Pitman, New Jersey


Pitman is a borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 9,011, reflecting a decline of 320 from the 9,331 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 34 from the 9,365 counted in the 1990 Census. The borough was named for Rev. Charles Pitman, a Methodist minister.
Until August 2014, Pitman was a dry town. Though the borough still does not allow liquor stores or bars, patrons can purchase wine by the bottle from local vineyards at select licensed establishments under the terms of a state law that bypasses municipal oversight. In 2016, a pair of local breweries opened in Pitman's Uptown business district under the terms of a state law that allows the sale of beer by the glass in tasting rooms.

History

In 1871, land was chosen in both Glassboro Township and Mantua Township to be set aside for a Methodist summer camp. The New Jersey Conference Camp Meeting Association was officially chartered and given authority over the land grant in 1872, and began planning the campground and organizing meetings. The land had an auditorium located on a central meeting ground, and twelve roads originated from the central area as spokes on a wheel. This area became known as the Pitman Grove, and while worshipers' tents originally lined each of the twelve roads, cottages slowly replaced the tents and formed the foundation of the town of Pitman. By the 1880s, the number of cottages had climbed to 400 and residents had begun staying year-round, both of which led to the establishment of the first public school in 1884. In 1904, residents of Pitman Grove voted 122 to 35 for incorporation as an autonomous borough, and on May 24, 1905, Governor of New Jersey Edward C. Stokes signed a law granting the incorporation.
Pitman Grove was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.308 square miles, including 2.266 square miles of land and 0.042 square miles of water.
The borough borders the Gloucester County municipalities of Glassboro, Mantua Township and Washington Township.

Demographics

Census 2010

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $67,234 and the median family income was $92,120. Males had a median income of $50,119 versus $46,806 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,777. About 4.4% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 9,331 people, 3,473 households, and 2,431 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,068.3 people per square mile. There were 3,653 housing units at an average density of 1,592.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 97.16% White, 0.91% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.41% of the population.
There were 3,473 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. Of all households 26.0% were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $49,743, and the median income for a family was $59,419. Males had a median income of $40,894 versus $30,889 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $22,133. About 2.8% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Pitman is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 218 of 565 municipalities statewide that use this form of government, the most common in the state. The governing body is comprised of a Mayor and a Borough Council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council is comprised of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The Borough form of government used by Pitman is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.
, the Mayor of Pitman Borough is Republican Michael L. Razze, Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Pitman Borough Council are Council President Paul Blass, John Fitzpatrick, Vanessa James, Adam Mazzola, Amy Rudley, Matt Weng.
The borough's police department, established in 1925, is led by Chief of Police Daniel J. McAteer.

Federal, state and county representation

Pitman is located in the 2nd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 4th state legislative district.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 6,118 registered voters in Pitman, of which 1,840 were registered as Democrats, 1,446 were registered as Republicans and 2,824 were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 8 voters registered to other parties.
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 52.5% of the vote, ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 45.7%, and other candidates with 1.8%, among the 4,508 ballots cast by the borough's 6,297 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.6%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 52.4% of the vote, ahead of Republican John McCain with 44.8% and other candidates with 1.7%, among the 4,828 ballots cast by the borough's 6,486 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.4%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 49.3% of the vote, outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 48.8% and other candidates with 1.0%, among the 4,804 ballots cast by the borough's 6,350 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 75.7.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 61.0% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 36.2%, and other candidates with 2.8%, among the 3,090 ballots cast by the borough's 6,157 registered voters, for a turnout of 50.2%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 46.4% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 42.5%, Independent Chris Daggett with 8.4% and other candidates with 1.1%, among the 3,231 ballots cast by the borough's 6,255 registered voters, yielding a 51.7% turnout.

Education

The Pitman School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of five schools, had an enrollment of 1,283 students and 142.3 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 9.0:1. Schools in the district are
Elwood Kindle Elementary School with 158 students in grades K-5,
Memorial Elementary School with 188 students in grades PreK-5,
W. C. K. Walls Elementary School with 229 students in grades PreK-5,
Pitman Middle School with 307 students in grades 6-8 and
Pitman High School with 380 students in grades 9-12.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality and by Gloucester County.
New Jersey Route 47 is the main highway directly serving Pitman, running along the borough's eastern border with Glassboro. County Route 553 and County Route 553 Alternate are the main county roads passing through Pitman. New Jersey Route 55 passes just to the west of Pitman in neighboring Mantua Township.

Public transportation

provides bus service between the borough and Philadelphia on the 313, 408 and 412 routes.
The community is a planned stop on the Glassboro–Camden Line, an diesel multiple unit light rail system that was projected for completion in 2019. However, as of 2019, completion is not expected until 2025.

Notable people

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