Upper Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Upper Pittsgrove Township is a township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 3,432,<ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 73 (−2.1%) from the 2010 census count of 3,505,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 37 (+1.1%) from the 3,468 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>

Upper Pittsgrove Township was incorporated on March 10, 1846, from portions of Pittsgrove Township. Portions of the township were taken on January 28, 1893, to form Elmer.<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. 218. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref>

The township was named for Pittsgrove Township, which in turn was named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, a supporter of the colonial cause.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 16, 2015.</ref><ref>Town and County Names, Visit Salem County. Accessed October 16, 2015. "Set off from Piles Grove and named in honor of Sir William Pitt the famous English statesman and orator, before he accepted the Earldom of Chatham."</ref>

It is a dry town, where alcohol cannot be sold, as affirmed by a referendum passed in 1979, though alcohol is available at a winery and a distillery in the township.<ref>New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. New Jersey ABC list of dry towns (May 1, 2013)</ref><ref>Giordano, Rita. "More towns catching liquor-license buzz; Moorestown considers ending its dry spell", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 24, 2007. Accessed February 16, 2014.</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 40.39 square miles (104.60 km²), including 40.24 square miles (104.23 km²) of land and 0.15 square miles (0.38 km²) of water (0.36%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 /> Upper Pittsgrove leads New Jersey in acres of active agriculture and preserved farmland.<ref name=DSC/> The Salem River has its source in the township.<ref>DeLorme (2005). New Jersey Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. Template:ISBN.</ref>

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Ballingers Mill, Daretown, Foxs Mill, Friendship Church, Monroeville, New Freedom, Newkirk, Pittsgrove, Pole Tavern, Shirley, Whig Lane and Woods Mills.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>

The township borders Alloway Township, Elmer, Pilesgrove Township and Pittsgrove Township in Salem County; Upper Deerfield Township in Cumberland County; and Elk Township, Franklin Township and South Harrison Township in Gloucester County.<ref>Salem County Map, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 5, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 3,505 people, 1,247 households, and 932 families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,310 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 94.89% (3,326) White, 2.17% (76) Black or African American, 0.43% (15) Native American, 0.23% (8) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.91% (32) from other races, and 1.37% (48) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.02% (106) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 1,247 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18; 62.6% were married couples living together; 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 25.3% were non-families. Of all households, 20.9% were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.17.<ref name=Census2010/>

22.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 32.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 102.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 100.4 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $80,957 (with a margin of error of +/− $12,476) and the median family income was $83,438 (+/− $13,632). Males had a median income of $55,246 (+/− $4,750) versus $36,316 (+/− $13,317) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,264 (+/− $3,595). About 2.4% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Upper Pittsgrove township, Salem County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 7, 2013.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 3,468 people, 1,207 households, and 959 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,250 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 94.84% White, 2.16% African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 1.30% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.14% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Upper Pittsgrove township, Salem County, New JerseyTemplate:Dead link, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 8, 2013.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Upper Pittsgrove township, Salem County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 8, 2013.</ref>

There were 1,207 households, out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were non-families. 16.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.13.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $53,813, and the median income for a family was $56,768. Males had a median income of $41,319 versus $27,976 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,732. About 6.0% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Government

Local government

Upper Pittsgrove Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 19.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> At an annual reorganization meeting, the council selects one of its members to serves as mayor and another as deputy mayor.<ref name=TownshipCommittee/>

Template:As of, members of the Upper Pittsgrove Township Council are Mayor Edward J. Meschi (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2023; term as mayor ends 2022), Deputy Mayor David Zeck Sr. (R, term on committee ends 2023; term as deputy mayor ends 2022), Bruce W. Bishop (R, 2024), Jack R. Cimprich (R, 2024) and Michael J. Seery Sr. (R, 2022).<ref name=TownshipCommittee>Township Committee, Upper Pittsgrove Township. Accessed August 16, 2022. "Upper Pittsgrove Township is governed under the township form of New Jersey municipal governments. Five members are elected at large in partisan elections to serve 3-year terms on a staggered basis, with 1 or 2 seats coming up for election each year. At the annual reorganization meeting the committee selects one member to serve as mayor.</ref><ref>2020 Municipal Data Sheet, Upper Pittsgrove Township. Accessed August 16, 2022. As of date accessed, this was the most recent budget available.</ref><ref name=Salem2021>Election Summary Report General Election Salem County November 2, 2021 Official Results Report, Salem County, New Jersey, updated November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref><ref name=Salem2020>Election Summary Report Salem County NJ General Election November 3, 2020 Official Report, Salem County, New Jersey, updated November 25, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref><ref name=Salem2019>November 5, 2019 Summary Report Salem County, NJ Official Results, Salem County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 18, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

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

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 2,370 registered voters in Upper Pittsgrove Township, of which 447 (18.9% vs. 30.6% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 688 (29.0% vs. 21.0%) were registered as Republicans and 1,235 (52.1% vs. 48.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Salem, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed February 8, 2013.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 67.6% (vs. 64.6% in Salem County) were registered to vote, including 87.1% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 84.4% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 8, 2013.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 65.3% of the vote (1,102 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 33.1% (558 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (27 votes), among the 1,699 ballots cast by the township's 2,395 registered voters (12 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 70.9%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 1,173 votes (64.8% vs. 46.6% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 595 votes (32.9% vs. 50.4%) and other candidates with 23 votes (1.3% vs. 1.6%), among the 1,810 ballots cast by the township's 2,449 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.9% (vs. 71.8% in Salem County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Salem County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed February 8, 2013.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 1,192 votes (64.4% vs. 52.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 621 votes (33.6% vs. 45.9%) and other candidates with 29 votes (1.6% vs. 1.0%), among the 1,850 ballots cast by the township's 2,477 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.7% (vs. 71.0% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Salem County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed February 8, 2013.</ref>

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In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 76.9% of the vote (896 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 20.1% (234 votes), and other candidates with 3.0% (35 votes), among the 1,172 ballots cast by the township's 2,372 registered voters (7 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 49.4%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 814 votes (59.2% vs. 46.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 372 votes (27.0% vs. 39.9%), Independent Chris Daggett with 138 votes (10.0% vs. 9.7%) and other candidates with 32 votes (2.3% vs. 2.0%), among the 1,376 ballots cast by the township's 2,441 registered voters, yielding a 56.4% turnout (vs. 47.3% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Salem County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed February 8, 2013.</ref>

Education

The Upper Pittsgrove School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Upper Pittsgrove School.<ref>School Performance Reports for the Upper Pittsgrove Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 1, 2024.</ref> As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 322 students and 34.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.5:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Upper Pittsgrove Twp School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref>

Students in public school for ninth through twelfth grades attend Woodstown High School in Woodstown, which serves students from Pilesgrove Township and Woodstown, along with students Alloway Township, Oldmans Township and Upper Pittsgrove Township who attend the high school as part of sending/receiving relationships with the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District.<ref>Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed August 6, 2017. "This School Report Card provides the school district's constituents with information concerning the district's programs, including test scores, attendance data of students and staff, financial details, and other specifics which together form a comprehensive review of our school district’s offerings to the Woodstown-Pilesgrove community as well as the high school sending districts of Alloway, Oldmans, and Upper Pittsgrove."</ref> As of the 2021–22 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 559 students and 49.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.2:1.<ref>School data for Woodstown High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref>

Transportation

File:2018-08-15 12 06 57 View west along U.S. Route 40 (Harding Highway) just west of Salem County Route 677 (Burlington Road-Greenville Road) in Upper Pittsgrove Township, Salem County, New Jersey.jpg

U.S. Route 40 westbound in Upper Pittsgrove Township

Roads and highways

Template:As of, the township has a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Salem County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Salem County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 9, 2013.</ref>

State Route 77 runs through the center of the township for Template:Convert from Upper Deerfield Township in Cumberland County to Elk Township in Gloucester County to the north.<ref>Route 77 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, January 2009. Accessed November 9, 2013.</ref> U.S. Route 40 (Harding Highway) runs across the township for about Template:Convert, from Pilesgrove Township in the west, enters Elmer borough, re-enters the township and continues to Franklin Township in Gloucester County to the east.<ref>U.S. Route 40 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2009. Accessed November 9, 2013.</ref> County Route 553 (Buck Road) cuts across the eastern panhandle of the township, from Pittsgrove Township in the south to Franklin Township in the north. <ref>County Route 553 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, September 2007. Accessed November 9, 2013.</ref> County Route 581 (Commissioners Pike) enters on the western border from Pilesgrove Township and heads north for Template:Convert towards South Harrison Township.<ref>County Route 581 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2009. Accessed November 9, 2013.</ref>

Pole Tavern Circle is a traffic circle at the intersection of U.S. Route 40, State Route 77, Monroeville Road (County Route 604), and Daretown Road (County Route 635). The Pole Tavern Circle, named for a liberty pole that stood at the site during the American Revolutionary War, is the location of a large historic cannon that was first placed there in 1913.<ref name=DSC>Upper Pittsgrove Township, DiscoverSalemCounty.com. Accessed May 30, 2011.</ref>

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides service between Bridgeton and Philadelphia on the 410 route.<ref>Salem County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of January 28, 2010. Accessed February 8, 2013.</ref><ref>South Jersey Transit Guide Template:Webarchive, Cross County Connection, as of April 1, 2010. Accessed October 7, 2014.</ref>

Winery

• Monroeville Vineyard & Winery

Notable people

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

• Roscoe Lockwood (1875–1960), rower who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics<ref>Roscoe Lockwood, Sports-Reference. Accessed October 16, 2015.</ref>

External links

• Upper Pittsgrove Township
• Upper Pittsgrove School District
• Template:NJReportCard
• School Data for the Upper Pittsgrove School, National Center for Education Statistics
• Woodstown High School