Elsinboro Township is a township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 1,001, a decrease of 35 (−3.4%) from the 2010 census count of 1,036, which in turn reflected a decline of 56 (−5.1%) from the 1,092 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

Elsinboro's first mention dates back to May 12, 1701, though it was also mentioned in records on November 28, 1676. The details and date of its original incorporation are unknown. The township was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's original group of 104 townships.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. Accessed May 1, 2026.} The township was named for Fort Nya Elfsborg.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed Accessed May 1, 2026.

History At the time of European colonization in the 17th century the Delaware River was known as the South River and the Salem River was known as Varkens Kill, or Hogg Creek.Placenames of Salem County, NJ, West Jersey History Project / Salem County Historical Society . Accessed July 27, 2014. In 1641, without having a patent, a group of 60 settlers (20 families) from the New Haven Colony (in today's Connecticut) purchased land along the kill from indigenous Lenape.Chandler, Alfred N. Land Title Origins: A Tale of Force and Fraud, p. 242. Accessed February 17, 2015.Sheridan, Janet L. "Their Houses are Some Built of Timber": The Colonial Timber Frame Houses of Fenwick's Colony, New Jersey, p. 48. University of Delaware. School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, 2007. . Accessed February 17, 2015.

Shortly after Johan Björnsson Printz, governor of New Sweden, arrived in the colony in 1643, he instructed that Fort Nya Elfsborg be built. Named after the Old Älvsborg Fortress off shore from Gothenburg, Sweden, it was located on the Delaware River between Salem River and Alloway Creek. In 1655 Peter Stuyvesant, on behalf of the Dutch West India Company, re-asserted control over the region, which was later captured by the British in 1664.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 13.34 square miles (34.56 km2), including 11.93 square miles (30.90 km2) of land and 1.41 square miles (3.66 km2) of water (10.58%).

The Salem River flows along a portion of the township's northern boundary, and Alloway Creek flows along its southern boundary.DeLorme (2005). New Jersey Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. . Elsinboro Township contains the site of former Fort Elfsborg. Money Island is located in the southwestern corner of the township.

Elsinboro Township borders Lower Alloways Creek Township, Pennsville Township and Salem. Elsinboro also borders the Delaware Bay.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Elsinboro Neck, Elsinboro Point, Hagerville, Mill Creek Cove, Moores Corner, Oakwood Beach and Sinnickson Landing.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,036 people, 455 households, and 293 families in the township. The population density was . There were 524 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 93.05% (964) White, 3.47% (36) Black or African American, 0.10% (1) Native American, 0.39% (4) Asian, 0.10% (1) Pacific Islander, 1.06% (11) from other races, and 1.83% (19) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.22% (23) of the population.

Of the 455 households, 20.0% had children under the age of 18; 53.8% were married couples living together; 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 35.6% were non-families. Of all households, 27.5% were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.76.

18.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 34.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 99.1 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $64,107 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,891) and the median family income was $73,333 (+/− $14,834). Males had a median income of $59,904 (+/− $5,192) versus $42,188 (+/− $14,368) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $31,008 (+/− $2,997). About 1.5% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Elsinboro township, Salem County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 17, 2013.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,092 people, 468 households, and 324 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 530 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 95.05% White, 3.57% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.27% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Elsinboro township, Salem County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 17, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Elsinboro township, Salem County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 17, 2013.

There were 468 households, out of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the township the population was spread out, with 21.2% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $50,972, and the median income for a family was $59,688. Males had a median income of $42,232 versus $30,357 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,415. About 2.1% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government Elsinboro Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.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 Township Committee, whose three members are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2006, p. 19."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.

, members of the Elsinboro Township Committee are Mayor Sean M. Elwell (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends December 31, 2022), Deputy Mayor Joseph McAllister (R, term on committee ends 2023 and term as deputy mayor ends 2022) and Douglas L. Hogate (D, 2022).Mayor and Township Committee, Elsinboro Township. Accessed May 23, 2022.2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Elsinboro Township. Accessed May 23, 2022.Election Summary Report General Election Salem County November 2, 2021 Official Results Report, Salem County, New Jersey, updated November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.Election Summary Report Salem County NJ General Election November 3, 2020 Official Report, Salem County, New Jersey, updated November 25, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.November 5, 2019 Summary Report Salem County, NJ Official Results, Salem County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 18, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.

Federal, state and county representation Elsinboro Township is located in the 2nd Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 3rd state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.

Politics As of March 2011, there were a total of 849 registered voters in Elsinboro Township, of which 234 (27.6% vs. 30.6% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 221 (26.0% vs. 21.0%) were registered as Republicans and 392 (46.2% vs. 48.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered as Libertarians.Voter Registration Summary - Salem, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed January 17, 2013. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 81.9% (vs. 64.6% in Salem County) were registered to vote, including 99.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 84.4% countywide).GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 17, 2013.