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Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 96.238.115.21 (talk) at 07:39, 21 February 2009 (→History: added Heritage Valley; improved the grammer a bit.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For other places with the same name, see Washington_Township,_New_Jersey.
Township of Washington
Township
Nickname: 
Township
Washington Township Seal
Washington Township highlighted in Gloucester County. Inset map: Gloucester County highlighted in the State of New Jersey
Washington Township highlighted in Gloucester County. Inset map: Gloucester County highlighted in the State of New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey
CountryUnited States
StateNew Jersey
CountyGloucester
IncorporatedFebruary 17, 1836
Government
 • TypeFaulkner Act (Mayor-Council)
 • MayorPaul Moriarty (D)
 • Council PresidentFrank Scarpato, III
Area
 • Total21.5 sq mi (55.7 km2)
 • Land21.4 sq mi (55.3 km2)
 • Water0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Elevation
[1]
141 ft (43 m)
Population
 (2006 estimate)[2]
 • Total51,827
 • Density913.6/sq mi (2,367/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (EDT)
ZIP code
08080, 08012
Area code856
FIPS code34-77180Template:GR[3]
GNIS feature ID0882140Template:GR
Websitewww.twp.washington.nj.us

Washington Township is a township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 47,114. The United States Census Bureau estimated that by 2006, the population had grown to 51,827.[2]

In 2008, CNN/Money and Money Magazine ranked Washington Township 58th on its list of the 100 Best Cities to Live in the United States.

Turnersville is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Washington Township.

Washington Township was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 17, 1836, from portions of Deptford Township. The Township officially moved to the newly created Camden County on March 13, 1844. Monroe Township was created on March 3, 1859, from part of the township. Most of Washington Township, along with all of Monroe Township, was moved back into Gloucester County on February 28, 1871, with the remaining portions of Washington Township that were still in Camden County being transferred to Gloucester Township. Additional transfers to Gloucester Township were made in 1926 and 1931.[4]

History

The oldest community in Washington Township, Grenloch Terrace, was a thriving Lenni Lenape Native American village called Tetamekon. Some of the early settlers to the area were the Collins family of Chestnut Ridge Farm, for whom Chestnut Ridge Middle School is named after; the Turner family, for whom Turnersville was named; the Hurff family, for whom the census designation Hurffville and Hurffville Elementary School are named; the Heritage family, whose family began the Heritage's Dairy Farm Stores, and for whom the community Heritage Valley is named; the Morgan family, who were the first residents of the Olde Stone House, a landmark for residents of the Township; and the Bell Family, who arrived in 1899, turning the 139-year-old grist mill into General Mills, Inc., and for whom Bells Lake Park and Bells Elementary School are named. The mill, located at Bells Lake Park, was destroyed by fire in 1963.[5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 21.5 square miles (55.7 km²), of which, 21.4 square miles (55.3 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (0.56%) is water.

Washington Township borders Deptford Township, Mantua Township, Pitman, Glassboro, Monroe Township, Williamstown and Camden County

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19302,068—
19402,048−1.0%
19502,49621.9%
19604,92397.2%
197015,741219.7%
198027,87877.1%
199041,96050.5%
200047,11412.3%
2006 (est.)51,827[2]
Population 1930 - 1990.[6]

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 47,114 people, 15,609 households, and 12,658 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,204.6 people per square mile (851.2/km²). There were 16,020 housing units at an average density of 749.6/sq mi (289.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.20% White, 4.85% African American, 0.08% Native American, 3.31% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.03% of the population.

There were 15,609 households out of which 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.3% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.9% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the township the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $66,546, and the median income for a family was $74,661. Males had a median income of $51,319 versus $35,018 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,705. About 2.5% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Washington Township is governed by the Mayor-Council system of New Jersey municipal government under the Faulkner Act. The township is governed by a Mayor and a five-member Municipal Council. The Mayor is elected by township voters and is the Chief Executive in charge of the administrative functions of the town. The Township Council is elected at-large by the entire community. All elected officials serve a four-year term of office.[7]

The Mayor of Washington Township is Paul Moriarty, former KYW 3 TV personality and now an Assemblyman representing the district.[8] Members of the Municipal Council are:[9]

Federal, state and county representation

Washington Township is in the First Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 4th Legislative District.[10]

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 1st congressional district is represented by Donald Norcross (D, Camden).[11][12] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027)[13] and George Helmy (Mountain Lakes, term ends 2024).[14][15]

For the 2024-2025 session, the 4th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Paul D. Moriarty (D, Washington Township) and in the General Assembly by Dan Hutchinson (D, Gloucester Township) and Cody Miller (D, Monroe Township).[16] Template:NJ Governor

Gloucester County is governed by a board of county commissioners, whose seven members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis in partisan elections, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year. At a reorganization meeting held each January, the Board selects a Director and a Deputy Director from among its members. As of 2024, Gloucester County's Commissioners are:

Director Frank J. DiMarco (D, Deptford Township, 2025),[17] Matt Weng (D, Pitman, 2026),[18] Joann Gattinelli (D, Washington Township, 2026),[19] Nicholas DeSilvio (R, Franklin Township, 2024),[20] Denice DiCarlo (D, West Deptford Township, 2025)[21] Deputy Director Jim Jefferson (D, Woodbury, 2026) and [22] Christopher Konawel Jr. (R, Glassboro, 2024).[23][24]

Gloucester County's constitutional officers are: Clerk James N. Hogan (D, Franklin Township; 2027),[25][26] Sheriff Jonathan M. Sammons (R, Elk Township; 2024)[27][28] and Surrogate Giuseppe "Joe" Chila (D, Woolwich Township; 2028).[29][30][31]

Education

The Washington Township Public School District serves students in grades K - 12 in Washington Township. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[32]) are Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center (578 students) for Kindergarten; Bells Elementary School (603), Birches Elementary School (569), Hurffville Elementary School (486), Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (491), Wedgewood Elementary School (573) and Whitman Elementary School (623) for grades K-5; Bunker Hill Middle School (837), Chestnut Ridge Middle School (735) and Orchard Valley Middle School (725) for grades 6-8; and Washington Township High School, with 3,059 students in grades 9 - 12.

Local dynamics

Washington Township has two major economic centers. The "town center" is focused around the square formed by Greentree Road, Egg Harbor Road, Ganttown Road, and Hurffville-Crosskeys Road. Washington Township High School, the Commerce Bank Arts Centre, Washington Lake Park, and the township municipal building are located around this general vicinity. The other major center is located around Route 42, which connects Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the Jersey Shore.

Washington Township is sometimes referred to as "South Philly South" or "Little South Philly" as a large percentage of its citizens moved to the town from the Italian South Philadelphia region over the past several decades.[33] It is also known simply as "Township".[34]

Recent expansion

Washington Township could be viewed as the frontline between open space and home developers. A township that was once composed of several housing projects gravitating around the Wedgwood, Whitman Square, Birches, Birches West, and Hurffville neighborhoods has exploded outwards and also increasing in volume around the centers.[neutrality is disputed]

Transportation

The Atlantic City Expressway, Route 42 and Route 168 pass through the township, as do County Route 534 and County Route 555.

New Jersey Transit's Atlantic City commuter rail line and PATCO Speedline rapid transit are accessible at the Lindenwold (NJT station), located 10 miles northeast of the township.

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Washington Township include:

References

  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Township of Washington, Geographic Names Information System, accessed June 22, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c Census data for Washington township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 27, 2007.
  3. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
  4. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 140.
  5. ^ History of Washington Township, Washington Township. Accessed July 12, 2006.
  6. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  7. ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 24.
  8. ^ Mayor's Office, accessed March 14, 2007.
  9. ^ Township Council Members, Washington Township. Accessed July 28, 2008.
  10. ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 65. Accessed August 30, 2006.
  11. ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 3, 2019.
  12. ^ Full Biography, Congressman Donald Norcross. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Donald and his wife Andrea live in Camden City and are the proud parents of three grown children and grandparents of two."
  13. ^ U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
  14. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/nyregion/george-helmy-bob-menendez-murphy.html
  15. ^ Tully, Tracey (August 23, 2024). "Menendez's Senate Replacement Has Been a Democrat for Just 5 Months". The New York Times. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  16. ^ Legislative Roster for District 4, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 12, 2024.
  17. ^ Frank J. DiMarco, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  18. ^ Heather Simmons, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  19. ^ Lyman Barnes, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  20. ^ Nicholas DeSilvio, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  21. ^ Denice DiCarlo, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  22. ^ Jim Jefferson, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  23. ^ Christopher Konawel Jr., Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  24. ^ County Commissioners, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  25. ^ James N. Hogan, Gloucester County. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  26. ^ Members List: Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  27. ^ Jonathan M. Sammons, Gloucester County. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  28. ^ Members List: Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  29. ^ Surrogate Giuseppe Chila, Gloucester County. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  30. ^ Members List: Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  31. ^ Row Officers, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
  32. ^ Data for the Washington Township Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 3, 2008.
  33. ^ Fifield, Adam. "Rival Washington Township, Pa., Cannoli Makers Square Off.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 5, 2003. Accessed October 21, 2007. "WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Is there room in this town for more than one cannoli?... And in a Gloucester County community nicknamed "South Philly South" for its large population of Italian American city transplants, it has earned a loyalty thicker than ricotta."
  34. ^ Fifield, Adam. "Where passion, pride connect", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 16, 2004. Accessed October 21, 2007. "Washington Township may not rank as a big draw for Sunday drivers. If you're passing through, spinning along the strip malls and housing developments and fast-food chains, you may feel compelled to keep your foot on the gas until more appealing scenery rolls by. But this is a town where much of the allure runs more than soil- or asphalt-deep. Gloucester County's largest community, known to some as South Philly South and to many simply as Township..."
  35. ^ Donahue, Deirdre. "Leggy Linda Fiorentino says Gotcha! to some of the silver screen's cutest virgin hunks.", People (magazine), May 27, 1985. "Growing up in South Philly and later Turnersville, N.J. gave Linda a street-kid sensibility."
  36. ^ via Associated Press. "GOLDEN GIRL CHEERS FROM HER N.J. HOME TOWN CHEERING TARA \ HER N.J. HOME TOWN SALUTES CHAMP", Philadelphia Daily News, February 21, 1998. Accessed August 12, 2008.
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