Elsinboro Township, New Jersey Explained

Elsinboro Township, New Jersey
Settlement Type:Township
Mapsize:250x200px
Image Map1:Census_Bureau_map_of_Elsinboro_Township,_New_Jersey.png
Mapsize1:250x200px
Map Caption1:Census Bureau map of Elsinboro Township, New Jersey
Pushpin Map:USA New Jersey Salem County#USA New Jersey#USA
Pushpin Label:Elsinboro Township
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Salem County##Location in New Jersey##Location in the United States
Pushpin Relief:yes
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2: Salem
Government Type:Township
Governing Body:Township Committee
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Sean M. Elwell (R, term ends December 31, 2023)[1]
Leader Title1:Municipal clerk
Leader Name1:Marty Uzdanovics[2]
Established Title:Earliest mention
Established Date:May 12, 1701
Established Title2:Incorporated
Established Date2:February 21, 1798
Named For:Fort Nya Elfsborg
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[3]
Area Total Km2:34.56
Area Land Km2:30.90
Area Water Km2:3.66
Area Total Sq Mi:13.34
Area Land Sq Mi:11.93
Area Water Sq Mi:1.41
Area Water Percent:10.58
Area Rank:182nd of 565 in state
11th of 15 in county
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:1001
Population Rank:532nd of 565 in state
15th of 15 in county[4]
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Density Sq Mi:83.9
Population Density Rank:546th of 565 in state
13th of 15 in county
Population Est:1006
Pop Est As Of:2023
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:−05:00
Timezone Dst:Eastern (EDT)
Utc Offset Dst:−04:00
Elevation Footnotes:[5]
Elevation Ft:10
Coordinates Footnotes:[6]
Coordinates:39.5333°N -75.4985°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP Code
Postal Code:08079 – Salem[7]
Area Code:856[8]
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:3403321330[9] [10]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0882064[11]

Elsinboro Township is a township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 1,001, a decrease of 35 (−3.4%) from the 2010 census count of 1,036, which in turn reflected a decline of 56 (−5.1%) from the 1,092 counted in the 2000 census.[12]

Elsinboro's first mention dates back to May 12, 1701, though it was also mentioned in records on November 28, 1676. The details and date of its original incorporation are unknown. The township was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's original group of 104 townships.[13] The township was named for Fort Nya Elfsborg.[14]

History

At the time of European colonization in the 17th century the Delaware River was known as the South River and the Salem River was known as Varkens Kill, or Hogg Creek.[15] In 1641, without having a patent, a group of 60 settlers (20 families) from the New Haven Colony (in today's Connecticut) purchased land along the kill from indigenous Lenape.[16] [17]

Shortly after Johan Björnsson Printz, governor of New Sweden, arrived in the colony in 1643, he instructed that Fort Nya Elfsborg be built.[18] Named after the Old Älvsborg Fortress off shore from Gothenburg, Sweden, it was located on the Delaware River between Salem River and Alloway Creek. In 1655 Peter Stuyvesant, on behalf of the Dutch West India Company, re-asserted control over the region, which was later captured by the British in 1664.[19]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 13.34 square miles (34.56 km2), including 11.93 square miles (30.90 km2) of land and 1.41 square miles (3.66 km2) of water (10.58%).[3]

The Salem River flows along a portion of the township's northern boundary, and Alloway Creek flows along its southern boundary.[20] Elsinboro Township contains the site of former Fort Elfsborg. Money Island is located in the southwestern corner of the township.

Elsinboro Township borders Lower Alloways Creek Township, Pennsville Township and Salem. Elsinboro also borders the Delaware Bay.[21]

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Elsinboro Neck, Elsinboro Point, Hagerville, Mill Creek Cove, Moores Corner, Oakwood Beach and Sinnickson Landing.[22]

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 1,036 people, 455 households, and 293 families in the township. The population density was 86.9sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 524 housing units at an average density of 44sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup was 93.05% (964) White, 3.47% (36) Black or African American, 0.10% (1) Native American, 0.39% (4) Asian, 0.10% (1) Pacific Islander, 1.06% (11) from other races, and 1.83% (19) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.22% (23) of the population.

Of the 455 households, 20.0% had children under the age of 18; 53.8% were married couples living together; 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 35.6% were non-families. Of all households, 27.5% were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.76.

18.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 34.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 99.1 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $64,107 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,891) and the median family income was $73,333 (+/− $14,834). Males had a median income of $59,904 (+/− $5,192) versus $42,188 (+/− $14,368) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $31,008 (+/− $2,997). About 1.5% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.[23]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,092 people, 468 households, and 324 families residing in the township. The population density was 89sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 530 housing units at an average density of 43.2sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the township was 95.05% White, 3.57% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.27% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population.[24] [25]

There were 468 households, out of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.80.[24] [25]

In the township the population was spread out, with 21.2% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.[24] [25]

The median income for a household in the township was $50,972, and the median income for a family was $59,688. Males had a median income of $42,232 versus $30,357 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,415. About 2.1% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.[24] [25]

Government

Local government

Elsinboro Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.[26] The governing body is comprised of the Township Committee, whose three members are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[27] [28] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.

, members of the Elsinboro Township Committee are Mayor Sean M. Elwell (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends December 31, 2022), Deputy Mayor Joseph McAllister (R, term on committee ends 2023 and term as deputy mayor ends 2022) and Douglas L. Hogate (D, 2022).[29] [30] [31] [32] [33]

Federal, state and county representation

Elsinboro Township is located in the 2nd Congressional District[34] and is part of New Jersey's 3rd state legislative district.[35] [36] [37]

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 849 registered voters in Elsinboro Township, of which 234 (27.6% vs. 30.6% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 221 (26.0% vs. 21.0%) were registered as Republicans and 392 (46.2% vs. 48.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered as Libertarians.[38] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 81.9% (vs. 64.6% in Salem County) were registered to vote, including 99.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 84.4% countywide).[38] [39]

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 59.2% of the vote (374 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 38.3% (242 votes), and other candidates with 2.5% (16 votes), among the 636 ballots cast by the township's 872 registered voters (4 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 72.9%.[40] [41] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 386 votes (58.3% vs. 46.6% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 248 votes (37.5% vs. 50.4%) and other candidates with 16 votes (2.4% vs. 1.6%), among the 662 ballots cast by the township's 870 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.1% (vs. 71.8% in Salem County).[42] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 421 votes (61.2% vs. 52.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 262 votes (38.1% vs. 45.9%) and other candidates with 4 votes (0.6% vs. 1.0%), among the 688 ballots cast by the township's 875 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.6% (vs. 71.0% in the whole county).[43]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 71.1% of the vote (356 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 26.9% (135 votes), and other candidates with 2.0% (10 votes), among the 504 ballots cast by the township's 861 registered voters (3 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 58.5%.[44] [45] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 266 votes (50.9% vs. 46.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 178 votes (34.0% vs. 39.9%), Independent Chris Daggett with 69 votes (13.2% vs. 9.7%) and other candidates with 7 votes (1.3% vs. 2.0%), among the 523 ballots cast by the township's 877 registered voters, yielding a 59.6% turnout (vs. 47.3% in the county).[46]

Education

The Elsinboro Township School District public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade at Elsinboro Township School.[47] As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 119 students and 15.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 7.6:1.[48] In the 2016–17 school year, Elsinboro was tied as the 18th-smallest enrollment of any school district in the state, with 129 students.[49]

Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Salem High School in Salem City, together with students from Lower Alloways Creek Township, Mannington Township and Quinton Township, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Salem City School District.[50] [51] [52] As of the 2022–23 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 420 students and 38.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.1:1.[53]

Transportation

, the township had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality and by Salem County.[54]

No Interstate, U.S., state or major county highways serve Elsinboro Township. The only numbered roads are minor county routes, such as County Route 624.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Elsinboro Township include:

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.state.nj.us/dca/home/2023mayors.pdf 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory
  2. http://www.elsinborotownship.com/index_files/Departments.htm Departments
  3. https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_cousubs_34.txt 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places
  4. https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/dmograph/est/mcd/density.xlsx Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021
  5. , Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 5, 2013.
  6. https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990
  7. http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=salem&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Salem, NJ
  8. http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCounty=Salem Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Salem County, NJ
  9. https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website
  10. https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey
  11. http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names
  12. https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2010/2010data/table7cm.xls Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010
  13. Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606 - 1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 215. Accessed October 25, 2012.
  14. Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 30, 2015.
  15. http://www.westjerseyhistory.org/books/salemnames/ Placenames of Salem County, NJ
  16. Chandler, Alfred N. Land Title Origins: A Tale of Force and Fraud', p. 242. Accessed February 17, 2015.
  17. Sheridan, Janet L. "Their Houses are Some Built of Timber": The Colonial Timber Frame Houses of Fenwick's Colony, New Jersey, p. 48. University of Delaware. School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, 2007. . Accessed February 17, 2015.
  18. Web site: History of Elsinboro . discoversalemcounty.com. April 18, 2018.
  19. Book: Weslager, C. A.. New Sweden on the Delaware 1638-1655. The Middle Atlantic Press. 1988. Wilmington.
  20. [DeLorme]
  21. https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries
  22. http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search
  23. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3403321330 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Elsinboro township, Salem County, New Jersey
  24. http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603403321330.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Elsinboro township, Salem County, New Jersey
  25. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3403321330 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Elsinboro township, Salem County, New Jersey
  26. https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey
  27. 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2006, p. 19.
  28. https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=7 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"
  29. http://www.elsinborotownship.com/index_files/Mayortownshipcommittee.htm Mayor and Township Committee
  30. https://www.elsinborotownship.com/BUDGET/EL2022Budget.pdf#page=14 2022 Municipal Data Sheet
  31. https://salemcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/OFFICIAL-General-Election-Results-Salem-County-2021-min.pdf Election Summary Report General Election Salem County November 2, 2021 Official Results Report
  32. https://salemcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ElectionSummaryReportRPT-short-version-revised-min.pdf Election Summary Report Salem County NJ General Election November 3, 2020 Official Report
  33. https://salemcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Official-Result-Summary-Report-min.pdf November 5, 2019 Summary Report Salem County, NJ Official Results
  34. https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report
  35. https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District
  36. https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf 2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government
  37. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#3 Districts by Number for 2011-2020
  38. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-salem-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Salem
  39. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTP7.ST16?slice=GEO~0400000US34 GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey
  40. Web site: Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Salem County . March 15, 2013 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  41. Web site: Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Salem County. March 15, 2013 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  42. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-salem.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Salem County
  43. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_salem_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Salem County
  44. Web site: Governor - Salem County . January 29, 2014 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  45. Web site: Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Salem County. January 29, 2014 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  46. http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-salem.pdf 2009 Governor: Salem County
  47. https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/33/1350 School Performance Reports for the Elsinboro Township School District
  48. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3404680&DistrictID=3404680 District information for Elsinboro Township School District
  49. Guion, Payton. "These 43 N.J. school districts have fewer than 200 students", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 2017. Accessed January 30, 2020. "Based on data from the state Department of Education from the last school year and the Census Bureau, NJ Advance Media made a list of the smallest of the small school districts in the state, excluding charter schools and specialty institutions.... 18. Elsinboro Township (tie) - Enrollment: 129; Grades: K-8; County: Salem"
  50. http://www.salemnj.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=5607798&pageId=5976960 Our Sending Districts
  51. Shott, Meghan. "Salem High School", SouthJersey.com. Accessed January 24, 2017. "Students from Elsinboro, Lower Alloways Creek Township, Mannington Township and Quinton Township attend the high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship, according to the school's 2010 Report Card from the NJ Department of Education."
  52. Bumpus, Robert L. Salem County Report on Consolidation and Regionalization, Salem County, New Jersey Executive County Superintendent, March 15, 2010. "In this area of Salem County four P-8 districts, Lower Alloway Creek, Quinton, Elsinboro, and Mannington Townships have a send/receive agreement with neighboring Salem City to send their students to Salem High School."
  53. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3414550&ID=341455005090 School data for Salem High School
  54. http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Salem.pdf Salem County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction
  55. http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000642 George Hires profile
  56. Nathanson, Marsha. Biographical Sketch of Pauline Waddington Holme, Alexander Street. Accessed May 23, 2022. "Pauline Waddington Holme was the eldest of seven children born to Joshua and Ann Waddington of Salem County, New Jersey. The Waddingtons were a prominent New Jersey family dating back several generations. Joshua Waddington owned a 140-acre farmstead in the Elsinboro Township of Salem County, and 500 acres along the Rappahannock River in Richmond, Virginia."
  57. https://njwomenshistory.org/discover/topics/african-american-women/little-wanderer/ The Little Wanderer