Salem County, New Jersey

Salem County
County
The Salem Nuclear Power Plant, as seen from Delaware Bay
The Salem Nuclear Power Plant, as seen from Delaware Bay
Flag of Salem County
Flag
Official seal of Salem County
Seal
Map of New Jersey highlighting Salem County
Location within the U.S. state of New Jersey
Map of the United States highlighting New Jersey
New Jersey's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°35′N 75°22′W / 39.58°N 75.36°W / 39.58; -75.36
Country United States
State New Jersey
Founded1694[1]
Named forHebrew word meaning "peace"[2]
SeatSalem[3]
Largest municipalitiesPennsville Township (population)
Lower Alloways Creek Township (area)
Government
 • County Commission DirectorBen H. Laury (R, term ends December 31, 2024)
Area
[4]
 • Total
372.55 sq mi (964.9 km2)
 • Land331.86 sq mi (859.5 km2)
 • Water40.69 sq mi (105.4 km2)  10.9%
Population
 (2020)[5][6]
 • Total
64,837
 • Estimate 
(2023)[5][7]
65,338 Increase
 • Density170/sq mi (67/km2)
Congressional district2nd
Websitesalemcountynj.gov
Map
Interactive map of Salem County, New Jersey

Salem County is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Its western boundary is formed by the Delaware River, and it has the eastern terminus of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, which connects the county with New Castle, Delaware. Its county seat is Salem.[3] The county is part of the South Jersey region of the state.[8]

The county lies within the Philadelphia metropolitan area, also known as the Delaware Valley area. As of the 2020 census, the county retained its position as the state's least-populous county,[9][10] with a population of 64,837,[5][6] a decrease of 1,246 (−1.9%) from the 2010 census count of 66,083.[11] The most populous place in Salem County is Pennsville Township with 12,684 residents as of the 2020 Census.[6] Lower Alloways Creek Township covers 72.46 square miles (187.7 km2), the largest total area of any municipality.[12]

Salem County, along with adjacent Gloucester County, also in South Jersey, have become an East Coast epicenter for logistics and warehouse construction.[13]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Story was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Origin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b New Jersey County Map, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed December 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference CensusArea was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Census2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference LWD2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference PopEst was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Willis, David P. "'This is how wars start': Does Central Jersey include both Ocean and Union counties?", Asbury Park Press, February 20, 2023. Accessed March 31, 2024. "North Jersey is defined as Sussex, Warren, Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex and Hudson counties; South Jersey would be Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties. But for Central, things get a little tricky. It would include Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties."
  9. ^ Table1. New Jersey Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships: 2020 and 2010 Censuses, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.
  10. ^ Wu, Sen-Yuan. NJ Labor Market Views; Population Keeps Growing in the Most Densely Populated State, United States Census Bureau, March 15, 2011. Accessed December 26, 2022.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Census2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference CPH232 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Jon Hurdle (May 13, 2021). "Report details surge in warehouse construction…". NJ Spotlight News. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023. In South Jersey, the area has become the "epicenter" of warehouse construction in the greater Philadelphia region.. Salem County sizzles..The South Jersey report included data from Salem County for the first time, in recognition of its rapid growth in the warehouse market. It noted that commercial rents are rising in the county although they are still lower than those in other areas..'Activity in the Southern New Jersey industrial market continues to amaze,' the report said.