It is a resort community that attracts visitors looking to enjoy its beaches, sailing facilities and commercial center.

[26] The New York Times described Stone Harbor as a place of "gleaming McMansions and elegant shops",[27] with an average single-family home selling for US$2.5 million in 2008.

[30] Development began in the late 19th century as a beach resort along the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad line.

The community was marketed to wealthy residents of Philadelphia seeking a resort destination for a second home.

In early 2016, during the dewatering stage of the operation, a total of three geotubes discharged a small quantity of sediment containing several contaminants.

[2][3] Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Seven Mile Beach.

[35] Stone Harbor borders Avalon Borough, Middle Township, North Wildwood City and the Atlantic Ocean.

[8] The borough form of government used by Stone Harbor 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.

[47][48][49] As of 2023[update], the mayor of Stone Harbor Borough is Republican Judith M. Davies-Dunhour, whose term of office ends December 31, 2024.

"Frank" Dallahan (R, 2024), Robin Lynn Casper (R, 2023), Victor Foschini (I, 2025), Jennifer B. Gensemer (R, 2025), Reese E. Moore (R, 2023) and Bernadette "Bunny" Parzych (R, 2024).

[4][50][51][52][53][54] In June 2019, Frank Dallahan was selected from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that was vacated by Robert Levins when he resigned from office due to health issues; Dallahan served on an interim basis until the November 2019 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.

[55][56] In November 2018, the council selected Reese Moore from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that was vacated the previous month following the resignation of Council President Karen Lane; Moore served on an interim basis until the November 2019 general election, when she was elected to serve the remainder of the term.

[60][61][62] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented by Jeff Van Drew (R, Dennis Township).

[64] For the 2024-2025 session, the 1st legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Mike Testa (R, Vineland) and in the General Assembly by Antwan McClellan (R, Ocean City) and Erik K. Simonsen (R, Lower Township).

[65] Cape May County is governed by a five-person Board of County Commissioners whose members are elected at-large on a partisan basis to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year; At an annual reorganization held each January, the commissioners select one member to serve as director and another to serve as vice-director.

[66] As of 2025[update], Cape May County's Commissioners are Director Leonard C. Desiderio (R, Sea Isle City, 2027),[67] Robert Barr (R, Ocean City; 2025),[68] Will Morey (R, Wildwood Crest; 2026),[69] Melanie Collette (R. Middle Township; 2026),[70] and Vice-Director Andrew Bulakowski (R, Lower Township; 2025).

[82][83] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 62.7% of the vote (416 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama, who received 36.1% (240 votes), with 664 ballots cast among the borough's 801 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.9%.

[84] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 69.6% of the vote (519 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry, who received around 29.1% (217 votes), with 746 ballots cast among the borough's 920 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 81.1.

[113] In 2005, artist Peter Max developed a plan to cover the water tower with a mural made up of digital version of his paintings and artworks that covered 30 by 170 feet (9.1 by 51.8 m) that would be glued to the tower from June through September, with facsimiles of the art sold through Ocean Galleries as a fundraiser to benefit The Wetlands Institute and other charities.

[116] The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, maintain the Villa Maria by the Sea convent, which opened in June 1937.

The plant hardiness zone at Stone Harbor Beach is 7b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 6.0 °F (−14.4 °C).