Stafford Township, New Jersey

Stafford Township, New Jersey
Township
The Stafford Performing Arts Center in Manahawkin
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Map of Stafford Township in Ocean County. Inset; Location of Ocean County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Stafford Township, New Jersey
Stafford Township Location in Ocean County Show map of Ocean County, New Jersey Stafford Township Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Stafford Township Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 39°42′21″N74°15′52″W / 39.705726°N 74.264326°W / 39.705726; -74.264326 [1] [2]
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Ocean
Royal charter	March 3, 1750
Incorporated	February 21, 1798
Named for	Staffordshire, England
Government [3]
• Type	Faulkner Act (small municipality)
• Body	Township Council
•  Mayor	Robert E. Henken (R, unexpired term ends December 31, 2024) [4] [5]
•  Administrator	Matthew von der Hayden [6]
•  Municipal clerk	Susan Farrell [7]
Area [1]
• Total	54.71 sq mi (141.69 km2)
• Land	46.11 sq mi (119.44 km2)
• Water	8.59 sq mi (22.26 km2)  15.71%
• Rank	29th of 565 in state 5th of 33 in county [1]
Elevation [8]	43 ft (13 m)
Population  (2020) [9] [10]
• Total	28,617
• Estimate  (2023) [9] [11]	30,261
• Rank	86th of 565 in state 8th of 33 in county [12]
• Density	620.6/sq mi (239.6/km2)
• Rank	427th of 565 in state 25th of 33 in county [12]
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code	08050 – Manahawkin [13]
Area code	609 [14]
FIPS code	3402970320 [1] [15] [16]
GNIS feature ID	0882069 [1] [17]
Website	www.staffordnj.gov

Stafford Township is a township situated on the Jersey Shore in southern Ocean County, within the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 28,617, ^{[9] [10]} its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 2,082 (+7.8%) from the 26,535 recorded at the 2010 census, ^{[18] [19]} which in turn reflected an increase of 4,003 (+17.8%) from the 22,532 counted in the 2000 census. ^[20]

Stafford Township is the gateway to the resort communities on Long Beach Island, with Route 72 providing the sole road access to the island, ending in Ship Bottom as it crosses Barnegat Bay via the Manahawkin Bay Bridge (formally known as the Dorland J. Henderson Memorial Bridge). The Garden State Parkway and U.S. Route 9 pass through the township and provide access to Route 72.

History

The Manahawkin Baptist Church, built in 1864

Incorporation

Stafford Township was formed by Royal charter on March 3, 1750, from portions of Shrewsbury Township, while the area was still part of Monmouth County. It was incorporated as one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, and became part of the newly formed Ocean County on February 15, 1850. Portions of the township were taken to form Union Township (March 10, 1846, now Barnegat Township), Eagleswood Township (March 17, 1874), Long Beach City borough (September 19, 1894, now Surf City) and Long Beach Township (March 23, 1899). ^[21] The township was named after Staffordshire, England. ^[22]

20th century and later

Stafford Township was mostly a rural area, aside from the bustling downtown of Manahawkin. Early growth in the township started in the 1950s, starting with the construction of large resort communities of Beach Haven West and Ocean Acres, which were built around the same time as the completion of the Garden State Parkway and the expansion of Route 72, the latter which formerly ran along the two-lane Bay Avenue.

While growing quickly, development was still sparse. Route 72 was still mostly wooded, aside from several car dealerships, gas stations, a drive-in movie theater, and the Manahawkin Executive Airport. Most of the growth started in the 1980s when several new developments were constructed, such as Colony Lakes and the expansion of Beach Haven West and Ocean Acres, which had been a community of summer homes and became a booming development of year-round single-family homes. Stafford Square was the first major shopping center to open on Route 72. Manahawkin Airport was closed in the early 1990s to make way for a Walmart and Pathmark. ^[23] However, part of the runway was still left intact until the 2000s, when the St. Mary's of the Pines Catholic Church and All Saints Regional Catholic School were built on the land. ^[24]

The township holds an annual Founders Day celebration every June. It started in 1964 to celebrate New Jersey’s 300th anniversary and has since evolved into a grand celebration of Stafford. The day includes a Hometown Parade; pie-eating contest; inflatables and rides; the Miss Stafford, Jr. Miss Stafford, Little Miss Stafford, and Little Town Crier pageants; and concludes with a fireworks display. ^[25]

In July 2021, the township buried a 50-year time capsule which will be opened in 2070. Stafford Township officials included various items and residents submitted memorabilia from 2020 to give the future residents a glimpse of life in Stafford Township in the days of COVID-19. ^[26]

Geography

The "Bridge to nowhere" at the end of Stafford Avenue, part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 54.71 square miles (141.69 km²), including 46.11 square miles (119.44 km²) of land and 8.59 square miles (22.26 km²) of water (15.71%). ^{[1] [2]} Stafford Township straddles the breadth of southern Ocean County from its eastern border at the Jersey Shore to the county's western border with Burlington County, New Jersey.

Beach Haven West (2010 Census population of 3,896 ^[27] ) and Manahawkin (2,303 ^[28] ) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places contained within Stafford Township, while Ocean Acres (16,142 ^[29] ) is a census-designated place and unincorporated area split between Barnegat Township and Stafford Township. ^{[30] [31] [32]}

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or entirely within the township include Bayside, Beach View, Bonnet Island, Cedar Bonnet, Cedar Grove, Cedar Run, Manahawkin Landing, Mayetta, South Beach View, and Sunshine City. ^[33] Warren Grove is an unincorporated rural area located within the township as well as portions of Barnegat Township and Little Egg Harbor Township in the heart of the Pine Barrens.

The township borders the Ocean County municipalities of Barnegat Township, Eagleswood Township, Harvey Cedars, Little Egg Harbor Township, Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom, and Surf City. ^{[34] [35] [36]}

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1790	883		—
1810	1,239		—
1820	1,428		15.3%
1830	2,059		44.2%
1840	2,149		4.4%
1850	1,384	*	−35.6%
1860	1,436		3.8%
1870	1,514		5.4%
1880	1,008	*	−33.4%
1890	1,095		8.6%
1900	1,009	*	−7.9%
1910	934		−7.4%
1920	830		−11.1%
1930	1,039		25.2%
1940	1,253		20.6%
1950	1,347		7.5%
1960	1,930		43.3%
1970	3,684		90.9%
1980	10,385		181.9%
1990	13,325		28.3%
2000	22,532		69.1%
2010	26,535		17.8%
2020	28,617		7.8%
2023 (est.)	30,261	[9] [11]	5.7%
Population sources: 1790–1920 [37] 1850–2000 [38] 1850–1870 [39] 1850 [40] 1870 [41] 1880–1890 [42] 1890–1910 [43] 1910–1930 [44] 1940–2000 [45] 2000 [46] [47] 2010 [18] [19] 2020 [9] [10] * = Lost territory in previous decade. [21]

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 28,617 people in the township. ^[9]

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 26,535 people, 10,096 households, and 7,249 families in the township. The population density was 578.8 per square mile (223.5/km²). There were 13,604 housing units at an average density of 296.7 per square mile (114.6/km²). The racial makeup was 94.51% (25,077) White, 1.05% (278) Black or African American, 0.16% (42) Native American, 1.48% (394) Asian, 0.03% (8) Pacific Islander, 1.68% (445) from other races, and 1.10% (291) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.31% (1,410) of the population. ^[18]

Of the 10,096 households, 29.5% had children under the age of 18; 58.9% were married couples living together; 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.2% were non-families. Of all households, 23.9% 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 2.61 and the average family size was 3.10. ^[18]

22.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.0 males. ^[18]

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $68,250 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,646) and the median family income was $80,059 (+/− $4,290). Males had a median income of $60,398 (+/− $4,092) versus $43,138 (+/− $7,270) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $31,690 (+/− $1,364). About 2.9% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over. ^[48]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census ^[15] there were 22,532 people, 8,535 households, and 6,435 families residing in the township. The population density was 484.3 inhabitants per square mile (187.0/km²). There were 11,522 housing units at an average density of 247.6 per square mile (95.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.79% White, 0.74% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.41% of the population. ^{[46] [47]}

There were 8,535 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.6% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.01. ^{[46] [47]}

In the township the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males. ^{[46] [47]}

The median income for a household in the township was $52,269, and the median income for a family was $59,072. Males had a median income of $44,706 versus $30,687 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,397. About 2.3% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over. ^{[46] [47]}

Government

Local government

Stafford Township is governed within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Small Municipality form of New Jersey municipal government. The township is one of 18 (of the 564) municipalities statewide that use this form of government, which is only available to municipalities with fewer than 12,000 residents at the time of adoption. ^{[49] [50]} The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the six-member Township Council. The Mayor and Council members are elected to three-year terms on a concurrent basis in partisan elections. The mayor can vote on all issues. The seven-member governing body is empowered to enact local ordinances, levy municipal taxes and conduct the community's affairs. ^{[3] [51]} In a November 2010 referendum, voters approved a change to shift from nonpartisan elections held in May to partisan elections held as part of the November general election, with costs savings from the shift cited as the primary justification for the move. ^[52]

As of 2024 ^[update] , the mayor of Stafford Township is Republican Robert E. Henken, who was appointed to serve an unexpired term of office ending December 31, 2024. Members of the Stafford Township Council are Council President Lisa D. Mower, Steven Esposito, Paul Krier, Owen LaRocca (appointed to serve an unexpired term), Amy Otte and Thomas N. Steadman; all are Republicans and all are serving terms which end concurrently in 2024. ^{[4] [53] [54] [55] [56]}

After Greg Myhre stepped down from office to take a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly in January 2024, councilmember Robert Henken was appointed to fill his seat as mayor; in turn, Owen LaRocca was appointed to fill Henken's vacant council seat. ^[57]

In November 2022, Steven Esposito was elected to fill a vacant council seat. ^[58] Thomas Bresnahanhad been appointed the previous August to fill the seat after Anthony Guariglia had resigned. ^[59]

Federal, state, and county representation

Stafford Township is in the 2nd Congressional District ^[60] and is part of New Jersey's 9th state legislative district. ^[61]

For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented by Jeff Van Drew ( R , Dennis Township ). ^[62] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrat Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) ^[63] . One seat is currently vacant after Senator Bob Menendez ( Englewood Cliffs ) resigned on August 20, 2024. ^{[64] [65] [66]}

For the 2024-2025 session , the 9th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Carmen Amato ( R , Lacey Township ) and in the General Assembly by Greg Myhre (R, Stafford Township ) and Brian E. Rumpf (R, Little Egg Harbor Township ). ^[67]

Ocean County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members who are elected on an at-large basis in partisan elections and serving staggered three-year terms of office, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization held in the beginning of January, the board chooses a director and a deputy director from among its members. ^[68] As of 2024 ^[update] , Ocean County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year and residence) are:

John P. Kelly (R, 2025, Eagleswood Township), ^[69] Virginia E. Haines (R, 2025, Toms River), ^[70] Director Barbara Jo Crea (R, 2024, Little Egg Harbor Township) ^[71] Deputy Director Gary Quinn (R, 2024, Lacey Township) ^[72] and Frank Sadeghi (R, 2026, Toms River). ^{[73] [74] [75]}

Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Scott M. Colabella (R, 2025, Barnegat Light), ^{[76] [77]} Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy (R, 2025; Toms River) ^{[78] [79]} and Surrogate Jeffrey Moran (R, 2028, Beachwood). ^{[80] [81] [82]}

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 18,029 registered voters in Stafford Township, of which 3,451 (19.1%) were registered as Democrats, 4,944 (27.4%) were registered as Republicans and 9,630 (53.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens. ^[83] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 67.9% (vs. 63.2% in Ocean County) were registered to vote, including 88.0% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 82.6% countywide). ^{[83] [84]}

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 57.9% of the vote (7,159 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 41.0% (5,075 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (138 votes), among the 12,480 ballots cast by the township's 18,963 registered voters (108 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 65.8%. ^{[85] [86]} In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 57.3% of the vote (7,508 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 40.8% (5,351 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (150 votes), among the 13,113 ballots cast by the township's 18,430 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.2%. ^[87] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 60.4% of the vote (7,396 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 38.6% (4,722 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (90 votes), among the 12,239 ballots cast by the township's 16,776 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 73.0. ^[88]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 74.4% of the vote (5,602 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 24.3% (1,829 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (101 votes), among the 7,676 ballots cast by the township's 18,813 registered voters (144 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 40.8%. ^{[89] [90]} In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 64.9% of the vote (5,746 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 28.3% (2,511 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 4.9% (431 votes) and other candidates with 1.2% (102 votes), among the 8,859 ballots cast by the township's 18,174 registered voters, yielding a 48.7% turnout. ^[91]

Education

The Stafford Township School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. ^[92] As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of five schools, had an enrollment of 2,198 students and 190.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.6:1. ^[93] Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ^[94] ) are Oxycocus School ^[95] with 178 students in pre-kindergarten, Ronald L. Meinders Primary Learning Center ^[96] with 274 students in kindergarten, Ocean Acres Elementary School ^[97] with 527 students in grades 1–2, McKinley Avenue Elementary School ^[98] with 570 students in grades 3–4 and Stafford Intermediate School ^[99] with 651 students in grades 5–6. ^{[100] [101] [102]}

For seventh through twelfth grades, public school students are served by the Southern Regional School District, which serves the five municipalities in the Long Beach Island Consolidated School District—Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom and Surf City—along with students from Beach Haven and Stafford Township, together with students from Ocean Township who attend as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Ocean Township School District. ^{[103] [104]} Schools in the district (with 2018–2019 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ^[105] ) are Southern Regional Middle School ^[106] with 934 students in grades 7–8 and Southern Regional High School ^[107] with 1,952 students in grades 9–12. ^[108] Both schools are in the Manahawkin section of Stafford Township.

Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science is a comprehensive and challenging career high school that is located on a hill in Manahawkin on the outskirts of the Southern Regional School District. MATES is part of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School and serves students from all of Ocean County. ^[109]

St. Mary Academy, a K–8 school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, is in Stafford Township, near Manahawkin CDP. ^{[110] [111]} It is managed by St. Mary Church of Barnegat. From 1997, ^[112] until 2019 it operated as All Saints Regional Catholic School and was collectively managed by five churches. In 2019 St. Mary took entire control of the school, which remained on the same Manahawkin campus, and changed its name. The other churches no longer operate the school but still may send students there. ^[113]

Media

The Asbury Park Press and The Press of Atlantic City provide daily news coverage of the township, as does WOBM-FM radio. The township provides material and commentary to The Southern Ocean Times, which also serves Barnegat Township, Lacey Township, Long Beach Island, Ocean Township (Waretown) and Tuckerton as one of seven weekly papers from Micromedia Publications. ^[114]

Transportation

The northbound Garden State Parkway at the interchange with Route 72 in Stafford Township

Roads and highways

As of May 2010 ^[update] , the township had a total of 183.27 miles (294.94 km) of roadways, of which 143.29 miles (230.60 km) were maintained by the municipality, 20.06 miles (32.28 km) by Ocean County and 14.96 miles (24.08 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 4.96 miles (7.98 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. ^[115]

Stafford is served by a few major roads. The most prominent of these is the Garden State Parkway, which enters the Stafford Township from Eagleswood Township in the south and exits northward into Barnegat Township. ^[116] The Parkway intersects with Route 72 at Interchange 63 for Route 72 to Camden / Chatsworth / Manahawkin / Long Beach Island. ^[117] In addition, U.S. Route 9 passes north–south through the center of the township and Route 72 passes from the northwest to the southeast. The most significant county road is CR 539, which traverses the western part of the township.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides bus service to Atlantic City on the 559 bus route. ^[118]

Ocean Ride local service is provided on the OC6 Little Egg Harbor – Stafford and the OC10 Long Beach Island routes. ^{[119] [120] [121]}

Notable people

See also: Category:People from Stafford Township, New Jersey

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Stafford Township include:

• Glenn Carson (born 1990), American football linebacker who played in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals ^[122]
• Doc Cramer (1905–1990), center fielder who played for four American League teams from 1929 to 1948 ^[123]
• Mike Gesicki (born 1995), tight end who plays for the Cincinnati Bengals ^[124]
• Teresa Giudice (born 1972), reality television cast-member, best known for starring in The Real Housewives of New Jersey , who owned a summer home in the Beach Haven West section ^[125]
• Clark Harris (born 1984), long snapper / tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals ^[126]
• Paul Marshall Johnson Jr. (1955–2004), helicopter engineer who was beheaded in Saudi Arabia by a group connected to Al-Qaeda ^[127]
• Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan (1987–2007), Muslim-American U.S. Army Specialist who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom ^[128]
• William A. Newell (1817–1901), 18th Governor of New Jersey who later represented the state in the United States House of Representatives ^[129]
• Martin Truex Jr. (born 1980), a NASCAR Cup Series driver who currently pilots Joe Gibbs Racing's #19 Toyota Camry and is the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion ^[130]
• Martin Truex Sr. (born 1948), former driver who competed in the Busch North Series ^[131]
• Ryan Truex (born 1992), a NASCAR Xfinity Series driver who currently pilots Joe Gibbs Racing's #19 Toyota Supra part-time, having previously driven in the Truck Series and the Cup Series ^[132]
• Ethan Vanacore-Decker (born 1994), professional soccer player for the Union Omaha in the United Soccer League ^[133]
• Richard F. Visotcky (1929–2002), politician who served as mayor of Garfield, New Jersey and for 12 years as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly ^[134]

References

1. 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 1, 2020.
2. US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
3. 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 58.
4. Mayor & Council, Stafford Township. Accessed August 21, 2024.
5. 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, updated February 8, 2023. Accessed February 10, 2023.
6. Administration, Stafford Township. Accessed August 21, 2024.
7. Municipal Clerk, Stafford Township. Accessed August 21, 2024.
8. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Township of Stafford, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 14, 2013.
9. QuickFacts Stafford township, Ocean County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 20, 2022.
10. Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.
11. Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023, United States Census Bureau, released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.
12. Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed March 1, 2023.
13. Look Up a ZIP Code for Manahawkin, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed July 8, 2012.
14. Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Manahawkin, NJ, Area-Codes.com. Accessed October 27, 2014.
15. U.S. Census website, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
16. Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.
17. US Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
18. DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Stafford township, Ocean County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 8, 2012.
19. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Stafford township ^{[ permanent dead link ]}, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed July 8, 2012.
20. 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.
21. Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 205. Accessed May 30, 2024.
22. Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 9, 2015.
23. Key, Peter. "Wal-Mart Store To Open In Area / Stafford Site Set For 1992", The Press of Atlantic City , March 19, 1991. Accessed July 8, 2012. "Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has announced plans to open a Wal-Mart store in a shopping center being developed on the Manahawkin Airport by National Property Development Inc. of Purchase, N.Y."
24. Larsen, Erik. "Keeping the faith Diocese confident regional school will be built", Asbury Park Press , March 11, 2000. Accessed July 8, 2012. "Last December, All Saints broke ground on about 20 acres beside Wal-Mart, which was once the site of the now-defunct Manahawkin Airport."
25. "Founders Day Calls Upon Seuss With Forward-Looking ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go, Stafford!’", The SandPaper, June 1, 2022 Accessed June 9, 2022. "According to Stafford Township Recreation Director Jason Hazelton, Founders Day started in 1964 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of New Jersey and has evolved into a multifaceted celebration that has taken place on the second Saturday in June for the past 30 years, omitting the pandemic years."
26. Riccardi, Alyssa. "Stafford Captures The History Of 2020 With Time Capsule", Jersey Shore Online, February 3, 2021. Accessed June 9, 2022. "The time capsule is a 130-pound solid steel treasure chest that was built by Kurt Brownell of the Stafford Township Department of Public Works. Mayor Myhre explained how Brownell used scrap metal to create this one-of-a-kind time capsule. On December 31, 2020, Myhre and Williams made an initial deposit into the capsule. Inside, they put in: 2020 census bags; the Press of Atlantic City, 2020 in review paper; National Geographic photos of 2020; letters from the mayor and council; township calendars; Signs hung around the township in 2020 (for example wash your hands, wear masks, stop the spread of germs); masks and a current map of Stafford Township."
27. DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Beach Haven West CDP, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 8, 2012.
28. DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Manahawkin CDP, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 8, 2012.
29. DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Ocean Acres CDP, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 8, 2012.
30. GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Ocean County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.
31. 2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.
32. New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed January 2, 2013.
33. Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 10, 2015.
34. Areas touching Stafford Township, MapIt. Accessed March 6, 2020.
35. Ocean County Map, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 6, 2020.
36. New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
37. Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed July 18, 2013.
38. Barnett, Bob. Population Data for Ocean County Municipalities, 1850 - 2000, WestJersey.org, January 6, 2011. Accessed January 2, 2013.
39. Raum, John O. The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1, p. 280, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed January 2, 2013. "Stafford contained in 1850, 1,384; in 1860, 1,436; and in 1870, 1,514 inhabitants.... Mannahawkinsville contained in 1870, 689 inhabitants.
40. Debow, James Dunwoody Brownson. The Seventh Census of the United States: 1850, p. 140. R. Armstrong, 1853. Accessed January 2, 2013.
41. Staff. A compendium of the ninth census, 1870, p. 260. United States Census Bureau, 1872. Accessed January 2, 2013.
42. Porter, Robert Percival. Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75, p. 99. United States Census Bureau, 1890. Accessed January 2, 2013.
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44. Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 718. Accessed January 2, 2013.
45. Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.
46. Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Stafford township, Ocean County, New Jersey ^{[ permanent dead link ]}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 3, 2012.
47. DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Stafford township, Ocean County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 8, 2012.
48. DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Stafford township, Ocean County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 8, 2012.
49. Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.
50. "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 14. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
51. Stafford Township Form Of Government, Stafford Township, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 2, 2010. Accessed January 2, 2013.
52. Lala, Elisa. "Stafford Township voters approve moving municipal elections to November", The Press of Atlantic City , November 3, 2010. Accessed October 27, 2014. "Township residents voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to move annual nonpartisan elections from May to November.... Officials argued that moving the elections to the fall would save the township $50,000."
53. 2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Stafford Township. Accessed August 21, 2024.
54. Township of Stafford, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed August 21, 2024.
55. 2024 Ocean County & Municipal Elected Officials, Ocean County, New Jersey Clerk, updated August 19, 2024. Accessed August 21, 2024.
56. 2021 General Election Official Results, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2022.
57. Sharkey, Pat. "Owen LaRocca Sworn In to Serve on Stafford Township Council", TAPinto Stafford / LBI, February 23, 2024. Accessed August 21, 2024. "Mayor Henken and the Township Council, along with Assemblyman Myhre, welcomed Owen LaRocca as the newest member of the Township Council during last week's Township Council meeting. LaRocca fills the opening left after the resignation of Greg Myhre and the appointment of Robert Henken as Mayor."
58. Sharkey, Pat. "Steven Esposito Sworn In as New Stafford Councilman at Tuesday Night Council Meeting", TAPinto Stafford /LBI, November 22, 2022. Accessed August 21, 2024. "Republican Steven Esposito was sworn into Stafford Township Council by Mayor Greg Myhre on Tuesday evening to fill a two-year term."
59. Flesher, Thomas. "New Stafford Council Member Sworn In", Barnegat-Manahawkin, NJ Patch, August 4, 2022.Accessed August 21, 2024. "A new council member was sworn in to the Stafford Township Council on Aug. 1. The council unanimously approved Thomas Bresnahan's appointment to the council in a special meeting. Bresnahan was appointed to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Councilman Dr. Anthony Guariglia, who resigned last month."
60. 2022 Redistricting Plan, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 8, 2022.
61. Municipalities Sorted by 2023-2031 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed September 1, 2023.
62. Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 3, 2019.
63. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
64. Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
65. Fox, Lauren; Foran, Clare (July 23, 2024). "Bob Menendez will resign his US Senate seat effective August 20". CNN. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
66. Home, sweet home: Bob Menendez back in Hudson County. nj.com. Accessed April 30, 2021. "Booker, Cory A. - (D - NJ) Class II; Menendez, Robert - (D - NJ) Class I"
67. Legislative Roster for District 9, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 9, 2024.
68. Freeholder to Commissioner History, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
69. Commissioner John P. Kelly, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
70. Commissioner Director Virginia E. Haines, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
71. Commissioner Barbara Jo Crea, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
72. Commissioner Gary Quinn, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
73. Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
74. Meet our Commissioners, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
75. County Directory, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
76. County Clerk, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
77. Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
78. County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
79. Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
80. County Surrogate Jeffrey W. Moran, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
81. Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
82. 2022 Ocean County and Municipal Elected Officials, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
83. Voter Registration Summary - Ocean, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed January 2, 2013.
84. GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.
85. "Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Ocean County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
86. "Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Ocean County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
87. 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Ocean County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 2, 2013.
88. 2004 Presidential Election: Ocean County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 2, 2013.
89. "Governor - Ocean County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
90. "Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Ocean County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
91. 2009 Governor: Ocean County Archived October 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed January 2, 2013.
92. Stafford Township Board of Education District Bylaw 0110 - Identification, Stafford Township School District Accessed June 16, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-kindergarten through six in the Stafford Township School District. Composition: The Stafford Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Stafford Township."
93. District information for Stafford Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.
94. School Data for the Stafford Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.
95. Oxycocus School, Stafford Township School District. Accessed June 16, 2020.
96. Ronald L. Meinders Primary Learning Center, Stafford Township School District. Accessed June 16, 2020.
97. Ocean Acres Elementary School, Stafford Township School District. Accessed June 16, 2020.
98. McKinley Avenue Elementary School, Stafford Township School District. Accessed June 16, 2020.
99. Stafford Intermediate School, Stafford Township School District. Accessed June 16, 2020.
100. Directions, Stafford Township School District. Accessed June 16, 2020.
101. Public Schools Directory 2019-2020; Living & Learning in Ocean County, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed June 16, 2020.
102. New Jersey School Directory for Stafford Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.
103. Southern Regional High School 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 6, 2020. "Located in Manahawkin, the Southern Regional School District draws from the constituent districts of Long Beach Township, Beach Haven, Surf City, Ship Bottom, Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars and Stafford Township, as well as the tuition sending district of Ocean Township (Waretown).
104. About Us, Southern Regional School District. Accessed March 6, 2020. "Our school is a 7-12 comprehensive regional high school district. Our middle school covers grades 7-8 and our high school covers grades 9-12. The district is comprised of the constituent members of Stafford Township, Beach Haven, Long Beach Township, (which includes the municipalities of Loveladies, North Beach, High Bar Harbor and Brant Beach and Long Beach Township) Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars, Ship Bottom, and Surf City. Waretown is our sending district."
105. School Data for the Southern Regional School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.
106. Southern Regional Middle School, Southern Regional School District. Accessed January 20, 2020.
107. Southern Regional High School, Southern Regional School District. Accessed January 20, 2020.
108. New Jersey School Directory for the Southern Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.
109. Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science - Background, Ocean County Vocational Technical School. Accessed January 2, 2013.
110. "Tuition". St. Mary Academy. Retrieved June 23, 2020. Participating parishes include: [...]400 Doc Cramer Blvd, Manahawkin, NJ 08050 - It has a Manahawkin address but is outside of the Manahawkin CDP
111. "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Manahawkin CDP, NJ" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved June 23, 2020. - St. Mary Academy is not in the CDP.
112. "All Saints Regional school to become St. Mary Academy under administration of Barnegat parish". Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton. December 19, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
113. Heyboer, Kelly (June 11, 2019). "These are all the N.J. Catholic schools closing and merging this year". Nj.com . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
114. The Southern Ocean Times Archived 2016-08-03 at the Wayback Machine , Micromedia Publications. "First published in 2010. Expanded in 2013. Serving Lacey, Barnegat, Waretown, Manahawkin, LBI and Tuckerton in Ocean County, New Jersey."
115. Ocean County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.
116. Garden State Parkway Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, January 1997. Accessed October 27, 2014.
117. Travel Resources: Interchanges, Service Areas & Commuter Lots, New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Accessed October 27, 2014.
118. Ocean County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 26, 2010. Accessed January 2, 2013.
119. Ocean County Bus Service Archived 2015-08-14 at the Wayback Machine , Greater Mercer TMA. Accessed August 12, 2015.
120. Ocean Ride Rider's Guide Archived June 27, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed August 12, 2015.
121. Ocean County Transit Guide Archived September 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed August 12, 2015.
122. Edelson, Steve. "Glenn Carson prepares for Arizona Cardinals season opener", Asbury Park Press , September 4, 2014. Accessed January 20, 2020. "Even as the congratulatory emails and text messages were pouring in on Saturday, Glenn Carson still wasn’t sure he’d actually made the Arizona Cardinals.... For many of those who were sending the Manahawkin native those voicemails and text messages during the weekend, they’ll get to see Carson play in person nine days from now, with the Cardinals headed to MetLife Stadium to take on the Giants in Week 2."
123. Goldstein, Steve. "Roger 'Doc' Cramer, 85, Outfielder Who Played For Athletics, Red Sox", The Philadelphia Inquirer , September 10, 1990. Accessed July 29, 2007. "Roger Maxwell "Doc" Cramer, 85, who hit .296 during an illustrious 19- year career in baseball that began when Connie Mack signed him for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1929, died yesterday at his home in Manahawkin, N.J., after a seven-month battle with cancer."
124. McGarry, Michael. "The Press Male Athlete of the Year: Mike Gesicki leaves Southern as one of school's all-time best", The Press of Atlantic City , June 21, 2014. Accessed December 2, 2016. "Gesicki lives in Manahawkin with his parents, Mike and Donna. He is the youngest of three children."
125. Hyman, Vicki. "Teresa Giudice's Shore home set for foreclosure auction in May; bidding starts at $100", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, April 20, 2015. Accessed September 7, 2015.
126. Lulgjuraj, Susan. "Galloway's Rolle, Atlantic City's Corcoran ready to realize NFL dreams", The Press of Atlantic City , April 22, 2010. Accessed April 21, 2011. "Watching the draft with family can be tough. Three years ago, Southern Regional High School and Rutgers University standout tight end Clark Harris waited in his Stafford Township home for his name to be called. As the second day of the draft grew on (there were only two days in 2007), the atmosphere became more tense."
127. via Associated Press. "Family, friends plead for U.S. captive's release: American, Saudi officials hunt for contractor; deadline is Friday", NBC News, June 17, 2004. Accessed April 20, 2011. "Paul Johnson, 49, of Stafford Township, N.J., was abducted Saturday by a group calling itself al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula."
128. Staff. "More on the Soldier Kareem R. Khan", The New York Times , October 19, 2008. Accessed October 9, 2015. "On Meet the Press today, Colin L. Powell concluded his endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama by referring to the death of a Muslim soldier, Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan of Manahawkin, N.J., who was killed in Iraq on Aug. 6, 2007, and whose remains were buried in Arlington."
129. Kowalczyk, Frank. "The Shipwreck of the Powhatan" Archived 2008-05-29 at the Wayback Machine , The Society Scroll newsletter of the Ocean County Historical Society, September 2007. Accessed January 12, 2008.
130. Orr, Conor. "Mayetta's Ryan Truex making rapid NASCAR rise while following in brother Martin's footsteps", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, July 17, 2010. Accessed May 10, 2015.
131. Procida, Lee. "A younger Truex chose a passion for cars over a life at sea", The Press of Atlantic City , February 14, 2010. Accessed October 9, 2015. "When he does come home, he tends to keep to himself, hanging out at his parents' home in the Mayetta section or with his close friend from grade school Adam Sherer, who owns Sherer's Boat Basin in Barnegat Township."
132. Russo, John. "Stafford Township's Ryan Truex excited to compete full time on NASCAR's Sprint Cup series", The Press of Atlantic City , January 21, 2014. Accessed May 10, 2015.
133. Russo, John. "College Notebook: Former Ocean City soccer star records another shutout", The Press of Atlantic City , October 20, 2014. Accessed September 13, 2018. "Ethan Vanacore-Decker, a Manahawkin resident and graduate of the Pennington School in Mercer County, scored the only goal for Connecticut in a 1-0 win over Central Florida on Saturday."
134. Lisberg, Adam. "Politician Richard Visotcky, 73; Served 12 years in Assembly", The Record , November 4, 2002. Accessed June 16, 2020, via Newspapers.com. "He and his wife, Lois, moved to Manahawkin 10 years ago to be closer to their son -- and because it was the only way for him to gracefully decline many civic obligations in Garfield as his health declined, the younger Visotcky said."

External links

• New Jersey portal

• Stafford Township website
• White Cedars Memorial Park – Stafford, NJ