Atlantic City occupies much of Absecon Island, a barrier island on the New Jersey coast in Atlantic County, about 60 miles southeast of Philadelphia. It was laid out in the mid-19th century as a seaside resort, and its famous Boardwalk, built in 1870, made it one of the country's first great beach destinations. Salt water taffy is said to have been invented here in 1883, and grand hotels lined the shore for generations. The Absecon Lighthouse, among the tallest in the United States, still stands as a reminder of that era. In 1976 New Jersey voters approved casino gambling for the city, and the first casino opened in 1978, reshaping the economy around gaming, hospitality, and tourism. Today casino hotels such as Bally's, Caesars, Tropicana, Hard Rock, and Ocean stand along the Boardwalk, joined by the convention center, the Steel Pier, and a year-round calendar of concerts, conventions, and events. Away from the resort core, Atlantic City is also a working residential city of roughly 38,600 people, with neighborhoods of rowhouses, single-family homes, and condominiums. Public schools fall under Atlantic City Public Schools, and families also have access to private and parochial school options in the city and nearby shore towns. The city sits at the eastern end of the Atlantic City Expressway, and NJ Transit's Atlantic City Rail Line offers direct rail service from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. Atlantic City International Airport lies nearby in Egg Harbor Township, and NJ Transit buses and local jitneys move people around the island. The city's compact, walkable core means many visitors park once and explore the Boardwalk on foot. Its blend of beach, entertainment, and everyday neighborhoods makes Atlantic City distinct among New Jersey shore towns — a place where the casino and resort economy coexists with long-established residential blocks, parks, and community institutions that operate year-round.