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Dennis Township, New Jersey

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Dennis Township is a township in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township, and all of Cape May County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Ocean City metropolitan statistical area, and is part of the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD combined statistical area, also known as the Delaware Valley or Philadelphia metropolitan area.<ref>New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 22, 2022.</ref> As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 6,285,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 182 (−2.8%) from the 2010 census count of 6,467,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 25 (−0.4%) from the 6,492 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>

Dennis Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 1, 1827, from portions of Upper Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Sea Isle City borough (May 22, 1882) and Woodbine borough (March 3, 1903).<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. 114. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref>

New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Dennis Township as its 20th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.<ref>"Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100" Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Monthly, February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.</ref>

History

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Dennis Township had been a dry town, where alcohol could not be sold, until 2001 when voters passed a referendum allowing liquor to be sold; the township council authorized the sale of a single license, which netted the township $1.1 million.<ref>Procida, Lee. "Cape May County towns relaxing liquor laws as area's alcohol culture changes", Press of Atlantic City, April 14, 2012. Accessed October 16, 2017. "Voters in West Cape May turned down the sale of liquor twice in its history before approving a referendum less than four years ago, and Dennis Township repealed its dry status in 2001."</ref><ref>Tomlinson, Phillip. "Maurice River discussing alcohol sales; diner owner in dry town pursuing issue", South Jersey Times, March 18, 2012. Accessed October 16, 2017. "Nearby Dennis Township approved the sale of a liquor license in 2001, which sold at auction for $1.1 million."</ref>

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 63.94 square miles (165.61 km2), including 60.42 square miles (156.49 km2) of land and 3.52 square miles (9.12 km2) of water (5.51%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Belleplain (2010 Census population of 597<ref>DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Belleplain CDP, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref>) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within the township.<ref>New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref>

Dennisville is the most important unincorporated community in Dennis Township. Ocean View is served as ZIP Code 08230.<ref>Look Up a ZIP Code for Ocean View, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed December 17, 2014.</ref> Other communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Clermont, East Creek, Eldora, Mount Pleasant, North Dennis, North-West Dennis, Ocean View, Savage Pond, South Dennis, South Seaville, Stipsons Island and West Creek Landing.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed December 17, 2014.</ref><ref>Old School House Museum & History Center, Township of Dennis. Accessed March 27, 2020. "The Dennis Township Museum is devoted to the collection of artifacts, historic documents, memorabilia and photographs which tells the story of our local communities of Belleplain, Clermont, Dennisville, Eldora, Northwest Dennis, Ocean View, South Dennis and South Seaville. "</ref>

The township borders the municipalities of Avalon, Middle Township, Sea Isle City, Upper Township, Woodbine Borough in Cape May County; Maurice River Township in Cumberland County; and the Delaware Bay.<ref>Areas touching Dennis Township, MapIt. Accessed March 27, 2020.</ref><ref>Cape May County Template:Webarchive, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 27, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2010 census

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The 2010 United States census counted 6,467 people, 2,370 households, and 1,792 families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 2,672 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 96.75% (6,257) White, 0.79% (51) Black or African American, 0.19% (12) Native American, 0.56% (36) Asian, 0.03% (2) Pacific Islander, 0.32% (21) from other races, and 1.36% (88) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.81% (117) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 2,370 households, 29.5% had children under the age of 18; 60.8% were married couples living together; 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 24.4% were non-families. Of all households, 19.6% were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.07.<ref name=Census2010/>

21.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 34.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 94.1 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $84,205 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,160) and the median family income was $84,400 (+/− $4,219). Males had a median income of $52,571 (+/− $3,535) versus $40,023 (+/− $5,496) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,545 (+/− $2,875). About 5.4% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Dennis township, Cape May County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 6,492 people, 2,159 households, and 1,737 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 2,327 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 97.43% White, 0.96% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.51% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Dennis township, Cape May County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Dennis township, Cape May County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref>

There were 2,159 households, out of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.5% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.24.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $56,595, and the median income for a family was $61,445. Males had a median income of $41,404 versus $31,329 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,455. About 4.0% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Government

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Local government

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Dennis 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. 8.</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 Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor. The Committee members serve in a part-time capacity and receive an annual salary.<ref name=History>History and Organization of the Dennis Township Committee Template:Webarchive, Dennis Township. Accessed March 6, 2007.</ref>

The governing body originally consisted of three elected officials, one of which would be elected by the membership to serve as the Mayor. In 1989 voters approved a ballot question to increase the membership from three members to five members, and in November 1990 the voters elected two additional Committee members. The first five-member committee took office in January 1991 at which time the governing body established the position of Township Administrator.<ref name=History/>

Template:As of, the members of the Dennis Township Committee are Mayor Zeth Anthony Matalucci (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2025; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Scott J. Turner (R, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2023), Matthew J. Cox (R, 2025), Frank L. Germanio Jr. (R, 2024) and Thomas Van Artsdalen III (R, 2023).<ref name=Personnel>Township Personnel, Township of Dennis. Accessed June 9, 2023.</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Dennis Township. Accessed July 26, 2022.</ref><ref name=CapeMayOfficials>2023 County & Municipal Elected Officials Cape May County, NJ -- July 2023, Cape May County, New Jersey, August 3, 2023. Accessed August 23, 2023.</ref><ref name=CapeMay2022>Summary Results Report 2022 November Cape May General Election November 8, 2022 Official Results, Cape May County, New Jersey, updated November 17, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=CapeMay2021>2021 General Election Successful Candidates, Cape May County, New Jersey, updated November 16, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref><ref name=CapeMay2020>2020 General Election Successful Candidates, Cape May County, New Jersey, updated December 4, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref>

In October 2017, the Township Committee appointed Nicolas Elisano to fill the seat expiring December 2019 that became vacant following the resignation of Melanie Smith, who was moving out of the township.<ref>Sailer, Camille. "Elisano Replaces Smith on Dennis Committee", Cape May County Herald, October 30, 2017. Accessed September 16, 2019. "Dennis Township Committee approved a resolution Oct. 24 authorizing the appointment of Nicolas Elisano to fill a vacancy on the governing body. He was sworn in at the same session. The vacancy resulted from the resignation of Committee member Melanie Smith."</ref> In November 2018, Matthew J. Cox was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref name=CapeMay2018>2018 General Election Statement of Vote, Cape May County, New Jersey, updated November 26, 2018. Accessed January 1, 2019.</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

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Dennis 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 1st 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>

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Template:NJ Cape May County Freeholders

Politics

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As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,499 registered voters in Dennis Township, of which 1,091 (24.2%) were registered as Democrats, 1,527 (33.9%) were registered as Republicans and 1,877 (41.7%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref>Voter Registration Summary - Cape May, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 55.5% of the vote (1,809 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 43.1% (1,406 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (45 votes), among the 3,296 ballots cast by the township's 4,624 registered voters (36 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 71.3%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 55.4% of the vote (1,904 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama, who received 42.4% (1,459 votes), with 3,437 ballots cast among the township's 4,331 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.4%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Cape May County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 58.1% of the vote (1,977 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry, who received around 40.0% (1,362 votes), with 3,401 ballots cast among the township's 4,424 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 76.9.<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Cape May County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref>

Presidential elections results
Year Republican Democratic
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2024<ref name="2024Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|66.3% 2,623 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|32.1% 1,272
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2020<ref name="2020Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|62.8% 2,573 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|35.5% 1,456
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2016<ref name="2016Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|61.8% 2,160 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|33.3% 1,164
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2012<ref name="2012Election">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|55.5% 1,809 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|43.1% 1,406
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2008<ref name="state.nj.us">2008 Presidential General Election Results: Cape May County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 13, 2025.</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|55.4% 1,904 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|42.4% 1,459
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2004<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">2004 Presidential Election: Cape May County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 13, 2025.</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|58.1% 1,977 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|40.0% 1,362

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 69.1% of the vote (1,647 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 29.4% (702 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (36 votes), among the 2,481 ballots cast by the township's 4,559 registered voters (96 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 54.4%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 51.9% of the vote (1,251 ballots cast), ahead of both Democrat Jon Corzine with 37.1% (894 votes) and Independent Chris Daggett with 8.2% (197 votes), with 2,411 ballots cast among the township's 4,572 registered voters, yielding a 52.7% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Cape May County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref>

Education

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The Dennis Township Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.<ref>Dennis Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Dennis Township Public Schools. Accessed September 4, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the Dennis Township School District and a sending-receiving relationship with the Middle Township Board of Education. Composition: The Dennis Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Dennis Township in the County of Cape May."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 615 students and 62.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.9:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Dennis Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Dennis Township Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are Dennis Township Primary School with 268 students in grades Pre-K–2 and Dennis Township Elementary / Middle School with 336 students in grades 3–8.<ref>Schools, Dennis Township School District. Accessed March 15, 2022.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Dennis Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed January 28, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Dennis Township Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

Students in public school for ninth through twelfth grades attend Middle Township High School in Cape May Court House, together with students from Avalon, Stone Harbor and Woodbine, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Middle Township Public Schools.<ref>Middle Township High School 2015 School Report Card, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 27, 2020. "Middle Township High School is a four-year, accredited, comprehensive high school situated in central Cape May County. The school serves the communities of Middle Township, Dennis Township, Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Woodbine Borough."</ref><ref>Home page, Middle Township Public Schools. Accessed May 30, 2016. "The high school is a four-year comprehensive public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades. In addition to students from Middle Township, students from Avalon, Dennis Township, Stone Harbor and Woodbine attend the high school as part of sending/receiving relationships."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 741 students and 64.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.5:1.<ref>School data for Middle Township High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>

Students are also eligible to attend the Cape May County Technical High School in Cape May Court House, which serves students from the entire county in its comprehensive and vocational programs, which are offered without charge to students who are county residents.<ref>Frequently Asked Questions, Cape May County Technical High School. Accessed October 27, 2019. "All residents of Cape May County are eligible to attend Cape May County Technical High School.... The Cape May County Technical High School is a public school so there is no cost to residents of Cape May County."</ref><ref>Technical High School Admissions, Cape May County Technical High School. Accessed October 27, 2019. "All students who are residents of Cape May County may apply to the Technical High School."</ref>

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden operates Bishop McHugh Regional School, a Catholic K–8 school.<ref>Schools, South Jersey Catholic Schools. Accessed February 21, 2023.</ref> It is supported by four parishes in Cape May County.<ref>Welcome, Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School. Accessed February 22, 2023. "The school is part of the Diocese of Camden, and is supported by the four regional parishes of Avalon/Stone Harbor, Cape May Court House, Marmora/Woodbine and Sea Isle City."</ref> The school has a Cape May Courthouse postal address.<ref>Zoning Map, Dennis Township. Accessed February 22, 2023.- Compare to the address: "2221 Rt. 9 North, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210"</ref> The Press of Atlantic City describes the school as being in Ocean View,<ref>Leach, Ben. "Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School in Ocean View opens doors to kindergartners, pre-K students", The Press of Atlantic City, September 10, 2010. Accessed February 22, 2023. "Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School in the Ocean View section of Dennis Township".</ref> though it lies outside of the Ocean View CDP.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Transportation

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File:2020-07-16 14 37 25 View south along New Jersey State Route 444 (Garden State Parkway) at Exit 17 (Sea Isle City, Dennis Township) in Dennis Township, Cape May County, New Jersey.jpg
The Garden State Parkway southbound at exit 17 in Dennis Township

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 Cape May County, Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.<ref>Cape May County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, July 2015. Accessed December 11, 2016.</ref>

The Garden State Parkway is the most prominent highway serving Dennis Township, running for more than Template:Convert through the township.<ref>Garden State Parkway Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated August 2014. Accessed October 27, 2019.</ref> Other significant roads serving the township include U.S. Route 9, New Jersey Route 47, New Jersey Route 83 and New Jersey Route 347.

Notable people

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

See also

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References

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Template:Dennis Township, New Jersey Template:Cape May County, New Jersey Template:Jersey Shore region