Northfield is a city in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 8,434, a decrease of 190 (−2.2%) from the 2010 census count of 8,624, which in turn reflected an increase of 899 (+11.6%) from the 7,725 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.
Northfield was founded by Jeremiah Leeds; he has a gravestone at Oxford Circle, but it is not certain that he was buried there.Shea, Kevin. "N.J. city founding father’s grave is in a traffic circle. But is his body really there?", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 26, 2022. Accessed July 4, 2023. Northfield was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 21, 1905, from portions of Egg Harbor Township.Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 208. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed September 11, 2015. A portion of Egg Harbor Township was transferred to Northfield in 1931, and then reverted to Egg Harbor Township in 1933.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 70. Accessed May 30, 2024.
The city calls itself the "Gateway to the Shore", just over the bridge from the beaches, and is located about west of Atlantic City, bordering the municipalities of Pleasantville, Egg Harbor Township and Linwood.Home page, City of Northfield. Accessed April 11, 2012.Areas touching Northfield, MapIt. Accessed August 13, 2015. Geographically, the city, 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.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 3.62 square miles (9.37 km2), including 3.58 square miles (9.28 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.09 km2) of water (0.97%).
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include Bakersville and Dolphin.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
The borough borders the Atlantic County municipalities of Egg Harbor Township, Linwood and Pleasantville.Areas touching Northfield, MapIt. Accessed March 1, 2020.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.
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, Northfield had a population of 8,434. The median age was 44.8 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.2 males age 18 and over.
99.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.3% lived in rural areas.
There were 3,116 households in Northfield, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.2% were married-couple households, 14.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 3,309 housing units, of which 5.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%.
+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 6,669 79.1% Black or African American 210 2.5% American Indian and Alaska Native 21 0.2% Asian 467 5.5% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 8 0.1% Some other race 447 5.3% Two or more races 612 7.3% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 974 11.5%
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 8,624 people, 3,152 households, and 2,301 families in the city. The population density was . There were 3,260 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 87.14% (7,515) White, 3.24% (279) Black or African American, 0.19% (16) Native American, 4.50% (388) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 2.89% (249) from other races, and 2.04% (176) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.00% (690) of the population.
Of the 3,152 households, 34.7% had children under the age of 18; 55.2% were married couples living together; 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.0% were non-families. Of all households, 22.1% were made up of individuals and 11.5% 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 3.15.
24.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 87.0 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $70,980 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,377) and the median family income was $78,727 (+/− $5,763). Males had a median income of $57,027 (+/− $4,611) versus $45,757 (+/− $6,595) for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,675 (+/− $2,461). About 2.5% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Northfield city, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 16, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 7,725 people, 2,824 households, and 2,109 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,922 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 91.52% White, 2.65% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.50% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.81% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.38% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Northfield city, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 16, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Northfield city, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 16, 2013.
There were 2,824 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 25.5% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $56,875, and the median income for a family was $62,896. Males had a median income of $43,227 versus $30,227 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,059. About 4.4% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
Parks and recreation Northfield is home to Birch Grove Park, which covers of heavily wooded land dotted with stocked fresh water fishing lakes. Birch Grove Park features over 50 campsites, exercise and nature trails, a bandstand and an extensive children's playground.Birch Grove Park & Family Campground, City of Northfield. Accessed April 11, 2012.
Northfield features a large bird sanctuary, dedicated to remaining open space in perpetuity.Russell, Thomas. "School Board's Sale of Property to Mean Revenue for Northfield", The Press of Atlantic City, November 8, 1997. Accessed November 19, 2013. "The city also owns a neighboring property that was deed restricted several years ago for use as a bird sanctuary."
Government Local government Northfield operates under the City form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 15 municipalities (of the 564) statewide. Under this form of government, the council functions as a legislative body: it passes ordinances and approves the appointments of the mayor. The mayor, as executive, is responsible for administrative functions and appointment of all officials.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 a mayor and a city council who are chosen in partisan elections held as part of the November general election. The mayor serves a four-year term of office. The City Council includes seven members, with one member elected at-large to a four-year term in office and six who are elected from wards to three-year terms on a staggered basis with two seats up for election each year.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 13."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 4. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
, the Mayor of Northfield is Republican Erland V.L. Chau, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the City Council are Council President Tom Polistina (R, 2023; 2nd Ward), Carolyn Bucci (R, 2024; 2nd Ward), Renee Carfagno (R, 2025; 1st Ward), Gregory Dewees (R, 2025; At Large), Eric Leeds (R, 2025; 2nd Ward), David Notaro (R, 2023; 1st Ward) and Brian L. Smith (R, 2024; 1st Ward).Northfield City Council, City of Northfield. Accessed June 6, 2023.2023 Municipal Data Sheet, City of Northfield. Accessed June 6, 2023.Municipal Government, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2023.2022 General Election Results - Amended, Atlantic County Clerk, updated December 5, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated January 4, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2022.November 3, 2020 General Election Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, update January 4, 2021. Accessed February 1, 2021.General Election Results - November 5, 2019, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated November 19, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.