Weymouth Township is a township in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 2,614, a decrease of 101 (−3.7%) from the 2010 census count of 2,715, which in turn reflected an increase of 458 (+20.3%) from the 2,257 counted in the 2000 census.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.
Named for Weymouth, Dorset,Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 28, 2015. the township was created as a constablewick in 1694 and was known in its early days as "New Waymouth Township".Weymouth Historic Museum, Township of Weymouth. Accessed July 20, 2020. Weymouth Township was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 12, 1798, from portions of Egg Harbor Township, while the area was still part of Gloucester County, and was incorporated nine days later. Portions of the township were taken on February 5, 1813, to create Hamilton Township. Weymouth Township became part of the newly created Atlantic County on February 7, 1837. Portions of the township were taken on March 11, 1922, to form Corbin City, and on March 14, 1925, to form Estell Manor.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 71. Accessed May 30, 2024.
Geographically, the township, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 12.17 square miles (31.52 km2), including 11.82 square miles (30.62 km2) of land and 0.35 square miles (0.90 km2) of water (2.84%).
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Belcoville, Dorothy, Grassy Pond and High Bank Landing.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
The township borders the municipalities of Buena Vista Township, Egg Harbor Township, Estell Manor and Hamilton Township in Atlantic County; and Maurice River Township in Cumberland County.Areas touching Weymouth Township, MapIt. Accessed March 8, 2020.Atlantic County District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed July 9, 2024.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
The township is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering , that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.The Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Accessed November 20, 2013. Part of the township is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Atlantic County, along with areas in Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed November 20, 2013.
Demographics
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 2,715 people, 1,153 households, and 762 families in the township. The population density was . There were 1,220 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 92.04% (2,499) White, 4.75% (129) Black or African American, 0.22% (6) Native American, 0.88% (24) Asian, 0.07% (2) Pacific Islander, 0.66% (18) from other races, and 1.36% (37) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.57% (124) of the population.
Of the 1,153 households, 19.3% had children under the age of 18; 52.4% were married couples living together; 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.9% were non-families. Of all households, 28.9% were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.87.
17.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 18.3% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 27.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.6 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $51,574 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,234) and the median family income was $67,857 (+/− $5,235). Males had a median income of $59,688 (+/− $4,165) versus $38,438 (+/− $5,634) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,857 (+/− $3,096). About 5.7% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Weymouth township, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 23, 2013.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 2,257 people, 851 households, and 623 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 909 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 91.98% White, 4.79% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 1.02% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.81% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Weymouth township, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 23, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Weymouth township, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 23, 2013.
There were 851 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the township the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $45,882, and the median income for a family was $49,800. Males had a median income of $41,842 versus $29,464 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,987. About 4.7% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government Local government Weymouth Township operates 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.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The Township Committee is comprised of three members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 13."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
, members of the Weymouth Township Committee are Mayor Kenneth R. Haeser (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2022), Carl "Peter" Keiffenheim (R, 2023) and Edward G. Norton (R, 2025).Township Committee, Weymouth Township. Accessed June 6, 2023.2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Weymouth Township. Accessed June 6, 2023.Municipal Government , Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2023.2022 General Election Results - Amended, Atlantic County Clerk, updated December 5, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated January 4, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2022.November 3, 2020 General Election Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, update January 4, 2021. Accessed February 1, 2021.
Republican Sean O'Brikis resigned from the Township Committee in October 2010 and then had to resign again after winning re-election unopposed in the November election.Procida, Lee. "Weymouth Township committeeman to resign for second time in matter of weeks", The Press of Atlantic City, November 8, 2010. Accessed November 20, 2013. "Two weeks after resigning from the Weymouth Township Committee for family reasons, Sean O'Brikis won re-election in his unopposed local race last week. Once the county Clerk's Office certifies those election results this week, O'Brikis will have to submit yet another resignation as committeeman-elect." The committee selected Kenneth Haeser to fill the vacant seat, though Haeser lost to Democrat Dennis Doyle in the November 2011 general election to fill the balance of the term vacated by O'Brikis.Atlantic County General Election November 8, 2011, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed November 20, 2013.Procida, Lee. "Weymouth Township Council candidates focus on stability, future", The Press of Atlantic City, October 20, 2011. Accessed November 20, 2013. "For the unexpired term, incumbent Republican Kenneth Haeser is running against Democrat Dennis Doyle. Haeser was appointed to the term shortly after former committeeman Sean O'Brikis resigned last year."
Federal, state and county representation Weymouth is located in the 2nd Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 1st state legislative district.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.
Politics As of March 2011, there were a total of 1,785 registered voters in Weymouth Township, of which 456 (25.5% vs. 30.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 610 (34.2% vs. 25.2%) were registered as Republicans and 719 (40.3% vs. 44.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.Voter Registration Summary - Atlantic, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 24, 2014. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 65.7% (vs. 58.8% in Atlantic County) were registered to vote, including 79.4% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 76.6% countywide).GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 24, 2014.