Commercial Township, New Jersey
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Commercial Township is a township in Cumberland County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is part of the Vineland-Bridgeton metropolitan statistical area.[16] As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 4,669,[8] a decrease of 509 (−9.8%) from the 2010 census count of 5,178,[17][18] which in turn reflected a decline of 81 (−1.5%) from the 5,259 counted in the 2000 census.[19]
Commercial Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 27, 1874, from portions of Downe Township.[20]: 120 The township was named for its shellfish industry.[21]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 34.41 square miles (89.13 km2), including 31.91 square miles (82.66 km2) of land and 2.50 square miles (6.47 km2) of water (7.26%).[1][2]
Laurel Lake (2020 Census population of 2,861), Port Norris (1,111), and Mauricetown (403) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDPs) located within Commercial Township.[22][23][24][25]
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Baileytown, Bivalve, Buckshutem, Haleyville, Lores Mill, North Port Norris and Shell Pile.[26]
The township borders Downe Township, Maurice River Township, Millville and the Delaware Bay.[27][28]
Demographics
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 5,178 people, 1,880 households, and 1,337 families in the township. The population density was 161.2 inhabitants per square mile (62.2/km2). There were 2,115 housing units at an average density of 65.8 per square mile (25.4/km2). The racial makeup was 83.72% (4,335) White, 10.24% (530) Black or African American, 0.35% (18) Native American, 0.52% (27) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.53% (79) from other races, and 3.65% (189) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.10% (316) of the population.[17]
Of the 1,880 households, 30.6% had children under the age of 18; 42.9% were married couples living together; 18.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.9% were non-families. Of all households, 22.4% were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.14.[17]
25.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 98.0 males.[17]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $45,323 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,873) and the median family income was $46,790 (+/− $10,373). Males had a median income of $42,297 (+/− $6,069) versus $31,391 (+/− $5,851) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,242 (+/− $2,315). About 18.0% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 21.2% of those age 65 or over.[29]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[13] there were 5,259 people, 1,873 households, and 1,367 families residing in the township. The population density was 162.0 inhabitants per square mile (62.5/km2). There were 2,171 housing units at an average density of 66.9 per square mile (25.8/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 82.98% White, 13.42% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.86% of the population.[30][31]
There were 1,873 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.0% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.22.[30][31]
In the township the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.[30][31]
The median income for a household in the township was $34,960, and the median income for a family was $37,500. Males had a median income of $35,030 versus $21,610 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,663. About 13.0% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.[30][31]
Government
Local government
Commercial 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.[32] The governing body is comprised of a three-member Township Committee, whose members are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[6][33][34] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor, each serving a one-year term.[3]
As of 2025[update], members of the Commercial Township Committee are Mayor Joseph Klaudi (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2027; term as mayor ends 2025), Deputy Mayor Warren "Mike" Vizzard (R, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2025) and Ronald L. Sutton Sr. (R, 2026).[3][35][36][37][38][39]
After Mayor Judson Moore resigned from office in March 2016, Ronald Sutton was named as mayor to replace Moore and Fletcher Jamison shifted to deputy mayor.[40]
In the November 2013 general election, Moore became the first candidate to win election running as an independent, while Ronald Sutton was elected to fill the vacant seat of Bill Riggin, who had resigned from office.[41]
Federal, state and county representation
Commercial Township is located in the 2nd Congressional District[42] and is part of New Jersey's 1st state legislative district.[43][44][45]
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Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,183 registered voters in Commercial Township, of which 1,004 (31.5%) were registered as Democrats, 568 (17.8%) were registered as Republicans and 1,608 (50.5%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[46]
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In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 57.6% of the vote (983 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 41.1% (701 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (23 votes), among the 1,726 ballots cast by the township's 3,270 registered voters (19 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 52.8%.[47][48] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 55.0% of the vote (1,032 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain, who received 41.7% (781 votes), with 1,875 ballots cast among the township's 3,151 registered voters, for a turnout of 59.5%.[49] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 50.2% of the vote (849 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry, who received 49.2% (832 votes), with 1,690 ballots cast among the township's 2,931 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 57.7.[50]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 1,191 | 63.22% | 668 | 35.46% | 25 | 1.33% |
| 2020 | 1,184 | 58.99% | 798 | 39.76% | 25 | 1.25% |
| 2016 | 985 | 57.67% | 662 | 38.76% | 61 | 3.57% |
| 2012 | 701 | 41.07% | 983 | 57.59% | 23 | 1.35% |
| 2008 | 781 | 41.65% | 1,032 | 55.04% | 62 | 3.31% |
| 2004 | 849 | 50.24% | 832 | 49.23% | 9 | 0.53% |
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 60.9% of the vote (691 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 36.4% (413 votes), and other candidates with 2.7% (31 votes), among the 1,191 ballots cast by the township's 3,031 registered voters (56 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 39.3%.[57][58] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 46.5% of the vote (475 ballots cast), ahead of both Republican Chris Christie with 43.6% (446 votes) and Independent Chris Daggett with 6.0% (61 votes), with 1,022 ballots cast among the township's 3,017 registered voters, yielding a 33.9% turnout.[59]
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Education
The Commercial Township School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.[60][61][62] As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 481 students and 39.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.3:1.[63]
Students in ninth through twelfth grades for public school attend Millville High School in Millville, together with students from Lawrence Township and Maurice River Township, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Millville Public Schools.[64][65] As of the 2022–23 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,640 students and 70.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 23.4:1.[66]
Students are also eligible to attend Cumberland County Technical Education Center in Vineland, serving students from the entire county in its full-time technical training programs, which are offered without charge to students who are county residents.[67]
Transportation
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 77.15 miles (124.16 km) of roadways, of which 44.08 miles (70.94 km) were maintained by the municipality and 33.07 miles (53.22 km) by Cumberland County.[68]
County Route 553 is the most significant road serving Commercial Township.[69][70]
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Commercial Township include:
- Helen Gandy (1897–1988), secretary to J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for 54 years[71]
- Elden H. Johnson (1921–1944), United States Army soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War II[72]
- Henry C. Loudenslager (1852–1911), represented New Jersey's 1st congressional district from 1893 to 1911[73]
- Larry Milbourne (born 1951), second baseman who played for 11 seasons in Major League Baseball[74]
- Dallas Lore Sharp (1870–1929), author and university professor[75]
Points of interest
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 1, 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Mayor and Committee, Township of Commercial. Accessed August 27, 2023. "Commercial Township is under the 'Township' form of local government. As in all local governments, our Township is highly regulated by the State of New Jersey and falls under the laws of the State Legislature. Three people serve on the Township government for a three year term. A single position is open each year for someone from the public to run for office.... The Mayor is appointed by the three Township committee people and is not elected directly by the public."
- ↑ NJ Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed June 1, 2025.
- ↑ Clerk's Office, Township of Commercial. Accessed July 22, 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 19.
- ↑ Template:Gnis, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 5, 2013.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedLWD2020 - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedPopEst - ↑ 10.0 10.1 Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed March 1, 2023.
- ↑ Look Up a ZIP Code for Port Norris, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed July 11, 2012.
- ↑ Area Code Lookup – NPA NXX for Port Norris, NJ, Area-Codes.com. Accessed December 21, 2014.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 U.S. Census website, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
- ↑ Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.
- ↑ US Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
- ↑ New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 10, 2023.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedCensus2010 - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedLWD2010 - ↑ 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.
- ↑ Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. Accessed May 1, 2026.
- ↑ Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 28, 2015.
- ↑ New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed October 22, 2012.
- ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
- ↑ Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
- ↑ Map of Cumberland County, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed October 28, 2019.
- ↑ New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
- ↑ DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Commercial township, Cumberland County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 11, 2012.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Commercial township, Cumberland County, New Jersey Archived 2003-10-15 at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 11, 2012.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Commercial township, Cumberland County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 11, 2012.
- ↑ Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.
- ↑ "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
- ↑ Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025.
- ↑ 2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Township of Commercial. Accessed July 22, 2025.
- ↑ 2024 Directory of Cumberland County, New Jersey, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed July 1, 2025.
- ↑ General Election Results November 5, 2024, Official Results, Cumberland County, New Jersey, updated November 22, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.
- ↑ November 7, 2023 General Election Results, Cumberland County, New Jersey, updated November 20, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.
- ↑ Election Summary Report General Election Cumberland County November 8, 2022, Cumberland County, New Jersey, updated November 28, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.
- ↑ Woods, Don E. Twp. mayor resigns with 9 months left in office", NJ.com, March 15, 2016. Accessed June 30, 2016. "Moore was two years into his three-year appointment on committee when he announced his resignation Monday night at a Commercial Township work session meeting.... According to township clerk Hannah Nichols, Ronald Sutton Sr. was made mayor during Monday's meeting and Fletcher Jamison was made deputy mayor."
- ↑ Tomlinson, Philip. "Commercial Township reorganizes, Judson Moore appointed mayor", South Jersey Times, January 6, 2014. Accessed July 23, 2014. "In November, Judson Moore became the first Independent candidate elected to the township's three-person committee.... Democrat Ronald Sutton was also sworn in to serve the remainder of the term of former committeeman Bill Riggin, who resigned due to health concerns this past fall; Sutton, elected for the seat in November, had served in that capacity by appointment since shortly after Riggin's resignation. Longtime Democratic Committeeman Fletcher Jamison was tabbed as deputy mayor."
- ↑ Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.
- ↑ Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.
- ↑ 2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.
- ↑ Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
- ↑ Voter Registration Summary - Cumberland, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed October 22, 2012.
- ↑ "Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Cumberland County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Cumberland County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Cumberland County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed October 22, 2012.
- ↑ 2004 Presidential Election: Cumberland County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed October 22, 2012.
- ↑ Presidential November 5, 2024 General Election Results Cumberland County, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed January 1, 2025.
- ↑ Presidential November 3, 2020 General Election Results Cumberland County, New Jersey Department of State, published December 18, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2025.
- ↑ Presidential November 8, 2016 General Election Results Cumberland County, New Jersey Department of State, updated December 14, 2016. Accessed January 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Cumberland County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Cumberland County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed October 22, 2012.
- ↑ 2004 Presidential Election: Cumberland County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed October 22, 2012.
- ↑ "Governor - Cumberland County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Cumberland County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ 2009 Governor: Cumberland County Archived 2016-07-07 at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed October 22, 2012.
- ↑ Commercial Township Board of Education District Bylaws 0110 - Identification, Commercial Township School District. Accessed September 19, 2024. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the Commercial Township School District. Composition: The Commercial Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Commercial Township."
- ↑ School Performance Reports for the Commercial Township Public School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed September 1, 2025.
- ↑ New Jersey School Directory for the Commercial Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.
- ↑ District information for Commercial Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.
- ↑ Sending District Students Archived 2014-12-08 at the Wayback Machine, Millville Public Schools. Accessed December 8, 2014. "9TH – 12th grade students who attend Memorial and MSHS from Woodbine, Commercial Township, Lawrence Township, and Maurice River Township will need to establish their proof of residency with their district."
- ↑ Jones, Jean. "Maurice River enlists state help in fighting Millville HS tuition increase", South Jersey Times, January 16, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2014. "He said Millville is unwilling to pass on its need for more funding to its own taxpayers so it is passing the increase on to the sending districts -- Commercial, Maurice River and Lawrence townships and Woodbine."
- ↑ School data for Millville Senior High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.
- ↑ Admissions Booklet, Cumberland County Technical Education Center. Accessed December 20, 2022. "Who Can Apply? Applicants must be enrolled in 8th grade and live in Cumberland County."
- ↑ Cumberland County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.
- ↑ County Route 553 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated June 2012. Accessed February 13, 2023.
- ↑ Cumberland County Highway Map, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed February 13, 2023.
- ↑ Gentry, Curt. J. Edgar Hoover: The Man and the Secrets, pp. 73-74. W. W. Norton & Company, 2001. ISBN 9780393343502. Accessed July 23, 2014. "His choice, who was already working in the department as a file clerk, was a twenty-one-year-old woman from Port Norris, New Jersey. Helen Gandy would remain Hoover's secretary until his death fifty-four years later."
- ↑ Staff. "Help solve a Cumberland County history mystery: Where is Civil War Medal of Honor recipient John Davis buried?", The News of Cumberland County, July 7, 2009. Accessed July 23, 2014. "Elden H. Johnson, born in Bivalve, has been recognized by Commercial Township for his service in World War II."
- ↑ Henry Clay Loudenslager biography, United States Congress. Accessed August 11, 2007.
- ↑ Larry Milbourne, New York Yankees. Accessed July 23, 2014.
- ↑ Sharp, Dallas Lore; and Millard, Columbus Norman. A Watcher in the Woods, p. viii. Century Company, 1911. Accessed July 23, 2014. "Dallas Lore Sharp was born on a farm in Haleyville, New Jersey, where the pine barrens, the marshes of Maurice River, and the great river swamps stretched out around him."
External links
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