Hammonton, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Hammonton, New Jersey
settlement_type = Town
nickname = "Blueberry Capital of the World" [Urgo, Jacqueline L. [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=100578A2C2674C2E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Blueberries get their due"] , "The Philadelphia Inquirer", January 25, 2004. Accessed May 19, 2008. "In this Atlantic County farming community, where crops are king and ancestral connections to the land run deep, they didn't need the state to tell them the blueberry is special. After all, almost everyone in this town of 12,600 - already dubbed the "Blueberry Capital of the World" - seems to have at least some connection to the berry."]
motto =

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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Map of Hammonton in Atlantic County


mapsize1 = 250x200px
map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Hammonton, New Jersey

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Atlantic
government_footnotes =
government_type = Town (New Jersey)
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = John DiDonato
leader_title1 = Administrator
leader_name1 = Susanne Oddo [ [http://www.townofhammonton.org/townadministator.html Town Administrator] , Town of Hammonton. Accessed May 6, 2008.]
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = March 5, 1866

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 107.4
area_land_km2 = 106.9
area_water_km2 = 0.6
area_total_sq_mi = 41.5
area_land_sq_mi = 41.3
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2

population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =
population_total = 13,500
population_density_km2 = 117.9
population_density_sq_mi = 305.5

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|885242|Town of Hammonton, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.]
elevation_m = 29
elevation_ft = 95
latd = 39 |latm = 39 |lats = 18 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 46 |longs = 20 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 08037
area_code = 609
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-29430GR|2 [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0876915GR|3
website = http://www.townofhammonton.org/
footnotes =

Hammonton, founded by Charles K. Landis, is a town in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the town population was 12,604. Located directly between Philadelphia and the resort town of Atlantic City, along the Pennsylvania Railroad, it acts as its own microeconomic center, with more jobs than available workers in the community.

Hammonton was settled in 1812 and incorporated as a town by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 5, 1866, from portions of Hamilton Township and Mullica Township."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 69.]

Geography

Hammonton is located at coor dms|39|38|28|N|74|47|10|W|city (39.641181, -74.786162)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 41.5 square miles (107.4 km²), of which, 41.3 square miles (106.9 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (0.51%) is water.

Hammonton borders the Borough of Folsom, to the southwest, and both Hamilton and Mullica townships to the southeast. It also borders Camden County to the northwest, and Burlington County to the north east. It is located in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, so is largely flat, though the highest point in Atlantic County is located along the Pennsylvania Railroad within the borders of Hammonton. Due to its proximity to the Pine Barrens, the soil is largely sandy, making it ideal for growing blueberries. Low, marshy areas, often within the Pine Barrens are also used for cranberry cultivation.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1930= 7656
1940= 7668
1950= 8411
1960= 9854
1970= 11464
1980= 12298
1990= 12208
2000= 12604
estimate=13500
estyear=2007
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&geo_id=06000US3400129280&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C05000US34001%7C06000US3400129280&_street=&_county=hammonton&_cityTown=hammonton&_state=&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=060&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Hammmonton] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2008.]
footnote=Population 1930 - 1990 [ [http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] , Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 12,604 people, 4,619 households, and 3,270 families residing in the town. The population density was 305.5 people per square mile (117.9/km²). There were 4,843 housing units at an average density of 117.4/sq mi (45.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.85% White, 1.74% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 7.83% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.88% of the population.

As of the 2000 census, 45.9% of town residents were of Italian ancestry, the second-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States (behind Johnston, Rhode Island, at 46.7%), and highest in New Jersey, among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry. [ [http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Italian.html Italian Communities] , Epodunk. Accessed June 9, 2007.] News reports have said Hammonton leads the nation in Italian-Americans per capita. [ [http://www.nbc10.com/news/1498094/detail.html Hammonton, N.J., Leads Nation In Per-Capita Italians: South Jersey Town Known As Blueberry Capital Of The World] , NBC10, June 5, 2002. Source shows 54% of population is of Italian ancestry, but provides no primary source for data.]

There were 4,619 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the town the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,137, and the median income for a family was $52,205. Males had a median income of $36,219 versus $27,900 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,889. About 5.7% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Hammonton is governed under the Town form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Town Council, with all positions elected at large. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve two-year terms on a staggered basis, with three seats coming up for election each year."2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 49.]

asof|2008, the Mayor of Hammonton is John DiDonato. Members of the Hammonton Town Council are Deputy Mayor Ed Wuillermin, Councilman Jerry Barberio, Councilman James Bertino, Councilman Anthony Marino, Councilwoman Tracy Petrongolo and Councilman Jerry Vitalo. [ [http://www.townofhammonton.org/mayorcouncil.html Mayor & Council] , Town of Hammonton. Accessed September 4, 2008.]

Federal, state and county representation

Hammonton is in the Second Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 9th Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 58. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Education

Students in Kindergarten through 12th grade attend the Hammonton Public Schools. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3406570 Data for the Hammonton Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 21, 2008.] ) are the [http://www.hammontonps.org/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=42 Early Childhood Education Center] with 495 students in pre-K through first grade, [http://www.hammontonps.org/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=40 Warren E. Sooy Elementary School] with 882 students in grades 2 - 5, [http://www.hammontonps.org/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=43 Hammonton Middle School] with 640 students in grades 6 - 8, and
Hammonton High School with an enrollment of 1,369 students in grades 9 - 12. Hammonton High School has produced several winning sports and academic programs.

Students from Folsom Borough and Waterford Township attend Hammonton High School as part of sending/receiving relationships with the respective school districts. [ [http://education.state.nj.us/rc/rc07/narrative/01/1960/01-1960-000.html Hammonton Public Schools 2007 School Report Card] , New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 21, 2008. "The Hammonton Public School District services the 40.8 square mile Town of Hammonton as well as participating in a receiving relationship with Folsom (grades K-8) and Waterford Township (grades K-6) school districts."]

Hammonton is home of the Catholic schools [http://www.stjosephprek8.org/ St. Joseph Regional Elementary School] and St. Joseph High School, which operate under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Camden. [ [http://www.camdendiocese.org/schools/ac.html Atlantic County Schools] , Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. Accessed July 22, 2008.]

Facts about Hammonton

*Ronald Reagan visited Hammonton during his 1984 re-election campaign. Reagan's speech highlighted Hammonton's status as "Blueberry Capital of the World" and then extolled the virtues of New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen. [ [http://myhammonton.com/reaganhammonton.php "America's future rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts."] , text of speech delivered by Ronald Reagen on September 19, 1984, My Hammonton. Accessed October 24, 2007. "You know, today my treat is seeing for the first time the Blueberry Capital of the world.... It rests in the message of hope in songs of a man so many young Americans admire -- New Jersey's own, Bruce Springsteen."]
*Hammonton is the only municipality in southern New Jersey with a town form of government.
*Andrew Rider, founder of Rider University lived in Parkdale, on the Hammonton border, and built a school there.
*Hammonton has one acute care facility, William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital [http://www.kesslerhospital.org/] and a 240-bed long term care nursing home, Innova Health and Rehab at Hammonton (formerly Greenbriar).
*In 1949, Hammonton was the winner of the Little League World Series.
*The Early November is a band out of Hammonton
*Hammonton is known as the "Blueberry Capital of the World", and holds its Red, White, and Blueberry Festival every summer. [Urgo, Jacqueline L. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-90976301.html "Blueberries ride high in South Jersey farm town"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", February 11, 2004. Accessed May 6, 2008. "In the Atlantic County farming community of Hammonton, where crops are king and ancestral connections to the land run deep, they didn't need the state to tell them the blueberry is special. After all, almost everyone in this town of 12,600 - already dubbed the 'Blueberry Capital of the World' - seems to have at least some connection to the berry."]

Transportation

Atlantic City Expressway, U.S. Route 30, U.S. Route 206 and Route 54 all pass through Hammonton, as do County Route 536, County Route 542, County Route 559 and County Route 561.

The Hammonton station on the Atlantic City Line of New Jersey Transit, provides passenger rail service to the Atlantic City Rail Terminal in Atlantic City, 30th Street Station in Philadelphia and intermediate points.

Hammonton Municipal Airport is located 3 miles (5 km) northeast of the central business district.

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Hammonton include:
*Victor Moore, actor [Funke, Lewis B. [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10914FF355816738FDDAF0894D9405B8688F1D3 "Victor Moore, or Forty Years a Timid Man; The comedian,even off-stage,is shy and has the air of one who is always baffled."] , "The New York Times", January 6, 1946. Accessed June 25, 2008.]
*George Washington Nicholson (1832-1912), landscape painter; born near Salem, NJ; spent professional career in Philadelphia; retired to Hammonton around 1902 until his death in 1912. [ [http://www.ettc.net/njarts/details.cfm?ID=151 George Washington Nicholson] , Art & Architecture of New Jersey. Accessed May 6, 2008.]
*N. Leonard Smith, politician. [ [http://www.vote-usa.org/Intro.aspx?Id=NJSmithNLeonard N. Leonard Smith] , Vote-USA.org. Accessed October 7, 2007.]
*Gary Wolfe, professional wrestler
*The Early November, American rock band. [La Gorce, Tammy. [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/14/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/14njCOVER.html?_r=1&oref=slogin "Finding Emo"] , "The New York Times", August 14, 2005. Accessed October 22, 2007. "Richard Reines, who owns Drive-Thru Records, which is based in the San Fernando Valley in California, believes in the New Jersey scene; Drive-Thru's roster includes Hidden in Plain View from Stanhope and the Early November from Hammonton."]
* Jill Biden - an educator and the wife of U.S. senator Joe Biden, the Democratic U.S. vice-presidential nominee in 2008, was born in Hammonton.cite news | url=http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080824/NEWS02/808240382 | title=Jill Biden is an educator and much more | author=Hale, Charlotte | publisher="The News Journal" | date=2008-08-24 | accessdate=2008-08-26]
*Jay Dubya (John Wiessner), author of 31 books including The Great Teen Fruit War, A 1960 Novel, an action/adventure work that takes place in Hammonton, NJ

References

External links

* [http://www.townofhammonton.org/ Hammonton Town website]
* [http://www.hammontonps.org/ Hammonton Public Schools]
*NJReportCard|01|1960|0|Hammonton Public Schools
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3406570 Data for the Hammonton Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics
* [http://www.hammontonlions.org Hammonton Lions Club]
* [http://www.hammontonusa.org Hammonton United Services Association]
* [http://www.hammontonministerium.org Hammonton Area Ministerium]
* [http://www.mainstreethammonton.org/ MainStreet Hammonton]
* [http://www.stjoek12.org/ St. Joseph Regional High School]
* [http://www.myhammonton.com MyHammonton.com - Information and Resource Portal for Hammonton, NJ. Restaurant Guides, job listings, community message boards, & news resources]

Local media

* [http://www.hammontongazette.com The Hammonton Gazette] - The print edition is published on Wednesdays. Website updated weekly with selected content from print edition.
* [http://thehammontonnews.com The Hammonton News] - The print edition is published on Wednesdays. Website updated Wednesday mornings, with full stories from paper edition.

Map Links