Mantua Township, New Jersey

Mantua Township, New Jersey
Route 55 viewed north in Mantua Township
Route 55 viewed north in Mantua Township
Official seal of Mantua Township, New Jersey
Mantua Township highlighted in Gloucester County. Inset map: Gloucester County highlighted in New Jersey.
Mantua Township highlighted in Gloucester County. Inset map: Gloucester County highlighted in New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Mantua Township, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Mantua Township, New Jersey
Mantua Township is located in Gloucester County, New Jersey
Mantua Township
Mantua Township
Location in Gloucester County
Mantua Township is located in New Jersey
Mantua Township
Mantua Township
Location in New Jersey
Mantua Township is located in the United States
Mantua Township
Mantua Township
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 39°45′43″N 75°10′23″W / 39.762013°N 75.173092°W / 39.762013; -75.173092
Country United States
State New Jersey
CountyGloucester
IncorporatedFebruary 23, 1853
Named forMantua, Italy or Lenape sub-tribe
Government
 • TypeTownship
 • BodyTownship Committee
 • MayorRobert T. Zimmerman (D, term ends December 31, 2023)
 • AdministratorJennica Bileci
 • Municipal clerkJennica Bileci
Area
 • Total16.09 sq mi (41.67 km2)
 • Land16.01 sq mi (41.45 km2)
 • Water0.09 sq mi (0.22 km2)  0.53%
 • Rank169th of 565 in state
10th of 24 in county
Elevation105 ft (32 m)
Population
 • Total15,235
 • Estimate 
(2022)
15,396
 • Rank172nd of 565 in state
7th of 24 in county
 • Density951.9/sq mi (367.5/km2)
  • Rank391st of 565 in state
15th of 24 in county
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code
08051
Area code856
FIPS code3401543440
GNIS feature ID0882147
Websitemantuatownship.com

Mantua Township (pronounced man-CHEW-uh) is a township within Gloucester County in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 15,235, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 18 (+0.1%) from the 15,217 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,000 (+7.0%) from the 14,217 counted in the 2000 census. Mantua and surrounding Gloucester County constitute part of South Jersey.

History

Thomas Carpenter House in Mantua Township, c. 1912

Mantua Township was formed as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 23, 1853 from portions of Greenwich Township. Portions of the township were taken to form East Greenwich Township (February 10, 1881) and Pitman (May 24, 1905). The township is named after Mantua, Italy or for a Mantua sub-tribe of the Lenape Native Americans.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 16.09 square miles (41.67 km2), including 16.01 square miles (41.45 km2) of land and 0.09 square miles (0.22 km2) of water (0.53%).

Richwood is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within portions of both Harrison Township and Mantua Township. The CDP had a 2010 population of 3,459, of which 3,400 were in Harrison Township and 59 in Mantua Township. Other unincorporated communities, localities, and places located partially or completely within the township include Barnsboro, Boodys Mills, Carpenter's Landing, Centre City, Eastlack Corner, Jessups, Manunkachunk, Sewell, and West Landing.

The township borders Deptford Township, East Greenwich Township, Glassboro, Harrison Township, Pitman, Washington Township, Wenonah, and West Deptford Township.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18601,742
18701,8978.9%
18801,718−9.4%
18901,791*4.2%
19002,10117.3%
19101,529*−27.2%
19202,00230.9%
19302,67733.7%
19402,433−9.1%
19503,54845.8%
19607,991125.2%
19709,64320.7%
19809,193−4.7%
199010,0749.6%
200014,21741.1%
201015,2177.0%
202015,2350.1%
2022 (est.)15,3961.1%
Population sources:
1860–2000 1860–1920
1860–1870 1870 1880–1890
1890–1910 1910–1930
1940–2000 2000
2010 2020
* Lost territory in previous decade

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 15,217 people, 5,719 households, and 4,169 families in the township. The population density was 960.1 per square mile (370.7/km2). There were 5,980 housing units at an average density of 377.3 per square mile (145.7/km2). The racial makeup was 94.24% (14,340) White, 2.50% (380) Black or African American, 0.20% (31) Native American, 1.10% (168) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.66% (100) from other races, and 1.29% (197) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.95% (449) of the population.

Of the 5,719 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18; 57.3% were married couples living together; 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.1% were non-families. Of all households, 22.2% were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.13.

24.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.8 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $80,743 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,473) and the median family income was $88,586 (+/− $5,058). Males had a median income of $66,993 (+/− $4,279) versus $49,500 (+/− $7,015) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,073 (+/− $2,942). About 2.7% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 14,217 people, 5,265 households, and 3,948 families residing in the township. The population density was 894.3 inhabitants per square mile (345.3/km2). There were 5,411 housing units at an average density of 340.4 per square mile (131.4/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 95.81% White, 2.07% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.26% of the population.

There were 5,265 households, out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the township, the population was spread out, with 26.7% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $58,256, and the median income for a family was $63,391. Males had a median income of $46,984 versus $32,495 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,147. About 2.8% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Musical groups from the township include pop punk band Major League.

Parks and recreation

Tall Pines State Preserve is a 111-acre (45 ha) nature preserve that opened in November 2015 as Gloucester County's first state park and is located along the border of Deptford Township and Mantua Township. Originally a forest that was turned into an asparagus field and then a golf course, the land was preserved through efforts of South Jersey Land and Water Trust, the Friends of Tall Pines, Gloucester County Nature Club, and the New Jersey Green Acres Program.

Government

Local government

Mantua 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. 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. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.

As of 2022, members of the Mantua Township Committee are Mayor Pete Scirrotto (D, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2022), Deputy Mayor Robert T. Zimmerman (D, term on committee ends 2024; term as deputy mayor ends 2022), Shawn K. Layton (D, 2024), John Legge (D, 2023), and Eileen Lukens (D, 2022).

Federal, state, and county representation

Mantua Township is located in the 1st Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 5th state legislative district.

Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 census, Mantua Township had been in the 3rd state legislative district. Prior to the 2010 Census, Mantua Township had been split between the 1st Congressional District and the 2nd Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's First Congressional District is represented by Donald Norcross (D, Camden). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Bob Menendez (Englewood Cliffs, term ends 2025).

For the 2022–2023 session, the 5th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D, Barrington) and in the General Assembly by Bill Moen (D, Camden) and William Spearman (D, Camden).

Gloucester County is governed by a board of county commissioners, whose seven members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis in partisan elections, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year. At a reorganization meeting held each January, the Board selects a Director and a Deputy Director from among its members. As of 2022, Gloucester County's Commissioners are Director Frank J. DiMarco (D, Deptford Township; term as commissioner and as director ends December 31, 2022), Deputy Director Heather Simmons (D, Glassboro; term as commissioner ends 2023, term as deputy director ends 2022). Lyman J. Barnes (D, Logan Township; 2023), Nicholas DeSilvio (R, Franklin Township, 2024) Denice DiCarlo (D, West Deptford Township; 2022, appointed to serve an unexpired term) Jim Jefferson (D, Woodbury; 2023), and Christopher Konawel Jr. (R, Glassboro; 2024).

Constitutional officers elected countywide are County Clerk James N. Hogan (D, Franklin Township; five-year term ends 2022), Sheriff Jonathan M. Sammons (R, Elk Township; three-year term ends 2024) and Surrogate Giuseppe "Joe" Chila (D, Woolwich Township; five-year term ends 2022).

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 10,232 registered voters in Mantua Township, of which 3,493 (34.1%) were registered as Democrats, 2,020 (19.7%) were registered as Republicans and 4,712 (46.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 7 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 50.3% of the vote (3,855 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 48.2% (3,692 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (117 votes), among the 7,731 ballots cast by the township's 10,720 registered voters (67 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 72.1%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 50.0% of the vote (3,902 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 47.3% (3,687 votes) and other candidates with 1.6% (126 votes), among the 7,800 ballots cast by the township's 10,429 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.8%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 50.0% of the vote (3,704 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 48.7% (3,604 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (70 votes), among the 7,408 ballots cast by the township's 9,657 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 76.7.

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 66.0% of the vote (2,985 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 31.9% (1,445 votes), and other candidates with 2.1% (94 votes), among the 4,620 ballots cast by the township's 10,604 registered voters (96 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 43.6%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 48.1% of the vote (2,422 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 40.8% (2,055 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 8.6% (435 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (40 votes), among the 5,031 ballots cast by the township's 10,357 registered voters, yielding a 48.6% turnout.

Education

Children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade for public school are served by the Mantua Township School District. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,200 students and 121.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.9:1. Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Sewell School with 282 students in pre-kindergarten through Kindergarten, Centre City School with 441 students in grades 1–3 and J. Mason Tomlin School with 477 students in grades 4–6.

Public school students in seventh through twelfth grades attend the schools of the Clearview Regional High School District, which serves students from Harrison Township and Mantua Township. Schools in the district (with 2020–2021 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Clearview Regional Middle School with 788 students (grades 7 and 8) and Clearview Regional High School with 1,485 students (grades 9–12). Seats on the high school district's nine-member board are allocated based on population, with five seats assigned to Mantua Township.

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.

Guardian Angels Regional School is a K-8 school that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. Its PreK-3 campus is in Gibbstown while its 4-8 campus is in Paulsboro.

Transportation

View north along Main Street (Route 553) approaching Mount Royal Road (Route 678) in Mantua Township

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 91.85 miles (147.82 km) of roadways, of which 53.92 miles (86.78 km) were maintained by the municipality, 31.21 miles (50.23 km) by Gloucester County and 6.72 miles (10.81 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Route 45 and Route 55 are the main highways serving Mantua Township. County Route 553 and County Route 553 Alternate also traverse the township.

Public transportation

NJ Transit bus service is available in the township between Bridgeton and Philadelphia on the 410 route and between Sewell and Philadelphia on the 412 route.

Notable people

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


This page was last updated at 2023-06-29 11:45 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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