Gloucester City, New Jersey

{{New Netherland}}

Image:Kartskiss över Nya Sverige.png

The name Fort Nassau was used by the Dutch in the 17th century for several fortifications, mostly trading stations, named for the House of Orange-Nassau. The one built in the 1620s[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nycoloni/nswdmp.html New Sweden 1638-1655 Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania], Rootsweb.com. Accessed August 31, 2015. at today's Gloucester City was for trade, mostly in beaver pelts, with the indigenous population of Susquehannock and Lenape. The region along the Delaware River and its bay was called the Zuyd Rivier and marked the southern flank of the province of New Netherland.Silverman, Sharo Hernes. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080421032825/http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/ppet/morton/page1.asp?secid=31 "New Sweden and the New World: History Lessons from the Morton Homestead"], from Pennsylvania Heritage Magazine, Volume XXV, Number 1 - Winter 1999. Accessed October 4, 2012.

From 1638 to 1655 the area was part of New Sweden, which had been established by Peter Minuit, who had been Director of New Netherland, and was responsible for the famous purchase of the island of Manhattan. The location was disadvantageous since the richest fur-trapping area was on the west side of the river, where Swedish could intercept trade with the natives. In 1651, Peter Stuyvesant, director-general of New Netherland, dismantled the structure and relocated to a position on the other side of the river, in part to menace the Swedish, calling it Fort Casimir.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

After the arrival of English Quakers on the Delaware, in 1677, a permanent settlement, at first called Axwamus, was established on the site of the present city. This was surveyed and laid out as a town in 1689. In 1868 it was chartered as a city.{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Gloucester City|volume=12|page=132}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 2.76 square miles (7.15 km²), including 2.31 square miles (5.98 km²) of land and 0.45 square miles (1.17 km²) of water (16.41%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include Cloversdale, Gloucester Heights, Highland Park and Newbold.[http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search], State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

The city borders the municipalities of Bellmawr, Brooklawn, Camden, Haddon Township, and Mount Ephraim. Gloucester City also borders Westville in Gloucester County and the city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, across the Delaware River.[http://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/837985/touches.html Areas touching Gloucester City], MapIt. Accessed January 13, 2017.[https://www.dvrpc.org/Mapping/Maps/pdf/Camden_MCDs.pdf Municipalities within Camden County, NJ], Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed February 21, 2020.[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries], New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

{{US Census population

|1870= 3682

|1880= 5347

|1890= 6564

|1900= 6840

|1910= 9462

|1920= 12162

|1930= 13796

|1940= 13692

|1950= 14357

|1960= 15511

|1970= 14707

|1980= 13121

|1990= 12649

|2000= 11484

|2010= 11456

|2020= 11484

| estimate=11507

| estyear=2023

| estref=[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/mcds/totals/SUB-MCD-EST2023-POP-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023], United States Census Bureau, released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.

|footnote=Population sources: 1870–2000Barnett, Bob. [http://westjersey.org/popcam_04.htm Population Data for Camden County Municipalities, 1850 - 2000], WestJersey.org, January 6, 2011. Accessed October 4, 2012.
1870–1920[https://dspace.njstatelib.org/xmlui/handle/10929/25218?show=full Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905], New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed October 14, 2013. 1870Raum, John O. [https://books.google.com/books?id=5qZ4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA279 The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1], p. 279, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed October 14, 2013. "Gloucester City had a population in 1850, of 2,188; in 1860, 2,320; and in 1870, 3,682." Population listed for 1850 and 1860 is for predecessor municipalities.Staff. [https://books.google.com/books?id=gNwIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA258 A compendium of the ninth census, 1870], p. 258. United States Census Bureau, 1872. Accessed October 14, 2013. 1880–1890Porter, Robert Percival. [https://books.google.com/books?id=8gUkQkJdLpsC&pg=PA97 Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75], p. 97. United States Census Bureau, 1890. Accessed October 14, 2013.
1890–1910[https://books.google.com/books?id=T9HrAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA336 Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890], United States Census Bureau, p. 336. Accessed May 30, 2012. 1870–1930[https://books.google.com/books?id=kifRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA710 Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I], United States Census Bureau, p. 710. Accessed May 30, 2012.
1940–2000[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2kpub/njsdcp3.pdf#page=27 Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000], Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023. 2000
2010[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3400726820 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Gloucester City city, Camden County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212101929/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3400726820 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 30, 2012.[http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_cam/gloucestercity1.pdf Table DP-1. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Gloucester City city] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529032631/http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_cam/gloucestercity1.pdf |date=May 29, 2015 }}, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed May 30, 2012. 2020[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/gloucestercitycitynewjersey/ QuickFacts Gloucester city, New Jersey], United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 11, 2022.[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_Mun/MCD%200_All.pdf Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities], New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.

}}

The 2010 United States census counted 11,456 people, 4,248 households, and 2,804 families in the city. The population density was {{convert|4937.8|/sqmi}}. There were 4,712 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2031.0|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup was 90.52% (10,370) White, 3.07% (352) Black or African American, 0.14% (16) Native American, 2.68% (307) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.82% (209) from other races, and 1.76% (202) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.70% (767) of the population.

Of the 4,248 households, 29.4% had children under the age of 18; 42.3% were married couples living together; 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.0% were non-families. Of all households, 27.4% were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.31.

24.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 94.4 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $52,222 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,589) and the median family income was $58,825 (+/− $7,975). Males had a median income of $49,032 (+/− $3,038) versus $36,560 (+/− $2,335) for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,718 (+/− $1,341). About 12.2% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3400726820 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Gloucester City city, Camden County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212085141/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3400726820 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 30, 2012.

As of the 2000 United States census there were 11,484 people, 4,213 households, and 2,839 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|5,213.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,604 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,090.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.14% White, 0.69% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.88% of the population.[http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/1603426820.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Gloucester City city, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711060453/http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/1603426820.pdf |date=July 11, 2007 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 4, 2012.[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3400726820 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Gloucester City city, Camden County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212094219/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3400726820 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 4, 2012.

As of the 2000 Census, 34.2% of Gloucester City residents were of Irish ancestry, the ninth-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States, and third-highest in New Jersey, among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.[http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Irish.html Irish Communities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112010914/http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Irish.html |date=November 12, 2019 }}, EPodunk. Accessed June 9, 2007.

There were 4,213 households, out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% 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 3.32.

In the city the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,855, and the median income for a family was $46,038. Males had a median income of $35,659 versus $24,907 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,912. About 7.7% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

Portions of the city are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. Gloucester City was selected in 2004 as one of two zones added to participate in the program.[https://www.state.nj.us/dca/affiliates/uez/publications/pdf/tax_q&a_052709.pdf Urban Enterprise Zone Tax Questions and Answers], New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, May 2009. Accessed October 28, 2019. "Legislation was amended again in 2004 to include Gloucester City and New Brunswick, creating a total of 32 zones in 37 municipalities." In addition to other benefits to encourage employment and investment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate (half of the {{frac|6|5|8}}% rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants.[https://www.nj.gov/dca/affiliates/uez/about/ Urban Enterprise Zone Program], New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed October 27, 2019. "Businesses participating in the UEZ Program can charge half the standard sales tax rate on certain purchases, currently 3.3125% effective 1/1/2018" Established in August 2004, the city's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in August 2024.[https://www.nj.gov/dca/affiliates/uez/publications/pdf/ZONE%20EXPIRATION%20DATES%20-%202018.pdf Urban Enterprise Zone Effective and Expiration Dates], New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed January 8, 2018.

Gloucester Point Grounds is a former baseball stadium that was the part-time home to the Philadelphia Athletics from 1888 to 1890, with the Athletics playing games there on Sunday to avoid blue law restrictions in Philadelphia.[http://www.gloucestercitynews.net/clearysnotebook/2007/01/gloucester_city.html?asset_id=6a00d8341bf7d953ef00d8353b82dc53ef "Gloucester City History - Gloucester City: Reinvention over centuries"], Courier-Post, October 19, 2006. Accessed November 15, 2014. "Gloucester City has significant but little known ties to Major League Baseball. Gloucester Point Grounds ballfield was home to the Philadelphia Athletics -- the forerunner of the American League team -- on Sundays from 1887 to 1889. At the time, Philadelphia's blue laws prohibited the A's from playing on Sundays in their usual park, the Jefferson Street Grounds."

John L. Sullivan World Champion Boxer had an exhibition match with William Muldoon Greco-Roman Wrestling Champion in Gloucester in 1889.[http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1889/VOL_13_NO_08/SL1308007.pdf Sporting Life / May 30, 1889]

Annie Oakley performed in Gloucester City on July 2, 1888 at the grandstand Gloucester Point Grounds along the Gloucester Beach in New Jersey as part of the Pawnee Bill Frontier Exhibition. Oakley would return to Gloucester City for exhibitions in 1898.[http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1898/VOL_32_NO_14/SL3214015.pdf Sporting Life / Dec. 1898]

Gloucester City is governed under a special charter, which was originally granted in 1868 by the New Jersey Legislature.[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A5000/4521_I1.HTM Assembly Bill, No. 4521 - 215th Legislature], New Jersey Legislature, introduce November 25, 2013. Accessed August 12, 2020. "Synopsis: Amends special charter of Gloucester City in Camden County to revise method of election of members of Common Council..... Statement: This bill would amend the special charter, granted by the Legislature in 1868, of the City of Gloucester City in Camden County." The city is one of 11 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use a special form.[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf 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 the Mayor and the six-member City Council. The Mayor is elected at-large and serves a four-year term. The six members of the council are elected in a three-year cycle with three elected at-large one year and one each from three wards to three-year terms the next year, so that there are no council seats up for vote in one year in the three-year cycle. The Mayor and Common Council are responsible for making public policy that addresses the needs of the City and its residents. The Mayor and Common Council also appoint members of the Planning and Zoning Board, as well as the Board of Health.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 28.[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=15 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"], p. 15. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.[http://www.cityofgloucester.org/mayorcouncil.htm The Mayor & Common Council] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907174734/http://cityofgloucester.org/mayorcouncil.htm |date=September 7, 2013 }}, City of Gloucester. Accessed October 14, 2013.

{{As of|2024}}, the Mayor of Gloucester City is Democrat Dayl R. Baile, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026; he was first elected in November 2021 to serve the balance of the term of office of Dan Spencer, expiring in December 2022.[https://www.cityofgloucester.org/people/dayl-baile Dayl Baile], Gloucester City. Accessed April 20, 2024. Members of the City Council are Nancy Randolph Baus (D, 2024; Third Ward), George Berglund (D, 2024; First Ward), Ed Cilurso III (D, 2025; At Large - appointed to serve an unexpired term), James "Bowie" Johnson (D, 2024; Second Ward), Robert J. Page (D, 2025) and Derek Timm (D, 2025).[https://www.cityofgloucester.org/mayor-and-common-council-gloucester-city Mayor and Common Council], Gloucester City. Accessed April 20, 2024.[https://www.cityofgloucester.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif5381/f/uploads/0414_certifiedintrobudget_2023.pdf#page=14 2023 Municipal Data Sheet], Gloucester City. Accessed May 3, 2022.[https://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/elections/general2022/2022-General-Election-Canvasser.pdf Official Election Results 2022 General Election November 8, 2022], Camden County, New Jersey, as of November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.[https://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/elections/general2021/2021-General-Election-Canvasser.pdf 2021 General Election November 2, 2021 Official Election Results], Camden County, New Jersey, update November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.[https://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/elections/general2020/2020-General-Election-Canvasser.pdf 2020 General Election November 3, 2020 Official Election Results], Camden County, New Jersey, update November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.

In December 2024, the city council appointed Ed Cilurso to the at-large seat expiring December 2025 that had been held by Sam Budesa until he left office; Cilurso will serve until the November 2024 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.[https://www.cityofgloucester.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif5381/f/uploads/277-2023.pdf Resolution Filling Vacancy For The Position Of An At-Large Common. Council Seat], City of Gloucester City. December 28, 2023. Accessed April 20, 2024. "WHEREAS, a vacancy became available in the Office of an At-Large Common Council seat held by Samuel Budesa... Edward Cilurso is hereby nominated to fill the vacancy of Councilperson At-Large until such time as the November 5, 2024 election is duly certified."

Mayor Dan Spencer stepped down from office in June 2021 from a term of office expiring in December 2022.Cleary Sr., William E. [https://www.gloucestercitynews.net/clearysnotebook/2021/04/gloucester-city-mayor-dan-spencer-this-evening-announced-his-retirement-from-office-effective-june-1-2021-the-announcemen.html "Mayor of Gloucester City Makes Surprise Announcement, Will Resign June 1st"], CNBNews, April 26, 2021. Accessed May 3, 2022. "Gloucester City Mayor Dan Spencer this evening made a surprise announcement that he was resigning from office effective June 1, 2021." In June 2021, the City Council appointed councilmember-at-large Patrick Keating to fill the mayoral seat on an interim basis.Cleary Sr., William E. [https://www.gloucestercitynews.net/clearysnotebook/2021/06/gloucester-city-finally-has-a-mayor.html "Gloucester City Finally Has A Mayor"], CNBNews, June 24, 2021. Accessed May 3, 2022. "It is official, Gloucester City's new mayor is Patrick Keating, longtime Gloucester City Democrat councilman, and a former Gloucester City Administrator. His term as councilman-at-large ends December 31, 2022." Based on the results of the November 2021 general election, Dayl Baile was sworn into mayor, having been elected to fill the seat that had been held by Dan Spencer, while Robert Page took office in the at-large council seat that had been held by Patrick Keating.[https://www.gloucestercitynews.net/clearysnotebook/2021/11/gloucester-city-new-mayor-and-councilman-take-oath-of-office-permanent-city-administrator-job-still-vacant.html "Gloucester City New Mayor and Councilman Take Oath of Office; Permanent City Administrator Job Still Vacant"], CNBNews, November 28, 2021. Accessed May 3, 2022. "Prior to the beginning of the November 23 Gloucester City Council meeting, Dayl Baile and Robert Page took the oath of office for mayor and council. Baile was elected on November 2 to the one-year unexpired term of the former mayor, Dan Spencer, and Page was elected to the one-year unexpired term of Patrick Keating. Both positions will be up for election in November 2022." In January 2022, the city council appointed Derek Timm to fill the at-large seat expiring in December 2022 that had been held by Dayl Baile before he took office as mayor.[https://www.gloucestercitynews.net/clearysnotebook/2022/01/gloucester-city-resident-derek-timm-is-the-newest-member-of-gloucester-city-council-filling-the-councilman-at-large-seat-of-d.html "Newly Named Councilman-at-large Derek Timm Addresses Citizens of Gloucester City"], CNBNews, January 7, 2022. Accessed May 3, 2022. "Gloucester City resident Derek Timm is the newest member of Gloucester City Council filling the councilman-at-large seat of Dayl Baile who is now serving as Mayor. The unexpired terms of both Timm and Baile will be up for election in November 2022."

Gloucester City is protected by a career fire staff 24/7 Located at 1 N. King Street. The fire department operates 1 Squad Company 51 (rescue engine), 1 Quint Company 51 (105' ladder), 1 Battalion 504, 1 Hazardous Material (Hazmat 5), 2 Engine Companies (52,54 volunteer stations), 2 Marine (boat) units and several support units.

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is operated by Virtua EMS formally Lourdes Health. Virtua EMS is operated daily with two NJ state certified EMTs and/or paramedics and serve as a Basic Life Support (BLS) unit. BLS 557 and 558 is located at 230 Nicholson Road at the Gloucester Heights Fire Association building.

Gloucester City is located in the 1st Congressional District[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report], New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 5th state legislative district.[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District], New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.[https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf 2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government], New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#5 Districts by Number for 2011-2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714024328/https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#5 |date=July 14, 2019 }}, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.

{{NJ Congress 01}} {{NJ Senate}}

{{NJ Legislative 05}}

{{NJ Camden County Freeholders}}

The sheriff of Camden County had been Charles H. Billingham, a resident of Gloucester City who had previously served as the city's mayor.[http://www.camdencounty.com/sheriff/sheriff%20billingham.htm Charles H. Billingham Sheriff] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112015543/http://www.camdencounty.com/sheriff/sheriff%20billingham.htm |date=January 12, 2013 }}, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed October 14, 2013. "He previously held public office for nearly four years as a Councilman and Mayor of Gloucester City.... A resident of Gloucester City with his wife Marion and their two sons, Chuckie and Michael, Sheriff Billingham's commitment to the citizens of Camden County is governed by his concern for family and community."

As of March 2011, there were a total of 6,726 registered voters in Gloucester City, of which 3,320 (49.4%) were registered as Democrats, 660 (9.8%) were registered as Republicans and 2,744 (40.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered to other parties.[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-camden-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Camden], New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed October 15, 2012.

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 65.6% of the vote (2,624 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 32.6% (1,303 votes), and other candidates with 1.8% (72 votes), among the 4,058 ballots cast by the city's 7,177 registered voters (59 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 56.5%.{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-camden.pdf |title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Camden County |date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-camden.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Camden County|date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}} In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 59.2% of the vote here (2,611 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain, who received around 37.0% (1,631 votes), with 4,411 ballots cast among the city's 6,711 registered voters, for a turnout of 65.7%.[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-camden.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Camden County], New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed October 15, 2012. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 58.9% of the vote here (2,698 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush, who received around 38.3% (1,755 votes), with 4,578 ballots cast among the city's 6,653 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 68.8.[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_camden_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Camden County], New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed October 15, 2012.

{{PresHead|place=Gloucester City|source={{Cite web |title=NJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Results Archive |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-information-results.shtml |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=nj.gov}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|2,103|2,266|61|New Jersey}}

{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|2,136|2,509|68|New Jersey}}

{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|1,789|2,100|126|New Jersey}}

{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|1,303|2,624|72|New Jersey}}

{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|1,631|2,611|169|New Jersey}}

{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|1,755|2,698|125|New Jersey}}

|}

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 59.0% of the vote (1,309 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 39.2% (870 votes), and other candidates with 1.8% (41 votes), among the 2,310 ballots cast by the city's 7,097 registered voters (90 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 32.5%.{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-camden.pdf |title=Governor - Camden County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-camden.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Camden County|date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}} In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 54.8% of the vote here (1,473 ballots cast), ahead of both Republican Chris Christie with 36.0% (969 votes) and Independent Chris Daggett with 4.2% (113 votes), with 2,689 ballots cast among the city's 6,708 registered voters, yielding a 40.1% turnout.[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-camden.pdf 2009 Governor: Camden County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017225410/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-camden.pdf |date=October 17, 2012 }}, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed October 15, 2012.

The Gloucester City Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.[https://www.straussesmay.com/seportal/Public/DistrictPolicy.aspx?policyid=0110&id=fea2daadfd8442b284911bf146caaed5 Gloucester City Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification], Gloucester City Public Schools. Accessed September 8, 2024. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Gloucester City School District. Composition: The Gloucester City School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Gloucester City." The district is one of 31 former Abbott districts statewide that were established pursuant to the decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court in Abbott v. Burke[https://www.njsda.gov/About/WhatWeDo#History What We Do: History], New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Accessed March 1, 2022. "In 1998, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in the Abbott v. Burke case that the State must provide 100 percent funding for all school renovation and construction projects in special-needs school districts. According to the Court, aging, unsafe and overcrowded buildings prevented children from receiving the "thorough and efficient" education required under the New Jersey Constitution.... Full funding for approved projects was authorized for the 31 special-needs districts, known as 'Abbott Districts'." which are now referred to as "SDA Districts" based on the requirement for the state to cover all costs for school building and renovation projects in these districts under the supervision of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority.[https://www.njsda.gov/About/WhatWeDo What We Do], New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Accessed March 1, 2022.[https://www.njsda.gov/Content/FactSheets/31_SDA_Districts.pdf SDA Districts], New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Accessed March 1, 2022. Students from Brooklawn attend the district's high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Brooklawn Public School District.Graham, Kristen A. [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB7374187AAC1B9&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Brooklawn Considers Finding New District For High School Pupils"], The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 16, 2001. Accessed June 19, 2008. "The tiny Brooklawn system, comprising just over 300 students and one school, sends about 80 ninth through 12th graders to the neighboring Gloucester City district, which has more than 2,000 students and four schools."

As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 2,356 students and 176.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.3:1.[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3406000&DistrictID=3406000 District information for Gloucester City Public School District], National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024. Schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3406000 School Data for the Gloucester City Public Schools], National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.) are

Cold Springs Elementary School[http://css.gcsd.k12.nj.us/ Cold Springs Elementary School], Gloucester City Public School District. Accessed September 8, 2024. with 842 students in grades PreK-3,

Gloucester City Middle School[http://mec.gcsd.k12.nj.us/ Gloucester City Middle School], Gloucester City Public School District. Accessed September 8, 2024. with 779 students in grades 4-8 and

Gloucester City High School[http://ghs.gcsd.k12.nj.us/ Gloucester City High School], Gloucester City Public School District. Accessed September 8, 2024. with 702 students in grades 9-12.[https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/17/1770 School Performance Reports for the Gloucester City Public School District], New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.[https://homeroom6.doe.state.nj.us/directory/school/districtid/1770 New Jersey School Directory for the Gloucester City Public School District], New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden operates Gloucester Catholic High School, a co-educational Roman Catholic high school for grades 7-12 that opened in 1928.[http://gchsrams.org/wordpress/?page_id=111 History], Gloucester Catholic High School. Accessed February 22, 2023. "Plans were made immediately for an addition and, in the meantime, classes met at the Pusey and Jones office building. The new school opened its doors in 1928. Eleven rooms and a gymnasium must have seemed quite large to the class of 1930."[https://southjerseycatholicschools.org/catholic-schools-in-south-jersey/ Schools], South Jersey Catholic Schools. Accessed February 22, 2023. Saint Mary School was a Catholic grammar school that served grade levels from three- and four-year-old pre-school to eighth grade, which was closed by the diocese at the end of the 2010–2011 school year, in the wake of declining enrollment and rising deficits that were beyond the ability of the diocese to cover.Giordano, Rita. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120106185425/http://articles.philly.com/2011-05-20/news/29564430_1_parishes-catholic-school-diocese "St. Mary School in Gloucester City to close, diocese confirms"], The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 20, 2011. Accessed October 14, 2013. "The Diocese of Camden confirmed Thursday that it planned to close St. Mary School in Gloucester City at the end of this school year, but members of the school community said they would not give up without a fight.... In a statement posted Thursday on St. Mary's website, Bishop Joseph A. Galante said the diocese had been working with the school to help it meet its financial challenges, including providing loans. In three years, he said, enrollment has shrunk from 194 to 183 now, with 155 projected for next year."

File:Walt Whitman Bridge-2.jpg connecting Gloucester City and Philadelphia, September 2004]]

File:2021-07-07 15 15 56 View east along Interstate 76 (North-South Freeway) from the overpass for Camden County Route 634 (Market Street) in Gloucester City, Camden County, New Jersey.jpg in Gloucester City]]

{{As of|2010|5}}, the city had a total of {{convert|39.97|mi}} of roadways, of which {{convert|29.52|mi}} were maintained by the municipality, {{convert|7.10|mi}} by Camden County, {{convert|2.63|mi}} by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and {{convert|0.72|mi}} by the Delaware River Port Authority.[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Camden.pdf Camden County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction], New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.

Interstate 76 is the main highway passing through Gloucester City. It enters Gloucester City from Philadelphia, skims the north side of the city, briefly enters Camden, then reenters Gloucester City as it turns south towards its eastern terminus at Interstate 295 beyond the city limits.[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000076__-.pdf Interstate 76 Straight Line Diagram], New Jersey Department of Transportation, January 1997. Accessed July 22, 2014.

The Walt Whitman Bridge is the suspension bridge carrying Interstate 76 west over the Delaware River to Philadelphia. The bridge, which extends for almost {{convert|12000|ft}} between abutments, opened to traffic on May 16, 1957.[http://www.drpa.org/bridges/bridges_ww.html Walt Whitman Bridge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112190012/http://www.drpa.org/bridges/bridges_ww.html |date=November 12, 2017 }}, Delaware River Port Authority. Accessed October 14, 2013. U.S. Route 130 also travels through Gloucester City.

NJ Transit bus service is available to Philadelphia on routes 401 (from Salem), 402 (from Pennsville), 408 (from Millville), 410 (from Bridgeton) and 412 (from Sewell), with local service on the 457 route between the Moorestown Mall and Camden.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070609182802/http://www.njtransit.com/sf_tp_rc_camden.shtml Camden County Bus/Rail Connections], NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of June 9, 2007. Accessed May 30, 2012.[http://www.driveless.com/pdfs/SJTG_PDF.pdf#page=3 South Jersey Transit Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929093448/http://www2.driveless.com/pdfs/SJTG_PDF.pdf#page=3 |date=September 29, 2018 }}, Cross County Connection, as of April 1, 2010. Accessed November 15, 2014.

The city is expected to be a stop on the Glassboro–Camden Line, a planned {{convert|18|mi|km|2|adj=on}} diesel multiple unit (DMU) light rail system.[http://www.glassborocamdenline.com/images/uploads/GCL_FACTSHEET_2013.pdf Fact Sheet 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819123159/http://www.glassborocamdenline.com/images/uploads/GCL_FACTSHEET_2013.pdf |date=August 19, 2020 }}, Glassboro-Camden Line. Accessed July 24, 2014.

{{Category see also|People from Gloucester City, New Jersey}}

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Gloucester City include:

• James Barton (1890–1962), vaudevillian, stage performer and character actor in films and televisionCullen, Frank; Hackman, Florence; McNeilly, Donald. [https://books.google.com/books?id=XFnfnKg6BcAC&pg=PA74&lpg=PA74 Vaudeville, Old and New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America], p. 74. Psychology Press, 2006. {{ISBN|9780415938532}}. Accessed November 15, 2014. "James Barton - b: (James Barton Jr.) 1 November 1890, Gloucester City, NJ - d: 19 February 1962, Mineola, NY"
• Agnus Berenato (born 1956), former women's basketball program head coach at Rider University (1982–1985), Georgia Tech (1989–2003) and University of Pittsburgh (2012–2013)Price, Karen. [http://triblive.com/sports/2890585-85/family-berenato-coach-golden-pitt-sandy-hurricane-agnus-impacted-jersey#axzz3JCFTIxIY "Pitt coach, player were impacted by dangerous Hurricane Sandy"], Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, November 4, 2012. Accessed November 15, 2014. "Even as the Pitt women's basketball team prepared this week for its lone exhibition game, coach Agnus Berenato and sophomore forward Chyna Golden were thinking of New Jersey. Golden is from Neptune, N.J., near the Jersey Shore, and Berenato hails from Gloucester City, N.J."
• Jack Collins (born 1943), former Speaker of the New Jersey General AssemblyPreston, Jennifer. [https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/04/nyregion/man-of-the-house.html "Man of the House"]. The New York Times, February 4, 1996. Accessed February 10, 2013. "He and his wife, Betsy, have owned their three-acre farm in Pittsgrove Township since 1974, when they traded in their Gloucester City row house for the rural life."
• Edward Durr (born 1963), politician and truck driver who represents the 3rd Legislative district in the New Jersey Senatevia Associated Press. [https://connecticut.news12.com/political-newcomer-edward-durr-unseats-longtime-state-sen-steve-sweeney "Political newcomer Edward Durr unseats longtime state Sen. Steve Sweeney"], News 12 Connecticut, November 4, 2021. Accessed January 20, 2022. "Durr is a truck driver from Repaupo, an unincorporated community located within Logan Township. He was born and raised in Gloucester City."
• Lucinda Florio (1947–2022), teacher and advocate for education and literacy, who, as the wife of former New Jersey Governor James Florio, served as the First Lady of New Jersey[https://www.state.nj.us/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-312.pdf Executive Order No. 312], Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy, November 16, 2022. Accessed July 24, 2023. "WHEREAS, First Lady Lucinda Florio was born Lucinda Coleman in Lafayette, Indiana in 1947, before moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and then to Gloucester City, New Jersey"
• Francis J. Gorman (1924–1987), politician who served seven terms in the New Jersey General AssemblyMaykuth, Andrew. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93077945/obituary-for-francis-j-gorman-aged-62/ "Francis Gorman, 62, Assemblyman and Gloucester City Finance Chief"], The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 10, 1987. Accessed January 20, 2022, via Newspapers.com.
• Patrick T. Harker (born 1958), President of the University of Delaware (2007–2015)O'Neill, James M. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065321/http://articles.philly.com/2000-02-09/business/25575745_1_interim-dean-patrick-t-harker-wharton-professor "Wharton School Names Harker As Its Next Dean The Search Committee Turned To One Of Its Own Members. He Had Not Been A Candidate."], The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 9, 2000. Accessed May 29, 2014. "Harker, who grew up in Gloucester City, N.J., now lives in Haddon Heights with his wife, Emily, and their three children, a 13-year-old and twins who are 10."
• Eliza Leslie (1787–1858), author of popular cookbooks during the nineteenth centurySimpson, Henry. [https://books.google.com/books?id=8dcDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA650&lpg=PA650 The Lives of Eminent Philadelphians, Now Deceased], p. 650. W. Brotherhead, 1859. Accessed November 15, 2014. "The death of Eliza Leslie, the authoress, is announced as having taken place at Gloucester City, New Jersey, where she latterly had resided."
• Betsy Ross (1752–1836), best known as the creator of the flag that shares her name, the Betsy Ross Flag[https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/ross__betsy Betsy Ross], Pennsylvania Center for the Book. Accessed May 9, 2022 "Elizabeth (Betsy) Ross was born on January 1, 1752, in Gloucester City, New Jersey."

• Gloucester City is cited by some as the birthplace of rock and roll. Bill Haley & His Comets—originally a country music band called "Bill Haley and the Saddlemen"—were the house band playing at the Twin Bar for 18 months starting in the early 1950s and are said to have modified their performing style while on stage there to an early form of rock and roll.Strauss, Robert. [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/10/nyregion/10rock.html "Cradle of Rock? Two Towns Stake Their Claims"], The New York Times, July 10, 2007. Accessed July 10, 2007. "But Gloucester City, another New Jersey town, about an 80-mile drive northwest of Wildwood, wants to cut in right there. And on Saturday, Mr. Richards and other Comets plan to headline a show in Gloucester City, in Camden County along the Delaware River, to commemorate an 18-month span in the early 1950s when Mr. Haley led the house band at the Twin Bar."[http://www.cityofgloucester.org/newshome.php News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707210022/http://www.cityofgloucester.org/newshome.php |date=July 7, 2007 }}, Gloucester City. Accessed May 26, 2007.
• In 1881, painter Thomas Eakins completed two versions of "Shad-Fishing at Gloucester on the Delaware River". A watercolor version is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, while an oil on canvas version is on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, just across the Delaware River from Gloucester City.Staff. [https://archive.today/20130201152641/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courierpostonline/access/1840808661.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+14,+2001&author=&pub=Courier+Post&desc=An+exhibit+of+the+Philadelphia+artist's+work+offers+fresh+insights+into+his+techniques&pqatl=google "An exhibit of the Philadelphia artist's work offers fresh insights into his techniques"], Courier-Post, October 14, 2001. Accessed May 30, 2012. "Gloucester City provided Eakins the focus for a series of paintings in the early 1880s"
• On November 4, 1773, Elizabeth Griscom married John Ross at Huggs Tavern.Franolich, Mike. [http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20061019/SPECIAL20/610190414/Gloucester-City-Reinvention-over-centuries "Gloucester City: Reinvention over centuries"], The Courier-Post. Accessed April 16, 2012. Elizabeth is better known as Betsy Ross, a flag maker during the early days of the United States. Huggs Tavern was torn down in the 1920s;Brown, Janice. [http://www.nj.searchroots.com/EG/deathoffox.htm History and Genealogy: Township of East Greenwich, New Jersey] Accessed April 16, 2012. the former site of the tavern is part of what is now Proprietor's Park.
• Parts of the 1988 movie Clean and Sober—starring Michael Keaton—were shot in Gloucester City.Staff. [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/2658889/ "Newsmakers"], Kokomo Tribune, August 16, 1987. Accessed March 16, 2017. "By early next month, the cameras will roll for Clean and Sober in Gloucester City, Cherry Hill and Medford Lakes. Michael Keaton stare as a stockbroker with a cocaine habit." The film prominently features the property at 215 Morris Street, which acts as the home of characters played by Kathy Baker and Luca Bercovici.[http://imgur.com/a/EwwnW Imgur] "Michael Keaton on the steps of 215 Morris Street, Gloucester City, NJ. A sign for Labbree Realty is visible in the background."

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.cityofgloucester.org/ Gloucester City municipal information]
• [http://colinsghost.org/2012/08/gloucester-race-track-in-new-jersey-1890-to-1893.html History of the Gloucester Race Track]

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{{Camden County, New Jersey}}

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Category:1868 establishments in New Jersey

Category:Cities in New Jersey

Category:Cities in Camden County, New Jersey

Category:Irish-American neighborhoods

Category:New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zones

Category:Populated places established in 1868

Category:New Jersey populated places on the Delaware River

Category:Special charters in New Jersey