Editing Upper Township, New Jersey

{{short description|Township in Cape May County, New Jersey, US}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Upper Township, New Jersey
|official_name            = 
|settlement_type          = [[Township (New Jersey)|Township]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Marshallville NJ Inn.JPG
|imagesize                = 250x200px
|image_caption            = [[Marshallville Historic District|Marshallville Inn]]
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = Upper Township Seal.png

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Map of Cape May County highlighting Upper Township.png
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location of Upper Township in [[Cape May County, New Jersey|Cape May County]] highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Cape May County in [[New Jersey]] highlighted in red (right).
|image_map1               = Census_Bureau_map_of_Upper_Township,_New_Jersey.png
|mapsize1                 = 250x200px
|map_caption1             = Census Bureau map of Upper Township, New Jersey
|pushpin_map              = USA New Jersey Cape May County#USA New Jersey#USA
|pushpin_label            = Upper Township
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in [[Cape May County, New Jersey|Cape May County]]##Location in [[New Jersey]]##Location in the United States
|pushpin_relief           = yes

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|New Jersey}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in New Jersey|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = {{flagicon image|}} [[Cape May County, New Jersey|Cape May]]
|government_footnotes     = <ref name=DataBook/>
|government_type          = [[Township (New Jersey)|Township]]
|governing_body           = Township Committee
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Curtis Corson ([[Republican Party (New Jersey)|R]],[https://uppertownship.com/township-committee/meet-your-committee/]
|leader_title2            = [[Municipal clerk]]
|leader_name2             = Joanne R. Herron<ref>[https://uppertownship.com/departments/clerk-registrar/ Clerk / Registrar], Township of Upper. Accessed February 28, 2023.</ref>
|established_title        = Formed
|established_date         = April 2, 1723
|established_title1       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date1        = February 21, 1798

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name=CensusArea>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_cousubs_34.txt 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed July 1, 2020.</ref>
|area_magnitude           =
|area_total_km2           = 177.89
|area_land_km2            = 160.65
|area_water_km2           =  17.24
|area_total_sq_mi         =  68.68
|area_land_sq_mi          =  62.03
|area_water_sq_mi         =   6.66
|area_water_percent       =   9.69
|area_rank                = 17th of 565 in state<br>2nd of 16 in county<ref name=CensusArea/>

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/>
|population_total         = 12539
|population_rank          = 205th of 565 in state<br>3rd of 16 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/dmograph/est/mcd/density.xlsx Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref>
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = 202.2
|population_density_rank  = 502nd of 565 in state<br>15th of 16 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density/>
|population_est           = 12510
|pop_est_as_of            = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst/>

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = −05:00
|timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|Eastern (EDT)]]
|utc_offset_DST           = −04:00
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{Gnis|882047|Township of Upper}}, [[Geographic Names Information System]]. Accessed March 14, 2013.</ref>
|elevation_m              = 
|elevation_ft             = 30
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR1">[https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref>
|coordinates              = {{coord|39.258112|-74.726912|region:US-NJ_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Codes]]
|postal_code              = 08270 – [[Woodbine, New Jersey|Woodbine]]<ref>[http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=woodbine&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Woodbine, NJ], [[United States Postal Service]]. Accessed May 14, 2012.</ref><br>08230 – [[Ocean View, New Jersey|Ocean View]]<br>08223 – [[Marmora, New Jersey|Marmora]]<br>08248 – [[Strathmere, New Jersey|Strathmere]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 609|609]]<ref>[http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCity=Marmora&frmCounty=Cape May Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Marmora, NJ], Area-Codes.com. Accessed April 16, 2015.</ref>
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 3400974810<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR2">[https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey], Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0882047<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR3">[http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names], [[United States Geological Survey]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref>
|website                  = {{nowrap|{{URL|https://www.uppertownship.com}}}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Upper Township''' is a large [[Township (New Jersey)|township]] in [[Cape May County, New Jersey|Cape May County]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]]. The township, and all of Cape May County, is part of the [[South Jersey]] region of the state and of the [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]] [[metropolitan statistical area]], which is part of the [[Philadelphia]]-[[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington]]-[[Camden, New Jersey|Camden]], [[Pennsylvania|PA]]-NJ-[[Delaware|DE]]-[[Maryland|MD]] [[combined statistical area]], also known as the [[Delaware Valley|Delaware Valley or Philadelphia metropolitan area]].<ref>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/reference-maps/2020/state-maps/34_NewJersey_2020.pdf New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed December 22, 2022.</ref> As of the [[2020 United States census]], the township's population was 12,539,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 166 (+1.3%) from the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] count of 12,373,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 258 (+2.1%) from the 12,115 counted in the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]].<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2010/2010data/table7cm.xls 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>

''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'' magazine ranked Upper Township as its 2nd best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.<ref>[http://njmonthly.com/articles/best_of/placestolive/best-places-to-live---the-complete-top-towns-list-.html "Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228122746/http://njmonthly.com/articles/best_of/placestolive/best-places-to-live---the-complete-top-towns-list-.html |date=2008-02-28 }}, ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.</ref>

Upper Township is home to the only yellow fire trucks in Cape May County, a tradition started in 1985 when the Seaville Fire Rescue Company was purchasing a new vehicle and thought that federal regulations would require the color.<ref>Leach, Ben. [http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/upper_capemay/article_90ea6681-399c-5456-ae37-74b6f3f7c120.html?success "Seaville firefighters stand out in yellow"], ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', June 30, 2010. Accessed September 28, 2012. "For the past 35 years, residents living in Upper Township have been able to lay claim to the only yellow fire trucks in Cape May County."</ref> Since being formed in 1964 and purchasing its first fire truck a year later, the Seaville company has served the area, responding to over 200 calls a year from its fire station is located on Route 50 across from Dino's Seaville Diner.<ref>[http://www.seavillefirerescue.com/history.php History], Seaville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company. Accessed September 28, 2012.</ref>

== History ==
Upper Township was formed as a precinct on April 2, 1723, and was incorporated as one of [[Township Act of 1798|New Jersey's initial 104 townships]] by an act of the [[New Jersey Legislature]] on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township have been taken to form [[Dennis Township, New Jersey|Dennis Township]] (March 1, 1827) and [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City borough]] (March 3, 1884),<ref name="Story">Snyder, John P. [https://nj.gov/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. 116. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref> and territorial changes were made involving [[Sea Isle City, New Jersey|Sea Isle City]] in March and April 1905.<ref>Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. [https://books.google.com/books?id=nOkkAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA306 ''Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period''], p. 306. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 18, 2015.</ref> The township's name came from its location when Cape May was split into three townships in 1723 at the same time that [[Lower Township, New Jersey|Lower Township]] and [[Middle Township, New Jersey|Middle Township]] were created.<ref>Stevens, Lewis Townsend. [https://books.google.com/books?id=e5UvAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA92 ''The History of Cape May County, New Jersey: From the Aboriginal Times to the Present Day''], p. 92. L.T. Stevens, 1897. Accessed September 3, 2015. "The county of Cape May was divided into three townships, Upper, Middle and Lower, April 2, 1723, of which the official record says:"</ref>

During 2008, Upper Township was considering consolidation with neighboring [[Corbin City, New Jersey|Corbin City]]. Corbin City already shares extensively with Upper Township for municipal service, but the question of consolidating municipalities across county borders presented an obstacle to a full merger.<ref>Staff. [http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/atlantic/article_a82167cd-b360-5c08-aef4-bca9e56c90cc.html?FORM=ZZNR3 "12 Months Later / Corbin City, Upper Township await word on merger study"], ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', July 20, 2009. Accessed October 17, 2012. "In July 2008, Mayor Carol Foster went to Trenton to apply for a grant to study the possibility of eliminating her municipality.Corbin City and Upper Township officials had proposed a merger plan four months earlier, as state legislators slashed municipal aid and offered incentives for towns to conduct shared-services studies.... Corbin City, which is part of Atlantic County, already shares its library, schools, fire company, emergency medical services and municipal court with Upper Township, which is in Cape May County."</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the township had a total area of 68.68 square miles (177.89&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), including 62.03 square miles (160.65&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of land and 6.66 square miles (17.24&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of water (9.69%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

[[Strathmere, New Jersey|Strathmere]] (2010 population of 158) is an [[Local government in New Jersey#Unincorporated communities|unincorporated community]] and [[census-designated place]] (CDP) located within Upper Township.<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US3471250 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Strathmere CDP, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212140507/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US3471250 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed May 14, 2012.</ref><ref>[https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-32.pdf#page=19 New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32)], [[United States Census Bureau]], August 2012. Accessed October 17, 2012.</ref>

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include [[Beesley's Point, New Jersey|Beesley's Point]], Blackmans Island, Cedar Springs, Corsons Inlet, Formosa, Greenfield, [[Marmora, New Jersey|Marmora]], Marshallville, Middletown, Miramar, Palermo, Petersburg, [[Seaville, New Jersey|Seaville]], Steelmantown, [[Tuckahoe, New Jersey|Tuckahoe]], West Ocean City and Whale Beach.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search], State of [[New Jersey]]. Accessed December 18, 2014.</ref> The township contains many different communities and enclaves that create a diverse area reaching from [[Great Egg Harbor]] to the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. Seaville is the largest community and Strathmere is the township's island containing a beach community.

The township borders the municipalities of [[Dennis Township, New Jersey|Dennis Township]], [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]], [[Sea Isle City, New Jersey|Sea Isle City]] and [[Woodbine, New Jersey|Woodbine]] in Cape May County; [[Corbin City, New Jersey|Corbin City]], [[Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey|Egg Harbor Township]], [[Estell Manor, New Jersey|Estell Manor]] and [[Somers Point, New Jersey|Somers Point]] in [[Atlantic County, New Jersey|Atlantic County]]; and [[Maurice River Township, New Jersey|Maurice River Township]] in [[Cumberland County, New Jersey|Cumberland County]].<ref>[https://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/873808/touches.html Areas touching Upper Township], MapIt. Accessed March 13, 2020.</ref><ref>[http://chnj.njpn.org/cape-may/ Cape May County], Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 13, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1810=  1664
| 1820=  2107
| 1830=  1067 | 1830n=*
| 1840=  1217
| 1850=  1341
| 1860=  1552
| 1870=  1483
| 1880=  1702
| 1890=  1381 | 1890n=*
| 1900=  1351
| 1910=  1483
| 1920=  1272
| 1930=  1657
| 1940=  1675
| 1950=  1922
| 1960=  2539
| 1970=  3413
| 1980=  6713
| 1990= 10681
| 2000= 12115
| 2010= 12373
| 2020= 12539
| estimate=12510
| estyear=2023
| estref=<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/mcds/totals/SUB-MCD-EST2023-POP-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023], [[United States Census Bureau]], released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.</ref>
|footnote=Population sources:<small>1810–2000<ref>Barnett, Bob. [http://westjersey.org/popcap_04.htm Population Data for Cape May County Municipalities, 1810 - 2010], WestJersey.org. January 6, 2011. Accessed September 28, 2012.</ref><br>1810–1920<ref>[https://dspace.njstatelib.org/xmlui/handle/10929/25218?show=full ''Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905''], [[New Jersey Department of State]], 1906. Accessed September 28, 2013.</ref> 1840<ref>[[Francis Bowen|Bowen, Francis]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=DnUFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA232 ''American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year 1843''], p. 232, David H. Williams, 1842. Accessed September 28, 2013.</ref> 1850–1870<ref>Raum, John O. [https://books.google.com/books?id=5qZ4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA262 ''The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1''], p. 262, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed September 28, 2013. "Upper township was incorporated in 1798, and contained in 1850 1,341 inhabitants; in 1860, 1,552; and in 1870, 1,433." Population for 1870 of 1,433 conflicts with other sources.</ref><br>1850<ref>[[J. D. B. De Bow|Debow, James Dunwoody Brownson]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=25TicJOdU0AC&pg=PA138 ''The Seventh Census of the United States: 1850''], p. 138. R. Armstrong, 1853. Accessed September 28, 2013.</ref> 1870<ref>Staff. [https://books.google.com/books?id=gNwIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA259 ''A compendium of the ninth census, 1870''], p. 259. [[United States Census Bureau]], 1872. Accessed September 28, 2013.</ref> 1880–1890<ref>Porter, Robert Percival. [https://books.google.com/books?id=8gUkQkJdLpsC&pg=PA97 ''Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75''], p. 97. [[United States Census Bureau]], 1890. Accessed September 28, 2013.</ref><br>1890–1910<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=T9HrAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA336 ''Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890''], [[United States Census Bureau]], p. 336. Accessed May 14, 2012.</ref> 1910–1930<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=kifRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA715 ''Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I''], [[United States Census Bureau]], p. 715. Accessed December 5, 2011.</ref><br>1940–2000<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2kpub/njsdcp3.pdf#page=27 Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000], Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> 2000<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/><br>2010<ref name=Census2010>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3400974810 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Upper township, Cape May County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212112223/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3400974810 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed May 14, 2012.</ref><ref name=LWD2010>[http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_cap/upper1.pdf Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Upper township, Cape May County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430010347/http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_cap/upper1.pdf |date=April 30, 2012 }}, [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed May 14, 2012.</ref> 2020<ref name=Census2020>[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/uppertownshipcapemaycountynewjersey QuickFacts Upper township, Cape May County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed January 4, 2023.</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><br>* = Lost territory in previous decade.<ref name=Story/></small>
}}

===2010 census===

The [[2010 United States census]] counted 12,373 people, 4,566 households, and 3,461 families in the township. The [[population density]] was {{convert|199.1|/sqmi}}. There were 6,341 housing units at an average density of {{convert|102.0|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup was 96.61% (11,954) [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 0.58% (72) [[Black (U.S. census)|Black or African American]], 0.13% (16) [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 0.74% (92) [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.01% (1) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.72% (89) from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census#Race|other races]], and 1.20% (149) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 2.36% (292) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 4,566 households, 32.6% had children under the age of 18; 62.2% were married couples living together; 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 24.2% were non-families. Of all households, 20.1% were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.14.<ref name=Census2010/>

23.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 20.2% from 25 to 44, 34.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.1 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 [[American Community Survey]] showed that (in 2010 [[inflation adjustment|inflation-adjusted]] dollars) [[median household income]] was $81,250 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,629) and the median family income was $97,372 (+/− $6,832). Males had a median income of $63,597 (+/− $2,442) versus $46,250 (+/− $4,552) for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $38,702 (+/− $2,243). About 2.5% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3400974810 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Upper township, Cape May County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212083023/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3400974810 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed March 30, 2013.</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census]]<ref name="GR2" /> there were 12,115 people, 4,266 households, and 3,365 families residing in the township. The population density was {{convert|191.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 5,472 housing units at an average density of {{convert|86.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the township was 97.59% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.69% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.12% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.61% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.19% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.74% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.28% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>[http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603400974810.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Upper township, Cape May County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031023154305/http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603400974810.pdf |date=October 23, 2003 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed May 14, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3400974810 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Upper township, Cape May County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212095758/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3400974810 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 28, 2012.</ref>

There were 4,266 households, out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.1% were non-families. 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.23.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $60,942, and the median income for a family was $68,824. Males had a median income of $46,528 versus $31,325 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the township was $27,498. About 2.4% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

==Parks and recreation==
With its beaches in the Strathmere section, Upper Township is one of five municipalities in the state that offer free public access to oceanfront beaches monitored by lifeguards, joining [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]], [[North Wildwood, New Jersey|North Wildwood]], [[Wildwood, New Jersey|Wildwood]] and [[Wildwood Crest, New Jersey|Wildwood Crest]].<ref>Spoto, MaryAnn. [http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2015/05/surfers_fighting_to_save_dwindling_free_beaches.html "Surfers fighting to save dwindling free beaches"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], May 20, 2015. Accessed October 30, 2015. "New Jersey has five free guarded ocean beaches – Atlantic City, Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and the Strathmere section of Upper Township."</ref>

== Government ==

===Local government===
Upper Township is governed under the [[Township (New Jersey)|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>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf ''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>''2013 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', [[Rutgers University]] [[Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy]], March 2012, p. 8.</ref><ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=7 "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.

{{As of|2023}}, members of the Upper Township Committee are [[Mayor]] John C. "Jay" Newman ([[Republican Party (New Jersey)|R]], term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2023), [[Deputy Mayor]] Kimberly R. Hayes (R, term on committee ends 2024; term as deputy mayor ends 2023), Curtis T. Corson Jr. (R, 2023), Victor W. Nappen II (R, 2025) and Mark E. Pancoast (R, 2025).<ref name=Committee>[https://uppertownship.com/township-committee/meet-your-committee/ Meet your Committee], Township of Upper. Accessed August 23, 2023.</ref><ref>[https://uppertownship.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-Budget-Adoption.pdf 2023 Municipal Data Sheet], Township of Upper. Accessed August 23, 2023.</ref><ref name=CapeMayOfficials>[https://www.capemaycountyvotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2023-All-Elected-Officials-INTERNET-July.pdf 2023 County & Municipal Elected Officials Cape May County, NJ -- July 2023], [[Cape May County, New Jersey]], August 3, 2023. Accessed August 23, 2023.</ref><ref name=CapeMay2022>[https://www.capemaycountyvotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1.-2022-GENERAL-SUMMARY-REPORT-OFFICIAL.pdf Summary Results Report 2022 November Cape May General Election November 8th, 2022 Official Results], [[Cape May County, New Jersey]], updated November 17, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=CapeMay2021>[https://www.capemaycountyvotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-General-Successful-Candidates.pdf 2021 General Election Successful Candidates], [[Cape May County, New Jersey]], updated November 16, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref><ref name=CapeMay2020>[https://www.capemaycountyvotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-Successful-General-Candidates.pdf 2020 General Election Successful Candidates], [[Cape May County, New Jersey]], updated December 4, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref>

After Hobie Young resigned from office from a seat expiring in December 2022, Kim Hayes was appointed to fill the vacancy. In the November 2021 general election, Hayes ran for a full three-year term, while Mark Pancoast ran for the balance of Young's term of office, with both winning their election bids.<ref>Barlow, Bil. [https://ocnjsentinel.com/ocean-city-police-sergeant-to-run-for-election-to-township-committee/ "Ocean City police sergeant to run for election to Township Committee"], ''Ocean City Sentinel'', March 17, 2021. Accessed July 26, 2022. "Mark Pancoast is running for Upper Township Committee this year, according to township Republican leader Larry Trulli. The sergeant with the Ocean City Police Department is the Republican organization’s pick to round out the three-person ticket. Pancoast has the party’s backing for the nomination for a one-year term open this year, which was formerly filled by Hobie Young. After Young’s high-profile resignation last year, committee appointed Kim Hayes to fill the seat until the next election."</ref><ref name=CapeMay2021/>

=== Federal, state and county representation ===
Upper Township is located in the 2nd Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report], [[New Jersey Redistricting Commission]], December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 1st state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>[https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf ''2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''], New Jersey [[League of Women Voters]]. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#1 Districts by Number for 2011-2020], [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

{{NJ Congress 02}} {{NJ Senate}}

{{NJ Legislative 01}}

{{NJ Cape May County Freeholders}}

===Politics===
As of March 2011, there were a total of 9,154 registered voters in Upper Township, of which 1,403 (15.3%) were registered as [[Democratic Party (New Jersey)|Democrats]], 4,454 (48.7%) were registered as [[Republican Party (New Jersey)|Republicans]] and 3,287 (35.9%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|Unaffiliated]]. There were 10 voters registered as [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarians]] or [[Green Party (United States)|Greens]].<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-capemay-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Cape May], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref>

In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012 presidential election]], Republican [[Mitt Romney]] received 58.2% of the vote (4,027 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barack Obama]] with 40.5% (2,807 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (89 votes), among the 6,998 ballots cast by the township's 9,487 registered voters (75 ballots were [[Spoilt vote|spoiled]]), for a turnout of 73.8%.<ref name=2012Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-cape-may.pdf |title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Cape May County |date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-capemay.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Cape May County|date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008 presidential election]], Republican [[John McCain]] received 57.2% of the vote (4,165 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barack Obama]], who received 40.9% (2,980 votes), with 7,286 ballots cast among the township's 9,053 registered voters, for a turnout of 80.5%.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-cape-may.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Cape May County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004 presidential election]], Republican [[George W. Bush]] received 61.1% of the vote (4,391 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat [[John Kerry]], who received around 37.6% (2,701 votes), with 7,192 ballots cast among the township's 8,988 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 80.0.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_capemay_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Cape May County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ Presidential elections results
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Year
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2024 United States presidential election in New Jersey|2024]]<ref name="2024Elections">{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2024/2024-official-general-results-president-capemay.pdf|title=Presidential November 5, 2024 General Election Results Cape May County|access-date=January 13, 2025}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.4%''' ''4,968''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.0% ''3,127''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2020|2020]]<ref name="2020Elections">{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2020/2020-official-general-results-president-capemay.pdf|title=Presidential November 3, 2020 General Election Results Cape May County|access-date=January 13, 2025}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.8%''' ''4,998''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|39.7% ''3,376''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2016|2016]]<ref name="2016Elections">{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2016/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-cape-may.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results – November 8, 2016 – Cape May County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=December 31, 2017}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''59.4%''' ''4,270''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|35.4% ''2,544''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012]]<ref name="2012Election">{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-cape-may.pdf |title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Cape May County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=January 13, 2025}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.2%''' ''4,027''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.5% ''2,807''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008]]<ref name="state.nj.us">[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-cape-may.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Cape May County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 13, 2025.</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''57.2%''' ''4,165''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.9% ''2,980''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004]]'''<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_capemay_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Cape May County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 13, 2025.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.1%''' ''4,391''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.6% ''2,701''
|}

In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013|2013 gubernatorial election]], Republican [[Chris Christie]] received 70.2% of the vote (3,396 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barbara Buono]] with 28.2% (1,364 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (77 votes), among the 4,974 ballots cast by the township's 9,433 registered voters (137 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 52.7%.<ref name=2013Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-cape-may.pdf |title=Governor - Cape May County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-capemay.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Cape May County|date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009|2009 gubernatorial election]], Republican Chris Christie received 57.8% of the vote (2,865 ballots cast), ahead of both Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] with 33.4% (1,655 votes) and Independent [[Chris Daggett]] with 6.3% (312 votes), with 4,954 ballots cast among the township's 9,341 registered voters, yielding a 53.0% turnout.<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-cape-may.pdf 2009 Governor: Cape May County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017225450/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-cape-may.pdf |date=October 17, 2012 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Cape May County Library Upper Cape Branch.jpg|thumb|Upper Township Branch of the Cape May County Library, in Petersburg]]
The [[Upper Township School District]] serves students in [[pre-kindergarten]] through [[eighth grade]].<ref>[https://www.straussesmay.com/seportal/Public/DistrictPolicy.aspx?policyid=0110&id=c587f5197d86451abc2d1f82282954c7 Upper Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification], Upper Township School District. Accessed January 4, 2023. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the Upper Township School District. Composition: The Upper Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Upper Township."</ref> As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,404 students and 122.0 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 11.5:1.<ref name=NCES>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3416650&DistrictID=3416650 District information for Upper Township School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2021–22 enrollment data from the [[National Center for Education Statistics]]<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3416650 School Data for the Upper Township School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref>) are 
Upper Township Primary School<ref>[https://www.upperschools.org/Domain/8 Upper Township Primary School], Upper Township School District. Accessed January 4, 2023.</ref> with 497 students in grades PreK-2, 
Upper Township Elementary School<ref>[https://www.upperschools.org/Domain/9 Upper Township Elementary School], Upper Township School District. Accessed January 4, 2023.</ref> with 408 students in grades 3-5 and 
Upper Township Middle School<ref>[https://www.upperschools.org/Domain/10 Upper Township Middle School], Upper Township School District. Accessed January 4, 2023.</ref> with 485 students in grades 6-8.<ref>[https://www.upperschools.org/domain/150 School Information], Upper Township School District. Accessed January 4, 2023.</ref><ref>[https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/11/5300 School Performance Reports for the Upper Deerfield Township School District], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed April 1, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://homeroom6.doe.state.nj.us/directory/school/districtid/5340 New Jersey School Directory for the Upper Township School District], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> Students from [[Corbin City, New Jersey|Corbin City]], a non-operating school district, attend the Upper Township schools as part of a [[sending/receiving relationship]].<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/education/news/2009/0701nonops.htm 13 Non-Operating School Districts Eliminated], [[New Jersey Department of Education]] press release dated July 1, 2009. Accessed March 31, 2011.</ref>

Students in public school for [[ninth grade|ninth]] through [[twelfth grade]]s from Upper Township attend [[Ocean City High School]] in [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]] as part of a [[sending/receiving relationship]] with the [[Ocean City School District]], along with students from Corbin City, [[Longport, New Jersey|Longport]] and [[Sea Isle City, New Jersey|Sea Isle City]].<ref>[https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/1516/09/3780/050.html Ocean City High School 2016 Report Card Narrative], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed August 6, 2017. "Ocean City High School is a comprehensive high school serving the communities of Ocean City, Upper Township, Sea Isle City, Corbin City and Longport, with an enrollment of over 1,250 students."</ref> As of the 2021–22 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,231 students and 126.4 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 9.7:1.<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3411970&ID=341197001746 School data for Ocean City High School], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> {{As of|2015}} about 60% of students in Ocean City High School were from Upper Township.<ref>[http://www.shorenewstoday.com/upper_township/news/upper-township-school-board-members-frustrated-ochs-not-accepting-school/article_8afd6b8e-692c-540d-9dd0-e78a44643b57.html "Upper Township school board members frustrated OCHS not accepting School Choice students"], ''The Gazette of Upper Township'', March 18, 2015. Accessed January 10, 2017. "Upper Township pays around $10 million in tuition for more than 600 students to attend Ocean City High School. Upper Township students make up around 60 percent of the student body, Palmieri said."</ref>

Countywide schools include [[Cape May County Technical High School]] (for technical school students)<ref>[https://www.capemaytech.com/faq.html Frequently Asked Questions], [[Cape May County Technical High School]]. Accessed February 28, 2023. "Who can attend Cape May County Technical High School? All residents of Cape May County are eligible to attend Cape May County Technical High School. Our Adult and Continuing Education programs allow anyone to attend no matter where they may live. We have arrangements with Atlantic and Cumberland Counties for special circumstances that allow students to attend our Technical High School as well."</ref> and [[Cape May County Special Services School District]] (for special needs students) in Cape May Court House.<ref>[https://www.cmcspecialservices.org/pf4/cms2/view_page?d=x&group_id=1563002540089&vdid=ni36oed2r8gts227 About Us], [[Cape May County Special Services School District]]. Accessed February 28, 2023.</ref>

The [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden]] operates Bishop McHugh Regional School, a Catholic [[K-8 school]], in [[Dennis Township, New Jersey|Dennis Township]], which has a [[Cape May Courthouse]] postal address.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dennistwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DennisTownshipZoningMapApril2013-min.pdf|title=Zoning Map|publisher=[[Dennis Township, New Jersey|Dennis Township]]|access-date=2020-09-14}} - [https://www.bishopmchugh.com Compare to the address]: "2221 Rt. 9 North, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210"</ref> The ''[[Press of Atlantic City]]'' describes it as being in Ocean View,<ref>{{cite web|last=Leach|first=Ben|url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/bishop-mchugh-regional-catholic-school-in-ocean-view-opens-doors-to-kindergartners-pre-k-students/article_af9943c8-b613-11df-8993-001cc4c03286.html|title=Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School in Ocean View opens doors to kindergartners, pre-K students|newspaper=[[Press of Atlantic City]]|date=2010-09-10|access-date=2020-09-14|quote=Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School in the Ocean View section of Dennis Township}}</ref> though it lies outside of the Ocean View CDP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st34_nj/censusblock_maps/c34009_cape_may/PL20BLK_C34009.pdf|title=P.L. 94-171 COUNTY BLOCK MAP (2020 CENSUS): Cape May County, NJ|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2021-05-16|page=19}}</ref> It is the parish school of Marmora<!--This is in Upper Township which makes it relevant to the township-->/Woodbine Catholic Church and three other churches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bishopmchugh.com/about_us/welcome_to_bishop_mc_hugh|title=About|publisher=Bishop McHugh Regional School|access-date=2020-09-14}}</ref>

Cape May County Library operates the Upper Township Branch in Petersburg.<ref>[https://cmclibrary.org/about-the-library/locations/uppertownship Upper Township], Cape May County Library. Accessed February 28, 2023.</ref>

==Police Department==
Upper Township does not maintain its own municipal police department. The township is served by the [[New Jersey State Police]] who respond from their barracks in neighboring [[Woodbine, New Jersey|Woodbine]].{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

==Transportation==
[[File:2020-07-11 12 45 32 View north along New Jersey State Route 444 (Garden State Parkway) at Exit 20 (U.S. Route 9, New Jersey State Route 50 NORTH, Upper Township) in Upper Township, Cape May County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|right|[[Garden State Parkway]] northbound at exit 20 for [[U.S. Route 9 in New Jersey|U.S. Route 9]] and [[New Jersey Route 50|Route 50]] in Upper Township]]

===Roads and highways===
{{As of|2010|5}}, the township had a total of {{convert|140.23|mi}} of roadways, of which {{convert|74.84|mi}} were maintained by the municipality, {{convert|36.95|mi}} by Cape May County and {{convert|19.37|mi}} by the [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]] and {{convert|9.07|mi}} by the [[New Jersey Turnpike Authority]].<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Cape%20May.pdf Cape May County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>

The [[Garden State Parkway]] and [[US 9]] pass through the town and has two exits that provide access to [[New Jersey Route 50|Route 50]] and [[U.S. Route 9 in New Jersey|U.S. Route 9]], and they both corss over the [[Great Egg Harbor Bridge]], since the [[Beesley's Point Bridge]] is closed. The Parkway connects [[Dennis Township, New Jersey|Dennis Township]] on the south to [[Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey|Egg Harbor Township]] in the north.<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000444__-.pdf#page=7 Garden State Parkway Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], updated August 2014. Accessed February 13, 2023.</ref> at Interchange 20 for [[Seaville, New Jersey|Seaville]] / [[Tuckahoe, New Jersey|Tuckahoe]] and Interchange 25 for [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]] / [[Marmora, New Jersey|Marmora]] via [[County Route 623 (Cape May County, New Jersey)|County Route 623]].<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/turnpike/our-roadways.html Travel Resources: Interchanges, Service Areas & Commuter Lots], [[New Jersey Turnpike Authority]]. Accessed August 5, 2014.</ref>

Other major roads that pass through include [[New Jersey Route 49|Route 49]],<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000049__-.pdf#page=18 Route 49 Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], updated May 2017. Accessed February 13, 2023.</ref> [[County Route 548 (New Jersey)|CR 548]]<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000548__-.pdf#page=3 County Route 548 Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], updated June 2012. Accessed February 13, 2023.</ref> and [[County Route 557 (New Jersey)|CR 557]].<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000557__-.pdf#page=3 County Route 557 Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], updated June 2012. Accessed February 13, 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/gis/maps/Capemay.pdf Cape May County Highway Map], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed February 13, 2023.</ref>

===Public transportation===
[[NJ Transit]] offers the [[313 (New Jersey bus)|313]] and [[315 (New Jersey bus)|315]] (and the [[316 (New Jersey bus)|316]] offering seasonal service) inter-city bus routes that runs through the town three times a day and shuttle people between [[Cape May, New Jersey|Cape May]] and [[Philadelphia]], the [[319 (New Jersey bus)|319]] route between Cape May and the [[Port Authority Bus Terminal]] in [[Midtown Manhattan]], and the [[552 (New Jersey bus)|552]] route between Cape May and [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090522212315/http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BusRoutesCapemayCountyTo Cape May County Bus/Rail Connections], backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of May 22, 2009. Accessed August 4, 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.driveless.com/pdfs/SJTG_PDF.pdf#page=3 South Jersey Transit Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929093448/http://www2.driveless.com/pdfs/SJTG_PDF.pdf#page=3 |date=September 29, 2018 }}, Cross County Connection, as of April 1, 2010. Accessed December 15, 2014.</ref>

==Points of interest==
*[[Tuckahoe station (New Jersey)|Tuckahoe station]]
*[[Marshallville Historic District]]
*[[Thomas Beesley Sr. House]]
*[[John Wesley Gandy House]]

==Notable people==
{{Category see also|People from Upper Township, New Jersey}}
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Upper Township include:
* [[George Gandy]] (1851–1946), business executive and [[Real-estate developer|developer]], best known for constructing the original [[Gandy Bridge]], the first bridge to span the [[Tampa Bay]] in Florida.<ref>Hartzell, Scott Taylor. ed. [https://books.google.com/books?id=9k9popyiFJMC&pg=PA68 ''St. Petersburg: An Oral History''], p. 68. [[Arcadia Publishing]], 2002. {{ISBN|9780738514253}}. Accessed September 12, 2016. "George Sheppard Gandy was born in Tuckahoe, New Jersey, in 1851, the son of a shipmaster who owned numerous clipper sailing vessels."</ref>
* [[Garet Garrett]] (1878–1954), journalist and author, noted for his opposition to the [[New Deal]] and U.S. involvement in [[World War II]].<ref>Houdart, Michael. [http://www.shorenewstoday.com/upper_township/focus-on-history-garet-garrett-the-forgotten-genius-of-upper/article_a2e0573e-a4dd-11e5-a786-b7ed014b2c31.html "Focus on History: Garet Garrett, the forgotten genius of Upper Township"], ''The Gazette of Upper Township'', December 17, 2015. Accessed September 12, 2016. "When Garrett came to Upper Township in 1924, he chose to live on the banks of the Tuckahoe River in Marshallville. He lived in a three-story brick colonial house, part of the Stille Homestead that was supposedly built by slaves."</ref>
* [[Carlton Godfrey]] (1865–1929), politician and businessman who served in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] for five years and was Speaker of the House in 1915.<ref>Hall, John F. [https://books.google.com/books?id=pZE-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA475 ''The Daily Union History of Atlantic City and County, New Jersey: Containing Sketches of the Past and Present of Atlantic City and County''], p. 475. Daily Union Printing Company, 1900. Accessed September 12, 2016. "Carlton Godfrey, Esq. Our present City Solicitor was born at Beasley's Point, Cape May County, N. J., January 13, 1865."</ref>
* [[Ford Palmer]] (born 1990), professional [[middle-distance running|middle-distance runner]] who specializes in the [[1500 meters]] and the [[mile run|mile]].<ref>McGarry, Michael. [http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/former-absegami-high-school-runner-ford-palmer-chases--minute/article_9cf91dc2-2c36-5508-97a9-4178c6286f6f.html "Former Absegami High School runner Ford Palmer chases 4-minute mark in mile"], ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', July 19, 2014. Accessed September 27, 2017. "Palmer's mother, Gina, lives in Galloway Township, while his father lives in Upper Township. He splits his time between both homes."</ref>
* [[Bob Pellegrini]] (1934–2008), [[linebacker]] who played in the [[National Football League]] for the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] and the [[Washington Redskins]].<ref>Staff. [http://www.footballfoundation.org/News/NewsDetail/tabid/567/Article/51958/1996-hall-of-fame-inductee-bob-pellegrini-dies.aspx "1996 Hall of Fame Inductee Bob Pellegrini Dies"], [[National Football Foundation]], April 20, 2008. Accessed September 12, 2016. "Bob Pellegrini, a 1996 inductee into the College Hall of Fame and a unanimous All-America center at Maryland, died April 11 at his home in Marmora, N.J. He was 73."</ref>
* [[Dummy Stephenson]] (1869–1924), [[outfielder]] in [[Major League Baseball]] who played for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] in 1892.<ref>McKenna, Brian. [http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/a036ff64 Dummy Stephenson], [[Society for American Baseball Research]]. Accessed August 12, 2016. "Reuben Crandol Stephenson was born on September 22, 1869, in Upper Township, a large town in Cape May County, New Jersey. During the first half of the nineteenth century the towns of Dennis and Ocean, now known as Ocean City, were separated from Upper because it was so vast. Stephenson is often cited as hailing from Petersburg, but that is merely a post office designation, not typically used as a biographical reference in baseball encyclopedias."</ref>
* [[Adam Williamson]] (born 1984), professional soccer [[midfielder]] who has played for the [[Ocean City Barons]] in the [[USL Premier Development League]].<ref>[http://lehighsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1439 Adam Williamson - Fall 2005 Men's Soccer], [[Lehigh Mountain Hawks]]. Accessed June 9, 2016. "Hometown: Petersburg, N.J.; High School: Ocean City"</ref>

==References==
{{portal|New Jersey}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://uppertownship.com/ Upper Township website]
*[https://upperschools.org/ Upper Township School District]
*{{NJReportCard|09|5340|0|Upper Township School District}}
*[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3416650 School Data for the Upper Township School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]
*[http://www.uppertownshipgazette.com The Upper Township Gazette] Local community newspaper
{{Upper Township, New Jersey}}
{{Cape May County, New Jersey}}

{{Geographic Location
 | Centre    = Upper Township
 | North     = [[Corbin City, New Jersey|Corbin City]]<br>[[Estell Manor, New Jersey|Estell Manor]]
 | Northeast = [[Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey|Egg Harbor Township]]<br>[[Somers Point, New Jersey|Somers Point]]
 | East      = [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]]
 | Southeast = [[Sea Isle City, New Jersey|Sea Isle City]]
 | South     =
 | Southwest = [[Woodbine, New Jersey|Woodbine]]<br>[[Dennis Township, New Jersey|Dennis Township]]
 | West      = 
 | Northwest = [[Maurice River Township, New Jersey|Maurice River Township]]
}}
{{Jersey Shore region}}

[[Category:Upper Township, New Jersey| ]]
[[Category:1723 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Jersey Shore communities in Cape May County]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1723]]
[[Category:Township form of New Jersey government]]
[[Category:Townships in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Townships in Cape May County, New Jersey]]