Cumberland_County,_New_Jersey

Cumberland County, New Jersey

Cumberland County, New Jersey

County in New Jersey


Cumberland County is a coastal county located on the Delaware Bay in the Southern Shore Region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 census, the county was the state's 16th-most-populous county,[6] with a population of 154,152,[3][4] a decrease of 2,746 (−1.8%) from the 2010 census count of 156,898.[7] Its county seat is Bridgeton.[1] Cumberland County is named for Prince William, Duke of Cumberland.[8][9] The county was formally created from portions of Salem County on January 19, 1748.[10] The county is part of the South Jersey region of the state.[11]

Quick Facts Country, State ...
Interactive map of Cumberland County, New Jersey

The most populous municipality is Vineland, which had a 2020 population of 60,780;[4] the largest municipality by area is Maurice River Township, which covered 95.76 square miles (248.0 km2).[12]

This county is part of the Vineland-Bridgeton metropolitan statistical area,[13] as well as the Delaware Valley Combined Statistical Area.[14]

History

Etymology

The county is named for Prince William, Duke of Cumberland who is best remembered for his role in putting down the Jacobite Rising at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, which made him immensely popular throughout parts of Britain.

Pre-settlement

The first people to populate Cumberland County were early descendants of the Lenape, also known as the Delaware, who include all Native American people who have lived in New Jersey [15] Water sources such as the Cohansey River and Maurice River made Cumberland County a resourceful environment for early native groups to utilize.[15] Archaeological materials such as stone tools and pottery have been excavated in sites in Bridgeton, Fairfield, Greenwich and Stow Creek.[16] Some of the earliest cultures that inhabited Cumberland County utilized clovis spear points which date to the Paleoindian period (10,000 BC to 8000 BC). As the climate switched from a tundra to woodlands during the archaic period (8000 BC to 1000 BC), ancestors of the Lenape developed axe technology, and later pottery during the woodland period (1000 BC to 1600 AD).[17] The prehistoric period ended when European exploration and settlement arrived in the area bringing with it greater technology which ultimately supplanted much of the Native populations. Today, many Lenape people still reside in Cumberland County, such as the Nanticoke tribe who make up the Native American people from Southern New Jersey and the Delmarva Peninsula.[18]

History

Early European settlement began with the Swedish who called what is now New Jersey New Sweden during the first half of the 17th century.[19] Prior to the United States gaining its independence from Great Britain, Cumberland County was deemed separate from Salem County in 1748 and was named after the Duke of Cumberland.[20] Cumberland County's economic exploits were agricultural and manufacturing, more specifically the county focused on fruits and vegetables, as well as glassware and preserved foods.[21]

America's early successes in glassmaking began in Southern New Jersey during the 18th century and eventually led to John Landis Mason of Vineland New Jersey to invent the mason jar for storing and preserving food at home during the 1850s.[22] Cumberland County's population has historically been "majority-minority".[23] Cumberland County went from holding one hundred and twenty enslaved people in 1790, to two by 1830.[23] Cumberland County included several towns settled by Black Americans many of whom escaped slavery.[24] Parts of the county were used for the Underground Railroad, and housed Harriet Tubman and William Still.[25]

Maritime history

Along with agriculture and glassware, Cumberland County is also known for its maritime industries. Cumberland County's main maritime export was oysters until the 1950s when disease destroyed the oyster population.[26] With the oyster industry came shipbuilding in 1780.[27] Later, the industrial revolution and railroad development increased the number of ships and the types of ships being made. By the late 19th century, ships switched from the sloop model to the schooner to be more useful for oystering.[28] Whaling was also an industry in Cumberland County until 1775 when settlers turned to raising, farming, and trapping.[29] Caviar was a short-lived industry in the area from the 1860s to 1925, when sturgeon had been overfished.[29] 19th and 20th century maritime related artifacts such as ship models, building plans, tools, and rigging equipment can be viewed at the John Dubois Maritime Museum in Bridgeton.[30]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of 677.85 square miles (1,755.6 km2), of which 483.36 square miles (1,251.9 km2) was land (71.3%) and 194.49 square miles (503.7 km2) was water (28.7%).[2] Cumberland is a low-lying, generally featureless coastal county, with many salt marshes near the Delaware Bay. The highest elevation is at one of 12 areas in Upper Deerfield Township that stand approximately 140 feet (43 m) above sea level;[31] the lowest elevation is sea level.

Climate and weather

Quick Facts Bridgeton, New Jersey, Climate chart (explanation) ...

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Bridgeton have ranged from a low of 25 °F (−4 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −13 °F (−25 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 101 °F (38 °C) was recorded in July 1966. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.94 inches (75 mm) in February to 4.30 inches (109 mm) in March.[32] Cumberland has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa).

Demographics

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2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, the county's had 154,152 people, 51,360 households, and 34,309 families.[34] The population density was 318.7 inhabitants per square mile (123.1/km2). There were 57,119 housing units at an average density of 118 per square mile (45.6/km2). The racial makeup was 45.4% White, 18.0% African American, 0.9% Native American, 1.2% Asian, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.4% of the population.[35]

Of the 51,360 households, of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.3% had a male householder with no wife present and 33.2% were non-families, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.30.

About 23.8% of the population was under age 18, 7.5% was from age 18 to 24, 39.3% was from age 15 to 44, and 15.7% was age 65 or older. The median age was 38.1 years. The gender makeup was 51.7% male and 48.3% female. For every 100 females, there were 107.1 males.[36]

The median household income was $54,587, and the median family income was $65,022. About 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.[37][38]

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 156,898 people, 51,931 households, and 36,559 families in the county. The population density was 324.4 inhabitants per square mile (125.3/km2). There were 55,834 housing units at an average density of 115.4 per square mile (44.6/km2). The racial makeup was 62.74% (98,430) White, 20.23% (31,741) Black or African American, 1.11% (1,746) Native American, 1.22% (1,907) Asian, 0.04% (59) Pacific Islander, 11.15% (17,492) from other races, and 3.52% (5,523) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.06% (42,457) of the population.[7]

Of the 51,931 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18; 45.2% were married couples living together; 18.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.6% were non-families. Of all households, 24% were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.26.[7]

Of the population, 24% were under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 106.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 106.9 males.[7]

Economy

The Bureau of Economic Analysis calculated that the county's gross domestic product was $5.9 billion in 2021, which was ranked 17th in the state and was a 3.8% increase from the prior year.[39]

Government

County government

Cumberland County Courthouse in Bridgeton

Cumberland County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners which is comprised of seven members who are elected at large by the citizens of Cumberland County in partisan elections and serve staggered three-year terms in office, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. Each Commissioner is assigned responsibility for one of the county's departments.[40] In 2016, freeholders were paid $15,000 and the freeholder director was paid an annual salary of $16,000.[41]

As of 2024, members of the Cumberland County Board of County Commissioners (with party affiliation, residence, and term-end year listed in parentheses) are (with terms for director and deputy director ending every December 31):[40][42][43][44][45][46]

More information Commissioner, Party, Residence, Term ...

Pursuant to Article VII Section II of the New Jersey State Constitution, each county in New Jersey has have three elected administrative officials known as "constitutional officers." These officers are the County Clerk and County Surrogate (both elected for five-year terms of office) and the County Sheriff (elected for a three-year term).[54] The county's constitutional officers are:

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The Cumberland County Prosecutor is Jennifer Webb-McRae of Vineland. First nominated by Governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine in January 2010, Webb-McRae was nominated for a second five-year term by Chris Christie in November 2016 and sworn into office after confirmation in January 2017.[61][62] Cumberland County is a part of Vicinage 15 of the New Jersey Superior Court (along with Gloucester County and Salem County), seated in Woodbury in Gloucester County; the Assignment Judge for the vicinage is Benjamin C. Telsey. The Cumberland County Courthouse is in Bridgeton.[63]

In January 2023, John P. Capizola Jr. was appointed to fill the commissioner seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by George Castellini until he resigned from office earlier that month.[64] Democrats have not won a county-wide office since 2020.

Federal representatives

New Jersey's 2nd congressional district includes all of Cumberland County.[65][66] For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented by Jeff Van Drew (R, Dennis Township).[67]

State representatives

The 14 municipalities of Cumberland County are part of two legislative districts.

More information District, Senate ...

Law enforcement

The New Jersey Department of Corrections operates three correctional facilities in the county: Bayside State Prison, South Woods State Prison, and Southern State Correctional Facility. The three facilities employ 1,500 people and house one of every three state prisoners.[69] In 2007, while the state was preparing to close Riverfront State Prison in Camden, it considered establishing a fourth state prison in Cumberland County.[70]

Politics

Cumberland County tends to lean towards the Democratic party. As of April 1, 2024 there were a total of 96,165 registered voters in Cumberland County, of whom 31,945 (33.2%) were registered as Democrats, 23,867 (24.8%) were registered as Republicans and 38,531 (40.1%) were registered as unaffiliated. There were 1,822 voters (1.9%) registered to other parties.[71]

In the 2008 United States presidential election, Barack Obama carried the county with over 60% of the vote, which he did so again in 2012. However, since then, the county has taken a shift to the right and voted for Hillary Clinton by 6.1% in 2016. Joe Biden won the county by a slightly smaller 6.0% in 2020 despite the fact that Democrats improved their national popular vote total by 3.2%.

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In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 41.75% of the vote (14,079 votes) to Democratic Governor Jon Corzine's 50.69% (17,092 votes), while Independent Chris Daggett received 5.82% of the vote (1,962 votes), thus making Cumberland and nearby Camden County the only southern New Jersey counties to back the governor's re-election that year. In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Governor Chris Christie received 56.7% of the vote (17,943 votes) to Democrat Barbara Buono's 41.4% (13,129 votes). In the 2017 gubernatorial election, Republican Kim Guadagno received 11,876 (41.8%) of the vote, and Democrat Phil Murphy received 15,686 (55.3%) of the vote. In the 2021 gubernatorial election, Republican Jack Ciattarelli received 55.6% of the vote (17,794 ballots cast) to Democratic Governor Phil Murphy's 43.6% (13,978 votes), making it one of three counties that Ciattarelli flipped.

More information Year, Republican ...
Gubernatorial election results

Municipalities

Index map of Cumberland County Municipalities (click to see index key)
1862 map
Interactive map of municipalities in Cumberland County.

The 14 municipalities in Cumberland County (with most 2010 Census data for population, housing units and area) are:[74]

More information Municipality (with map key), Map key ...

Transportation

Airports

The following public-use airports are located in Cumberland County:

Roads and highways

As of 2010, the county had a total of 1,271.74 miles (2,046.67 km) of roadways, of which 643.65 miles (1,035.85 km) were maintained by the local municipality, 539.14 miles (867.66 km) by Cumberland County and 88.95 miles (143.15 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[75]

Cumberland is served only by state and county routes. Major county routes that pass through include County Route 540, County Route 548 (only in Maurice River Township), County Route 550, County Route 552, County Route 553 and County Route 555.

State routes include Route 47, Route 49, Route 55, Route 56, Route 77, and Route 347. Route 55 is the only limited access road in the county which provides access to Interstate 76, Interstate 295, and the Philadelphia area to the north.

Parks and recreation

The only YMCA in the county is the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA in Vineland.[76] In 2001, the board of directors of what was the Vineland YMCA changed the name to include Atlantic County and Cape May County as the members wanted the Vineland YMCA to reflect a wider group of communities.[77]

Wineries

  • Cedar Rose Vineyards

Education

School districts include:[78][79][80]

K-12
Secondary
Elementary

See also


References

  1. Baehr, Judy. "Cumberland – A County Born of Hope, Optimism", Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2023. "The county was named for William Augustus, the second son of King George II. As the Duke of Cumberland in 1746, he had defeated the Stuart Pretender, Charles Edward (Bonnie Prince Charlie), at the battle of Culloden and established the House of Hanover on the British throne."
  2. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names: C, GetNJ.com. Accessed December 13, 2007.
  3. Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 78. Accessed September 30, 2013.
  4. Willis, David P. "'This is how wars start': Does Central Jersey include both Ocean and Union counties?", Asbury Park Press, February 20, 2023. Accessed March 31, 2024. "North Jersey is defined as Sussex, Warren, Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex and Hudson counties; South Jersey would be Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties. But for Central, things get a little tricky. It would include Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties."
  5. g. "Prehistorical Museum". Cumberland County Historical Society. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  6. Skinner, Alanson and Max Schrabisch, 1913. A Preliminary Report of the Archeological Survey of the State of New Jersey. Bulletin 9, Geological Survey of New Jersey, Trenton. p. 54-57.
  7. Kraft, Herbert (2001). The Lenape-Delaware Indian Heritage 10,000 BC to AD 2000. Lenape Books.
  8. Veit, Richard; Lurie, Maxine (2012). New Jersey: A History of the Garden State. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-0813554099.
  9. Cumberland County is Born, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2023. "The Colonial Legislature, at a session held January 30, 1748, passed an Act stipulating the east side of Salem County as a new county to be known as Cumberland."
  10. "Cumberland | county, New Jersey, United States | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  11. Matchar, Emily. "A Brief History of the Mason Jar". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  12. Watson, Penelope (2020). "Cumberland County, New Jersey". The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Rutgers University.
  13. Baehr, Judy. "County's Towns Are What Makes the Region Tick", Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2023.
  14. "A Journey to Springtown". mycitypaper.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  15. "VIMS study uncovers new cause for intensification of oyster disease". Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  16. McCay, Bonnie J. (March 1, 1998). Oyster Wars and the Public Trust. University of Arizona Press. doi:10.2307/j.ctv1prss4r. ISBN 978-0-8165-4499-8.
  17. "Riparian Rights and Oyster Wars on the Delaware Bay", Oyster Wars and the Public Trust, University of Arizona Press, pp. 116–130, March 1, 1998, doi:10.2307/j.ctv1prss4r.19, retrieved November 15, 2022
  18. Sebold, Kimberly R. (1991). Historic themes and resources within the New Jersey coastal heritage trail : southern New Jersey and the Delaware Bay : Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record. OCLC 23766401.
  19. "The John DuBois Maritime Museum". Cumberland County Historical Society. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  20. New Jersey County High Points, Peakbagger.com. Accessed October 3, 2013.
  21. "Monthly Averages for Bridgeton, New Jersey". The Weather Channel. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  22. "HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES (S1101) | Cumberland County (ACS 1-Year)". United States Census Bureau (USCB). 2019. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  23. "DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES (DP05) | Cumberland County (ACS 1-Year)". United States Census Bureau (USCB). 2019. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  24. "AGE AND SEX (S0101) | Cumberland County (ACS 1-Year)". United States Census Bureau (USCB). 2019. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  25. "INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (S1901) | Cumberland County (ACS 1-Year)". United States Census Bureau (USCB). 2019. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  26. "POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (S1701) | Cumberland County (ACS 1-Year)". United States Census Bureau (USCB). 2019. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  27. Gross Domestic Product by County, 2021, Bureau of Economic Analysis, released December 8, 2022. Accessed July 17, 2023.
  28. Board of County Commissioners, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2023. "By law, Cumberland County is allowed 7 County Commissioners, who serve staggered, overlapping three-year terms. Two are elected in two successive years, three in the third year, elected from the county at-large, for three-year, overlapping terms. A Director of the Board is selected by their colleagues for a one-year term. Each County Commissioner is charged with responsibility for one or more of the county's seven departments."
  29. Gallo Jr., Bill. "Which N.J. county freeholders are paid the most?", NJ.com, March 11, 2016. Accessed October 25, 2017. "Freeholder director: $16,000; Other freeholders: $15,000"
  30. 2022 Directory of Cumberland County, New Jersey, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  31. 2022 County Data Sheet, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  32. Election Summary Report Cumberland County General Election November 8, 2022 General Election Official Results, Cumberland County, New Jersey, updated November 28, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.
  33. Election Summary Report General Election November 2, 2021, Cumberland County, New Jersey, updated November 19, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.
  34. General Election November 3, 2020 Official Results, Cumberland County, New Jersey, updated November 19, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.
  35. Commissioner Joseph V. Sileo, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  36. Commissioner Antonio Romero, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  37. Commissioner Douglas Albrecht, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  38. Commissioner Victoria Groetsch-Lods, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  39. Commissioner Carol Musso, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  40. Commissioner Donna M. Pearson, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  41. Commissioner John Capizola Jr., Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  42. County Clerk: Celeste M. Riley, Cumberland County Clerk's Office. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  43. Members List: Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  44. Sheriff's Office, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2023.
  45. Members List: Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  46. Cumberland County Surrogate Office, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2023.
  47. Members List: Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  48. Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office. Accessed August 14, 2022. "In January of 2010, Jennifer was nominated by Governor Jon S. Corzine to be the first African American, first female Prosecutor of Cumberland County.... In November of 2016, Governor Chris Christie nominated Prosecutor Webb-McRae for a second five year term as Cumberland County Prosecutor. In January of 2017, Prosecutor Webb-McRae was sworn in becoming the first full-time Prosecutor in Cumberland County to serve a second term."
  49. "Governor Chris Christie Files Nominations And Direct Appointments", Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, press release dated November 21, 2016. Accessed October 25, 2017. "Cumberland County Prosecutor - Nominate for reappointment Jennifer Webb-McRae (Vineland, Cumberland)"
  50. Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem Counties, New Jersey Courts. Accessed October 23, 2017.
  51. Smith, Joseph P. "Vineland resident picked to fill county commissioner position",Daily Journal, January 20, 2023. Accessed February 15, 2023. "Cumberland County Democrats have chosen Vineland resident John P. Capizola Jr. to serve out an unexpired, one-year term on the county Board of Commissioners.... The opening was created with the resignation on Jan. 6 of Democratic Commissioner George Castellini."
  52. 2012 Congressional Districts by County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections. Accessed October 3, 2013.
  53. Plan Components Report, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2011. Accessed October 3, 2013.
  54. "New Jersey Legislative Roster of Members | NJ Legislature". New Jersey Legislature. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  55. Barlas, Thomas. "Cumberland County banking on prisons for economic stability", The Press of Atlantic City, July 3, 2013. Accessed August 14, 2022. "South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton is one of three state prisons in Cumberland County. About a third of New Jersey's state prison population is housed in South Woods and Bayside State Prison and Southern State Correctional Facility. Those three prisons also employ more than 1,500 Cumberland County residents, making it likely the largest employer in Cumberland County."
  56. Jackson, Miles. "Is A New Prison Needed?: Facilities offer steady employment in Cumberland Co.", Daily Journal. June 23, 2007. A1 News. Accessed September 27, 2011. "The county already is home to South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, Southern State Correctional Facility in Delmont and Bayside State Prison in Leesburg."
  57. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  58. "Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA installs new board officers". The Daily Journal. February 28, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2021. Kathy Farinaccio, second vice president/secretary, commented, "The YMCA's value is priceless for providing families in Cumberland, Cape May, and Atlantic Counties a healthy, active, and vibrant environment."
  59. Vanaman, Joyce (December 19, 2001). "YMCA of Vineland expanding into Cape May and Atlantic counties". The Press of Atlantic City. Atlantic City, New Jersey. p. C2 via Newspapers.com.
  60. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Cumberland County, NJ" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022. - Text list

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