GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

'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 Woodbury⁶.
This county is part of the Delaware Valley area. It is located south of Philadelphia and northwest of Atlantic City.

Contents

Geography

Adjacent Counties

History

Demographics

Government

Municipalities

Notable residents

References

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 873 km² (337 mi²). 841 km² (325 mi²) of it is land and 32 km² (12 mi²) 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.

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

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."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 137.
Woodbury, founded in 1683 by Henry Wood, is the oldest town in the county.^[1] 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.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 254,673 people, 90,717 households, and 67,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 303/km² (784/mi²). There were 95,054 housing units at an average density of 113/km² (293/mi²). 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.
There were 90,717 households out of which 36.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were non-families. 21.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.22.
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.

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:^[2]

★ 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

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

★
★ Oak Valley

★ East Greenwich Township

★ Elk Township

★ Franklin Township

★ Glassboro (borough)

★ Greenwich Township

★
★ Gibbstown

★ Harrison Township

★
★ Mullica Hill

★ Logan Township

★
★ Beckett

★
★ Bridgeport

★
★ Center Square

★
★ Nortonville

★
★ Repaupo

★ Mantua Township

★
★ Sewell

★
★ Barnsboro

★ Monroe Township

★
★ Victory Lakes

★
★ Williamstown

★ National Park (borough)

★ Newfield (borough)

★ Paulsboro (borough)

★ Pitman (borough)

★ South Harrison Township

★ Swedesboro (borough)

★ Washington Township

★
★ Turnersville

★ Wenonah (borough)

★ West Deptford Township

★ Westville (borough)

★ Woodbury (city)

★ Woodbury Heights (borough)

★ Woolwich Township

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 (Deptford).

★ 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 (Pitman).

★ Charles C. Stratton, former Member of Congress (Swedesboro).

References

1. History of Woodbury, accessed January 26, 2007
2. Gloucester County Elected Officials, accessed June 20, 2007.