Upper Pittsgrove 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 3,432, a decrease of 73 (−2.1%) from the 2010 census count of 3,505, which in turn reflected an increase of 37 (+1.1%) from the 3,468 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.
Upper Pittsgrove Township was incorporated on March 10, 1846, from portions of Pittsgrove Township. Portions of the township were taken on January 28, 1893, to form Elmer.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 218. Accessed May 30, 2024.
The township was named for Pittsgrove Township, which in turn was named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, a supporter of the colonial cause.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 16, 2015.Town and County Names , Visit Salem County. Accessed October 16, 2015. "Set off from Piles Grove and named in honor of Sir William Pitt the famous English statesman and orator, before he accepted the Earldom of Chatham."
It is a dry town, where alcohol cannot be sold, as affirmed by a referendum passed in 1979, though alcohol is available at a winery and a distillery in the township.New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. New Jersey ABC list of dry towns (May 1, 2013)Giordano, Rita. "More towns catching liquor-license buzz; Moorestown considers ending its dry spell", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 24, 2007. Accessed February 16, 2014.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 40.39 square miles (104.60 km2), including 40.24 square miles (104.23 km2) of land and 0.15 square miles (0.38 km2) of water (0.36%). Upper Pittsgrove leads New Jersey in acres of active agriculture and preserved farmland. The Salem River has its source in the township.DeLorme (2005). New Jersey Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. .
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Ballingers Mill, Daretown, Foxs Mill, Friendship Church, Monroeville, New Freedom, Newkirk, Pittsgrove, Pole Tavern, Shirley, Whig Lane and Woods Mills.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
The township borders Alloway Township, Elmer, Pilesgrove Township and Pittsgrove Township in Salem County; Upper Deerfield Township in Cumberland County; and Elk Township, Franklin Township and South Harrison Township in Gloucester County.Salem County Map , Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 5, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Demographics
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 3,505 people, 1,247 households, and 932 families in the township. The population density was . There were 1,310 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 94.89% (3,326) White, 2.17% (76) Black or African American, 0.43% (15) Native American, 0.23% (8) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.91% (32) from other races, and 1.37% (48) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.02% (106) of the population.
Of the 1,247 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18; 62.6% were married couples living together; 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 25.3% were non-families. Of all households, 20.9% were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.17.
22.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 32.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 102.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 100.4 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $80,957 (with a margin of error of +/− $12,476) and the median family income was $83,438 (+/− $13,632). Males had a median income of $55,246 (+/− $4,750) versus $36,316 (+/− $13,317) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,264 (+/− $3,595). About 2.4% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Upper Pittsgrove township, Salem County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 7, 2013.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 3,468 people, 1,207 households, and 959 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 1,250 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 94.84% White, 2.16% African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 1.30% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.14% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Upper Pittsgrove township, Salem County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 8, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Upper Pittsgrove township, Salem County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 8, 2013.
There were 1,207 households, out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were non-families. 16.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the township the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $53,813, and the median income for a family was $56,768. Males had a median income of $41,319 versus $27,976 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,732. About 6.0% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government Upper Pittsgrove 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.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are 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.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 19."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At an annual reorganization meeting, the council selects one of its members to serves as mayor and another as deputy mayor.
, members of the Upper Pittsgrove Township Council are Mayor Edward J. Meschi (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2023; term as mayor ends 2022), Deputy Mayor David Zeck Sr. (R, term on committee ends 2023; term as deputy mayor ends 2022), Bruce W. Bishop (R, 2024), Jack R. Cimprich (R, 2024) and Michael J. Seery Sr. (R, 2022).Township Committee, Upper Pittsgrove Township. Accessed August 16, 2022. "Upper Pittsgrove Township is governed under the township form of New Jersey municipal governments. Five members are elected at large in partisan elections to serve 3-year terms on a staggered basis, with 1 or 2 seats coming up for election each year. At the annual reorganization meeting the committee selects one member to serve as mayor.2020 Municipal Data Sheet, Upper Pittsgrove Township. Accessed August 16, 2022. As of date accessed, this was the most recent budget available.Election Summary Report General Election Salem County November 2, 2021 Official Results Report, Salem County, New Jersey, updated November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.Election Summary Report Salem County NJ General Election November 3, 2020 Official Report, Salem County, New Jersey, updated November 25, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.November 5, 2019 Summary Report Salem County, NJ Official Results, Salem County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 18, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.
Federal, state and county representation Upper Pittsgrove Township is located in the 2nd Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 3rd state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
Politics As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 2,370 registered voters in Upper Pittsgrove Township, of which 447 (18.9% vs. 30.6% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 688 (29.0% vs. 21.0%) were registered as Republicans and 1,235 (52.1% vs. 48.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.Voter Registration Summary - Salem, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed February 8, 2013. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 67.6% (vs. 64.6% in Salem County) were registered to vote, including 87.1% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 84.4% countywide).GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 8, 2013.