Chesilhurst, New Jersey
Chesilhurst is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 1,634, reflecting an increase of 114 from the 1,520 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 6 from the 1,526 counted in the 1990 Census. New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Chesilhurst last among the towns rated in its 2008 rankings of "Best Places to Live" in New Jersey.
Chesilhurst was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on November 26, 1887, from portions of Waterford Township and Winslow Township, based on the results of a referendum held on October 18, 1887.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Chesilhurst borough had a total area of 1.720 square miles, including 1.718 square miles of land and 0.002 square miles of water.The borough borders both Waterford Township and Winslow Township.
Demographics
Census 2010
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $57,969 and the median family income was $76,406. Males had a median income of $42,232 versus $36,908 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,646. About 3.2% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.Census 2000
As of the 2000 United States Census there were 1,520 people, 493 households, and 345 families residing in the borough. The population density was 885.8 people per square mile. There were 535 housing units at an average density of 311.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 37.37% White, 55.99% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 2.89% from other races, and 3.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.08% of the population.There were 493 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.32.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $41,786, and the median income for a family was $50,263. Males had a median income of $33,333 versus $28,500 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $15,252. About 8.0% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government
Chesilhurst is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 of 565 municipalities statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of a Mayor and a Borough Council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council is comprised of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The Borough form of government used by Chesilhurst is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council., the Mayor of Chesilhurst is Democrat Jamila A. Odom-Garnett, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Rukiah Alwan, Russell S. Hirn Sr., Monica Holmes, Herbert Littles and Matthew Marrone, with the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Mayor Odom-Garnett vacabt.
Federal, state and county representation
Chesilhurst is located in the 1st Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 4th state legislative district. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Chesilhurst had been in the 6th state legislative district.Politics
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 1,156 registered voters in Chesilhurst, of which 673 were registered as Democrats, 79 were registered as Republicans and 404 were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 82.8% of the vote, ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 16.2%, and other candidates with 1.1%, among the 767 ballots cast by the borough's 1,250 registered voters, for a turnout of 61.4%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 82.8% of the vote, ahead of Republican John McCain, who received around 14.2%, with 793 ballots cast among the borough's 1,241 registered voters, for a turnout of 63.9%. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 77.4% of the vote, outpolling Republican George W. Bush, who received around 19.4%, with 669 ballots cast among the borough's 1,038 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 64.5.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 64.2% of the vote, ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 34.8%, and other candidates with 1.0%, among the 400 ballots cast by the borough's 1,240 registered voters, for a turnout of 32.3%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 71.4% of the vote, ahead of both Republican Chris Christie with 23.2% and Independent Chris Daggett with 2.7%, with 440 ballots cast among the borough's 1,161 registered voters, yielding a 37.9% turnout.
Education
The Chesilhurst Borough School District had served public school students in kindergarten through sixth grade at Shirley B. Foster Elementary School. After the completion of the 2008–09 school year, the district was no longer operating any schools and began sending all of its students to the Winslow Township School District as part of a sending/receiving relationship that commenced in the 2009–10 school year.Despite the fact that the district does not operate any school facilities, The district's board of education, with five members, sets policy and oversees the operation of the sending relationship. As a Type II school district, the board's trustees are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year held as part of the November general election.
Transportation
Roads and highways
, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Camden County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.US 30 is the main road serving Chesilhurst. CR 536 runs along the southern border briefly. The Atlantic City Expressway is accessible in neighboring Winslow Township.