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Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Pittsgrove Township is a township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 8,777,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 616 (−6.6%) from the 2010 census count of 9,393,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 500 (+5.6%) from the 8,893 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>

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.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 217. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref> The township was named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, a supporter of the colonial cause.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 19, 2015.</ref><ref>Town and County Names, Visit Salem County. Accessed September 19, 2015. "Set off from Piles Grove and named in honor of Sir William Pitt the famous English statesman and orator, before he accepted the Earldom of Chatham."</ref>

History

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The Alliance Colony was a Jewish agricultural community that was founded on May 10, 1882, in Pittsgrove Township. It was named after the Alliance Israélite Universelle of Paris and was funded by the Hebrew Emigrant Aid Society of New York and Philadelphia and the Baron De Hirsch Fund.<ref>Reis, J. C. Alliance, New Jersey, Jewish Encyclopedia. Accessed February 18, 2025. "An agricultural colony situated in the southeastern part of Salem county, New Jersey, four miles from Vineland, ten from Bridgeton, ten from Millville, and about forty-three miles from Philadelphia. It was named in honor of the Alliance Israélite Universelle of Paris, and was founded May 10, 1882, by the Hebrew Emigrant Aid Society of New York and Philadelphia."</ref> The Moshe Bayuk House is the last remaining structure at the site of the colony.<ref>Moshe Bayuk House, New Jersey Historic Trust.Accessed February 18, 2025. "The Moshe Bayuk House is associated with the late 19th and early 20th century Alliance Colony. The Alliance Colony was established in 1882, an important Jewish agricultural community founded by Jews fleeing persecution in Russia and Eastern Europe during the 19th century. While many of the original buildings have been lost, the Bayuk House is the last in situ residence associated with the Alliance Colony."</ref>

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 45.75 square miles (118.50 km2), including 44.90 square miles (116.29 km2) of land and 0.85 square miles (2.21 km2) of water (1.87%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Olivet (with a 2010 Census population of 1,408<ref>DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Olivet CDP, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2013.</ref>) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Pittsgrove Township.<ref>GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Salem County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2013.</ref><ref>2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2013.</ref><ref name=CPH232>New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed January 19, 2013.</ref>

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Alliance, Brotmanville, Centerton, Daretown, Greenville, Norma, Norma Station, Palatine, Parvin Lake, Rainbow Lake, Six Points, Union Grove, Upper Neck and Willow Grove.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>

The township borders the municipalities of Elmer Borough and Upper Pittsgrove Township in Salem County; Deerfield Township, Upper Deerfield Township and Vineland in Cumberland County and Franklin Township in Gloucester County.<ref>Salem County Map, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 2, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2010 census

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The 2010 United States census counted 9,393 people, 3,307 households, and 2,576 families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 3,445 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.80% (451) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 3,307 households, 31.8% had children under the age of 18; 60.1% were married couples living together; 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 22.1% were non-families. Of all households, 17.8% 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.<ref name=Census2010/>

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 population had 99.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.0 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

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.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Pittsgrove township, Salem County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2013.</ref>

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 8,893 people, 3,020 households, and 2,422 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 3,155 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Pittsgrove township, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 31, 2016.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Pittsgrove township, Salem County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2013.</ref>

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.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

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.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

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.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Government

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Local government

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File:Pittsgrove Township, NJ municipal building, Sept. 2024.jpg
Municipal Building

Pittsgrove Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are 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.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 19.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.

Template:As of, members of the Pittsgrove Township Committee are Mayor Fiore Copare (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2023; term as mayor ends 2022), Deputy Mayor Francesca I. Spinelli (R, term on committee ends 2024; term as deputy mayor ends 2022), Eric Harz (R, 2022), William A. Schmidt (R, 2023) and Kevin Yeagle (R, 2024).<ref name=Committee>Township Committee, Pittsgrove Township. Accessed July 31, 2022.</ref><ref>2021 Municipal Data Sheet, Pittsgrove Township. Accessed July 31, 2022.</ref><ref name=Salem2021>Election Summary Report General Election Salem County November 2, 2021 Official Results Report, Salem County, New Jersey, updated November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref><ref name=Salem2020>Election Summary Report Salem County NJ General Election November 3, 2020 Official Report, Salem County, New Jersey, updated November 25, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref><ref name=Salem2019>November 5, 2019 Summary Report Salem County, NJ Official Results, Salem County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 18, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.</ref>

Public safety

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Pittsgrove Township is protected by the New Jersey State Police.<ref>Facts About Pittsgrove, Pittsgrove Township. Accessed February 18, 2025.</ref> American Legion Ambulance Corps (who purchased the Elmer Ambulance Corps in 2018) and Norma/Alliance Rescue provide EMS services to the township. Centerton Fire Company,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Willow Grove Fire Company, and Norma/Alliance Fire Rescue provide fire protection services for the township.<ref>Fire Districts, Pittsgrove Township. Accessed February 18, 2025.</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

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Pittsgrove Township is located in the 2nd Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 3rd state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

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Politics

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As of March 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 as either Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Salem, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed January 19, 2013.</ref> 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).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2013.</ref>

In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received 58% of the vote (2,508 cast), ahead of Democrat Hillary Clinton with 38.3% (1,655 votes), and other candidates with 3.6% (155 votes), among the 4,318 ballots cast in total.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> 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).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Salem County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 19, 2013.</ref> 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).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Salem County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 19, 2013.</ref>

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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%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> 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).<ref>2009 Governor: Salem County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed January 19, 2013.</ref>

Education

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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.<ref name=Dailey>Dailey, Jennifer. "Elmer and Pittsgrove school districts to merge through send and receive agreement", Today's Sunbeam, June 17, 2009. Accessed February 18, 2025. "The Elmer Board of Education voted unanimously during its school board meeting here Tuesday night to merge with Pittsgrove through a full send and receive agreement. The agreement could have Elmer and Pittsgrove students attending school together."</ref><ref>Dunn, Phil. "Pittsgrove Township Board of Education weighing how many choice students it will accept into district", Today's Sunbeam, December 19, 2011. Accessed February 18, 2025. "Brodzik said the 2011 number includes the influx of students they gained from Elmer since the school became part of the Pittsgrove district."</ref><ref>Elmer Elementary School 2014 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 8, 2015. "The Elmer School has been part of the Pittsgrove Township School District for 4 years. Previously the Borough of Elmer's Kindergarten through fourth grade children attended school at the Elmer School while the rest of their students participated in a send/receive agreement with Pittsgrove Township Schools for grades five through twelve. A full send/receive agreement with the Elmer Borough Board of Education was reached for the 2010-2011 school year. All students from both Pittsgrove and Elmer attend school together from preschool through twelfth grade. Elmer Elementary School now houses 200 Pittsgrove and Elmer students in grades one and two."</ref> Initially this was done as part of a full sending/receiving relationship from Elmer to Pittsgrove Township.<ref name=Dailey/> The Elmer School District fully dissolved after the 2016–17 school year<ref>Education, Elmer Borough. Accessed February 18, 2025. "As of July 31, 2017, there is no longer an Elmer Board of Education."</ref> and was absorbed by the Pittsgrove Township district, which paid $620,000 to acquire the Elmer School facility.<ref>Gallo, Bill Jr. "Merger means N.J. has one less school district and $2.8M debt was 'forgiven'", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, August 3, 2017. Accessed February 18, 2025. "As part of the consolidation, Pittsgrove purchased the Elmer School building for $620,000, officials said.... As part of the consolidation approval, it was agreed that the $2.8 million that Elmer schools owed to the state would be forgiven."</ref>

As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of five schools, had an enrollment of 1,680 students and 142.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.8:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Pittsgrove Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2023–24 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Pittsgrove Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref>) are Norma Elementary School<ref>Norma Elementary School, Pittsgrove Township School District. Accessed February 18, 2025.</ref> with 131 students in grades PreK–K, Elmer Elementary School<ref>Elmer Elementary School, Pittsgrove Township School District. Accessed February 18, 2025.</ref> with 197 students in grades 1–2, Olivet Elementary School<ref>Olivet Elementary School, Pittsgrove Township School District. Accessed February 18, 2025.</ref> with 351 students in grades 3–5, Pittsgrove Township Middle School<ref>Pittsgrove Township Middle School, Pittsgrove Township School District. Accessed February 18, 2025.</ref> with 483 students in grades 6–8 and A.P. Schalick High School<ref>A.P. Schalick High School, Pittsgrove Township School District. Accessed February 18, 2025.</ref> with 478 students in grades 9–12.<ref>Schools, Pittsgrove Township School District. Accessed February 18, 2025. "Pittsgrove Township School District is comprised of five schools and is located in Salem County in Southern New Jersey. Our student body consists of approximately 2000 students in grades Pre-K through 12."</ref><ref>Pittsgrove Township School District 2021-22 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 18, 2025. "The Pittsgrove Township educational community is comprised of five schools: Norma Elementary School, Elmer Elementary School, Olivet Elementary School, Pittsgrove Township Middle School, and A.P. Schalick High School."</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Pittsgrove Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Pittsgrove Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

Transportation

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File:2018-08-15 11 52 23 View west along U.S. Route 40 (Harding Highway) just west of Salem County Route 553 (Buck Road) along the border of Pittsgrove Township and Upper Pittsgrove Township in Salem County, New Jersey.jpg
U.S. Route 40 westbound on the border of Pittsgrove Township and Upper Pittsgrove Township

Template:As of, the township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, the highest in the county, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Salem County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Salem County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 1, 2013.</ref>

U.S. Route 40 is the most prominent highway serving Pittsgrove Township, crossing east–west along the northern edge of the township. Other significant roads within the township include Route 56, which passes through the southern part of the township,<ref>Route 56 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, February 2009. Accessed November 1, 2013.</ref> while a small portion of Route 55 passes through the eastern part of the township<ref>Route 55 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, January 2009. Accessed November 1, 2013.</ref> County highways include County Route 540, which passes east / west through the township,<ref>County Route 540 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, October 2006. Accessed November 1, 2013.</ref> intersecting and briefly overlapping with County Route 553, which crosses in a north / south direction.<ref>County Route 553 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, September 2007. Accessed November 1, 2013.</ref>

Notable people

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

References

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