Mays Landing is an unincorporated community and census-designated place that serves as the seat of Atlantic County, New Jersey, located within Hamilton Township. Situated along the Great Egg Harbor River, it lies roughly 19 miles inland from Atlantic City and its beaches, boardwalk, and casinos. With a population of about 5,600, Mays Landing functions as a governmental and historic center for the surrounding township and county. The community's history is closely tied to the river. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Mays Landing was a shipbuilding and maritime center; George Wheaton's shipyard alone launched more than 20 vessels along the Great Egg Harbor River. The river's tidal flow powered mills and shaped a settlement that grew into the county's administrative heart. Today the Hamilton Township Historic District preserves more than 150 buildings, lending the area a distinctly historic character that sets it apart from many of its shore-region neighbors. Because it is the county seat, Mays Landing hosts Atlantic County's courts, government offices, and associated institutions, which bring steady daytime activity and employment to the area. Beyond the historic core, Hamilton Township contains a mix of suburban neighborhoods, rural stretches, and newer development, creating a varied living environment that ranges from historic village streets to modern single-family subdivisions. Lakefront communities and wooded parcels add further variety. Residents benefit from proximity to both the Pinelands' open space and the Atlantic City shore. Public schools run through the Hamilton Township School District for elementary and middle grades, with high school students attending Oakcrest High School, which sits within the community itself. Overall, Mays Landing offers a blend of preserved history, county-government employment, and convenient access to one of the East Coast's best-known resort destinations.