Hamilton Township is a township in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 27,484, an increase of 981 (+3.7%) from the 2010 census count of 26,503, which in turn reflected an increase of 6,004 (+29.3%) from the 20,499 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 of Hamilton was incorporated by the New Jersey Legislature on February 5, 1813.A Brief Overview of our Town, Hamilton Township. Accessed October 2, 2006.
The township calls itself "New Jersey's Largest Municipality" on its stationery and its website. At , Hamilton Township has the largest land area of any municipality in New Jersey. However, with a total area (land and water combined) of it is the second-largest municipality in New Jersey, behind neighboring Galloway Township, which has a total area of .Barlas, Thomas. "Step aside, Hamilton twp.: Galloway is bigger / 'Largest' N.J. town a little smaller than neighbor, data show" , The Press of Atlantic City, July 9, 2007. Accessed November 18, 2013. "Take Atlantic County's Hamilton Township, which for years has hailed itself on stationery and signs as 'New Jersey's Largest Municipality'.... But Hamilton Township residents might want to take another look at the numbers before becoming too smug with its bigness: The federal government says neighboring Galloway Township is actually larger."
Geographically, the township, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.
History Hamilton Township's origins are directly tied to the Great Egg Harbor River and its tributaries which run through it. George May, after whom the village of Mays Landing was named, built a shipyard and trading post near Babcock Creek in 1756. By the mid 19th century, Mays Landing reached the height of its shipbuilding.
From 1830 to 1880, more than 200 vessels were built along the Great Egg Harbor River with lumber from native forests and iron from Weymouth foundries. Half of them were produced at Mays Landing. But by the end of the century, wood shipbuilding began to disappear due to the lack of suitable timber. Iron was then substituted for hull construction.
Hamilton was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 5, 1813, from portions of Egg Harbor Township and Weymouth Township, while the area was still part of Gloucester County. Hamilton became part of the newly created Atlantic County in 1837. Portions of the township were taken to form Hammonton on March 5, 1866, and to form Buena Vista Township on March 5, 1867.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 69. Accessed May 28, 2024. The township was named for Alexander Hamilton.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 31, 2015.
Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 112.94 square miles (292.52 km2), including 110.90 square miles (287.22 km2) of land and 2.05 square miles (5.31 km2) of water (1.81%).
Mays Landing, with a 2020 population of 5,603), McKee City (9,758), and Mizpah (479) are census-designated places located within Hamilton Township.GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 12, 2012. Mays Landing has been the county seat of Atlantic County since it was formed in 1837.New Jersey County Map, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed July 10, 2017.
Other unincorporated communities, localities, and places located partially or completely within the township include Mays Landing, the county seat of Atlantic County, and Bears Head, Carmantown, Catawba, Clarktown, Cologne, Dacosta, Emmelsville, Gravelly Run, Lake Lenape, Laureldale, Reega, Thompsontown, Weymouth, and Wilsons Landing.Township of Hamilton Historical Society. Township of Hamilton, Atlantic County, p. 7. Arcadia Publishing, 2001. . Accessed December 11, 2011.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed November 28, 2014.
The township borders the Atlantic County municipalities of Buena Vista Township, Egg Harbor Township, Estell Manor, Folsom, Galloway Township, Hammonton, Mullica Township and Weymouth Township.Areas touching Hamilton Township, MapIt. Accessed September 25, 2019.Atlantic County District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed July 9, 2024.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Pinelands Reserve The township is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey 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 18, 2013. Part of the township is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Atlantic County, along with areas in Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed November 18, 2013.
The western three-quarters of the township is governed by regulation by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, which places major limitations on development in that portion of the township, which remains as pine forest with a distinctly rural character, with other portions designated as a Rural Development Area.New Jersey Pinelands Land Capability Map, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, June 2011. Accessed December 11, 2011. Significant portions of the eastern quarter of the township are designated by the Pinelands Commission as part of the Regional Growth Area (RGA), in which development is "allowed and encouraged" in the area surrounding Atlantic City, New Jersey.Comprehensive Management Plan, New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Accessed December 11, 2011. The majority of the township's residents live in the area covered by the RGA, which has been developed in suburban fashion and includes shopping areas such as the Hamilton Mall, part of the township's of first class commercial retail properties.Map of Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed December 11, 2011.
Demographics
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 26,503 people, 9,490 households, and 6,690 families in the township. The population density was . There were 10,196 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 67.96% (18,011) White, 18.55% (4,916) Black or African American, 0.26% (68) Native American, 5.41% (1,435) Asian, 0.06% (16) Pacific Islander, 4.12% (1,092) from other races, and 3.64% (965) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.79% (3,390) of the population.
Of the 9,490 households, 32.7% had children under the age of 18; 48.1% were married couples living together; 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.5% were non-families. Of all households, 22.7% were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.15.
24.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.0 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $59,085 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,242) and the median family income was $62,354 (+/− $3,893). Males had a median income of $47,110 (+/− $4,411) versus $36,615 (+/− $3,549) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,292 (+/− $1,528). About 8.4% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Hamilton township, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 28, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census, there were 20,499 people, 7,148 households, and 5,039 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 7,567 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 71.45% White, 19.26% African American, 0.29% Native American, 3.29% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.33% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.91% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hamilton township, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 28, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hamilton township, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 19, 2012.
There were 7,148 households, out of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the township, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $50,259, and the median income for a family was $54,899. Males had a median income of $37,419 versus $30,089 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,309. About 4.5% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.
Economy Hamilton is home to over of first-class retail establishments including Hamilton Mall, Consumer Square and Hamilton Commons.
Balic Winery, established in 1966, produces 27 different wines on a vineyard.About Balic , Balic Winery. Accessed May 28, 2015.
Parks and recreation The Great Egg Harbor River and Lake Lenape are recreational resources used by local residents and visitors alike. The Lake Lenape Parks cover more than .Lake Lenape Park, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed September 25, 2019. "Lake Lenape Park East and Lake Lenape Park West are located in Hamilton Township and together encompass nearly 2,000 acres of land."
Government Local government