Gloucester Township is a township in Camden County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township was the state's 22nd-most-populous municipality,Table1. New Jersey Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships: 2020 and 2010 Censuses, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022. with a population of 66,034, an increase of 1,400 (+2.2%) from the 2010 census count of 64,634, which in turn reflected an increase of 284 (+0.4%) from the 64,350 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. The township had been ranked as the 19th-most populous municipality in the state in 2010 after having been ranked 18th in 2000.The Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships in 2010 in New Jersey: 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed January 29, 2017.

Gloucester Township was formed on June 1, 1695, while the area was still part of Gloucester County. It was incorporated as one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. When Camden County was established on March 13, 1844, it was included in that county. Over time, pieces of the township were taken to create Winslow Township (March 8, 1845), Clementon Township (February 24, 1903; dissolved on May 16, 1941; became Laurel Springs), and Union Township (November 15, 1831; dissolved on February 25, 1868, with remaining land chartered as Gloucester City).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 105. Accessed March 12, 2012. The township is part of South Jersey and constitutes part of the larger Philadelphia metropolitan area.

History Present Gloucester Township was one of the original townships that comprised old Gloucester County. It became the county's first political subdivision in 1685. The boundaries of Gloucester County extended from the Delaware River to the Atlantic Ocean until 1683, when it was divided into two townships; Egg Harbor Township and Gloucester Township, which took its name from the cathedral city of Gloucester on the banks of the River Severn in England.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 31, 2015.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 138. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed August 31, 2015. Gloucester Township further subdivided into four smaller townships, and on June 1, 1695, became one of the first New Jersey municipalities to incorporate. In 1844, the township became part of newly formed Camden County.

The Gabreil Daveis Tavern House, located at 4th Avenue in Glendora, is a pre-Revolutionary War tavern that was built in 1756 and for many years served as an inn for boatmen who transported their products to Philadelphia via nearby Big Timber Creek. It was recently restored and now serves as Gloucester Township's historical centerpiece. This building has also been referred to as the Hillman Hospital House because it was designated a hospital by George Washington during the Revolution.Burkhart, Michael T. "Tavern welcomed water travelers", Courier-Post, November 1, 2007. Accessed October 14, 2013. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open to visitors on Sunday afternoons from April through December, excepting holidays.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 23.30 square miles (60.34 km2), including 22.95 square miles (59.45 km2) of land and 0.34 square miles (0.88 km2) of water (1.46%).

Blackwood (with a 2020 Census population of 4,622), Glendora (4,784), and Grenloch (863) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDPs) entirely or partially located within the township. Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Blenheim, Chews Landing, Davisville, Erial, Glen Oaks, Hilltop, Lakeland, Lambs Terrace, Little Gloucester, Nashs Mill Point Pleasant and Turkey Foot.Home page, Gloucester Township. Accessed September 9, 2011. "Communities of Gloucester Township include parts of Blackwood, Glendora, Erial, Sicklerville, Blenheim, Lambs Terrace, Chews Landing, and Hilltop."Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed March 17, 2015.

The township borders the municipalities of Hi-Nella, Lindenwold, Magnolia, Pine Hill, Runnemede, Somerdale, Stratford and Winslow Township in Camden County; and Deptford Township and Washington Township in Gloucester County.Areas touching Gloucester Township, MapIt. Accessed March 14, 2020.Municipalities within Camden County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 14, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Big Timber Creek flows east to west through the township to the Delaware River. A large enclosed dog park is located near the banks of Big Timber Creek.Timber Creek Park, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed August 18, 2022.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 64,634 people, 23,566 households, and 16,873 families in the township. The population density was . There were 24,711 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 75.80% (48,993) White, 16.19% (10,464) Black or African American, 0.20% (129) Native American, 3.67% (2,374) Asian, 0.03% (20) Pacific Islander, 1.83% (1,183) from other races, and 2.28% (1,471) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.65% (3,650) of the population.

Of the 23,566 households, 32.7% had children under the age of 18; 52.4% were married couples living together; 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.4% were non-families. Of all households, 22.8% were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.24.

24.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.5 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $72,811 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,131) and the median family income was $82,491 (+/− $2,354). Males had a median income of $55,185 (+/− $1,931) versus $41,697 (+/− $1,505) for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,231 (+/− $984). About 3.5% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Gloucester township, Camden County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 12, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census of 2000, there were 64,350 people, 23,150 households, and 16,876 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 24,257 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 83.11% White, 11.55% African American, 0.16% Native American, 2.62% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.05% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Gloucester township, Camden County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 12, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Gloucester township, Camden County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 4, 2012.

There were 23,150 households, out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.2% 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 3.24.

In the township, the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $54,280, and the median income for a family was $62,992. Males had a median income of $42,451 versus $31,427 for females. The per capita income for the township was $22,604. About 4.4% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government Local government Gloucester Township is governed within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Mayor-Council system of New Jersey municipal government plan B, as implemented as of July 1, 1982, based on direct petition."The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities, July 2007. Accessed October 14, 2013. The township is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The township's governing body is comprised of the mayor and the seven-member township council, all of whom are elected on an at-large basis in partisan elections to serve four-year terms of office. Either three or four council seats come up for election in odd-numbered years as part of the November general election, with the mayoral seat up for vote the same year that three council seats are up for vote.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 24."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 10. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.

, the Mayor of Gloucester Township is Democrat David R. Mayer, whose term of office ends December 31, 2021. Members of the Township Council are Council President Orlando Mercado (D, 2023), Council Vice President Tracey L. Trotto (D, 2023), Dan Hutchison (D, 2025), Carolyn Grace (D, 2025), Michael D. Mignone (D, 2023), Andrea L. Stubbs (D, 2023) and Michelle L. Winters (D, 2025).Elected Officials, Gloucester Township. Accessed July 11, 2022.2022 Municipal Data Sheet , Gloucester Township. Accessed July 11, 2022.2021 General Election November 2, 2021 Official Election Results, Camden County, New Jersey, update November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.Official Election Results 2019 General Election November 5, 2019, Camden County, New Jersey, updated November 15, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.

Federal, state and county representation