Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other municipalities in New Jersey with the same name, see Washington Township, New Jersey
| Township of Washington | |
Nickname: Township |
|
 |
|
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Gloucester |
| Incorporated | February 17, 1836 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) |
| - Mayor | Paul Moriarty (D) |
| Area | |
| - Total | 21.5 sq mi (55.7 km²) |
| - Land | 21.4 sq mi (55.3 km²) |
| - Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²) |
| Elevation [1] | 141 ft (43 m) |
| Population (2006 estimate)[2] | |
| - Total | 51,827 |
| - Density | 913.6/sq mi (2,367/km²) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 08080, 08012 |
| Area code(s) | 856 |
| FIPS code | 34-77180[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882140[4] |
| Website: www.twp.washington.nj.us | |
Washington Township is a township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 47,114. The United States Census Bureau estimated that by 2006, the population had grown to 51,827.[2]
Turnersville is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Washington Township.
Washington Township was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 17, 1836, from portions of Deptford Township. The Township officially moved to the newly created Camden County on March 13, 1844. Monroe Township was created on March 3, 1859, from part of the township. Most of Washington Township, along with all of Monroe Township, was moved back into Gloucester County on February 28, 1871, with the remaining portions of Washington Township that were still in Camden County being transferred to Gloucester Township. Additional transfers to Gloucester Township were made in 1926 and 1931.[5]
Contents |
[edit] History
The oldest community in Washington Township, Grenloch Terrace, was a thriving Lenni Lenape Native American village called Tetamekon. Some of the early settlers to the area were the Collins family of Chestnut Ridge Farm (whom one of the middle schools is named after), the Turner family (for whom Turnersville was named), the Hurff family of Hurffville (Hurffville Elementary School is named after them), the Heritage family whose family began the Heritage Dairy Farm Stores, the Morgan family who were the first residents of the Olde Stone House (a landmark for residents of the Township), and the Bell Family who arrived in 1899, turning the 139-year-old grist mill into General Mills, Inc. The mill, located at Bells Lake, was destroyed by fire in 1963.[6]
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 21.5 square miles (55.7 km²), of which, 21.4 square miles (55.3 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (0.56%) is water.
Washington Township borders Deptford Township, Mantua Township, Pitman, Glassboro, Monroe Township, Williamstown and Camden County
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 2,068 |
|
|
| 1940 | 2,048 | -1.0% | |
| 1950 | 2,496 | 21.9% | |
| 1960 | 4,923 | 97.2% | |
| 1970 | 15,741 | 219.7% | |
| 1980 | 27,878 | 77.1% | |
| 1990 | 41,960 | 50.5% | |
| 2000 | 47,114 | 12.3% | |
| Est. 2006 | 51,827 | [2] | 10.0% |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[7] | |||
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 47,114 people, 15,609 households, and 12,658 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,204.6 people per square mile (851.2/km²). There were 16,020 housing units at an average density of 749.6/sq mi (289.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.20% White, 4.85% African American, 0.08% Native American, 3.31% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.03% of the population.
There were 15,609 households out of which 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.3% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.9% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the township the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $66,546, and the median income for a family was $74,661. Males had a median income of $51,319 versus $35,018 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,705. About 2.5% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
Washington Township is governed by the Mayor-Council system of New Jersey municipal government under the Faulkner Act.[8]
The township is governed by a Mayor and a five-member Municipal Council. The Mayor is elected by township voters and is the Chief Executive in charge of the administrative functions of the town. The Township Council is elected at-large by the entire community. The elected officials are to serve a four-year term.
The mayor, as of 2005, is Mayor Paul Moriarty, former KYW 3 TV personality and now an Assemblyman representing the district.[9] Members of the Municipal Council are:[10]
- Council President Frank Scarpato, III
- Council Vice President Michelle Martin
- Albert Frattali
- Anita LaPierre
- Robert Timmons
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Washington Township is in the First Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 4th Legislative District.[11]
New Jersey's First Congressional District, covering portions of Burlington County, Camden County and Gloucester County, is represented by Rob Andrews (D, Haddon Heights). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 4th district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Fred H. Madden (D, Washington Township) and in the Assembly by Sandra Love (D, Gloucester Township) and Paul Moriarty (D, Washington Township).[12] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[13]
Gloucester County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, elected to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year. Each year, the Board selects a Freeholder Director and Deputy Director from among its members. As of 2008, Gloucester County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Stephen M. Sweeney (D, West Deptford Township, term ends December 31, 2008), Deputy Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger (D, West Deptford Township, 2009), Joseph A. Brigandi, Jr., (D, Glassboro, 2010), Jean DuBois (D, Mantua Township, 2010), Giuseppe "Joe" Chila (D, Woolwich Township, 2009), Frank J. DiMarco (D, Deptford Township, 2008) and Dr. Warren S. Wallace (D, Washington Township, 2008).[14]
[edit] Education
The Washington Township Public School District serves students in grades K - 12 in Washington Township. The district has one Kindergarten school [http://www.wtps.org/gtecc/ Grenloch
[edit] Local dynamics
Washington Township has two major economic centers. The "town center" is focused around the square formed by Greentree Road, Egg Harbor Road, Ganttown Road, and Hurffville-Crosskeys Road. Washington Township High School, the Commerce Bank Arts Centre, Washington Lake Park, and the township municipal building are located around this general vicinity. The other major center is located around Route 42, which connects Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the Jersey Shore.
Washington Township is sometimes referred to as "South Philly South" or "Little South Philly" as a large percentage of its citizens moved to the town from the Italian South Philadelphia region over the past several decades.[15] It is also known simply as "Township".[16]
[edit] Recent expansion
Washington Township could be viewed as the frontline between open space and home developers. A township that was once composed of several housing projects gravitating around the Wedgwood, Whitman Square, Birches, Birches West, and Hurffville neighborhoods has exploded outwards and also increasing in volume around the centers.
[edit] Transportation
The Atlantic City Expressway, Route 42 and Route 168 pass through the township, as do County Route 534 and County Route 555.
New Jersey Transit's Atlantic City commuter rail line and PATCO Speedline rapid transit are accessible at the Lindenwold (NJT station), located 10 miles northeast of the township.
[edit] Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Washington Township include:
- Linda Fiorentino (1960-), actress.[17]
- Chris Pallies a.k.a King Kong Bundy (1957-), former professional wrestler.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ USGS GNIS: Township of Washington, Geographic Names Information System, accessed June 22, 2007.
- ^ a b c Census data for Washington township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 27, 2007.
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). 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. 140.
- ^ History of Washington Township, Washington Township. Accessed July 12, 2006.
- ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 24.
- ^ Mayor's Office, accessed March 14, 2007.
- ^ Township Council Members, Washington Township. Accessed March 14, 2007.
- ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 65. Accessed August 30, 2006.
- ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ Gloucester County Elected Officials, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed March 27, 2008.
- ^ Fifield, Adam. "Rival Washington Township, Pa., Cannoli Makers Square Off.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 5, 2003. Accessed October 21, 2007. "WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Is there room in this town for more than one cannoli?... And in a Gloucester County community nicknamed "South Philly South" for its large population of Italian American city transplants, it has earned a loyalty thicker than ricotta."
- ^ Fifield, Adam. "Where passion, pride connect", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 16, 2004. Accessed October 21, 2007. "Washington Township may not rank as a big draw for Sunday drivers. If you're passing through, spinning along the strip malls and housing developments and fast-food chains, you may feel compelled to keep your foot on the gas until more appealing scenery rolls by. But this is a town where much of the allure runs more than soil- or asphalt-deep. Gloucester County's largest community, known to some as South Philly South and to many simply as Township..."
- ^ Donahue, Deirdre. "Leggy Linda Fiorentino says Gotcha! to some of the silver screen's cutest virgin hunks.", People (magazine), May 27, 1985. "Growing up in South Philly and later Turnersville, N.J. gave Linda a street-kid sensibility."
[edit] External links
- Washington Township website
- Washington Township Public Schools
- Washington Township Public Schools's 2006-07 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- National Center for Education Statistics data for the Washington Township Public Schools
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
