Woolwich Township is a township within Gloucester County in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 12,577, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 2,377 (+23.3%) from the 2010 census count of 10,200, which in turn reflected an increase of 7,168 (+236.4%) from the 3,032 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. Woolwich Township and surrounding Gloucester County constitute part of South Jersey.About Woolwich & Our History, Woolwich Township. Accessed October 6, 2024. "Woolwich Township is located in Western Gloucester County, New Jersey. First incorporated on March 17, 1767, Woolwich took its name from Woolwich, England, a town on the Thames River in southeast London, famous for the Royal Arsenal for the British armed forces."

History Woolwich was formed by royal charter on March 7, 1767, from portions of Greenwich Township and was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial 104 townships as an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken to form Franklin Township (January 27, 1820), Spicer Township (March 13, 1844, now known as Harrison Township), West Woolwich Township (March 7, 1877, now known as Logan Township) and Swedesboro (April 9, 1902).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 142. Accessed May 30, 2024.Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 315. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed November 8, 2015. The township was named after Woolwich, England.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed November 8, 2015.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 21.39 square miles (55.41 km2), including 21.07 square miles (54.58 km2) of land and 0.32 square miles (0.83 km2) of water (1.50%).Open Space and Recreation Plan, Woolwich Township. Accessed January 26, 2020. "Woolwich Township has an area of 21.2 square miles with 0.32 square miles (1.5%) of the Township’s area being comprised of water."

Swedesboro is an independent municipality entirely surrounded by the township, making it one of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.DeMarco, Megan. "Voters to decide whether to merge two Princetons into one", The Star-Ledger, November 3, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2017. "There are 22 sets of 'doughnut towns' in New Jersey, those where one town wraps around the other town". Note that following voter approval of the Princeton, New Jersey merger, 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" remain. The township borders the Gloucester County municipalities of East Greenwich Township, Harrison Township, Logan Township, and South Harrison Township. The township also borders Oldmans Township and Pilesgrove Township in Salem 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.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Asbury, Dilkes Mills, Lippencott, Porches Mill, Robbins, Rulons and Scull.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed April 26, 2015.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 10,200 people, 3,141 households, and 2,730 families in the township. The population density was . There were 3,275 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 81.14% (8,276) White, 9.97% (1,017) Black or African American, 0.13% (13) Native American, 6.02% (614) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.78% (80) from other races, and 1.96% (200) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.58% (365) of the population.

Of the 3,141 households, 54.4% had children under the age of 18; 78.0% were married couples living together; 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 13.1% were non-families. Of all households, 9.7% were made up of individuals and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.21 and the average family size was 3.46.

33.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 95.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $109,360 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,043) and the median family income was $117,708 (+/− $6,397). Males had a median income of $82,370 (+/− $5,125) versus $52,083 (+/− $6,470) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,898 (+/− $2,081). About 3.6% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Woolwich township, Gloucester County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 10, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 census, there were 3,032 people, 959 households, and 838 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 1,026 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 91.13% White, 4.55% African American, 1.12% Asian, 1.95% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.89% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Woolwich township, Gloucester County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 10, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Woolwich township, Gloucester County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 10, 2012.

There were 959 households, out of which 49.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.4% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.6% were non-families. 8.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the township, the population was spread out, with 31.4% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 38.0% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $83,790, and the median income for a family was $87,111. Males had a median income of $54,200 versus $38,571 for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,503. About 1.9% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy Along U.S. Route 322 at exit 2 of the New Jersey Turnpike, plans call for almost of retail and commercial space and an equal amount of office and flex park. Partnering with the state Office of Smart Growth, a major component of any development along Route 322 will include the use of transfer of development rights.About Woolwich, Choose Woolwich. Accessed April 26, 2015.

Government Local government Woolwich 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. 19."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor, and another as Deputy Mayor.Report of Audit for the Year Ended December 31, 2020, Woolwich Township. Accessed July 26, 2022. "The Township is governed under the Township Committee form of government, with a five-member Committee. The Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor."

, members of the Woolwich Township Committee are Mayor Natalie Matthias (D, term on committee ends December 31, 2026; term as mayor ends 2025), Deputy Mayor Michael Nocentino (D, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2025), Craig Frederick (R, 2027), Francis McGovern Jr. (D, 2026) and Cindy Minhas (R, 2027).Township Committee, Woolwich Township. Accessed January 26, 2025.2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Woolwich Township. Accessed January 26, 2025.Gloucester County 2024 Official Directory, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2025.General Election November 5, 2024 Unofficial Results, Gloucester County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.General Election November 7, 2023 Unofficial Results, Gloucester County, New Jersey, November 20, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.General Election November 8, 2022 Summary Report Unofficial Results, Gloucester County, New Jersey Clerk, November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.

In 2018, the township had an average property tax bill of $10,727, the highest in the county, compared to an average bill of $8,767 statewide.Marcus, Samantha. "These are the towns with the highest property taxes in each of N.J.’s 21 counties", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, April 22, 2019. Accessed November 5, 2019. "The average property tax bill in New Jersey was $8,767 last year. But there can be big swings from town to town and county to county.... The average property tax bill in Woolwich Township was $10,727 in 2018, the highest in Gloucester County."

Federal, state and county representation