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Jackson Township, New Jersey
Township
Township of Jackson
Kingda Ka, the world's tallest roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson
Kingda Ka, the world's tallest roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson
Official seal of Jackson Township, New Jersey
Seal
Motto(s): 
A Place for All Seasons
Map of Jackson Township in Ocean County. Inset: Location of Ocean County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Map of Jackson Township in Ocean County. Inset: Location of Ocean County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Jackson Township, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Jackson Township, New Jersey
Country  United States
State  New Jersey
County Ocean
Incorporated March 6, 1844
Named for Andrew Jackson
Government
 • Type Faulkner Act (mayor–council)
 • Body Township Council
Area
 • Total 100.55 sq mi (260.43 km2)
 • Land 99.17 sq mi (256.86 km2)
 • Water 1.38 sq mi (3.57 km2)  1.37%
Area rank 4th of 565 in state
1st of 33 in county
Elevation
118 ft (36 m)
Population
 • Total 58,544
 • Density 582.24/sq mi (224.797/km2)
Time zone UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code
08527
Area code(s) 732
FIPS code 3402934680
GNIS feature ID 0882079

Jackson Township is a township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 Census, the township population was 58,544. A portion of the township is located within the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

Roughly equidistant between New York City and Philadelphia, Jackson is the site of Six Flags Great Adventure, home to the 456-foot (139 m) Kingda Ka, which as of 2022 is the tallest roller coaster in the world. Jackson is also home to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and the 350-acre (140 ha) Safari Off Road Adventure, which replaced Six Flags Wild Safari in 2013.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 100.624 square miles (260.616 km2), including 99.244 square miles (257.041 km2) of land and 1.380 square miles (3.575 km2) of water (1.37%). Jackson is the largest municipality by area in Ocean County.

Vista Center (with a 2010 population of 2,095) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Jackson Township. Other unincorporated communities, localities and populated places located completely or partially within the township include Archers Corner, Bennetts Mills, Burksville, Butterfly Bridge, Cassville, Colliers Mills, DeBow Corner, Francis Mills, Grayville, Harmony, Holmansville, Hyson, Jackson Mills, Kapps Corner, Leesville, Legler, Maryland, Midwood, New Prospect, Pleasant Grove, Prospertown, Ridgeway State Forest, Success, The Alligator, Van Hiseville, Webbsville, Whitesbridge and Whitesville.

The township borders Lakewood Township, Manchester Township, Plumsted Township and Toms River Township in Ocean County, and Freehold Township, Howell Township, Millstone Township and Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County.

Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area is a 12,906.63-acre (5,223.13 ha) wildlife management area located within portions of both Jackson Township and Plumsted Township operated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife. Several man-made lakes are located within the township, including Success Lake in the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area.

Climate

Jackson Township, New Jersey, gets 45 inches of rain per year. Snowfall is 23 inches and the number of days with any measurable precipitation is 115. On average, there are 206 sunny days per year in Jackson. The July high is around 86 degrees and the January low is 23. The comfort index is 45 out of 100.

Climate data for Jackson, NJ
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 41
(5)
44
(7)
51
(11)
61
(16)
71
(22)
80
(27)
85
(29)
83
(28)
77
(25)
67
(19)
57
(14)
46
(8)
64
(18)
Average low °F (°C) 22
(−6)
24
(−4)
30
(−1)
39
(4)
49
(9)
59
(15)
64
(18)
62
(17)
55
(13)
43
(6)
35
(2)
27
(−3)
42
(6)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.92
(100)
3.30
(84)
4.79
(122)
4.07
(103)
3.73
(95)
3.80
(97)
4.60
(117)
4.69
(119)
3.79
(96)
3.90
(99)
4.11
(104)
4.51
(115)
49.21
(1,251)

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 1,333
1860 1,606 20.5%
1870 1,755 9.3%
1880 1,803 2.7%
1890 1,717 −4.8%
1900 1,595 −7.1%
1910 1,325 −16.9%
1920 1,268 −4.3%
1930 1,719 35.6%
1940 2,153 25.2%
1950 3,513 63.2%
1960 5,939 69.1%
1970 18,276 207.7%
1980 25,644 40.3%
1990 33,233 29.6%
2000 42,816 28.8%
2010 54,856 28.1%
2020 58,544 6.7%
Population sources: 1850–2000
1850–1920 1850–1870
1850 1870 1880–1890
1890–1910 1910–1930
1900–1990 2000 2010 2020
* = Lost territory in previous decade.

Jackson Township is a suburban community that is sparsely populated, with most residents owning their homes.

2010 Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 54,856 people, 19,417 households, and 15,048 families residing in the township. The population density was 552.7 per square mile (213.4/km2). There were 20,342 housing units at an average density of 205.0 per square mile (79.2/km2)*. The racial makeup of the township was 88.90% (48,765) White, 4.86% (2,664) Black or African American, 0.10% (57) Native American, 2.95% (1,616) Asian, 0.03% (18) Pacific Islander, 1.27% (696) from other races, and 1.90% (1,040) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.83% (4,295) of the population.

There were 19,417 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 18.2% 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 2.80 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the township, the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.6 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 91.4 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $86,327 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,941) and the median family income was $96,171 (+/- $2,734). Males had a median income of $68,985 (+/- $4,126) versus $45,714 (+/- $2,238) for females. The per capita income for the township was $34,521 (+/- $912). About 2.8% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Orthodox Jewish community

Since 2016, the Orthodox Jewish population has been growing in central and eastern Jackson Township, along the border with Lakewood Township, due to the more affordable housing and quieter lifestyle that Jackson Township offers over Lakewood. By 2020, the Orthodox Jewish community had grown to approximately 500 families, out of 19,400 total households, from a limited presence just a few years prior.

A series of pending lawsuits allege that Jackson Township has passed multiple ordinances trying to stymie movement from Lakewood to Jackson. A "no knock" ordinance had been passed by Jackson prohibiting door-to-door solicitation after residents complained of an increase in real estate solicitations. Ordinances were passed that were restrictive to the Orthodox Jewish lifestyle; efforts to open yeshivas in the township, often accompanied by dormitories, were blocked by newly adopted ordinances that restricted new schools and prohibited dormitories. Eruvs (symbolic religious enclosures) were determined not to meet building and construction codes after a new ordinance was passed that tightened restrictions on items placed in the public "right-of-way". To address this last concern, the township entered into a preliminary settlement allowing eruvs in some parts of town, and proposed a town-wide solution that was ultimately deemed impractical.

In addition, the United States Department of Justice and the New Jersey Attorney General have opened investigations into whether the township practiced anti-Semitic discrimination, filing multiple subpoenas against township officials. These investigations culminated in May 2020 with a federal lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice against the township, alleging violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and the Fair Housing Act related to the township's new land use laws.

Transportation

2021-06-29 15 01 29 View east along Interstate 195 (Central Jersey Expressway) from the overpass for Wright-Debow Road in Jackson Township, Ocean County, New Jersey
Eastbound I-195 in Jackson Township

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 312.39 miles (502.74 km) of roadways, of which 201.70 miles (324.60 km) were maintained by the municipality, 101.77 miles (163.78 km) by Ocean County and 8.92 miles (14.36 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Interstate 195 is a major artery that travels through the northern section of Jackson (it just so happens that Jackson is the only municipality in Ocean County that hosts any interstate). While the expressway travels into Howell and Millstone Townships, it is also a vital link for Six Flags since it provides direct connections to the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) and Interstate 295.

CR 526, CR 527, CR 528, CR 537, CR 547, and CR 571 pass through the township. CR 539 also passes through the township, but in the southwest corner, for less than half a mile.

Public transportation

The Monmouth Ocean Middlesex Line a proposed NJ Transit project which would connect Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties to the rest of the system's rail network. Jackson township would be a potential stop for the 'MOM' Line.

As of 2021, NJ Transit provides Jackson bus service on the 317 line between Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore, and seasonal express service on the 308 line between Great Adventure and Midtown Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal. Nearby Howell connects to Port Authority with frequent service on the 139 line and its 130, 132, 136 variants, and connects to Newark Liberty Airport on the 67 line. Nearby Lakewood also connects to Toms River and Atlantic City on the 559 line.

Academy Bus offers service to Port Authority New York and to Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, with multiple stops in Jackson and surrounding towns.

Weekly trips to local shopping centers can be reserved on the "Jackson Flex Route" of the Ocean Ride Shoppers Loop.

Economy

Jackson Premium Outlets

Near Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari is Jackson Premium Outlets, a retail outlet center with 70 stores and a gross leasable area of 285,719 square feet (26,544.2 m2). It opened in 1997 and was expanded in 1998.

Sports

In 2015, the Jackson Little League 12-year-old All-Stars won the state championship, and went on to the Mid-Atlantic Regional final where they lost to Red Land Little League from Pennsylvania who eventually won the U.S. Championship, but fell to the team from Japan in the 2015 Little League World Series.

In 2017, the Holbrook Little League All-Stars defeated Maryland 8–3, sending Holbrook to the 2017 Little League World Series.

Education

The Jackson School District serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district operates six elementary schools serving grades K-5, two middle schools and two high schools. In January 2015, the Jackson Board of Education voted to implement full-day kindergarten, which was introduced in September 2015. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of 10 schools, had an enrollment of 8,304 students and 665.1 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.5:1. Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Crawford-Rodriguez Elementary School (674 students; in grades PreK-5), Elms Elementary School (705; PreK-5), Lucy N. Holman Elementary School (549; K-5), Howard C. Johnson Elementary School (463; K-5), Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School (307; PreK-5), Switlik Elementary School (751; K-5), Carl W. Goetz Middle School (1,129; 6-8), Christa McAuliffe Middle School (845; 6-8), Jackson Liberty High School (1,177; 9-12) and Jackson Memorial High School (1,620; 9-12).

Mother Seton Academy, a Catholic School for grades PreK-8, which operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, is in nearby Howell Township. It formed in 2019 by the merger of St. Aloysius and St. Veronica schools; the former was in Jackson and the latter was in Howell.

Notable people

See also (related category): People from Jackson Township, New Jersey

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Jackson Township include: ((B) denotes that the person was born there.)

  • Cassidy Benintente (born 1994), defender and midfielder for Sky Blue FC of the National Women's Soccer League.
  • Parker Bohn III (born 1963), professional bowler.
  • Elijah Boothe, actor best known for his role in Luke Cage.
  • Deena Nicole Cortese (born 1987), reality television personality who appeared on the MTV reality show Jersey Shore from 2010 to 2015.
  • Melvin Cottrell (1929–2002), former mayor of Jackson Township who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1992 until his death.
  • Scotty Cranmer (born 1987), BMX rider.
  • Joey DeZart (born 1998), professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Orlando City in Major League Soccer.
  • Rich Gaspari (born 1963), former professional bodybuilder and CEO of Gaspari Nutrition.
  • Erin Gleason (born 1977), short track speed skater who competed in three events at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
  • Frank B. Holman (c. 1930–2005), former mayor of Jackson Township and New Jersey Republican State chairman.
  • Rob Johnson (born 1973), former professional soccer player who played for the MetroStars.
  • Vini Lopez (born 1949), drummer who played with the E Street Band.
  • Steve Niles (born 1965), writer of 30 Days of Night. (B)
  • Stephen Panasuk (born 1989), quarterback for the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League.
  • Johnny Petraglia (born 1947), professional bowler.
  • Anthony Ranaudo (born 1989), pitcher who has played for the Boston Red Sox.
  • Anthony Stolarz (born 1994), goaltender for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League.
  • Stanley Switlik (1890–1981), parachuting pioneer who donated the land that is the site of Switlik Elementary School.
  • Tom Tarver, quarterback who played for the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights.
  • Matt Thaiss (born 1995), first round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels.
  • Zakk Wylde (born 1967 as Jeffrey Phillip Wiedlandt), guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Municipio de Jackson (Nueva Jersey) para niños

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