Gloucester County, New Jersey

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Gloucester County, New Jersey
Map of New Jersey highlighting Gloucester County
Location in the state of New Jersey
Map of the U.S. highlighting New Jersey
New Jersey's location in the U.S.
Founded 1686
Seat Woodbury[1]
Largest city Washington Township
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water
337.18 sq mi (873 km²)
322.00 sq mi (834 km²)
15.17 sq mi (39 km²), 4.50%
Population
 - (2010)
 - Density
288,288[2]
887/sq mi (342.3/km²)
Website www.co.gloucester.nj.us

Gloucester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 288,288.[2] Its county seat is Woodbury.[3][1]

This county is part of the Delaware Valley area. It is located south of Philadelphia and northwest of Atlantic City.

Contents

Geography [edit]

According to the 2010 Census, the county had a total area of 337.18 square miles (873.3 km2), of which 322.00 square miles (834.0 km2) (or 95.50%) is land and 15.17 square miles (39.3 km2) (or 4.50%) is water.[4]

Gloucester County is largely composed of low-lying rivers and coastal plains. The highest elevation in the county is a slight rise along County Route 654 southeast of Cross Keys that reaches approximately 180 feet (55 m) above sea level; the lowest point is sea level at the Delaware River.

Adjacent counties [edit]

National protected area [edit]

History [edit]

Swedesboro and Bridgeport, were the among the earliest European settlements in New Jersey as a part of the 17th century New Sweden colony. Gloucester dates back to May 26, 1686, when courts were established separate from those of Burlington. It was officially formed and its boundaries defined as part of West Jersey on May 17, 1694. Portions of Gloucester County were set off on February 7, 1837 to create Atlantic County, and on March 13, 1844 to create Camden County.[5] The county was named for the city of Gloucester / county of Gloucestershire in England.[6]

Woodbury, founded in 1683 by Henry Wood, is the oldest municipality in the county.[7] National Park, another town in the county, was the site of the Revolutionary War Battle of Red Bank (now included in a county park) where Fort Mercer once stood. Here can be seen the remains of the British ship Augusta (it is stored in a shed with windows for visitors to the park to look through to see the ship's pieces), which sank during the battle. During the colonial era, Gloucester County's main economic activity was agriculture. In Woodbury (even then the main town) was located the county courthouse, the county jail, a Quaker meeting house (still in existence), and an inn (on the current location of Woodbury Crossings). Because of the county's many creeks leading to the Delaware River and the Atlantic Ocean, smuggling was very common.

Demographics [edit]

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1790 13,363
—
1800 16,115 20.6%
1810 19,744 22.5%
1820 23,089 16.9%
1830 28,431 23.1%
1840 25,438 * −10.5%
1850 14,655 * −42.4%
1860 18,444 25.9%
1870 21,562 16.9%
1880 25,886 20.1%
1890 28,649 10.7%
1900 31,905 11.4%
1910 37,368 17.1%
1920 48,224 29.1%
1930 70,802 46.8%
1940 72,219 2.0%
1950 91,727 27.0%
1960 134,840 47.0%
1970 172,681 28.1%
1980 199,917 15.8%
1990 230,082 15.1%
2000 254,673 10.7%
2010 288,288 13.2%
Est. 2012 289,586 [8][9] 0.5%
* lost territory

historical census data sources:

[10][11] 2000-2010[12]

Census 2010 [edit]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 288,288 people, 104,271 households, and 75,805 families residing in the county. The population density was 895.3 inhabitants per square mile (345.7 /km2). There were 109,796 housing units at an average density of 341 per square mile (132 /km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.56% (240,890) White, 10.06% (29,006) Black or African American, 0.17% (501) Native American, 2.64% (7,609) Asian, 0.03% (95) Pacific Islander, 1.41% (4,055) from other races, and 2.13% (6,132) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.76% (13,712) of the population.[2]

There were 104,271 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 22% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.2.[2]

In the county the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.7 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.[2]

Census 2000 [edit]

As of the 2000 United States Census[13] there were 254,673 people, 90,717 households, and 67,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 784 people per square mile (303/km²). There were 95,054 housing units at an average density of 293 per square mile (113/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.07% White, 9.06% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 2.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.8% were of Italian, 19.3% Irish, 15.8% German and 7.6% English ancestry according to Census 2000.[14]

In the county the population was spread out with 26.40% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $54,273, and the median income for a family was $62,482. Males had a median income of $43,825 versus $31,077 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,708. About 4.30% of families and 6.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.60% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Government [edit]

Gloucester County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of seven members. Freeholders are elected at large by the voters of Gloucester County in partisan elections and serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year. At a reorganization meeting held each January, the Board selects a Freeholder Director and a Deputy Freeholder Director from among its members. Gloucester County's Freeholders are:[15][16][17]

Gloucester County's County Clerk is James N. Hogan, the County Surrogate is Helene M. Reed and the County Sheriff is Carmel Morina.[23]

Cumberland County is included in the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts. New Jersey's First Congressional District is represented by Rob Andrews (D, Haddon Heights).[24] New Jersey's Second Congressional District is represented by Frank LoBiondo (R, Ventnor City).[25]

Politics [edit]

The county leans toward the Democratic Party, though to a slightly lesser degree than the state of New Jersey as a whole. In the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, John Kerry carried Gloucester County by a 5.3% margin over George W. Bush, while Kerry carried the state by 6.7% over Bush.[26]

In the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, Barack Obama carried Gloucester County by a 12.2% margin over John McCain, while Obama carried the state by 15.5% over McCain.[27] However, in the 2009 Gubernatorial Election, Republican Chris Christie received 47% of the vote, defeating Democrat Jon Corzine, who received around 43%.

Transportation [edit]

Various county, state, U.S. routes and interstates pass through the county. Major county highways include County Road 534, County Road 536, County Road 538, County Road 544, County Road 551, County Road 553, County Road 555 and County Road 557.

State Routes include Route 41, Route 42 (part of the North-South Freeway), Route 45, Route 47, Route 55, Route 77, Route 168 and Route 324 (only in Logan). The three U.S. routes that traverse include U.S. Route 130 in the northwest, U.S. Route 322 near the center, and U.S. Route 40 in the southern tip.

Interstate 295 is the only interstate in the county which also runs through the northwest for about 14 miles. The New Jersey Turnpike also passes through in the northwest. Only one turnpike interchange is located within Gloucester: Exit 2 in Woolwich.

Municipalities [edit]

Index map of Gloucester County municipalities (click to see index key)

The following municipalities are located in Gloucester County. The municipality type is listed in parentheses after the name, except where the type is included as part of the name. Census-designated places and other unincorporated communities are listed under their municipalities.

Emergency services [edit]

Gloucester County is home to the first county based EMS agency in New Jersey providing services to the municipalities of Logan, Woolwich, Swedesboro, East Greenwich, Gibbstown, Paulsboro, West Deptford, National Park, Mantua, Pitman, Glassboro, Clayton, Woodbury, South Harrison and Wenonah. GCEMS was started in September 2007; its goal is to provide emergency medical services to the residents of the county within 8:59 seconds from the time of dispatch 90% of the time (considered to be the gold standard in EMS). Currently GCEMS has 10 ambulances in service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 2 "power shift" ambulances on duty from the hours of 8AM to 9PM 7 days a week. The department operates out of 11 stations spread strategically throughout the county. The Gloucester County EMS administrative offices are located at the county's Emergency Response Center at 1200 N. Delsea Drive, Clayton, New Jersey 08312.[28] It is the winner of the 2010 Outstanding Public EMS Agency by the State of New Jersey.[citation needed]

Education [edit]

Unified school districts [edit]

School districts in the county include the Gloucester County Vocational-Technical School District, with its one school being the Gloucester County Institute of Technology.

Colleges and universities [edit]

The county college is Gloucester County College. Rowan University is in Glassboro.

Wineries [edit]

Notable people [edit]

See also: Category: People from Gloucester County, New Jersey

Climate and weather [edit]

Woodbury, New Jersey
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
3
 
40
26
 
 
2.8
 
44
28
 
 
3.8
 
53
34
 
 
3.6
 
64
44
 
 
3.7
 
74
54
 
 
3.4
 
83
64
 
 
4.4
 
87
69
 
 
3.5
 
85
68
 
 
3.8
 
78
60
 
 
3.2
 
67
48
 
 
3
 
56
39
 
 
3.6
 
45
30
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[30]

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Woodbury have ranged from a low of 26 °F (−3 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −11 °F (−24 °C) was recorded in February 1934 and a record high of 106 °F (41 °C) was recorded in August 1918. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.75 inches (70 mm) in February to 4.35 inches (110 mm) in July.[30]

See also [edit]

Portal icon Philadelphia portal
Portal icon New Jersey portal

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b Gloucester County, NJ, National Association of Counties. Accessed January 20, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e DP1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Burlington County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 21, 2013.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011. 
  4. ^ "Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. Retrieved November 5, 2011. 
  5. ^ Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 137. Accessed January 21, 2013.
  6. ^ Kane, Joseph Nathan; and Aiken, Charles Curry. The American Counties: Origins of County Names, Dates of Creation, and Population Data, 1950-2000, p. 112. Scarecrow Press, 2005. ISBN 0810850362. Accessed January 21, 2013.
  7. ^ History of Woodbury, accessed January 26, 2007.
  8. ^ PEPANNRES: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012 - 2012 Population Estimates for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 14, 2013.
  9. ^ State & County QuickFacts for Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 14, 2013.
  10. ^ "New Jersey Resident Population by County: 1880 – 1930". 
  11. ^ "Geostat Center: Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 2, 2007. 
  12. ^ "The Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships in 2010 in New Jersey: 2000 and 2010". United States Census Bureau. February 3, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2011. 
  13. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008. 
  14. ^ a b c DP-1 - Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000; Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 21, 2013.
  15. ^ Gloucester County Elected Officials, accessed June 20, 2007.
  16. ^ Staff. "Cutting Spending, Smaller Government & More Shared Services on Agenda for 2012", Gloucester County, New Jersey, January 6, 2012. Accessed January 8, 2012. "The Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholder held its 326th Annual Reorganization meeting tonight where new Freeholders Adam Taliaferro and Lyman Barnes were sworn in and Freeholder Heather Simmons was returned to the Board to serve a full term. Freeholder Robert M. Damminger was chosen by his colleagues to serve as Director of the Board for the second consecutive year and Freeholder Giuseppe ‘Joe’ Chila as Deputy Director."
  17. ^ a b c Romalino, Carly Q. "Democrats win Gloucester County freeholder seats", Gloucester County Times, November 8, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2012. "Democrats Adam Taliaferro, Lyman Barnes and Heather Simmons defeated Republican challengers for three open seats on the Gloucester County freeholder board, keeping the Democrats as the majority party on the board. Taliaferro, of Woolwich Township, garnered the most votes Tuesday, despite being a newcomer to both the county and its political scene. Of more than 54,500 voters who turned out to polls on Election Day, Taliaferro nabbed 31,956 votes. Simmons, an incumbent freeholder and Glassboro resident, trailed close behind with 31,116, and Logan Township’s Lyman Barnes received 29,601 votes."
  18. ^ Robert M. Damminger, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 8, 2012.
  19. ^ Giuseppe (Joe) Chila, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 8, 2012.
  20. ^ Vincent H. Nestore, Jr., Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 8, 2012.
  21. ^ Heather Simmons, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 8, 2012.
  22. ^ Larry Wallace, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 8, 2012.
  23. ^ Row Officers, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 8, 2012.
  24. ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 5, 2012.
  25. ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 5, 2012.
  26. ^ New Jersey Presidential Election Returns by County 2004, Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Accessed August 31, 2008.
  27. ^ U.S. Election Atlas
  28. ^ "Gloucester County Celebrates Emergency Medical Services Week", Gloucester County press release, dated May 21, 2008. Accessed June 28, 2008.
  29. ^ House editorial. "Different cup of tea", Gloucester County Times, February 24, 2010
  30. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Woodbury, New Jersey". The Weather Channel. Retrieved October 13, 2012. 

External links [edit]

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Coordinates: 39°43′N 75°08′W / 39.71°N 75.14°W / 39.71; -75.14

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