Buena Vista Township, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Buena Vista Township is a township
located in Atlantic County
, New Jersey
. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 7,570.
Buena Vista was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on March 5, 1867, from portions of Hamilton Township
. Portions of the township were taken on May 23, 1906, to create Folsom
, and on September 1, 1948, to create Buena
. The name comes from the 1847 Battle of Buena Vista
of the Mexican-American War.
The township is headquarters for Troop A of the New Jersey State Police
, which covers over 2000 square miles (5,180 km²) and more than 1.7 million residents between the Delaware River
and the Atlantic Ocean
.
On April 26, 2004, the Buena Vista Township Committee voted to temporarily rename the community of Richland
, a section of Buena Vista Township. For the first half of the month of May, Richland became Mojito, New Jersey, named after the Cuban rum drink
. Bacardi
had offered to give the township $5,000 for recreation projects in exchange for a sign placed on U.S. Route 40
commemorating the new name. Richland was chosen because it is home to the family-run Dalponte Farms, a major east coast supplier of mint
, an essential ingredient of the mojito
.
, the township has a total area of 41.5 square miles (107.5 km²), of which, 41.4 square miles (107.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.39% water. 90% of the area is within the boundaries of the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
Buena Vista Township includes the communities of Buena, Buena Acres, East Vineland, Lake Ann, Milmay, New Kuban, Newtonville, and Pine Lake Estates, and Richland
. Collings Lakes
is a census-designated place
and unincorporated area located within Buena Vista Township.
of 2000, there are 7,436 people residing in the township, organized into 2,648 households and 1,972 families. The population density
is 179.8 people per square mile (69.4/km²). There are 2,827 housing units at an average density of 68.3 per square mile (26.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township is 77.34% White, 15.69% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.07% from other races, and 2.43% from two or more races. 9.27% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,648 households out of which 30.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% are married couples
living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% are non-families. 21.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.77 and the average family size is 3.20.
In the township the population is spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township is $43,770, and the median income for a family is $50,403. Males have a median income of $36,064 versus $26,180 for females. The per capita income
for the township is $18,382. 12.1% of the population and 7.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.2% of those under the age of 18 and 13.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another to serve as Deputy Mayor.
, the members of the Buena Vista Township Committee are Mayor Chuck Chiarello, Deputy Mayor Peter Bylone, Sue Barber, Richard Harlan and Teresa Kelly.
based on the results of the 2010 Census. The new district is in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.
, together with children from Buena Borough
and Newfield
, a non-operating school district. Students are sent to the district's high school for grades 9 - 12 from both Estell Manor City
and Weymouth Township
as part of sending/receiving relationships with the respective school districts. Newfield, however, has recently decided to sever its ties with the Buena Regional School District, and, instead, begin a relationship with Delsea Regional School District
, a plan approved in 2009 by the New Jersey Department of Education
under which students attending grades 10-12 at Buena Regional High School as of the 2010-11 school year would finish their education there.
Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are four elementary schools —
Collings Lakes (230 students; grades K-5)
William B. Donini (194; K-3),
Edgarton Memorial (189; K-5) and
John C. Milanesi (494; PreK-5) —
Buena Regional Middle School (536; 6-8) and
Buena Regional High School
(928; 9-12).
St. Augustine College Preparatory School
is an all-male Catholic high school
, operated under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
.
provides service to and from the Atlantic City Bus Terminal
in Atlantic City
on the 553 route.
Township (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
located in Atlantic County
Atlantic County, New Jersey
-National protected areas:* Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge * Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River -Demographics:...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 7,570.
Buena Vista was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on March 5, 1867, from portions of Hamilton Township
Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey
Hamilton Township is a township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 26,503...
. Portions of the township were taken on May 23, 1906, to create Folsom
Folsom, New Jersey
Folsom is a borough in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 1,885.Folsom was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 23, 1906, from portions of Buena Vista Township.New Jersey Monthly magazine...
, and on September 1, 1948, to create Buena
Buena, New Jersey
Buena is a borough in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 4,603.Landisville and Minotola are unincorporated areas located within Buena Borough, both of which had postal facilities established with those names in 1871 and 1897,...
. The name comes from the 1847 Battle of Buena Vista
Battle of Buena Vista
The Battle of Buena Vista , also known as the Battle of Angostura, saw the United States Army use artillery to repulse the much larger Mexican army in the Mexican-American War...
of the Mexican-American War.
The township is headquarters for Troop A of the New Jersey State Police
New Jersey State Police
The New Jersey State Police is the state police force for the state of New Jersey. It is a general-powers police agency with state wide jurisdiction when requested by the Governor, designated by Troop Sectors.-History:...
, which covers over 2000 square miles (5,180 km²) and more than 1.7 million residents between the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
and the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
.
Richland, New Jersey
Richland is an unincorporated area within Buena Vista Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 08350....
, a section of Buena Vista Township. For the first half of the month of May, Richland became Mojito, New Jersey, named after the Cuban rum drink
Mojito
Mojito is a traditional Cuban highball.Traditionally, a Mojito is not very strong and made of five ingredients: white rum, sugar , lime juice, sparkling water and mint. The original Cuban recipe uses spearmint or yerba buena, a mint variety very popular on the island...
. Bacardi
Bacardi
Bacardi is a family-controlled spirits company, best known as a producer of rums, including Bacardi Superior and Bacardi 151. The company sells in excess of 200 million bottles per year in nearly 100 countries...
had offered to give the township $5,000 for recreation projects in exchange for a sign placed on U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 40 is a U.S. highway running from Park City, Utah east to Atlantic City, New Jersey. The easternmost segment of the route runs through the southern part of New Jersey between the Delaware Memorial Bridge over the Delaware River in Pennsville Township, Salem County, where it continues...
commemorating the new name. Richland was chosen because it is home to the family-run Dalponte Farms, a major east coast supplier of mint
Peppermint
Peppermint is a hybrid mint, a cross between the watermint and spearmint . The plant, indigenous to Europe, is now widespread in cultivation throughout all regions of the world...
, an essential ingredient of the mojito
Mojito
Mojito is a traditional Cuban highball.Traditionally, a Mojito is not very strong and made of five ingredients: white rum, sugar , lime juice, sparkling water and mint. The original Cuban recipe uses spearmint or yerba buena, a mint variety very popular on the island...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 41.5 square miles (107.5 km²), of which, 41.4 square miles (107.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.39% water. 90% of the area is within the boundaries of the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
Buena Vista Township includes the communities of Buena, Buena Acres, East Vineland, Lake Ann, Milmay, New Kuban, Newtonville, and Pine Lake Estates, and Richland
Richland, New Jersey
Richland is an unincorporated area within Buena Vista Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 08350....
. Collings Lakes
Collings Lakes, New Jersey
Collings Lakes is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within parts of Buena Vista Township and Folsom Borough in Atlantic County, and Monroe Township, in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States...
is a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
and unincorporated area located within Buena Vista Township.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there are 7,436 people residing in the township, organized into 2,648 households and 1,972 families. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
is 179.8 people per square mile (69.4/km²). There are 2,827 housing units at an average density of 68.3 per square mile (26.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township is 77.34% White, 15.69% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.07% from other races, and 2.43% from two or more races. 9.27% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,648 households out of which 30.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% are married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% are non-families. 21.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.77 and the average family size is 3.20.
In the township the population is spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township is $43,770, and the median income for a family is $50,403. Males have a median income of $36,064 versus $26,180 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township is $18,382. 12.1% of the population and 7.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.2% of those under the age of 18 and 13.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Local government
Buena Vista is governed under the TownshipTownship (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another to serve as Deputy Mayor.
, the members of the Buena Vista Township Committee are Mayor Chuck Chiarello, Deputy Mayor Peter Bylone, Sue Barber, Richard Harlan and Teresa Kelly.
Federal, state and county representation
Buena Vista Township is in the 2nd Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 1st state legislative district. The township was relocated to the 2nd state legislative district by the New Jersey Apportionment CommissionNew Jersey Apportionment Commission
The New Jersey Apportionment Commission is a constitutionally-created ten-member commission responsible for apportioning the forty districts of the New Jersey Legislature. The commission is convened after each decennial U.S. Census, and the districts are to be in use for the legislative elections...
based on the results of the 2010 Census. The new district is in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.
Education
Students in public school for grades K - 12 in Buena Vista Township attend the Buena Regional School DistrictBuena Regional School District
The Buena Regional School District is a comprehensive regional school district serving approximately 2,100 students in grades K - 12 from two communities in Atlantic County, New Jersey. Municipalities served by the district are Buena Borough and Buena Vista Township...
, together with children from Buena Borough
Buena, New Jersey
Buena is a borough in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 4,603.Landisville and Minotola are unincorporated areas located within Buena Borough, both of which had postal facilities established with those names in 1871 and 1897,...
and Newfield
Newfield, New Jersey
Newfield is a Borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 1,616.Newfield was formed as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 8, 1924, from portions of Franklin Township, based on the results of a...
, a non-operating school district. Students are sent to the district's high school for grades 9 - 12 from both Estell Manor City
Estell Manor, New Jersey
Estell Manor is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 1,735.Estell Manor was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1925, from portions of Weymouth Township.-Geography:Estell Manor is...
and Weymouth Township
Weymouth Township, New Jersey
Weymouth Township is a township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 2,715....
as part of sending/receiving relationships with the respective school districts. Newfield, however, has recently decided to sever its ties with the Buena Regional School District, and, instead, begin a relationship with Delsea Regional School District
Delsea Regional School District
The Delsea Regional School District is a regional public school district serving students from two communities in Gloucester County, New Jersey...
, a plan approved in 2009 by the New Jersey Department of Education
New Jersey Department of Education
The New Jersey Department of Education administers state and federal aid programs affecting more than 1.4 million public and non-public elementary and secondary school children in the state of New Jersey. The department is headquartered in Trenton.The Department is responsible for ensuring that...
under which students attending grades 10-12 at Buena Regional High School as of the 2010-11 school year would finish their education there.
Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are four elementary schools —
Collings Lakes (230 students; grades K-5)
William B. Donini (194; K-3),
Edgarton Memorial (189; K-5) and
John C. Milanesi (494; PreK-5) —
Buena Regional Middle School (536; 6-8) and
Buena Regional High School
Buena Regional High School
Buena Regional High School is a comprehensive regional public high school founded in 1971 to serve students in grades 9 - 12 from five communities in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Buena Regional School District. Municipalities served by the district are Buena...
(928; 9-12).
St. Augustine College Preparatory School
St. Augustine College Preparatory School
St. Augustine College Preparatory School is an all-boys Roman Catholic four-year high school located in the Richland section of Buena Vista Township, New Jersey, United States...
is an all-male Catholic high school
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, operated under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden is a particular church or diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, located in New Jersey, United States, and presides over Roman Catholic parishes and schools in the six southern New Jersey counties of Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland,...
.
Transportation
New Jersey TransitNew Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
provides service to and from the Atlantic City Bus Terminal
Atlantic City Bus Terminal
The Atlantic City Bus Terminal is a regional bus station and a major stop for New Jersey Transit buses in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Located at the 1900 block of Atlantic Avenue, the station is now only half its size as part of it was built for a Polo Ralph Lauren store in the Atlantic City Outlets...
in Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
on the 553 route.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Buena Vista Township include:- Renald Iacovelli, author whose novels are remarkable for their eccentric characters (many of them artists deriving from lower middle class, suburban America) and a general disdain of urbanism.
External links
- Buena Vista Township's website
- Buena Regional School District
- Data for the Buena Regional School District, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- Cape May Seashore Lines Railroad