Hamilton Township is a township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 26,503, reflecting an increase of 6,004 (+29.3%) from the 20,499 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 4,487 (+28.0%) from the 16,012 counted in the 1990 Census. The Township of Hamilton was incorporated by the New Jersey Legislature on February 5, 1813.
The township calls itself "New Jersey's Largest Municipality" on its stationery and its website. At 111.127 square miles (287.82Â km2), Hamilton Township has the largest land area of any municipality in New Jersey. However, with a total area of 113.066 square miles (292.84Â km2) it is the second-largest municipality in New Jersey in terms of total area; neighboring Galloway Township, which has a total area of 115.213 square miles (298.40Â km2), is more than 2.1 square miles (5.4Â km2) larger than Hamilton Township.
History
Hamilton Township's origins are directly tied to the Great Egg Harbor River and its tributaries which run through it. George May, after whom the village of Mays Landing was named, built a shipyard and trading post near Babcock Creek in 1756. By the mid 19th century, Mays Landing reached the height of its shipbuilding.
From 1830 to 1880, more than 200 vessels were built along the Great Egg Harbor River with lumber from native forests and iron from Weymouth foundries. Half of them were produced at Mays Landing. But by the end of century, wood shipbuilding began to disappear due to the lack of suitable timber. Iron was then substituted for hull construction.
Hamilton was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 5, 1813, from portions of Egg Harbor Township and Weymouth Township, while the area was still part of Gloucester County. Hamilton became part of the newly created Atlantic County in 1837. Portions of the township were taken to form Hammonton on March 5, 1866, and to form Buena Vista Township on March 5, 1867. The township was named for Alexander Hamilton.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 113.066 square miles (292.841Â km2), including 111.127 square miles (287.818Â km2) of land and 1.939 square miles (5.023Â km2) of water (1.72%).
Mays Landing (with a Census 2010 population of 2,135) is a census-designated place located within Hamilton Township that has been the county seat of Atlantic County since 1837.
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Mays Landing, the county seat of Atlantic County, as well as Bears Head, Carmantown, Catawba, Clarktown, Cologne, Dacosta, Emmelsville, Gravelly Run, Lake Lenape, Laureldale, McKee City, Mizpah, Reega, Thompsontown, Weymouth and Wilsons Landing.
Pinelands Reserve
The township is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering 1,100,000 acres (450,000Â ha), that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve. Part of the township is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Atlantic County, along with areas in Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.
The western three-quarters of the township is governed by regulation by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, which places major limitations on development in that portion of the township, which remains as pine forest with a distinctly rural character, with other portions designated as a Rural Development Area. Significant portions of the eastern quarter of the township are designated by the Pinelands Commission as part of the Regional Growth Area (RGA), in which development is "allowed and encouraged" in the area surrounding Atlantic City, New Jersey. The majority of the township's residents live in the area covered by the RGA, which has been developed in suburban fashion and includes shopping areas such as the Hamilton Mall, part of the township's 3,000,000 square feet (280,000Â m2) of first class commercial retail properties.
Demographics
2010 Census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 26,503 people, 9,490 households, and 6,690 families residing in the township. The population density was 238.5 per square mile (92.1/km2). There were 10,196 housing units at an average density of 91.8 per square mile (35.4/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 67.96% (18,011) White, 18.55% (4,916) Black or African American, 0.26% (68) Native American, 5.41% (1,435) Asian, 0.06% (16) Pacific Islander, 4.12% (1,092) from other races, and 3.64% (965) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.79% (3,390) of the population.
There were 9,490 households out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the township, the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.1 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 96.0 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $59,085 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,242) and the median family income was $62,354 (+/- $3,893). Males had a median income of $47,110 (+/- $4,411) versus $36,615 (+/- $3,549) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,292 (+/- $1,528). About 8.4% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
2000 Census
As of the 2000 United States Census there were 20,499 people, 7,148 households, and 5,039 families residing in the township. The population density was 184.2 people per square mile (71.1/km²). There were 7,567 housing units at an average density of 68.0 per square mile (26.3/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 71.45% White, 19.26% African American, 0.29% Native American, 3.29% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.33% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.91% of the population.
There were 7,148 households out of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the township the population was spread out with 27.1% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $50,259, and the median income for a family was $54,899. Males had a median income of $37,419 versus $30,089 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,309. About 4.5% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Hamilton is home to over 3,000,000 square feet (280,000Â m2) of first-class retail establishments including Hamilton Mall, Consumer Square and Hamilton Commons.
Balic Winery, established in 1966, produces 27 different wines on a 57-acre (23Â ha) vineyard.
Parks and recreation
The Great Egg Harbor River and Lake Lenape are recreational resources used by local residents and visitors alike. Hamilton is also home to the Atlantic County Justice Facility, the County Court Complex and the main branch of the Atlantic County Library.
Government
Local government
The Township of Hamilton is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government. The five-member Township Committee is elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle. At an annual reorganization meeting each January, the Council selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.
As of 2017, the members of the Hamilton Township Committee are Mayor John Kurtz (R, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2017), Deputy Mayor Arthur J. Schenker (R, term on committee ends 2018; terms as deputy mayor ends 2017), Rodney C. Guishard (D, 2018), Judith Link (D, 2019) and Roger J. Silva (R, 2019).
Federal, state and county representation
Hamilton Township is located in the 2nd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 2nd state legislative district.
New Jersey's Second Congressional District is represented by Frank LoBiondo (R, Ventnor City). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).
For the 2016â€"2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 2nd Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Jim Whelan (D, Atlantic City) and in the General Assembly by Chris A. Brown (R, Ventnor City) and Vince Mazzeo (D, Northfield). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).
Atlantic County is governed by a directly elected executive and a nine-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, responsible for legislation. The executive serves a four-year term and the freeholders are elected to staggered three-year terms, of which four are elected from the county on an at-large basis and five of the freeholders represent equally populated districts. As of 2015, Atlantic County's Executive is Republican Dennis Levinson, whose term of office ends December 31, 2015. Members of the Board of Chosen Freeholders are Chairman Frank D. Formica, Freeholder District 2, including Atlantic City (part), Egg Harbor Township (part), Linwood, Longport, Margate, Northfield, Somers Point and Ventnor (R, 2015), Vice Chairman James A. Bertino, Freeholder District 5, including Buena Borough, Buena Vista Township, Corbin City, Egg Harbor City, Estell Manor, Folsom, Hamilton Township (part), Hammonton, Mullica Township and Weymouth (R, 2015), Colin G. Bell, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2015), John Carman, Freeholder District 3, including Egg Harbor Township (part) and Hamilton Township (part) (R, 2017), Ernest D. Coursey, Freeholder District 1, including Atlantic City (part), Egg Harbor Township (part) and Pleasantville (R, 2016), Richard Dase, Freeholder District 4, including Absecon, Brigantine, Galloway Township and Port Republic (D, 2016), Alexander C. Marino, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2017), Will Pauls, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2016) and John W. Risley, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2017). Constitutional officers are County Clerk Edward P. McGettigan (2016), Sheriff Frank X. Balles (R, 2017) and Surrogate James Curcio (2015).
Politics
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 15,486 registered voters in Hamilton Township, of which 4,305 (27.8% vs. 30.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 3,541 (22.9% vs. 25.2%) were registered as Republicans and 7,635 (49.3% vs. 44.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered to other parties. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 58.4% (vs. 58.8% in Atlantic County) were registered to vote, including 76.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 76.6% countywide).
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 6,748 votes here (59.9% vs. 57.9% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 4,334 votes (38.5% vs. 41.1%) and other candidates with 130 votes (1.2% vs. 0.9%), among the 11,268 ballots cast by the township's 16,710 registered voters, for a turnout of 67.4% (vs. 65.8% in Atlantic County). In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 6,619 votes here (57.7% vs. 56.5% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 4,612 votes (40.2% vs. 41.6%) and other candidates with 148 votes (1.3% vs. 1.1%), among the 11,481 ballots cast by the township's 16,199 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.9% (vs. 68.1% in Atlantic County). In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 5,055 votes here (51.9% vs. 52.0% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 4,507 votes (46.2% vs. 46.2%) and other candidates with 83 votes (0.9% vs. 0.8%), among the 9,747 ballots cast by the township's 13,128 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.2% (vs. 69.8% in the whole county).
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 4,086 votes here (59.0% vs. 60.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 2,526 votes (36.5% vs. 34.9%) and other candidates with 127 votes (1.8% vs. 1.3%), among the 6,924 ballots cast by the township's 17,080 registered voters, yielding a 40.5% turnout (vs. 41.5% in the county). In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 3,346 votes here (47.9% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 3,102 votes (44.4% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 386 votes (5.5% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 93 votes (1.3% vs. 1.2%), among the 6,983 ballots cast by the township's 15,764 registered voters, yielding a 44.3% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).
Education
For pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, public school students attend the Hamilton Township Schools. As of the 2014-15 school year, the district and its three schools had an enrollment of 4,370 students and 256.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a studentâ€"teacher ratio of 17.0:1. Schools in the district (with 2014-15 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Joseph C. Shaner Memorial School with 621 students in grades K - 1, George Hess Educational Complex with 1,490 in pre-kindergarten and grades 2 - 5 and William Davies Middle School with 991 students in grades 6 - 8.
Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Oakcrest High School, located in Hamilton Township, which serves students from Hamilton Township. As of the 2014-15 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 992 students and 93.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a studentâ€"teacher ratio of 10.6:1. The high school is part of the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District, a regional publichigh school district serving students at the district's two other schools, Absegami High School and Cedar Creek High School, from the other constituent districts of Egg Harbor City, Galloway Township and Mullica Township, together with students from the City of Port Republic and Washington Township (in Burlington County), who attend as part of sending/receiving relationships with their respective school districts.
The Atlantic County Institute of Technology, established in 1974 and located on a campus covering 58 acres (23Â ha), provides vocational instruction to high school students and adults from across Atlantic County, and was one of eight schools in the state recognized in 2008 as a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. Township students can also attend the Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts, located in Somers Point.
Saint Vincent de Paul Regional School is a Catholic elementary school in Mays Landing, serving students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade since 1961 and operated under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Camden.
Atlantic Cape Community College was the second community college to be established in New Jersey, and moved to its campus in Mays Landing in February 1968 where it now serves students from both Atlantic County and Cape May County.
Transportation
As of May 2010, the township had a total of 258.55 miles (416.10Â km) of roadways, of which 171.15 miles (275.44Â km) were maintained by the municipality, 40.49 miles (65.16Â km) by Atlantic County, 32.91 miles (52.96Â km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 14.00 miles (22.53Â km) by the South Jersey Transportation Authority.
A variety of roads pass through the township. Hamilton hosts a 14-mile (23Â km) stretch of the Atlantic City Expressway with three interchanges and the Egg Harbor Tolls. U.S. Route 40, U.S. Route 322 pass through as well as Route 50. The major county roads include County Route 552, County Route 559, County Route 563 and County Route 575.
Public transportation
NJ Transit provides bus service in the township between Cape May and Philadelphia on the 315 route and to Atlantic City on routes 502 from Atlantic Cape Community College and 553 from Upper Deerfield Township.
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Hamilton Township include:
- Brandon Bell (born 1995), linebacker for the Penn State Nittany Lions football team.
- Cory Bird (born 1978), safety who played for the Indianapolis Colts.
- Ilsley Boone (1879â€"1968), established and ran the national headquarters of the American Sunbathing Association (ASA) at Sunshine Park (which operated from 1931 to 1983) in Mays Landing.
- Suzette Charles (born 1963), singer and entertainer, who became Miss America 1984.
- Darren Drozdov (born 1969), ex-NFL player and retired professional wrestler who competed in the WWF.
- Mae Faggs (1932-2000), track-and-field athlete who was a gold medalist in the Women's 4 × 100 meters relay at 1952 Summer Olympics.
- Harvey Kesselman (born 1951), fifth president of Stockton University.
- Walter Lowenfels (1897-1976), poet, journalist, and member of the Communist Party USA who edited the communist newspaper the Daily Worker.
- Shea McKeen (born 1986), professional football player defensive lineman.
- William Moore (1810â€"1878), served in the United States House of Representatives, where he represented New Jersey's 1st congressional district from 1867 to 1871.
- Sharon Kay Penman (born 1945), historical novelist.
- Graciela Rivera (1921-2011), first Puerto Rican to sing a lead role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
References
External links
- Township of Hamilton Official Site
- Mays Landing Merchants Association
- Hamilton Township Municipal Utilities Authority
- Hamilton Township Schools
- Hamilton Township Schools's 2015â€"16 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Data for the Hamilton Township Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
- Oakcrest High School website
- Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District
- The Current of Hamilton Township
- Atlantic City Race Course website
- Hamilton Mall website