| Atco, New Jersey | |
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| — Unincorporated community — | |
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Atco, New Jersey
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Camden |
| Township | Waterford |
| Elevation | 148 ft (45 m) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| GNIS feature ID | 874410[1] |
Atco is an unincorporated area in Waterford Township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States, in the Philadelphia-Camden metropolitan area, located 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Camden. The town is at the western edge of Wharton State Forest and the Pine Barrens. Atco is the home of the Atco Raceway, and served as the location for movie, Eddie and the Cruisers. In 2005, an episode of Viva La Bam was shot at the raceway. Atco Lake is a 30 acre lake in Atco. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 08004.
As of the United States 2000 Census, the population for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 08004 was 14,299.
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The area gets its name from the Atlantic Transport Company, though other possible derivations have been offered, one of which is from the Indian word for "Land of many deer."[2] The Atlantic Transport Company of West Virginia placed a major order with the New York Shipbuilding Corporation of Camden, New Jersey for four big ships launched 1902-3, which may have something to do with the choice of the name Atco at this time. Camden and Atlantic Railroad was founded in 1854; it crossed the Pinelands from Camden to Atlantic City. The Raritan and Delaware Bay Railroad was established soon after, linking Atco to communities such as Toms River, Waretown, Atsion and Vineland.
The story of the Atco Ghost is popular in Atco. Legend has it that a young boy was killed by a car while chasing a ball - when there is a second full moon in a month he can be seen playing in the same street.
Atco is the site of Assumption School, an elementary school that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden.[3] Atco public schools serve K-6 grade. Atco Elementary (grades to 1-2), Thomas Richards Elementary (grades 3-4) and Waterford Elementary (K, and grades 5-6) serve students from Atco. Junior high school and high school students from Atco are served by Hammonton Public Schools or parochial schools of their choice.
Atco has a train station on the Atlantic City Line, which is operated by New Jersey Transit. The station is accessible from Route 73 and the White Horse Pike (U.S. Route 30).
Notable current and former residents of Atco include:
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