Salem County, New Jersey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Salem County, New Jersey | |
 |
|
| Map | |
 Location in the state of New Jersey |
|
 New Jersey's location in the USA |
|
| Statistics | |
| Founded | information needed |
|---|---|
| Seat | Salem |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
965 km² (373 mi²) 875 km² (338 mi²) 90 km² (35 mi²), 9.31% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
64,285 73/km² |
| Website: www.salemcountynj.gov | |
Salem County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 64,285. Its county seat is Salem6. This county is considered part of the Delaware Valley area.
The Old Salem County Courthouse, situated on the same block as the Salem County Courthouse, serves as the court for Salem City and is tied for being the second oldest courthouse in continuous use in the United States, the others being King William County Courthouse (1725) and Hanover County Courthouse (1735) in Virginia. The courthouse was erected in 1735 using locally manufactured bricks. The building was enlarged in 1817 and enlarged and remodelled in 1908. Its distinctive bell tower is essentially unchanged and the original bell sits in the courtroom. The courthouse was the scene of the "treason trials" of 1778, wherein suspected Loyalists were put on trial for having allegedly aided the British during the Salem Raid in February and March of that same year. Four men were convicted and sentenced to death for treason; however, they were pardoned by Governor William Livingston and exiled from New Jersey.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 965 km² (373 mi²). 875 km² (338 mi²) of it is land and 90 km² (35 mi²) of it (9.31%) is 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 exceed 160 feet (48.7 m) in elevation. Sea level is the lowest point.
[edit] 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
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 10,437 |
|
|
| 1800 | 11,371 | 8.9% | |
| 1810 | 12,761 | 12.2% | |
| 1820 | 14,022 | 9.9% | |
| 1830 | 14,155 | 0.9% | |
| 1840 | 16,024 | 13.2% | |
| 1850 | 19,467 | 21.5% | |
| 1860 | 22,458 | 15.4% | |
| 1870 | 23,940 | 6.6% | |
| 1880 | 24,579 | 2.7% | |
| 1890 | 25,151 | 2.3% | |
| 1900 | 25,530 | 1.5% | |
| 1910 | 26,999 | 5.8% | |
| 1920 | 36,572 | 35.5% | |
| 1930 | 36,834 | 0.7% | |
| 1940 | 42,274 | 14.8% | |
| 1950 | 49,508 | 17.1% | |
| 1960 | 58,711 | 18.6% | |
| 1970 | 60,346 | 2.8% | |
| 1980 | 64,676 | 7.2% | |
| 1990 | 65,294 | 1.0% | |
| 2000 | 64,285 | -1.5% | |
| Est. 2005 | 66,346 | [1] | 3.2% |
| historical census data source: [2][3] | |||
As of the census² of 2000, there were 64,285 people, 24,295 households, and 17,370 families residing in the county. The population density was 73/km² (190/mi²). There were 26,158 housing units at an average density of 30/km² (77/mi²). 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.
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 7.20% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
Salem County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of seven members. Freeholders are elected at large by the voters of Salem County in partisan elections and serve staggered 3-year terms. Salem County's Freeholders are:[4]
- Lee R. Ware - Freeholder Director (term ends 2007)
- Bruce L. Bobbitt - Freeholder Deputy Director (2008)
- Julie Acton
- Charles R. Sullivan (2008)
- David Lindenmuth (2008)
- R. Benjamin Simmermon, Jr. (2006)
- Beth E. Timberman (2006)
[edit] 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 areas in the county are listed below their parent municipality (or municipalities, as the case may be). Most of these areas are census-designated places that have been created by the United States Census Bureau for enumeration purposes within a Township. Other communities and enclaves that exist within a municipality are marked as non-CDP next to the name.
- Alloway Township
- Carneys Point Township
- Elmer (borough)
- Elsinboro Township
- Lower Alloways Creek Township
- Mannington Township
- Oldmans Township
- Penns Grove (borough)
- Pennsville Township
- Pilesgrove Township
- Pittsgrove Township
- Quinton Township
- Salem (city)
- Upper Pittsgrove Township
- Woodstown (borough)
[edit] References
- ^ QuickFacts: Salem County, New Jersey. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on March 1, 2007.
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by County: 1880 - 1930.
- ^ Geostat Center: Historical Census Browser. University of Virginia Library. Retrieved on March 2, 2007.
- ^ Salem County 2006 Board of Chosen Freeholders, accessed March 18, 2006
[edit] External link
 |
State of New Jersey Trenton (capital) |
|---|---|
| Regions |
Central Jersey | Delaware Valley | Jersey Shore | Meadowlands | North Jersey | Pine Barrens | Shore Region | Skylands Region | South Jersey | New York metro area | Tri‑State Region |
| Cities |
Atlantic City | Bayonne | Camden | Cherry Hill | Clifton | East Orange | Edison | Elizabeth | Hackensack | Hoboken | Jersey City | Linden | Long Branch | New Brunswick | Newark | Passaic | Paterson | Perth Amboy | Plainfield | Princeton | Toms River | Trenton | Union City | Vineland |
| Counties |
Atlantic | Bergen | Burlington | Camden | Cape May | Cumberland | Essex | Gloucester | Hudson | Hunterdon | Mercer | Middlesex | Monmouth | Morris | Ocean | Passaic | Salem | Somerset | Sussex | Union | Warren |
