Greenwich Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey


Greenwich Township is a township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 4,899, reflecting an increase of 20 from the 4,879 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 223 from the 5,102 counted in the 1990 Census.
Greenwich Township was first formed on March 1, 1695, and was formally incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Over the centuries, portions of the township were taken to form Woolwich Township, Franklin Township, Spicer Township, Mantua Township, East Greenwich Township and Paulsboro. The township was named for Greenwich, England.

History

is believed to be one of the oldest standing wooden structures built by European settlers in the Eastern United States. It is believed that it was built by early Finnish-Swedish settlers at some time after 1638 and before 1700, but its precise age has not been determined with scientific methods. A plaque at the house indicates that the structure was built between 1638–1643, while the National Register of Historic Places web site states: "Period of Significance: 1650-1699".
The one-room cabin is constructed of square-hewn logs with a low-beamed ceiling with a large corner fireplace in a rear corner.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 12.032 square miles, including 8.969 square miles of land and 3.063 square miles of water.
Gibbstown is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located within Greenwich Township.
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Clements, Green, Monds Island and Thompsons Point.
The township borders the municipalities of East Greenwich Township, Logan Township and Paulsboro in Gloucester County. Greenwich Township also borders the Delaware River.

Demographics

Census 2010

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $63,817 and the median family income was $81,250. Males had a median income of $47,927 versus $41,750 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,685. About 8.1% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 4,879 people, 1,866 households, and 1,393 families residing in the township. The population density was 523.7 people per square mile. There were 1,944 housing units at an average density of 208.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the township was 94.55% White, 3.32% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.
There were 1,866 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $53,651, and the median income for a family was $60,565. Males had a median income of $41,875 versus $31,627 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,791. About 1.3% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Greenwich Township is governed within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Mayor-Council Plan A form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 71 of 565 municipalities statewide that use this form. The government consists of five members elected at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two council seats up for election in each of the first two years and the mayoral seat up for vote in the third year of a three-year cycle.
, the Mayor of Greenwich Township is Republican George W. Shivery Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2020. Members of the Greenwich Township Council are Council President Vincent Giovannitti, Tony Chila, William J. "Billy" Franklin and Kenneth Ridinger.

Federal, state and county representation

Greenwich Township is located in the 1st Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 3rd state legislative district.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 3,690 registered voters in Greenwich Township, of which 2,246 were registered as Democrats, 444 were registered as Republicans and 1,000 were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 53.5% of the vote, ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 45.0%, and other candidates with 1.5%, among the 2,712 ballots cast by the township's 3,711 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.1%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 51.8% of the vote, ahead of Republican John McCain with 44.8% and other candidates with 1.6%, among the 3,022 ballots cast by the township's 3,863 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.2%. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 53.9% of the vote, outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 44.0% and other candidates with 0.9%, among the 2,972 ballots cast by the township's 3,853 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 77.1.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 62.2% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 37.0%, and other candidates with 0.8%, among the 1,915 ballots cast by the township's 3,654 registered voters, for a turnout of 52.4%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 49.6% of the vote, ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 36.8%, Independent Chris Daggett with 8.4% and other candidates with 0.9%, among the 2,222 ballots cast by the township's 3,169 registered voters, yielding a 70.1% turnout.

Education

The Greenwich Township School District serves public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprising two schools, had an enrollment of 408 students and 46.0 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 8.9:1. Schools in the district are
Broad Street Elementary School with 273 students in grades K-4 and
Nehaunsey Middle School with 132 students in grades 5-8.
Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Paulsboro High School in Paulsboro as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Paulsboro Public Schools. As of the 2018–19 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 322 students and 31.1 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 10.4:1.
Students from across the county are eligible to apply to attend Gloucester County Institute of Technology, a four-year high school in Deptford Township that provides technical and vocational education. As a public school, students do not pay tuition to attend the school.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the township had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Gloucester County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Only one state, U.S. and interstate passes through the township. State Route 44 passes through the center of the township while U.S. Route 130 and Interstate 295 pass near the southern center of town, with three interchanges: Exits 15, 16 and 17.

Public transportation

bus service is available between the township and Philadelphia on the 402 route.
The Port of Paulsboro includes marine transfer operations at PBF Energy's Paulsboro Refinery in Gibbstown and at Thompson Point, and is served by SMS Rail Lines for the rail spur to the refinery and the freight rail Penns Grove Secondary.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Greenwich Township include: