Salem County, New Jersey
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox U.S. county Template:Maplink
Salem County is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Its western boundary is formed by the Delaware River, and it has the eastern terminus of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, which connects the county with New Castle, Delaware. Its county seat is Salem.<ref name=CountyMap>New Jersey County Map, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed December 2, 2022.</ref> The county is part of the South Jersey region of the state.<ref>Willis, David P. "'This is how wars start': Does Central Jersey include both Ocean and Union counties?", Asbury Park Press, February 20, 2023. Accessed March 31, 2024. "North Jersey is defined as Sussex, Warren, Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex and Hudson counties; South Jersey would be Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties. But for Central, things get a little tricky. It would include Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties."</ref>
The county lies within the Philadelphia metropolitan area, also known as the Delaware Valley area. As of the 2020 census, the county retained its position as the state's least-populous county,<ref name=Largest2020>Table1. New Jersey Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships: 2020 and 2010 Censuses, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref><ref>Wu, Sen-Yuan. NJ Labor Market Views; Population Keeps Growing in the Most Densely Populated State, United States Census Bureau, March 15, 2011. Accessed December 26, 2022.</ref> with a population of 64,837,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 1,246 (−1.9%) from the 2010 census count of 66,083.<ref name=Census2010/> The most populous place in Salem County is Pennsville Township with 12,684 residents as of the 2020 Census.<ref name=LWD2020/> Lower Alloways Creek Township covers Template:Convert, the largest total area of any municipality.<ref name=CPH232/>
Salem County, along with adjacent Gloucester County, also in South Jersey, have become an East Coast epicenter for logistics and warehouse construction.<ref name=SouthJerseyEastCoastLogisticsEpicenter>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
[edit]Etymology
[edit]The county derives its name from the Hebrew word shalom, which means "peace", chosen by early Quaker settlers to mark the serenity of the area.<ref name=Origin>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed April 4, 2023.</ref><ref>Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 272. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed April 4, 2023.</ref>
Early history
[edit]European settlement began with English colonists in the seventeenth century, who were settling both sides of the Delaware River. They established a colonial court in the area in 1681, but Salem County was first formally organized within West Jersey on May 17, 1694, from the Salem Tenth. Pittsgrove Township was transferred to Cumberland County in April 1867, but was restored to Salem County in February 1868.<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. 120. Accessed October 30, 2012.</ref> The area was initially settled by Quakers.Template:Fact
The Old Salem County Courthouse, located on the same block as the Salem County Courthouse, serves as the court for Salem City in the 21st century. It is the oldest active courthouse in New Jersey and is the second oldest courthouse in continuous use in the United States, the oldest being King William County Courthouse in Virginia.<ref>Welcome to King William County</ref> The courthouse was built in 1735 during the reign of King George II using locally manufactured bricks.<ref>Welcome to Salem, New Jersey Template:Webarchive</ref> The building was enlarged in 1817 and additionally enlarged and remodeled in 1908. Its distinctive bell tower is essentially unchanged and the original bell sits in the courtroom.Template:Fact
Judge William Hancock of the King's Court presided at the courthouse.<ref>William Hancock House, Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey, Cup O'Jersey - South Jersey History</ref> He was later killed by the British in the American Revolutionary War during the massacre at Hancock House committed by the British against local militia during the Salem Raid in 1778. Afterward the courthouse was the site of the "treason trials", wherein suspected Loyalists were put on trial for having allegedly aided the British during the Salem Raid. Four men were convicted and sentenced to death for treason; however, they were pardoned by Governor William Livingston and exiled from New Jersey. The courthouse is also the site of the legend of Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson's proving the edibility of the tomato. Before 1820, Americans often assumed tomatoes were poisonous. In 1820, Colonel Johnson, according to legend, stood upon the courthouse steps and ate tomatoes in front of a large crowd assembled to watch him do so.<ref>"The Story of Robert Gibbon Johnson and the Tomato", The History Highway of the Salem County Historical Society. May 2005. Accessed August 13, 2007. Template:Cite web</ref>
Salem County is notable for its distinctive Quaker-inspired architecture and masonry styles of the 18th century.<ref name="nc architecture">Template:Cite book</ref> It had a rural and agricultural economy. In the early 20th century, its towns received numerous immigrants from eastern and southern Europe, who markedly added to the population. In the period following World War II, the county's population increased due to suburban development. To accommodate increasing traffic, the Delaware Memorial Bridge was built from Salem County to New Castle, Delaware.Template:Fact
Geography and climate
[edit]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert was land (89.1%) and Template:Convert was water (10.9%).<ref name=CensusArea>2020 Census Gazetteer File for Counties in New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 1, 2023.</ref> The county is bordered on the west by the Delaware River, and drained by Salem River, Alloway, and other creeks.<ref>Template:Cite AmCyc</ref>
The terrain is almost uniformly flat coastal plain, with minimal relief. The highest elevation in the county has never been determined with any specificity, but is likely one of seven low rises in Upper Pittsgrove Township that reach approximately Template:Convert in elevation.<ref>New Jersey County High Points, Peakbagger.com. Accessed October 1, 2013.</ref> Sea level is the lowest point.
The county has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and monthly temperatures in Salem city average from Template:Convert in January to Template:Convert in July, while in Elmer they average from Template:Convert in January to Template:Convert in July.<ref>Time Series Values for Individual Locations, Oregon State University. Accessed June 24, 2023.</ref>
Climate and weather
[edit]Template:Climate chart In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Salem have ranged from a low of Template:Convert in January to a high of Template:Convert in July, although a record low of Template:Convert was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of Template:Convert was recorded in August 1918. Average monthly precipitation ranged from Template:Convert in February to Template:Convert in July.<ref name="weather"/>
Demographics
[edit]2020 census
[edit]As of the 2020 U.S. census, the county's had 64,837 people, 24,404 households, and 16,880 families.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 27,763 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The racial makeup was 79.0% White, 13.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.8% of the population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Of the 24,404 households, of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present and 30.8% were non-families, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.03.
About 21.0% of the population was under age 18, 8.0% was from age 18 to 24, 35.2% was from age 15 to 44, and 19.8% was age 65 or older. The median age was 43.1 years. The gender makeup was 47.9% male and 52.1% female. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The median household income was $68,531, and the median family income was $81,122. About 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2010 census
[edit]The 2010 United States census counted 66,083 people, 25,290 households, and 17,551 families in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 27,417 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 79.83% (52,757) White, 14.09% (9,309) Black or African American, 0.36% (240) Native American, 0.84% (557) Asian, 0.02% (10) Pacific Islander, 2.64% (1,745) from other races, and 2.22% (1,465) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.82% (4,507) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 25,290 households, 29% had children under the age of 18; 49.9% were married couples living together; 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 30.6% were non-families. Of all households, 25.4% were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.07.<ref name=Census2010/>
23.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 15% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.6 males.<ref name=Census2010/>
Government
[edit]County government
[edit]
Salem County is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners who are elected at-large to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held at the beginning of January, the board selects a director and a deputy director from among its members. The appointed position professional county administrator was abolished by a unanimous vote of the commissioners in January 2014.<ref>Young, Alex. "Salem County freeholders look to 2014 at annual reorganization meeting", South Jersey Times, January 9, 2014. Accessed October 22, 2017. "He replaces Evern Ford, who will leave county government after the board also voted to abolish his county administrator position with a unanimous vote."</ref> In 2016, commissioners were paid $25,410 and the director was paid an annual salary of $26,410.<ref>Gallo Jr., Bill. "Which N.J. county freeholders are paid the most?", NJ.com, March 11, 2016. Accessed October 25, 2017. "Freeholder director: $26,410; Other freeholders: $25,410"</ref>
In the 2016 general election, Salem County voters approved a binding referendum to cut the number of Commissioner from seven to five as well as a non-binding referendum to cut Commissioner salaries by 20%; both initiatives, which had been placed on the ballot as the result of grassroots campaigns opposed to a proposed outsourcing deal, passed by a 3–1 margin.<ref>Gallo Jr., Bill. "Salem County votes to cut freeholder board from 7 to 5 members", NJ.com, November 9, 2016. Accessed October 29, 2017. "Salem County residents Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to cut the membership of the freeholder board from seven to five. The result means that at the next election, November 2017, a new five-seat board will be elected. The vote was 21,942 to 7,013 in favor of the referendum. Also on the ballot was a second question dealing with the freeholders, asking whether their salaries should be cut by 20 percent. That question was approved by a vote of 22,272 to 6,543."</ref> In the wake of the referendum results, Director Julie Acton resigned in December 2016 and was replaced by Scott Griscom.<ref>Gallo Jr., Bill. "Salem County freeholder board swears in new member", NJ.com, January 19, 2017. Accessed October 29, 2017. "Republican Scott Griscom, 69, was sworn in Wednesday night to fill the seat on the board left vacant by the abrupt resignation of Julie Acton in December."</ref> In April 2017, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the reduction in seats will be accomplished through attrition, with the seats expiring at the end of 2017 (held by Commissioners Cross, Painter, and Vanderslice) being eliminated; in the November 2017 general election there will be one new three-year seat up for a vote as well as a two-year unexpired term, so that on January 1, 2018, there will be a five-member board. Republicans have fully controlled the board since 2022.<ref>Gallo Jr., Bill. "High court rejects appeal on how to handle Salem freeholder election ", NJ.com, April 3, 2017. Accessed October 29, 2017. "Salem County Clerk Gilda T. Gill's original plan had been to elect all five new members to the board, but Democrat Party Chairman Steven Caltabiano disagreed and filed suit in Superior Court. A judge there agreed with Gill's formula, but Caltabiano pursued the matter and a state Appellate Court agreed with Caltabiano that only one freeholder should be elected to a new full term. The court also agreed with Caltabiano's contention that the board should be allowed to shrink through attrition and those whose terms are up at the end of the year be allowed to stay on until then."</ref>
Template:As of, Salem County's Commissioners (with terms for director and deputy director ending every December 31) are:<ref>County Commissioners, Salem County, New Jersey. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref><ref>2021 County Data Sheet, Salem County, New Jersey. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref><ref name=Salem2021>Election Summary Report General Election Salem County November 2, 2021 Official Results Report, Salem County, New Jersey, updated November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref><ref name=Salem2020>Election Summary Report Salem County NJ General Election November 3, 2020 Official Report, Salem County, New Jersey, updated November 25, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref><ref name=Salem2019>November 5, 2019 Summary Report Salem County, NJ Official Results, Salem County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 18, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.</ref>
| Commissioner | Party, Residence, Term |
|---|---|
| Director Ben H. Laury | R, Elmer, 2027<ref name="salemcountynj.gov">[1], Salem County, New Jersey, Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref> |
| Deputy Director Mickey Ostrum Jr. | R, Pilesgrove Township, 2027<ref name="salemcountynj.gov"/> |
| Ed Ramsay | R, Pittsgrove Township, 2026<ref name="salemcountynj.gov"/> |
| Cordy Taylor | R, Oldmans Township, 2025 <ref name="Salem County 2023">[2], Salem County, New Jersey, Accessed January 30, 2023.</ref> |
| Daniel Timmerman | R, Elmer, 2025 <ref name="Salem County 2023"/> |
Pursuant to Article VII Section II of the New Jersey State Constitution, each county in New Jersey is required to have three elected administrative officials known as "constitutional officers." These officers are the County Clerk and County Surrogate (both elected for five-year terms of office) and the County Sheriff (elected for a three-year term).<ref>New Jersey State Constitution (1947), Article VII, Section II, Paragraph 2, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed October 26, 2017.</ref> Salem County's constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis are:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| Title | Representative |
|---|---|
| County Clerk | Dale A. Cross (R, Pennsville Township, 2029)<ref>About, Salem County Clerk's Office. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref><ref>Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref> |
| Sheriff | Charles "Chuck" Miller (R, Salem, 2027)<ref>Home Page, Salem County Sheriff's Office. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref><ref>Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref> |
| Surrogate | Nicki A. Burke (D, Woodstown, 2025).<ref>Surrogate's Court, Salem County, New Jersey. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref><ref>Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 20, 2022.</ref> |
The Salem County Prosecutor is Kristin J. Telsey, who was nominated to fill the position in September 2022.<ref>About, Salem County Prosecutor's Office. Accessed August 16, 2022.</ref><ref>Gray, Matt. "New prosecutor in N.J. county brings 20 years of experience. And she’s a local.", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 20, 2021. Accessed August 16, 2022. "After more than 20 years in the legal profession, Kristin Telsey is three weeks into her role as the top law enforcement official in Salem County and says she’s excited to be a part of the changing landscape of criminal justice in New Jersey. Telsey, 46, was named acting Salem County prosecutor earlier this month following the retirement of John T. Lenahan, who served in the role for 18 years."</ref> Salem County is a part of Vicinage 15 of the New Jersey Superior Court (along with Cumberland County and Gloucester County), seated in Woodbury in Gloucester County; the Assignment Judge for the vicinage is Benjamin C. Telsey. The Salem County Courthouse is in Salem.<ref>Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem Counties, New Jersey Courts. Accessed October 22, 2017.</ref> No Democrat has won county-wide office since 2020.
Federal representatives
[edit]Salem County falls entirely within the 2nd congressional district<ref>2012 Congressional Districts by County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections. Accessed January 23, 2013.</ref> Template:NJ Congress 02
State represenatatives
[edit]All of Salem County is located in the 3rd legislative district.
| District | Senator<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> | Assembly<ref name=":0" /> | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd | John Burzichelli (D) | Heather Simmons (D)
Dave Bailey (D) |
The remainder of this district includes portions of Cumberland and Gloucester counties. |
Politics
[edit]Salem County has generally and historically been a bellwether county in the state, having voted for the national winner all but three times (1960, 1992, and 2000) between 1936 and 2012. Since 2012, the county has swung more toward Republicans, following the trend of most rural counties in the United States. Republican Donald Trump won 54.9% of the vote in 2016, the highest vote share for a Republican since George H. W. Bush in 1988. Trump improved to 55.3% of the vote in 2020 and 58.71% in 2024. As of January 2023, there were a total of 48,956 registered voters in Salem County, of whom 14,768 (30.2%) were registered as Democrats, 14,839 (30.3%) were registered as Republicans and 18,525 (37.8%) were registered as unaffiliated. There were 824 voters (1.7%) registered to other parties.<ref>Statewide Voter Registration Summary, New Jersey Department of State, updated January 1, 2023. Accessed January 18, 2023.</ref> Among the county's 2010 Census population, 64.6% were registered to vote, including 84.4% of those ages 18 and over.<ref name="VoterRegistration">Voter Registration Summary - Salem, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed January 23, 2013.</ref><ref name="factfinder.census.gov">GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State – County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 23, 2013.</ref>
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| Year | Republican | Democratic |
|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2021 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|64.1% 12,620 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|35.0% 6,893 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2017 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|50.1% 8,629 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|45.3% 7,814 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2013 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|66.6% 12,748 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|30.7% 5,889 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2009 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|47.2% 9,599 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|40.9% 8,323 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2005 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|46.5% 9,608 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|48.6% 10,057 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2001 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|43.8% 8,878 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|53.5% 10,837 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1997 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|49.9% 10,686 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|41.0% 8,790 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1993 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|52.0% 11,171 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|42.7% 9,162 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|1989 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|39.3% 7,938 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|57.6% 11,644 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1985 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|64.9% 12,376 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|33.7% 6,417 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|1981 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|47.6% 9,841 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|50.0%10,334 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|1977 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|44.3% 8,359 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|52.8% 9,961 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|1973 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|43.3% 8,397 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|56.4% 10,935 |
Economy
[edit]The Bureau of Economic Analysis calculated that the county's gross domestic product was $5.2 billion in 2021, which was ranked 18th in the state and was a 3.9% increase from the prior year.<ref>Gross Domestic Product by County, 2021, Bureau of Economic Analysis, released December 8, 2022. Accessed July 17, 2023.</ref>
Education
[edit]School districts
[edit]School districts include:<ref name=NJDOE>New Jersey School Directory for Salem County, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed August 1, 2022.</ref><ref>Search for Public School Districts in Salem County, New Jersey, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed August 1, 2022.</ref><ref>2020 Census School District Reference Map for Salem County, NJ, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 16, 2022.</ref><ref>2020 Census School District Reference List for Salem County, NJ, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 16, 2022.</ref>
- K-12
- Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District
- Pennsville School District
- Pittsgrove Township School District
- Salem City School District
- Salem County Special Services School District
- Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District – Regional
- Secondary
- Elementary
- Alloway Township School District
- Elsinboro Township School District
- Lower Alloways Creek Township School District
- Mannington Township School District
- Oldmans Township School District
- Quinton Township School District
- Upper Pittsgrove School District
Elmer School District became a non-operating school district in 2010,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and disestablished completely in 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Transportation
[edit]
Template:As of, the county had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the local municipality, Template:Convert by Salem County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and Template:Convert by the Delaware River and Bay Authority.<ref>Salem County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref><ref>Interstate 295 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2017. Accessed December 25, 2020.</ref>
Salem is served by many roads. Major county routes include CR 540, CR 551, CR 553 (only in Pittsgrove) and CR 581. State highways include Route 45, Route 48 (only in Carneys Point), Route 49, Route 56 (only in Pittsgrove), Route 77 and Route 140 (only in Carneys Point). The U.S. routes are U.S. Route 40 and the southern end of U.S. Route 130.
Limited access roads include Interstate 295 and the New Jersey Turnpike. Both highways pass through the northern part of the county. Only one turnpike interchange is located in Salem: Exit 1 in Carneys Point (which is also where the turnpike ends). There are a pair of service areas on the Turnpike, both located between exits 1 and 2 in Oldmans Township: The John Fenwick Service Area on the northbound side and the Clara Barton Service Area in the southbound direction.<ref>Travel Resources: Interchanges, Service Areas & Commuter Lots, New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Accessed August 17, 2015.</ref> The Route 55 freeway passes through the northeastern part of the county briefly but has no interchanges within the county.
The Delaware Memorial Bridge (which is signed as I-295/US 40) is a set of twin suspension bridges crossing the Delaware River. Connecting New Castle, Delaware and Pennsville Township, the original span was opened in 1951 and the second span in 1968.<ref>About the Delaware Memorial Bridge Template:Webarchive, Delaware River and Bay Authority. Accessed August 17, 2015.</ref>
NJ Transit operates three routes through Salem County:<ref>Community Bus Service, Salem County. Accessed April 11, 2020.</ref> the 401, which stops in Salem, Woodstown, Swedesboro, and Woodbury en route to and from Philadelphia;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the 402, which stops in Penns Grove and has two stops in Salem en route to and from Philadelphia;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the 468, which has local stops throughout Salem County.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Municipalities
[edit]
The 15 municipalities in Salem County (with 2010 Census data for population, housing units and area in square miles) are:<ref>GCT-PH1: Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County – County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Salem County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 16, 2015.</ref> Other, unincorporated communities in the county are listed next to their parent municipality. Some of these areas are census-designated places (CDPs) that have been created by the United States Census Bureau for enumeration purposes within a Township. Other communities and enclaves that exist within a municipality are also listed next to the name.
| Municipality (map index) |
Map key | Municipal type |
Population | Housing units |
Total area |
Water area |
Land area |
Pop. density |
Housing density |
School district | Unincorporated communities / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alloway Township | 13 | township | 3,283 | 1,268 | 33.83 | 0.43 | 33.40 | 103.8 | 38.0 | Woodstown-Pilesgrove (9-12) (S/R) Alloway Township (PK-8) |
Aldine Alloway CDP (1,296) Friesburg Penton |
| Carneys Point | 6 | township | 8,637 | 3,502 | 17.74 | 0.87 | 16.86 | 477.3 | 207.7 | Penns Grove-Carneys Point | Carneys Point CDP (8,637) |
| Elmer | 1 | borough | 1,347 | 577 | 0.88 | 0.01 | 0.87 | 1,612.3 | 666.9 | Pittsgrove Township | |
| Elsinboro | 10 | township | 1,001 | 524 | 13.32 | 1.41 | 11.92 | 86.9 | 44.0 | Salem City (9-12) (S/R) Elsinboro Township (K-8) |
|
| Lower Alloways Creek | 11 | township | 1,717 | 727 | 72.46 | 27.23 | 45.23 | 39.1 | 16.1 | Salem City (9-12) (S/R) Lower Alloway Creek Township (PK-8) |
Hancock's Bridge CDP (155) |
| Mannington Township | 8 | township | 1,475 | 592 | 37.73 | 4.02 | 33.70 | 53.6 | 17.6 | Salem City (9-12) (S/R) Mannington Township (PK-8) |
Marshalltown |
| Oldmans Township | 5 | township | 1,910 | 699 | 20.38 | 0.93 | 19.45 | 91.1 | 35.9 | Penns Grove-Carneys Point (9-12) (S/R) Oldmans Township (K-8) |
Auburn CDP (part; 1,057) Pedricktown CDP (487) |
| Penns Grove | 4 | borough | 4,837 | 2,004 | 0.91 | 0.00 | 0.91 | 5,656.0 | 2,202.2 | Penns Grove-Carneys Point | |
| Pennsville Township | 9 | township | 12,684 | 5,914 | 24.59 | 3.31 | 21.28 | 630.2 | 278.0 | Pennsville | Deepwater Pennsville CDP (12,043) |
| Pilesgrove | 7 | township | 4,183 | 1,594 | 35.07 | 0.23 | 34.84 | 115.3 | 45.7 | Woodstown-Pilesgrove | Auburn CDP (part; 1,057) |
| Pittsgrove | 15 | township | 8,777 | 3,445 | 45.92 | 0.83 | 45.08 | 208.3 | 76.4 | Pittsgrove Township | Brotmanville Centerton Norma Olivet CDP (1,297) |
| Quinton Township | 12 | township | 2,580 | 1,099 | 24.58 | 0.49 | 24.09 | 110.7 | 45.6 | Salem City (9-12) (S/R) Quinton Township (PK-8) |
Quinton CDP (470) |
| Salem | 3 | city | 5,296 | 2,633 | 2.82 | 0.47 | 2.34 | 2,195.9 | 1,123.6 | Salem City | |
| Upper Pittsgrove | 14 | township | 3,432 | 1,310 | 40.49 | 0.16 | 40.33 | 86.9 | 32.5 | Woodstown-Pilesgrove (9-12) (S/R) Upper Pittsgrove (PK-8) |
Daretown Friendship Monroeville Whig Lane |
| Woodstown | 2 | borough | 3,678 | 1,529 | 1.63 | 0.04 | 1.58 | 2,211.8 | 964.9 | Woodstown-Pilesgrove | |
| Salem | County | 64,837 | 27,417 | 372.33 | 40.43 | 331.90 | 199.1 | 82.6 |
Recreation
[edit]Wineries
[edit]Notable people
[edit]- Whitey Witt, former baseball outfielder and member of the New York Yankees' first World Series championship team, 1923
- Teyona Anderson (born 1989), winner of America's Next Top Model (season 12)<ref>Dailey, Jennifer. "Woodstown native Teyona Anderson wins America's Next Top Model competition",South Jersey Times, May 14, 2009, updated April 1, 2019. Accessed February 25, 2021. "After weeks of photo shoots and challenges, Woodstown, New Jersey, native Teyona Anderson is America's next top model."</ref>
- David Bailey, politician who has represented the 3rd legislative district in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 2024<ref>"Memorial Hospital of Salem elects three new board members", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 26, 2016. Accessed January 10, 2024. "A lifelong resident of Salem County, Bailey was born and raised on the Ranch Hope campus, graduated from Woodstown High School and currently resides in Woodstown, with his wife, Julie, and three children."</ref>
- Isaac Ambrose Barber (1852–1909), U.S. Congressman from Maryland, serving from 1897 to 1899<ref>Isaac Ambrose Barber, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed May 14, 2008.</ref>
- Mario Cerrito (born 1984), horror filmmaker<ref>Roncace, Kelly. "Woodstown native Mario Cerrito visits high school to discuss filmmaking", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 10, 2014. Accessed December 10, 2022. "When Kranz read that 2002 Woodstown High School graduate Mario Cerrito had recently completed filming his first feature, Deadly Gamble, he reached out to the writer/director/producer and asked him to visit the academy students."</ref>
- Isaiah D. Clawson (1820–1879), represented New Jersey's 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1855 to 1859<ref>Isaiah Dunn Clawson, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed August 25, 2007.</ref>
- Fred Drains (born 1971), American-born and naturalized Swedish basketball player<ref>All-Conference.pdf "Men's Basketball All-Conference Team", New Jersey Athletic Conference, March 4, 1992. Accessed February 1, 2017.</ref>
- Rachel Davis DuBois (1892–1993), educator, human rights activist and pioneer of intercultural education<ref>Lambert, Bruce. "Rachel D. DuBois, 101, Educator Who Promoted Value of Diversity", The New York Times, April 1, 1993. Accessed February 4, 2017. "Rachel Davis DuBois, an educator who 60 years ago developed multicultural programs promoting respect for ethnic heritage and harmony between groups, died Tuesday at a hospital near her home in Woodstown, N.J. She was 101."</ref>
- Hilly Flitcraft (1923–2003), pitcher whose MLB career consisted of three games played with the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1942 season at the age of 19<ref>Hilly Flitcraft, Baseball Almanac. Accessed October 31, 2013. "Hilly Flitcraft was born on Tuesday, August 21, 1923, in Woodstown, New Jersey. Flitcraft was 19 years old when he broke into the big leagues on August 31, 1942, with the Philadelphia Phillies."</ref>
- Elwood L. Haines (1893–1949), Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa from 1944 to 1949<ref>Petersen, William John. The Story of Iowa: The Progress of an American State, Volume 4, p. 886. Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1952. Accessed October 31, 2013. "Elwood Lindsay Haines was graduated from the high school at Woodstown, New Jersey, in 1912, after which he entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts, graduating in the class of 1916."</ref>
- Irv Halter (born 1954), retired United States Air Force major general who ran for Congress in Colorado in the 2014 elections<ref>"Major General Irving L. Halter Jr.", United States Air Force. Accessed June 8, 2015. "General Halter is a native of southern New Jersey, graduating from Woodstown High School in 1973."</ref>
- Tara LaRosa (born 1978), mixed martial arts fighter<ref>Sullivan, Kita S. "Mania of mixed martial arts hits N.J. with 2 area fighters", The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 14, 2007. Accessed February 9, 2013. "LaRosa, a 135-pounder from Woodstown, N.J., is the top-ranked MMA fighter. The 29-year-old is a former wrestling, judoka and field hockey athlete with a 13-1-0 record in mixed martial arts."</ref>
- Everett Shinn (1876–1953), realist painter best known for his work with the Ashcan School<ref>Everett Shinn, Smithsonian American Art Museum. Accessed October 31, 2013.</ref><ref>"One of Eight", Time, March 11, 1935. Accessed May 14, 2008. "Others of 'The Eight' may have been better artists but none, including the late, lusty George Luks, had a more adventurous life than Everett Shinn. A fat little Quaker boy in Woodstown, N. J., he was known as 'Pud' (pudding) to his contemporaries."</ref>
See also
[edit]- National Register of Historic Places listings in Salem County, New Jersey
- Wistarburgh Glass Works – an 18th-century glass company operating in the county.
References
[edit]External links
[edit]Template:Commons category Template:Wikivoyage
- Salem County official website
- The Official Salem County Tourism and Travel Website
- Discover Salem County NJ
- The News of Salem County
Template:Salem County, New Jersey Template:New Jersey