Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Egg Harbor Township is a township in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 47,842,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 4,519 (+10.4%) from the 2010 census count of 43,323,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 12,597 (+41.0%) from the 30,726 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><ref>Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2000 and 2010 Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed May 3, 2012.</ref>

Egg Harbor Township was first mentioned as part of Gloucester County in records dating back to March 20, 1693, and at times was called New Weymouth. The township's western boundary was established on May 13, 1761, with the area called Great Egg-Harbour Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Galloway Township, which was established by Royal charter on April 4, 1774. Additional portions were taken to form Weymouth Township on February 12, 1798. On February 21, 1798, the area was incorporated as Egg-Harbour Township. Over the ensuing centuries, portions of the township were taken to create many new municipalities: Hamilton Township on February 5, 1813; Atlantic City on May 1, 1854; Absecon on May 1, 1854; South Atlantic City (now Margate City) on September 7, 1885; Pleasantville on January 10, 1889; Linwood on February 20, 1889; Somers Point on April 24, 1886; Longport on March 7, 1898; Ventnor City on March 17, 1903; and Northfield on March 21, 1905.<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. 68. Accessed May 3, 2012.</ref> Geographically, the township, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region and of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.<ref>New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.</ref>

Great Egg Harbor got its name from Dutch explorer Cornelius Jacobsen Mey. In 1614, Mey came upon the inlet to the Great Egg Harbor River. The meadows were so covered with the eggs of waterfowl and shorebirds that he called it "Eieren Haven" (Egg Harbor).<ref>Staff. "The Press Answer Guy", The Press of Atlantic City, January 11, 2004. Accessed May 3, 2012. "Where exactly did the name of Egg Harbor Township originate? Did it have anything to do with eggs? Answer Guy: Yes. If you believe the local lore, the area got its name when Dutch Capt. Cornelius Jacobsen Mey hopped off his boat Fortuyn in 1614 and found he couldn't walk anywhere without stepping on egg."</ref><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 30, 2015.</ref><ref>Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 115. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed August 30, 2015.</ref>

History

The first residents of what would become Egg Harbor Township were the Lenni Lenape Native Americans, who would spend their summers on the elevated land around the cedar swamp that is now Bargaintown Lake, as well as along the banks of Patcong Creek, where they made use of the abundant fish, shellfish, wild berries, and bird's eggs in the area and collected shells that could be carved to make wampum.<ref>Mason, Beryl D. "Bargaintown" Template:Webarchive, Sketches of Egg Harbor Township, 1964, by the Egg Harbor Township Terecentenary Publications Committee.</ref>

Great Egg Harbor was part of Gloucester County, West Jersey. On May 17, 1694 a law was passed that made this official, reading:

The same Act set the legal boundaries of Gloucester County from the Delaware River, along the Burlington County line to the sea and back up the Great Egg Harbor River to the Delaware River.<ref name="ActsAndProceedings" /> At that time Great Egg Harbor encompassed all of present-day Atlantic County. In 1837, Atlantic County was set apart from Gloucester County and the Townships were Egg Harbor, Galloway, Hamilton and Weymouth.<ref>Staff. "Celebrating A County's Birth With A Trip Through Time", The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 11, 1987. Accessed May 3, 2012. "Their destination: a Lenape River tavern on Sugar Hill, where on May 10, 1837, nine founding freeholders met to organize Atlantic County.... At its conception, Atlantic County had four townships - Egg Harbor, Hamilton, Galloway and Weymouth - and 8164 people"</ref>

Since 1837, ten municipalities have separated from the original Egg Harbor Township, including Atlantic City (1854), Absecon (1872), South Atlantic City (1885; now Margate City), Somers Point (1886), Pleasantville (1888), Linwood (1889), Longport (1898), Brigantine (1903), Ventnor City (1903) and Northfield (1905).<ref name=Story/>

In 2017, Egg Harbor township joined Bellmawr, Cranbury, Montclair, and Woodbridge Township as one of the first five municipalities in New Jersey to authorize medical cannabis dispensaries.<ref>Guion, Payton. "Marijuana legalization would force tough choice for N.J. towns", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, November 15, 2017. Accessed November 15, 2017. "NJ Advance Media reached out to mayors in all five towns that have medical dispensaries: Bellmawr, Cranbury, Egg Harbor, Montclair and Woodbridge."</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 75.47 square miles (195.48 km²), including 67.05 square miles (173.65 km²) of land and 8.43 square miles (21.82 km²) of water (11.16%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Portions of the township, notably the West Atlantic City and Anchorage Poynte areas, are not contiguous to the main body of the municipality, having been separated from the mainland portion of the township as municipalities were formed, largely since the boroughitis phenomenon in the 1890s.<ref>Lemongello, Steven. "Egg Harbor Township borders leave locals, businesses confused", The Press of Atlantic City, December 27, 2011. Accessed July 2, 2012. "Besides the main section, which contains the vast majority of residents and businesses, there is the West Atlantic City section — snugly squeezed between the embracing arms of Pleasantville — and also the large swath of marshes and islands between the mainland towns and Absecon Island.... The brand-new communities — many of them created during the manic period of 'borough-itis' in the late 1890s, when dozens of practically postage stamp-sized towns across the state broke away to take advantage of a school tax loophole — took the easy route when deciding which land to include."</ref>

The township is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering Template:Convert, that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.<ref>The Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Accessed November 18, 2013.</ref> Part of the township is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Atlantic County, along with areas in Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.<ref>Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed November 18, 2013.</ref>

Egg Harbor Township includes the unincorporated communities of Bargaintown (the township's seat of government<ref>Mason, Beryl D. Bargaintown Template:Webarchive, Sketches of Egg Harbor Township. Accessed October 7, 2013.</ref>), Cardiff, English Creek, Farmington, Scullville (formerly known as Jeffers), Steelmanville and West Atlantic City, as well as part of McKee City.<ref>Staff. "Egg Harbor Township: A Brief History (Timeline)", The Press of Atlantic City, January 28, 2004. Accessed May 3, 2012. "It will become known as one of the seven 'outlying' schools, along with Bargaintown, Steelmanville, Farmington, McKee City, Cardiff and West Atlantic City."</ref> Other localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Devenshire, English Creek Landing, Greenwood, Idlewood, Jeffers Landing, Jobs Point, Jones Island, McKee City Station, Mount Calvary, Pleasantville Terrace, Pork Island, Rainbow Islands, Sculls Landing,<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed November 28, 2014.</ref> and Seaview Harbor.

The township borders the municipalities of Absecon, Atlantic City, Corbin City, Estell Manor, Galloway Township, Hamilton Township, Linwood, Longport, Margate City, Northfield, Pleasantville, Somers Point, Ventnor City and Weymouth Township in Atlantic County; and Ocean City and Upper Township in Cape May County.<ref>Areas touching Egg Harbor Township, MapIt. Accessed March 30, 2020.</ref><ref>Atlantic County District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed July 9, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Parks and protected areas

File:Malibu Beach Wildlife Management Area.jpg

Sign for the Malibu Beach Wildlife Management Area

There are three wildlife management areas (WMAs) in Egg Harbor Township, two of them in the eastern discontinuous segment of the township. Malibu Beach WMA is located on marshlands between the Great Egg Harbor Bay and Broad Thorofare, covering Template:Convert, and bifurcated by Ocean Drive and NJ 152.<ref>Malibu Beach Wildlife Management Area Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed September 25, 2019.</ref><ref name="ehtmp"/> It serves as the habitat for several birds, including migratory species in the spring and fall. Known locally as "Dog Beach", the WMA consists of a back-bay pond, dunes, and one of the only beaches in New Jersey that permits dogs. From the 1930s to the early 2000s, Malibu Beach lost about Template:Convert of sand due to erosion. The Environmental Protection Agency designated the beach as a priority wetland in 1994. From 2002 to 2004, the state Department of Environmental Protection purchased Malibu Beach for $975,000 to make it available to the public, with funding from the Federal Highway Administration related to the NJ 52 causeway replacement project. About Template:Convert of clean sand was dredged from nearby waterways and placed on Malibu Beach. The state also restored the beach's wetlands, and removed rubble and invasive plant species. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy severely eroded the beach, as did Winter Storm Jonas in 2015.<ref name="ehtmp"/><ref name="dep">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite conference</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2017, the city of Ocean City began collecting trash from the site, after the Cape May County Bridge Commission ended collection in Fall 2016, and the state considered shutting down the park.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Adjacent to Malibu Beach WMA is Pork Island WMA, which covers Template:Convert of land on four marshy islands between NJ 152 and Margate Blvd, and between Absecon Island and the mainland. It is inaccessible by car.<ref>Pork Island Wildlife Management Area Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed March 30, 2020.</ref><ref name="ehtmp">Template:Cite report</ref> In the southern part of Egg Harbor Township are scattered plots of wetland near the Great Egg Harbor River that consist of about Template:Convert, or 5.9%, of the Lester G. MacNamara WMA, previously known as Tuckahoe WMA. Established in 1933, the WMA is the oldest in the state, and spreads across four municipalities in Atlantic and Cape May counties.<ref>Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area Atlantic County - Corbin City Egg Harbor Township, Estelle Manor City; Cape May County - Upper Township, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed March 30, 2020.</ref><ref name="ehtmp"/><ref>Other Parks in Atlantic County, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed March 30, 2020.</ref>

The area is home to the Egg Harbor Township Nature Reserve, a former mining site that was converted into a park in 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 43,323 people, 15,250 households, and 11,316 families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 16,347 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 69.78% (30,230) White, 9.58% (4,152) Black or African American, 0.38% (163) Native American, 11.76% (5,096) Asian, 0.02% (8) Pacific Islander, 5.20% (2,253) from other races, and 3.28% (1,421) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.00% (5,630) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 15,250 households, 36.5% had children under the age of 18; 56.1% were married couples living together; 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 25.8% were non-families. Of all households, 20.3% were made up of individuals and 7.0% 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 3.29.<ref name=Census2010/>

26.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.4 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-adjusted dollars) median household income was $69,754 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,024) and the median family income was $78,259 (+/− $4,966). Males had a median income of $52,615 (+/− $3,434) versus $42,227 (+/− $2,127) for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,114 (+/− $1,241). About 4.0% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Egg Harbor township, Atlantic County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 5, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 30,726 people, 11,199 households, and 8,108 families residing in the township. The population density was people per square mile (176.1/km²). There were 12,067 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 79.42% White, 10.37% African American, 0.21% Native American, 5.05% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.82% from other races, and 2.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.76% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Egg Harbor township, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2013.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Egg Harbor township, Atlantic County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2013.</ref>

There were 11,199 households, out of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.23.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $52,550, and the median income for a family was $60,032. Males had a median income of $40,033 versus $30,643 for females. The per capita income for the township was $22,328. About 4.2% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Economy

Harbor Square (formerly the Shore Mall) is a redesigned regional mall that had originally opened in 1968, located on U.S. Route 40 / U.S. Route 322.<ref>Ortiz, Erik. "Tight spending leaves malls with an empty feeling", The Press of Atlantic City, January 24, 2010. Accessed May 3, 2012. "Shore Mall, which opened in 1968, is made up primarily of smaller, independent retailers as opposed to the national chains with greater access to capital."</ref>

Development and the Pine Barrens

Egg Harbor Township (along with Hamilton and Galloway Townships) were designated as Regional Growth Areas" by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission resulting in increased residential development. In exchange for the development in Egg Harbor Township, no trees are demolished for housing and other buildings in the Pine Barrens, also known as the Pinelands. The "Regional Growth Area" designation was, and remains, tantamount to a state mandate to construct +/− 30,000 additional housing units in Egg Harbor Township. Neighboring communities, Galloway Township (to the north) and Hamilton Township (to the West) were also designated as "Growth Areas" by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission.<ref>"Liveable Community Plan: Egg Harbor Township", New Jersey Pinelands Commission, March 2007. Accessed May 3, 2012.</ref>

In January 2007, the Egg Harbor Township Planning Board issued site approval for 667 new homes (and a new fire station) in the Farmington section of Egg Harbor Township. The "Village at Farmington" will be developed by PulteGroup and is proposed to include 140 townhouses, 261 planned adult homes (55 and older) and 259 single family detached dwellings, as well as a community clubhouse, a second club house for 55 and older, recreation fields and walking paths to be constructed on a site covering Template:Convert. PulteGroup will pay over $800,000 to the Egg Harbor Township recreation fund because the club houses and paths do not satisfy the township's recreation requirements for a development of this size and, as part of the approval, PulteGroup will also contribute $350,000 toward the construction of a new Farmington Fire Station with the landowners, Schoffer Enterprises, donating the land.

File:Viper visuals 140629-Z-NI803-062.jpg

Atlantic City Air National Guard Base

Once approvals are complete, PulteGroup will build 60 units of each type per year until the project is complete, offering single family homes in the mid $300,000's and the adult homes for $250,000.

The Planning Board has requested that paperwork presented to the homeowners at purchase will "fully disclose" to prospective purchasers that there exists a nearby airport (Atlantic City International Airport, which, in addition to functioning as a full service airport, is home to the 177th wing of the Air National Guard, the FAA Technical Center, a Homeland Security Department Training Center as well as the Atlantic City base of Operations for the United States Coast Guard), meaning they will be in the proximity of the approach and takeoff patterns for both incoming and outgoing aircraft, the Atlantic County Municipal Utility Authority (ACMUA), where all local municipalities bring their trash and recycle. The disclosure will inform prospective buyers that, from time to time, the ACMUA Facility is odoriferous and that a training/shooting range is part of the military/industrial portion of the Airport.

Government

Local government

The Township of Egg Harbor 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. 13.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are chosen by the Township Committee from among its members during the Reorganization meeting each January. The members of Township Committee are part-time elected officials.<ref name=ElectedOfficials/>

Template:As of, members of the Egg Harbor Township Committee are Mayor Laura Pfrommer (R, term on committee and as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Joe Cafero (R, term on committee ends 2025; term as deputy mayor ends 2023), Ray R. Ellis Jr. (R, 2024), Paul W. Hodson (R, 2023) and Joe "Tokyo" O'Donoghue (R, 2024).<ref name=ElectedOfficials>Mayor & Township Committee, Township of Egg Harbor. Accessed June 6, 2023. "The Township of Egg Harbor is governed by a five-member Township Committee. Each member serves a three-year term. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are appointed by the Township Committee during the Reorganization meeting in January of each calendar year for a one (1) year term."</ref><ref>2023 Municipal User Friendly Budget, Township of Egg Harbor. Accessed June 6, 2023.</ref><ref name=Govt>Municipal Government, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2023.</ref><ref name=Atlantic2022>2022 General Election Results - Amended, Atlantic County Clerk, updated December 5, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Atlantic2021>General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated January 4, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2022.</ref><ref name=Atlantic2020>November 3, 2020 General Election Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, update January 4, 2021. Accessed February 1, 2021.</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

Egg Harbor 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 2nd 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>

The Federal Aviation Administration William J. Hughes Technical Center is on the property of Atlantic City Airport,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and in Egg Harbor Township.<ref>Template:Cite web - Compare map to the location of the facility in the embedded map, view larger map at Google Maps</ref>

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 24,922 registered voters in Egg Harbor Township, of which 5,829 (23.4% vs. 30.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 6,976 (28.0% vs. 25.2%) were registered as Republicans and 12,108 (48.6% vs. 44.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 9 voters registered to other parties.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Atlantic, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 57.5% (vs. 58.8% in Atlantic County) were registered to vote, including 78.0% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 76.6% 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 December 24, 2014.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 9,854 votes here (54.5% vs. 57.9% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 7,989 votes (44.2% vs. 41.1%) and other candidates with 158 votes (0.9% vs. 0.9%), among the 18,089 ballots cast by the township's 27,052 registered voters, for a turnout of 66.9% (vs. 65.8% in Atlantic County).<ref>Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Atlantic County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Atlantic County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 9,741 votes here (53.0% vs. 56.5% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 8,303 votes (45.1% vs. 41.6%) and other candidates with 223 votes (1.2% vs. 1.1%), among the 18,394 ballots cast by the township's 25,393 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.4% (vs. 68.1% in Atlantic County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 7,658 votes here (51.6% vs. 46.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 6,981 votes (47.1% vs. 52.0%) and other candidates with 106 votes (0.7% vs. 0.8%), among the 14,830 ballots cast by the township's 19,664 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.4% (vs. 69.8% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref>

Presidential elections results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2024<ref name="2024Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|51.9% 12,424	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|46.1% 11,035	2.0% 399
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020<ref name="2020Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|47.3% 11,995	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|51.2% 12,986	1.5% 361
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2016<ref name="2016Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|47.2% 8,781	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|48.6% 9,039	4.2% '785
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2012<ref name="2012Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|44.2% 7,989	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|54.5% 9,854	0.9% 158
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2008<ref name="state.nj.us">[1], New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|45.1% 8,303	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|53.0% 9,741	1.2% 223
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2004<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">[2], New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|51.6% 7,658	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|47.1% 6,981	0.7% 106

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 6,874 votes here (62.7% vs. 60.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 3,717 votes (33.9% vs. 34.9%) and other candidates with 144 votes (1.3% vs. 1.3%), among the 10,972 ballots cast by the township's 27,827 registered voters, yielding a 39.4% turnout (vs. 41.5% in the county).<ref>2013 Governor: Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 5, 2013 General Election Results : Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 5,795 votes here (53.4% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 4,236 votes (39.1% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 608 votes (5.6% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 121 votes (1.1% vs. 1.2%), among the 10,844 ballots cast by the township's 24,942 registered voters, yielding a 43.5% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Atlantic County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 24, 2014.</ref>

Surrounding communities

Template:Geographic Location Note: This includes the adjacent municipalities that are in the "West Atlantic City and Anchorage Poynte" sections.

Education

The Egg Harbor Township Schools serve public school students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.<ref>Egg Harbor Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Egg Harbor Township Schools, revised April 26, 2022. Accessed January 28, 2025. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades K through 12 in the Egg Harbor Township School District. Composition: The Egg Harbor Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Egg Harbor Township."</ref> As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of seven schools, had an enrollment of 7,473 students and 684.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.9:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Egg Harbor Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2023–24 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Egg Harbor Township Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref>) are Bargaintown Preschool with 165 students in PreK, Davenport School Complex<ref>Clayton J. Davenport School Complex, Egg Harbor Township Schools. Accessed January 28, 2025.</ref> with 734 students in grades K–3, Swift-Slaybaugh School Complex<ref>Swift-Slaybaugh School Complex, Egg Harbor Township Schools. Accessed January 28, 2025.</ref> with 1,414 students in grades PreK–3, Dr. Joyanne D. Miller Elementary School<ref>Dr. Joy D. Miller Elementary School, Egg Harbor Township Schools. Accessed January 28, 2025.</ref> with 1,038 students in grade 4–5, Alder Avenue Middle School<ref>Alder Avenue Middle School, Egg Harbor Township Schools. Accessed January 28, 2025.</ref> with 926 students in grade 6–8, Fernwood Avenue Middle School<ref>Fernwood Avenue Middle School, Egg Harbor Township Schools. Accessed January 28, 2025.</ref> with 798 students in grade 6–8 and Egg Harbor Township High School<ref>Egg Harbor Township High School, Egg Harbor Township Schools. Accessed January 28, 2025.</ref> with 2,299 students in grade 9–12.<ref>Schools, Egg Harbor Township School District. Accessed January 28, 2025.</ref><ref>Public School Directory 2024–2025, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Egg Harbor Township Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Egg Harbor Township Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed December 29, 2017.</ref>

Township public school students are also eligible to attend the Atlantic County Institute of Technology in the Mays Landing section of Hamilton Township<ref>Frequently Asked Questions , Atlantic County Institute of Technology. Accessed July 10, 2022. "What does it cost to attend ACIT? As a public school, there is no cost to Atlantic County residents of high school age. New Jersey Title 18A:54-20.1 entitles students the right to choose ACIT for their high school education."</ref> or the Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts, located in Somers Point.<ref>Profile, Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts. Accessed May 18, 2017.</ref>

The Islamic Academy of South Jersey (Template:Langx) is an Islamic elementary day school located in Egg Harbor Township.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:As of Bishop McHugh Regional School in Dennis Township in Cape May County accepts students from Egg Harbor Township.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The school is under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden.

Transportation

File:2021-05-27 09 10 21 View north along New Jersey State Route 444 (Garden State Parkway) from the overpass for the ramps from Atlantic County Route 563 (Tilton Road) in Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey.jpg

The northbound Garden State Parkway in Egg Harbor Township

Roads and highways

Template:As of, the township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Atlantic County, Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority.<ref>Atlantic County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 13, 2013.</ref>

The township is traversed by several major roadways.<ref>Atlantic County Highway Map, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed February 28, 2023.</ref> The Atlantic City Expressway runs through east–west for Template:Convert connecting Pleasantville in the east to Hamilton Township in the west<ref>Atlantic City Expressway Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, January 1997. Accessed November 17, 2013.</ref> and connects at Interchange 7<ref>Exit 7, South Jersey Transportation Authority. Accessed November 17, 2013.</ref> with the Garden State Parkway (at Interchange 38<ref>Travel Resources: Interchanges, Service Areas & Commuter Lots, New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Accessed November 17, 2013.</ref>) that runs through north–south for Template:Convert connecting Somers Point in the south to Galloway Township in the north.<ref>Garden State Parkway Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, January 1997. Accessed November 17, 2013.</ref>

Major county roads that pass through include CR 559, CR 563, CR 575 and CR 585. U.S. Route 40 / 322 run concurrent with each other while going from east to west. U.S. Route 9 also runs through, although very briefly concurrent with the Parkway as it crosses over the Great Egg Harbor.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides bus service between Egg Harbor Township and Atlantic City on routes 502 (from Atlantic Cape Community College), 507 (from Ocean City), 508 (from Hamilton Mall) and 509 (from Ocean City).<ref>Atlantic County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed November 17, 2013.</ref><ref>South Jersey Transit Guide Template:Webarchive, Cross County Connection, as of April 1, 2010. Accessed November 17, 2013.</ref>

A majority of the Atlantic City International Airport is located in the northern area of the township.<ref>Our History, Atlantic City International Airport. Accessed September 7, 2013.</ref>

Points of interest

• The Atlantic County Bikeway stretches for Template:Convert from the Shore Mall to the Atlantic County Institute of Technology in Hamilton Township.<ref>Atlantic County Bikeway, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed September 21, 2013. "The Atlantic County Park System has completed the 7.56 mile bike and pedestrian path running from the Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township to the Atlantic County Vocational Technical School in Hamilton Township also known as the bikeway east."</ref>
• Storybook Land is a park for children on a site covering Template:Convert that was opened in 1955, featuring storybook characters such as Mother Goose and the Three Little Pigs.<ref>D'Amico, Diane. "At the shore today / A Storybook outing / Spend the day riding the rides and hanging with the fairy tale characters", The Press of Atlantic City, August 12, 2008. Accessed September 21, 2013.</ref>
• Jersey Shore Children's Museum provided an environment for children to stimulate creativity, imagination, and learning through interactive play. The museum closed at the end of 2017 in the wake of declining contributions.<ref>Pritchard, Charlie. "Jersey Shore Children’s Museum closes after 20 years", The Press of Atlantic City, January 17, 2018. Accessed September 25, 2019. "Jersey Shore Children’s Museum President Matt Gilliano said the museum closed for good Dec. 31 because donations had dried up. There was not enough money to keep it going, he said."</ref>

In popular culture

• Clique Girlz was a girl group that was established in 2007 as "Clique" by sisters Destinee and Paris Monroe, together with their friend Ariel Moore, all of Egg Harbor Township.<ref>Staff. "Clique Girlz get lift from candy", The Columbus Dispatch, January 30, 2009. Accessed June 26, 2022 ."None of those sparks has started a fire. Instead, the Clique Girlz -- Destinee Monroe, 14; her sister, Paris, 12; and their best friend, Ariel Moore, 14 -- are in danger of washing out of the entertainment industry before their first full compact disc comes to market. But the Clique Girlz, who hail from Egg Harbor Township, N.J., have been thrown what could turn out to be a lifeline -- and from no lesser a judge of talent than Michael Eisner, the former chief executive officer of the Walt Disney Co."</ref>

Notable people

Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Egg Harbor Township include:

• Aarthi Agarwal (1984–2015), actress who primarily worked in Telugu cinema<ref>Wheatstone, Richard. "Bollywood actress Aarthi Agarwal dead after 'liposuction surgery gone wrong'", Daily Mirror, June 8, 2015. Accessed June 8, 2015. "But she had seen her career fade in recent years and was living with her parents in her home town of Egg Harbor Township."</ref>
• Anastasia Cannuscio (born 1992), ice dancer<ref>Ashe, Kelly. "Egg Harbor Township's Anastasia Cannuscio earns a berth in a world championship ice dancing event", The Press of Atlantic City, February 1, 2011. Accessed September 21, 2013. "But Egg Harbor Township's Anastasia Cannuscio and her partner, Colin McManus, will get one more opportunity to perform at the 2011 World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Gangneung, South Korea, Feb. 28-March 6."</ref>
• Esther Choi (born 1990), chef, hotel owner and television personality, best known for her appearances on the Food Network<ref>Kuperinsky, Amy. "N.J.’s Esther Choi battled Iron Chef titans. Now she’s bringing her Korean ramen (and kimchi fries) home.", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, July 31, 2022, updated December 3, 2022. Accessed May 12, 2024. "She spent some of her elementary school years in South Korea, but lived most of her childhood in Egg Harbor Township."</ref>
• Steve Coates (born 1950), retired NHL hockey player and Philadelphia Flyers announcer<ref>Lulgjuraj, Susan. "Egg Harbor Township's Steve Coates in Flyers' corner as their voice on radio, TV", The Press of Atlantic City, June 3, 2010. Accessed March 12, 2011. "When loyal fans think about the Flyers, the Egg Harbor Township resident often comes to mind. The 59-year-old has broadcast Flyers games on radio and television for the last 30 years."</ref>
• John F. Gaffney (1934–1995), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represented the 2nd Legislative District from 1992 until his death<ref>Staff. "John F. Gaffney, 61, A Legislator, Is Dead", The New York Times, August 29, 1995. Accessed September 6, 2016. "Assemblyman John F. Gaffney, who sponsored legislation to finance construction of the Atlantic City Convention Center and to streamline casino regulations, died on Sunday at his home in Egg Harbor Township."</ref>
• Toni Ann Gisondi (born 1972), best known for her role as Molly in the 1982 film Annie<ref>Ramirez, Christopher. "Egg Harbor Township marks 300th birthday with bash at the Shore Mall", The Press of Atlantic City, January 20, 2012. Accessed March 5, 2012. "Cub Scout Pack 94 will lead in a flag salute and township resident Toni Ann Gisondi-Pugliese will sing the national anthem."</ref>
• Steve Keiner, winner of the 1999 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, consuming Template:Frac hot dogs in 12 minutes<ref>McFadden, Robert D. "Holiday Parades March By, But the Heat Is Just Settling In", The New York Times, July 5, 1999. Accessed December 20, 2007. "As a crowd wavering between nausea and fascination watched for 12 minutes, Steve Keiner, 50, of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., downed 20 and one-quarter hot dogs to defeat the reigning Hirofumi Nakajima, a 134-pound former noodle-eating champ from Japan, who managed only 19 franks."</ref>
• Ryan Lancaster (born 1985), professional basketball player<ref>Staff. "Sports in Brief: Hull, Richter, Leetch in U.S. Hockey Hall", The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 13, 2008. Accessed January 20, 2011. "The native of Egg Harbor Township is the Tigers' seventh all-time career scorer with 1,636."</ref>
• Biz Markie (1964–2021), rapper<ref>Loughlin, Sean. "Rakim, Biz Markie, Special Ed, Slick Rick make way to House of Blues Friday", Atlantic City Insiders, August 20, 2012. "Born in Egg Harbor Township and raised in Long Island, N.Y., Biz Markie exploded in 1989 with the hit single 'Just a Friend.'"</ref>
• James J. McCullough (born 1942), former member of the New Jersey Senate who served 24 terms as mayor of Egg Harbor Township<ref>Elected Officials, Township of Egg Harbor. Accessed September 21, 2013. "James J. 'Sonny' McCullough is currently serving his 24th term as Mayor of Egg Harbor Township (1986, 1988-1992 and 1996-2013).... Former State Senator of District 2."</ref>
• Vincent J. Polistina (born 1971), member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 2008 to 2012, where he represented the 2nd Legislative District<ref>Barlas, Thomas. "Fourth Republican Seeking Assembly Seat", The Press of Atlantic City, March 14, 2007. Accessed September 21, 2013. "A fourth Republican is now seeking to be an assemblyman from the 2nd Legislative District. Egg Harbor Township resident Vince Polistina said he wants to 'change the course of this state now.'"</ref>
• Cathy Rush (born 1947), former women's basketball program head coach at Immaculata University who led the team to three consecutive AIAW national titles from 1972–1974<ref>Lulgjuraj, Susan. "'The Mighty Macs,' based on Oakcrest High grad Cathy Rush, set for release today", The Press of Atlantic City, October 21, 2011. Accessed October 28, 2011. "Cathy Rush invited friends to her home in Ventnor a couple of years ago to watch an advance copy of the movie The Mighty Macs....Rush, a native of West Atlantic City in Egg Harbor Township, saw the filming of this movie.... 'My stomach dropped,' said Rush, a 1964 Oakcrest High School graduate. 'It was the most disconcerting thing because it was real.'"</ref>
• Nicky Scarfo Jr. (born 1964) alleged member of the Lucchese crime family<ref>Schaffer, Regina. "FBI searches Scarfo's Egg Harbor Township home", The Press of Atlantic City, May 10, 2008. Accessed September 21, 2013. "FBI agents on Thursday seized documents from the Egg Harbor Township home of Nicodemo S. Scarfo -- son of jailed mob boss Nicodemo 'Little Nicky' Scarfo -- in what appears to be a financial investigation, according to an attorney."</ref>
• Dominic Sessa (born 2002), actor who made his film debut in Alexander Payne's 2023 coming-of-age film The Holdovers<ref>"Meet South Jersey's Dominic Sessa, star of the Oscar-nominated film 'The Holdovers'", Philly Voice, January 23, 2024. Accessed January 25, 2024. "Dominic Sessa, 21, was born in Cherry Hill and grew up in Egg Harbor Township and Ocean City."</ref>

See also

• Egg Harbor City, New Jersey
• Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

External links

• Egg Harbor Township Official Website
• Egg Harbor Township Schools
• Template:NJReportCard
• Data for the Egg Harbor Township Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• Egg Harbor Township Community Site (Unofficial)
• Egg Harbor Township Community Website (Free) Template:Webarchive
• Pinelands Commission Official Website
• The Current of Egg Harbor Township