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Atlantic County, New Jersey | ||
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Location in the state of New Jersey | ||
New Jersey's location in the U.S. | ||
Founded | 1837 | |
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Seat | Mays Landing | |
Largest city | Egg Harbor Township | |
Area - Total - Land - Water |
671 sq mi (1,738 km²) 561 sq mi (1,453 km²) 110 sq mi (285 km²), 16.44% | |
Population - (2020) - Density |
269,534 489/sq mi (188.9/km²) | |
Website | www.aclink.org |
Atlantic County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 Census, the population is 269,534. Its county seat is Mays Landing.[1]
This county is associated with (though not officially a part of) the Delaware Valley area as well as the Atlantic City–Hammonton Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History[]
All of what is known today as Atlantic County was once called Egg Harbor Township, the eastern half of the original County of Gloucester. Named as an official district as early as 1693, it was bounded on the north by the Little Egg Harbor River (now known as the Mullica River), and on the south by the Great Egg Harbor River and its southern branch the Tuckahoe River. Its eastern boundary was the Atlantic Ocean, but the western boundary in the South Jersey interior was not fixed until 1761.
Geography[]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 671 square miles (1,737.9 km2), of which 561 square miles (1,453.0 km2) is land and 110 square miles (284.9 km2) (16.44%) is water.Atlantic County is located in the Atlantic Coastal Plain in the southeastern tip of New Jersey.
Topographically, much of Atlantic County is low-lying and flat. The highest elevation, approximately 150 feet (50 m) above sea level, is found at two areas next to the NJ Transit passenger rail line just east of Hammonton. Sea level is the lowest point.
Adjacent counties[]
- Burlington County, New Jersey – north
- Camden County, New Jersey – northwest
- Cape May County, New Jersey – south
- Cumberland County, New Jersey – southwest
- Gloucester County, New Jersey – northwest
- Ocean County, New Jersey – northeast
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Camden County and Gloucester County | Burlington County | Ocean County | ![]() |
Atlantic Ocean | ||||
![]() ![]() Atlantic County, New Jersey | ||||
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Cumberland County | Cape May County |
National protected areas[]
- Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (part)
- Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River (part)
Demographics[]
Historical populations | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1840 | 8,726 | ||
1850 | 8,961 | 2.7% | |
1860 | 11,786 | 31.5% | |
1870 | 14,093 | 19.6% | |
1880 | 18,704 | 32.7% | |
1890 | 28,836 | 54.2% | |
1900 | 46,402 | 60.9% | |
1910 | 71,894 | 54.9% | |
1920 | 83,914 | 16.7% | |
1930 | 124,823 | 48.8% | |
1940 | 124,066 | −0.6% | |
1950 | 132,399 | 6.7% | |
1960 | 160,880 | 21.5% | |
1970 | 175,043 | 8.8% | |
1980 | 194,119 | 10.9% | |
1990 | 224,327 | 15.6% | |
2000 | 252,552 | 12.6% | |
2010 | 274,549 | 8.7% | |
historical census data source:[2][3] |
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 252,552 people, 95,024 households, and 63,190 families residing in the county. The population density was 450 people per square mile (174/km²). There were 114,090 housing units at an average density of 203 per square mile (79/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.36% White, 17.63% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 5.06% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.06% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. 12.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.6% were of Italian, 13.0% Irish, 9.5% German and 5.2% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 95,024 households out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.50% were married couples living together, 14.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,933, and the median income for a family was $51,710. Males had a median income of $36,397 versus $28,059 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,034. About 7.60% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.80% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2010 the racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 58.59% Non-Hispanic whites, 14.89% Non-Hispanic blacks, 1.19% Hispanic blacks, 0.18% Non-Hispanic Native Americans, 0.21% Hispanic Native Americans, 7.50% Asians, 0.03% Pacific Islanders, 0.17% Non-Hispanics of some other race, 1.87% non-Hispanics reporting two or more races and a total of 16.84% Hispanics or Latinos.
Government and politics[]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 64,438 | 46.02% | 73,808 | 52.71% | 1,785 | 1.27% |
2016 | 52,690 | 44.64% | 60,924 | 51.61% | 4,427 | 3.75% |
2012 | 46,522 | 41.04% | 65,600 | 57.88% | 1,222 | 1.08% |
2008 | 49,902 | 41.85% | 67,830 | 56.88% | 1,517 | 1.27% |
2004 | 49,487 | 46.64% | 55,746 | 52.54% | 864 | 0.81% |
2000 | 35,593 | 39.07% | 52,880 | 58.04% | 2,629 | 2.89% |
1996 | 29,538 | 35.33% | 44,434 | 53.15% | 9,629 | 11.52% |
1992 | 34,279 | 37.96% | 39,633 | 43.89% | 16,386 | 18.15% |
1988 | 44,748 | 56.33% | 34,047 | 42.86% | 647 | 0.81% |
1984 | 49,158 | 59.33% | 33,240 | 40.12% | 453 | 0.55% |
1980 | 37,973 | 49.83% | 31,286 | 41.06% | 6,943 | 9.11% |
1976 | 36,733 | 45.56% | 41,965 | 52.05% | 1,932 | 2.40% |
1972 | 45,667 | 59.54% | 28,203 | 36.77% | 2,830 | 3.69% |
1968 | 32,807 | 42.15% | 35,581 | 45.71% | 9,446 | 12.14% |
1964 | 25,626 | 32.85% | 50,945 | 65.30% | 1,448 | 1.86% |
1960 | 39,158 | 50.88% | 36,129 | 46.94% | 1,682 | 2.19% |
1956 | 44,698 | 65.70% | 21,668 | 31.85% | 1,672 | 2.46% |
1952 | 40,259 | 58.03% | 28,953 | 41.73% | 163 | 0.23% |
1948 | 31,608 | 54.43% | 25,313 | 43.59% | 1,150 | 1.98% |
1944 | 25,593 | 46.71% | 28,972 | 52.87% | 229 | 0.42% |
1940 | 30,551 | 45.74% | 36,155 | 54.13% | 92 | 0.14% |
1936 | 24,680 | 38.15% | 39,605 | 61.22% | 403 | 0.62% |
1932 | 31,264 | 51.88% | 28,071 | 46.58% | 926 | 1.54% |
1928 | 37,238 | 65.95% | 19,152 | 33.92% | 75 | 0.13% |
1924 | 27,936 | 73.63% | 6,937 | 18.28% | 3,066 | 8.08% |
1920 | 21,245 | 76.63% | 5,753 | 20.75% | 727 | 2.62% |
1916 | 9,713 | 62.88% | 5,467 | 35.39% | 267 | 1.73% |
1912 | 4,422 | 31.67% | 4,885 | 34.99% | 4,656 | 33.35% |
1908 | 8,822 | 63.71% | 4,578 | 33.06% | 448 | 3.24% |
1904 | 7,933 | 70.42% | 3,064 | 27.20% | 268 | 2.38% |
1900 | 6,122 | 67.68% | 2,566 | 28.37% | 358 | 3.96% |
1896 | 5,005 | 66.06% | 2,233 | 29.47% | 338 | 4.46% |
In 1974, Atlantic County voters changed the county governmental form under the Optional County Charter Law to the County executive form. Atlantic County joins Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Mercer counties as one of the five of 21 New Jersey counties with an elected executive.[7] The charter provides for a directly elected executive and a nine-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, responsible for legislation. The executive is elected to a four-year term and the freeholders are elected to staggered three-year terms, of which four are elected from the county on an at-large basis and five of the freeholders represent equally populated districts.[8][9] In 2016, freeholders were paid $20,000 a year, while the freeholder chairman was paid an annual salary of $21,500.[10]
As of 2018, Atlantic County's Executive is Republican Dennis Levinson, whose term of office ends December 31, 2019.[11] He had previously won election in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011.[12]
Members of the Board of Chosen Freeholders are:[8][13]
- Chairman Frank D. Formica, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2018, Margate City)[14]
- Vice Chairwoman Maureen Kern, Freeholder District 2, including Atlantic City (part), Egg Harbor Township (part), Linwood, Longport, Margate City, Northfield, Somers Point and Ventnor City (R, 2018, Somers Point)[15]
- James A. Bertino, Freeholder District 5, including Buena, Buena Vista Township, Corbin City, Egg Harbor City, Estell Manor, Folsom, Hamilton Township (part), Hammonton, Mullica Township and Weymouth Township (R, 2018, Hammonton)[16]
- Ernest D. Coursey, Freeholder District 1, including Atlantic City (part), Egg Harbor Township (part) and Pleasantville (D, 2019, Atlantic City)[17]
- Richard R. Dase, Freeholder District 4, including Absecon, Brigantine, Galloway Township and Port Republic (R, 2019, Galloway Township)[18]
- Caren L. Fitzpatrick, Freeholder At-Large (D, 2020, Linwood)[19]
- Amy L. Gatto, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2019, Mays Landing in Hamilton Township)[20]
- John W. Risley, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2020, Egg Harbor Township)[21]
Pursuant to Article VII Section II of the New Jersey State Constitution, each county in New Jersey is required to 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).[22] Atlantic County's constitutional officers are:[23]
- County Clerk Edward P. McGettigan (D, 2021, Linwood)[24][25]
- Sheriff Eric Scheffler (D, 2021, Northfield)[26][27]
- Surrogate James Curcio (R, 2020, Hammonton)[28][29]
The Atlantic County Prosecutor is Damon G. Tyner of Egg Harbor Township, who took office in March 2017 after being nominated the previous month by Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie and receiving confirmation from the New Jersey Senate.[30][31]
Atlantic County, along with Cape May County, is part of Vicinage 1 of New Jersey Superior Court. The Atlantic County Civil Courthouse Complex is in Atlantic City, while criminal cases are heard in May's Landing; the Assignment Judge for Vicinage 1 is Julio L. Mendez.[32]
Federal represenatation[]
The 2nd Congressional District covers all of Atlantic County.[33][34] Template:NJ Congress 02
State representation[]
District | Senate[35] | Assembly[35] | Municipalities |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Mike Testa (R) | Antwan McClellan (R)
Erik K. Simonsen (R) |
Corbin City, Estell Manor and Weymouth Township.
The remainder of this district covers portions of Cape May County & Cumberland County. |
2nd | Chris A. Brown (R) | Vince Mazzeo (D)
John Armato (D) |
Absecon City, Atlantic City, Brigantine City, Buena Borough, Buena Vista Township Egg Harbor City, Egg Harbor Township, Folsom Borough, Hamilton Township, Linwood City, Longport Borough, Margate City, Mullica Township, Northfield City, Pleasantville City, Somers Point City and Ventnor City. |
8th | Dawn Marie Addiego (D) | Ryan Peters (R)
Jean Stanfield (R) |
Hammonton. The remainder of this district includes portions of Burlington County & Camden County. |
9th | Christopher J. Connors (R) | Brian E. Rumpf (R)
DiAnne Gove (R) |
Galloway Township and Port Republic. The remainder of this district includes portions of Burlington County and Ocean County. |
Politics[]
In state and national elections, Atlantic County is a reliably Democratic county, in contrast to the other three counties on the Jersey Shore -- Monmouth, Ocean and Cape May counties—which tend to lean heavily Republican.
As of August 1, 2020, there were a total of 195,965 registered voters in Atlantic County, of whom 71,142 (36.3%) were registered as Democrats, 52,513 (26.8%) were registered as Republicans and 69,466 (35.5%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2,844 (1.5%) voters registered to other parties.[36] Among the county's 2010 Census population, 62.5% were registered to vote, including 76.7% of those ages 18 and over.[37][38]
In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 60,924 votes (51.0%) in the county, ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 52,690 votes (44.1%), and other candidates with 3,677 (3.1%). In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 65,600 votes (57.9%) in the county, ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 46,522 votes (41.1%) and other candidates with 1,057 votes (0.9%), among the 113,231 ballots cast by the county's 172,204 registered voters, for a turnout of 65.8%.[39][40] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 67,830 votes (56.5%) in Atlantic County, ahead of Republican John McCain with 49,902 votes (41.6%) and other candidates with 1,310 votes (1.1%), among the 120,074 ballots cast by the county's 176,316 registered voters, for a turnout of 68.1%.[41] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 55,746 votes (52.0%), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 49,487 votes (46.2%) and other candidates with 864 votes (0.8%), among the 107,187 ballots cast by the county's 153,496 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.8%.[42]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 43,975 votes in the county (60.0%), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 25,557 votes (34.9%) and other candidates with 947 votes (1.3%), among the 73,258 ballots cast by the county's 176,696 registered voters, yielding a 41.5% turnout.[43][44] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 35,724 votes (47.7%), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 33,361 votes (44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 3,611 votes (4.8%) and other candidates with 913 votes (1.2%), among the 74,915 ballots cast by the county's 166,958 registered voters, yielding a 44.9% turnout.[45]
Municipalities[]

Index map of Atlantic County (click to see index key)
- Absecon (city)
- Atlantic City (city)
- Brigantine (city)
- Buena Vista Township (township)
- Collings Lakes
- Richland
- Buena (borough)
- Corbin City (city)
- Egg Harbor City (city)
- Egg Harbor Township (township)
- Estell Manor (city)
- Folsom (borough)
- Galloway Township (township)
- Pomona
- Hamilton Township (township)
- Mays Landing
- Hammonton (town)
- Linwood (city)
- Longport (borough)
- Margate City (city)
- Mullica Township (township)
- Elwood-Magnolia
- Northfield (city)
- Pleasantville (city)
- Port Republic (city)
- Somers Point (city)
- Ventnor City (city)
- Weymouth Township (township)
Education[]
Institutions of higher education in Atlantic County include:
- Atlantic Cape Community College in Mays Landing serves students from both Atlantic County and Cape May County.
- Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, in Pomona
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey at Atlantic Cape Community College, in Mays Landing – For more information on this program please visit http://www.rutgersataccc.org.
See also[]
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Atlantic County, New Jersey
References[]
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ "New Jersey Resident Population by County: 1880–1930". http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd5.htm.
- ^ "Geostat Center: Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
- ^ "The Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships in 2010 in New Jersey: 2000 and 2010". U.S. Census Bureau. 2011-02-03. http://2010.census.gov/news/xls/st34-final_newjersey.xls. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS.
- ^ Rinde, Meir. "Explainer: What's a Freeholder? NJ's Unusual County Government System", NJ Spotlight, October 27, 2015. Accessed February 25, 2018. "Five counties -- Atlantic, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Mercer -- opted for popularly elected county executives in addition to freeholder boards."
- ^ a b Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed October 21, 2017.
- ^ District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed October 21, 2017.
- ^ Gallo Jr., Bill. "Which N.J. county freeholders are paid the most?", NJ.com, March 11, 2016. Accessed October 25, 2017. "Freeholder chairman: $21,500; Other freeholders: $20,000"
- ^ County Executive, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
- ^ Hurley, Harry. "Dennis Levinson seeks his fifth term as Atlantic County executive" Archived 2018-02-23 at the Wayback Machine, Shore News Today, July 21, 2015. Accessed June 5, 2018. "Levinson went on to win the elections of 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011, consistently by very wide margins."
- ^ Atlantic County Manual 2017, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
- ^ Frank D. Formica, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
- ^ Maureen Kern, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
- ^ James A. Bertino, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
- ^ Ernest D. Coursey, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
- ^ Richard R. Dase, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
- ^ Caren L. Fitzpatrick, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
- ^ Amy L. Gatto, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
- ^ John W. Risley, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
- ^ New Jersey State Constitution (1947), Article VII, Section II, Paragraph 2, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed October 26, 2017.
- ^ Constitutional Officers, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
- ^ Meet the Atlantic County Clerk Archived October 22, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Atlantic County Clerk. Accessed October 21, 2017.
- ^ Members List: Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 22, 2020.
- ^ Sheriff Eric Scheffler, Atlantic County Sheriff's Office. Accessed June 5, 2018.
- ^ Members List: Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 22, 2020.
- ^ Surrogate's Office, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed October 21, 2017.
- ^ Members List: Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 22, 2020.
- ^ Meet the Prosecutor, Office of the Atlantic County Prosecutor. Accessed October 2, 2017. "Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner was appointed as the Atlantic County Prosecutor on March 15, 2017 by the Governor of New Jersey with the advice and consent of the State Senate."
- ^ "Governor Chris Christie Files Nomination", Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, press release dated February 28, 2017. "Atlantic County Prosecutor - Nominate for appointment the Honorable Damon Tyner (Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic)"
- ^ Atlantic/Cape May Counties, New Jersey Courts. Accessed October 21, 2017.
- ^ 2012 Congressional Districts by County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections. Accessed October 2, 2013.
- ^ Plan Components Report, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2011. Accessed October 2, 2013.
- ^ a b "New Jersey Legislature - Legislative Roster". https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp.
- ^ "Politics of New Jersey" (in en), Wikipedia, 2020-08-25, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_New_Jersey&oldid=974801772, retrieved 2020-09-20
- ^ Statewide Voter Registration Summary Archived 2014-12-22 at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, as of October 31, 2014. Accessed May 11, 2015.
- ^ GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County / County Equivalent from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 11, 2015.
- ^ Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Atlantic County Archived December 25, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 24, 2014.
- ^ Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Atlantic County Archived December 25, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 24, 2014.
- ^ 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 24, 2014.
- ^ 2004 Presidential Election: Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 24, 2014.
- ^ 2013 Governor: Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 24, 2014.
- ^ Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 5, 2013 General Election Results : Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 24, 2014.
- ^ 2009 Governor: Atlantic County Archived 2016-01-12 at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 24, 2014.
External links[]
- Atlantic County website
- History of Atlantic County, New Jersey
- Rutgers at Atlantic Cape Community College
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