Jackson Township, New Jersey


Jackson Township is a township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 54,856. The population increased by 12,040 from the 42,816 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 9,583 from the 33,233 counted in the 1990 Census. The 2010 population was the highest recorded in any decennial census. A portion of the township is located within the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
Jackson is the site of Six Flags Great Adventure, home to the Kingda Ka, which as of 2020 is the tallest roller coaster in the world. Jackson is also home to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and the Safari Off Road Adventure, which replaced Six Flags Wild Safari in 2013.

History

Jackson Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 6, 1844, from portions of Dover Township, Freehold Township and Upper Freehold Township, while the area was still part of Monmouth County. The township was named for president Andrew Jackson, a year before his death. It became part of the newly created Ocean County on February 15, 1850. Portions of the township were taken to form Plumsted Township on March 11, 1845.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 100.624 square miles, including 99.244 square miles of land and 1.380 square miles of water. Jackson is the largest municipality by area in Ocean County.
Vista Center is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located within Jackson Township. Other unincorporated communities, localities and populated places located completely or partially within the township include Archers Corner, Bennetts Mills, Burksville, Butterfly Bridge, Cassville, Colliers Mills, DeBow Corner, Francis Mills, Grayville, Harmony, Holmansville, Holmeson, Hyson, Jackson Mills, Kapps Corner, Leesville, Legler, Maryland, Midwood, New Prospect, Pleasant Grove, Prospertown, Ridgeway State Forest, Success, The Alligator, Van Hiseville, Webbsville, Whitesbridge and Whitesville.
The township borders Lakewood Township, Manchester Township, Plumsted Township and Toms River Township in Ocean County; and Freehold Township, Howell Township, Millstone Township and Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County.
Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area is a wildlife management area located within portions of both Jackson Township and Plumsted Township operated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife. Several man-made lakes are located within the township, including Success Lake in the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area.

Climate

Jackson Township, New Jersey, gets of rain per year. Snowfall is inches and the number of days with any measurable precipitation is 115. On average, there are 206 sunny days per year in Jackson. The July high is around 86 degrees and the January low is 23. The comfort index is 45 out of 100.

Demographics

Jackson Township is a suburban community that is sparsely populated, with most residents owning their homes.

2010 Census

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $86,327 and the median family income was $96,171. Males had a median income of $68,985 versus $45,714 for females. The per capita income for the township was $34,521. About 2.8% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 42,816 people, 14,176 households, and 11,269 families residing in the township. The population density was 427.9 people per square mile. There were 14,640 housing units at an average density of 146.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the township was 91.26% White, 3.90% African American, 0.13% Native American, 2.06% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.97% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.78% of the population.
There were 14,176 households out of which 44.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.7% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were non-families. 16.0% 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 2.99 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the township the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $65,218, and the median income for a family was $71,045. Males had a median income of $51,276 versus $33,882 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,981. About 2.5% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Orthodox Jewish community

Since 2016, the Orthodox Jewish population has been growing in central and eastern Jackson Township, along the border with Lakewood Township, due to the more affordable housing and quieter lifestyle that Jackson Township offers over Lakewood. By 2020, the Orthodox Jewish community had grown to approximately 500 families, out of 23,000 total households, from a limited presence just a few years prior.
A series of pending lawsuits allege that Jackson Township has passed multiple ordinances trying to stymie movement from Lakewood to Jackson. A "no knock" ordinance had been passed by Jackson prohibiting door-to-door solicitation after residents complained of an increase in real estate solicitations. Ordinances were passed that were restrictive to the Orthodox Jewish lifestyle; efforts to open yeshivas in the township, often accompanied by dormitories, were blocked by newly adopted ordinances that restricted new schools and prohibited dormitories. Eruvs were determined not to meet building and construction codes after a new ordinance was passed that tightened restrictions on items placed in the public "right-of-way". To address this last concern, the township entered into a preliminary settlement allowing eruvs in some parts of town, and proposed a town-wide solution that was ultimately deemed impractical.
In addition, the United States Department of Justice and the New Jersey Attorney General have opened investigations into whether the township practiced anti-Semitic discrimination, filing multiple subpoenas against township officials. These investigations culminated in May 2020 with a federal lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice against the township, alleging violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and the Fair Housing Act related to the township's new land use laws.

Economy

Near Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari is Jackson Premium Outlets, a retail outlet center with 70 stores and a gross leasable area of. It opened in 1997 and was expanded in 1998.

Media

The Asbury Park Press provides daily news coverage of the township, as does WOBM-FM radio. The township provides material and commentary to The Jackson Times, which is one of seven weekly papers from Micromedia Publications. In addition, JTOWN Magazine provides news, sports and other local information.

Sports

In 2015, the Jackson Little League 12-year-old All-Stars won the state championship, and went on to the Mid-Atlantic Regional final where they lost to Red Land Little League from Pennsylvania who eventually won the U.S. Championship, but fell to the team from Japan in the 2015 Little League World Series.
In 2017, the Holbrook Little League All-Stars defeated Maryland 8–3, sending Holbrook to the 2017 Little League World Series.

Government

Local government

Jackson Township adopted the Mayor-Council form of government under the Faulkner Act as of July 1, 2006. The township is one of 71 of 565 municipalities statewide governed under this form. The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the five-member Township Council, who are elected at-large in non-partisan elections. Council members serve four-year terms on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election in even-numbered years as part of the November general election. The Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office that comes up for election during the same year that two council seats are up for a vote. The Council selects a President and a vice president from among its members. Until 2006, Jackson Township was governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee, whose members were elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. In June 2011, the Township Council passed an ordinance shifting nonpartisan elections from May to November.
, the Mayor of Jackson Township is Michael "Mike" Reina, whose term of office ends December 31, 2022. Township Council members are Council Vice President Alexander Sauickie III, Kenneth J. Bressi, Martin Flemming and Andrew Kern, with the position of Council President vacant.
In May 2020, Council President Barry Calogero resigned from office from his term expiring in December 2020.
In January 2020, the Township Council appointed Martin Flemming to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that became vacant following the resignation of Robert Nixon.

Public safety departments

;Police Department
Jackson Township has its own Police Department which was established in 1946 and which operates out of the Municipal Justice Complex. Chief of Police Matthew D. Kunz.
;Fire Department
Jackson Township has three fire districts and an industrial fire department:
;Fire Bureau
Jackson Township has 3 Fire Bureaus that enforce the NJ Uniform Fire Safety Act:
Jackson Bureau of Fire Prevention District 2 Fire Official Scott Rauch
Jackson Bureau of Fire Prevention District 4 Fire Official John Burmiester Jr. Fire Inspector Stanley O'Brien Jr.
Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety Fire Districts 3 Fire Official Mike Grossman
;Emergency Medical Services
Currently emergency medical services are provided by the township's first aid squad. Six Flags EMS provides coverage in a mutual aid capacity to County Route 537 throughout the year when requested by Ocean County.
Advanced life support E.M.S.,, is provided by hospital providers under a statewide system mandated by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Jackson Township is served primarily by MONOC paramedic units. until April 1, 2020 at 07:00 hrs at which time, MONOC will be out of business and RWJ Mobile Healthcare will assume responsibility for providing ALS service to Jackson Township.

Federal, state and county representation

Jackson Township is located in the 4th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 12th state legislative district. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Jackson Township had been in the 30th state legislative district.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 34,003 registered voters in Jackson Township, of which 7,177 were registered as Democrats, 7,693 were registered as Republicans and 19,108 were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 25 voters registered to other parties. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 62.0% were registered to vote, including 82.3% of those ages 18 and over.
In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received 62.5% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Hillary Clinton with 34.3%, and other candidates with 3.2%, among the 27,041 cast by the township's voters. In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 55.5% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 43.3%, and other candidates with 1.1%, among the 24,925 ballots cast by the township's 36,446 registered voters, for a turnout of 68.4%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 55.2% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 43.0% and other candidates with 1.2%, among the 25,480 ballots cast by the township's 34,749 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.3%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 58.7% of the vote, outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 39.9% and other candidates with 0.6%, among the 21,202 ballots cast by the township's 29,329 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 72.3.
In the 2017 gubernatorial election, Republican Kim Guadagno received 62.0% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Phil Murphy with 36.0%, and other candidates with 1.9%, among the 14,879 cast by the township's voters. In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 73.9% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 24.4%, and other candidates with 1.7%, among the 15,356 ballots cast by the township's 36,215 registered voters, for a turnout of 42.4%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 66.8% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 26.7%, Independent Chris Daggett with 4.3% and other candidates with 1.1%, among the 17,315 ballots cast by the township's 34,318 registered voters, yielding a 50.5% turnout.

Education

The Jackson School District serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district operates six elementary schools serving grades K-5, two middle schools and two high schools. In January 2015, the Jackson Board of Education voted to implement full-day kindergarten, which was introduced in September 2015. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprising 10 schools, had an enrollment of 8,304 students and 665.1 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 12.5:1. Schools in the district are
Crawford-Rodriguez Elementary School,
Elms Elementary School,
Lucy N. Holman Elementary School,
Howard C. Johnson Elementary School,
Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School,
Switlik Elementary School,
Carl W. Goetz Middle School,
Christa McAuliffe Middle School,
Jackson Liberty High School and
Jackson Memorial High School.
Mother Seton Academy, a Catholic School for grades PreK-8, which operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, is in nearby Howell Township. It formed in 2019 by the merger of St. Aloysius and St. Veronica schools; the former was in Jackson and the latter was in Howell.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the township had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Ocean County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Interstate 195 is a major artery that travels through the northern section of Jackson. While the expressway travels into Howell and Millstone Townships, it is also a vital link for Six Flags since it grants access to the Garden State Parkway, Interstate 295 and the New Jersey Turnpike.
CR 527, CR 528, CR 547, CR 537, CR 526, and CR 571 pass through the township. CR 539 also passes through the township, but in the southwest corner, for less than half a mile.

Public transportation

bus service is provided on the 139 to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, and to Philadelphia on the 317 route. Seasonal service is offered to Great Adventure on routes 308 and 318.
Academy Bus offers service to Port Authority New York and to Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, with a stop at the Brook Plaza on County Road 526.
Ocean Ride local service is provided on the Shopper's Loop route.

Notable people

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