Gloucester Township, New Jersey

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"Gloucester Township" redirects here. For the community in Ontario, see Gloucester Township, Ontario.
Gloucester Township, New Jersey
—  Township  —
Gloucester Township highlighted in Camden County. Inset: Location of Camden County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Gloucester Township, New Jersey
Coordinates: 39°48′9″N 75°2′41″W / 39.8025°N 75.04472°W / 39.8025; -75.04472Coordinates: 39°48′9″N 75°2′41″W / 39.8025°N 75.04472°W / 39.8025; -75.04472
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Camden
Formed June 1, 1695
Incorporated February 21, 1798
Government
 • Type Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)
 • Mayor David R. Mayer (2013)[1]
 • Administrator Tom Cardis[2]
Area[3]
 • Total 23.33 sq mi (60.4 km2)
 • Land 23.22 sq mi (60.1 km2)
 • Water 0.10 sq mi (0.3 km2)  0.43%
Elevation[4] 89 ft (27 m)
Population (2010 Census)[5][6]
 • Total 64,634
 • Density 2,770.4/sq mi (1,070.1/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 08030-08031[7]
Area code(s) 856
FIPS code 34-26760[8][9]
GNIS feature ID 0882154[10]
Website http://www.glotwp.com

Gloucester Township is a Township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 64,634.[6] The 2010 population represented an increase of 284 from the 64,350 residents enumerated during the 2000 Census, with the township ranking as the 19th largest municipality in the state in 2010 after having been ranked 18th in 2000.[5]

Gloucester Township was formed on June 1, 1695, while the area was still part of Gloucester County, and was incorporated as one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. It became part of the newly created Camden County on March 13, 1844. Portions of the township have been taken over the years to form Union Township (November 15, 1831), Winslow Township (March 8, 1845) and Clementon Township (February 24, 1903).[11]

Glendora (2000 Census population of 4,692) and Blackwood (population 4,907) are census-designated places and unincorporated areas located within Gloucester Township.[3] Blenheim, Chews Landing and Erial are unincorporated communities located within the township.[12]

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 23.33 square miles (60.4 km2), of which, 23.22 square miles (60.1 km2) of it is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.43%) is water.[3]

Big Timber Creek flows East to West through the township to the Delaware River.

Gloucester Township borders Hi-Nella, Lindenwold, Magnolia, Pine Hill, Runnemede, Somerdale, Stratford, and Winslow. Gloucester Township also borders Gloucester County.

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1930 5,820
—
1940 6,198 6.5%
1950 7,952 28.3%
1960 17,591 121.2%
1970 26,511 50.7%
1980 45,156 70.3%
1990 53,797 19.1%
2000 64,350 19.6%
2010 64,634 0.4%
Population sources:
1930-1990[13] 2000-2010[5][14]

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 64,350 people, 23,150 households, and 16,876 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,771.2 people per square mile (1,070.0/km²). There were 24,257 housing units at an average density of 1,044.6 per square mile (403.3/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 83.11% White, 11.55% African American, 0.16% Native American, 2.62% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.05% of the population.[14]

There were 23,150 households out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.24.[14]

In the township the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.[14]

The median income for a household in the township was $54,280, and the median income for a family was $62,992. Males had a median income of $42,451 versus $31,427 for females. The per capita income for the township was $22,604. About 4.4% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.[14]

[edit] History

The present Township of Gloucester was one of the original townships that comprised Old Gloucester County. It became the county's first political subdivision in 1685. The boundaries of the county extended from the Delaware River to the Atlantic Ocean until 1683, when it was divided into two townships; Egg Harbor Township and Gloucester Township. Gloucester Township, which took its name from the cathedral city of Gloucester on the banks of the River Severn in England, was further subdivided into four smaller townships, and on June 1, 1695, became one of the first New Jersey municipalities to incorporate. In 1844, the township became part of the newly formed County of Camden

The Gabreil Daveis Tavern House, located at 4th Avenue in Glendora, is a pre-American Revolutionary War tavern that was built in 1756 and for many years served as an inn for boatmen who transported their products to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania via nearby Big Timber Creek. It was recently restored and now serves as Gloucester Township's historical centerpiece. This building has also been referred to as The Hillman Hospital House because it was designated a hospital by George Washington during the Revolution. In November 1773, Betsy Ross, at the age of 21, eloped across the Delaware River to Gloucester, and was married at the tavern.[15] It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open to visitors on Sunday afternoons, from 1 to 4, from April through December, excepting holidays.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

Gloucester Township is governed under the Mayor-Council system of New Jersey municipal government under the Faulkner Act.[16] The Township has a full-time Mayor and a seven-member council.

As of 2011, the Mayor of Gloucester Township is David R. Mayer. Members of the Gloucester Township Council are Council President Glen Bianchini, Council Vice President Orlando Mercado, Crystal Evans, Ken Garbowski, Michelle Gentek, Dan Hutchison and Franklin Schmidt.[17]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Gloucester Township is in the 1st Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 4th state legislative district.[18] The legislative district was kept unchanged by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission based on the results of the 2010 Census.[6]

New Jersey's First Congressional District is represented by Rob Andrews (D, Haddon Heights). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 4th district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Fred H. Madden (D, Washington Township, Gloucester County) and in the General Assembly by Paul Moriarty (D, Washington Township, Gloucester County).[19] Gabriela Mosquera (D, Gloucester Township) appeared to have won election to the district's second Assembly seat, but as of January 2012 a ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court prevented her from taking the oath of office pending resolution of claims that she did not meet the state's residency requirement.[20] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[21] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[22]

Camden County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders, its seven members elected at-large to three-year terms office on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year.[23] As of 2012, Camden County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. (Collingswood, term ends December 31, 2014)[24], Freeholder Deputy Director Edward McDonnell (Pennsauken Township, 2013)[25], Rodney A. Greco (Gloucester Township, 2012)[26], Ian K. Leonard (Camden, 2012)[27], Scot N. McCray (Camden, 2014)[28], Jeffrey L. Nash (Cherry Hill, 2012)[29] and Carmen Rodriguez (Merchantville, 2013).[30][31][32]

[edit] Education

The Gloucester Township Public Schools system, with an enrollment of approximately 8,000 students attending grades K-8, comprises eight elementary schools (grades K-5), and three middle schools (grades 6-8), including the new Ann A. Mullen Middle School. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[33]) are eight K-5 elementary schools — Blackwood Elementary School (683 students), Chews Elementary School (824), Erial Elementary School (756), Glendora Elementary School (271), Gloucester Township Elementary School (284), James W. Lilley Elementary (619), Loring-Flemming Elementary (716) and Union Valley Elementary School (611) — along with Glen Landing Middle School (877), Charles W. Lewis Middle School (627) and Ann A. Mullen Middle School (1,132) for grades 6-8.

Students in public school for grades 9 through 12, attend one of the three high schools that are part of the Black Horse Pike Regional School District. The schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[34]) are Highland Regional High School (1,133 students; located in Blackwood), Timber Creek Regional High School (1,454; Erial) or Triton Regional High School (1,652; Runnemede). Students from Gloucester Township attend one of the three schools based on their residence. Students from the other two communities in the district — Bellmawr and Runnemede — all attend Triton High School.[35]

Also available in the Township is the Gloucester Township Technical High School, which offers day and evening classes.[36]

Our Lady of Hope Regional School is an elementary school that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden[37]

Camden County College is located in Blackwood, on a 320 acres (130 ha) campus that had been acquired in 1967. The school's first students started attending in 1968 and the campus has undergone an $83 million expansion and renovation project that started in 2005. Over 44 programs of study ranging from allied health to engineering technology and science, laser and optics, public safety, business administration, liberal arts, human services and secretarial studies are available. Other programs include a GED center, self-enrichment and senior adult courses. Evening and weekend classes, including computer programming are offered. Local residents may use the college's learning resource center to receive dental hygiene clinic services.[38]

[edit] Transportation

Route 42 and Route 168 both pass through the township.

New Jersey Transit local bus service to Philadelphia is provided on the 400 and 403 routes, with local service available on the 459 routes.[39]

[edit] Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Gloucester Township include:

[edit] References

  1. ^ 2011 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed July 20, 2011.
  2. ^ Departments, Gloucester Township. Accessed April 18, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c GCT-PH1. Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2000 for Camden County, New Jersey -- County Subdivision and Place, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 9, 2011.
  4. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Township of Gloucester, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed June 13, 2008.
  5. ^ a b c The Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships in 2010 in New Jersey: 2000 and 2010, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 9, 2011. HTML version of original Excel spreadsheet.
  6. ^ a b c 2011 Apportionment Redistricting: Municipalities sorted alphabetically, New Jersey Department of State, p. 4. Accessed July 20, 2011.
  7. ^ Look Up a ZIP Code, United States Postal Service. Accessed September 9, 2011.
  8. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  9. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
  10. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  11. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 105.
  12. ^ Home page, Gloucester Township. Accessed September 9, 2011. "Communities of Gloucester Township include parts of Blackwood, Glendora, Erial, Sicklerville, Blenheim, Lambs Terrace, Chews Landing, and Hilltop."
  13. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  14. ^ a b c d e Census 2000 Demographic Profile Highlights: Gloucester township, Camden County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 20, 2011.
  15. ^ Betsy Ross: Her Life, United States History. Accessed December 12, 2006.
  16. ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 24.
  17. ^ Elected Officials, Gloucester Township. Accessed April 18, 2011.
  18. ^ 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 58. Accessed July 20, 2011.
  19. ^ Legislative Roster 2012-2013 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2012.
  20. ^ Walsh, Jim. "Mosquera barred from taking oath", Courier-Post, January 10, 2012. Accessed January 11, 2012. "In a last-minute decision, the state Supreme Court barred Gabriela Mosquera from starting an Assembly term Tuesday due to a dispute over her election eligibility.... Mosquera appeared to easily defeat her Republican rivals at the polls on Nov. 8, but GOP candidate Shelley Lovett filed a suit asserting the Democrat had not met a residency requirement."
  21. ^ "About the Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/about/. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  22. ^ "About the Lieutenant Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/lt/. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  23. ^ What is a Freeholder?, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2012.
  24. ^ Louis Cappelli, Jr., Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2012.
  25. ^ Edward McDonnell, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
  26. ^ Rodney A. Greco, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2012.
  27. ^ Ian K. Leonard, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2012.
  28. ^ Scot N. McCray, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2012.
  29. ^ Jeffrey L. Nash, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2012.
  30. ^ Carmen Rodriguez, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2012.
  31. ^ Board of Freeholders, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2012.
  32. ^ Camden County Reorganization Meeting: Freeholders Louis Cappelli, Jr. and Scot McCray Sworn in; Freeholder Cappelli re-elected Freeholder Director and Freeholder Edward T. McDonnell Re-Elected Deputy Director, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2012.
  33. ^ Data for the Gloucester Township Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed July 19, 2011.
  34. ^ Data for the Black Horse Pike Regional School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed July 20, 2011.
  35. ^ Triton Regional High School 2010 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed July 20, 2011. "Triton Regional High School continues to provide quality academic, athletic, and co-curricular programs for our diverse student body. Triton houses over 1600 students residing in Runnemede, Bellmawr, and Gloucester Township."
  36. ^ Gloucester Township Technical High School, Camden County Technical Schools. Accessed July 20, 2008.
  37. ^ Camden County Schools, Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. Accessed July 10, 2008.
  38. ^ About Us, Camden County College. Accessed July 20, 2011. "Camden County College’s mission was launched when what had been Mother of the Savior Seminary – along with the 320-acre tract of land surrounding it – was purchased early in 1967. By September of that year, the first class of Camden County College students was taking courses on the Blackwood Campus. In 2005, the Camden County Freeholders announced a six-year, $83 million capital initiative to rebuild the Blackwood Campus."
  39. ^ Camden County Bus/Rail Connections, New Jersey Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed July 20, 2011.
  40. ^ Sipress, Alan. "Each Party Sees Chance To Seize Florio's Seat", The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 30, 1990. Accessed July 20, 2011. "Also seeking the Democratic nomination is John A. Dramesi, 57, of Blackwood. A former prisoner of war in Vietnam, Dramesi said he was asked to run by senior citizens and fellow veterans."
  41. ^ Narducci, Marc. "Hines and his game have grown Spurned in eighth grade, he added 10 inches and lots of skill; today he's a star.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 17, 2004. Accessed September 9, 2011. "When Hines was in eighth grade at Mullen School in Gloucester Township, he was cut from the team.
  42. ^ Broadcasters, Philadelphia Phillies. Accessed July 20, 2011. "Jim was born on March 23, 1963, and is a 1985 graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in broadcast journalism. He resides in Gloucester Township, N.J., with his wife Bernadette, daughter Deanna, and son Johnny."
  43. ^ Assemblywoman Love's legislative web page, New Jersey Legislature, backed up by the Internet archive as of December 23, 2008. Accessed July 20, 2011.
  44. ^ Assemblyman Mayer's Legislative Website, New Jersey Legislature, backed up by the Internet Archive as of December 23, 2007. Accessed July 20, 2011.

[edit] External links

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