Rio Grande, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rio Grande, New Jersey
|
|
|---|---|
Post office
|
|
Map of Rio Grande highlighted within Cape May County. Right: Location of Cape May County in New Jersey.
|
|
 Rio Grande, New Jersey
Location in Cape May County, New Jersey
Rio Grande, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Rio Grande, New Jersey
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Cape May |
| Township | Middle (most), Lower (some) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.73 sq mi (7.08 km2) |
| • Land | 2.70 sq mi (6.99 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) 1.26% |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 3,610 |
| • Density | 1,337.04/sq mi (516.32/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) |
| ZIP Code |
08242
|
| Area code(s) | 609 |
| FIPS code | 34-63180 |
| GNIS feature ID | 02389752 |
Rio Grande is a community in New Jersey, located in Cape May County. It's 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. Most of Rio Grande is in Middle Township, with a small part in Lower Township.
For a long time, the CDP was only in Middle Township. However, for the 2020 U.S. Census, the boundaries were changed. Now, a small part of Lower Township is also included in the Rio Grande CDP. This area is also part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2010, about 2,670 people lived here. By 2020, the population grew to 3,610.
Contents
History of Rio Grande
Rio Grande has a rich history that dates back to the mid-1800s.
Early Beginnings
The community first started around a country store. This store was owned by the Hildreth family. Because of this, the area was first known as "Hildreth."
Plantations and Trade
During the colonial period, important families like the Leamings, Hildreths, and Cresses had large farms, called plantations, in this area. A stagecoach stop was set up where the King's Highway met another road. This spot became a busy center for local farmers to trade their goods. People also called the area "Leamings" because of the important landholders.
How Rio Grande Got Its Name
The name "Rio Grande" was suggested by Aaron Leaming, who was the seventh person in his family with that name. He thought the name of the famous river in the southern United States sounded nice. And that's how this New Jersey community got its unique name!
Geography and Climate
Rio Grande is a small community with interesting natural features.
Land and Water
According to the United States Census Bureau, Rio Grande covers about 2.49 square miles (7.08 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 2.46 square miles (6.99 square kilometers). A small part, about 0.03 square miles (0.08 square kilometers), is water.
Local Climate
The weather in Rio Grande is usually warm and humid in the summer. Winters are generally mild to cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate. It's known for having warm temperatures and enough rain all year round.
Population and People
Understanding the people who live in Rio Grande helps us learn more about the community.
Population Growth
The number of people living in Rio Grande has changed over the years:
- 1990: 2,505 people
- 2000: 2,444 people
- 2010: 2,670 people
- 2020: 3,610 people
Who Lives Here?
In 2010, there were 2,670 people living in Rio Grande.
- Most people (86.44%) were White.
- About 5.54% were Black or African American.
- About 2.51% were Asian.
- About 7.68% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Rio Grande in 2010 was about 45.9 years old. This shows a mix of different age groups living in the community.
Education in Rio Grande
Students in Rio Grande attend different schools depending on which township they live in.
Middle Township Schools
Most of Rio Grande is in Middle Township. Students here go to schools run by the Middle Township Public Schools district. These schools are located in Cape May Court House. This includes Middle Township High School for older students.
Lower Township Schools
A small part of Rio Grande is in Lower Township.
- For elementary school, students attend the Lower Township School District. This district has schools like Douglass School (PreK and Kindergarten) in Villas, and Mitnick, Abrams, and Sandman Schools in Cold Spring.
- For middle and high school, students go to the Lower Cape May Regional School District. This includes Teitelman Middle School and Lower Cape May Regional High School in the Erma area.
Countywide Schools
There are also special schools for students across the entire county:
- Cape May Technical High School offers technical training for students.
- Cape May County Special Services School District helps students with special needs. Both of these schools are in the Cape May Court House area.
Getting Around Rio Grande
Rio Grande is a central spot for travel in the area.
Major Roads
Rio Grande is located where two important roads meet:
- U.S. Route 9: This road goes south to Cape May and north towards the Atlantic City area.
- Route 47: This road heads southeast to Wildwood and north towards Millville and the Camden area.
You can also reach Rio Grande from the Garden State Parkway using exit 4.
Bus Services
NJ Transit provides bus services from Rio Grande to many places:
- Buses go to Cape May and Philadelphia on routes 313, 315, and 316 (seasonal).
- You can also take a bus to Cape May and Midtown Manhattan in New York City on route 319.
- Buses also connect Rio Grande to Wildwood (route 510) and to Cape May and Atlantic City (route 552).
Trolley Service
During the summer, the Great American Trolley Company runs trolley services. These trolleys take people from North Wildwood and Wildwood to the shopping centers in Rio Grande. This service runs on weekdays.
Local Airport
The Cape May Airport is located nearby in Lower Township. It was first built in 1941 as a naval air station.
Notable People
Some interesting people have connections to Rio Grande:
- Jane Moffet (1930–2018): She was a talented baseball player. She played for four seasons in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
Gallery
-
Rio Grande Fire Station
See also
In Spanish: Río Grande (Nueva Jersey) para niños
