Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
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Township
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The majority of Atlantic City International Airport (IATA: ACY), a shared civilian and military airport, is situated in Egg Harbor Township.
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Location of Egg Harbor Township in Atlantic County highlighted in yellow (left). Inset map: Location of Atlantic County in New Jersey highlighted in black (right).
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Census Bureau map of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
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 Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
Location in Atlantic County, New Jersey
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  New Jersey |
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| County | Atlantic | |
| Established | 1693 | |
| Incorporated | February 21, 1798 | |
| Named for | Bird eggs | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Township | |
| • Body | Township Committee | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 75.47 sq mi (195.48 km2) | |
| • Land | 67.05 sq mi (173.65 km2) | |
| • Water | 8.43 sq mi (21.82 km2) 11.16% | |
| Elevation | 43 ft (13 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 47,842 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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47,861 | |
| • Rank | 42nd of 565 in state 1st of 23 in county |
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| • Density | 713.6/sq mi (275.5/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 418th of 565 in state 11th of 23 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Codes |
08232, 08234
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| Area code(s) | 609 | |
| FIPS code | 3400120290 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882051 | |
Egg Harbor Township is a township located in Atlantic County, New Jersey. It's a busy place with a growing population. In 2020, about 47,842 people lived here, which was the highest number ever recorded for the township.
The name "Egg Harbor" comes from a Dutch explorer named Cornelius Jacobsen Mey. In 1614, he saw an inlet to the Great Egg Harbor River. The area was so full of bird eggs that he called it "Eieren Haven," which means "Egg Harbor" in Dutch.
Egg Harbor Township was first mentioned in records way back in 1693. It was officially formed as a township on February 21, 1798. Over the years, many other towns in the area were created from parts of Egg Harbor Township, including Atlantic City and Margate City.
Contents
History of Egg Harbor Township
The very first people to live in what is now Egg Harbor Township were the Lenni Lenape Native Americans. They spent their summers near Bargaintown Lake and Patcong Creek. They found lots of fish, shellfish, wild berries, and bird eggs to eat. They also collected shells to make wampum, which was a type of bead used for trade.
In 1694, a law was passed that said the people living in Egg Harbor belonged to Gloucester County. Later, in 1710, the official borders of Gloucester County were set. At that time, the area called Great Egg Harbor covered all of what is now Atlantic County.
In 1837, Atlantic County was created, separating from Gloucester County. Egg Harbor Township was one of the original townships in this new county. Since then, ten other towns have been formed from parts of Egg Harbor Township.
Geography and Nature
Egg Harbor Township covers about 75 square miles. Most of this area is land, but about 8 square miles are water.
A special part of the township is included in the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve. This is a huge protected natural area with unique plants and animals. It's also known as the Pinelands or Pine Barrens. It's important because it helps protect nature.
Egg Harbor Township has several smaller communities within it. These include Bargaintown, which is where the township's government is located, and other places like Cardiff, English Creek, and Scullville.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 1,830 | — | |
| 1820 | 1,635 | * | −10.7% |
| 1830 | 2,510 | 53.5% | |
| 1840 | 2,739 | 9.1% | |
| 1850 | 2,689 | −1.8% | |
| 1860 | 3,207 | * | 19.3% |
| 1870 | 3,585 | 11.8% | |
| 1880 | 3,568 | −0.5% | |
| 1890 | 3,027 | * | −15.2% |
| 1900 | 1,863 | * | −38.5% |
| 1910 | 1,110 | * | −40.4% |
| 1920 | 1,360 | 22.5% | |
| 1930 | 3,024 | 122.4% | |
| 1940 | 3,066 | 1.4% | |
| 1950 | 4,991 | 62.8% | |
| 1960 | 5,593 | 12.1% | |
| 1970 | 9,882 | 76.7% | |
| 1980 | 19,381 | 96.1% | |
| 1990 | 24,544 | 26.6% | |
| 2000 | 30,726 | 25.2% | |
| 2010 | 43,323 | 41.0% | |
| 2020 | 47,842 | 10.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 47,861 | 10.5% | |
| Population sources: 1810–1920 1810–1830 1840–2000 1840 1850–1870 1850 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 * = Lost territory in previous decade. |
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The population of Egg Harbor Township has grown a lot over the years. In 2010, there were 43,323 people, and by 2020, it had increased to 47,842. This shows that more and more people are choosing to live here.
In 2010, the average income for families in the township was about $78,259 per year. This helps us understand how well people are doing financially in the area.
Economy and Development
Egg Harbor Township has a shopping center called Harbor Square. It used to be called the Shore Mall and first opened in 1968.
Because of its location, Egg Harbor Township has been chosen as a "Regional Growth Area" by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission. This means that new homes and buildings can be built here. The good news is that this development helps protect the Pine Barrens nearby, as trees are not cut down in that special area for new housing in the township.
For example, a company called PulteGroup is building over 600 new homes in the Farmington area of the township. This new community will have townhouses, homes for adults aged 55 and older, and single-family houses. It will also include clubhouses, sports fields, and walking paths for residents to enjoy.
As part of this development, the company is helping to build a new fire station and contributing money for recreation. People who buy homes in this area are told that they will be close to the Atlantic City International Airport. This means they might hear planes taking off and landing. They are also informed about the local trash and recycling facility, which can sometimes have odors, and a nearby military training range.
Surrounding Communities
Egg Harbor Township 
Education in Egg Harbor Township
The Egg Harbor Township Schools district serves students from pre-kindergarten all the way through twelfth grade. In the 2018–19 school year, there were seven schools in the district with over 7,400 students.
The schools include:
- Clayton J. Davenport Elementary School Complex (grades K–3)
- E. H. Slaybaugh Elementary School Complex (grades Pre-K–3)
- H. Russell Swift Elementary School (grades K–3)
- Dr. Joyanne D. Miller Elementary School (grades 4–5)
- Alder Avenue Middle School (grades 6–8)
- Fernwood Avenue Middle School (grades 6–8)
- Egg Harbor Township High School (grades 9–12)
Students can also choose to attend special schools like the Atlantic County Institute of Technology or the Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts. There is also an Islamic elementary school called the Islamic Academy of South Jersey. Bishop McHugh Regional School, a Catholic school, also accepts students from Egg Harbor Township.
Transportation
_from_the_overpass_for_the_ramps_from_Atlantic_County_Route_563_(Tilton_Road)_in_Egg_Harbor_Township,_Atlantic_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Egg Harbor Township has many roads that help people get around. Major highways like the Atlantic City Expressway and the Garden State Parkway pass through the township. Other important roads include U.S. Routes 9, 40, and 322.
NJ Transit provides bus service, connecting Egg Harbor Township to Atlantic City and Ocean City.
A large part of the Atlantic City International Airport is located in the northern area of the township. This airport serves both civilian and military flights.
Fun Places to Visit
- The Atlantic County Bikeway is a great place for biking. It stretches for about 7.5 miles.
- Storybook Land is a fun park for children. It opened in 1955 and features characters from classic storybooks like Mother Goose and the Three Little Pigs.
- The Jersey Shore Children's Museum used to be a place where kids could play and learn. It closed at the end of 2017.
Famous People from Egg Harbor Township
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Egg Harbor Township, including:
- Aarthi Agarwal (1984–2015), an actress.
- Anastasia Cannuscio (born 1992), an ice dancer.
- Esther Choi (born 1990), a chef and TV personality.
- Steve Coates (born 1950), a retired hockey player and announcer.
- Toni Ann Gisondi (born 1972), known for her role as Molly in the 1982 movie Annie.
- Steve Keiner, who won a hot dog eating contest in 1999.
- Biz Markie (1964–2021), a famous rapper.
- Dominic Sessa (born 2002), an actor who made his film debut in 2023.
See also
In Spanish: Municipio de Egg Harbor para niños
