Lacey Township, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Lacey Township is a Township
in Ocean County
, New Jersey
and is considered part of the Jersey Shore
region. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population had increased to a record high of 27,644. It was named for Continental Army
General John Lacey
.
Lacey Township was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on March 23, 1871, from portions of Dover Township (now known as Toms River Township
) and Union Township (now Barnegat Township
). Portions of the township were taken on June 23, 1933, to form the borough of Island Beach
(which is now part of Berkeley Township
).
The Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station
is located in the southern part of the township.
Murray Grove
is a Unitarian-Universalist retreat and conference center in Lanoka Harbor, traditionally considered the site where Universalism
in America began.
, the township has a total area of 98.5 square miles (255.1 km²), of which, 84 square miles (217.6 km²) of it is land and 14.5 square miles (37.6 km²) of it (14.74%) is water.
Forked River
is a census-designated place
and unincorporated area located within Lacey Township. The township also contains the unincorporated area of Lanoka Harbor
. Bamber Lakes, Laurel Harbor and Sun Rise Harbor are also areas of Lacey Township. The township names its fire stations after the various areas of Lacey Township.
In Lacey Township, the north-south track of the Garden State Parkway
serves as an informal use divider under the 1979 Pinelands Act and the subsequent Comprehensive Management Plan. To the east of the Parkway are more than 95% of Lacey's residential dwellings, located in the unincorporated areas of Lanoka Harbor and Forked River. To the Parkway's west is a mostly undisturbed pine and cedar forest, part of New Jersey's vast Pine Barrens
. The forest is interspersed with a scattered few farms, houses ranches, the tiny community of Bamber Lake and open pit gravel quarries - all of which predate passage of the Pinelands Act or were developed under its tight zoning rules. The conditions of grandfathering vary - the mines' exceptions are to expire upon the deaths of their owners whereas the farms' exceptions are indefinite. Development west of the parkway is strictly controlled by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission.
Many Ocean County residents commonly refer to all of Lacey Township as Forked River with the first word pronounced with two syllable
s (FOR-ked or FORK-ed). Pronouncing the first word with one syllable is a sign of a new resident or a Benny
.
of 2000, there were 25,346 people, 9,336 households, and 7,244 families residing in the township. The population density
was 301.7 people per square mile (116.5/km²). There were 10,580 housing units at an average density of 126.0 per square mile (48.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.85% White, 0.36% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races
, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.15% of the population.
There were 9,336 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.5% were married couples
living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $55,938, and the median income for a family was $61,298. Males had a median income of $47,406 versus $30,088 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $23,136. About 3.7% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve 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.
Members of the Township Committee are Mayor
Gary Quinn (R
, term ends December 31, 2012), Deputy Mayor
Mark Dykoff (R, 2012), Sean Sharkey (D, 2013), Dave Most (R, 2011), and Helen DelaCruz (D, 2013).
Recent local controversies have surrounded development and land use. In particular, a proposal to build a road on an old railroad right of way behind the ShopRite
has been a major issue in town. Other issues involve the lack of water resources to sustain the proposed Home Depot, which opened October 18, 2007 and Wal-Mart
.
Lacey Township is in the
serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are three K-4 elementary schools —
Cedar Creek School (K-4; 597 students),
Forked River School (K-4; 545) and
Lanoka Harbor School (K-4; 658) —
Mill Pond School for grades 5&6
Lacey Township Middle School for grades 7&8 (835) and
Lacey Township High School
for students in grades 9-12 (1,535).
The Relay for Life is held annually at Gille Park and brings together many residents to donate money towards cancer research. However, in 2010, the Lacey Township Committee did not allow the walk to be held at Gille, and therefore it was moved to Veteran's Park in Bayville.
Lacey has experienced a rapid growth in recent years with the addition of many new developments and new stores being built around town.
A recent example of development is a Wal-Mart
.
.
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...
in Ocean County
Ocean County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 510,916 people, 200,402 households, and 137,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 803 people per square mile . There were 248,711 housing units at an average density of 151/km²...
, 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...
and is considered part of the Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used to refer to both the Atlantic coast of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the adjacent resort and residential communities. . The New Jersey State Department of Tourism considers the Shore Region, Greater Atlantic City, and the Southern Shore to be distinct, each having...
region. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population had increased to a record high of 27,644. It was named for Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
General John Lacey
John Lacey
John Lacey was an American military officer during the American Revolutionary War. He was appointed a brigadier general in the Pennsylvania militia by the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council in January 1778....
.
Lacey Township 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 23, 1871, from portions of Dover Township (now known as Toms River Township
Toms River, New Jersey
Toms River is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Toms River Township and is the county seat of Ocean County, New Jersey. It is part of a larger Toms River Township...
) and Union Township (now Barnegat Township
Barnegat Township, New Jersey
-History:Barnegat gets its name from nearby Barnegat Bay and Barnegat Inlet. The inlet was originally "Barendegat," or "Inlet of the Breakers," and was named by Dutch settlers in 1614 for the waterway's turbulent channel.-Demographics:...
). Portions of the township were taken on June 23, 1933, to form the borough of Island Beach
Island Beach, New Jersey
Island Beach was a borough that existed in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States, from 1933 to 1965.Island Beach was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on June 23, 1933, from portions of Berkeley Township, Lacey Township and Ocean Township. The referendum that...
(which is now part of Berkeley Township
Berkeley Township, New Jersey
Berkeley Township is a Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population had increased to a record high of 41,255....
).
The Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station
Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station
Oyster Creek nuclear power station is a single unit 636 MWe boiling water reactor power plant located on an 800 acre site adjacent to the Oyster Creek in the Forked River section of Lacey Township in Ocean County, New Jersey. The facility is currently owned and operated by Exelon Corporation and...
is located in the southern part of the township.
Murray Grove
Murray Grove
Murray Grove is a Unitarian Universalist retreat and conference center in Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey, traditionally considered the site where Universalism in America began. In 1770, Thomas Potter, an unlettered but inspired Universalist landowner living in what was then called Good Luck, New Jersey,...
is a Unitarian-Universalist retreat and conference center in Lanoka Harbor, traditionally considered the site where Universalism
Universalism
Universalism in its primary meaning refers to religious, theological, and philosophical concepts with universal application or applicability...
in America began.
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 98.5 square miles (255.1 km²), of which, 84 square miles (217.6 km²) of it is land and 14.5 square miles (37.6 km²) of it (14.74%) is water.
Forked River
Forked River, New Jersey
Forked River is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Lacey Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the CDP population was 5,244....
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 Lacey Township. The township also contains the unincorporated area of Lanoka Harbor
Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey
Lanoka Harbor is an unincorporated area located in Ocean County, New Jersey. Politically, it is part of Lacey Township.Murray Grove is a Unitarian-Universalist retreat and conference center in Lanoka Harbor, traditionally considered the site where Universalism in America began....
. Bamber Lakes, Laurel Harbor and Sun Rise Harbor are also areas of Lacey Township. The township names its fire stations after the various areas of Lacey Township.
In Lacey Township, the north-south track of the Garden State Parkway
Garden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
serves as an informal use divider under the 1979 Pinelands Act and the subsequent Comprehensive Management Plan. To the east of the Parkway are more than 95% of Lacey's residential dwellings, located in the unincorporated areas of Lanoka Harbor and Forked River. To the Parkway's west is a mostly undisturbed pine and cedar forest, part of New Jersey's vast Pine Barrens
Pine Barrens (New Jersey)
The Pine Barrens, also known as the Pinelands, is a heavily forested area of coastal plain stretching across southern New Jersey. The name "pine barrens" refers to the area's sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil, to which the crops originally imported by European settlers didn't take well...
. The forest is interspersed with a scattered few farms, houses ranches, the tiny community of Bamber Lake and open pit gravel quarries - all of which predate passage of the Pinelands Act or were developed under its tight zoning rules. The conditions of grandfathering vary - the mines' exceptions are to expire upon the deaths of their owners whereas the farms' exceptions are indefinite. Development west of the parkway is strictly controlled by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission.
Many Ocean County residents commonly refer to all of Lacey Township as Forked River with the first word pronounced with two syllable
Syllable
A syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds. For example, the word water is composed of two syllables: wa and ter. A syllable is typically made up of a syllable nucleus with optional initial and final margins .Syllables are often considered the phonological "building...
s (FOR-ked or FORK-ed). Pronouncing the first word with one syllable is a sign of a new resident or a Benny
Benny (slang)
Benny is a derogatory term used by year-round residents of the Jersey Shore to describe rude, flashy, loud, tourists from northern New Jersey and New York. While local residents appreciate the tourists' economic contribution, the term "Benny" specifically refers to only those unpleasant tourists...
.
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 were 25,346 people, 9,336 households, and 7,244 families residing in the township. 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...
was 301.7 people per square mile (116.5/km²). There were 10,580 housing units at an average density of 126.0 per square mile (48.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.85% White, 0.36% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.15% of the population.
There were 9,336 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.5% were 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, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $55,938, and the median income for a family was $61,298. Males had a median income of $47,406 versus $30,088 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 was $23,136. About 3.7% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
Surrounding Communities
Local government
Lacey Township 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 in partisan elections to serve 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.
Members of the Township Committee are Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Gary Quinn (R
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, term ends December 31, 2012), Deputy Mayor
Deputy Mayor
Deputy mayor is an elective or appointive office of the second-ranking official in many local governments. Many elected deputy mayors are members of the city council who are given the title and serve as acting mayor in the mayor's absence...
Mark Dykoff (R, 2012), Sean Sharkey (D, 2013), Dave Most (R, 2011), and Helen DelaCruz (D, 2013).
Recent local controversies have surrounded development and land use. In particular, a proposal to build a road on an old railroad right of way behind the ShopRite
ShopRite (United States)
ShopRite Supermarkets is a retailers' cooperative chain of supermarkets in the northeastern United States, with stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania...
has been a major issue in town. Other issues involve the lack of water resources to sustain the proposed Home Depot, which opened October 18, 2007 and Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
.
Federal, state and county representation
Lacey Township is in the 3rd Congressional district.Lacey Township is in the
Education
The Lacey Township School DistrictLacey Township School District
The Lacey Township School District is a comprehensive community public school district serving students in kindergarten through twelfth grade from Lacey Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey, along the state's Jersey Shore region....
serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Schools in the district (with 2005-06 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 three K-4 elementary schools —
Cedar Creek School (K-4; 597 students),
Forked River School (K-4; 545) and
Lanoka Harbor School (K-4; 658) —
Mill Pond School for grades 5&6
Lacey Township Middle School for grades 7&8 (835) and
Lacey Township High School
Lacey Township High School
Lacey Township High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Lacey Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States, as part of the Lacey Township School District. The school opened its doors in September 1981. Residents of Lacey Township previously attended Central...
for students in grades 9-12 (1,535).
Community
The township had an annual Night of Lights on the Forked River, which was a boat parade at night in August. Owners dressed up their boats with lights and sailed down the river at night to the Captain's Inn.This has been changed to Rock the River after the family that supported it ran into legal and financial issues. It is now sponsored by local business and organizations.The Relay for Life is held annually at Gille Park and brings together many residents to donate money towards cancer research. However, in 2010, the Lacey Township Committee did not allow the walk to be held at Gille, and therefore it was moved to Veteran's Park in Bayville.
Lacey has experienced a rapid growth in recent years with the addition of many new developments and new stores being built around town.
A recent example of development is a Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
.
Commerce
Lacey is home to many businesses, the largest employer being the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating StationOyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station
Oyster Creek nuclear power station is a single unit 636 MWe boiling water reactor power plant located on an 800 acre site adjacent to the Oyster Creek in the Forked River section of Lacey Township in Ocean County, New Jersey. The facility is currently owned and operated by Exelon Corporation and...
.
Points of interest
- Popcorn Park ZooPopcorn Park ZooPopcorn Park Zoo is a small zoo located in Forked River, New Jersey, within Lacey Township. According to the Associated Humane Societies, the zoo is "a sanctuary for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused or elderly wildlife, exotic and farm animals, and birds." The zoo has programs to educate...
is a small 7 acres (28,328 m²) zoo that houses over 200 rescued animals, and includes a pet adoption center. - The Old Schoolhouse Museum is a small old school building that was built in the mid-19th century as the first school in Forked River, and was used as a school until 1954.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Lacey Township include:- Christopher J. ConnorsChristopher J. ConnorsChristopher J. Connors is an American Republican party politician, who has served in the New Jersey Senate since January 8, 2008, where he currently represents the 9th legislative district...
(born 1956), represents the 9th legislative district in the New Jersey General AssemblyNew Jersey General AssemblyThe New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
. - Melissa DrexlerMelissa DrexlerMelissa Drexler , gained infamy for delivering a baby in a restroom stall at her high school prom and putting the body in the trash before returning to the dance. She pled guilty to aggravated manslaughter, and was sentenced to fifteen years of imprisonment...
(1978-), Prom Mom. - Keith EliasKeith EliasKeith Hector Elias is a former American football running back in the National Football League and Xtreme Football League...
(born 1972), former National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Scott PalgutaScott PalgutaScott Palguta is an American soccer player who currently plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
(born 1982), professional soccer player. - Rhett TitusRhett TitusEverett Lawrence Titus is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Rhett Titus. A student of the ROH Wrestling Academy, Titus has been competing for Ring of Honor , as well as various independent promotions, since 2006.-Career:Titus began training at the ROH Wrestling...
(born 1987), US professional wrestler.
External links
- Lacey Township website
- Lacey Township School District
- Data for the Lacey Township 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...
- Lacey Branch of Ocean County Library