Port Elizabeth, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Port Elizabeth, New Jersey
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Center of Port Elizabeth
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 Port Elizabeth, New Jersey
Location in Cumberland County, New Jersey
Port Elizabeth, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Port Elizabeth, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Cumberland |
| Township | Maurice River |
| Named for | Elizabeth Clark Bodly |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.63 sq mi (4.23 km2) |
| • Land | 1.50 sq mi (3.88 km2) |
| • Water | 0.14 sq mi (0.36 km2) |
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 290 |
| • Density | 193.85/sq mi (74.82/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) |
| ZIP Code |
08348
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| FIPS code | 34-60240 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0879436 |
Port Elizabeth is a small community located in Maurice River Township. It is part of Cumberland County in the state of New Jersey. This area is known as an "unincorporated community" and a "census-designated place" (CDP). This means it's a recognized area for counting people, but it doesn't have its own separate local government like a city or town. The local United States Postal Service uses the ZIP Code 08348 for this area.
You can find Port Elizabeth where two main roads, Route 47 and Route 55, meet.
Contents
Who Lives in Port Elizabeth?
Population Changes Over Time
In the year 2000, about 455 people lived in the area covered by ZIP Code 08348. By the year 2020, the population of Port Elizabeth was 290 people. This information comes from the official U.S. Census.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 290 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 |
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A Look Back: Port Elizabeth's Past
How Port Elizabeth Got Its Name
Port Elizabeth was first planned out in 1785. It was named after Elizabeth Clark Bodly, a Quaker woman who owned land in the area. The "Port" part of the name comes from the wharves built along the Manumuskin River.
Important Events in History
In 1778, a dam was built on the Manumuskin River. This helped to dry out land, making it good for farming. Many farmers moved to the area because of this new farmland.
Old Buildings and Landmarks
Port Elizabeth has several historic buildings that tell stories of its past:
- Port Elizabeth United Methodist Church: This church was built in 1827. It replaced the very first Methodist Church in Cumberland County, which was built in 1786.
- John Boggs Hall: This building was first built in 1854 as the Port Elizabeth School. In 1958, it was moved to its current spot. Today, it's used by the Port Elizabeth United Methodist Church for Sunday School and community gatherings.
- Port Elizabeth Library: This building started as a general store in 1810. For a while, it was known as Lee Hall. In 1962, it became a fellowship hall for the Port Elizabeth Methodist Church.
- Eagle Glass Works Hotel: Built around 1807, this hotel provided housing for workers at the Eagle Glass Works.
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church: This church was built in 1810 for the workers of the Eagle Glass Works. Later, in 1878, the church building was moved to Goshen, New Jersey.
Famous People from Port Elizabeth
Some notable people have connections to Port Elizabeth:
- Mike Lafferty (born 1975): He is a champion in Enduro motorcycle racing.
- Thomas Lee (1780–1856): He was a politician who represented New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives from 1833 to 1837. He also served as the postmaster of Port Elizabeth at different times and helped start the Port Elizabeth Library and Academy.
Weather in Port Elizabeth
Understanding the Climate
The weather in Port Elizabeth has hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. According to a system that classifies climates, Port Elizabeth has a "humid subtropical climate." This type of climate is often shown as "Cfa" on climate maps.
