Editing Salem County, New Jersey

{{Short description|County in New Jersey, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county             = Salem County
| state              = New Jersey
| type               = [[List of counties in New Jersey|County]]
| official_name      =
| ex image           = Salem Nuclear Power Plant.jpg
| ex image size      = 300px
| ex image cap       = The [[Salem Nuclear Power Plant]], as seen from [[Delaware Bay]]
| flag               = Salem County Flag.gif
| seal               = Salem County, New Jersey seal.png
| founded year       = 1694<ref name=Story/>
| founded date       = 
| leader_title       = County Commission Director 
| leader_name        = Ben H. Laury ([[New Jersey Republican Party|R]], term ends December 31, 2024)
| seat               = [[Salem, New Jersey|Salem]]<ref name=CountyMap/> 
| largest city       = [[Pennsville Township, New Jersey|Pennsville Township]] (population)<br>[[Lower Alloways Creek Township, New Jersey|Lower Alloways Creek Township]] (area)
| city type          = municipalities
| named for          = [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] word meaning "peace"<ref name=Origin/>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 372.55
| area_land_sq_mi    = 331.86
| area_water_sq_mi   =  40.69
| area percentage    =  10.9
| area_footnotes     = <ref name=CensusArea/>
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_total   = 64837
| population_footnotes = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/>
| pop_est_as_of      = 2024
| population_est     = 65874 {{increase}}
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst/>
| population_density_sq_mi= auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
| district = 2nd
| website={{url|salemcountynj.gov}}|time zone=Eastern}}
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q502587|type=shape|text=Interactive map of Salem County, New Jersey}}

'''Salem County''' is the westernmost [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]]. Its western boundary is formed by the [[Delaware River]], and it has the eastern terminus of the [[Delaware Memorial Bridge]], which connects the county with [[New Castle, Delaware]]. Its [[county seat]] is [[Salem, New Jersey|Salem]].<ref name=CountyMap>[https://www.nj.gov/state/archives/catctytable.html New Jersey County Map], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed December 2, 2022.</ref> The county is part of the [[South Jersey]] region of the state.<ref>Willis, David P. [https://www.app.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/2023/02/20/central-jersey-debate-ocean-union-county-nj/69914996007/ "'This is how wars start': Does Central Jersey include both Ocean and Union counties?"], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', February 20, 2023. Accessed March 31, 2024. "North Jersey is defined as Sussex, Warren, Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex and Hudson counties; South Jersey would be Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties. But for Central, things get a little tricky. It would include Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties."</ref>

The county lies within the [[Philadelphia]] metropolitan area, also known as the [[Delaware Valley]] area. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the county retained its position as the state's [[List of counties in New Jersey|least-populous county]],<ref name=Largest2020>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_PL94_Summary/Table_1_2020.xlsx Table1. New Jersey Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships: 2020 and 2010 Censuses], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref><ref>Wu, Sen-Yuan. [https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/pub/lmv/LMV_1.pdf ''NJ Labor Market Views; Population Keeps Growing in the Most Densely Populated State''], [[United States Census Bureau]], March 15, 2011. Accessed December 26, 2022.</ref> with a population of 64,837,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 1,246 (−1.9%) from the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] count of 66,083.<ref name=Census2010/> The most populous place in Salem County is [[Pennsville Township, New Jersey|Pennsville Township]] with 12,684 residents as of the 2020 Census.<ref name=LWD2020/> [[Lower Alloways Creek Township, New Jersey|Lower Alloways Creek Township]] covers {{convert|72.46|sqmi}}, the largest total area of any municipality.<ref name=CPH232/>

Salem County, along with adjacent [[Gloucester County, New Jersey|Gloucester County]], also in South Jersey, have become an [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast epicenter]] for [[logistics]] and [[warehouse]] construction.<ref name=SouthJerseyEastCoastLogisticsEpicenter>{{cite web|url=https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2021/05/warehouses-sprawl-northern-nj-central-nj-newmark-reports-greenfields/amp/|title=Report details surge in warehouse construction…|author=Jon Hurdle|publisher=NJ Spotlight News|date=May 13, 2021|access-date=January 7, 2023|quote=In South Jersey, the area has become the “epicenter” of warehouse construction in the greater Philadelphia region.. Salem County sizzles..The South Jersey report included data from Salem County for the first time, in recognition of its rapid growth in the warehouse market. It noted that commercial rents are rising in the county although they are still lower than those in other areas..’Activity in the Southern New Jersey industrial market continues to amaze,’ the report said.|archive-date=July 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709172509/https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2021/05/warehouses-sprawl-northern-nj-central-nj-newmark-reports-greenfields/amp/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
=== Etymology ===
The county derives its name from the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] word [[shalom]], which means "peace", chosen by early [[Quakers|Quaker]] settlers to mark the serenity of the area.<ref name=Origin>Hutchinson, Viola L. [http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/356/nj_place_names_origin.pdf#page=28 ''The Origin of New Jersey Place Names''], New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed April 4, 2023.</ref><ref>[[Henry Gannett|Gannett, Henry]]. [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n271 <!-- pg=272 --> ''The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States''], p. 272. [[United States Government Printing Office]], 1905. Accessed April 4, 2023.</ref>

=== Early history ===
European settlement began with English colonists in the seventeenth century, who were settling both sides of the Delaware River. They established a colonial court in the area in 1681, but Salem County was first formally organized within [[West Jersey]] on May 17, 1694, from the Salem Tenth. [[Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey|Pittsgrove Township]] was transferred to [[Cumberland County, New Jersey|Cumberland County]] in April 1867, but was restored to Salem County in February 1868.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. [http://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/bulletin67.pdf ''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''], Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 120. Accessed October 30, 2012.</ref> The area was initially settled by Quakers.{{fact|date=May 2025}}

The [[Old Salem County Courthouse]], located on the same block as the Salem County Courthouse, serves as the court for Salem City in the 21st century. 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]] in Virginia.<ref>[http://www.kingwilliamcounty.us/ Welcome to King William County]</ref> The courthouse was built in 1735 during the reign of King [[George II of Great Britain|George II]] using locally manufactured bricks.<ref>[http://www.salemcitynj.com/trails.html Welcome to Salem, New Jersey] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807161358/http://www.salemcitynj.com/trails.html |date=August 7, 2008}}</ref> 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.{{fact|date=May 2025}}

[[William Hancock Jr. (judge)|Judge William Hancock]] of the King's Court presided at the courthouse.<ref>[http://cupojersey.blogspot.com/2007/11/william-hancock-house-hancocks-bridge.html William Hancock House, Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey], Cup O'Jersey - South Jersey History</ref>  He was later killed by the [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] in the [[American Revolutionary War]] during the massacre at [[Hancock House (New Jersey)|Hancock House]] committed by the British against [[Patriot (American Revolution)|local militia]] during the Salem Raid in 1778. Afterward the courthouse was the site of the "treason trials", wherein suspected [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|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's 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 crowd assembled to watch him do so.<ref>"The Story of Robert Gibbon Johnson and the Tomato", ''The History Highway'' of the Salem County Historical Society. May 2005. Accessed August 13, 2007. {{cite web |url=http://www.salemcounty.com/schs/The%20Salem%20County%20Historical%20Society%20%20%20%20%20%20May%202005.htm |title=The Salem County Historical Society May 2005 No |access-date=August 14, 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724074214/http://www.salemcounty.com/schs/The%20Salem%20County%20Historical%20Society%20%20%20%20%20%20May%202005.htm |archive-date=July 24, 2008 }}</ref>

Salem County is notable for its distinctive [[Quaker]]-inspired [[architecture]] and masonry styles of the 18th century.<ref name="nc architecture">{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NccTgQkmPIEC
|publisher=[[University of North Carolina Press]]
|year=2005|pages=17
|title=North Carolina Architecture |first=Catherine |last=Bishir|isbn=9780807856246
}}</ref> It had a rural and agricultural economy. In the early 20th century, its towns received numerous immigrants from eastern and southern Europe, who markedly added to the population. In the period following World War II, the county's population increased due to suburban development. To accommodate increasing traffic, the [[Delaware Memorial Bridge]] was built from Salem County to [[New Castle, Delaware]].{{fact|date=May 2025}}

==Geography and climate==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of {{convert|372.55|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|331.86|sqmi}} was land (89.1%) and {{convert|40.69|sqmi}} was water (10.9%).<ref name=CensusArea>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_34.txt 2020 Census Gazetteer File for Counties in New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed April 1, 2023.</ref> The county is bordered on the west by the [[Delaware River]], and drained by [[Salem River]], [[Alloway Creek|Alloway]], and other creeks.<ref>{{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Salem (county)|display=Salem, a S. W. county of New Jersey}}</ref>

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, New Jersey|Upper Pittsgrove Township]] that reach approximately {{convert|160|ft}} in elevation.<ref>[http://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=13320 New Jersey County High Points], Peakbagger.com. Accessed October 1, 2013.</ref> Sea level is the lowest point.

The county has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa'') and monthly temperatures in [[Salem, New Jersey|Salem city]] average from {{Convert|33.2|F|C}} in January to {{Convert|77.2|F|C}} in July, while in [[Elmer, New Jersey|Elmer]] they average from {{Convert|33.1|F|C}} in January to {{Convert|76.8|F|C}} in July.<ref>[http://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/ Time Series Values for Individual Locations], [[Oregon State University]]. Accessed June 24, 2023.</ref>

===Climate and weather===
{{climate chart
|[[Salem, New Jersey]]
|25|40|3.01
|27|44|2.78
|34|52|3.92
|43|64|3.50
|53|73|3.95
|63|82|3.88
|68|86|4.57
|66|84|3.25
|58|77|4.32
|46|66|3.42
|37|56|3.10
|29|45|3.48
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name="weather">{{cite web
  |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USNJ0465
  |title=Monthly Averages for Salem, New Jersey
  |access-date=October 13, 2012
|publisher=The Weather Channel
}}</ref>}}
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Salem have ranged from a low of {{convert|25|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|86|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-14|°F}} was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of {{convert|107|°F}} was recorded in August 1918. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|2.78|in}} in February to {{convert|4.57|in}} in July.<ref name="weather"/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 10437
|1800= 11371
|1810= 12761
|1820= 14022
|1830= 14155
|1840= 16024
|1850= 19467
|1860= 22458
|1870= 23940
|1880= 24579
|1890= 25151
|1900= 25530
|1910= 26999
|1920= 36572
|1930= 36834
|1940= 42274
|1950= 49508
|1960= 58711
|1970= 60346
|1980= 64676
|1990= 65294
|2000= 64285
|2010= 66083
|2020= 64837
| estyear=2024
| estimate=65874
| estref=<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2024/counties/totals/co-est2023-pop-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024], [[United States Census Bureau]], released March 2025. Accessed March 26, 2025.</ref>
|footnote=Historical sources: 1790–1990<ref>Forstall, Richard L. [https://books.google.com/books?id=sezaSI_LPA8C&pg=PA108 ''Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 from the Twenty-one Decennial Censuses''], pp. 108-109. [[United States Census Bureau]], March 1996. {{ISBN|9780934213486}}. Accessed October 6, 2013.</ref><br/>1970–2010<ref name=CPH232>[https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-32.pdf#page=32 ''New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts; 2010 Census of Population and Housing''], p. 6, CPH-2-32. [[United States Census Bureau]], August 2012. Accessed August 29, 2016.</ref> 2010<ref name=Census2010>[https://archive.today/20200212092204/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US34033 DP1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Salem County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed October 13, 2021.</ref> 2020<ref name=Census2020>[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/salemcountynewjersey QuickFacts Salem County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed March 26, 2025.</ref><ref name=LWD2020>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_Mun/MCD%200_All.pdf Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 U.S. census]], the county's had 64,837 people, 24,404 households, and 16,880 families.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019|title=HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES (S1101){{!}} Salem County (ACS 1-Year)|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US34033&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S1101|access-date=January 21, 2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau (USCB)}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|195.35|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 27,763 housing units at an average density of {{convert|83.64|/sqmi|/km2|1}}.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020|title=Salem County {{!}} Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US34033|access-date=January 21, 2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau (USCB)}}</ref> The racial makeup was 79.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 13.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 3.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 9.8% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019|title=DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES (DP05) {{!}} Salem County (ACS 1-Year)|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US34033&tid=ACSDP1Y2019.DP05|access-date=January 21, 2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau (USCB)}}</ref>

Of the 24,404 households, of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present and 30.8% were non-families, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.03.

About 21.0% of the population was under age 18, 8.0% was from age 18 to 24, 35.2% was from age 15 to 44, and 19.8% was age 65 or older. The median age was 43.1 years. The gender makeup was 47.9% male and 52.1% female. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019|title=AGE AND SEX (S0101) {{!}} Salem County (ACS 1-Year)|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US34033&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S0101|access-date=January 21, 2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau (USCB)}}</ref>

The median household income was $68,531, and the median family income was $81,122. About 12.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019|title=INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (S1901) {{!}} Salem County (ACS|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US34033&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S1901|access-date=January 21, 2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau (USCB)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019|title=POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (S1701) {{!}} Salem County (ACS 1-Year)|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US34033&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S1701|access-date=January 21, 2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau (USCB)}}</ref>

===2010 census===
The [[2010 United States census]] counted 66,083 people, 25,290 households, and 17,551 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|199.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 27,417 housing units at an average density of {{convert|82.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup was 79.83% (52,757) [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 14.09% (9,309) [[Black (U.S. census)|Black or African American]], 0.36% (240) [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 0.84% (557) [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.02% (10) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.64% (1,745) from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census#Race|other races]], and 2.22% (1,465) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 6.82% (4,507) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/> 

Of the 25,290 households, 29% had children under the age of 18; 49.9% were married couples living together; 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 30.6% were non-families. Of all households, 25.4% were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.07.<ref name=Census2010/> 

23.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 15% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.6 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

==Government==
===County government===
[[File:Salem Courthouse Mkt St.JPG|thumb|The [[Old Salem County Courthouse]] in [[Salem, New Jersey|Salem]]]]
Salem County is governed by a five-member [[Board of chosen freeholders|Board of Commissioners]] who are elected [[at-large]] to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held at the beginning of January, the board selects a director and a deputy director from among its members. The appointed position professional county administrator was abolished by a unanimous vote of the commissioners in January 2014.<ref>Young, Alex. [http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2014/01/salem_county_reorg.html "Salem County freeholders look to 2014 at annual reorganization meeting"], ''[[South Jersey Times]]'', January 9, 2014. Accessed October 22, 2017. "He replaces Evern Ford, who will leave county government after the board also voted to abolish his county administrator position with a unanimous vote."</ref> In 2016, commissioners were paid $25,410 and the director was paid an annual salary of $26,410.<ref>Gallo Jr., Bill. [http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/how_much_your_county_freeholders_others_in_nj_earn.html "Which N.J. county freeholders are paid the most?"], [[NJ.com]], March 11, 2016. Accessed October 25, 2017. "Freeholder director: $26,410; Other freeholders: $25,410"</ref>

In the 2016 general election, Salem County voters approved a binding referendum to cut the number of Commissioner from seven to five as well as a non-binding referendum to cut Commissioner salaries by 20%; both initiatives, which had been placed on the ballot as the result of grassroots campaigns opposed to a proposed outsourcing deal, passed by a 3–1 margin.<ref>Gallo Jr., Bill. [http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2016/11/salem_county_voters_decide_whether_to_cut_freehold.html "Salem County votes to cut freeholder board from 7 to 5 members"], [[NJ.com]], November 9, 2016. Accessed October 29, 2017. "Salem County residents Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to cut the membership of the freeholder board from seven to five. The result means that at the next election, November 2017, a new five-seat board will be elected. The vote was 21,942 to 7,013 in favor of the referendum. Also on the ballot was a second question dealing with the freeholders, asking whether their salaries should be cut by 20 percent. That question was approved by a vote of 22,272 to 6,543."</ref> In the wake of the referendum results, Director Julie Acton resigned in December 2016 and was replaced by Scott Griscom.<ref>Gallo Jr., Bill. [http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2017/01/griscom_fills_vacancy_on_salem_county_freeholder_b.html "Salem County freeholder board swears in new member"], [[NJ.com]], January 19, 2017. Accessed October 29, 2017. "Republican Scott Griscom, 69, was sworn in Wednesday night to fill the seat on the board left vacant by the abrupt resignation of Julie Acton in December."</ref> In April 2017, the [[New Jersey Supreme Court]] ruled that the reduction in seats will be accomplished through attrition, with the seats expiring at the end of 2017 (held by Commissioners Cross, Painter, and Vanderslice) being eliminated; in the November 2017 general election there will be one new three-year seat up for a vote as well as a two-year unexpired term, so that on January 1, 2018, there will be a five-member board. Republicans have fully controlled the board since 2022.<ref>Gallo Jr., Bill. [http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2017/04/high_court_rejects_appeal_on_how_to_handle_salem_f.html "High court rejects appeal on how to handle Salem freeholder election "], ''[[NJ.com]]'', April 3, 2017. Accessed October 29, 2017. "Salem County Clerk Gilda T. Gill's original plan had been to elect all five new members to the board, but Democrat Party Chairman Steven Caltabiano disagreed and filed suit in Superior Court. A judge there agreed with Gill's formula, but Caltabiano pursued the matter and a state Appellate Court agreed with Caltabiano that only one freeholder should be elected to a new full term. The court also agreed with Caltabiano's contention that the board should be allowed to shrink through attrition and those whose terms are up at the end of the year be allowed to stay on until then."</ref>

{{As of|2025}}, Salem County's Commissioners (with terms for director and deputy director ending every December 31) are:<ref>[https://www.salemcountynj.gov/county-commissioners/ County Commissioners], Salem County, New Jersey. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www.salemcountynj.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-Adopted-Budget-min.pdf#page=11 2021 County Data Sheet], Salem County, New Jersey. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref><ref name=Salem2021>[https://salemcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/OFFICIAL-General-Election-Results-Salem-County-2021-min.pdf 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>[https://salemcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ElectionSummaryReportRPT-short-version-revised-min.pdf 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>[https://salemcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Official-Result-Summary-Report-min.pdf November 5, 2019 Summary Report Salem County, NJ Official Results], Salem County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 18, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Commissioner 
! Party, Residence, Term 
|-
| Director Ben H. Laury 
| [[Republican Party (United States)|R]], [[Elmer, New Jersey|Elmer]], 2027<ref name="salemcountynj.gov">[https://www.salemcountynj.gov/county-commissioners/], Salem County, New Jersey, Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref>
|-
| Deputy Director Mickey Ostrum Jr.
| R, [[Pilesgrove Township, New Jersey|Pilesgrove Township]], 2027<ref name="salemcountynj.gov"/>
|- 
| Ed Ramsay 
| R, [[Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey|Pittsgrove Township]], 2026<ref name="salemcountynj.gov"/>
|-
| Cordy Taylor 
| R, [[Oldmans Township, New Jersey|Oldmans Township]], 2025 <ref name="Salem County 2023">[https://www.salemcountynj.gov/county-commissioners/], Salem County, New Jersey, Accessed January 30, 2023.</ref>
|-
| Daniel Timmerman 
| R, Elmer, 2025 <ref name="Salem County 2023"/>
|}

Pursuant to Article VII Section II of the [[New Jersey State Constitution]], each county in New Jersey is required to have three elected administrative officials known as "constitutional officers." These officers are the [[County Clerk]] and [[Probate Court|County Surrogate]] (both elected for five-year terms of office) and the [[Sheriff|County Sheriff]] (elected for a three-year term).<ref>[http://www.nj.gov/state/archives/docconst47.html#page16 New Jersey State Constitution (1947), Article VII, Section II, Paragraph 2], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed October 26, 2017.</ref> Salem County's constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis are:<ref>{{cite web |title=2014 General Election Summary Report |url=https://salemcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2014-General-Summary-Report-11-4-14.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018195047/https://salemcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2014-General-Summary-Report-11-4-14.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |url-status=live |website=Salem County Clerk |access-date=October 18, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2015 General Election Summary Report |url=https://salemcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2015-General-Summary-Report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018195048/https://salemcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2015-General-Summary-Report.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |url-status=live |website=Salem County Clerk }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Official Summary Report: 2018 General Election |url=https://salemcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/OfficialSummaryReport11-6-2018.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018195049/https://salemcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/OfficialSummaryReport11-6-2018.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |url-status=live |website=Salem County Clerk |access-date=October 18, 2019}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title
! Representative
|-
| County Clerk
| Dale A. Cross (R, [[Pennsville Township, New Jersey|Pennsville Township]], 2029)<ref>[https://salemcountyclerk.org/about/ About], Salem County Clerk's Office. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref><ref>[http://coanj.com/member-list/clerks/ Clerks], Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref>
|-
| Sheriff
| Charles "Chuck" Miller (R, [[Salem, New Jersey|Salem]], 2027)<ref>[https://www.salemcountysheriff.com/ Home Page], Salem County Sheriff's Office. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://coanj.com/member-list/sheriffs/ Sheriffs], Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref> 
|-
| Surrogate
| Nicki A. Burke (D, [[Woodstown, New Jersey|Woodstown]], 2025).<ref>[https://surrogate.salemcountynj.gov/ Surrogate's Court], Salem County, New Jersey. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://coanj.com/member-list/surrogates/ Surrogates], Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref>
|}

The Salem County Prosecutor is Kristin J. Telsey, who was nominated to fill the position in September 2022.<ref>[https://www.salemcountyprosecutor.org/about-the-scpo/ About], Salem County Prosecutor's Office. Accessed August 16, 2022.</ref><ref>Gray, Matt. [https://www.nj.com/salem/2021/09/new-prosecutor-in-nj-county-brings-20-years-of-experience-and-shes-a-local.html"New prosecutor in N.J. county brings 20 years of experience. And she’s a local."], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], September 20, 2021. Accessed August 16, 2022. "After more than 20 years in the legal profession, Kristin Telsey is three weeks into her role as the top law enforcement official in Salem County and says she’s excited to be a part of the changing landscape of criminal justice in New Jersey. Telsey, 46, was named acting Salem County prosecutor earlier this month following the retirement of John T. Lenahan, who served in the role for 18 years."</ref> Salem County is a part of Vicinage 15 of the [[New Jersey Superior Court]] (along with [[Cumberland County, New Jersey|Cumberland County]] and [[Gloucester County, New Jersey|Gloucester County]]), seated in [[Woodbury, New Jersey|Woodbury]] in Gloucester County; the Assignment Judge for the vicinage is Benjamin C. Telsey. The Salem County Courthouse is in Salem.<ref>[https://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/courts/vicinages/cumglosal.html Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem Counties], New Jersey Courts. Accessed October 22, 2017.</ref> No Democrat has won county-wide office since 2020.

=== Federal representatives ===
Salem County falls entirely within the 2nd congressional district<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/leg-cong-district-info/2012-congressional-districts-by-county.pdf 2012 Congressional Districts by County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections. Accessed January 23, 2013.</ref> {{NJ Congress 02}}

=== State represenatatives ===
All of Salem County is located in the 3rd legislative district.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!District
!Senator<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=New Jersey Legislative Roster of Members {{!}} NJ Legislature|url=https://www.njleg.state.nj.us//legislative-roster|access-date=January 12, 2022|website=New Jersey Legislature}}</ref>
!Assembly<ref name=":0" />
!Notes
|-
|[[New Jersey's 3rd legislative district|3rd]]
|[[John Burzichelli]] [[Democratic Party (United States)|(D)]]
|[[Heather Simmons (New Jersey politician)|Heather Simmons]] (D)
[[David Bailey (New Jersey politician)|Dave Bailey]] (D)
|The remainder of this district includes portions of [[Cumberland County, New Jersey|Cumberland]] and [[Gloucester County, New Jersey|Gloucester]] counties.
|}

== Politics ==
Salem County has generally and historically been a bellwether county in the state, having voted for the national winner all but three times (1960, 1992, and 2000) between 1936 and 2012. Since 2012, the county has swung more toward Republicans, following the trend of most rural counties in the United States. Republican [[Donald Trump]] won 54.9% of the vote in [[2016 United States presidential election in New Jersey|2016]], the highest vote share for a Republican since [[George H. W. Bush]] in [[1988 United States presidential election in New Jersey|1988]]. Trump improved to 55.3% of the vote in [[2020 United States presidential election in New Jersey|2020]] and 58.71% in [[2024 United States presidential election in New Jersey|2024]]. As of January 2023, there were a total of 48,956 registered voters in Salem County, of whom 14,768 (30.2%) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], 14,839 (30.3%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 18,525 (37.8%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|unaffiliated]]. There were 824 voters (1.7%) registered to other parties.<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/svrs-reports/2023/2023-01-voter-registration-by-county.pdf Statewide Voter Registration Summary], [[New Jersey Department of State]], updated January 1, 2023. Accessed January 18, 2023.</ref> Among the county's 2010 Census population, 64.6% were registered to vote, including 84.4% of those ages 18 and over.<ref name="VoterRegistration">[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-salem-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Salem], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed January 23, 2013.</ref><ref name="factfinder.census.gov">[https://www.census.gov GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State &ndash; County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed January 23, 2013.</ref>

{{PresHead|place=Salem County, New Jersey|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=June 10, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|18,229|12,275|581|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|18,827|14,479|736|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|16,381|11,904|1,568|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|14,334|14,719|570|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|14,816|16,044|672|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|15,721|13,749|311|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|12,257|13,718|997|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|9,294|12,044|4,654|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|10,363|10,062|7,510|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|15,240|9,956|410|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|17,368|8,935|149|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|13,000|10,209|2,265|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|11,639|12,826|512|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|16,371|8,609|269|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|11,407|11,172|3,672|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|8,682|17,846|17|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|14,192|12,394|21|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|14,091|9,276|56|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|12,026|11,362|54|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|8,961|9,278|179|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|7,942|10,345|23|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|8,132|12,244|57|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|7,671|11,614|117|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|9,870|7,357|198|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|12,323|3,001|36|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|8,027|3,206|424|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|7,638|3,483|364|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|4,080|3,353|155|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,803|2,745|1,533|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|3,713|3,174|131|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|3,694|2,775|286|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|3,395|2,982|334|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|3,717|2,802|317|New Jersey}}
|}

{{Hidden begin
|titlestyle = background:#ccccff;
|title      = Gubernatorial elections results
}}
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin: 1em 1em 1em 0;"
|+ '''Gubernatorial elections results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-information-results.shtml| title=NJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Results Archive }}</ref>
|-
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2021 New Jersey gubernatorial election|2021]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''64.1% ''' ''12,620''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|35.0% ''6,893''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2017 New Jersey gubernatorial election|2017]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.1% ''' ''8,629''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.3% ''7,814''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election|2013]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''66.6% ''' ''12,748''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|30.7% ''5,889''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2009 New Jersey gubernatorial election|2009]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''47.2% ''' ''9,599''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.9% ''8,323''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2005 New Jersey gubernatorial election|2005]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|46.5% ''9,608''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''48.6%''' ''10,057''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2001 New Jersey gubernatorial election|2001]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.8% ''8,878''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''53.5%''' ''10,837''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1997 New Jersey gubernatorial election|1997]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.9% ''' ''10,686''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.0% ''8,790''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1993 New Jersey gubernatorial election|1993]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''52.0%''' ''11,171''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|42.7% ''9,162''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1989 New Jersey gubernatorial election|1989]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|39.3% ''7,938''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''57.6% ''' ''11,644''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1985 New Jersey gubernatorial election|1985]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''64.9% ''' ''12,376''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|33.7% ''6,417''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1981 New Jersey gubernatorial election|1981]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|47.6% ''9,841''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''50.0%'''''10,334''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1977 New Jersey gubernatorial election|1977]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|44.3% ''8,359''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''52.8% ''' ''9,961''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1973 New Jersey gubernatorial election|1973]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.3% ''8,397''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''56.4% ''' ''10,935''
|-
|}
{{Hidden end}}

==Economy==
The [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]] calculated that the county's [[gross domestic product]] was $5.2&nbsp;billion in 2021, which was ranked 18th in the state and was a 3.9% increase from the prior year.<ref>[https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/lagdp1222.pdf Gross Domestic Product by County, 2021], [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]], released December 8, 2022. Accessed July 17, 2023.</ref>

==Education==
===School districts===
School districts include:<ref name=NJDOE>[https://homeroom5.doe.state.nj.us/directory/district.php?source=01&county=salem New Jersey School Directory for Salem County], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed August 1, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_list.asp?Search=1&details=1&State=34&County=Salem+County Search for Public School Districts in Salem County, New Jersey], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed August 1, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st34_nj/schooldistrict_maps/c34033_salem/DC20SD_C34033.pdf 2020 Census School District Reference Map for Salem County, NJ], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed August 16, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st34_nj/schooldistrict_maps/c34033_salem/DC20SD_C34033_SD2MS.txt 2020 Census School District Reference List for Salem County, NJ], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed August 16, 2022.</ref>

;K-12:
*[[Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District]]
*[[Pennsville School District]]
*[[Pittsgrove Township School District]]
*[[Salem City School District (New Jersey)|Salem City School District]]
*[[Salem County Special Services School District]]
*[[Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District]] – Regional

;Secondary:
*[[Salem County Vocational Technical Schools]]

;Elementary:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Alloway Township School District]]
*[[Elsinboro Township School District]]
*[[Lower Alloways Creek Township School District]]
*[[Mannington Township School District]]
*[[Oldmans Township School District]]
*[[Quinton Township School District]]
*[[Upper Pittsgrove School District]]
{{div col end}}

[[Elmer School District]] became a non-operating school district in 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/education/finance/fp/acfr/search/17/amr/1340.pdf|title=BOARD OF EDUCATION ELMER BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT COUNTY OF SALEM AUDITOR'S MANAGEMENT REPORT ON ADMINISTRATIVE FINDINGS-FINANCIAL, COMPLIANCE AND PERFORMANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017|page=5 (PDF p. 7/17)}}</ref> and disestablished completely in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elmerboroughnj.com/Education.html|title=Education|publisher=Elmer Borough|access-date=2024-06-24|quote=As of July 31, 2017, there is no longer an Elmer Board of Education.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gallo|first=Bill Jr.|url=https://www.nj.com/salem/2017/08/new_jersey_now_has_one_less_school_district.html|title=Merger means N.J. has one less school district and $2.8M debt was 'forgiven'|publisher=[[Nj.com]]|date=2017-08-03|access-date=2024-06-24}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:Del Mem Br.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Delaware Memorial Bridge]] connects Salem County with [[New Castle County, Delaware]]]]
{{As of|2010}}, the county had a total of {{convert|879.53|mi}} of roadways, of which {{convert|429.36|mi}} were maintained by the local municipality, {{convert|355.17|mi}} by Salem County and {{convert|85.94|mi}} by the [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]],  {{convert|8.11|mi}} by the [[New Jersey Turnpike Authority]] and {{convert|0.95|mi}} by the [[Delaware River and Bay Authority]].<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Salem.pdf Salem County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000295__-.pdf Interstate 295 Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], May 2017. Accessed December 25, 2020.</ref>

Salem is served by many roads. Major county routes include [[County Route 540 (New Jersey)|CR 540]], [[County Route 551 (New Jersey)|CR 551]], [[County Route 553 (New Jersey)|CR 553]] (only in [[Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey|Pittsgrove]]) and [[County Route 581 (New Jersey)|CR 581]]. State highways include [[New Jersey Route 45|Route 45]], [[New Jersey Route 48|Route 48]] (only in [[Carneys Point Township, New Jersey|Carneys Point]]), [[New Jersey Route 49|Route 49]], [[New Jersey Route 56|Route 56]] (only in Pittsgrove), [[New Jersey Route 77|Route 77]] and [[New Jersey Route 140|Route 140]] (only in Carneys Point). The U.S. routes are [[U.S. Route 40 in New Jersey|U.S. Route 40]] and the southern end of [[U.S. Route 130]].

Limited access roads include [[Interstate 295 (Delaware-New Jersey)|Interstate 295]] and the [[New Jersey Turnpike]]. Both highways pass through the northern part of the county. Only one turnpike interchange is located in Salem: Exit 1 in Carneys Point (which is also where the turnpike ends). There are a pair of service areas on the Turnpike, both located between exits 1 and 2 in Oldmans Township: The John Fenwick Service Area on the northbound side and the Clara Barton Service Area in the southbound direction.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/our-roadways.html Travel Resources: Interchanges, Service Areas & Commuter Lots], [[New Jersey Turnpike Authority]]. Accessed August 17, 2015.</ref> The [[New Jersey Route 55|Route 55]] freeway passes through the northeastern part of the county briefly but has no interchanges within the county.

The [[Delaware Memorial Bridge]] (which is signed as I-295/US 40) is a set of twin suspension bridges crossing the Delaware River. Connecting [[New Castle, Delaware]] and [[Pennsville Township, New Jersey|Pennsville Township]], the original span was opened in 1951 and the second span in 1968.<ref>[http://www.drba.net/DelawareMemorialBridge/AbouttheDelMemorialBridge.aspx About the Delaware Memorial Bridge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124104519/http://www.drba.net/DelawareMemorialBridge/AbouttheDelMemorialBridge.aspx |date=November 24, 2017 }}, [[Delaware River and Bay Authority]]. Accessed August 17, 2015.</ref>

[[NJ Transit]] operates three routes through Salem County:<ref>[https://www.salemcountynj.gov/departments/community-bus-service/ Community Bus Service], Salem County. Accessed April 11, 2020.</ref> the 401, which stops in Salem, Woodstown, Swedesboro, and Woodbury en route to and from Philadelphia;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0401.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030405171959/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0401.pdf |archive-date=April 5, 2003 |url-status=live|title=401}}</ref> the 402, which stops in Penns Grove and has two stops in Salem en route to and from Philadelphia;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0402.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030405214344/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0402.pdf |archive-date=April 5, 2003 |url-status=live|title=402}}</ref> and the 468, which has local stops throughout Salem County.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0468.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030403055655/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0468.pdf |archive-date=April 3, 2003 |url-status=live|title=468}}</ref>

==Municipalities==
[[Image:Salem County, New Jersey Municipalities.png|thumb|right|400px|Index map of Salem County municipalities (click to see index key)]]

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The 15 municipalities in Salem County (with 2010 Census data for population, housing units and area in square miles) are:<ref>[https://archive.today/20150420022841/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US34033 GCT-PH1: Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County &ndash; County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Salem County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed August 16, 2015.</ref> Other, [[Local government in New Jersey#Unincorporated communities|unincorporated communities]] in the county are listed next to their parent municipality. Some of these areas are [[census-designated place]]s (CDPs) that have been created by the [[United States Census Bureau]] for enumeration purposes within a [[Township (New Jersey)|Township]]. Other communities and enclaves that exist within a municipality are also listed next to the name.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Municipality<br/>(map index)
!Map key
! Municipal<br/>type
! Population
! Housing<br/>units
! Total<br/>area
! Water<br/>area
! Land<br/>area
! Pop.<br/>density
! Housing<br/>density
!School district
! Unincorporated<br/>communities / notes
|- 
|[[Alloway Township, New Jersey|Alloway Township]] 
|13|| township || 3,283 || 1,268 || 33.83 || 0.43 || 33.40 || 103.8 || 38.0 
|[[Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District|Woodstown-Pilesgrove]] (9-12) ([[Sending/receiving relationship|S/R]])<br>[[Alloway Township School District|Alloway Township]] (PK-8)
| [[Aldine, New Jersey|Aldine]]<br />[[Alloway (CDP), New Jersey|Alloway CDP]] (1,296)<br />[[Friesburg, New Jersey|Friesburg]]<br />[[Penton, New Jersey|Penton]]
|- 
|[[Carneys Point Township, New Jersey|Carneys Point]]
|6|| township || 8,637 || 3,502 || 17.74 || 0.87 || 16.86 || 477.3 || 207.7 
|[[Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District|Penns Grove-Carneys Point]]|| [[Carneys Point (CDP), New Jersey|Carneys Point CDP]] (8,637)
|- 
|[[Elmer, New Jersey|Elmer]]
|1|| borough || 1,347 || 577 || 0.88 || 0.01 || 0.87 || 1,612.3 || 666.9 
|[[Pittsgrove Township School District|Pittsgrove Township]]||
|- 
|[[Elsinboro Township, New Jersey|Elsinboro]]
|10|| township || 1,001 || 524 || 13.32 || 1.41 || 11.92 || 86.9 || 44.0 
|[[Salem City School District (New Jersey)|Salem City]] (9-12) ([[Sending/receiving relationship|S/R]])<br>[[Elsinboro Township School District|Elsinboro Township]] (K-8)
|
|- 
|[[Lower Alloways Creek Township, New Jersey|Lower Alloways Creek]]
|11|| township || 1,717 || 727 || 72.46 || 27.23 || 45.23 || 39.1 || 16.1 
|[[Salem City School District (New Jersey)|Salem City]] (9-12) ([[Sending/receiving relationship|S/R]])<br>[[Lower Alloways Creek Township School District|Lower Alloway Creek Township]] (PK-8)
| [[Hancock's Bridge, New Jersey|Hancock's Bridge CDP]] (155)
|- 
|[[Mannington Township, New Jersey|Mannington Township]]
|8|| township || 1,475 || 592 || 37.73 || 4.02 || 33.70 || 53.6 || 17.6 
|[[Salem City School District (New Jersey)|Salem City]] (9-12) ([[Sending/receiving relationship|S/R]])<br>[[Mannington Township School District|Mannington Township]] (PK-8)
| [[Marshalltown, New Jersey|Marshalltown]]
|- 
|[[Oldmans Township, New Jersey|Oldmans Township]]
|5|| township || 1,910 || 699 || 20.38 || 0.93 || 19.45 || 91.1 || 35.9 
|[[Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District|Penns Grove-Carneys Point]] (9-12) ([[Sending/receiving relationship|S/R]])<br>[[Oldmans Township School District|Oldmans Township]] (K-8)
| [[Auburn, New Jersey|Auburn]] CDP (part; 1,057)<br>[[Pedricktown, New Jersey|Pedricktown CDP]] (487)
|- 
|[[Penns Grove, New Jersey|Penns Grove]]
|4|| borough || 4,837 || 2,004 || 0.91 || 0.00 || 0.91 || 5,656.0 || 2,202.2 
|[[Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District|Penns Grove-Carneys Point]]||
|- 
|[[Pennsville Township, New Jersey|Pennsville Township]]
|9|| township || 12,684 || 5,914 || 24.59 || 3.31 || 21.28 || 630.2 || 278.0 
|[[Pennsville School District|Pennsville]]|| [[Deepwater, New Jersey|Deepwater]]<br />[[Pennsville (CDP), New Jersey|Pennsville CDP]] (12,043)
|- 
|[[Pilesgrove Township, New Jersey|Pilesgrove]]
|7|| township || 4,183 || 1,594 || 35.07 || 0.23 || 34.84 || 115.3 || 45.7 
|[[Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District|Woodstown-Pilesgrove]]||[[Auburn, New Jersey|Auburn]] CDP (part; 1,057)
|- 
|[[Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey|Pittsgrove]]
|15|| township || 8,777 || 3,445 || 45.92 || 0.83 || 45.08 || 208.3 || 76.4 
|[[Pittsgrove Township School District|Pittsgrove Township]]|| [[Brotmanville, New Jersey|Brotmanville]]<br />[[Centerton, Salem County, New Jersey|Centerton]]<br />[[Norma, New Jersey|Norma]]<br />[[Olivet, New Jersey|Olivet CDP]] (1,297)
|- 
|[[Quinton Township, New Jersey|Quinton Township]]
|12|| township || 2,580 || 1,099 || 24.58 || 0.49 || 24.09 || 110.7 || 45.6 
|[[Salem City School District (New Jersey)|Salem City]] (9-12) ([[Sending/receiving relationship|S/R]])<br>[[Quinton Township School District|Quinton Township]] (PK-8)
| [[Quinton (CDP), New Jersey|Quinton CDP]] (470)
|- 
|[[Salem, New Jersey|Salem]]
|3|| city || 5,296 || 2,633 || 2.82 || 0.47 || 2.34 || 2,195.9 || 1,123.6 
|[[Salem City School District (New Jersey)|Salem City]]||
|- 
|[[Upper Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey|Upper Pittsgrove]]
|14|| township || 3,432 || 1,310 || 40.49 || 0.16 || 40.33 || 86.9 || 32.5 
|[[Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District|Woodstown-Pilesgrove]] (9-12) ([[Sending/receiving relationship|S/R]])<br>[[Upper Pittsgrove School District|Upper Pittsgrove]] (PK-8)
| [[Daretown, New Jersey|Daretown]]<br/>[[Friendship, New Jersey|Friendship]]<br/>[[Monroeville, New Jersey|Monroeville]]<br/>[[Whig Lane, New Jersey|Whig Lane]]
|- 
|[[Woodstown, New Jersey|Woodstown]]
|2|| borough || 3,678 || 1,529 || 1.63 || 0.04 || 1.58 || 2,211.8 || 964.9 
|[[Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District|Woodstown-Pilesgrove]]||
|- 
|Salem 
| || County || 64,837 || 27,417 || 372.33 || 40.43 || 331.90 || 199.1 || 82.6 
| ||
|}

==Recreation==
===Wineries===
* [[Auburn Road Vineyards]]
* [[Chestnut Run Farm]]
* [[Monroeville Vineyard & Winery]]
* [[Salem Oak Vineyards]]

==Notable people==
*[[Whitey Witt]], former baseball outfielder and member of the New York Yankees' first [[1923 World Series|World Series]] championship team, [[1923 New York Yankees season|1923]]
* [[Teyona Anderson]] (born 1989), winner of ''[[America's Next Top Model (season 12)]]''<ref>Dailey, Jennifer. [https://www.nj.com/south/2009/05/woodstown_native_teyona_anderson_wins_americas_next_top_model_competition.html "Woodstown native Teyona Anderson wins ''America's Next Top Model'' competition"],''[[South Jersey Times]]'', May 14, 2009, updated April 1, 2019. Accessed February 25, 2021. "After weeks of photo shoots and challenges, Woodstown, New Jersey, native Teyona Anderson is America's next top model."</ref>
* [[David Bailey (New Jersey politician)|David Bailey]], politician who has represented the [[New Jersey's 3rd legislative district|3rd legislative district]] in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] since January 2024<ref>[https://www.nj.com/south-jersey-towns/2016/01/memorial_hospital_of_salem_ele.html "Memorial Hospital of Salem elects three new board members"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], January 26, 2016. Accessed January 10, 2024. "A lifelong resident of Salem County, Bailey was born and raised on the Ranch Hope campus, graduated from Woodstown High School and currently resides in Woodstown, with his wife, Julie, and three children."</ref>
* [[Isaac Ambrose Barber]] (1852–1909), U.S. Congressman from Maryland, serving from 1897 to 1899<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000121 Isaac Ambrose Barber], ''[[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]]''. Accessed May 14, 2008.</ref>
* [[Mario Cerrito]] (born 1984), horror filmmaker<ref>Roncace, Kelly. [https://www.nj.com/indulge/2014/05/woodstown_native_mario_cerrito_visits_alma_mater_to_discuss_film_making.html "Woodstown native Mario Cerrito visits high school to discuss filmmaking"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], May 10, 2014. Accessed December 10, 2022. "When Kranz read that 2002 Woodstown High School graduate Mario Cerrito had recently completed filming his first feature, ''Deadly Gamble,'' he reached out to the writer/director/producer and asked him to visit the academy students."</ref>
* [[Isaiah D. Clawson]] (1820–1879), represented [[New Jersey's 1st congressional district]] in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1855 to 1859<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000477 Isaiah Dunn Clawson], ''[[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]]''. Accessed August 25, 2007.</ref>
* [[Fred Drains]] (born 1971), American-born and naturalized Swedish basketball player<ref>[http://www.njacsports.com/custompages/mbb/all-conference/1991-92 All-Conference.pdf "Men's Basketball All-Conference Team"], [[New Jersey Athletic Conference]], March 4, 1992. Accessed February 1, 2017.</ref>
* [[Rachel Davis DuBois]] (1892–1993), educator, human rights activist and pioneer of intercultural education<ref>Lambert, Bruce. [https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/01/obituaries/rachel-d-dubois-101-educator-who-promoted-value-of-diversity.html "Rachel D. DuBois, 101, Educator Who Promoted Value of Diversity"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', April 1, 1993. Accessed February 4, 2017. "Rachel Davis DuBois, an educator who 60 years ago developed multicultural programs promoting respect for ethnic heritage and harmony between groups, died Tuesday at a hospital near her home in Woodstown, N.J. She was 101."</ref>
* [[Hilly Flitcraft]] (1923–2003), pitcher whose MLB career consisted of three games played with the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] during the 1942 season at the age of 19<ref>[http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=flitchi01 Hilly Flitcraft], [[Baseball Almanac]]. Accessed October 31, 2013. "Hilly Flitcraft was born on Tuesday, August 21, 1923, in Woodstown, New Jersey. Flitcraft was 19 years old when he broke into the big leagues on August 31, 1942, with the Philadelphia Phillies."</ref>
* [[Elwood L. Haines]] (1893–1949), Bishop of the [[Episcopal Diocese of Iowa]] from 1944 to 1949<ref>Petersen, William John. [https://books.google.com/books?id=IyUUAAAAYAAJ&q=%22*+He+was+the+son+of+John+Batten+and+Jennie+(Lindsay)+Haines%22 ''The Story of Iowa: The Progress of an American State, Volume 4''], p. 886. Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1952. Accessed October 31, 2013. "Elwood Lindsay Haines was graduated from the high school at Woodstown, New Jersey, in 1912, after which he entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts, graduating in the class of 1916."</ref>
* [[Irv Halter]] (born 1954), retired [[United States Air Force]] major general who ran for Congress in Colorado in the 2014 elections<ref>[https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/104758/major-general-irving-l-halter-jr/ "Major General Irving L. Halter Jr."], [[United States Air Force]]. Accessed June 8, 2015. "General Halter is a native of southern New Jersey, graduating from Woodstown High School in 1973."</ref>
* [[Tara LaRosa]] (born 1978), [[mixed martial arts]] fighter<ref>Sullivan, Kita S. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130730210852/http://articles.philly.com/2007-07-14/sports/25240384_1_martial-arts-mma-alvarez "Mania of mixed martial arts hits N.J. with 2 area fighters"], ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'', July 14, 2007. Accessed February 9, 2013. "LaRosa, a 135-pounder from Woodstown, N.J., is the top-ranked MMA fighter. The 29-year-old is a former wrestling, judoka and field hockey athlete with a 13-1-0 record in mixed martial arts."</ref>
* [[Everett Shinn]] (1876–1953), realist painter best known for his work with the [[Ashcan School]]<ref>[http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artist/?id=4430 Everett Shinn], [[Smithsonian American Art Museum]]. Accessed October 31, 2013.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111222070729/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,883271,00.html "One of Eight"], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', March 11, 1935. Accessed May 14, 2008. "Others of 'The Eight' may have been better artists but none, including the late, lusty George Luks, had a more adventurous life than Everett Shinn. A fat little Quaker boy in Woodstown, N. J., he was known as 'Pud' (pudding) to his contemporaries."</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Philadelphia|New Jersey}}
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Salem County, New Jersey]]
*[[Wistarburgh Glass Works]] – an 18th-century glass company operating in the county.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Salem County (New Jersey)}}
*[http://www.salemcountynj.gov/ Salem County official website]
*[http://www.visitsalemcountynj.com/ The Official Salem County Tourism and Travel Website]
*[http://www.DiscoverSalemCounty.com/ Discover Salem County NJ]
*[http://www.newsofsalemcounty.com/ The News of Salem County]

{{Salem County, New Jersey}}
{{New Jersey}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Salem County, New Jersey
|North     = 
|Northeast = [[Gloucester County, New Jersey|Gloucester County]]
|East      = 
|Southeast = [[Cumberland County, New Jersey|Cumberland County]]
|South     = 
|Southwest = [[Kent County, Delaware]] -across Delaware Bay
|West      = [[New Castle County, Delaware]]
|Northwest = 
}}

{{Delaware Valley}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|39.58|-75.36|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NJ_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Salem County, New Jersey| ]]
[[Category:1694 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1694]]
[[Category:South Jersey]]