The town and colony of Salem was laid out in 1675 by John Fenwick and the community was given permission to choose officers in October 1693. It was incorporated on February 21, 1798, as part of the initial group of 104 townships established by the New Jersey Legislature. On February 25, 1858, it was reincorporated as Salem City.[26]
Salem had the second-highest property tax rate in New Jersey, with an equalized rate of 6.519% in 2020, compared to 3.476% in Salem County and a statewide average of 2.279%.[27]
History
Salem was founded by John Fenwick, a Quaker.[28] Fenwick had been involved in a financial dispute with an Edward Byllynge, another Quaker, who had received the undivided portion of New Jersey territory that James Stuart, Duke of York had granted to Lord John Berkeley in 1664. Berkeley had sold his share to Byllynge in 1675 for 1,000 pounds, but Byllynge had become bankrupt and so had the property turned over to Fenwick to hold for Byllynge and his assigns in trust. Byllynge and Fenwick came to disagree over the property.
William Penn was asked to adjudicate the matter and he awarded 90% of the claim to Byllynge and the remaining 10% and a cash settlement to Fenwick for his share. Fenwick was dissatisfied with Penn's judgement and refused to abide by the decision; essentially Fenwick had no assurance that a previously bankrupt man would convey ten percent of the net proceeds of the future venture since he had not even paid the adjudicated cash settlement. So Fenwick organized a colony of settlers and sailed to the Delaware Bay where he settled as Patroon on the eastern shore near the abandoned Swedish settlement of Fort Nya Elfsborg and set himself up as the local governor of the fifth Tenth (approximately 20% of the original Edward Byllynge property), issuing land patents and enforcing his own laws in defiance of Byllynge and Penn. Byllynge countered by suing Fenwick, causing uncertainty in the chain of land title. The economic damages to those who controlled property within and near Salem caused many injured persons over the next decade to declare a long line of complaints and lawsuits in the colonial courts. To preserve Salem, its inhabitants and their property, Fenwick remained under arrest for months until copies of documents proving his claims were obtained from England. Fenwick ultimately proved the right of his claim in the court of Dominion Governor Andros, and returned to govern the Salem tenth by 1689.[29][30] Salem remained as a settlement and continued growing.[31]
In October 1693, the community was given permission to choose officers.[28]
In 1778, the British launched an assault against the local American militia in what became known as the Salem Raid. During that assault, Judge William Hancock of the King's Court who was presiding at the County Courthouse at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, was accidentally killed by the British troops as part of the assault that became known as the Hancock House Massacre.[32] After the war concluded, treason trials were held at the county courthouse where suspected Loyalists were put on trial for having allegedly aided the British raid of Salem. Four men were convicted and sentenced to death for treason; however, they were pardoned by Governor William Livingston and exiled from New Jersey.[33]
The Old County Courthouse was the site of the legend of Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson proving the edibility of the tomato. According to legend, Colonel Johnson stood upon the courthouse steps in 1820 and ate tomatoes in front of a large amazed crowd assembled to watch him do so.[34] However, the legend did not appear in print until 1948 and modern scholars doubt the veracity of this story.[35][36]
On February 25, 1858, it was reincorporated as Salem City.[28]
Historical buildings
The Old Salem County Courthouse serves today as the administrative offices for Salem City. It is the oldest active courthouse in New Jersey and is the second-oldest courthouse in continuous use in the United States.[37] The Courthouse was erected in 1735 during the reign of King George II using locally manufactured bricks. The building was enlarged in 1817 and additionally enlarged and remodeled in 1908. Its distinctive bell tower is essentially unchanged and the original bell sits in the courtroom.[37]
Geography
Salem is located along the Salem River.[38] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 2.81 square miles (7.29 km2), including 2.34 square miles (6.07 km2) of land and 0.47 square miles (1.22 km2) of water (16.73%).[1][2]
Salem city, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
The 2010 United States census counted 5,146 people, 2,157 households, and 1,264 families in the city. The population density was 2,195.9 inhabitants per square mile (847.8/km2). There were 2,633 housing units at an average density of 1,123.6 per square mile (433.8/km2). The racial makeup was 31.21% (1,606) White, 62.13% (3,197) Black or African American, 0.41% (21) Native American, 0.39% (20) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.85% (95) from other races, and 4.02% (207) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.68% (344) of the population.[23]
Of the 2,157 households, 28.9% had children under the age of 18; 22.8% were married couples living together; 30.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 41.4% were non-families. Of all households, 35.5% were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.05.[23]
28.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 80.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 73.5 males.[23]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $25,682 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,287) and the median family income was $38,286 (+/− $5,682). Males had a median income of $47,708 (+/− $9,641) versus $32,236 (+/− $5,778) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $17,733 (+/− $2,366). About 26.5% of families and 28.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.4% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.[57]
2000 census
As of the 2000 U.S. census,[16] there were 5,857 people, 2,383 households, and 1,463 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,244.3 inhabitants per square mile (866.5/km2). There were 2,863 housing units at an average density of 1,097.0 per square mile (423.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 37.46% White, 56.77% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 1.38% from other races, and 3.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.88% of the population.[52][53]
There were 2,383 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.7% were married couples living together, 29.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.10.[52][53]
The population was spread out, with 31.0% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.6 males.[52][53]
The median income for a household in the city was $25,846, and the median income for a family was $29,699. Males had a median income of $35,389 versus $24,354 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,559. About 24.7% of families and 26.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.3% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.[52][53]
Government
Local government
Salem is governed under the City form of New Jersey municipal government. The city is one of 15 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.[58] The government is comprised of the Mayor and the eight-member City Council. The mayor is elected at-large to a three-year term of office. The City Council is comprised of eight members, with four members representing one of two wards, East and West. Council members are elected to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat from each ward up for election each year. All members of the governing body are chosen on a partisan basis as part of the November general election.[6][59]
As of 2022[update], the Mayor of Salem is Democrat Jody Veler, whose term of office ends December 31, 2024. Members of the City Council are Council President Earl R. Gage (D, 2022; West Ward), Council President Pro Tempore Timothy H. Gregory Jr. (D, 2022; East Ward), Sharen A. Cline (D, 2024, East Ward), Robert L. Davis (D, 2023; East Ward), Vaughn Groce (D, 2025, East Ward), Sharon K. Kellum (D, 2024, West Ward), Gail Slaughter (D, 2023; West Ward) and James W. Smith (D, 2025; West Ward).[3][60][61][62][63][64]
Ruth Carter was named in October 2013 to fill the seat vacated in the previous month by Bob Johnson, who resigned due to family obligations.[65] Carter served on an interim basis until the November 2014 general election, when she was elected to fill the balance of the term of office through December 2016.[66] Vaughn Groce was chosen in January 2013 to fill the seat of Charles Washington Jr., expiring in December 2013 that was vacated when he took office as mayor.[67]
Federal, state, and county representation
Salem City is located in the 2nd Congressional District[68] and is part of New Jersey's 3rd state legislative district.[69][70][71]
Salem County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners who are elected at-large to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Director and a Deputy Director from among its members.[76] As of 2025[update], Salem County's Commissioners (with party, residence, and term-end year listed in parentheses) are:
Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are:
Clerk Dale A. Cross (R, Pennsville Township, 2029),[78][79]
Sheriff Charles M. Miller (R, Salem, 2027)[80][81] and
Surrogate Nicki A. Burke (D, Woodstown, 2025).[82][83]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 2,975 registered voters in Salem, of which 1,502 (50.5% vs. 30.6% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 229 (7.7% vs. 21.0%) were registered as Republicans and 1,244 (41.8% vs. 48.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[84] Among the city's 2010 Census population, 57.8% (vs. 64.6% in Salem County) were registered to vote, including 80.5% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 84.4% countywide).[84][85]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 83.4% of the vote (1,674 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 15.4% (309 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (24 votes), among the 2,022 ballots cast by the city's 3,322 registered voters (15 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 60.9%.[86][87] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 1,635 votes (78.8% vs. 50.4% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 390 votes (18.8% vs. 46.6%) and other candidates with 18 votes (0.9% vs. 1.6%), among the 2,074 ballots cast by the city's 3,141 registered voters, for a turnout of 66.0% (vs. 71.8% in Salem County).[88] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 1,266 votes (70.4% vs. 45.9% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 506 votes (28.1% vs. 52.5%) and other candidates with 16 votes (0.9% vs. 1.0%), among the 1,799 ballots cast by the city's 2,957 registered voters, for a turnout of 60.8% (vs. 71.0% in the whole county).[89]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 55.3% of the vote (538 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 41.0% (399 votes), and other candidates with 3.7% (36 votes), among the 1,061 ballots cast by the city's 3,201 registered voters (88 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 33.1%.[90][91] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 731 ballots cast (66.3% vs. 39.9% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 241 votes (21.8% vs. 46.1%), Independent Chris Daggett with 73 votes (6.6% vs. 9.7%) and other candidates with 35 votes (3.2% vs. 2.0%), among the 1,103 ballots cast by the city's 3,101 registered voters, yielding a 35.6% turnout (vs. 47.3% in the county).[92]
As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,226 students and 99.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.4:1.[96] Schools in the district (with 2021–22 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[97]) are
John Fenwick Academy[98] with 358 students in grades PreK-2, Salem Middle School[99] with 444 students in grades 3-8, and Salem High School[100] with 399 students in grades 9-12.[101][102][103]
The CatholicK–8 school St. Mary Regional School of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden closed in 2000, with students redirected to Bishop Guilfoyle Regional Catholic School in Carneys Point, which in turn closed in 2010.[107] Guardian Angels Regional School is a K-8 school that operates under the auspices of the Diocese of Camden and accepts students from Salem.[108] Its PreK-3 campus is in Gibbstown while its 4-8 campus is in Paulsboro.[109]
As of May 2010[update], the city had a total of 24.79 miles (39.90 km) of roadways, of which 16.57 miles (26.67 km) were maintained by the municipality, 5.95 miles (9.58 km) by Salem County and 2.27 miles (3.65 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[113]
^"Here are the 30 N.J. towns with the highest property tax rates", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, March 15, 2021. Accessed January 19, 2022. "The average equalized tax rate in New Jersey was 2.279 in 2020, according to data from the Department of Community Affairs. Here is the list of 30 New Jersey towns with the highest property tax rates.... 1. Woodlynne Borough Equalized tax rate in Woodlynne Borough, Camden County, was: 7.384 in 2020; Average equalized tax rate in Camden County: 3.470"
^ abcAbout, City of Salem. Accessed May 29, 2024. "The town and colony of Salem was laid out in 1675 by a Quaker, John Fenwick and the community was given permission to choose officers in October 1693.... It was incorporated on February 21, 1798, as part of the initial group of 104 townships established by the New Jersey Legislature. On February 25, 1858, it was reincorporated as Salem City."
^Clement, John (1875). A sketch of the life and character of John Fenwick. Published by Friends Historical Association. Philadelphia: Henry S. Volkmar
^Shourds, Thomas (1876). "John Fenwick." History and genealogy of Fenwick's Colony, New Jersey. Bridgeton, New Jersey, pp. 3-17 ISBN0-8063-0714-5
^Scharf, Thomas J., History of Delaware, 1609–1688, 1935.
^Smith, Andrew F. (Fall–Winter 1990). "The Making of the Legend of Robert Gibbon Johnson and the Tomato". New Jersey History. 108. New Jersey Historical Society: 59–74.
^ abSalem, NJ, Discover Salem County. Accessed August 18, 2015. "The Old Salem County Courthouse is the second oldest courthouse in the United States; the oldest is King William County Courthouse in Virginia."
^New Jersey Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2005. ISBN0-89933-324-9.
^Salem County Map, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 5, 2020.
^Barnett, Bob. Population Data for Salem County Municipalities, 1800–2000, WestJersey.org, January 6, 2011. Accessed February 8, 2013. Population for 1840 is listed as 2,007, in conflict with two other sources included here that list the population as 2,006.
^Raum, John O. The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1, p. 255, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed February 8, 2013. "Salem is the seat of justice for the county and is divided into two wards. Its population in 1830 was 1,570; in 1840, 2,006; in 1850, 3,052; in 1860, 3,901; and in 1870, 4,555."
^Young, Alex. "Carter appointed to fill vacant seat on Salem City Council", South Jersey Times, October 8, 2013. Accessed November 4, 2013. "Longtime city resident Ruth Carter was appointed to fill the city council seat left vacant after former Councilman Bob Johnson resigned last month.... The seat Carter is taking over became available when Johnson — a longtime city councilman — decided to resign on Sept. 16, due to an out-of-state family obligation.... Puma said Carter will serve in her appointment seat until Nov. 4, 2014 (Election Day), and whoever wins that election would serve the remainder of Johnson's term until it expires on Dec. 31, 2016."
^Williams, Michael. "Salem City Council names new member to fill open seat", South Jersey Times, January 31, 2013. Accessed November 4, 2013. "A new member was appointed to Salem City Council to fill the seat vacated by Mayor Charles Washington Jr., city officials said. During a special meeting this week, council selected city resident Vaughn Groce to fill Washington's unexpired term through the end of the year."
^What We Do: History, New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Accessed March 1, 2022. "In 1998, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in the Abbott v. Burke case that the State must provide 100 percent funding for all school renovation and construction projects in special-needs school districts. According to the Court, aging, unsafe and overcrowded buildings prevented children from receiving the "thorough and efficient" education required under the New Jersey Constitution.... Full funding for approved projects was authorized for the 31 special-needs districts, known as 'Abbott Districts'."
^Our Sending Districts, Salem City School District. Accessed March 1, 2020. "Salem High School welcomes students from: Elsinboro Township School, Lower Alloways Creek Township School, Mannington Township School, Quinton Township Elementary School"
^Bumpus, Robert L. Salem County Report on Consolidation and Regionalization, Salem County, New Jersey Executive County Superintendent, March 15, 2010. Accessed September 14, 2014. "In this area of Salem County four P-8 districts, Lower Alloway Creek, Quinton, Elsinboro, and Mannington Townships have a send/receive agreement with neighboring Salem City to send their students to Salem High School."
^Salem High School, South Jersey Magazine. Accessed September 14, 2014. "Students from Elsinboro, Lower Alloways Creek Township, Mannington Township and Quinton Township attend the high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship, according to the school's 2010 Report Card from the NJ Department of Education."
^Harvin, Al. "Mistake in Identity Pays Compliment to a Rookie", The New York Times, August 1, 1989. Accessed November 4, 2013. "'I would've been upset getting drafted on the eighth round, but because it was the Jets, I was excited,' said Brown, who grew up in the South Jersey town of Salem, where he broke the high school record of the former Colts star Lydell Mitchell for yards rushing and touchdowns scored in a season.
^John Chowning, Stanford University Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics. Accessed September 30, 2015. "Chowning was born in Salem, New Jersey in 1934."
^Gordon, Geo W. "Hon. Henry T. Ellett; A Biographical Sketch", Proceedings of the Annual Session of the Bar Association of Tennessee, p. 102. Tennessee Bar Association. Accessed November 4, 2013. "Henry T. Ellett was born in Salem, New Jersey, on the eighth of March, 1812, and died in Memphis, Tennessee, on the fifteenth day of October, 1887, in the presence of assembled thousands, who had just listened to his eminently appropriate, eloquent and patriotic address of welcome to the President of the United States."
^Goose Goslin, Society for American Baseball Research. Accessed June 25, 2017. "The festivities were far, in both time and place, from Salem New Jersey, where Leon Allen Goslin was born on October 16, 1900."
^Orlando Jordan, TV Time. Accessed April 18, 2024. "Born Apr 21, 1974 in Salem, New Jersey, United States"
^Poetry at Macculloch Hall, Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, May 1, 2016. Accessed April 18, 2024. "Macculloch Hall boasts a third, even better-known poet, Anthony Quinton Keasbey, from Salem, South Jersey."
^Alice Barber Stephens, Schwarz Gallery. Accessed September 30, 2015. "The painter and illustrator Alice Barber Stephens was born in Salem, New Jersey."
^Potrykus, Jeff. "UW freshman tailback Jonathan Taylor appears ready to play this season if needed", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 19, 2017. Accessed September 17, 2017. "Taylor, from Salem, N.J., has flashed both speed and power during preseason camp and impressed running backs coach John Settle by picking up the offense quickly.... Taylor, who has been timed at 10.49 seconds in the 100-meter dash, rushed for a state-record 2,815 yards as a senior at Salem High School."
^John Test, Indiana State Library. Accessed November 4, 2013. "John Test was born on November 12, 1771, in Salem, New Jersey."
^Jay Venuto, Pro Football Archives. Accessed April 28, 2023. "Born: February 5, 1958 Salem, NJ"
^Staff. "John Waddington, 70, Jersey Aide", The New York Times, June 4, 1981. Accessed September 30, 2015. "John A. Waddington, former New Jersey State Senator and director of the State Division of Motor Vehicles, died Monday at the Salem County Memorial Hospital in Salem, N.J. He was 70 years old and lived in Salem."
Bibliography
Shourds, Thomas (1876), History and genealogy of Fenwick's Colony, New Jersey, New Jersey: Bridgeton, ISBN0-8063-0714-5