have been considered affluent, as the median household income was over $100,000 (US Census Bureau, 2020). Since COVID-19, however, those numbers have declined somewhat, and the current median household income stands at $78,000 — still higher than the national average (Best Places, 2021).
The percentage of Bayville residents living in poverty is under 4%. Ninety-six percent of the population holds a high school diploma or higher, and fewer than 3% live without health insurance. The median home value is over $500,000, which is well above comparable communities situated near industrial centers elsewhere in the nation (Currie et al., 2017). Because of the community's relative affluence, there is little to no urban sprawl, making it especially attractive from an aesthetic standpoint (Terando et al., 2017).
The physical environment is very green and coastal. The immediate community has at least one park, and the greater Berkeley Township has several. Because Bayville is a coastal community, it offers a great deal of physical and natural beauty as well as excellent water access. However, Bayville has a water quality index of just 1 out of 100 — the lowest possible score, compared to a national average of 55. This poor rating reflects watershed quality, which the EPA links directly to drinking water quality (Best Places, 2021). By contrast, the air quality index is 77 out of 100, well above the national average of 58 (Best Places, 2021). Housing is excellent, with more than 2,500 housing units; sewage and waste disposal are properly functioning. Animal control services are provided and the community is relatively pest-free. Still, many workers in Bayville commute more than 30 minutes each day, and research indicates that commuting can take a measurable toll on worker health (Künn-Nelen, 2017).
The windshield survey reveals that residents are active in the community. During summer months, people can be seen in abundance in the coastal region enjoying the outdoors. Parks are frequently visited by families, games are played on fields, people walk dogs, and children ride bikes. The community does not appear distressed by litter, nor do properties appear rundown or neglected. This upkeep may help explain why crime is not rampant — broken windows theory holds that when a neighborhood neglects maintenance, it invites criminal activity (O'Brien et al., 2019).
The community has a public school for local students as well as several private schools, consistent with its affluent character. Literacy rates are quite high; the graduation rate is stellar and the population nearly unanimously holds at least a high school education. Numerous churches offer places of worship along with educational courses and programs for interested members of the community.
The windshield survey reveals that these schools are in good condition and appear well maintained. The grounds are kept up, and the exterior of the buildings shows no sign of dilapidation or significant repair needs. Schools for primary learners have playgrounds and fields for outdoor play.
Opportunities for recreation are abundant in Bayville. There are numerous arts and entertainment outlets, along with martial arts studios, dance studios, music halls, and theaters. The community also has several clubs and organizations, including an Elks Lodge, a Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter, and Anchor House, as well as its own historical society (Bayville Town Guide, 2021). Amusement parks, golf courses, soccer fields, sailing schools, and baseball fields are also available. The community has a library and a recreation center. Religious denominations represented include Catholic, Baptist, Jehovah's Witness, and various non-denominational congregations.
The windshield survey did not reveal many empty parking lots, indicating that residents do attend religious services and recreational activities. The community appears actively engaged with its local organizations.
"Employment trends, crime rates, and local communication"
"Physician access, social services, and political landscape"
"Positive and negative influences on resident well-being"
Bayville is a mostly affluent community on the coastal shores of New Jersey, with many green spaces and well-maintained properties. The community is conservative in outlook and oriented toward recreation and religious life, with an abundance of outlets for each. The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns of 2020, however, have caused an employment slump, and workers who already commute an average of 30 minutes per day face compounding pressures. Should unemployment continue to rise, Bayville's quality of life may decline further. At present, rising unemployment remains the primary negative factor affecting the health and well-being of the community.
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