Northfield was founded by Jeremiah Leeds; he has a gravestone at Oxford Circle, but it is not certain that he was buried there.[23] Northfield was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 21, 1905, from portions of Egg Harbor Township.[24] A portion of Egg Harbor Township was transferred to Northfield in 1931, and then reverted to Egg Harbor Township in 1933.[25]
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%).[2][3]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include Bakersville and Dolphin.[29]
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.[20]
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.[20]
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.[40]
2000 censusedit
As of the 2000 United States census[17] there were 7,725 people, 2,824 households, and 2,109 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,254.9 inhabitants per square mile (870.6/km2). There were 2,922 housing units at an average density of 852.9 per square mile (329.3/km2). 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.[38][39]
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.[38][39]
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.[38][39]
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.[38][39]
Parks and recreationedit
Northfield is home to Birch Grove Park, which covers 271 acres (110 ha) 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.[41]
Northfield features a large bird sanctuary, dedicated to remaining open space in perpetuity.[42]
Governmentedit
Local governmentedit
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.[43] The governing body is composed 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 is composed of 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.[7][44]
As of 2023[update], 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).[4][45][46][47][48][49][50]
After Gregory Dewees took office in January 2022 in the At Large seat, the City Council appointed Eric Leeds to fill the Second Ward seat expiring in December 2022 that Dewees had previously held.[51]
In the November 2014 general election, Republican Erland Chau was chosen to fill the balance of the mayoral seat expiring December 31, 2015. Jerry McGee had been appointed by the council in February 2014 to fill the seat on an interim basis after Democrat Vince Mazzeo had resigned to take a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly.[52] The city council chose Jeff Lischin in December 2014 to fill the vacant council seat of Erland Chau expiring in December 2016. Lischin will serve on an interim basis until the November 2015 general election, at which time the voters will select a candidate to serve the balance of the unexpired term.[53] In November 2015, Lischin was elected to serve the balance of the term.[54]
Politicsedit
As of March 2011, there were a total of 5,610 registered voters in Northfield Township, of which 1,331 (23.7% vs. 30.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,801 (32.1% vs. 25.2%) were registered as Republicans and 2,473 (44.1% vs. 44.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[55] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 65.1% (vs. 58.8% in Atlantic County) were registered to vote, including 85.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 76.6% countywide).[55][56]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 2,077 votes (49.3% vs. 57.9% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 2,059 votes (48.9% vs. 41.1%) and other candidates with 40 votes (0.9% vs. 0.9%), among the 4,214 ballots cast by the township's 5,923 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.1% (vs. 65.8% in Atlantic County).[57][58] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 2,244 votes (49.7% vs. 41.6% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 2,187 votes (48.5% vs. 56.5%) and other candidates with 44 votes (1.0% vs. 1.1%), among the 4,512 ballots cast by the township's 5,879 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.7% (vs. 68.1% in Atlantic County).[59] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,239 votes (52.6% vs. 46.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 1,940 votes (45.6% vs. 52.0%) and other candidates with 40 votes (0.9% vs. 0.8%), among the 4,253 ballots cast by the township's 5,296 registered voters, for a turnout of 80.3% (vs. 69.8% in the whole county).[60]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,877 votes (63.2% vs. 60.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 950 votes (32.0% vs. 34.9%) and other candidates with 39 votes (1.3% vs. 1.3%), among the 2,971 ballots cast by the township's 5,981 registered voters, yielding a 49.7% turnout (vs. 41.5% in the county).[61][62] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,662 votes (50.7% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,352 votes (41.2% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 183 votes (5.6% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 36 votes (1.1% vs. 1.2%), among the 3,281 ballots cast by the township's 5,742 registered voters, yielding a 57.1% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).[63]
Federal, state and county representationedit
Northfield is located in the 2nd Congressional District[64] and is part of New Jersey's 2nd state legislative district.[65][66][67]
Atlantic County is governed by a directly elected county executive and a nine-member Board of County Commissioners, responsible for legislation. The executive serves a four-year term and the commissioners are elected to staggered three-year terms, of which four are elected from the county on an at-large basis and five of the commissioners represent equally populated districts.[73][74] As of 2024[update], Atlantic County's Executive is Dennis Levinson (R, Northfield), whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.[75] Members of the Board of County Commissioners are:
Atlantic County's constitutional officers are:
Clerk Joesph J. Giralo (R, 2026, Hammonton),[86][87]
Sheriff Joe O'Donoghue (R, 2026, Egg Harbor Township)[88][89] and
Surrogate James Curcio (R, 2025, Hammonton).[90][91][92]
Educationedit
Students in public school for kindergarten through eighth grade are served by the Northfield Community Schools.[93] As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprising two schools, had an enrollment of 919 students and 82.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.1:1.[94] Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[95]) are
Northfield Community Elementary School[96] with 505 students in grades K–4 and
Northfield Community Middle School[97] with 409 students in grades 5–8.[98][99]
Holy Family Regional School in Ventnor, a K–8 school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden formed in 2008, was co-sponsored by St. Gianna Beretta Church of Northfield. In 2011 the archdiocese closed the school.[106]
Transportationedit
Roads and highwaysedit
As of May 2010[update], the city had a total of 46.41 miles (74.69 km) of roadways, of which 36.07 miles (58.05 km) were maintained by the municipality, 8.43 miles (13.57 km) by Atlantic County and 1.91 miles (3.07 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[107]
Vince Mazzeo (born 1964), politician who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 2014, before which he had served as the mayor of Northfield from 2008 through 2014[112]
^Kuperinsky, Amy. "'The Jewel of the Meadowlands'?: N.J.'s best, worst and weirdest town slogans", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 22, 2015. Accessed July 12, 2016. "Just six miles away, signs for Northfield advertise the 'Gateway to the Shore'."
^ abAnnual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022, United States Census Bureau, released May 2023. Accessed May 18, 2023.
^ abcdeDP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Northfield city, Atlantic County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 16, 2012.
^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.
^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.
^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 March 26, 2012.
^Home page, City of Northfield. Accessed April 11, 2012.
^Areas touching Northfield, MapIt. Accessed August 13, 2015.
^New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.
^Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
^Areas touching Northfield, MapIt. Accessed March 1, 2020.
^Barnett, Bob. Population Data for Atlantic County Municipalities, 1840 - 2000, WestJersey.org. December 6, 2010. Accessed November 19, 2013.
^Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed October 29, 2013.
^Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890, United States Census Bureau, p. 335. Accessed October 29, 2013.
^Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 714. Accessed January 16, 2012.
^Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.
^ abcdeCensus 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Northfield city, New Jersey Archived 2016-01-31 at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 16, 2013.
^ abcdeDP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Northfield city, Atlantic County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 16, 2013.
^DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Northfield city, Atlantic County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 16, 2012.
^Birch Grove Park & Family Campground, City of Northfield. Accessed April 11, 2012.
^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."
^Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.
^"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 4. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
^2023 Municipal Data Sheet, City of Northfield. 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.
^"Bucci, Leeds join Northfield City Council; Dewees changes seats", Ocean City Sentinel, January 19, 2022. Accessed July 30, 2022. "Councilmen Brian Smith and Greg Dewees also were sworn in Tuesday. Smith won a second-straight term uncontested and Dewees defeated Frank Perri for the at-large seat in the election Nov. 2.... Dewees won re-election to his Ward II seat in 2019 and had one year remaining. The unexpired term was filled by the appointment of Leeds, 55, who grew up in Egg Harbor Township and attended Oakcrest High School."
^Marino, Suzzane. "Northfield voters go Republican", The Current, November 5, 2014. Accessed February 8, 2015. "Erland Chau is the new mayor in Northfield outpacing challenger Paul Utts 1,353 to 986. He takes over as soon as he can be sworn in and current Northfield Mayor Jerry McGee's term in office will end as he was appointed to fill the mayor's seat since February after former Mayor Vince Mazzeo began his term in the New Jersey Assembly."
^Schenk, Craig D. "Lischin appointed to Northfield City Council", Ocean City Sentinel, December 11, 2014. Accessed February 8, 2015. "City Council has chosen real estate agent Jeff Lischin to replace Erland Chau representing the city's 1st Ward after Chau was elected mayor in November. Lischin, 45, and his wife, Margot, have two children who attend Northfield Community Middle School. He will serve until November, when he would have to seek re-election to the final year of the unexpired term. The winner of that election would serve until Dec. 31, 2016, when the victor in the 2016 election assumes the seat for a full three-year term."
^ abVoter Registration Summary - Atlantic, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 24, 2014.
^GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 24, 2014.
^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.
^U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
^Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
^Home, sweet home: Bob Menendez back in Hudson County. nj.com. Accessed April 30, 2021. "Booker, Cory A. - (D - NJ) Class II; Menendez, Robert - (D - NJ) Class I"
^ abAtlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^County Executive, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^Ernest D. Coursey, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^Maureen Kern, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^Ashley R. Bennett, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^Richard R. Dase, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^James A. Bertino, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^Caren L. Fitzpatrick, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^Frank D. Formica, 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.
^Atlantic County Manual 2018, 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 June 5, 2018.
^Members List: Clerks Archived October 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^Sheriff Eric Scheffler, Atlantic County Sheriff's Office. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^Members List: Sheriffs Archived October 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^Surrogate's Office, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^Members List: Surrogates Archived October 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^Constitutional Officers, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
^Northfield Board of Education District Policy 9000.1 Identification, Northfield Community Schools. Accessed May 12, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-K through 8 in the Northfield School District. Composition: The Northfield School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Northfield."
^Northfield Community Elementary School, Northfield Community Schools. Accessed May 12, 2020.
^Northfield Community Middle School, Northfield Community Schools. Accessed May 12, 2020.
^About Our School, Northfield Community Schools. Accessed May 12, 2020. "We have approximately 1,000 pupils, grades PK-8, housed in one building located on a site of 11.58 acres. Although we are located in one building, we have designated the downstairs of the building as the Northfield Community Elementary School for grades PK-4 and the upstairs of the building as the Northfield Community Middle School for grades 5-8."
^Mainland Regional High School 2016 School Report Card, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed May 21, 2017. "Mainland is a comprehensive, four-year public high school with an enrollment of approximately 1,351 students serving the communities of Somers Point, Northfield and Linwood. Mainland is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education."
^Marino, Suzanne. "Mainland Regional school board candidates running unopposed", The Current of Linwood, Northfield & Somers Point, October 25, 2017. Accessed February 12, 2020. "There are no challenges in this year's election for the Mainland Regional Board of Education in any of the three sending communities. Somers Point has four seats on the nine-member Board of Education, with one up for election. Northfield controls three seats, two of which are up for election. Linwood has two seats on the board, none of which are up for election this year."
^Frequently Asked Questions Archived April 24, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Atlantic County Institute of Technology. Accessed May 17, 2017. "What does it cost to attend ACIT? As a public school, there is no cost to Atlantic County residents of high school age. New Jersey Title 18A:54-20.1 entitles students the right to choose ACIT for their high school education."
^Barna, John (February 10, 2011). "Holy Family School in Ventnor to close at end of school year". Gloucester County Times. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
^Atlantic County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 23, 2011. Accessed November 19, 2013.
^South Jersey Transit Guide Archived 2018-09-29 at the Wayback Machine, Cross County Connection, as of April 1, 2010. Accessed November 19, 2013.
^Miller, Michael. "Pulitzer Prize poet will read works in O.C.", The Press of Atlantic City, June 22, 2007. Accessed August 14, 2007. "The late poet A.R. Ammons, formerly of Ocean City, Northfield and Millville, won the prestigious National Book Award."
^Schaffer, Regina. "Art Blakey will be remembered by Keith Hollis band, Jazz Vespers in Atlantic City Sunday", The Press of Atlantic City, January 14, 2014. Accessed May 21, 2017. "Hollis, an Atlantic City native, was only 6 years old when Blakey and his family, including longtime companion Sandy Warren, moved to Northfield."
^Parmley, Suzette. "Amid the produce, Vince Mazzeo basks in Assembly win", The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 9, 2013. Accessed September 11, 2015. "Since 2008, Mazzeo has been mayor of Northfield, population 8,600, where he was born and raised."
^Staff. "Evelyn Nesbit Ill of Pneumonia", The New York Times, February 10, 1932. Accessed September 26, 2019. "Atlantic City, N. J., Feb. 9 - Evelyn Nesbit, divorced wife of Harry K. Thaw, and well known here as a cabaret entertainer, was reported ill of pneumonia tonight in her home, 2,000 Shore Road, Northfield."
^"In Memoriam, November 1993 - Walter Fifield Snyder", Perspectives on History November 1, 1993. Accessed July 30, 2019. "Walter Fifield Snyder passed away in Spring Hill, Florida, on February 9, 1993. Dr. Snyder was born on April 9, 1912, in Northfield, New Jersey, and received his AB from Swarthmore College in 1932."
External linksedit
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