Dennis Township is a township in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township, and all of Cape May County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Ocean City metropolitan statistical area, and is part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 22, 2022. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 6,285, a decrease of 182 (−2.8%) from the 2010 census count of 6,467, which in turn reflected a decline of 25 (−0.4%) from the 6,492 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.

Dennis Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 1, 1827, from portions of Upper Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Sea Isle City borough (May 22, 1882) and Woodbine borough (March 3, 1903).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. Accessed May 1, 2026.

New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Dennis Township as its 20th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey."Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100" , New Jersey Monthly, February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.

History Dennis Township had been a dry 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.Procida, Lee. "Cape May County towns relaxing liquor laws as area's alcohol culture changes", Press of Atlantic City, April 14, 2012. Accessed October 16, 2017. "Voters in West Cape May turned down the sale of liquor twice in its history before approving a referendum less than four years ago, and Dennis Township repealed its dry status in 2001."Tomlinson, Phillip. "Maurice River discussing alcohol sales; diner owner in dry town pursuing issue", South Jersey Times, March 18, 2012. Accessed October 16, 2017. "Nearby Dennis Township approved the sale of a liquor license in 2001, which sold at auction for $1.1 million."

Geography According to the United 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%).

Belleplain (2020 Census population of 614) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within the township.New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed October 16, 2012.

Dennisville (population 830) is the most important unincorporated community in Dennis Township. Ocean View (population 685) is served as ZIP Code 08230.Look Up a ZIP Code for Ocean View, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed December 17, 2014. 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.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed December 17, 2014.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. "

The township borders the municipalities of Avalon, Middle Township, Sea Isle City, Upper Township, Woodbine Borough in Cape May County; Maurice River Township in Cumberland County; and the Delaware Bay.Areas touching Dennis Township, MapIt. Accessed March 27, 2020.Cape May County , Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 27, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 6,467 people, 2,370 households, and 1,792 families in the township. The population density was . There were 2,672 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 96.75% (6,257) White, 0.79% (51) Black or African American, 0.19% (12) Native American, 0.56% (36) Asian, 0.03% (2) Pacific Islander, 0.32% (21) from other races, and 1.36% (88) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.81% (117) of the population.

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.

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.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-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. The per capita income for the borough was $30,545 (+/− $2,875). About 5.4% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Dennis township, Cape May County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 16, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 6,492 people, 2,159 households, and 1,737 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 2,327 housing units at an average density of . 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% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.51% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Dennis township, Cape May County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 16, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Dennis township, Cape May County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 16, 2012.

There were 2,159 households, out of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married 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.

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.

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. The per capita income for the township was $21,455. About 4.0% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government Dennis Township is governed 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 five 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 either one or two seats 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. 8."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. 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.History and Organization of the Dennis Township Committee , Dennis Township. Accessed March 6, 2007.

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.

, the members of the Dennis Township Committee are Mayor 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).Township Personnel, Township of Dennis. Accessed June 9, 2023.2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Dennis Township. Accessed July 26, 2022.2023 County & Municipal Elected Officials Cape May County, NJ -- July 2023, Cape May County, New Jersey, August 3, 2023. Accessed August 23, 2023.Summary Results Report 2022 November Cape May General Election November 8, 2022 Official Results, Cape May County, New Jersey, updated November 17, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.2021 General Election Successful Candidates, Cape May County, New Jersey, updated November 16, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.2020 General Election Successful Candidates, Cape May County, New Jersey, updated December 4, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.

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.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." In November 2018, Matthew J. Cox was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.2018 General Election Statement of Vote, Cape May County, New Jersey, updated November 26, 2018. Accessed January 1, 2019.

Federal, state and county representation