Mullica Township, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
 Pleasant Mills | |
 Map of Mullica Township inAtlantic County. Inset: Location of Atlantic County highlighted in the State ofNew Jersey. | |
 Census Bureau map of Mullica Township, New Jersey | |
  Mullica Township Location in the United States Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:39°35′47″N74°40′35″W / 39.596486°N 74.6765°W /39.596486; -74.6765[1][2] | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Atlantic |
| Incorporated | March 13, 1838 |
| Named after | Eric Pålsson Mullica |
| Government | |
| • Type | Township |
| • Body | Township Committee |
| • Mayor | Edward Hagaman (R, term ends December 31, 2027)[3][4] |
| • Municipal clerk | Krystel Arana[5] |
| Area | |
• Total | 56.84 sq mi (147.22 km2) |
| • Land | 56.37 sq mi (146.01 km2) |
| • Water | 0.47 sq mi (1.21 km2) 0.82% |
| • Rank | 25th of 565 in state 4th of 23 in county[1] |
| Elevation | 56 ft (17 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 5,816 |
| 5,802 | |
| • Rank | 356th of 565 in state 14th of 23 in county[11] |
| • Density | 103.2/sq mi (39.8/km2) |
| • Rank | 540th of 565 in state 21st of 23 in county[11] |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) |
| ZIP Code | |
| Area code | 609[13] |
| FIPS code | 3400149410[1][14][15] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882053[16] |
| Website | www |
Mullica Township is atownship inAtlantic County, in theU.S. state ofNew Jersey. As of the2020 United States census, the township's population was 5,816,[8][9] a decrease of 331 (−5.4%) from the2010 census count of 6,147,[17][18] which in turn reflected an increase of 235 (+4.0%) from the 5,912 counted in the2000 census.[19] Geographically, the township, and all of Atlantic County, is part of theSouth Jersey region of the state and of theAtlantic City-Hammontonmetropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in thePhiladelphia-Reading-Camdencombined statistical area and theDelaware Valley.[20]
Mullica Township was incorporated as a township by an act of theNew Jersey Legislature on March 13, 1838, from the western section ofGalloway Township.Egg Harbor City was created from portions of the township on June 14, 1858, while the Town ofHammonton was created and split off on March 5, 1866.[21]
The township and its river were named afterEric Pålsson Mullica, earlySwedish settler (withFinnish ancestry) born in 1636 who founded a homestead on the river after moving there from the vicinity ofPhiladelphia, and who later moved toMullica Hill inGloucester County.[22][23] When used as a common noun,mullikka is the Finnish term for abull calf.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 56.84 square miles (147.22 km2), including 56.38 square miles (146.01 km2) of land and 0.47 square miles (1.21 km2) of water (0.82%).[1][2]
Despite a relatively small population, Mullica Township comprises many small communities.Elwood (with a 2020 Census population of 1,215),Nesco (422), andSweetwater (805) areunincorporated communities andcensus-designated places (CDP) located within Mullica Township.[24][25][26][27][28][29]
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Amatol, Colwell, Da Costa, Devonshire, East Hammonton, Indian Cabin, New Columbia, Pleasant Mills, Speedway, Weekstown, Wescoatville, West Egg Harbor and Woodland.[30][31] Unincorporated communities in Mullica Township are largely identified by landmarks such as the Elwood Deli, theSweetwater Casino, or the Weekstown Firehouse. The small unincorporated communities within the township engender a particularly high level of pride, and many Mullica Township residents refer to themselves as residents of their unincorporated community, before referring to themselves as residents of Mullica Township.
The township is located in the northwest portion of Atlantic County. It is bounded on the north byWashington Township inBurlington County (which is separated from it by theMullica River); on the east byEgg Harbor City; on the south byGalloway Township andHamilton Township; and on the west by the Town ofHammonton.[32][33][34] The Township is approximately 13 miles (21 km) outside ofAtlantic City and 40 miles (64 km) outside ofPhiladelphia.
The township is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within theNew Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering 1,100,000 acres (450,000 ha), that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.[35] All of the township is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Atlantic County, along with areas inBurlington,Camden,Cape May,Cumberland,Gloucester andOcean counties.[36]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 1,056 | — | |
| 1850 | 918 | −13.1% | |
| 1860 | 1,600 | * | 74.3% |
| 1870 | 861 | * | −46.2% |
| 1880 | 717 | −16.7% | |
| 1890 | 697 | −2.8% | |
| 1900 | 880 | 26.3% | |
| 1910 | 811 | −7.8% | |
| 1920 | 1,166 | 43.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,425 | 22.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,500 | 5.3% | |
| 1950 | 1,804 | 20.3% | |
| 1960 | 2,944 | 63.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,391 | 15.2% | |
| 1980 | 5,243 | 54.6% | |
| 1990 | 5,896 | 12.5% | |
| 2000 | 5,912 | 0.3% | |
| 2010 | 6,147 | 4.0% | |
| 2020 | 5,816 | −5.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 5,802 | [8][10] | −0.2% |
| Population sources: 1840–2000[37] 1840–1920[38] 1840[39] 1850–1870[40] 1850[41] 1870[42] 1880–1890[43] 1890–1910[44] 1910–1930[45] 1940–2000[46] 2000[47][48] 2010[17][18] 2020[8][9] * = Lost territory in previous decade.[21] | |||
The2010 United States census counted 6,147 people, 2,154 households, and 1,631 families in the township. Thepopulation density was 108.9 per square mile (42.0/km2). There were 2,360 housing units at an average density of 41.8 per square mile (16.1/km2). The racial makeup was 83.26% (5,118)White, 5.68% (349)Black or African American, 0.23% (14)Native American, 0.68% (42)Asian, 0.03% (2)Pacific Islander, 7.19% (442) fromother races, and 2.93% (180) from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.02% (1,046) of the population.[17]
Of the 2,154 households, 30.5% had children under the age of 18; 57.4% were married couples living together; 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 24.3% were non-families. Of all households, 18.4% were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.19.[17]
23.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 100.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 100.1 males.[17]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010American Community Survey showed that (in 2010inflation-adjusted dollars)median household income was $54,730 (with a margin of error of +/− $11,733) and the median family income was $62,000 (+/− $10,758). Males had a median income of $42,931 (+/− $9,882) versus $41,716 (+/− $5,514) for females. Theper capita income for the township was $26,217 (+/− $3,264). About 3.6% of families and 6.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.[49]
As of the2000 United States census[14] there were 5,912 people, 2,044 households, and 1,537 families residing in the township. The population density was 104.5 inhabitants per square mile (40.3/km2). There were 2,176 housing units at an average density of 38.5 per square mile (14.9/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 80.58%White, 6.28%African American, 0.27%Native American, 0.83%Asian, 0.12%Pacific Islander, 8.61% fromother races, and 3.32% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 16.49% of the population.[47][48]
There were 2,044 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% weremarried couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.30.[47][48]
In the township the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.[47][48]
The median income for a household in the township was $50,417, and the median income for a family was $55,143. Males had a median income of $40,033 versus $29,965 for females. Theper capita income for the township was $19,764. About 5.7% of families and 7.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.[47][48]
Mullica Township is governed under theTownship form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, 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.[6][22][51] The mayor and deputy mayor are selected at an annual reorganization meeting by the Committee from among its members to serve terms of one year. The mayor presides over Township Committee meetings.[52]
As of 2024[update], members of the Mullica Township Committee areMayor Edward Hagaman (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2027; term as mayor ends 2024),Deputy Mayor Deanna DeMarco (R, term on committee ends 2025; term as deputy mayor ends 2024), Kristi Hanselmann (R, 2025; appointed to serve an unexpired term),Charles Muller (R, 2026) and Glenn Forman (R, 2027).[3][53][54][55][56][57]
In June 2019, the Township Committee selected Bruce Crowe from a list of three names nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that had been held by William Cornell until he resigned from office the previous month.[58] In the November 2019 general election, Crowe was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[59]
Mullica Township is located in the 2nd Congressional District[60] and is part of New Jersey's 8th state legislative district.[61]
For the119th United States Congress,New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented byJeff Van Drew (R,Dennis Township).[62] New Jersey is represented in theUnited States Senate byDemocratsCory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) andAndy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).[63]
For the2024-2025 session, the8th legislative district of theNew Jersey Legislature is represented in theNew Jersey Senate byLatham Tiver (R,Southampton Township) and in theGeneral Assembly byAndrea Katz (D,Chesterfield Township) andMichael Torrissi (R,Hammonton).[64]
Atlantic County is governed by a directly electedcounty executive and a nine-memberBoard of County Commissioners, responsible for legislation. The executive serves a four-year term and the commissioners are elected to staggered three-year terms, of which four are elected from the county on anat-large basis and five of the commissioners represent equally populated districts.[65][66] As of 2025[update], Atlantic County's Executive is Dennis Levinson (R,Northfield), whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.[67] Members of the Board of County Commissioners are:
Ernest D. Coursey (D, District 1--Atlantic City,Egg Harbor Township (part),Longport,Margate City, andVentnor City; 2025, Atlantic City),[68] Chair Maureen Kern (R, District 2--Egg Harbor Township (part),Linwood,Northfield,Somers Point andPleasantville; 2027, Somers Point),[69] Andrew Parker III (R, District 3--Egg Harbor Township (part) andHamilton Township (part); 2026, Egg Harbor Township),[70] Richard R. Dase (R, District 4, includingBrigantine,Galloway Township,Egg Harbor Township (part), andPort Republic; 2025, Galloway Township),[71] Vice Chair James A. Bertino (R, District 5--Buena,Buena Vista Township,Corbin City,Egg Harbor City,Estell Manor,Folsom,Hamilton Township (part),Hammonton,Mullica Township andWeymouth Township; 2027, Hammonton),[72] June Byrnes (R, At-Large; 2026, Linwood),[73] Michael Ruffu (R, At-Large; Margate, 2027)[74] Amy L. Gatto (R, At-large; 2025, Hamilton Township)[75] and John W. Risley (R, At-Large; 2026, Egg Harbor Township)[76][65][77]
Atlantic County's constitutional officers are: Clerk Joesph J. Giralo (R, 2026, Hammonton),[78][79] Sheriff Joe O'Donoghue (R, 2026, Egg Harbor Township)[80][81] and Surrogate James Curcio (R, 2025, Hammonton).[82][83][84]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,077 registered voters in Mullica Township, of which 917 (22.5% vs. 30.5% countywide) were registered asDemocrats, 1,336 (32.8% vs. 25.2%) were registered asRepublicans and 1,821 (44.7% vs. 44.3%) were registered asUnaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered asLibertarians orGreens.[85] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 66.3% (vs. 58.8% in Atlantic County) were registered to vote, including 86.3% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 76.6% countywide).[85][86]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2021 | 1,481 | 67.14% | 710 | 32.18% | 15 | 0.68% |
| 2017 | 867 | 52.96% | 738 | 45.08% | 32 | 1.95% |
| 2013 | 1,315 | 69.14% | 553 | 29.07% | 34 | 1.79% |
| 2009 | 1,131 | 54.66% | 801 | 38.71% | 137 | 6.62% |
| 2005 | 800 | 47.68% | 796 | 47.44% | 82 | 4.89% |
In the2016 presidential election, RepublicanDonald Trump received 1,710 votes (58.0%), ahead of DemocratHillary Clinton with 1,142 votes (38.7%) and other candidates with 97 votes (3.3%), among the 2,949 ballots cast.[88] In the2012 presidential election, RepublicanMitt Romney received 1,439 votes (49.1% vs. 41.1% countywide), ahead of DemocratBarack Obama with 1,430 votes (48.8% vs. 57.9%) and other candidates with 41 votes (1.4% vs. 0.9%), among the 2,933 ballots cast by the township's 4,249 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.0% (vs. 65.8% in Atlantic County).[89][90] In the2008 presidential election, RepublicanJohn McCain received 1,512 votes (49.5% vs. 41.6% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,467 votes (48.0% vs. 56.5%) and other candidates with 43 votes (1.4% vs. 1.1%), among the 3,057 ballots cast by the township's 4,278 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.5% (vs. 68.1% in Atlantic County).[91] In the2004 presidential election, RepublicanGeorge W. Bush received 1,487 votes (53.5% vs. 46.2% countywide), ahead of DemocratJohn Kerry with 1,244 votes (44.8% vs. 52.0%) and other candidates with 24 votes (0.9% vs. 0.8%), among the 2,778 ballots cast by the township's 3,811 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.9% (vs. 69.8% in the whole county).[92]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024[93] | 64.5%2,082 | 33.9%1,096 | 1.6%45 |
| 2020[94] | 60.8%2,085 | 38.1%1,306 | 1.1%41 |
| 2016[95] | 57.0%1,710 | 38.7%1,142 | 3.3%97 |
| 2012[96] | 49.1%1,439 | 48.8%1,430 | 1.4%41 |
| 2008[97] | 49.5%1,512 | 48.0%1,467 | 1.4%43 |
| 2004[98] | 53.5%1,487 | 44.8%1,244 | 0.9%24 |
In the2013 gubernatorial election, RepublicanChris Christie received 1,315 votes (67.8% vs. 60.0% countywide), ahead of DemocratBarbara Buono with 553 votes (28.5% vs. 34.9%) and other candidates with 34 votes (1.8% vs. 1.3%), among the 1,939 ballots cast by the township's 4,288 registered voters, yielding a 45.2% turnout (vs. 41.5% in the county).[99][100] In the2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,131 votes (53.4% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of DemocratJon Corzine with 801 votes (37.8% vs. 44.5%), IndependentChris Daggett with 102 votes (4.8% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 35 votes (1.7% vs. 1.2%), among the 2,117 ballots cast by the township's 4,111 registered voters, yielding a 51.5% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).[101]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 1,932 | 62.85% | 1,110 | 36.11% | 32 | 1.04% |
| 2018 | 1,278 | 60.45% | 763 | 36.09% | 73 | 3.45% |
| 2012 | 1,334 | 48.54% | 1,366 | 49.71% | 48 | 1.75% |
| 2006 | 1,080 | 52.48% | 911 | 44.27% | 67 | 3.26% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 2,014 | 60.35% | 1,262 | 37.82% | 61 | 1.83% |
| 2014 | 957 | 55.22% | 729 | 42.07% | 47 | 2.71% |
| 2013 | 609 | 60.00% | 393 | 38.72% | 13 | 1.28% |
| 2008 | 1,384 | 50.46% | 1,292 | 47.10% | 67 | 2.44% |
TheMullica Township Schools serve students inpre-kindergarten througheighth grade.[104] As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 652 students and 56.7 classroom teachers (on anFTE basis), for astudent–teacher ratio of 11.5:1.[105] Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from theNational Center for Education Statistics.[106]) are Mullica Township Elementary School[107] with 331 students in grades Pre-K–4 and Mullica Township Middle School[108] with 320 students in grades 5–8.[109][110][111] With the start of the 2016–17 school year, theWashington Township School District no longer operates and all students from Washington Township attend the Mullica Township Schools as part of a fullsending/receiving relationship.[112]
Students inninth throughtwelfth grades attendCedar Creek High School, which is located in the northern section ofEgg Harbor City and opened to students in September 2010.[113] The school is one of three high schools operated as part of theGreater Egg Harbor Regional High School District, which is comprised of the constituent municipalities of Egg Harbor City,Galloway Township andHamilton Township, and participates insending/receiving relationships withPort Republic andWashington Township (Burlington County).[114] Cedar Creek High School is zoned to serve students from Egg Harbor City, Mullica Township, Port Republic and Washington Township, while students in portions of Galloway and Hamilton townships have the opportunity to attend Cedar Creek through the school of choice program or through attendance in magnet programs offered at Cedar Creek.[115][116] As of the 2020–21 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 935 students and 74.8 classroom teachers (on anFTE basis), for astudent–teacher ratio of 12.5:1.[117]
Township public school students are also eligible to attend theAtlantic County Institute of Technology in theMays Landing section ofHamilton Township[118] or theCharter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts, located inSomers Point.[119]
_just_west_of_Atlantic_County_Route_623_(Elwood_Road)_in_Mullica_Township%2c_Atlantic_County%2c_New_Jersey.jpg)
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 106.24 miles (170.98 km) of roadways, of which 59.91 miles (96.42 km) were maintained by the municipality, 38.26 miles (61.57 km) by Atlantic County and 8.07 miles (12.99 km) by theNew Jersey Department of Transportation.[120]
U.S. Route 30 (White Horse Pike) passes through Mullica Township.[121] Many of the street names in Mullica Township are used on multiple, sometimes intersecting roads within the township, or reused from adjacent municipalities. Examples are Elwood Rd, Weekstown Road, Pleasant Mills Road, and Columbia Road. In fact, 7th Ave has two major intersections, one with County Road 612 and the other with County Road 643. Both of the county roads are named Weekstown Road at the point where they intersect with 7th Ave, approximately 2.5 miles away from each other.
NJ Transit provides bus service in the township on the554 route that runs betweenLindenwold station andAtlantic City.[122][123]
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Mullica Township include:
Municipalities and communities ofAtlantic County, New Jersey,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
