Margate City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, situated on Absecon Island, the barrier island it shares with Atlantic City, Ventnor City, and Longport. With a population of 5,317 at the 2020 census, it is a compact shore community known for its wide beaches, its residential character, and one of the Jersey Shore's most distinctive landmarks. That landmark is Lucy the Elephant, a six-story, elephant-shaped wood-and-tin building constructed in 1881 by developer James V. Lafferty to attract tourists and real-estate buyers to the island. Now a National Historic Landmark, Lucy is among the oldest surviving roadside attractions in the United States and remains a symbol of Margate's identity as an early shore resort. Margate's appeal lies in its balance. It offers the beach, boardwalk, and oceanfront living of a classic Jersey Shore town while remaining noticeably quieter and more family-oriented than Atlantic City to the northeast. Boating and fishing in the back bays, along with ocean swimming and shoreline recreation, define the outdoor lifestyle, and Atlantic City's dining, shopping, and entertainment are only minutes away. Public education is provided by the Margate City School District for grades K-8, with high school students attending Atlantic City High School through a sending-receiving relationship. Housing runs the gamut from beach-block single-family homes and condominiums to slightly larger properties on interior lots, with a steady presence of second-home ownership. For those seeking a laid-back Shore community with a landmark, beaches, and proximity to Atlantic City's amenities, Margate offers a distinctive and enduring place on the southern New Jersey coast.