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Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey

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Country
  
United States

County
  
Salem

Incorporated
  
February 21, 1798

Zip code
  
08318

Local time
  
Monday 8:31 PM

State
  
New Jersey

Royal charter
  
December 6, 1769

Area
  
118.9 km²

Population
  
8,893 (2000)

Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey httpsaprdcpixcom2090207162a5699e41c9c5083cd

Named for
  
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham

Weather
  
7°C, Wind W at 10 km/h, 46% Humidity

Pittsgrove Township is a township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 9,393, reflecting an increase of 500 (+5.6%) from the 8,893 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 772 (+9.5%) from the 8,121 counted in the 1990 Census.

Contents

Map of Pittsgrove Township, NJ 08318, USA

Pittsgrove Township was formed by Royal charter on December 6, 1769 and was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of the initial group of 104 townships established in New Jersey. Portions of the township were taken on March 4, 1822, to form Centreville Township (which was restored in 1829 when the township was dissolved), on March 10, 1846, to form Upper Pittsgrove Township and on January 28, 1893, to form Elmer borough. The township was named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, a supporter of the colonial cause.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 45.915 square miles (118.920 km2), including 45.083 square miles (116.765 km2) of land and 0.832 square miles (2.155 km2) of water (1.81%).

Olivet (with a 2010 Census population of 1,408) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Pittsgrove Township.

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Alliance, Brotmanville, Centerton, Centerton, Daretown, Greenville, Norma, Norma Station, Palatine, Parvin Lake, Rainbow Lake, Six Points, Union Grove, Upper Neck and Willow Grove.

The township borders Elmer Borough and Upper Pittsgrove Township. Pittsgrove Township also borders Cumberland County and Gloucester County.

Census 2010

The 2010 United States Census counted 9,393 people, 3,307 households, and 2,576 families residing in the township. The population density was 208.3 per square mile (80.4/km2). The township contained 3,445 housing units at an average density of 76.4 per square mile (29.5/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 88.17% (8,282) White, 6.97% (655) Black or African American, 0.42% (39) Native American, 0.94% (88) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 1.39% (131) from other races, and 2.10% (197) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.80% (451) of the population.

Out of a total of 3,307 households, 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the township, 23.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 32.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.6 years. For every 100 females the census counted 99.0 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 95.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $74,348 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,547) and the median family income was $83,564 (+/- $7,149). Males had a median income of $56,300 (+/- $5,678) versus $38,056 (+/- $6,727) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,606 (+/- $1,671). About 2.4% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 8,893 people, 3,020 households, and 2,422 families residing in the township. The population density was 196.8 people per square mile (76.0/km²). There were 3,155 housing units at an average density of 69.8 per square mile (27.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 88.14% White, 8.04% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.41% of the population.

There were 3,020 households out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.8% were non-families. 16.2% 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 2.90 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the township the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $56,687, and the median income for a family was $63,266. Males had a median income of $42,653 versus $27,173 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,624. About 3.5% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.

Local government

Pittsgrove Township 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 as Deputy Mayor.

As of 2016, members of the Pittsgrove Township Committee are Mayor Dr. Fiore Copare (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2017; term as mayor ends 2016), Deputy Mayor H. Kirk Craver (R, term on committee ends 2017; term as deputy mayor ends 2016), Melissa Conover (R, 2016; elected to serve an unexpired term), Linda A. DuBois (R, 2016) and Francesca I. Spinelli (R, 2018).

The Township Council appointed Democrat William Jones to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Ralph Padilla until his resignation from office in December 2014. In the November 2015 general election, Republican Melissa Conover defeated Jones and was elected to serve the one-year balance of the term of office.

Federal, state and county representation

Pittsgrove Township is located in the 2nd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 3rd 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 3rd Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Stephen M. Sweeney (D, West Deptford Township) and in the General Assembly by John J. Burzichelli (D, Paulsboro) and Adam Taliaferro (D, Woolwich Township). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Salem County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders who are elected at-large to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Director and a Deputy Director from among its members. As of 2014, Salem County's Freeholders (with party, residence, term-end year and committee chairmanship listed in parentheses) are Director Julie A. Acton (R, Pennsville Township, 2016; Administration), Deputy Director Dale A. Cross (R, Pennsville Township, 2014; Public Safety), Bruce L. Bobbitt (D, Pilesgrove Township, 2014; Public Services), Ben Laury (R, Elmer, 2015; Public Works) Beth E. Timberman (D, Woodstown, 2015; Social Services), Robert J. Vanderslice (R, Pennsville Township, 2014; Health and Human Services) Lee R. Ware (D, Elsinboro Township, 2016; Transportation, Agriculture and Cultural Affairs). Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are County Clerk Gilda T. Gill (2014), Sheriff Charles M. Miller (2015) and Surrogate Nicki A. Burke (2015).

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 5,928 registered voters in Pittsgrove Township, of which 1,618 (27.3% vs. 30.6% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,223 (20.6% vs. 21.0%) were registered as Republicans and 3,085 (52.0% vs. 48.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered to other parties. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 63.1% (vs. 64.6% in Salem County) were registered to vote, including 82.3% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 84.4% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 50.2% of the vote (2,114 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 48.6% (2,046 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (47 votes), among the 4,229 ballots cast by the township's 6,130 registered voters (22 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 69.0%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 2,279 votes (50.0% vs. 50.4% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 2,162 votes (47.5% vs. 46.6%) and other candidates with 71 votes (1.6% vs. 1.6%), among the 4,554 ballots cast by the township's 6,225 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.2% (vs. 71.8% in Salem County). In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,233 votes (51.0% vs. 52.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 2,077 votes (47.4% vs. 45.9%) and other candidates with 50 votes (1.1% vs. 1.0%), among the 4,380 ballots cast by the township's 6,022 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.7% (vs. 71.0% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 64.0% of the vote (1,764 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 33.6% (926 votes), and other candidates with 2.4% (67 votes), among the 2,908 ballots cast by the township's 6,077 registered voters (151 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 47.9%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,422 votes (46.9% vs. 46.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,198 votes (39.5% vs. 39.9%), Independent Chris Daggett with 243 votes (8.0% vs. 9.7%) and other candidates with 43 votes (1.4% vs. 2.0%), among the 3,035 ballots cast by the township's 6,164 registered voters, yielding a 49.2% turnout (vs. 47.3% in the county).

Education

Public school students from Pittsgrove Township and Elmer borough attend the Pittsgrove Township School District for kindergarten through twelfth grade as part of a full sending/receiving relationship in which the former Elmer School was integrated into the district as of 2011 and students from both Elmer and Pittsgrove Township attend school together throughout their education.

As of the 2012-13 school year, the district's five schools had an enrollment of 1,796 students and 132.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.51:1. Schools in the district (with 2012-13 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Norma Elementary School for Preschool-K (167 students), Elmer Elementary School for grades 1-2 (212), Olivet Elementary School for grades 3-5 (373), Pittsgrove Township Middle School for grades 6-8 (467) and A.P. Schalick High School for grades 9-12 (577).

Transportation

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 125.38 miles (201.78 km) of roadways, the highest in the county, of which 57.54 miles (92.60 km) were maintained by the municipality, 64.99 miles (104.59 km) by Salem County and 2.85 miles (4.59 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

State highways include Route 56, which passes through the southern part of the township, while a small portion of Route 55 passes through the eastern part of the township County highways include County Route 540, which passes east / west through the township, intersecting and briefly overlapping with County Route 553, which crosses in a north / south direction.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Pittsgrove Township include:

  • Stanley Brotman (1924-2014), Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
  • Jack Collins (born 1943), former Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly.
  • Paul Gause (born 1986), professional basketball player for the Newcastle Eagles in the British Basketball League.
  • Michael Iaconelli (born 1972), professional bass fisherman, winner of 2003 Bassmaster Classic.
  • Kevin Jackson (born 1978), former U.S. soccer midfielder who spent five seasons in the USL First Division and two in the Premier Development League.
  • Jamarr Andre Johnson (born 1988), professional basketball player for CLS Knights Surabaya in Indonesia.
  • Joseph B. Perskie (1885-1957), Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1933 to 1947.
  • References

    Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey Wikipedia