Deptford Township highlighted in Gloucester County. Inset map: Gloucester County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.

Deptford Township (commonly known as Deptford) is a township located in Gloucester County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 26,763.

Deptford is a New Jersey suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, located on the eastern side of the Walt Whitman Bridge, which joins southern New Jersey with Philadelphia. Deptford is 10 miles east of Philadelphia and 50 miles west of Atlantic City.

History

Historically, Deptford is the location of the first hot air balloon landing in North America, gathering that distinction when Jean-Pierre Blanchard completed his flight to Deptford from Philadelphia in 1793.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 45.5 km² (17.6 mi²). 45.3 km² (17.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.46% water.

Deptford Township borders Mantua Township, Washington Township, Wenonah, West Deptford Township, Westville, Woodbury and Woodbury Heights. Deptford Township also borders Camden County.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 26,763 people, 10,013 households, and 7,079 families residing in the township. The population density is 590.5/km² (1,529.7/mi²). There are 10,647 housing units at an average density of 234.9/km² (608.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the township is 83.44% White, 12.38% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.53% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. 2.86% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 10,013 households out of which 31.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% are married couples living together, 11.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% are non-families. 24.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.62 and the average family size is 3.12.

In the township the population is spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township is $50,147, and the median income for a family is $56,642. Males have a median income of $40,641 versus $28,986 for females. The per capita income for the township is $21,477. 5.9% of the population and 4.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.