Gloucester County, New Jersey

Infobox U.S. County
county = Gloucester County
state = New Jersey




map size = 100
founded = 1686
seat = Woodbury | largest city = Glassboro
area_total_sq_mi =337
area_land_sq_mi =325
area_water_sq_mi =12
area percentage = 3.62%
census yr = 2000
pop = 254673
density_km2 =303
web = www.co.gloucester.nj.us
|

Gloucester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 254,673. Its county seat is WoodburyGR|6.

This county is part of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area area. It is located south of Philadelphia and northwest of Atlantic City.

The primary newspaper is the "Gloucester County Times", distributed daily and based in Woodbury.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 337 square miles (873 km²), of which, 325 square miles (841 km²) of it is land and 12 square miles (32 km²) of it (3.62%) is water.

Gloucester County is largely composed of low-lying river and coastal plain. The highest elevation in the county is a slight rise along County Route 654 southeast of Cross Keys that reaches approximately 180 feet (55 m) above sea level; the lowest point is sea level at the Delaware River.

Adjacent counties

*Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania - north
*Camden County, New Jersey - northeast
*Atlantic County, New Jersey - southeast
*Cumberland County, New Jersey - south
*Salem County, New Jersey - southwest
*New Castle County, Delaware - west
*Delaware County, Pennsylvania - northwest

National protected area

* Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River (part)

History

Gloucester dates back to May 26, 1686, when courts were established separate from those of Burlington. It was officially formed and its boundaries defined as part of West Jersey on May 17, 1694. Portions of Gloucester County were set off on February 7, 1837 to create Atlantic County, and on March 13, 1844 to create Camden County."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 137.]

Woodbury, founded in 1683 by Henry Wood, is the oldest town in the county. [ [http://www.woodbury.nj.us/history.shtml History of Woodbury] , accessed January 26, 2007] National Park, another town in the county, was the site of the Revolutionary War Battle of Red Bank (now included in a county park) where Fort Mercer once stood. Here can be seen the remains of the British ship Augusta (stored in a shed in the park), which sank during the battle. During the colonial era, Gloucester County's main economic activity was agriculture. In Woodbury (even then the main town) was located the county courthouse, the county jail, a Quaker meeting house (still in existence), and an inn (on the current location of Woodbury Crossings). Because of the county's many creeks leading to the Delaware River and the Atlantic Ocean, smuggling was very common. Today, Gloucester County has a large and diverse population.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1790=13363
1800=16115
1810=19744
1820=23089
1830=28431
1840=25438 |1840n=*
1850=14655 |1850n=*
1860=18444
1870=21562
1880=25886
1890=28649
1900=31905
1910=37368
1920=48224
1930=70802
1940=72219
1950=91727
1960=134840
1970=172681
1980=199917
1990=230082
2000=254673
estimate=276910
estyear=2005
estref= [cite web
url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/34/34015.html
title=QuickFacts: Gloucester County, New Jersey
publisher=U.S. Census Bureau
accessdate=2007-03-01]
footnote=* lost territory historical census data source: [cite web
url=http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd5.htm
title=New Jersey Resident Population by County: 1880 - 1930] [cite web
url=http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/
title=Geostat Center: Historical Census Browser
publisher=University of Virginia Library
accessdate=2007-03-02] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 254,673 people, 90,717 households, and 67,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 784 people per square mile (303/km²). There were 95,054 housing units at an average density of 293 per square mile (113/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.07% White, 9.06% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 2.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.8% were of Italian, 19.3% Irish, 15.8% German and 7.6% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.40% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $54,273, and the median income for a family was $62,482. Males had a median income of $43,825 versus $31,077 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,708. About 4.30% of families and 6.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.60% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Gloucester County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of seven members. Currently, all of the Freeholders are Democrats. Freeholders are elected at large by the voters of Gloucester County in partisan elections and serve staggered 3-year terms. Gloucester County's Freeholders are: [ [http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/Government/Officials/Electedofficials.cfm Gloucester County Elected Officials] , accessed June 20, 2007.]

*Stephen M. Sweeney - Freeholder Director
* [http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/Government/Freeholders/damminger.cfm Robert M. Damminger] (2009) - Deputy Freeholder Director
* [http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/Government/Freeholders/brigandi.cfm Joseph A. Brigandi, Jr.]
* [http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/Government/Freeholders/chila.cfm Joe Chila] (2009)
* [http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/Government/Freeholders/dimarco.cfm Frank J. DiMarco]
* [http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/Government/Freeholders/reed.cfm Jean DuBois]
* [http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/Government/Freeholders/wallace.cfm Dr. Warren S. Wallace]

Politics

In the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, John Kerry carried the county by a 5.3% margin over George W. Bush, with Kerry carrying the state by 6.7% over Bush. [ [http://www.njvoterinfo.org/2004presNJ.htm New Jersey Presidential Election Returns by County 2004] , Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Accessed August 31, 2008.]

Municipalities

The following municipalities are located in Gloucester County. The municipality type is listed in parentheses after the name, except where the type is included as part of the name. Census-designated places and other unincorporated communities are listed under their municipalities.
*Clayton (borough)
*Deptford Township
**Oak Valley
*East Greenwich Township
*Elk Township
*Franklin Township
*Glassboro (borough)
*Greenwich Township
**Gibbstown
*Harrison Township
**Mullica Hill
*Logan Township
**Beckett
**Bridgeport
**Center Square
**Nortonville
**Repaupo
*Mantua Township
**Barnsboro
**Sewell
*Monroe Township
**Victory Lakes
**Williamstown
*National Park (borough)
*Newfield (borough)
*Paulsboro (borough)
*Pitman (borough)
*South Harrison Township
*Swedesboro (borough)
*Washington Township
**Turnersville
*Wenonah (borough)
*West Deptford Township
*Westville (borough)
*Woodbury (city)
*Woodbury Heights (borough)
*Woolwich Township

Emergency services

Gloucester County is home to the first county based EMS agency in New Jersey providing services to the municipalities of Logan, Woolwich, Swedesboro, East Greenwich, Gibbstown, Paulsboro, West Deptford, National Park, Mantua, Pitman, Glassboro, and Clayton. GCEMS was started in September of 2007 and its goal is to provide emergency medical services to the residents of the county within 8:59 seconds from the time of dispatch 90% of the time (considered to be the gold standard in EMS). Currently GCEMS has 9 ambulances in service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and one (Clayton) on duty from the hours of 8AM to 9PM 7 days a week. [ [http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/Government/FreeholderPressRoom/pressdetail2.cfm?PressReleaseID=333 "Gloucester County Celebrates Emergency Medical Services Week"] , Gloucester County press release, dated May 21, 2008. Accessed June 28, 2008.]

Notable residents

Gloucester County is the home to several notable Americans, including:
*Linda Fiorentino, actress (Mantua Township).
*Tara Lipinski, Olympic gold medal winner, figure skating (Mantua Township).
*Bryant McKinnie, professional football player, Minnesota Vikings (Woodbury).
*J. Hampton Moore, former Mayor of Philadelphia (Woodbury).
*Milt Plum, former professional football player, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants (Westville).
*Jimmy Rollins, professional baseball player, Philadelphia Phillies (Woolwich Township).
*Patti Smith, punk rock musician (Woodbury).
*Charles C. Stratton, former Member of Congress (Swedesboro).

References