Gloucester County, New Jersey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Gloucester County, New Jersey | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of New Jersey |
|
 New Jersey's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1686 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Woodbury |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
337 sq mi (873 km²) 325 sq mi (842 km²) 12 sq mi (31 km²), 3.62% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
254,673 785/sq mi (303/km²) |
| Website: www.co.gloucester.nj.us | |
Gloucester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 254,673. Its county seat is Woodbury[1].
This county is part of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area area. It is located south of Philadelphia and northwest of Atlantic City.
The primary newspaper is the Gloucester County Times, distributed daily and based in Woodbury.
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[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 337 square miles (873 km²), of which, 325 square miles (841 km²) of it is land and 12 square miles (32 km²) of it (3.62%) is water.
Gloucester County is largely composed of low-lying river and coastal plain. The highest elevation in the county is a slight rise along County Route 654 southeast of Cross Keys that reaches approximately 180 feet (55 m) above sea level; the lowest point is sea level at the Delaware River.
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania - north
- Camden County, New Jersey - northeast
- Atlantic County, New Jersey - southeast
- Cumberland County, New Jersey - south
- Salem County, New Jersey - southwest
- New Castle County, Delaware - west
- Delaware County, Pennsylvania - northwest
[edit] National protected area
[edit] History
Gloucester dates back to May 26, 1686, when courts were established separate from those of Burlington. It was officially formed and its boundaries defined as part of West Jersey on May 17, 1694. Portions of Gloucester County were set off on February 7, 1837 to create Atlantic County, and on March 13, 1844 to create Camden County.[2]
Woodbury, founded in 1683 by Henry Wood, is the oldest town in the county.[3] National Park, another town in the county, was the site of the Revolutionary War Battle of Red Bank (now included in a county park) where Fort Mercer once stood. Here can be seen the remains of the British ship Augusta (stored in a shed in the park), which sank during the battle. During the colonial era, Gloucester County's main economic activity was agriculture. In Woodbury (even then the main town) was located the county courthouse, the county jail, a Quaker meeting house (still in existence), and an inn (on the current location of Woodbury Crossings). Because of the county's many creeks leading to the Delaware River and the Atlantic Ocean, smuggling was very common. Today, Gloucester County has a large and diverse population.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 13,363 |
|
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| 1800 | 16,115 | 20.6% | |
| 1810 | 19,744 | 22.5% | |
| 1820 | 23,089 | 16.9% | |
| 1830 | 28,431 | 23.1% | |
| 1840 | 25,438 | * | -10.5% |
| 1850 | 14,655 | * | -42.4% |
| 1860 | 18,444 | 25.9% | |
| 1870 | 21,562 | 16.9% | |
| 1880 | 25,886 | 20.1% | |
| 1890 | 28,649 | 10.7% | |
| 1900 | 31,905 | 11.4% | |
| 1910 | 37,368 | 17.1% | |
| 1920 | 48,224 | 29.1% | |
| 1930 | 70,802 | 46.8% | |
| 1940 | 72,219 | 2.0% | |
| 1950 | 91,727 | 27.0% | |
| 1960 | 134,840 | 47.0% | |
| 1970 | 172,681 | 28.1% | |
| 1980 | 199,917 | 15.8% | |
| 1990 | 230,082 | 15.1% | |
| 2000 | 254,673 | 10.7% | |
| Est. 2005 | 276,910 | [4] | 8.7% |
| * lost territory historical census data source: [5][6] |
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As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 254,673 people, 90,717 households, and 67,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 784 people per square mile (303/km²). There were 95,054 housing units at an average density of 293 per square mile (113/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.07% White, 9.06% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 2.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.8% were of Italian, 19.3% Irish, 15.8% German and 7.6% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.40% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $54,273, and the median income for a family was $62,482. Males had a median income of $43,825 versus $31,077 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,708. About 4.30% of families and 6.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.60% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
Gloucester County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of seven members. Currently, all of the Freeholders are Democrats. Freeholders are elected at large by the voters of Gloucester County in partisan elections and serve staggered 3-year terms. Gloucester County's Freeholders are:[8]
- Stephen M. Sweeney - Freeholder Director
- Robert M. Damminger (2009) - Deputy Freeholder Director
- Joseph A. Brigandi, Jr.
- Joe Chila (2009)
- Frank J. DiMarco
- Helene M. Reed
- Dr. Warren S. Wallace
[edit] Municipalities
The following municipalities are located in Gloucester County. The municipality type is listed in parentheses after the name, except where the type is included as part of the name. Census-designated places and other unincorporated communities are listed under their municipalities.
- Clayton (borough)
- Deptford Township
- East Greenwich Township
- Elk Township
- Franklin Township
- Glassboro (borough)
- Greenwich Township
- Harrison Township
- Logan Township
- Beckett
- Bridgeport
- Center Square
- Nortonville
- Repaupo
- Mantua Township
- Barnsboro
- Sewell
- Monroe Township
- National Park (borough)
- Newfield (borough)
- Paulsboro (borough)
- Pitman (borough)
- South Harrison Township
- Swedesboro (borough)
- Washington Township
- Wenonah (borough)
- West Deptford Township
- Westville (borough)
- Woodbury (city)
- Woodbury Heights (borough)
- Woolwich Township
[edit] Notable residents
Gloucester County is the home to several notable Americans, including:
- Linda Fiorentino, actress (Mantua Township).
- Tara Lipinski, Olympic gold medal winner, figure skating (Mantua Township).
- Bryant McKinnie, professional football player, Minnesota Vikings (Woodbury).
- J. Hampton Moore, former Mayor of Philadelphia (Woodbury).
- Milt Plum, former professional football player, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants (Westville).
- Jimmy Rollins, professional baseball player, Philadelphia Phillies (Woolwich Township).
- Patti Smith, punk rock musician (Woodbury).
- Charles C. Stratton, former Member of Congress (Swedesboro).
[edit] References
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 137.
- ^ History of Woodbury, accessed January 26, 2007
- ^ QuickFacts: Gloucester County, New Jersey. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by County: 1880 - 1930.
- ^ Geostat Center: Historical Census Browser. University of Virginia Library. Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Gloucester County Elected Officials, accessed June 20, 2007.
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