Gloucester Township, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gloucester Township, New Jersey
Township
Chew-Powell House
Motto(s):  "A great place to live, work and play."
Location of Gloucester Township in Camden County highlighted in red
Census Bureau map of Gloucester Township, New Jersey
Gloucester Township, New Jersey Location in Camden County, New Jersey Show map of Camden County, New Jersey Gloucester Township, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Gloucester Township, New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Camden
Formed	June 1, 1695
Incorporated	February 21, 1798
Named for	Gloucester, England
Government
• Type	Faulkner Act (mayor–council)
• Body	Township Council
Area
• Total	23.30 sq mi (60.34 km2)
• Land	22.95 sq mi (59.45 km2)
• Water	0.34 sq mi (0.88 km2)  1.46%
Area rank	119th of 565 in state 4th of 37 in county
Elevation	118 ft (36 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	66,034
• Estimate  (2023)	66,239
• Rank	22nd of 565 in state 3rd of 37 in county
• Density	2,876.7/sq mi (1,110.7/km2)
• Density rank	226th of 565 in state 25th of 37 in county
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Codes	08012 – Blackwood 08021 – Clementon 08029 – Glendora
Area code(s)	856
FIPS code	3400726760
GNIS feature ID	0882154

Gloucester Township is a township in Camden County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township was the state's 22nd-most-populous municipality, with a population was 66,034, an increase of 1,400 (+2.2%) from the 2010 census count of 64,634, which in turn reflected an increase of 284 (+0.4%) from the 64,350 counted in the 2000 census. The township had been ranked as the 19th-most populous municipality in the state in 2010 after having been ranked 18th in 2000.

Gloucester Township was formed on June 1, 1695, while the area was still part of Gloucester County. It was incorporated as one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. When Camden County was established on March 13, 1844, it was included in that county. Over time, pieces of the township were taken to create Winslow Township (March 8, 1845), Clementon Township (February 24, 1903; dissolved on May 16, 1941; became Laurel Springs), and Union Township (November 15, 1831; dissolved on February 25, 1868, with remaining land chartered as Gloucester City). The township is part of South Jersey and constitutes part of the larger Philadelphia metropolitan area.

History

Present Gloucester Township was one of the original townships that comprised old Gloucester County. It became the county's first political subdivision in 1685. The boundaries of Gloucester County extended from the Delaware River to the Atlantic Ocean until 1683, when it was divided into two townships; Egg Harbor Township and Gloucester Township, which took its name from the cathedral city of Gloucester on the banks of the River Severn in England. Gloucester Township further subdivided into four smaller townships, and on June 1, 1695, became one of the first New Jersey municipalities to incorporate. In 1844, the township became part of newly formed Camden County.

The Gabreil Daveis Tavern House, located at 4th Avenue in Glendora, is a pre-Revolutionary War tavern that was built in 1756 and for many years served as an inn for boatmen who transported their products to Philadelphia via nearby Big Timber Creek. It was recently restored and now serves as Gloucester Township's historical centerpiece. This building has also been referred to as the Hillman Hospital House because it was designated a hospital by George Washington during the Revolution. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open to visitors on Sunday afternoons from April through December, excepting holidays.

The former Solomon Wesley United Methodist Church

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 23.30 square miles (60.34 km²), including 22.95 square miles (59.45 km²) of land and 0.34 square miles (0.88 km²) of water (1.46%).

Blackwood (with a 2010 Census population of 4,545) and Glendora (4,750 in 2010) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDPs) located within the township. Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Blenheim, Chews Landing, Davisville, Erial, Glen Oaks, Grenloch, Hilltop, Lakeland, Lambs Terrace, Little Gloucester, Nashs Mill Point Pleasant and Turkey Foot.

The township borders the municipalities of Hi-Nella, Lindenwold, Magnolia, Pine Hill, Runnemede, Somerdale, Stratford and Winslow Township in Camden County; and Deptford Township and Washington Township in Gloucester County.

A greyhound walking through the forested area of Timber Creek dog park in Gloucester, New Jersey.

Big Timber Creek flows east to west through the township to the Delaware River. A large enclosed dog park is located near the banks of Big Timber Creek.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 64,634 people, 23,566 households, and 16,873 families in the township. The population density was 2,812.2 per square mile (1,085.8/km²). There were 24,711 housing units at an average density of 1,075.2 per square mile (415.1/km²). The racial makeup was 75.80% (48,993) White, 16.19% (10,464) Black or African American, 0.20% (129) Native American, 3.67% (2,374) Asian, 0.03% (20) Pacific Islander, 1.83% (1,183) from other races, and 2.28% (1,471) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.65% (3,650) of the population.

Of the 23,566 households, 32.7% had children under the age of 18; 52.4% were married couples living together; 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.4% were non-families. Of all households, 22.8% were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.24.

24.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.5 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $72,811 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,131) and the median family income was $82,491 (+/− $2,354). Males had a median income of $55,185 (+/− $1,931) versus $41,697 (+/− $1,505) for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,231 (+/− $984). About 3.5% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Gloucester Township Public Schools system, serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The district operates eight PreK/K–5 elementary schools and three grade 6–8 middle schools, including the Ann A. Mullen Middle School, dedicated in September 1996 and named in honor of former mayor Ann A. Mullen. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of 11 schools, had an enrollment of 6,481 students and 534.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.1:1. Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Blackwood Elementary School (581 students; in grades PreK–5), Chews Elementary School (662; PreK–5), Erial Elementary School (650; PreK–5), Glendora Elementary School (232; K–5), Gloucester Township Elementary School (252; K–5), James W. Lilley Jr. Elementary School (494; K–5), Loring-Flemming Elementary School (651; K–5), Union Valley Elementary School (476; K–5), Glen Landing Middle School (657; 6–8), Charles W. Lewis Middle School (657; 6–8) and Ann A. Mullen Middle School (919; 6–8).

Students in public school for ninth through twelfth grades attend one of the three high schools that are part of the Black Horse Pike Regional School District. The schools in the district (with 2020–2021 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Highland Regional High School (1,188 students; located in Blackwood), Timber Creek Regional High School (1,187; Erial) or Triton Regional High School (1,103; Runnemede). Students from Gloucester Township attend one of the three schools based on their residence address; students from Bellmawr and Runnemede, the other two communities in the district, all attend Triton High School. Seats on the high school district's nine-member board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with seven seats assigned to Gloucester Township.

Gloucester Township Technical High School is a countywide vocational school that offers day and evening classes.

The Kingdom Charter School of Leadership was a charter school that served students in kindergarten through sixth grade residing in Gloucester Township, who were accepted by lottery on a space-available basis. The school surrendered its charter and ceased operations in June 2019.

Our Lady of Hope Regional School is a Roman Catholic elementary school that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. Our Lady of Hope Regional School was renamed following the 2008 merger of St. Jude's Regional School with St. Agnes School.

Camden County College is located in Blackwood, on a 320 acres (130 ha) campus that had been acquired in 1967. The school's first students started attending in 1968 and the campus has undergone an $83 million expansion and renovation project that started in 2005. Over 44 programs of study ranging from allied health to engineering technology and science, laser and optics, public safety, business administration, liberal arts, human services and secretarial studies are available. Other programs include a GED center, self-enrichment and senior adult courses. Evening and weekend classes, including computer programming are offered. Local residents may use the college's learning resource center to receive dental hygiene clinic services.

Transportation

The westbound Atlantic City Expressway in Gloucester Township

Roads and highways

As of May 2010^[update], the township had a total of 239.44 miles (385.34 km) of roadways, of which 186.25 miles (299.74 km) were maintained by the municipality, 41.69 miles (67.09 km) by Camden County, 9.10 miles (14.65 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 2.40 miles (3.86 km) by the South Jersey Transportation Authority.

The Atlantic City Expressway is the most prominent highway in Gloucester Township, passing through the southwestern portion of the township. Route 41 clips the northwestern tip very briefly while Route 42 (the North-South Freeway) and Route 168 both pass through the township in the western part. CR 534 travels through the center while CR 544 runs along the northern border.

Public transportation

NJ Transit bus service between the township and Philadelphia is provided on the 400 route, with local service available on the 403 and 459 routes.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Gloucester Township include:

• Jersey Bakley (1864–1915), was a Major League Baseball pitcher who was 19 years old when he broke into the big leagues in 1883 with the Philadelphia Athletics
• Damiere Byrd (born 1993), wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League
• Nick Comoroto (born 1991), professional wrestler known for his appearances with the professional wrestling promotions WWE and All Elite Wrestling
• Mike Daniels (born 1989), defensive end for the Green Bay Packers
• John A. Dramesi (1933–2017), prisoner of war who had been held by the Viet Cong in the Hanoi Hilton
• Kyle Hines (born 1986), professional basketball player who was the 6th player in NCAA history to amass 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 300 blocks in a career
• Dan Hutchison, attorney and politician serving as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 4th legislative district, since taking office on January 9, 2024
• Jim Jackson (born 1963), sportscaster for the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Flyers
• Sandra Love (born 1945), served as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 2008 to 2010 and was Gloucester Township's Mayor from 1994 to 2006
• David R. Mayer (born 1967), Mayor of Gloucester Township who served in the General Assembly from 2002 to 2008
• Lyle and Erik Menéndez (born 1968 and 1970), convicted murderers
• Joseph Menna (born 1974), sculptor
• Jeff Moore (born 1980), retired soccer player.
• Gabriela Mosquera (born 1977), politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2012, where she represents the 4th Legislative District
• Ann A. Mullen (1935–1994), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly and as mayor of Gloucester Township
• Ray Narleski (1928–2012), relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Cleveland Indians (1954–1958) and Detroit Tigers (1959)
• Billy Paul (1934–2016), Grammy Award-winning soul singer
• A. Raymond Randolph (born 1943), federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit who was appointed to the court in 1990
• Lisa Regina (born c. 1961), actress, screenwriter, director, and acting coach
• Dennis L. Riley (born 1945), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represented the 4th Legislative District from 1980 to 1990
• Joe Vitt (born 1954), interim head coach of the New Orleans Saints

See also

In Spanish: Municipio de Gloucester (Nueva Jersey) para niños