Quinton Township is a township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 2,580, a decrease of 86 (−3.2%) from the 2010 census count of 2,666, which in turn reflected a decline of 120 (−4.3%) from the 2,786 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, 2022.

Quinton was formally incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 18, 1873, from portions of Upper Alloways Creek Township (now Alloway Township).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 217. Accessed May 30, 2024. The township's name is said to derive from the name of an early settler, with both Tobias Quinton and Edward Quinton mentioned as possible namesakes.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 21, 2015.Town and County Names , Visit Salem County. Accessed September 21, 2015. "Quinton Township – One of the early settlers in the county was Tobias Quinton, a large landowner, from whom some say the village and township of Quinton derived the name. Other sources say it was Edward Quinton." In March 1778, during the American Revolutionary War, a minor battle was fought between British forces and local militia at Quinton's Bridge.Quinton's Bridge, Revolutionary War New Jersey. Accessed July 18, 2017.

It is a dry township, where alcohol cannot legally be sold.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.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 24.27 square miles (62.87 km2), including 23.79 square miles (61.62 km2) of land and 0.48 square miles (1.25 km2) of water (1.98%).

Quinton CDP (with a 2020 Census population of 470) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Quinton Township.GCT-PH1 – Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Salem County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2013.2006–2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2013.New Jersey: 2010 – Population and Housing Unit Counts – 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed January 19, 2013.

Unincorporated communities located partially or completely within the township Berrys Chapel, Harmony, Mickles Mill, Pecks Corner, Woodmere and Woods Upper Mill.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed November 27, 2014.

The township borders the municipalities of Alloway Township, Lower Alloways Creek Township, Mannington Township and Salem in Salem County; and Stow Creek Township in Cumberland County.Salem County Map , Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 2, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

History

April 1963 fire Heavy winds from Delaware Bay through Salem and Cumberland counties set fires in multiple communities on April 4, 1963. One fire was in the bayshore community of Fortescue in Downe Township that destroyed 15 houses, damaged 6 houes and destroyed a restaurant and the local hotel. The second fire began in Quinton around 2:30 p.m., where it started in Smick Lumber Company on Route 49. Embers from the fire reached lumber and escalated, creating heavier fireballs. The gusts were fueling the fires along Route 49 as embers and smoked enveloped the area. Fire companies from bigger communities such as Millville, Bridgeton and Vineland were called into Quinton to handle the flames. Local farmers also provided equipment to help fight the fires. With the spontaneous direction changes of flames and embers, it became tough for the firemen to work on centering their efforts on a few buildings and it would not be until after dark before the winds abated enough to help control the fire. 23 people were taken to Salem Memorial Hospital due to eye issues and smoke inhalation.

The post office in Quinton, operated by Mary Myers, was destroyed in the fire. Myers stayed in the post office and did her job until the fire reached the building and she fled with everything that she could grab from the office before it was engulfed. Myers put all the mail, records, cash and stamps in the post office in her bag to get it out. She left the engulfed post office and took the contents of her large bag to the post office in Alloway. The fire ate a local market and Quinton's sewing factory along with numerous houses in the area. Nine families along Route 49 were displaced along with a house on East Fourth Street. The home of the Township Clerk, Kenneth Patrick, was also destroyed in the blaze. Local politicians saved the municipal records going back to 1937 from catching fire at Patrick's house.

19 families totaling 53 people (including 13 children) in Quinton were rendered homeless by the fire in Quinton, but emergency residences were not required as all of the homeless families had relatives in Quinton to assist them. The mayor declared martial law on the evening of April 4 to control the scene of the fire from the numerous onlookers. This was lifted on the morning of April 5. By the morning, authorities had been unable to confirm where at the Smick Lumber Company the fire had started. One worker told the mayor that the building that started the fire had not been wired for electrical service, suggesting wires were not the cause of the fire. Former New York Yankees outfielder Whitey Witt was also an onlooker to the damage in Quinton and Fortescue.

Fire Chief Myron Henderson and Mayor Albert Blades told the press that the damages in Quinton reached about $350,000 (1963 USD). They stated that this would be a major financial strain on the township with the loss of major taxed properties in the fire. Along with the 13 houses leveled by flames, the sewing factory employed 22 people and the only grocery store in the area burned in the blaze. Blades added that the they did not believe that the massive fire would not qualify them for disaster aid from the state or federal governments, but added that the local response was already making up for it. Blades noted that a monetary fund had been started and that new clothing was being brought in for the 53 people who lost everything in the fires. However, onlookers caused issues as nine people were arrested in Quinton fire looting the houses while walking along Route 49. At least one person stole a pocketbook from a burned out home and was surprised by the homeowner, who took a piece of wood and broke the thief's shoulder.

Destruction equipment had been moved into Quinton in the days after the fire. They started leveling the fire ridden homes and businesses with various cranes, dump trucks and bulldozers. By April 11, much of the debris had been eliminated and the sites had been filled in. Over the weekend the officials stated that the women's auxiliaries in the area acquired $5,556 in donations along with furniture and clothes for the families. By Saturday enough donations had been made that newer donations were to be moved to other organizations to use for other people. The Quinton Township Fire Department also operated their own fundraising campaign for the community.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 2,666 people, 1,036 households, and 756 families in the township. The population density was . There were 1,099 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 81.58% (2,175) White, 12.90% (344) Black or African American, 0.56% (15) Native American, 0.38% (10) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.20% (32) from other races, and 3.38% (90) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.01% (107) of the population.

Of the 1,036 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18; 53.6% were married couples living together; 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.0% were non-families. Of all households, 21.1% were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.98.

23.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.7 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $65,061 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,282) and the median family income was $75,833 (+/− $6,396). Males had a median income of $58,542 (+/− $8,331) versus $34,615 (+/− $9,700) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,805 (+/− $2,517). About 4.2% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 1.7% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Quinton township, Salem County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 1, 2013.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 2,786 people, 1,074 households, and 778 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 1,133 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 82.05% White, 14.47% African American, 1.08% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.72% from other races, and 1.36% 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 Quinton 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 Quinton township, Salem County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2013.

There were 1,074 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.9% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the township the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $41,193, and the median income for a family was $48,272. Males had a median income of $32,394 versus $22,198 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,921. About 7.8% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government