Salem County, New Jersey

Salem County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Its county seat is Salem. The county is part of the Delaware Valley area. As of the 2010 Census, the county's population was 66,083, increasing by 1,798 (+2.8%) from the 64,285 counted in the 2000 Census, retaining its position as the state's least populous county. The most populous place was Pennsville Township, with 13,409 residents at the time of the 2010 Census, while Lower Alloways Creek Township, covered 72.46 square miles (187.7 km²), the largest total area of any municipality.

While a court was established in the area in 1681, Salem County was first formally established within West Jersey on May 17, 1694, from the Salem Tenth. Pittsgrove Township was transferred to Cumberland County in April 1867, but was restored to Salem County in February 1868.

The Old Salem County Courthouse, situated on the same block as the Salem County Courthouse, serves as the court for Salem City. It is the oldest active courthouse in New Jersey and is the second oldest courthouse in continuous use in the United States, the oldest being King William County Courthouse in Virginia. The courthouse was built in 1735 during the reign of King George II using locally manufactured bricks. The building was enlarged in 1817 and additionally enlarged and remodeled in 1908. Its distinctive bell tower is essentially unchanged and the original bell sits in the courtroom.

Judge William Hancock of the King's Court presided at the courthouse. He was later unintentionally killed by the British in the American Revolutionary War during the massacre of Hancock House committed by the British against local militia during the Salem Raid in 1778. The courthouse was afterwards the scene of the "treason trials," wherein suspected Loyalists were put on trial for having allegedly aided the British during the Salem Raid. Four men were convicted and sentenced to death for treason; however, they were pardoned by Governor William Livingston and exiled from New Jersey. The courthouse is also the site of the legend of Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson proving the edibility of the tomato. Before 1820, Americans often assumed tomatoes were poisonous. In 1820, Colonel Johnson, according to legend, stood upon the courthouse steps and ate tomatoes in front of a large amazed crowd assembled to watch him do so.

Salem County is also notable for its distinctive Quaker-inspired architecture and masonry styles of the 18th century.

Geography

According to the 2010 Census, the county had a total area of 372.33 square miles (964.3 km²), of which 331.90 square miles (859.6 km²) of it (89.1%) was land and 40.43 square miles (104.7 km²) of it (10.9%) was water.

The terrain is almost uniformly flat coastal plain, with minimal relief. The highest elevation in the county has never been determined with any specificity, but is likely one of seven low rises in Upper Pittsgrove Township that reach approximately 160 feet (49 m) in elevation. Sea level is the lowest point.

Adjacent counties

• Gloucester County, New Jersey - northeast
• Cumberland County, New Jersey - southeast
• Kent County, Delaware- southwest¹
• New Castle County, Delaware - west

¹across Delaware Bay; no land border

National protected area

• Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

Census 2010

At the 2010 United States Census, there were 66,083 people, 25,290 households, and 17,551 families residing in the county. The population density was 199.1 per square mile (76.9/km²). There were 27,417 housing units at an average density of 82.6 per square mile (31.9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.83% (52,757) White, 14.09% (9,309) Black or African American, 0.36% (240) Native American, 0.84% (557) Asian, 0.02% (10) Pacific Islander, 2.64% (1,745) from other races, and 2.22% (1,465) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 6.82% (4,507) of the population.

There were 25,290 households, of which 29% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, 23.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 15% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.8 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 64,285 people, 24,295 households, and 17,370 families residing in the county. The population density was 190 people per square mile (73/km²). There were 26,158 housing units at an average density of 77 per square mile (30/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.19% White, 14.77% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.57% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. 3.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among those residents listing their ancestry, 20.0% were of German, 17.1% Irish, 13.9% English, 12.2% Italian and 6.1% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 24,295 households out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% were married couples living together, 13.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,573, and the median income for a family was $54,890. Males had a median income of $41,860 versus $27,209 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,874. About 7.2% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Salem county is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders who are elected at-large to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Director and a Deputy Director from among its members. As of 2014, Salem County's Freeholders (with party, residence, term-end year and committee chairmanship listed in parentheses) are Director Julie A. Acton (R, Pennsville Township, 2016; Administration), Deputy Director Dale A. Cross (R, Pennsville Township, 2014; Public Safety), Bruce L. Bobbitt (D, Pilesgrove Township, 2014; Health), Ben H. Laury (R, Elmer, 2015; Public Works) Beth E. Timberman (D, Woodstown, 2015; Social Services), Robert J. Vanderslice (R, Pennsville, 2014; Public Services) Lee R. Ware (D, Elsinboro Township, 2016; Transportation, Agriculture & Cultural Affairs).

Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are County Clerk Gilda T. Gill (2014), Sheriff Charles M. Miller (2015) and Surrogate Nicki A. Burke (2015).

The Freeholder Board eliminated the county administrator position at its 2014 reorganization meeting.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 42,672 registered voters in Salem, of which 13,052 (30.6%) were registered as Democrats, 8,945 (21.0%) were registered as Republicans and 20,652 (48.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 23 voters registered to other parties. Among the county's 2010 Census population, 64.6% were registered to vote, including 84.4% of those ages 18 and over.

Salem County generally and historically leaned towards the Republican Party, but not as much so as the Northwest or Shore regions of the state. However in the 2012 U.S. Presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney tied with both candidates receiving 14,719 votes each. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama carried the county by a 4% margin over Republican John McCain, with Obama receiving 57.27% statewide. Obama received 16,044 votes here (50.4%), ahead of McCain with 14,816 votes (46.6%) and other candidates with 503 votes (1.6%), among the 31,812 ballots cast by the county's 44,324 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.8%. In the 2004 presidential election, As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 42,672 registered voters in Salem, of which 13,052 (30.6% vs. 30.6% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 8,945 (21.0% vs. 21.0%) were registered as Republicans and 20,652 (48.4% vs. 48.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 23 voters registered to other parties. Among the county's 2010 Census population, 64.6% (vs. 64.6% in Salem County) were registered to vote, including 84.4% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 84.4% countywide). Bush received 15,721 votes here (52.5%), ahead of Kerry with 13,749 votes (45.9%) and other candidates with 311 votes (1.0%), among the 29,950 ballots cast by the county's 42,210 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.0%.

In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 9,599 votes here (46.1%), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 8,323 votes (39.9%), Independent Chris Daggett with 2,011 votes (9.7%) and other candidates with 411 votes (2.0%), among the 20,838 ballots cast by the county's 44,037 registered voters, yielding a 47.3% turnout.

Salem County falls entirely within the 2nd congressional district and the 3rd state legislative district. New Jersey's Second Congressional District is represented by Frank LoBiondo (R, Ventnor City). The 3rd Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Stephen M. Sweeney (D, West Deptford Township) and in the General Assembly by John J. Burzichelli (D, Paulsboro) and Celeste Riley (D, Bridgeton).

Transportation

As of 2010, the county had a total of 879.53 miles (1,415.47 km) of roadways, of which 429.36 miles (690.99 km) were maintained by the local municipality, 355.17 miles (571.59 km) by Salem County and 85.94 miles (138.31 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 9.06 miles (14.58 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

Salem is served by many different roads. Major county routes include CR 540, CR 551, CR 553 (only in Pittsgrove) and CR 581. State highways include Route 45, Route 47, Route 48 (only in Carney's Point), Route 56 (only in Pittsgrove), Route 77 and Route 140 (only in Carney's Point). The U.S. routes are U.S. Route 40 and the southern end of U.S. Route 130.

Limited access roads include Interstate 295, the Delaware Memorial Bridge (which is signed as I-295/US 40) and the New Jersey Turnpike. Both highways pass through the northern part of the county. Only one turnpike interchange is located in Salem: Exit 1 in Carneys Point (which is also where the turnpike ends).

Municipalities

The following municipalities are located in Salem County. The municipality type is listed in parentheses after the name, except where the type is included as part of the name. Other, unincorporated communitys in the county are listed below their parent municipality (or municipalities, as the case may be). Most of these areas are census-designated places (CDPs) that have been created by the United States Census Bureau for enumeration purposes within a Township. The CDPs are noted next to the name.

• Alloway Township
  • Aldine
  • Alloway CDP
  • Alloway Junction
  • Friesburg
  • Mower
  • Oakland
  • Remsterville
  • Riddleton
• Carneys Point Township
  • Biddles Landing
  • Carneys Point CDP
  • Helms Cove
  • Laytons Lake
• Elmer (borough)
• Elsinboro Township
  • Hagerville
  • Moores Corner
  • Oakwood Beach
  • Sinnickson Landing
• Lower Alloways Creek Township
  • Canton
  • Hancock's Bridge CDP
• Mannington Township
  • Acton
  • Halltown
  • Marshalltown
  • Pointers
  • Portertown
  • Slapes Corner
  • Welchville
• Oldmans Township
  • Auburn
  • Pedricktown CDP
• Penns Grove (borough)
• Pennsville Township
  • Deepwater
  • Pennsville CDP
• Pilesgrove Township
  • Friendship
• Pittsgrove Township
  • Brotmanville
  • Centerton
  • Norma
  • Olivet CDP
• Quinton Township
  • Harmony
  • Pecks Corner
  • Quinton CDP
• Salem (city)
• Upper Pittsgrove Township
  • Daretown
  • Monroeville
  • Whig Lane
• Woodstown (borough)

Climate and weather

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Salem have ranged from a low of 25 °F (âˆ'4 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of âˆ'14 °F (âˆ'26 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 107 °F (42 °C) was recorded in August 1918. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.78 inches (71 mm) in February to 4.57 inches (116 mm) in July.

Wineries

• Auburn Road Vineyards
• Chestnut Run Farm
• Monroeville Vineyard & Winery
• Salem Oak Vineyards

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Salem County, New Jersey

References

External links

• Salem County official website
• The Official Salem County Tourism and Travel Website
• Discover Salem County NJ
• The News of Salem County

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