Location of Dennis Township inCape May County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Cape May County inNew Jersey highlighted in red (right).
Dennis Township had been adry town, where alcohol could not be sold, until 2001 when voters passed a referendum allowing liquor to be sold; the township council authorized the sale of a single license, which netted the township $1.1 million.[23][24]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 63.94 square miles (165.61 km2), including 60.42 square miles (156.49 km2) of land and 3.52 square miles (9.12 km2) of water (5.51%).[1][2]
Dennisville (population 830) is the most important unincorporated community in Dennis Township.[27]Ocean View (population 685) is served asZIP Code 08230.[28][29] Other communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Clermont, East Creek, Eldora, Mount Pleasant, North Dennis, North-West Dennis, Ocean View, Savage Pond,South Dennis (population 1,703),South Seaville (population 695), Stipsons Island and West Creek Landing.[30][31][32][33]
Of the 2,370 households, 29.5% had children under the age of 18; 60.8% were married couples living together; 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 24.4% were non-families. Of all households, 19.6% were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.07.[18]
21.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 34.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 94.1 males.[18]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010American Community Survey showed that (in 2010inflation-adjusted dollars)median household income was $84,205 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,160) and the median family income was $84,400 (+/− $4,219). Males had a median income of $52,571 (+/− $3,535) versus $40,023 (+/− $5,496) for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $30,545 (+/− $2,875). About 5.4% of families and 7.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.[49]
As of the2000 United States census[14] there were 6,492 people, 2,159 households, and 1,737 families residing in the township. The population density was 105.8 inhabitants per square mile (40.8/km2). There were 2,327 housing units at an average density of 37.9 per square mile (14.6/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.43%White, 0.96%African American, 0.09%Native American, 0.43%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.62% fromother races, and 0.46% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.51% of the population.[47][48]
There were 2,159 households, out of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% weremarried couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.5% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.24.[47][48]
In the township the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.[47][48]
The median income for a household in the township was $56,595, and the median income for a family was $61,445. Males had a median income of $41,404 versus $31,329 for females. Theper capita income for the township was $21,455. About 4.0% of families and 5.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.[47][48]
Dennis Township is governed under theTownship 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.[50] The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the votersat-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.[5][51] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor. The Committee members serve in a part-time capacity and receive an annual salary.[52]
The governing body originally consisted of three elected officials, one of which would be elected by the membership to serve as the Mayor. In 1989 voters approved a ballot question to increase the membership from three members to five members, and in November 1990 the voters elected two additional Committee members. The first five-member committee took office in January 1991 at which time the governing body established the position of Township Administrator.[52]
As of 2023[update], the members of the Dennis Township Committee areMayor Zeth Anthony Matalucci (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2025; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Scott J. Turner (R, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2023), Matthew J. Cox (R, 2025), Frank L. Germanio Jr. (R, 2024) and Thomas Van Artsdalen III (R, 2023).[3][53][54][55][56][57]
In October 2017, the Township Committee appointed Nicolas Elisano to fill the seat expiring December 2019 that became vacant following the resignation of Melanie Smith, who was moving out of the township.[58] In November 2018, Matthew J. Cox was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[59]
Cape May County is governed by a five-personBoard of County Commissioners whose members are electedat-large on a partisan basis to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year; At an annual reorganization held each January, the commissioners select one member to serve as director and another to serve as vice-director.[67] As of 2025[update], Cape May County's Commissioners are Director Leonard C. Desiderio (R,Sea Isle City, 2027),[68] Robert Barr (R,Ocean City; 2025),[69] Will Morey (R,Wildwood Crest; 2026),[70] Melanie Collette (R.Middle Township; 2026),[71] andVice-Director Andrew Bulakowski (R,Lower Township; 2025).[72][67][73]
The county's constitutional officers are Clerk Rita Marie Rothberg (R, 2025, Ocean City),[74][75] Sheriff Robert Nolan (R, 2026, Lower Township)[76][77] and Surrogate E. Marie Hayes (R, 2028, Ocean City).[78][79][80][73]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,499 registered voters in Dennis Township, of which 1,091 (24.2%) were registered asDemocrats, 1,527 (33.9%) were registered asRepublicans and 1,877 (41.7%) were registered asUnaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered asLibertarians orGreens.[81]
United States Gubernatorial election results for Dennis Township[82]
In the2012 presidential election, RepublicanMitt Romney received 55.5% of the vote (1,809 cast), ahead of DemocratBarack Obama with 43.1% (1,406 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (45 votes), among the 3,296 ballots cast by the township's 4,624 registered voters (36 ballots werespoiled), for a turnout of 71.3%.[83][84] In the2008 presidential election, RepublicanJohn McCain received 55.4% of the vote (1,904 cast), ahead of DemocratBarack Obama, who received 42.4% (1,459 votes), with 3,437 ballots cast among the township's 4,331 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.4%.[85] In the2004 presidential election, RepublicanGeorge W. Bush received 58.1% of the vote (1,977 ballots cast), outpolling DemocratJohn Kerry, who received around 40.0% (1,362 votes), with 3,401 ballots cast among the township's 4,424 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 76.9.[86]
In the2013 gubernatorial election, RepublicanChris Christie received 69.1% of the vote (1,647 cast), ahead of DemocratBarbara Buono with 29.4% (702 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (36 votes), among the 2,481 ballots cast by the township's 4,559 registered voters (96 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 54.4%.[93][94] In the2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 51.9% of the vote (1,251 ballots cast), ahead of both DemocratJon Corzine with 37.1% (894 votes) and IndependentChris Daggett with 8.2% (197 votes), with 2,411 ballots cast among the township's 4,572 registered voters, yielding a 52.7% turnout.[95]
United States Senate election results for Dennis Township1[96]
Students are also eligible to attend theCape May County Technical High School in Cape May Court House, which serves students from the entire county in its comprehensive and vocational programs, which are offered without charge to students who are county residents.[107][108]
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 112.5 miles (181.1 km) of roadways, of which 58.7 miles (94.5 km) were maintained by the municipality, 32.9 miles (52.9 km) by Cape May County, 16.7 miles (26.9 km) by theNew Jersey Department of Transportation and 4.2 miles (6.8 km) by theNew Jersey Turnpike Authority.[114]
^Old School House Museum & History Center, Township of Dennis. Accessed March 27, 2020. "The Dennis Township Museum is devoted to the collection of artifacts, historic documents, memorabilia and photographs which tells the story of our local communities of Belleplain, Clermont, Dennisville, Eldora, Northwest Dennis, Ocean View, South Dennis and South Seaville."
^Raum, John O.The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1, p. 260, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed September 3, 2013. "Dennis township was formed in 1826. Dennisville (or Dennis Creek) is a flourishing post village situated on both sides of the creek of the same name and seven miles from Cape May Court House, and called North and South Dennisville. Around this village is an extensive deposit of sound cedar timber in the soil. Ship building and trade in lumber are carried on to some extent."
^Sailer, Camille."Elisano Replaces Smith on Dennis Committee",Cape May County Herald, October 30, 2017. Accessed September 16, 2019. "Dennis Township Committee approved a resolution Oct. 24 authorizing the appointment of Nicolas Elisano to fill a vacancy on the governing body. He was sworn in at the same session. The vacancy resulted from the resignation of Committee member Melanie Smith."
^abBoard of County Commissioners, Cape May County, New Jersey. Accessed April 28, 2022. "Cape May County Government is governed by a Board of County Commissioners. These individuals are elected at large by the citizens of Cape May County and hold spaced 3-year terms." Note that as of date accessed, Desiderio is listed with an incorrect term-end year of 2020.
^Dennis Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Dennis Township Public Schools. Accessed September 4, 2020. "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 Dennis Township School District and a sending-receiving relationship with the Middle Township Board of Education. Composition: The Dennis Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Dennis Township in the County of Cape May."
^Middle Township High School 2015 School Report Card,New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 27, 2020. "Middle Township High School is a four-year, accredited, comprehensive high school situated in central Cape May County. The school serves the communities of Middle Township, Dennis Township, Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Woodbine Borough."
^Home page, Middle Township Public Schools. Accessed May 30, 2016. "The high school is a four-year comprehensive public high school that serves students inninth throughtwelfth grades. In addition to students from Middle Township, students from Avalon, Dennis Township, Stone Harbor and Woodbine attend the high school as part of sending/receiving relationships."
^Frequently Asked Questions,Cape May County Technical High School. Accessed October 27, 2019. "All residents of Cape May County are eligible to attend Cape May County Technical High School.... The Cape May County Technical High School is a public school so there is no cost to residents of Cape May County."
^Schools, South Jersey Catholic Schools. Accessed February 21, 2023.
^Welcome, Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School. Accessed February 22, 2023. "The school is part of the Diocese of Camden, and is supported by the four regional parishes of Avalon/Stone Harbor, Cape May Court House, Marmora/Woodbine and Sea Isle City."
^Zoning Map, Dennis Township. Accessed February 22, 2023.-Compare to the address: "2221 Rt. 9 North, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210"
^Howe, Paul Sturtevant.Mayflower Pilgrim Descendants in Cape May County, New Jersey, p. 115. A. R. Hand, 1921. Accessed March 15, 2022. "Richard S. Leaming, born at South Dennis, New Jersey, 16 July 1828, died at Dennisville, New Jersey, 25 May 1895."
^Fox, Margalit."Jonathan Maslow, 59, a Journalist and Naturalist, Dies",The New York Times, February 24, 2008. Accessed October 16, 2017. "Jonathan Maslow, a journalist and naturalist whose travels took him from the rain forests of Central America to the steppes of Central Asia, died on Tuesday in Greenwich, Conn. He was 59 and lived in Dennisville and Passaic Park, N.J."
^Willie A. Royster Obituary,Legacy.com, November 23, 2015. Accessed September 14, 2016. "Royster, Willie A., 61, of Ocean View, NJ, passed away at home on Monday, November 23, 2015."
^Journal of the Proceedings of the Senate of the State of New Jersey, p. 31. Accessed March 15, 2022. "The name of Joshua Swain, Jr., of Dennis township, in the county of Cape May, being on nomination as a Commissioner for taking the acknowledgment and proof of Deeds on motion."
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