Port Republic is a city on the Mullica River, located in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 1,101, a decrease of 14 (−1.3%) from the 2010 census count of 1,115, which in turn reflected an increase of 78 (+7.5%) from the 1,037 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.
It is a dry town, where alcohol is not permitted to be sold by law.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.
Geographically, the city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.
History In 1774, Evi Smith, Hugh McCullum, and Richard Wescoat applied for a Royal charter to build a dam, sawmill, and gristmill on their land along Nacote Creek.Lurie, Maxine N.; and Mappen, Marc. "Port Republic", p. 650. Encyclopedia of New Jersey: Rutgers University Press; 2004/2005. . Accessed October 24, 2013. While it has been claimed that Chestnut Neck was settled as early as 1637, no evidence to support this claim has been presented.
In its early days, Port Republic was known as Wrangleboro.Cseres, Steven. "Weymouth Township", Weymouth Township. Accessed September 26, 2019. "In the late 1700s, Bishop Asbury introduced Methodism into South Jersey. According to Early History of Atlantic County, the first church meetings were held in homes at the present Port Republic (Wrangleboro) and Smithville areas."Town of Port Republic, County Road 575, East of Garden State Parkway, Port Republic, Atlantic County, NJ, Library of Congress. Accessed September 26, 2019. "Significance: Port Republic's development, originally known as Wrangleboro, throughout the 19th century was directly tied to its placement along Shore Road, the major transportation artery prior to the coming of the railroad." During the American Revolutionary War, Port Republic provided refuge to the residents of the nearby community of Chestnut Neck when the British Army, arriving by ship, sacked their town on October 6, 1778. It had been used as a base by privateers who were capturing goods intended for British forces.List of Battles during the Revolutionary War, Ohio Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Columbus, Ohio Among the refugees was Daniel Mathis, a tavernkeeper who built the Franklin Inn in Port Republic, which is used as a private house today. Some of the British ships were trapped in the creek by the ebb tides.
The General Lafayette Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution erected a monument on October 6, 1911, to mark the site of the Battle of Chestnut Neck. A Continental Army soldier at the top of the monument faces the river, "guarding the shore" against the approaching enemy.Nordheimer, Jon. "Port Republic Journal; Where the Biggest News Is Something From 1778", The New York Times, May 6, 1993. Accessed November 19, 2013. "The battle monument was erected in 1911 by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The highway was rerouted in the 1920s, however, so the soldier under the tricornered hat at the top has his back to Route 9."
In 1842, an effort was made to rename the area from Wrangleborough to Unionville, with a post office to be established under that name. As another Unionville existed in the state, the name "Port Republic" was chosen.Port Republic Historic District, Living Places. Accessed September 21, 2015. "In 1842, Samuel Van Sant petitioned the townspeople to change the name to Unionville. This name was changed to Port Republic when a post office was located in the town, because there was already another town named Unionville."
Port Republic was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 1, 1905, from portions of Galloway Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 70. Accessed May 30, 2024.Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 210. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed September 21, 2015. The city's name derives from the "U.S. Republic".Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 21, 2015.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, Port Republic city had a total area of 8.55 square miles (22.14 km2), including 7.46 square miles (19.33 km2) of land and 1.09 square miles (2.81 km2) of water (12.70%).
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Chestnut Neck and Unionville.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
The city borders the township of Galloway in Atlantic County, and both Bass River and Washington townships in Burlington County.Areas touching Port Republic, MapIt. Accessed March 3, 2020.Atlantic County District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed July 9, 2024.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
The city 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 , that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.The Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Accessed November 19, 2013. Part of the city 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.Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed November 19, 2013.
Demographics
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,115 people, 415 households, and 320 families in the city. The population density was . There were 444 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 95.78% (1,068) White, 0.63% (7) Black or African American, 0.45% (5) Native American, 0.90% (10) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.72% (8) from other races, and 1.52% (17) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.96% (33) of the population.
Of the 415 households, 28.9% had children under the age of 18; 65.8% were married couples living together; 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 22.9% were non-families. Of all households, 18.3% were made up of individuals and 4.8% 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 3.03.
22.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 20.3% from 25 to 44, 39.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.7 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $77,063 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,800) and the median family income was $89,375 (+/− $15,052). Males had a median income of $61,786 (+/− $11,982) versus $38,000 (+/− $4,481) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,408 (+/− $4,232). About 2.4% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Port Republic city, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 18, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,037 people, 365 households, and 289 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 389 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.08% White, 1.64% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Port Republic city, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 18, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Port Republic city, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 18, 2012.
There were 365 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $65,833, and the median income for a family was $70,714. Males had a median income of $42,833 versus $34,375 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,369. 3.5% of the population and 3.2% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, none of those under the age of 18 and 13.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Government Port Republic operates under the City form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 15 municipalities (of the 564) statewide. Under this form of government, the council functions as a legislative body: it passes ordinances and approves the appointments of the mayor. The mayor, as executive, is responsible for administrative functions and appointment of all officials.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a city council who are chosen in partisan elections held as part of the November general election. The mayor serves a four-year term of office. The City Council is comprised of seven members, with one member elected at-large to a four-year term in office and six who are elected from wards to three-year terms on a staggered basis with two seats up for election each year.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 13."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 4. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.