Stow Creek Township is a township in Cumberland County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is part of the Vineland-Bridgeton metropolitan statistical area for statistical purposes.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 10, 2023. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 1,312, a decrease of 119 (−8.3%) from the 2010 census count of 1,431, which in turn reflected an increase of two people (+0.1%) from the 1,429 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.

It is a dry township, where alcohol is not permitted to be sold by law.New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. New Jersey ABC list of dry towns (May 1, 2013)Giordano, Rita. "More towns catching liquor-license buzz; Moorestown considers ending its dry spell", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 24, 2007. Accessed February 16, 2014.

History Stow Creek dates back to January 19, 1748, when it was formed as one of six precincts in the newly created Cumberland County. It was formally incorporated as a township on February 21, 1798.

As part of a political battle over the site of the county seat for Cumberland County, Columbia Township was formed on March 12, 1844, from portions of Hopewell and Stow Creek Townships; the short-lived municipality included all of present-day Shiloh, in addition to extensive additional land, but all was returned to its original home when Columbia Township was dissolved on March 11, 1845, surviving as an independent municipality for a day short of one year.About Shiloh, Borough of Shiloh. Accessed November 1, 2019. "In 1837, to settle a tie on the Board of Freeholders as to whether to move the county seat from Bridgeton to Millville, a new municipality called Columbia Township was formed in Shiloh. The new Columbia Freeholder voted to keep the county seat in Bridgeton and the community of Shiloh was again split into Hopewell and Stow Creek."

The spelling of the township's name was changed from "Stoe Creek" to "Stow Creek" on October 1, 1924.About Us, Stow Creek Township. Accessed November 1, 2019. "On October 1, 1924, the New Jersey Legislature officially changed the name of the township from 'Stoe Creek' to 'Stow Creek'."

On April 9, 1929, portions of the township were taken to create Shiloh. On October 1, 1924, the New Jersey Legislature officially changed the name of the township from "Stoe Creek" to "Stow Creek", though it is unclear when "Stow" had become "Stoe".Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 122. Accessed May 30, 2024.

The township's name is shared with the Stow Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 18.89 square miles (48.93 km2), including 18.27 square miles (47.31 km2) of land and 0.63 square miles (1.62 km2) of water (3.32%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Arrowhead Lake, Cumberland Causeway, Garrisons Corner, Gum Tree Corner, Jericho, Kernans Corner, Macanippock, Marlboro, Roadstown, Seventh Day Mill, Stow Creek Landing, Town Hall and Willis Corner.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed December 28, 2014.

The township borders the municipalities of Hopewell Township, Greenwich Township and Shiloh in Cumberland County; and Alloway Township, Lower Alloways Creek Township and Quinton Township in Salem County.Map of Cumberland County, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed October 28, 2019.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,431 people, 543 households, and 412 families in the township. The population density was 78.2 per square mile (30.2/km2). There were 568 housing units at an average density of 31.0 per square mile (12.0/km2). The racial makeup was 91.33% (1,307) White, 4.47% (64) Black or African American, 1.40% (20) Native American, 0.28% (4) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.98% (14) from other races, and 1.54% (22) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.40% (63) of the population.

Of the 543 households, 26.2% had children under the age of 18; 61.7% were married couples living together; 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 24.1% were non-families. Of all households, 19.2% were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.01.

20.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 32.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 101.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 97.9 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $71,333 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,849) and the median family income was $78,583 (+/− $7,836). Males had a median income of $52,500 (+/− $12,034) versus $38,036 (+/− $3,668) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,860 (+/− $3,146). About 4.1% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Stow Creek township, Cumberland County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 24, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,429 people, 536 households, and 425 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 560 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 93.42% White, 3.50% African American, 1.61% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.84% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.68% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Stow Creek township, Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 24, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Stow Creek township, Cumberland County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 24, 2012.

There were 536 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.0% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.7% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the township the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $52,500, and the median income for a family was $58,583. Males had a median income of $35,500 versus $26,528 for females. The per capita income for the township was $20,925. About 5.7% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government Stow Creek 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 governing body is comprised of a three-member Township Committee, whose members 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. 103."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.

, members of the Stow Creek Township Committee are Mayor Dale F. Cruzan Sr. (R, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2023), Thomas R. Burton (R, 2025) and Dave Shivers (R, 2024).Township Committee, Stow Creek Township. Accessed AuSeptember 3, 2023.2021 Municipal User Friendly Budget for Stow Creek Township, Burlington County, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed September 3, 2023. Note that this is the most recent budget as of date accessed.2023 Directory of Cumberland County, New Jersey, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2024.Election Summary Report General Election Cumberland County November 8, 2022, Cumberland County, New Jersey, updated November 28, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.Election Summary Report General Election Cumberland County November 2, 2021, Cumberland County, New Jersey, updated November 19, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.General Election Results November 3, 2020, Official Results, Cumberland County, New Jersey, updated November 19, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.

The township does not have a formal municipal building. Township committee meetings are held in the municipal building of Shiloh.

Federal, state and county representation Stow Creek Township 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 3rd state legislative district.2022 Adopted Map: Municipalities Table, New Jersey Apportionment Commission, adopted February 18, 2022. Accessed April 1, 2022.Symons, Michael. "What’s Your New NJ Legislative District? 20% Moved on New Map", WPGG, February 25, 2022. Accessed April 20, 2023. "3rd Legislative District... ADDS: Greenwich (Cumberland), Harrison, Hopewell, Mantua, Pitman, Shiloh, Stow Creek, Wenonah, Westville (22% of the district) LOSES: Bridgeton, Franklin, Newfield, Woodbury Heights"

Politics As of March 2011, there were a total of 979 registered voters in Stow Creek Township, of which 200 (20.4%) were registered as Democrats, 362 (37.0%) were registered as Republicans and 416 (42.5%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.Voter Registration Summary - Cumberland, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed October 24, 2012.