The Salem Branch is a rail freight line in the southwestern part of New Jersey in the United States between the Port of Salem and Woodbury Junction where it and the Penns Grove Secondary converge with the Vineland Secondary , approximately 8.5 miles (13.7 km) south of Pavonia Yard in Camden .
90-611: Ownership of the line changes at Swedesboro . The 11.5-mile (18.5 km) northern section is part of Conrail 's Delaware Valley South Jersey/Philadelphia Shared Assets Operations and known as the Salem Running Track ; it is leased to the Southern Railroad of New Jersey ( reporting mark SRNJ ). The 18.6-mile (29.9 km) southern portion is owned by Salem County and operated under contract by SMS Rail Lines ( reporting mark SLRS ). The Salem Branch
180-597: A Pennsylvania Railroad subsidiary. Much of the system is part of the South Jersey/Philadelphia Shared Assets Area . The Glassboro–Camden Line , a light rail system, is currently under construction. Beginning in the early 20th century, the towns bordering the Delaware River saw increased manufacturing due to improved transportation and technology. A year before the turn of the century, in 1899, John Thompson Dorrance ,
270-801: A student–teacher ratio of 10.8:1. Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ) are Margaret C. Clifford School with 230 students in grades Pre-K–K (located in Swedesboro), Governor Charles C. Stratton School with 402 students in grades 1–2 (Woolwich Township), General Charles G. Harker School with 653 students in Grades 3–5 (Woolwich Township), and Walter H. Hill School with 210 students in Grade 6 (Swedesboro). Public school students in seventh through twelfth grades are educated by
360-480: A 2011 proposal, Kingsway would merge with its constituent member's K–6 districts to become a full K–12 district, with various options for including Logan Township as part of the consolidated district. 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
450-588: A chemist for Campbell Soup Company , perfected his method of canning condensed soup. This allowed Campbell to ship and sell its product at one-third the cost. Campbell had national distribution by 1911 when its products were first marketed in California. The New York Shipbuilding Corporation opened its first shipyard in 1900 in Camden . The company produced a variety of ships, ranging from aircraft carriers and battleships to luxury liners and barges. By 1917, NYSB
540-522: A distinct toponym is a colloquialism rather than an administrative definition and reflects geographical and perceived cultural and other differences between South Jersey and the northern part of the state . South Jersey is a peninsula bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to its southeast, the Delaware Bay to its southwest, and the Delaware River to its northwest. All of South Jersey
630-559: A distinct economy centered around the tourism industry. Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties have several older streetcar towns, and many residents from these three counties commute to Philadelphia, the nation's sixth-most populous city , which is located immediately west of South Jersey across the Delaware River , accessible by the Benjamin Franklin Bridge , Betsy Ross Bridge , Tacony Palmyra Bridge and Walt Whitman Bridge . The designation of South Jersey with
720-443: A female householder with no husband present and 31.2% were non-families. Of all households, 24.8% were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.27. 27.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
810-517: A freight rail line, changes ownership at Swedesboro. The southern portion to the Port of Salem is owned by Salem County and operated by the Southern Railroad of New Jersey and interchanges with Conrail's South Jersey/Philadelphia Shared Assets Area operations which travels north to Pavonia Yard at Camden . People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Swedesboro include: South Jersey South Jersey comprises
900-775: A household in South Jersey was $ 63,834.54, and the population was 65.3% non-Hispanic White, 15.9% non-Hispanic Black, 11.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 4.2% non-Hispanic Asian, and 3.0% non-Hispanic other or mixed race. South Jersey had a total population of 1,854,453 in 2010 (up from 693,402 in 1940) if the counties of Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland are included. Additionally, Rutgers University has academic satellites at Atlantic Cape Community College in Mays Landing and Camden County Community College in Blackwood . Rutgers also has
990-452: A household in the borough was $ 49,286, and the median income for a family was $ 58,721. Males had a median income of $ 41,346 versus $ 33,125 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 20,857. About 7.8% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over. Swedesboro is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which
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#17327908547221080-645: A lower demand for labor in the region. By 1810, the population of slaves dwindled to 328 total, compared to 10,532 total slaves in the rest of New Jersey. Although discriminatory policies still targeted blacks, South Jersey became a haven for ex-slaves. William Still , a notable African-American abolitionist, was born in Burlington County, and is nicknamed the "father of the Underground Railroad " for his role in helping slaves escape to freedom. Railroads came into operation in South Jersey by
1170-955: A number of minor league teams. The Jersey Shore BlueClaws play in Lakewood and are an affiliate of the Phillies . Minor league soccer is also played in South Jersey, as the Ocean City Nor'easters of the Premier Development League are based in Ocean City . The Nor'easters play their home games at Carey Stadium . In 2007, the WNBA was considering expansion in Atlantic City . The Atlantic City ownership group competed with other groups from Philadelphia , Atlanta , Kansas City , Albuquerque , Colorado , and
1260-506: A number of nearby municipalities could have just as easily been given the distinction. Conversely, Morgan Quitno has rated nearby Camden the "most dangerous city" in the United States three times within the same decade and Camden had a median household income of $ 18,007 in 2006, making it the poorest U.S. city with over 65,000 residents. Moorestown and Camden share a central highway, NJ County Road 537 . The average income for
1350-669: A number of research field stations located in South Jersey, including the Philip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension in Chatsworth and the Rutgers University Marine Field Station in Tuckerton . Many South Jerseyans root for Philadelphia professional sports teams including the Phillies , Eagles , Flyers , 76ers , and Union . In southern Ocean County , there
1440-643: 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 and accepts students from Swedesboro. Its PreK-3 campus is in Gibbstown while its 4-8 campus is in Paulsboro . As of May 2010 , the borough had a total of 10.94 miles (17.61 km) of roadways, of which 7.29 miles (11.73 km) were maintained by
1530-1014: 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 2024 , Gloucester County's Commissioners are: Director Frank J. DiMarco ( D , Deptford Township , 2025), Matt Weng (D, Pitman , 2026), Joann Gattinelli (D, Washington Township , 2026), Nicholas DeSilvio ( R , Franklin Township , 2024), Denice DiCarlo (D, West Deptford Township , 2025) Deputy Director Jim Jefferson (D, Woodbury , 2026) and Christopher Konawel Jr. (R, Glassboro, 2024). Gloucester County's constitutional officers are: Clerk James N. Hogan (D, Franklin Township; 2027), Sheriff Jonathan M. Sammons (R, Elk Township ; 2024) and Surrogate Giuseppe "Joe" Chila (D, Woolwich Township ; 2028). As of March 2011, there were
1620-407: A staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The borough form of government used by Swedesboro is a " weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of
1710-536: A total of 1,535 registered voters in Swedesboro, of which 471 (30.7%) were registered as Democrats , 311 (20.3%) were registered as Republicans and 751 (48.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated . There were 2 voters registered as either Libertarians or Greens . In the 2012 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 59.5% of the vote (632 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 39.3% (417 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (13 votes), among
1800-650: A yard in Swedesboro to SMS Rail Lines and the Salem Running Track. In 2018, SRNJ leased the section of the Salem Secondary between Swedesboro and Woodbury from Conrail, with an interchange with Conrail established in Woodbury. Effective June of 2022, SMS Rail Lines has taken over the lease of the line south of Swedesboro. Line condition has been rehabilitated due to funding from various county, state, regional, and federal funding appropriations since
1890-601: Is Trinity Episcopal "Old Swedes" Church , which was established as a Swedish Lutheran Church in 1703; the present building dates to 1784. As a result of the Second Northern War , New Sweden passed into Dutch hands in 1655. In 1667, the English subsequently annexed the region along the Delaware River after the Second Anglo-Dutch War . The English Colonial government needed a road between
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#17327908547221980-631: Is a borough within Gloucester County in the U.S. state of New Jersey , within the Philadelphia metropolitan area . As of the 2020 United States census , the borough's population was 2,711, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 127 (+4.9%) from the 2,584 recorded at the 2010 census , which in turn reflected an increase of 529 (+25.7%) from the 2,055 counted in the 2000 census . Swedesboro and surrounding Gloucester County constitute part of South Jersey . Swedesboro
2070-544: Is a strong mix of Philadelphia and New York sports fans since the county's media markets overlap. While there are no major league teams in South Jersey, in recent seasons the 76ers have held training camp at Stockton University in Galloway Township . In 2016, the 76ers opened a practice facility on the Camden waterfront. The Flyers practice in Voorhees at the local Skate Zone. South Jersey has been home to
2160-485: Is famous for its beaches, boardwalk, and casino gambling. Atlantic City is located in the Jersey Shore region on Absecon Island , along with Ventnor City , Margate City , and Longport . Atlantic City became a resort town in 1854, when train service to the city allowed beachgoers from Philadelphia to vacation in the city. The first boardwalk in the world opened in the city in 1870, and large hotels were built in
2250-554: Is located in the 2nd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 3rd state legislative district. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented by Jeff Van Drew ( R , Dennis Township ). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). For
2340-619: Is located within Gloucester and Salem counties . The line begins in Woodbury at a junction with the Penns Grove and Vineland secondaries. It passes through West Deptford , Clarksboro / East Greenwich , Woolwich , Swedesboro , Pilesgrove , Woodstown , and Mannington . After crossing Fenwick Creek at Salem , a spur continues to the Port of Salem . The line also bridges Oldman's Creek and Raccoon Creek . The Salem Railroad
2430-539: Is one of the city's main attractions. Nearby, Cherry Hill , the second largest municipality in South Jersey and the 12th largest in New Jersey by population, is an edge city that also serves as a regional economic center. Pureland Industrial Complex , the nation's largest industrial park , is located 12 miles from the port of Camden in Logan Township . Atlantic City is a major tourist destination that
2520-707: Is part of the Atlantic Plain , a landform of broad plains and gently sloping hills that extends southward from the New York Bight to Florida . Much of the Atlantic Plain is covered by pine and oak-pine forests and salt marshes and is underlain by poorly consolidated sedimentary formations from the Cretaceous , Tertiary , and Quaternary ages that dip seaward. The Atlantic Coastal Plain can be divided into three physiographic subprovinces:
2610-1052: Is part of the Philadelphia television and radio market. Newspapers in the region include the Courier-Post , which refers to itself as "South Jersey's Newspaper" and is based in Camden County . It covers all of South Jersey but focuses primarily on these three counties. The South Jersey Times , based in Mullica Hill , also covers South Jersey but spotlights Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem counties. Some nationally known South Jerseyans include Bruce Willis , Mike Trout , Roscoe Lee Browne , John Forsythe , Ali Larter , Kelly Ripa , Tara Lipinski , Michael Landon , Linda Fiorentino , Joe Flacco , Carl Lewis , Grace Helbig , Martin Truex Jr. , Steve Kaplan , and Carli Lloyd . See also: A list of unique and notable South Jersey cultural and business institutions includes, but
2700-613: Is the burial place of Governor of New Jersey Charles C. Stratton , Congressman Benjamin Franklin Howey , and other notables. Carl XVI Gustaf , King of Sweden , visited the borough as part of a 1976 tour of the United States . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the borough had a total area of 0.77 square miles (1.99 km ), including 0.73 square miles (1.89 km ) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.09 km ) of water (4.55%). Unincorporated communities , localities, and places located partially or completely within
2790-547: Is unsuitable for agriculture. Commercial farming in the Pine Barrens is limited to plants that thrive in its nutrient-poor soil, generally restricted to acidic fruits. In the Pine Barrens, cranberries and blueberries are cultivated in lowland bogs that have accumulated depths of organic matter. South Jersey has a humid subtropical climate . Compared to northern parts of New Jersey, South Jersey has slightly higher temperatures and receives less annual precipitation. Along
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2880-481: Is used in 218 of 564 municipalities statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on
2970-523: The 2004 presidential election , Republican George W. Bush received 49.7% of the vote (448 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 49.4% (445 votes) and other candidates with 0.4% (5 votes), among the 901 ballots cast by the borough's 1,301 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 69.3. In the 2013 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 65.0% of the vote (372 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 33.4% (191 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (9 votes), among
3060-619: The 2024-2025 session , the 3rd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by John Burzichelli ( D , Paulsboro ) and in the General Assembly by David Bailey (D, Woodstown ) and Heather Simmons (D, Glassboro ). Gloucester County is governed by a board of county commissioners , whose seven members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on
3150-642: The Algonquian language family. Because the Lenape were concentrated around the Delaware River and its tributaries, Europeans later named them the Delaware Indians. After the arrival of the Europeans, the Lenape population dwindled quickly due to disease and conflict. Those who were left migrated north or west, or became integrated into local settler communities. Although present-day South Jersey
3240-681: The Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecosystem. Benjamin Franklin is said to have called New Jersey "a barrel tapped at both ends", referencing the Philadelphia influence on South Jersey and the New York City influence on North Jersey. South Jersey may be defined geographically as the area below I-195 that includes the state's lower seven counties: Atlantic , Burlington , Camden , Cape May , Cumberland , Gloucester , and Salem , and occasionally an eighth, Ocean . South Jersey and
3330-784: The British was widespread during the American Revolution among South Jersey Presbyterians , who aided the colonists during the Revolutionary War . Several Presbyterian preachers, including John Brainerd, accepted military positions and urged Presbyterians to enlist in the army . During the war, the Delaware River was strategic for its commercial importance and its role in defending Philadelphia. General Howe captured Philadelphia in September 1777, occupying
3420-817: The Jersey Shore , temperatures are moderated by sea breezes . The following seven counties are completely included in South Jersey: Some definitions of South Jersey include the southern portion of Ocean County . In April 2015, an NJ.com poll with 90,000 respondents asked readers to identify the communities in North , Central , and South Jersey. Barnegat , Eagleswood , Lacey Township , Little Egg Harbor , Long Beach Island , Ocean Township , Stafford Township , and Tuckerton were all voted as part of South Jersey. The Ocean County communities north of Lacey Township were considered to be part of Central Jersey. The northernmost communities of Burlington County
3510-576: The Keith line , ran diagonally across the middle part of the state. The borders remained important in determining ownership and political boundaries until 1745. Remnants of that division are seen today, notably as the Burlington - Monmouth and Burlington- Ocean County lines and the municipal boundaries within Ocean County. In contemporary culture, the border signifies a functional boundary between
3600-611: The Kingsway Regional School District , which also serves students from East Greenwich Township , South Harrison Township and Woolwich Township , with the addition of students from Logan Township who attend the district's high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship in which tuition is paid on a per-pupil basis by the Logan Township School District . Swedesboro accounts for one tenth of district enrollment. As of
3690-544: The New Jersey Pine Barrens and marshland, remained unpopulated because its acidic, nutrient-poor soil that was unsuited for farming. Most of the cities were concentrated along the Delaware River except for a few settlements and seaside resorts along the Jersey Shore . Slavery was less extensive in South Jersey than it was in other parts of the state because of the Quakers ' religious opposition to it, and
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3780-604: The Ocean City metropolitan area with an estimated 2008 population of 95,838. Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties are all part of the Philadelphia-Camden-Vineland combined statistical area . Ocean County , with a 2020 population of 637,229, is considered part of the New York–North Jersey–Long Island Metropolitan Statistical Area , which encompasses all of North Jersey and Central Jersey with
3870-721: The San Francisco Bay Area . In the end, the expansion franchise was awarded to Atlanta . South Jersey was home to the now-defunct independent league baseball teams the Atlantic City Surf and Camden Riversharks . Outside of baseball, South Jersey was also home to the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies , a minor league ice hockey team affiliated with the East Coast Hockey League . The Jersey Knights of
3960-753: The World Hockey Association played at the Cherry Hill Arena in Cherry Hill from 1973 to 1974. Previously, the minor league Jersey Devils of the Eastern Hockey League played at Cherry Hill Arena from 1964 to 1973. South Jersey's regional commercial centers include: Cherry Hill , Camden , and Atlantic City with its resort casinos , boardwalk, shopping, and beaches. Other South Jersey Seaside resorts and commercial centers include: South Jersey
4050-415: The 1,076 ballots cast by the borough's 1,618 registered voters (14 ballots were spoiled ), for a turnout of 66.5%. In the 2008 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 59.3% of the vote (625 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 38.1% (402 votes) and other candidates with 1.3% (14 votes), among the 1,054 ballots cast by the borough's 1,492 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.6%. In
4140-526: The 18-mile (29 km) Salem County Branch Line and a new link from the Penns Grove Secondary to Port of Paulsboro , and retrofitting of the Delair Bridge , the most downstream rail crossing of the Delaware River and crucial link between the national rail network and ports at Salem , Paulsboro and Camden . With the federal appropriation and local matching funds, $ 1.55 million will be used for upgrading trackage from Swedesboro to Salem , expected to be completed by 2015, and $ 3.5 million to replace
4230-471: The 2020–21 school year, the high school district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 2,868 students and 207.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.8:1. The schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ) are Kingsway Regional Middle School with 1,023 students in grades 7–8, and Kingsway Regional High School with 1,802 students in grades 9–12. Under
4320-401: The 581 ballots cast by the borough's 1,597 registered voters (9 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 36.4%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 46.1% of the vote (316 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 41.5% (284 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 9.5% (65 votes) and other candidates with 0.1% (1 votes), among the 685 ballots cast by
4410-495: The British in 1667. During the British colonial period , nearly all of South Jersey was part of the Province of West Jersey between 1674 and 1702 as a Quaker commonwealth. Burlington , the capital of West Jersey, was established in 1677, and Camden was established in 1681. Since the Delaware River was not easily navigable north of Trenton , the population was concentrated along the southern Delaware River . The borders between West Jersey and East Jersey , first surveyed using
4500-415: The Inner Lowlands, Outer Lowlands, and Central Uplands. The Inner Lowlands region encompasses the low valley along the Delaware River , with an elevation ranging from 50 feet (15 m) to 100 feet (30 m), and the Outer Lowlands encompasses the area near the Atlantic Ocean with an elevation that rarely exceeds 50 feet (15 m). The Inner Lowlands are fertile due to the deposition of sediment in
4590-430: The New York City and Philadelphia spheres of influence. By 1700, nearly 70% of the population of West Jersey were Quakers of English or Irish origin. The Quakers, who believed in peace, equality, and integrity, influenced early New Jersey. In contrast, East Jersey had high proportions of Scottish and Dutch settlers. In 1702, East Jersey and West Jersey were reunited under the reign of Queen Anne . Resistance to
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#17327908547224680-432: The Salem Branch ended December 30, 1950. PRSL was acquired by Conrail in 1976, including what had been known as Salem Secondary Track. Following the division of Conrail in 1999, it was designated part of Conrail Shared Assets Operations . The southern 17.4 miles (28.0 km) of the line and the 1.2-mile (1.9 km) Glass House Spur to the Port of Salem was sold by Conrail to Salem County in 1985, which in 1988 leased
4770-447: The Salem County Branch Line. NJDOT's 2013 Rail Freight Assistance Program approved 90 percent funding for $ 2,250,000 for rehabilitation of the Salem Shortline Running Track through Mannington Township , Pilesgrove Township , and Woodstown . In November 2017, a project to improve rail access at the end of the line in the Port of Salem was begun. Upgrades to the Port continues as of 2022. Swedesboro, New Jersey Swedesboro
4860-474: The Salem Railroad. On May 4, 1896, the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) consolidated its southern New Jersey operations under the West Jersey & Seashore Railroad (WJ&S). In 1931, New Jersey's public utility regulators ordered consolidation of PRR and Reading Railroad (RDG) South Jersey operations. The PRR bought two-thirds of RDG's stock, and the consolidation, Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (PRSL), became effective June 25, 1933. Passenger service on
4950-417: The Swedish settlers, along with Bridgeport (Nya Stockholm) and Finns Point (Varkens Kill), was one of only three settlements established in New Jersey as a part of the New Sweden colony. The oldest extant log cabin in the U.S., C. A. Nothnagle Log House ( c. 1640 ) was built by Antti Niilonpoika (Anthony Neilson/Nelson) in Swedesboro. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places , as
5040-494: The borough was $ 24,623 (+/− $ 2,395). About 9.1% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 census , there were 2,055 people, 771 households, and 528 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,830.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,093.0/km ). There were 860 housing units at an average density of 1,184.7 per square mile (457.4/km ). The racial makeup of
5130-547: The borough was 76.93% White , 16.50% African American , 0.05% Native American , 0.34% Asian , 3.36% from other races , and 2.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.52% of the population. There were 771 households, out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who
5220-445: The borough's 1,507 registered voters, yielding a 45.5% turnout. Public school students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade attend the Swedesboro-Woolwich School District , a consolidated school district that serves students from both Swedesboro and Woolwich Township . As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 1,495 students and 138.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for
5310-409: The city for 10 months. The Quakers as a whole were opposed to the Revolution on their principles of nonviolence. Members of the Religious Society of Friends were forbidden to support the local militias, or faced disownment by the Quakers. For many years, South Jersey has been mistakenly perceived solely as an agricultural society. In the 18th century, South Jersey, including Alloway in Salem County ,
5400-470: The city has been fueled by the casino industry, and Atlantic City is the second-largest casino gaming market in the United States behind Las Vegas . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , Burlington , Camden , and Gloucester Counties are part of the Camden metropolitan division with an estimated population of 1,250,569 as of 2008. Salem County is part of the Wilmington metropolitan division. The Camden and Wilmington metropolitan divisions are part of
5490-454: The communities of Burlington and Salem and built the Kings Highway in 1691, which opened the southern portion of Gloucester County to more settlers, who were drawn to the area by the fertile sandy soil, prime farmland and vast tracts of oak, birch, maple and pine trees. Originally, the community was called Raccoon until it was changed to Swedesboro in 1765. Through the late 1800s, Raccoon Creek , which runs for 22.6 miles (36.4 km),
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#17327908547225580-412: The core metropolitan statistical area and 7.366 million residents in the combined statistical area of Camden , Philadelphia and Wilmington , as of 2020. South Jersey is known for containing the unique ecoregion known as the Pine Barrens , which remains largely undisturbed despite its location within the Northeastern megalopolis . The South Jersey Pine Barrens are the largest remaining example of
5670-535: The council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council. As of 2022 , the mayor of Swedesboro is Democrat Thomas W. Fromm, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. The Swedesboro Borough Council consists of Council President Salvatore "Sam" Casella ( R , 2024), Shaun Booker (D, 2024), David Flaherty (D, 2023), Joanna Gahrs (R, 2023), Diane F. Hale (D, 2022) and George J. Weeks (D, 2022). Swedesboro
5760-431: The county takeover. Much of its infrastructure is antiquated and allows for maximum speeds of 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h). A 2010 New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) report anticipated increased port and freight activity in South Jersey . In 2011, the South Jersey Port Corporation , Conrail, and Salem County received $ 18.5 million in federal money to partially fund rail infrastructure improvements for
5850-399: The early 20th century to accommodate visitors. In the mid-20th century, Atlantic City declined as a tourist destination due to competition from other resorts made accessible by automobile and aircraft. After New Jersey voters approved casino gambling in Atlantic City in a 1976 referendum, it became the first legalized casino gambling destination in the Eastern United States . Recent growth in
5940-429: The exception of Warren County . However, much of Ocean County lies in both New York City and Philadelphia media markets. 2020 2010 Type (575 km ) (2,085 km ) (842 km ) (1,453 km ) (1,267 km ) (660 km 2 ) (875 km ) Present-day South Jersey was first inhabited by the Lenape and was the site of the first Indian reservation . The tribe spoke Unami dialects, part of
6030-416: The glassmaking industry, South Jersey was also a major contributor to the iron, coal making, ship building and, later, textile industries. Other businesses that later operated in the region included shoe manufacturers, button makers, barrel makers, and rug companies. While most industries eventually declined, farming still made up the larger portion of the region's economy. South Jersey's interior, consisting of
6120-409: The larger Philadelphia –Camden– Wilmington metropolitan statistical area , the eighth largest MSA in the U.S. Cumberland County is part of the Vineland – Millville – Bridgeton Metropolitan Statistical Area. Atlantic City and its surrounding region in Atlantic County are part of the Atlantic City metropolitan area, which had an estimated 2008 population of 270,681. Cape May County is part of
6210-404: The line to Pioneer Railcorp subsidiary West Jersey Rail Company in 1988 to operate. In 1995 operations of the Salem County Branch Line were assumed by SRNJ. In 2009 U.S. Rail Corporation took over operations. In 2012 the county reassigned the contract to SRNJ. In Woodbury, SRNJ maintains a yard and connection with Conrail along with a connection to the Swede Industrial Track. They also maintain
6300-403: The loss of its manufacturing base and the outflow of middle-class residents to the suburbs. Campbell's Soup headquarters and the new corporate headquarters of Susquehanna Bank . Rutgers University–Camden , Rutgers Law School , Cooper Medical School of Rowan University , Cooper University Hospital , and the Camden campus of Camden County College operate in Camden, and the Camden Waterfront
6390-466: The mid-19th century. The advent of the railroad was one of the reasons Charles K. Landis was inspired to found Vineland in 1861. The rail system expanded dramatically during that period, helping a number of towns to grow and thrive. Many of the railroads were later consolidated into the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad (WJ&S). By 1925, it operated 379 miles of road on 717 miles of track. In 1933, it became part of Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines ,
6480-473: The municipality and 3.65 miles (5.87 km) by Gloucester County. There are several main roads serving Swedesboro. The most significant are County Route 538 and County Route 551 . U.S. Route 322 and the New Jersey Turnpike can be accessed in neighboring Woolwich Township. NJ Transit provides bus service between Salem and Philadelphia on the 401 route. The Salem Branch ,
6570-573: The proposal as a joke, but the idea gained momentum. On April 23, 1980, the town council of Egg Harbor voted to support the creation of a new state of South Jersey. The statehood movement was an attempt to gain the attention of state lawmakers, centering on issues such as the construction of the Meadowlands Sports Complex in the north while the state refused to support the Garden State Park Racetrack in
6660-573: The region, which makes it an ideal region for agriculture. The Outer Lowlands is dominated by coastal estuaries , swamplands , and barrier islands near the Atlantic Ocean and is generally infertile. The Central Uplands varies slightly from the Lowlands in altitude and is covered by the New Jersey Pine Barrens . The Uplands has rolling hills at an elevation over 50 feet, rarely exceeding 200 feet in elevation, along with sandy, acidic soil that
6750-437: The south. A non-binding referendum was presented to six counties in 1980 (with the exclusion of Camden and Gloucester counties), and 51 percent of voters declared that they wanted to secede and establish a new state; Ocean County was the only southern county of six that voted to defeat the referendum. In 2005, Money magazine declared Moorestown as the "best place to live" in the United States, although they stated that
6840-494: The southern portion of the U.S. state of New Jersey . It is located between Pennsylvania and the lower Delaware River to its west, the Atlantic Ocean to its east, Delaware to its south, and Central Jersey or North Jersey to its north, depending on the definition of North Jersey. South Jersey is part of the Delaware Valley , the seventh-largest metropolitan region in the nation with 6.288 million residents in
6930-525: The township include Ivyside. Swedesboro is an independent municipality surrounded on all sides by Woolwich Township , making it one of only 21 "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another. The 2010 United States census counted 2,584 people, 938 households, and 645 families in the borough. The population density was 3,568.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,377.8/km ). There were 1,004 housing units at an average density of 1,386.5 per square mile (535.3/km ). The racial makeup
7020-403: The township was renamed Cherry Hill . In contrast, nearby Camden declined from 125,000 residents in 1950 to 85,000 in 1980. While the South Jersey suburbs remain general middle-class, the inner cities continue to face issues with crime, poverty, and unemployment. Albert Freeman, a Mount Holly newspaper publisher and editor, wrote an editorial calling for secession. Freeman originally meant
7110-575: The trestle at Oldmans Creek, to be finished by 2014. Train speeds will be improved to 10 to 25 miles per hour (16 to 40 km/h). Prior to 2013, NJDOT had deemed various project work along the Salem Branch eligible for future state funding. In 2012, the South Jersey Port Corporation (SJPC), Conrail, and Salem County sought another $ 21 million in federal or NJ state grants in order to complete all needed upgrades for
7200-626: The wider Philadelphia metropolitan area are situated near the center of the Northeast megalopolis and have become a U.S. East Coast epicenter for logistics and warehouse construction; Salem County, the lower portion of Gloucester County, and the upper portion of Cumberland County additionally serve as residential communities for the petrochemical industry of New Castle County, Delaware . South Jersey shore communities, including Atlantic City and others in Atlantic and Cape May counties, have
7290-495: Was 32.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.1 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $ 65,085 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 9,111) and the median family income was $ 70,050 (+/− $ 7,451). Males had a median income of $ 47,974 (+/− $ 4,268) versus $ 43,721 (+/− $ 3,157) for females. The per capita income for
7380-456: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.22. In the borough, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males. The median income for
7470-410: Was 69.81% (1,804) White , 15.02% (388) Black or African American , 0.58% (15) Native American , 1.35% (35) Asian , 0.08% (2) Pacific Islander , 9.48% (245) from other races , and 3.68% (95) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.07% (441) of the population. Of the 938 households, 36.5% had children under the age of 18; 45.2% were married couples living together; 17.0% had
7560-569: Was a navigable water route that was naturally deep enough to transport wood and farm produce to Philadelphia via the Delaware River. The creek was named for the Narraticon Native Americans who lived in the area and gave their name as Raccoon to the first European settlement. The Van Leer Log Cabin was once used as a trading post with Native Americans and later a station for the Underground Railroad to help slaves escape to free negro communities. Trinity Church Cemetery
7650-401: Was also voted part of Central Jersey. Camden , located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia , has historically been considered the economic hub of South Jersey. Much of Camden's growth resulted from its location near Philadelphia and its role as a regional transportation hub. For decades following World War II , Camden suffered a prolonged economic decline and high crime rate due to
7740-506: Was claimed by the Dutch in 1609, the Dutch used the region primarily for trading purposes. In 1638, New Sweden was established along the Delaware River . The Swedes established two permanent settlements in present-day South Jersey: Swedesboro and Bridgeport , formerly named New Stockholm. New Sweden was captured by the Dutch in 1655, and remained part of New Netherland until its cession to
7830-672: Was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1902, from portions of Woolwich Township . The borough was named for its early settlers from Sweden . Swedesboro has been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA since 2000. Originally populated by the Lenape Native Americans , Swedesboro was settled as part of New Sweden around 1650. The Swedes and Finns were fishermen, hunters and farmers. Swedesboro, initially named Sveaborg by
7920-471: Was home to Wistarburg, the first successful glass factory in the colonies, operating for close to 50 years prior to the Revolutionary War. When that factory closed, the workers spread throughout the region to South Jersey towns, including Millville , Vineland Bridgeton , Hammonton , and Glassboro where they established new companies. Recent research has uncovered evidence that, in addition to
8010-688: Was incorporated on March 14, 1856. Construction was completed in 1863, stretching from Elmer to Salem , and leased to the West Jersey Railroad (WJ) on January 1, 1868. The Swedesboro Railroad was built by WJ from Woodbury to Swedesboro, a distance of 10.8 miles (17.4 km), and completed in October 1869. In 1883, the WJ's Woodstown and Swedesboro Railroad built a line from the end of the Swedesboro Railroad to Riddleton Junction on
8100-959: Was the world's largest shipyard. The Victor Talking Machine Company , founded in 1901, became the leading American producer of phonographs and phonograph records . Like many American cities after World War II , South Jersey cities where heavy manufacturing was a predominant industry declined as factories closed and residents moved away. Suburbanization of the region was fueled by the construction of new highways and bridges, and increased automobile ownership. The New Jersey Turnpike opened in 1951, permitting fast travel by car between New York and Delaware . In 1955, William Levitt built present-day Willingboro based on his Levittown model, which came to be used for other suburban developments. The population of Delaware Township in Camden County rose explosively after World War II, growing from about 10,000 residents in 1950 to almost 65,000 by 1970. In 1961,
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