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Deptford Township, New Jersey

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Deptford Township highlighted in Gloucester County. Inset map: Gloucester County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
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Deptford Township highlighted in Gloucester County. Inset map: Gloucester County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.

Deptford Township (commonly known as Deptford) is a township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 26,763.

Deptford is a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, located on the eastern side of the Walt Whitman Bridge, which joins South Jersey with Philadelphia. It is located 10 miles east of Philadelphia and 50 miles west of Atlantic City.

Oak Valley is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Deptford Township.

Contents

History

Deptford was the site of the first hot air balloon landing in North America, gathering that distinction when Jean-Pierre Blanchard completed his flight to Deptford from Philadelphia in 1793. During his flight, Blanchard carried a personal letter from George Washington to be delivered to the owner of whatever property Blanchard happened to land on, making the flight the first delivery of air mail in the United States as well.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 45.5 km² (17.6 mi²). 45.3 km² (17.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.46%) is water.

Deptford Township borders Mantua Township, Washington Township, Wenonah, West Deptford Township, Westville, Woodbury and Woodbury Heights. Deptford Township also borders Camden County.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 26,763 people, 10,013 households, and 7,079 families residing in the township. The population density was 590.5/km² (1,529.7/mi²). There were 10,647 housing units at an average density of 234.9/km² (608.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 83.44% White, 12.38% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.53% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.86% of the population.

There were 10,013 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the township the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $50,147, and the median income for a family was $56,642. Males had a median income of $40,641 versus $28,986 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,477. 5.9% of the population and 4.3% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Government

Local government

Members of the Deptford Township Committee are Mayor Paul Medany, Deputy Mayor Jacquelyn Love, Frank DiMarco, Tom Hufnell, MaryBeth Connelly Monroe, Phillip Schocklin and Lin Tenaglia[Deptford Township Mayor and Council], accessed February 23, 2006.

Federal, state and county representation

Deptford Township is in the First Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 5th Legislative District.

New Jersey's First Congressional District, covering portions of Burlington County, Camden County and Gloucester County, is represented by Rob Andrews (D, Haddon Heights). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Robert Menendez (D, Union City).

The 5th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Wayne R. Bryant (D, Camden) and in the Assembly by Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D, Camden) and Joseph J. Roberts (D, Brooklawn). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Gloucester County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Gloucester County's Freeholders are: Stephen M. Sweeney (Freeholder Director), Robert M. Damminger (Deputy Freeholder Director), Joseph A. Brigandi, Jr., William Krebs, Frank J. DiMarco, Helene M. Reed and Dr. Warren S. Wallace.

Education

The Deptford Township Schools serve over 4,200 students. There are seven elementary/early childhood schools ([Central Early Childhood Center], [Good Intent School], [Lake Tract School], [New Sharon School], [Oak Valley School], [Pine Acres Early Childhood Center] and [Shady Lane School]), [Monongahela Middle School] for grades seven and eight, and Deptford Township High School, which (in the 2005-2006 school year) has an enrollment of 1,230 students.

Notable residents

Deptford Mall

Deptford is home to the [Deptford Mall]. While smaller than the Cherry Hill Mall in neighboring Cherry Hill, the Deptford Mall is one of the larger malls in southern New Jersey. It is surrounded by two movie theaters (with a total of fourteen screens between them), eight strip malls, several nightclubs and numerous restaurants and individual stores.

References

External links

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