Deptford Township, New Jersey

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Deptford Township (pronounced DEP-ford<ref>Berkery, Sheri. "Do you know how to pronounce these S.J. town names?", Courier-Post, September 5, 2019. Accessed January 26, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Deptford/West Deptford: DEP-ford. Commonly and inexplicably heard as DEFF-ort."</ref>) is a township in Gloucester County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 31,977,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 1,416 (+4.6%) from the 2010 census count of 30,561,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 3,798 (+14.2%) from the 26,763 counted in the 2000 census.<ref name=Census2000/><ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>

Deptford Township was formed June 1, 1695, and was known initially as Bethlehem. It was incorporated as a township by the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of the state's initial 104 townships formed under the Township Act. Since then, portions of the township were taken to create Washington Township (February 17, 1836), Woodbury Borough (March 27, 1854; now Woodbury), West Deptford Township (March 1, 1871), Wenonah (March 10, 1883), Westville (April 7, 1914), and Woodbury Heights (April 6, 1915).<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 138. Accessed August 22, 2012.</ref>

Deptford is a southeastern suburb of Philadelphia, located on the eastern side of the Walt Whitman Bridge, one of several bridges that join Deptford Township with Philadelphia, the nation's sixth-largest city as of 2020. It is located Template:Convert southeast of Philadelphia and Template:Convert northwest of Atlantic City.

Deptford Township was named for the Deptford area of London, located on the River Thames.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 25, 2015.</ref><ref>Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 104. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed October 25, 2015.</ref> It is part of the South Jersey region of the state.

History

Dutch explorer Cornelius Jacobsen May led some of the earliest European settlement in the area. May was followed by settlers from Sweden and Finland before the area ultimately came under British colonial rule. The township was formed in 1695, and covered an area of Template:Convert that included today's Deptford Township along with present-day Monroe Township, Washington Township, West Deptford Township, Westville, Woodbury, and Woodbury Heights.<ref name=Story/><ref name=History>Township History, Deptford Township. Accessed November 7, 2019. "The old township, incorporated in 1695, comprised some 106 square miles and included what today is West Deptford, Washington Township, Monroe, Westville, Woodbury and Woodbury Heights.... It was settled in 1623 by the Dutch under Cornelius Jacobse Mey and was later claimed by the Swedes and the Finns before coming under British control.... Today, Deptford is comprised of many sections, including Almonesson, Jericho, New Sharon, Oak Valley, Westville Grove, Cooper Village, Blackwood Terrace, Hammond Heights, Lake Tract, Woodbury Terrace, Woodbury Gardens, Country Club Estates and Good Intent."</ref>

Clement Oak in Deptford, an old oak tree estimated to have sprouted between 1555 and 1615, was the site of the first hot air balloon landing in North America when Jean-Pierre Blanchard completed his flight to Deptford from Philadelphia in 1793. During his flight, Blanchard carried a personal letter from George Washington to be delivered to the owner of whatever property Blanchard landed on, making the flight the first airmail delivery in the nation.<ref>Roncace, Kelly. "Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon landing, a major part of Deptford's history, turns 217", Gloucester County Times, January 5, 2010. Accessed May 7, 2012. "More than 200 years ago, President George Washington watched as Jean-Pierre Blanchard soared over the Delaware River and into New Jersey skies, before finally landing in Deptford Township for the first hot air balloon flight and landing in North America's history."</ref>

On September 1, 2021, Deptford Township was hit by a strong EF3 tornado with winds up to Template:Convert produced by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.<ref>Gray, Matt. "N.J. weather: As rare EF-3 tornado hit, woman 'was sucked through her house.' Residents recount twister's fury.", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 10, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2022. "The EF-3 tornado that blasted Gloucester County with winds of up to 150 mph on Wednesday, obliterating homes and toppling farm silos, tore a more than 12-mile path from Harrisonville to Deptford Township over the course of 20 minutes, first touching down at 6:10 p.m., the National Weather Service reported."</ref> More than 100 homes in the township were damaged in the tornado outbreak.<ref>Gray, Matt. "Costs exceed $64M for mega tornado that ripped through N.J. county during Ida", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 29, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2022. "Dozens of homes were destroyed and nearly 100 more suffered major damage, according to figures compiled by the county. Wenonah reported the highest number of properties with some sort of damage at 204, while Harrison Township reported 155, Deptford Township reported 101, Mantua Township had 51 and Woodbury Heights reported 40."</ref>

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 17.57 square miles (45.50 km²), including 17.33 square miles (44.89 km²) of land and 0.24 square miles (0.61 km²) of water (1.35%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 /> The township borders Mantua Township, Washington Township, Wenonah, West Deptford Township, Westville, Woodbury, and Woodbury Heights in Gloucester County, and Bellmawr, Gloucester Township, and Runnemede in Camden County.<ref>Municipalities within Gloucester County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed November 7, 2019.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 7, 2019.</ref>

Oak Valley, with a 2010 census population of 3,483,<ref>DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Oak Valley CDP, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 7, 2012.</ref> is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in Deptford Township.<ref>New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed November 6, 2012.</ref> Other unincorporated communities, localities, and places located partially or completely within the township include Almonesson, Blackwood Terrace, Clements Bridge, Cooper Village, Country Club Estates, Good Intent, Hammond Heights, Jericho, Lake Tract, New Sharon, Oak Valley, Salina, Westcottville, Westville Grove, Woodbury Gardens, Woodbury Park, and Woodbury Terrace.<ref name=History/><ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 7, 2015.</ref>

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 30,561 people, 11,689 households, and 7,995 families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 12,361 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 78.80% (24,082) White, 12.16% (3,717) Black or African American, 0.24% (73) Native American, 4.45% (1,361) Asian, 0.04% (12) Pacific Islander, 2.04% (622) from other races, and 2.27% (694) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% (1,830) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 11,689 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18; 50.1% were married couples living together; 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.6% were non-families. Of all households, 25.3% were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.11.<ref name=Census2010/>

21.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.0 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that, in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars, median household income was $66,833 with a margin of error of +/− $2,897 and median family income was $76,303 (+/− $2,216). Males had a median income of $52,310 (+/− $2,247) versus $46,532 (+/− $4,525) for females. The per capita income for the township was $30,476 (+/− $1,269). About 6.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Deptford township, Gloucester County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 7, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 U.S. census,<ref name="GR2" /> there were 26,763 people, 10,013 households, and 7,079 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 10,647 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 83.44% White, 12.38% Black, 0.21% Native American, 1.53% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.86% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Deptford township, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 31, 2016.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Deptford township, Gloucester County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 22, 2012.</ref>

There were 10,013 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.12.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township, the age distribution of the population showed 23.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $50,147, and the median income for a family was $56,642. Males had a median income of $40,641 versus $28,986 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,477. 5.9% of the population and 4.3% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Economy

File:Deptford Mall - Sears Wing.jpg

Deptford Mall in Deptford Township

Deptford Mall, the largest mall in the South Jersey region of the state with a gross leasable area of Template:Convert, is located in the township.<ref>Directory of Major Malls: Deptford Mall Template:Webarchive, International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed May 7, 2012.</ref> Macerich purchased the mall in 2007 for $241 million.<ref>Staff. "Deptford Mall sold for $241M", Philadelphia Business Journal, January 9, 2007. Accessed May 7, 2012. "A California company said Tuesday it will pay $241 million for the Deptford Mall in South Jersey. The buyer is Macerich Partnership LP, the operating partnership of Santa Monica-based Macerich Co. (NYSE:MAC).... Deptford Mall, which is 1 million square feet, is anchored by JC Penney, Sears, Macy's and Boscov's. "</ref> The mall is surrounded by an eight-screen movie theater, twelve strip malls, bars, restaurants, and stores.

Parks and recreation

Tall Pines State Preserve is a Template:Convert nature preserve that is Gloucester County's first state park. Opened in November 2015, the park is located on Deptford Township's border with Mantua Township. Originally a forest that was turned into an asparagus field and then a golf course, the land was preserved through efforts of the South Jersey Land and Water Trust, the Friends of Tall Pines, Gloucester County Nature Club, and the New Jersey Green Acres Program.<ref>"Tall Pines State Preserve; Gloucester County's First State Park" Template:Webarchive, Natural Awakenings: South Jersey Edition. Accessed May 19, 2016. "This 111-acre parcel of land that straddles Mantua and Deptford townships was originally forested woodlands, then an asparagus field before it became a golf course named Tall Pines in the early 1950s."</ref>

Government

Local government

Deptford Township operates under the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Council-Manager form of municipal government. The township is one of 42 (of the 564) municipalities in New Jersey that uses this form of government.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of a seven-member Township Council, whose members are elected on an at-large basis in partisan elections to serve four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either three or four seats coming up for election in odd-numbered years.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 28.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 12. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref><ref>Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref> The council then selects a mayor and a deputy mayor to serve two-year terms from among its members during the reorganization meeting in January. There are no term limits for council, mayor or deputy mayor, and elected officials can remain in those offices as long as they continue to be nominated by the council every two years and as long as they win their council elections every four years. The council hires an independent manager to serve as the chief administrative official of the township. The Township Manager is Thomas Newman Jr.<ref name=Manager/>

Template:As of, members of the Deptford Township Council are Mayor Paul Medany (D, term on committee ends December 31, 2027; term as mayor ends 2025), Deputy Mayor Tom Hufnell (D, term on committee ends 2027; term as deputy mayor ends 2025), Kenneth Barnshaw (D, 2025), Bill Lamb (D, 2025), Brandi Leidy (D, 2027), Wayne Love (D, 2025) and Phillip Schocklin (D, 2025).<ref name=MayorCouncil>Mayor & Council, Deptford Township. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref><ref>2024 Municipal User Friendly Budget, Deptford Township. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref><ref name=GloucesterDirectory>Gloucester County 2024 Official Directory, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref><ref name=Gloucester2023>General Election November 7, 2023 Unofficial Results, Gloucester County, New Jersey, November 20, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Gloucester2021>General Election November 2, 2021 Unofficial Results, Gloucester County, New Jersey, updated November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

Federal, state, and county representation

Deptford Township is located in New Jersey's 1st congressional district<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 5th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

===Politics===Template:PresHead Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow |} As of March 2011, there was a total of 19,449 registered voters in Deptford. Among these, 8,169 (42.0%) were registered as Democrats, 2,740 (14.1%) were registered as Republicans, and 8,523 (43.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 17 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref>Voter Registration Summary - Gloucester, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 6, 2012.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 62.3% of the vote (8,427 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 36.5% (4,938 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (168 votes), among the 13,639 ballots cast by the township's 20,488 registered voters (106 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 66.6%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 60.4% of the vote (8,655 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 37.1% (5,311 votes) and other candidates with 1.5% (215 votes), among the 14,332 ballots cast by the township's 20,166 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.1%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Gloucester County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 6, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 58.0% of the vote (7,426 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 40.8% (5,220 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (104 votes), among the 12,806 ballots cast by the township's 17,725 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 72.2.<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Gloucester County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 6, 2012.</ref>

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 60.9% of the vote (4,794 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 37.7% (2,969 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (111 votes), among the 8,093 ballots cast by the township's 20,145 registered voters (219 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 40.2%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 48.9% of the vote (4,158 ballots cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 41.0% (3,487 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.3% (622 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (65 votes), among the 8,500 ballots cast by the township's 19,678 registered voters, yielding a 43.2% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Gloucester County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed November 6, 2012.</ref>

Education

Primary and secondary education

Template:Further Public school students in the township are served by Deptford Township Schools, a public school district that includes eight schools for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.<ref>Identification, Deptford Township Schools. Accessed January 26, 2020. "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 twelve in the Deptford Township School District. Composition: The Deptford Township School District is comprised of all the area within Deptford Township, within the County of Gloucester."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district had an enrollment of 3,942 students and 329.8 classroom teachers on an FTE basis for a student–teacher ratio of 12.0:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Deptford Township Public School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics,<ref>School Data for the Deptford Township Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are Central Early Childhood Center<ref>Central Early Childhood Center, Deptford Township Schools. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> with 489 students in grades Pre-K–1, Pine Acres Early Childhood Center<ref>Pine Acres Early Childhood Center, Deptford Township Schools. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> with 240 students in grades Pre-K–1, Good Intent School<ref>Good Intent School, Deptford Township Schools. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> with 334 students in grades 2–6, Lake Tract School<ref>Lake Tract School, Deptford Township Schools. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> with 382 students in grades 2–6, Oak Valley School<ref>Oak Valley School, Deptford Township Schools. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> with 354 students in grades 2–6, Shady Lane School<ref>Shady Lane School, Deptford Township Schools. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> with 361 students in grades 2–6, Monongahela Middle School<ref>Monongahela Middle School, Deptford Township Schools. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> with 704 students in grades 7–8, Deptford Township High School<ref>Deptford Township High School, Deptford Township Schools. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> with 1,009 students in grades 9–12, and Deptford Transitional Learning Academy,<ref>Director of Special Education, Deptford Township Schools. Accessed March 18, 2022.</ref> which assists students with developmental or cognitive disabilities ages 14 to 21 learn life and career skills.<ref>Deangelis, Danielle. "Deptford school district prepares for 2022; Spartan Improvement Plan to play a major role", Gloucester County News, January 3, 2022. Accessed June 2, 2022. "Other renovations will be made at the high school's media center. The updates are necessary since the center is used by the Deptford Transitional Learning Academy, a special-education program that prepares students from 14 to 21 with the proper life and career skills they will need to graduate."</ref><ref>Our Schools, Deptford Township Schools. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref><ref>2023-2024 Gloucester County Office of Education Public School Directory, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Deptford Township Public School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed January 27, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Deptford Township Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

Gloucester County students are eligible to apply to attend Gloucester County Institute of Technology, a four-year high school in Deptford Township that provides technical and vocational education. As a public school, students do not pay tuition to attend the school.<ref>Admissions, Gloucester County Institute of Technology. Accessed November 7, 2019. "There is no charge to attend. GCIT is a public school.... GCIT is the vocational-technical school for Gloucester County residents. You must live in Gloucester County to apply and attend."</ref>

Guardian Angels Regional School (PreK-Grade 3 campus in Gibbstown and 4–8 campus in Paulsboro), managed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden, also accepts students from Deptford.<ref>Contact Information, Guardian Angels Regional School. Accessed February 20, 2023. "Conveniently located just minutes off of 295 in Gloucester County, Guardian Angels Regional School serves families who reside in Gibbstown, Paulsboro, West Deptford, Deptford, Woodbury, National Park, East Greenwich, Mantua, Mickleton, Clarksboro, Mt. Royal, Mullica Hill, Swedesboro, Woolwich, Logan Twp. and families in Salem County who reside in Carneys Point, Salem, Pennsville and Penns Grove."</ref><ref>Schools, South Jersey Catholic Schools. Accessed February 20, 2023.</ref>

College

Gloucester County College, now part of Rowan College of South Jersey, opened in Deptford Township in 1968, with classes held at Monongahela Junior High School and Deptford Township High School.<ref>Driscoll, Jessica. "Gloucester County College graduates have unique stories to tell", Gloucester County Times, May 19, 2012. Accessed August 21, 2022. "Deptford Twp.— Joseph Zwaan began attending Gloucester County College in 1968 when classes were held at Monongahela Middle School, but he was quickly drafted into the U.S. Army — never finishing his degree when he returned from service."</ref><ref>College Overview: History, Gloucester County College, backed up by the Internet Archive as of October 6, 2011. Accessed August 21, 2022. "Some 600-charter students were enrolled in September 1968, attending classes at Deptford High School and Monongahela Junior High School."</ref>

Transportation

File:2021-05-21 14 18 25 View north along New Jersey State Route 700 (New Jersey Turnpike) from the overpass for Gloucester County Route 534 (Cooper Street) in Deptford Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.jpg

The New Jersey Turnpike in Deptford Township, May 2021

Roads and highways

Template:As of, the township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways. Of this, Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Gloucester County, Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.<ref>Gloucester County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>

Several major transportation routes crisscross Deptford Township.<ref>Gloucester County Highway Map, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed February 22, 2023.</ref> These include Route 41,<ref>Route 41 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated April 2016. Accessed February 20, 2023.</ref> Route 42,<ref>Route 42 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated March 2017. Accessed February 20, 2023.</ref> Route 45,<ref>Route 45 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated March 2017. Accessed February 20, 2023.</ref> Route 47,<ref>Route 47 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated April 2014. Accessed February 20, 2023.</ref> and Route 55.<ref>Route 55 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated March 2017. Accessed February 20, 2023.</ref> County roads include County Route 534, County Route 544, County Route 551, and County Route 553. The New Jersey Turnpike passes through the area at Exit 3 at Bellmawr and Runnemede.<ref>New Jersey Turnpike Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated August 2014. Accessed February 20, 2023.</ref> A very short section of Interstate 295 passes through the township for Template:Convert.<ref>Interstate 295 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated May 2017. Accessed December 17, 2022.</ref>

Public transportation

NJ Transit bus service is available to Philadelphia from Deptford Township on the 400, 401, 402, 408, 410, and 412 routes. Local service is provided on the 455 and 463 routes.<ref>Gloucester County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 26, 2010. Accessed November 6, 2012.</ref><ref>Gloucester County's Transit Guide, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed November 7, 2019.</ref>

Notable people

File:Patti Smith performing at TIM Festival, Marina da Gloria, Rio De Janeiro (4).jpg

Rock musician Patti Smith from Deptford Township

People who were born in, residents of, or closely associated with Deptford Township include:

• Enrico Di Giuseppe (1932–2005), operatic tenor who performed with the New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera<ref>"Arts: It was a rocky road in 2006", Courier-Post, December 31, 2006. Accessed January 26, 2020. "Tenor Enrico di Giuseppe, a Metropolitan Opera star who lived in Deptford, died on New Year's eve."</ref>
• Evan Edinger (born 1990), YouTuber<ref>Exploring My Hometown of Deptford, NJ and Philadelphia! at Evan Edinger Travel, YouTube. Accessed January 26, 2020.</ref>
• Joe Fields (born 1953), former professional American football center and guard who played in the NFL for the New York Jets and the New York Giants<ref>Eskenazi, Gerald. "Joe Fields: Diligent Leader of Jets' Line", The New York Times, January 7, 1983. Accessed June 2, 2022. "But when Fields was drafted, he knew he would have to work on his snap. But where? And how? He and his wife lived in an apartment. So he went to his family's home in Deptford, N.J."</ref><ref>Joe Fields, NJSports.com. Accessed June 2, 2022. "Joseph Charles Fields Jr. was born November 14, 1953 in Woodbury and grew up in Deptford."</ref>
• Kenneth A. Gewertz (1934–2006), politician who served as Mayor of Deptford Township and in the New Jersey General Assembly<ref>Wood, Sam. "Kenneth Gewertz, 72, 'Mr. Deptford'", Gloucester City News, December 15, 2006. Accessed June 2, 2022. "Kenneth Gewertz, 72, a bigger-than-life Gloucester County politician known as 'Mr. Deptford,' died in his sleep Tuesday night December 12, at his winter home in Orlando, Fla., from a heart attack."</ref>
• Isaac Hopper (1771–1852), abolitionist, founder of the Underground Railroad<ref>Bulletin Article - September 2005 Template:Webarchive, Historical Society of Haddonfield, accessed April 17, 2007. "In the city, she boarded with the family of Isaac Hopper whose ancestors had lived in what is now Deptford, New Jersey."</ref>
• Michael Johns (born 1964), health care executive, former White House speechwriter, conservative policy analyst and writer<ref>Driscoll, Jessica. "Different cup of tea"Template:Webarchive, Gloucester County Times, February 24, 2010.</ref><ref>"Candidates seek area tea party's support at rally",The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 18, 2010. Accessed June 2, 2022. "Michael Johns, a national tea party leader from Deptford, speaks to the crowd."</ref>
• Katrina Law (born Template:Circa), actress<ref>Katalinas, Theresa. "Local Actress Has 'Remorse' in Horror Movie; Deptford native Katrina Law stars in the independent 'psychological horror' movie. Filming was largely in Horsham, PA's Penrose-Strawbridge house, which is said to be haunted.", West Deptford Patch, June 15, 2013. Accessed May 7, 2015.</ref>
• Bob Levy (born 1962), stand-up comic<ref>Budzak, Gary. "Stern's irreverent cohorts to provide humor at Alrosa Villa" Template:Webarchive, The Columbus Dispatch, October 16, 2008. Accessed April 12, 2011. "Levy, of Deptford, N.J., has performed stand-up for 20 years, earning the ironic nickname 'Reverend' for his foul language."</ref>
• Dave Rowe (born 1945), former professional football player who played for the Baltimore Colts, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers<ref>Staff. "Deptford selects Hall of Fame class", The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 8, 2009. Accessed February 8, 2011. "Deptford has selected a group that will make up its first athletic Hall of Fame class. The inaugural class will be inducted April 27 at Auletto Caterers in Deptford. Dave Rowe, a starter for the 1977 Super Bowl champion Oakland Raiders, will be one of seven athletes to be inducted."</ref><ref>Dave Rowe, NJSports.com. Accessed June 2, 2022. "David Homeyer Rowe was born June 20, 1945 in Neptune City. His family moved to Deptford in South Jersey when he was a boy."</ref>
• Shaun T (born 1978), motivational speaker, fitness trainer and choreographer best known for his home fitness programs T25, Insanity and Hip-Hop Abs<ref>Kuperinsky, Amy. "How celebrity trainer Shaun T went from Camden survivor to fitness superstar", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, August 8, 2016, updated July 21, 2017. Accessed September 27, 2018. "Shaun Thompson was born in Camden and spent his early years with his mother and brother in Philadelphia. Feeling trapped by what he describes as four years of sexual abuse by a family member, he took refuge with his grandparents in Deptford.... At Deptford High School, Blokker was a natural at track and field, but he really wanted to be the next Anderson Cooper."</ref>
• Mel Sheppard (1883–1942), winner of four gold medals at the 1908 Summer Olympics and 1912 Summer Olympics<ref>Anastatsia, Phil. "A champion to remember Mel Sheppard won the first of his 4 Olympic golds 100 years ago.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 14, 2008. Accessed December 27, 2013. "Sheppard was born in 1883 in Almonesson, a section of Deptford Township in Gloucester County. He lived there, in a twin house, for the first nine years of his life.... At age 9, Sheppard moved with his family to Clayton, and got a job 'rolling jars' in a glass factory for $9 a month. His family moved to Haddonfield a few years later, then to the Grays Ferry section of Philadelphia when Sheppard was about 15."</ref>
• Patti Smith (born 1946), punk rock singer-songwriter, musician, author, and poet<ref>LaGorce, Tammy. "Music; Patti Smith, New Jersey's Truest Rock-Poet", The New York Times, December 11, 2005. Accessed April 25, 2008. "But of all the ways to know Patti Smith, few people, including Ms. Smith, would think to embrace her as Deptford Township's proudest export."</ref>
• Gary Stuhltrager (born 1955), eight-term member of the New Jersey General Assembly<ref>Assemblyman Gary W. Stuhltrager, New Jersey Legislature, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 25, 1998. Accessed June 12, 2010.</ref>
• Crystal Waters (born 1961), house and dance music singer and songwriter<ref>"Singer-Songwriter Crystal Waters On How A Psychic Helped Put Her On A Journey To The Top Of The Charts", WCBS-TV, November 12, 2021. Accessed June 2, 2022. "Born and raised in Deptford, just outside of Philadelphia, Waters' family was filled with musicians, starting with her great aunt, the legendary singer and actress Ethel Waters."</ref>
• Lillian Willoughby (1915–2009), Quaker activist who advocated for world peace and founded Take Back the Night<ref>Jackson, James. "How the community helped a Deptford house become a landmark", Deptford News, April 24, 2021. "George and Lillian Willoughby moved to Deptford in 1954 with hopes of building a Quaker community. But even with the township's 32 acres, it was not to be."</ref>

In popular culture

Deptford Township is featured briefly in the film Patti Smith: Dream of Life, a 2008 documentary about rock musician Patti Smith.<ref>"Patti Smith: Dream of Life", Electric Sheep, December 2, 2008.</ref>

External links

• Deptford Township Official Web Site
• Deptford Public Library
• Deptford Township Schools
• Template:NJReportCard
• School Data for the Deptford Township Schools, National Center for Education Statistics