Gloucester Township, New Jersey

Gloucester Township is a Township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 64,350.

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).

Glendora and Blackwood are census-designated places and unincorporated areas located within Gloucester Township. Erial is an unincorporated community within the township.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 23.3 square miles (60.4 km²), of which, 23.2 square miles (60.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (0.43%) is water.

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.

Demographics

As of the census 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/sq mi (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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

Government

Local government

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

The Mayor of Gloucester Township is Cindy Rau Hatton. Members of the Gloucester Township Council are Council President Glen Bianchini, Council Vice President Orlando Mercado, Crystal Evans, Ken Garbowski, Dan Hutchison, Shelley Lovett and Franklin Schmidt.

Federal, state and county representation

Gloucester Township is in the First Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 4th Legislative District.

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 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are eight elementary schools which are Blackwood Elementary School (612 students), Chews Elementary School (719), Erial Elementary School (809), Glendora Elementary School (282), Gloucester Township Elementary School (264), James W. Lilley Elementary (729), Loring-Flemming Elementary (798) and Union Valley Elementary School (718). The district's three middle schools are Glen Landing Middle School (915 students), Charles W. Lewis Middle School (719 students) and Ann A. Mullen Middle School (1,148 students).

For grades 9 through 12, there are three high schools that are part of the Black Horse Pike Regional School District: Highland Regional High School (1,206 students), Timber Creek Regional High School (1,489 students) and Triton Regional High School (1,523 students). 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.

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

Saint Agnes Regional School and St. Jude Regional School are elementary schools that operate under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden

Camden County College is located in Blackwood, the heart of the municipality. 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.

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.

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Gloucester Township include:

• Sandra Love (1945-), serves in the New Jersey General Assembly and was the township's mayor from 1992-2006.
• David R. Mayer (1967-), who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represents the 4th legislative district. Mayer served on the Gloucester Township Council from 2002-2003.

References

External links

• Gloucester Township website
• Gloucester Township Public Schools
• Data for the Gloucester Township Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• Black Horse Pike Regional School District