Bass River Township is a township at the southeastern tip of Burlington County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township bears a shoreline fronting both the Bass River and the Great Bay. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 1,355, a decrease of 88 (−6.1%) from the 2010 census count of 1,443, which in turn had reflected a decline of 67 (−4.4%) from the 1,510 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. The township and all of Burlington County is a part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area.Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD Combined Statistical Area, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023. Bass River is traversed by the Garden State Parkway.

Bass River was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 30, 1864, from portions of Little Egg Harbor Township and Washington Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 93. Accessed May 1, 2026.

The township's name originated from the Bass River, a tributary of the Mullica River, that was in turn named for Jeremiah Basse, who served as governor of both West Jersey and East Jersey.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 27, 2015.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 78.41 square miles (203.09 km2), including 75.12 square miles (194.57 km2) of land and 3.29 square miles (8.52 km2) of water (4.19%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Allens Bridge, Bass River State Forest, Calico, Charcoal Landing, Doctors Point, Frogtown, Harrisville, High Bridge, Leektown, Martha, Merrygold, Munion Field, New Gretna, Oak Island, Oswego Lake, Sim Place, State Forest and Wading River.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed January 11, 2025.

The township borders Washington Township and Woodland Township in Burlington County; Galloway Township and Port Republic in Atlantic County; and both Barnegat Township and Little Egg Harbor Township in Ocean County.Areas touching Bass River Township, MapIt. Accessed March 18, 2020.Municipalities within Burlington County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 18, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

The township is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering , that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.The Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Accessed November 20, 2013. All of the township is included in either the state-designated Pinelands area or the Pinelands National Reserve, which includes portions of Burlington County, along with areas in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed November 20, 2013.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 1,443 people, 522 households, and 407 families in the township. The population density was . There were 587 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 97.37% (1,405) White, 0.28% (4) Black or African American, 0.14% (2) Native American, 0.76% (11) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.35% (5) from other races, and 1.11% (16) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.12% (45) of the population.

Of the 522 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18; 60.7% were married couples living together; 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 22.0% were non-families. Of all households, 15.5% were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.09.

20.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 33.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 104.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 101.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $64,185 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,782) and the median family income was $66,364 (+/− $8,461). Males had a median income of $50,625 (+/− $7,486) versus $48,950 (+/− $3,139) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,440 (+/− $2,573). About 9.4% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 27.8% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 13, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census, there were 1,510 people, 548 households, and 409 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 602 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 98.87% White, 0.07% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.19% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Bass River township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 24, 2013., United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 24, 2013.

There were 548 households, out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the township the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $47,469, and the median income for a family was $51,167. Males had a median income of $35,179 versus $27,222 for females. The per capita income for the township was $20,382. About 2.4% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government Since 1972, Bass River Township has been governed under the Walsh Act by a three-member commission."The Commission Form of Municipal Government", p. 53. Accessed June 3, 2015."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 8. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. The township is one of 30 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use the commission form of government.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 three commissioners, who are elected at-large in non-partisan elections held every four years as part of the May municipal election to serve four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 49. Each of the Commissioners is appointed to serve as the head of a designated department. The commissioners choose a mayor, who presides over meetings but has no executive role.Commission Form Of Government, Bass River Township. Accessed December 7, 2022. "Bass River Township is governed by a Commission Form of Government. Voters elect three (3) Commissioners. At-large, nonpartisan, every 4 years. The Mayor is elected by the Board of Commissioner at reorganization for a 4-year term. The Mayor presides over Board of Commissioners."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.

and continuing through May 15, 2028, members of the Bass River Township Board of Commissioners are Mayor William R. Adams (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance), Deputy Mayor Louis Bourguignon (Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public Property) and Jane Allen (Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety; appointed to serve an unexpired term).Commissioners, Bass River Township. Accessed April 7, 2026. "Bass River Township is governed by a Commission Form of Government. Voters elect three (3) Commissioners. At-large, nonpartisan, every 4 years. The Mayor is elected by the Board of Commissioner at reorganization for a 4-year term. The Mayor presides over Board of Commissioners."2025 Municipal User Friendly Budget, Bass River Township. Accessed April 7, 2026.Non-Partisan Municipal Election May 14th, 2024 Unofficial Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated June 4, 2024. Accessed January 11, 2025.

In June 2024, Jane Allen was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Nicholas Capriglione when he resigned at the reorganization meeting held the previous month; Allen will serve on an interim basis until the November 2025 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term of office.Bonvie, Bill. "Former Bass River Board of Education Member to Fill Post Left Vacant by Capriglione’s Resignation from Commission", Pine Barrens Tribune, June 22, 2024. Accessed January 11, 2025. "A new acting member of the Bass River Township Commission was sworn in at a meeting of the three-member governing body on June 10 to fill the unexpected temporary vacancy created when three-term Commissioner Nicholas Capriglione abruptly resigned from his post at a May 24 reorganization meeting."

Bass River Township's municipal court, which it shares with neighboring Washington Township, is located in New Gretna.

Emergency services Like other municipalities in New Jersey without a local police department, Bass River Township is served by troopers from the New Jersey State Police Troop C which maintains a barrack in Tuckerton.Police Department, Bass River Township. Accessed June 18, 2018. "Bass River Township is serviced by the New Jersey State Police out of the Tuckerton barracks." The New Jersey State Park Police, which operates a station in Washington Township, is responsible for any matters occurring within state forests.

The New Gretna Volunteer Fire Company provides fire protection for all of Bass River Township. Additionally the Fire Company provides rescue services and operates an EMS First Response vehicle for medical emergencies.Fire Department, Bass River Township. Accessed June 18, 2018. "Bass River Township is serviced by the New Gretna Volunteer Fire Company located on North Maple Avenue between the Municipal Building and the Bass River Elementary School."