Deptford Township (; Berkery, Sheri. "Do you know how to pronounce these S.J. town names?", Courier-Post, September 5, 2019. Accessed January 26, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Deptford/West Deptford: DEP-ford. Commonly and inexplicably heard as DEFF-ort.") is a township in Gloucester County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 31,977, an increase of 1,416 (+4.6%) from the 2010 census count of 30,561, which in turn reflected an increase of 3,798 (+14.2%) from the 26,763 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.

Deptford Township was formed June 1, 1695, and was known initially as Bethlehem. It was incorporated as a township by the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of the state's initial 104 townships formed under the Township Act. Since then, portions of the township were taken to create Washington Township (February 17, 1836), Woodbury Borough (March 27, 1854; now Woodbury), West Deptford Township (March 1, 1871), Wenonah (March 10, 1883), Westville (April 7, 1914), and Woodbury Heights (April 6, 1915).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.

Deptford is a southeastern suburb of Philadelphia, located on the eastern side of the Walt Whitman Bridge, one of several bridges that join South Jersey with Philadelphia, the nation's sixth-largest city as of 2020. It is located southeast of Philadelphia and northwest of Atlantic City.

Deptford Township was named for the Deptford area of London, located on the River Thames.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 25, 2015.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 104. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed October 25, 2015. It is part of the South Jersey region of the state.

History Dutch explorer Cornelius Jacobsen May led some of the earliest European settlement in the area. May was followed by settlers from Sweden and Finland before the area ultimately came under British colonial rule. The township was formed in 1695, and covered an area of that included today's Deptford Township along with present-day Monroe Township, Washington Township, West Deptford Township, Westville, Woodbury, and Woodbury Heights.Township History, Deptford Township. Accessed November 7, 2019. "The old township, incorporated in 1695, comprised some 106 square miles and included what today is West Deptford, Washington Township, Monroe, Westville, Woodbury and Woodbury Heights.... It was settled in 1623 by the Dutch under Cornelius Jacobse Mey and was later claimed by the Swedes and the Finns before coming under British control.... Today, Deptford is comprised of many sections, including Almonesson, Jericho, New Sharon, Oak Valley, Westville Grove, Cooper Village, Blackwood Terrace, Hammond Heights, Lake Tract, Woodbury Terrace, Woodbury Gardens, Country Club Estates and Good Intent."

Clement Oak in Deptford, an old oak tree estimated to have sprouted between 1555 and 1615, was the site of the first hot air balloon landing in North America when Jean-Pierre Blanchard completed his flight to Deptford from Philadelphia in 1793. During his flight, Blanchard carried a personal letter from George Washington to be delivered to the owner of whatever property Blanchard landed on, making the flight the first airmail delivery in the nation.Roncace, Kelly. "Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon landing, a major part of Deptford's history, turns 217", Gloucester County Times, January 5, 2010. Accessed May 7, 2012. "More than 200 years ago, President George Washington watched as Jean-Pierre Blanchard soared over the Delaware River and into New Jersey skies, before finally landing in Deptford Township for the first hot air balloon flight and landing in North America's history."

On September 1, 2021, Deptford Township was hit by a strong EF3 tornado with winds up to produced by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.Gray, Matt. "N.J. weather: As rare EF-3 tornado hit, woman 'was sucked through her house.' Residents recount twister's fury.", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 10, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2022. "The EF-3 tornado that blasted Gloucester County with winds of up to 150 mph on Wednesday, obliterating homes and toppling farm silos, tore a more than 12-mile path from Harrisonville to Deptford Township over the course of 20 minutes, first touching down at 6:10 p.m., the National Weather Service reported." More than 100 homes in the township were damaged in the tornado outbreak.Gray, Matt. "Costs exceed $64M for mega tornado that ripped through N.J. county during Ida", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 29, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2022. "Dozens of homes were destroyed and nearly 100 more suffered major damage, according to figures compiled by the county. Wenonah reported the highest number of properties with some sort of damage at 204, while Harrison Township reported 155, Deptford Township reported 101, Mantua Township had 51 and Woodbury Heights reported 40."

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 17.57 square miles (45.50 km2), including 17.33 square miles (44.89 km2) of land and 0.24 square miles (0.61 km2) of water (1.35%). The township borders Mantua Township, Washington Township, Wenonah, West Deptford Township, Westville, Woodbury, and Woodbury Heights in Gloucester County, and Bellmawr, Gloucester Township, and Runnemede in Camden County.Municipalities within Gloucester County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed November 7, 2019.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 7, 2019.

Oak Valley, with a 2020 census population of 3,497, is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in Deptford Township. Other unincorporated communities, localities, and places located partially or completely within the township include Almonesson, Blackwood Terrace, Clements Bridge, Cooper Village, Country Club Estates, Good Intent, Hammond Heights, Jericho, Lake Tract, New Sharon, Oak Valley, Salina, Westcottville, Westville Grove, Woodbury Gardens, Woodbury Park, and Woodbury Terrace.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 7, 2015.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 30,561 people, 11,689 households, and 7,995 families in the township. The population density was . There were 12,361 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 78.80% (24,082) White, 12.16% (3,717) Black or African American, 0.24% (73) Native American, 4.45% (1,361) Asian, 0.04% (12) Pacific Islander, 2.04% (622) from other races, and 2.27% (694) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% (1,830) of the population.

Of the 11,689 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18; 50.1% were married couples living together; 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.6% were non-families. Of all households, 25.3% were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.11.

21.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that, in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars, median household income was $66,833 with a margin of error of +/− $2,897 and median family income was $76,303 (+/− $2,216). Males had a median income of $52,310 (+/− $2,247) versus $46,532 (+/− $4,525) for females. The per capita income for the township was $30,476 (+/− $1,269). About 6.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Deptford township, Gloucester County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 7, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 U.S. census, there were 26,763 people, 10,013 households, and 7,079 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 10,647 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 83.44% White, 12.38% Black, 0.21% Native American, 1.53% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.86% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Deptford township, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 31, 2016.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Deptford township, Gloucester County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 22, 2012.

There were 10,013 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the township, the age distribution of the population showed 23.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $50,147, and the median income for a family was $56,642. Males had a median income of $40,641 versus $28,986 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,477. 5.9% of the population and 4.3% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Economy

Deptford Mall, the largest mall in the South Jersey region of the state with a gross leasable area of , is located in the township.Directory of Major Malls: Deptford Mall , International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed May 7, 2012. Macerich purchased the mall in 2007 for $241 million.Staff. "Deptford Mall sold for $241M", Philadelphia Business Journal, January 9, 2007. Accessed May 7, 2012. "A California company said Tuesday it will pay $241 million for the Deptford Mall in South Jersey. The buyer is Macerich Partnership LP, the operating partnership of Santa Monica-based Macerich Co. (NYSE:MAC).... Deptford Mall, which is 1 million square feet, is anchored by JC Penney, Sears, Macy's and Boscov's. " The mall is surrounded by an eight-screen movie theater, twelve strip malls, bars, restaurants, and stores.

Parks and recreation