Buena Vista Township, New Jersey

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 41.529 square miles (107.558 km²), including 41.054 square miles (106.329 km²) of land and 0.475 square miles (1.229 km²) of water (1.14%).

Collings Lakes (with a 2010 population of 1,706) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Buena Vista Township.

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Buena Acres, East Vineland, Lake Ann, Milmay, New Kuban, Newtonville, Pine Lake Estates and Richland.

The township is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering 1,100,000 acres (450,000 ha), that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve. Part of the township is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Atlantic County, along with areas in Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties. 90% of the township's area is within the boundaries of the Pine Barrens.

2010 Census

The 2010 United States Census counted 7,570 people, 2,786 households, and 2,020 families residing in the township. The population density was 184.4 per square mile (71.2/km²). The township contained 3,008 housing units at an average density of 73.3 per square mile (28.3/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 78.18% (5,918) White, 13.45% (1,018) Black or African American, 0.46% (35) Native American, 1.06% (80) Asian, 0.04% (3) Pacific Islander, 4.12% (312) from other races, and 2.69% (204) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 11.48% (869) of the population.

Out of a total of 2,786 households, 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the township, 22.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.1 years. For every 100 females the census counted 95.0 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 91.8 males.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census there are 7,436 people residing in the township, organized into 2,648 households and 1,972 families. The population density is 179.8 people per square mile (69.4/km²). There are 2,827 housing units at an average density of 68.3 per square mile (26.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township is 77.34% White, 15.69% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.07% from other races, and 2.43% from two or more races. 9.27% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,648 households out of which 30.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% are non-families. 21.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.77 and the average family size is 3.20.

In the township the population is spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township is $43,770, and the median income for a family is $50,403. Males have a median income of $36,064 versus $26,180 for females. The per capita income for the township is $18,382. 12.1% of the population and 7.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.2% of those under the age of 18 and 13.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Local government

Buena Vista is governed under the Township form of government. The five-member Township Committee is elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another to serve as Deputy Mayor.

As of 2016, the members of the Buena Vista Township Committee are Mayor Chuck Chiarello (D, term on committee ends December 31, 2018; term as mayor ends 2016), Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly (D, term on committee ends 2018; term as deputy mayor ends 2016), John P. Armato (D, 2017), Steve Martinelli (D, 2016) and John Williams (D, 2016).

Federal, state and county representation

Buena Vista Township is located in the 2nd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 2nd state legislative district. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Buena Vista Township had been in the 1st state legislative district.

New Jersey's Second Congressional District is represented by Frank LoBiondo (R, Ventnor City). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).

For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 2nd Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Jim Whelan (D, Atlantic City) and in the General Assembly by Chris A. Brown (R, Ventnor City) and Vince Mazzeo (D, Northfield). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Atlantic County is governed by a directly elected executive and a nine-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, responsible for legislation. The executive serves a four-year term and the freeholders are elected to staggered three-year terms, of which four are elected from the county on an at-large basis and five of the freeholders represent equally populated districts. As of 2015, Atlantic County's Executive is Republican Dennis Levinson, whose term of office ends December 31, 2015. Members of the Board of Chosen Freeholders are Chairman Frank D. Formica, Freeholder District 2, including Atlantic City (part), Egg Harbor Township (part), Linwood, Longport, Margate, Northfield, Somers Point and Ventnor (R, 2015), Vice Chairman James A. Bertino, Freeholder District 5, including Buena Borough, Buena Vista Township, Corbin City, Egg Harbor City, Estell Manor, Folsom, Hamilton Township (part), Hammonton, Mullica Township and Weymouth (R, 2015), Colin G. Bell, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2015), John Carman, Freeholder District 3, including Egg Harbor Township (part) and Hamilton Township (part) (R, 2017), Ernest D. Coursey, Freeholder District 1, including Atlantic City (part), Egg Harbor Township (part) and Pleasantville (R, 2016), Richard Dase, Freeholder District 4, including Absecon, Brigantine, Galloway Township and Port Republic (D, 2016), Alexander C. Marino, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2017), Will Pauls, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2016) and John W. Risley, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2017). Constitutional officers are County Clerk Edward P. McGettigan (2016), Sheriff Frank X. Balles (R, 2017) and Surrogate James Curcio (2015).

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 4,833 registered voters in Buena Vista Township, of which 1,406 (29.1% vs. 30.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,105 (22.9% vs. 25.2%) were registered as Republicans and 2,320 (48.0% vs. 44.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered to other parties. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 63.8% (vs. 58.8% in Atlantic County) were registered to vote, including 82.8% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 76.6% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 1,920 votes (55.3% vs. 57.9% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 1,483 votes (42.7% vs. 41.1%) and other candidates with 36 votes (1.0% vs. 0.9%), among the 3,471 ballots cast by the township's 5,068 registered voters, for a turnout of 68.5% (vs. 65.8% in Atlantic County). In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 1,910 votes (54.8% vs. 56.5% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 1,504 votes (43.1% vs. 41.6%) and other candidates with 50 votes (1.4% vs. 1.1%), among the 3,486 ballots cast by the township's 5,131 registered voters, for a turnout of 67.9% (vs. 68.1% in Atlantic County). In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 1,747 votes (52.4% vs. 52.0% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 1,504 votes (45.1% vs. 46.2%) and other candidates with 36 votes (1.1% vs. 0.8%), among the 3,333 ballots cast by the township's 4,791 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.6% (vs. 69.8% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,347 votes (57.2% vs. 60.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 889 votes (37.7% vs. 34.9%) and other candidates with 39 votes (1.7% vs. 1.3%), among the 2,356 ballots cast by the township's 5,158 registered voters, yielding a 45.7% turnout (vs. 41.5% in the county). In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,191 votes (46.4% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,149 votes (44.7% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 132 votes (5.1% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 37 votes (1.4% vs. 1.2%), among the 2,568 ballots cast by the township's 4,916 registered voters, yielding a 52.2% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).

Education

Students in public school for pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade from Buena Vista Township attend the Buena Regional School District, together with students from Buena Borough and Newfield, a non-operating school district. Students are sent to the district's high school for ninth through twelfth grades from both Estell Manor City and Weymouth Township as part of sending/receiving relationships with the respective school districts. Newfield, decided to sever its ties with the Buena Regional School District, and began a relationship with Delsea Regional School District, a plan approved in 2009 by the New Jersey Department of Education under which students attending grades 10-12 at Buena Regional High School as of the 2010-11 school year would finish their education there.

As of the 2011-12 school year, the district's six schools had an enrollment of 2,356 students and 163.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.45:1. Schools in the district (with 2010-11 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Collings Lakes Elementary School (now grades PreK-3, was K-5; 261 students) John C. Milanesi Elementary School (now PreK-3, was PreK-5, 447), Dr. J.P. Cleary Elementary School (opened in September 2012 for grades 4-5), Buena Regional Middle School (507; 6-8) and Buena Regional High School (814; 9-12).

Students from the borough, and from all of Atlantic County, are eligible to attend Atlantic County Institute of Technology, located in the Mays Landing section of Hamilton Township, which provides vocational education in 30 different career programs as part of the Atlantic County Vocational School District.

Founded in 1959, St. Augustine Preparatory School is an all-male Catholic high school, operated under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden.

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 121.52 miles (195.57 km) of roadways, of which 90.65 miles (145.89 km) were maintained by the municipality, 21.27 miles (34.23 km) by Atlantic County and 9.60 miles (15.45 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides service between the Atlantic City Bus Terminal in Atlantic City and Upper Deerfield Township on the 553 route.