Vineland New Jersey: Encyclopedia - Vineland New Jersey

Vineland, New Jersey

Vineland is a city located in Cumberland County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 56,271.

Vineland is the largest city by area in New Jersey.

Vineland New Jersey - Geography

Vineland is located at 39°28'49" North, 75°0'50" West (39.480415, -75.014013)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 178.7 km² (69.0 mi²). 177.9 km² (68.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.42% water. Vineland has the largest land area of any city or town in New Jersey. Additionaly, Vineland is home to the largest farmer's cooperatve on the east coast, the Vineland Produce Auction. Vineland was also the birth place of Welch's Grape Juice and previously had the Palace of Depression until it was burnt down by arsonists.

Vineland borders Deerfield Township, Millville, and Maurice River Township. Vineland also borders Salem County, Gloucester County, and Atlantic County.

Vineland New Jersey - Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there are 56,271 people, 19,930 households, and 14,210 families residing in the city. The population density is 316.3/km² (819.2/mi²). There are 20,958 housing units at an average density of 117.8/km² (305.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 67.47% White, 13.62% African American, 0.54% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 14.01% from other races, and 3.13% from two or more races. 30.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 19,930 households out of which 33.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% are married couples living together, 16.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% are non-families. 23.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.70 and the average family size is 3.17.

In the city the population is spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $40,076, and the median income for a family is $47,909. Males have a median income of $35,195 versus $25,518 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,797. 13.8% of the population and 9.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 17.3% of those under the age of 18 and 13.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Vineland New Jersey - Government

The City of Vineland is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) system of municipal government.

The current Mayor of Vineland is Perry D. Barse (2000-present). Members of the Vineland City Council are John Barretta, Jim Forcinito, Sheena Santiago, Barbra Sheftall and Robert Smith.

Vineland New Jersey - Federal state and county representation

Vineland is in the Second Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 1st Legislative District.

New Jersey's Second Congressional District, covering all of Atlantic County, Cape May County, Cumberland County and Salem County and portions of Burlington County and Gloucester County, is represented by Frank LoBiondo (R, Vineland). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken) and Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park).

The 1st legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Nicholas Asselta (R) and in the Assembly by Nelson Albano (D, Vineland) and Jeff Van Drew (D, Ocean City). The Acting Governor of New Jersey is Richard Codey (D, West Orange).

Cumberland County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Cumberland County's Freeholders are: Douglas M. Rainear - Freeholder Director (Term ends 12/31/2007), Bruce T. Peterson - Freeholder Deputy Director (Term ends 12/31/2005), Jane Yetman Christy (term ends 12/31/2005), Dr. Mary L. Gruccio (term ends 12/31/2007), Louis N. Magazzu (term ends 12/31/2006), James Rocco (term ends 12/31/2006) and Jeffrey M. Trout (term ends 12/31/2005).

Vineland New Jersey - Importance

Vineland was formerly the poultry capital of the United States. A huge percentage of the United State's chicken supply came from Vineland. Vineland Poultry Laboratories, which has been since sold several times and is now Lohman Animal Health, was started by Arthur Goldhaft. Dr. Goldhaft is credited with puttting "a chicken in every pot" after developing the fowl pox chicken vaccine that saved millions of chickens from death. Without Dr. Goldhaft’s work at Vineland Poultry Laboratories in Vineland, the world’s chicken supply would have greatly diminished from the fowl pox disease.

Vineland also has quite a few registered historical sites, including; Aubrey Louis Hanford House - 1894, Coney's Tavern, Daniel R. Morrill House 1868, First Baptist Church, Garrison Hall, Gittone Stadium - 1938, Henry Hartson House, The - 1870, Judge Elias G. Doughty House - ca. 1867, Landis Intermediate School 1928, Myron Kimball House, The - 1895, New Jersey Memorial Home - 1868 (Vineland Soldiers Home), Research Laboratory, The - (Josiah Wistar Hospital), Sacred Heart Church - 1874, Site of Dr. Thomas B. Welsh Home and Home Factory, Theophilus French House - 1871, Vineland Historical & Antiquarian Society Building - 1910 Vineland's First House, and Vineland's First Post Office. Additionally, Vineland had New Jersey’s first school for mental health, the Vineland Developmental Center, which is now called The New Jersey Training School. Henry H. Goddard, an American psychologist, created the term "moron" while directing the Training School for Backward and Feeble-minded Children in Vineland.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Vineland New Jersey", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki