Williamstown, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Williamstown, New Jersey
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Ireland Hofer House in Williamstown, New Jersey
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Map of Williamstown highlighted within Gloucester County. Right: Location of Gloucester County in New Jersey.
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 Williamstown, New Jersey
Location in Gloucester County, New Jersey
Williamstown, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Williamstown, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Gloucester |
| Township | Monroe |
| Established | 1737 as Squankum 1842 as Williamstown |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.42 sq mi (19.23 km2) |
| • Land | 7.42 sq mi (19.22 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) 0.05% |
| Elevation | 141 ft (43 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 15,082 |
| • Density | 2,032.34/sq mi (784.67/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) |
| ZIP Code |
08094
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| Area code(s) | 856 |
| FIPS code | 34-81380 |
| GNIS feature ID | 02390518 |
Williamstown is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in Monroe Township in Gloucester County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 U.S. census, Williamstown's population was 15,567.
Contents
History
Before settlement in 1737, Williamstown was inhabited by the Lenni-Lenape tribe of Native Americans, from whom the town derived its original name, "Squankum." The name (Lenape for 'place where evil spirits dwell') was changed to Williamstown when the town's first post office was established, due to postal regulations that prohibited two towns from having the same name and there was an older Squankum located 60 miles northeast. It is generally thought that 'evil spirits' referred to the abundance of mosquitoes in the area, a by-product of the low-lying swamps that characterized the area during that time period. In the early eighteenth century, Richard Penn sold what eventually became Williamstown to his grandson, John Williams, who divided and resold the land in lots to settlers and for whom the town was eventually renamed. The town was officially incorporated as Monroe Township in March 1859, with Williamstown as meeting place to vote and have town discussions. A municipal court was established in the Township of Monroe, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 264 of the Laws of 1948. The first school was built in 1750 and stood where the Washington Hotel now stands. The local schools operated on a pay-as-you-go basis until the 1850s and were predominantly church-run. The area built its first high school in 1958.
The population of the town remained small until the early 1830s when the glass industry sprung up (Glassboro, a neighboring town, still bears the name borne of that commercial boom). The first company to form was called Free Will Glass Manufacturing and caused a population surge. The industry thrived until the early 1900s when agricultural businesses began to flourish in the face of the waning glass industry. One notable company, The John Sharp Canning Co., still operates today as Blue Ribbon. The Monroe Township Historical Society was formed as a volunteer organization on October 16, 1974, by Mayor John W. Sharp (of the Canning Company Sharps), dedicated to the preservation of items that reflect the history of Monroe Township.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 7.423 square miles (19.225 km2), including 7.419 square miles (19.216 km2) of land and 0.004 square miles (0.010 km2) of water (0.05%).
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 2,722 | — | |
| 1970 | 4,075 | 49.7% | |
| 1980 | 5,768 | 41.5% | |
| 1990 | 10,891 | 88.8% | |
| 2000 | 11,812 | 8.5% | |
| 2010 | 15,567 | 31.8% | |
| 2020 | 15,082 | −3.1% | |
| Population sources: 1960-1980 1990-2010 2000 2010 2020 |
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2010 Census
As of the census of 2010, there were 15,567 people, 5,592 households, and 4,037 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,098.2 per square mile (810.1/km2). There were 5,857 housing units at an average density of 789.4 per square mile (304.8/km2)*. The racial makeup of the CDP was 80.43% (12,521) White, 13.08% (2,036) Black or African American, 0.19% (29) Native American, 2.04% (318) Asian, 0.01% (2) Pacific Islander, 1.79% (279) from other races, and 2.45% (382) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.27% (820) of the population.
There were 5,592 households out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the CDP, the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.3 years. For every 100 females there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 86.6 males.
Transportation
Cross Keys Airport is a public-use general aviation airport located 2.5 miles (4.0 km) northwest of the central business district. U.S. Route 322 and New Jersey Route 42 pass through Central Williamstown.
Education
Monroe Township Public Schools is a comprehensive public school district serving the educational needs of resident students from grades Kindergarten through twelve.
St. Mary School is a K-8 elementary school that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden.
Recreation
Scotland Run Golf Club is a public golf course located in Williamstown, near U.S. Route 322.
Tall Pines Day Camp is a summer camp in Williamstown, for young children and teenagers. It was founded in 1996 and is accredited by the American Camping Association.
Operating since 1961 and located within five minutes from the center of Williamstown, Hospitality Creek is a campground consisting of an RV park, Olympic-size swimming pool, 30-acre (12 ha) lake, and other outdoor amenities.
Skydive Cross Keys, operating out of Cross Keys Airport, offers both tandem skydiving and skydive training.
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Williamstown include:
- Dave Calloway (born 1968), college basketball coach and the former head men's basketball coach at Monmouth University
- Donovan Ezeiruaku, American football defensive end for the Boston College Eagles
- Brittany Ratcliffe (born 1994), soccer player who plays as a forward for North Carolina Courage in the NWSL
See also
In Spanish: Williamstown (Nueva Jersey) para niños
