Salem_County,_New_Jersey

Salem County, New Jersey

Salem County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 64,285. Its county seat is Salem. The Old Salem County Courthouse, situated on the same block as the Salem County Courthouse, serves as the court for Salem City. It is the oldest active courthouse in New Jersey and is the second oldest courthouse in continuous use in the United States, the oldest being King William County Courthouse (1725) in Virginia. The courthouse was built in 1735 during the reign of King George II using locally manufactured bricks. The building was enlarged in 1817 and additionally enlarged and remodeled in 1908. Its distinctive bell tower is essentially unchanged and the original bell sits in the courtroom.

Judge William Hancock of the King's Court presided at the courthouse. He was later unintentionally killed by the British in the American Revolution during the massacre of Hancock House committed by the British against local militia during the Salem Raid in 1778. The courthouse was afterwards the scene of the "treason trials," wherein suspected Loyalists were put on trial for having allegedly aided the British during the Salem Raid. Four men were convicted and sentenced to death for treason; however, they were pardoned by Governor William Livingston and exiled from New Jersey. The courthouse is also the site of the legend of Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson proving the edibility of the tomato. Before 1820, Americans often assumed tomatoes were poisonous. In 1820, Colonel Johnson, according to legend, stood upon the courthouse steps and ate tomatoes in front of a large amazed crowd assembled to watch him do so.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 373 square miles (965 km²), of which, 338 square miles (875 km²) of it is land and 35 square miles (90 km²) of it (9.31%) is water.

The terrain is almost uniformly flat coastal plain, with minimal relief. The highest elevation in the county has never been determined with any specificity, but is likely one of seven low rises in Upper Pittsgrove Township that exceed 160 feet (48.7 m) in elevation. Sea level is the lowest point.

Adjacent counties

Gloucester County, New Jersey - northeast
Cumberland County, New Jersey - southeast
Kent County, Delaware- southwest¹
New Castle County, Delaware - west

¹across Delaware Bay; no land border

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 64,285 people, 24,295 households, and 17,370 families residing in the county. The population density was 190 people per square mile (73/km²). There were 26,158 housing units at an average density of 77 per square mile (30/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.19% White, 14.77% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.57% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. 3.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.0% were of German, 13.2% Irish, 12.8% Italian, 11.1% English and 7.7% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 24,295 households out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% were married couples living together, 13.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,573, and the median income for a family was $54,890. Males had a median income of $41,860 versus $27,209 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,874. About 7.20% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Salem County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of seven members. Freeholders are elected at large by the voters of Salem County in partisan elections and serve staggered three-year terms. As of 2007, Salem County's Freeholders are:

Lee R. Ware - Freeholder Director (term ends 2007)
Bruce L. Bobbitt - Freeholder Deputy Director (2008)
Julie Acton (2007)
Jeffrey J. Hogan (2009)
David Lindenmuth (2008)
Chuck Sullivan (2008)
Beth Timberman (2009)

Politics

In the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, George W. Bush carried the county by a 6.6% margin over John Kerry, with Kerry carrying the state by 6.7% over Bush.

Municipalities

The following municipalities are located in Salem County. The municipality type is listed in parentheses after the name, except where the type is included as part of the name. Other, unincorporated areas in the county are listed below their parent municipality (or municipalities, as the case may be). Most of these areas are census-designated places that have been created by the United States Census Bureau for enumeration purposes within a Township. Other communities and enclaves that exist within a municipality are marked as non-CDP next to the name.