National Park had the 18th-highest property tax rate in New Jersey in 2020, with an equalized rate of 4.446% compared to 3.212% in the county as a whole and a statewide average of 2.279%.[21]
In 1895, the area began to be commercially developed as a religious retreat for members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and called National Park on the Delaware. The founder, the Rev. James E. Lake, also created Ocean City, New Jersey.[24]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.44 square miles (3.73 km2), including 1.01 square miles (2.61 km2) of land and 0.43 square miles (1.12 km2) of water (30.14%).[1][2] The borough borders West Deptford Township and the Delaware River. The Delaware River shore faces the southern end of Philadelphia, across from the mouth of the Schuylkill River and Fort Mifflin.[27][28]
Demographics
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 3,036 people, 1,092 households, and 816 families in the borough. The population density was 3,023.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,167.3/km2). There were 1,153 housing units at an average density of 1,148.1 per square mile (443.3/km2). The racial makeup was 96.28% (2,923) White, 1.35% (41) Black or African American, 0.16% (5) Native American, 0.59% (18) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.13% (4) from other races, and 1.48% (45) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.04% (62) of the population.[18]
Of the 1,092 households, 30.1% had children under the age of 18; 52.5% were married couples living together; 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 25.3% were non-families. Of all households, 20.2% were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.18.[18]
23.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.2 males.[18]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $65,852 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,987) and the median family income was $70,341 (+/− $8,049). Males had a median income of $51,886 (+/− $2,493) versus $32,788 (+/− $5,594) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,699 (+/− $2,574). About 4.1% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.[36]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census,[15] there were 3,205 people, 1,111 households, and 865 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,219.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,242.9/km2). There were 1,165 housing units at an average density of 1,170.1 per square mile (451.8/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.35% White, 0.09% Black, 0.25% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.[34][35]
There were 1,111 households, out of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.24.[34][35]
In the borough, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.[34][35]
The median income for a household in the borough was $48,534, and the median income for a family was $51,535. Males had a median income of $35,102 versus $27,398 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,048. About 6.5% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.[34][35]
Government
Local government
National Park is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[37] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes 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.[6] The borough form of government used by National Park 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.[38][39]
Joy Hibbs Gunn was selected by the borough council in August 2014 from three names nominated by the municipal Democratic committee to fill the vacant seat of Dennis Mehaffey, who resigned in the previous month due to conflicts with his work schedule.[40] in the November 2014 general election, Hibbs was elected to serve the balance of the term though December 2016.[41]
As of 2022[update], the mayor of National Park is Democrat Mark Cooper, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Jason Bish (D, 2023), Dennis R. Burke (D, 2022), James J. Butler (D, 2024), Aimee Hart (D, 2022), Ronald D. Sparks Jr. (D, 2024) and Kate Wadsworth (D, 2023; appointed to serve an unexpired term).[3][42][43][44][45][46]
Aimee Hart was appointed to fill the seat expiring in December 2022 that had been held by Joy Gunn.
Federal, state, and county representation
National Park is located in the 1st Congressional District[47] and is part of New Jersey's 3rd state legislative district.[48][49][50]
Gloucester County is governed by a board of county commissioners, whose seven members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis in partisan elections, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year. At a reorganization meeting held each January, the Board selects a Director and a Deputy Director from among its members. As of 2024[update], Gloucester County's Commissioners are:
Director Frank J. DiMarco (D, Deptford Township, 2025),[57]
Matt Weng (D, Pitman, 2026),[58]Joann Gattinelli (D, Washington Township, 2026),[59]
Nicholas DeSilvio (R, Franklin Township, 2024),[60]
Denice DiCarlo (D, West Deptford Township, 2025)[61]
Deputy Director Jim Jefferson (D, Woodbury, 2026) and [62]Christopher Konawel Jr. (R, Glassboro, 2024).[63][64]
Gloucester County's constitutional officers are:
Clerk James N. Hogan (D, Franklin Township; 2027),[65][66]
Sheriff Jonathan M. Sammons (R, Elk Township; 2024)[67][68] and
Surrogate Giuseppe "Joe" Chila (D, Woolwich Township; 2028).[69][70][71]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 2,045 registered voters in National Park, of which 1,021 (49.9%) were registered as Democrats, 213 (10.4%) were registered as Republicans and 811 (39.7%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[72]
In the 2020 Presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received 823 votes and Democrat Joe Biden received 717 votes.[73] In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received 627 votes, ahead of Democrat Hillary Clinton with 550 votes.[74] In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 63.8% of the vote (819 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 34.4% (442 votes), and other candidates with 1.8% (23 votes), among the 1,301 ballots cast by the borough's 2,064 registered voters (17 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 63.0%.[75][76] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 59.5% of the vote (892 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 37.3% (560 votes) and other candidates with 1.7% (26 votes), among the 1,500 ballots cast by the borough's 2,164 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.3%.[77] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 60.9% of the vote (868 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 37.6% (536 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (15 votes), among the 1,426 ballots cast by the borough's 2,069 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 68.9.[78]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 64.6% of the vote (469 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 32.0% (232 votes), and other candidates with 3.4% (25 votes), among the 746 ballots cast by the borough's 2,041 registered voters (20 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 36.6%.[79][80] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 46.2% of the vote (408 ballots cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 40.2% (355 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 10.2% (90 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (7 votes), among the 883 ballots cast by the borough's 2,095 registered voters, yielding a 42.1% turnout.[81]
Education
The National Park School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at National Park Elementary School.[82][83] As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 283 students and 28.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.9:1.[84]
Students in public school for seventh through twelfth grades attend Gateway Regional High School, which serves students from the boroughs of National Park, Wenonah, Westville and Woodbury Heights as part of the Gateway Regional High School District.[85][86] As of the 2021–22 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 836 students and 82.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.1:1.[87]
Students are also eligible to attend Gloucester County Institute of Technology, a four-year high school in Deptford Township that provides technical and vocational education. Because GCIT is a public school, its students do not pay tuition.[88]
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden operated St. Matthews School, which had campuses in National Park and the Verga section of West Deptford Township, New Jersey.[89] In 2007 it was consolidated into Holy Trinity Regional School,[90] in Deptford Township. In 2017, it was moved to the former St. Patrick's Building in Woodbury due to the superior condition of that building, according to the archdiocese.[91] It opened as Holy Angels Catholic School which still operates.[92] Guardian Angels Regional School is a K-8 school that operates under the auspices of the Diocese of Camden, and accepts students from National Park.[93] Its PreK-3 campus is in Gibbstown while its 4-8 campus is in Paulsboro.[94]
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 15.68 miles (25.23 km) of roadways, of which 12.59 miles (20.26 km) were maintained by the municipality and 3.09 miles (4.97 km) by Gloucester County.[95]
^ a bAnnual 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.
^ a b c d eDP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for National Park borough, Gloucester County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 7, 2012.
^"Here are the 30 N.J. towns with the highest property tax rates", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, March 15, 2021. Accessed January 19, 2022. "The average equalized tax rate in New Jersey was 2.279 in 2020, according to data from the Department of Community Affairs. Here is the list of 30 New Jersey towns with the highest property tax rates.... 18. National Park Equalized tax rate in National Park Borough, Gloucester County, was 4.446 in 2020 Average equalized tax rate in Gloucester County: 3.212"
^About National Park, Borough of National Park. Accessed November 10, 2019.
^Shamlin, Wilford S. "National Park has green, but no park", Courier-Post, July 1, 2005. Accessed November 7, 2012. "Originally named National Park on the Delaware River, National Park was incorporated on April 15, 1902. But it was several years earlier, in 1895, that the Rev. James E. Lake, who also founded Ocean City, and others incorporated The National Park Association."
^Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 140. Accessed May 30, 2024.
^Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 9, 2015.
^Barnett, Bob. "Population Data for Gloucester County Municipalities, 1800 - 2000, WestJersey.org, January 6, 2011. Accessed November 7, 2012.
^Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed August 13, 2013.
^Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890, United States Census Bureau, p. 336. Accessed November 7, 2012.
^Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 716. Accessed November 7, 2012.
^Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.
^ a b c d eCensus 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for National Park borough, New Jersey Archived 2015-02-01 at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 7, 2012.
^ a b c d eDP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for National Park borough, Gloucester County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 7, 2012.
^DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for National Park borough, Gloucester County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 7, 2012.
^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. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
^Laday, Jason. "National Park swears in new council member following resignation", South Jersey Times, August 16, 2014. Accessed November 20, 2014. "Mayor Mark Cooper on Wednesday swore in newly-appointed Councilwoman Joy Hibbs, replacing Dennis Mehaffey, who has resigned from the borough council."
^2014 General Election Unofficial Results, Gloucester County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 13, 2014. Accessed July 5, 2016.
^2021 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of National Park. Accessed July 26, 2022.
^General Election November 2, 2021 Unofficial Results, Gloucester County, New Jersey, updated November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.
^General Election November 3, 2020 Unofficial Results, Gloucester County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.
^General Election November 5, 2019 Summary Report Unofficial Results, Gloucester County, New Jersey Clerk, November 12, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.
^Full Biography, Congressman Donald Norcross. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Donald and his wife Andrea live in Camden City and are the proud parents of three grown children and grandparents of two."
^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."
^Tully, Tracey (August 23, 2024). "Menendez's Senate Replacement Has Been a Democrat for Just 5 Months". The New York Times. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
^Frank J. DiMarco, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Heather Simmons, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Lyman Barnes, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Nicholas DeSilvio, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Denice DiCarlo, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Jim Jefferson, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Christopher Konawel Jr., Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^County Commissioners, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^James N. Hogan, Gloucester County. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Members List: Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Jonathan M. Sammons, Gloucester County. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Members List: Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Surrogate Giuseppe Chila, Gloucester County. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Members List: Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Row Officers, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed January 31, 2023.
^Voter Registration Summary - Gloucester, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 7, 2012.
^"Presidential November 3, 2020 General Election Results Gloucester County" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
^"Presidential November 8, 2016 General Election Results Gloucester County" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 22, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
^"Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Gloucester County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^"Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Gloucester County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^2008 Presidential General Election Results: Gloucester County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 7, 2012.
^2004 Presidential Election: Gloucester County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 7, 2012.
^"Governor - Gloucester County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^"Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Gloucester County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^About the School, National Park School District. Accessed May 11, 2020. "National Park School is a vibrant educational environment where teachers, students, families and community members work together to promote a love of learning. Comprised of approximately 50 staff members and 275 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade, the school is located in National Park, a small town along the Delaware River."
^2023–2024 Gloucester County Office of Education Public School Directory, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2024.
^Gateway Regional High School District 2015 School Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 8, 2016. "Gateway Regional High School is a one school district located in Woodbury Heights, NJ. It serves students in grades 7-12 from the municipalities of National Park, Wenonah, Westville, and Woodbury Heights."
^Shryock, Bob. "Plans are in the works for Gateway's 50th anniversary", Gloucester County Times, March 22, 2012. Accessed June 8, 2016. "The 50-year milestone is based on Gateway opening in the fall of 2014 when four sending districts (Woodbury Heights, Westville, National Park, and Wenonah) split from Woodbury and sent seventh, eighth, and ninth graders to the new school on Egg Harbor Road in Woodbury Heights."
^Admissions, Gloucester County Institute of Technology. Accessed November 7, 2019. "There is no charge to attend. GCIT is a public school... GCIT is the vocational-technical school for Gloucester County residents. You must live in Gloucester County to apply and attend."
^"Schools In The Diocese Of Camden". Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. September 1, 2000. Archived from the original on September 1, 2000. Retrieved September 11, 2020. National Park/Verga St. Matthew Regional [...] 1210 Hessian Avenue, Verga, 0809
^"Bishop To Announce School Planning Decisions Nov. 29", Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden, November 28, 2007. Accessed February 23, 2023.
^Gray, Matt. "After 10 years, closed Catholic school to reopen under a new name", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 28, 2017. Accessed February 23, 2023. "A Catholic school that closed 10 years ago as part of a consolidation effort will reopen under a new name. The former St. Patrick's School will return as Holy Angels Catholic School this fall. Citing declining enrollment and an over-reliance on parish subsidies, the Diocese of Camden closed St. Patrick's and St. Matthew's in West Deptford in 2007 as part of a three-school consolidation move with Most Holy Redeemer School in Deptford."
^Gray, Matt. "Parish celebrates planned opening of new Catholic school", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, April 1, 2017. Accessed February 23, 2023.
^Schools, South Jersey Catholic Schools. Accessed February 21, 2023.
^Contact Information, Guardian Angels Regional School. Accessed February 22, 2023.
^"Engagements Announced", Courier-Post, November 8, 1972. Accessed December 22, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "The engagement of Miss Deborah Ann Wood, to Mr. Dennis Anthony Coralluzzo, son of Mrs. Enrico Coralluzzo of 806 Princeton Ave., National Park, and the late Mr. Coralluzzo, is announced by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest W. Wood of 361 Lycoming Ave., Wenonah."
^Nark, Jason. "Nick Gage, jailed icon of violent wrestling, speaks of drugs & bank heist", The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 8, 2011. Accessed January 7, 2015. "Wilson, who grew up in National Park, Gloucester County, but had been living in Camden recently, said that he and his ultraviolent alter ego are different people."
^Mishak, Michael. "Many fronts in Sue Lowden’s fight; Before she faces formidable Reid, she must prevail in big primary field. So she’s reaching out to disparate voter blocs", Las Vegas Sun, April 4, 2010. Accessed November 19, 2017. "To be sure, Lowden has decidedly humble roots. Her grandparents were Lithuanian immigrants who worked in Pennsylvania coal mines. She grew up in the small town of National Park, N.J., and was raised by a single mother."
^Billings, Cecil M. History of the Rittenhouse Astronomical Society 1888 – 1960 Archived August 16, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Rittenhouse Astronomical Society, 1959. Accessed August 25, 2020. "Eleanor Th. Vadala was born at National Park, N.J., September 8, 1923."
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