It is a dry town where alcohol cannot be bought or sold legally.[24][25]
The borough had the 29th-highest property tax rate in New Jersey, with an equalized rate of 4.120% in 2020, compared to 3.212% in the county as a whole and a statewide average of 2.279%.[26]
History
Wenonah was founded in 1871 by Philadelphia businessmen as a country resort, drawn by its location along the Mantua Creek and on the West Jersey Railroad.[27] Over the next 40 years, numerous dams were installed to create recreational lakes. From 1902 until the Great Depression, Wenonah Military Academy, a private military school, trained cadets there.[28][29]
Throughout its history, Wenonah has been almost exclusively a residential area. Over 21% of the borough's land area is conservation land, which is protected by ordinance from development.[30] There are more than 6 miles (9.7 km) of hiking trails are threaded around lakes and alongside waterways in these conserved areas.[31]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.01 square miles (2.62 km2), including 1.00 square miles (2.58 km2) of land and 0.02 square miles (0.04 km2) of water (1.58%).[1][2]
The 2010 United States census counted 2,278 people, 829 households, and 649 families in the borough. The population density was 2,342.8 inhabitants per square mile (904.6/km2). There were 860 housing units at an average density of 884.4 per square mile (341.5/km2). The racial makeup was 96.27% (2,193) White, 0.92% (21) Black or African American, 0.13% (3) Native American, 1.05% (24) Asian, 0.04% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.22% (5) from other races, and 1.36% (31) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% (31) of the population.[18]
Of the 829 households, 33.9% had children under the age of 18; 66.3% were married couples living together; 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 21.7% were non-families. Of all households, 18.0% were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.13.[18]
25.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 33.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 103.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 98.0 males.[18]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $103,403 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,030) and the median family income was $112,891 (+/− $12,345). Males had a median income of $78,417 (+/− $11,006) versus $64,205 (+/− $16,821) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $47,743 (+/− $6,172). About 1.1% of families and 1.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.[45]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census,[15] there were 2,317 people, 844 households, and 652 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,380.3 inhabitants per square mile (919.0/km2). There were 860 housing units at an average density of 883.5 per square mile (341.1/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.546% White, 1.084% African American, 0.093% Native American, 0.65% Asian, and 0.652% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.731% of the population.[43][44]
There were 844 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.13.[43][44]
In the borough, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.[43][44]
The median income for a household in the borough was $71,625, and the median income for a family was $82,505. Males had a median income of $57,381 versus $37,500 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $34,116. About 2.0% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.[43][44]
Government
Local government
Wenonah is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 of 564 municipalities statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[46] 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 includes 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.[6] The borough form of government used by Wenonah 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.[47][48]
In May 2016, the borough council selected Daniel Cox to fill the vacant seat expiring in December 2018 that had been held by John F. Howard until his death the previous month.[49][50]
As of 2022[update], Wenonah's mayor is Republican John R. Dominy, whose term of office ends December 31, 2022. Members of the Wenonah Borough Council are Council President Daniel Cox (D, 2024), Jonathan Barbato (D, 2023), Jessica Doheny (D, 2022), Anthony Fini (D, 2020), Peter Y. Fu (D, 2022) and Susan Mayer (R, 2024).[3][51][52][53][54][55][56]
Federal, state, and county representation
Wenonah is located in the 1st Congressional District[57] and is part of New Jersey's 3rd state legislative district.[58]
Gloucester County is governed by a board of county commissioners, whose seven members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis in partisan elections, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year. At a reorganization meeting held each January, the Board selects a Director and a Deputy Director from among its members. As of 2025[update], Gloucester County's Commissioners are:
As of March 2011, there were a total of 1,748 registered voters in Wenonah, of which 571 (32.7%) were registered as Democrats, 461 (26.4%) were registered as Republicans and 714 (40.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered as either Libertarians or Greens.[79]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 53.0% of the vote (727 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 45.1% (619 votes), and other candidates with 1.9% (26 votes), among the 1,383 ballots cast by the borough's 1,780 registered voters (11 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 77.7%.[80][81] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 53.3% of the vote (775 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 44.5% (647 votes) and other candidates with 1.3% (19 votes), among the 1,455 ballots cast by the borough's 1,786 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.5%.[82] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 49.8% of the vote (715 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 47.9% (688 votes) and other candidates with 1.4% (25 votes), among the 1,436 ballots cast by the borough's 1,769 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 81.2.[83]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 61.1% of the vote (563 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 36.3% (334 votes), and other candidates with 2.6% (24 votes), among the 933 ballots cast by the borough's 1,748 registered voters (12 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 53.4%.[84][85] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 44.3% of the vote (469 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 41.2% (436 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 12.3% (130 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (8 votes), among the 1,059 ballots cast by the borough's 1,775 registered voters, yielding a 59.7% turnout.[86]
Education
Wenonah School District serves public school students in kindergarten through sixth grade at Wenonah Elementary School.[87][88] As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 177 students and 19.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.0:1.[89] In the 2016–17 school year, Wenonah had the 37th smallest enrollment of any school district in the state, with 177 students.[90]
Students from across the county are eligible to apply to attend Gloucester County Institute of Technology, a four-year high school in Deptford Township that provides technical and vocational education. As a public school, students do not pay tuition to attend the school.[94]
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 15.42 miles (24.82 km) of roadways, of which 13.63 miles (21.94 km) were maintained by the municipality and 1.79 miles (2.88 km) by Gloucester County.[95]
Joseph C. Salema, New Jersey Governor James Florio's former chief of staff who resigned in the spring of 1993 amid accusations of accepting payments in a pay to play scandal[111]
^ abMayor and Borough Council information page, Borough of Wenonah. Accessed August 24, 2022. "The Borough of Wenonah is governed by a Mayor and six Borough Council Members. The Mayor is elected at large and serves a term of four years and until his successor shall have qualified.... The Borough Council consists of six Members, usually elected at large, and the Council Members serve a term of three years and until their successors shall have qualified. Their terms are arranged so that the terms of two Council Members shall expire at the end of each year."
^"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.... 29. Wenonah Equalized tax rate in Wenonah Borough, Gloucester County, was 4.120 in 2020 Average equalized tax rate in Gloucester County: 3.212"
^Land Uses, Wenonah Environmental Commission. Accessed November 8, 2012. "Conservation Areas: A calculation was made of all the current Conservation areas, connecting Wetlands, Streams, Ponds and Lakes which amounted to 134.6416 acres (21.0706%)."
^Wenonah Trail System, Wenonah Environmental Commission. Accessed November 8, 2012. "The WEC maintains over six miles of hiking trails in the borough, including 40 bridges."
^Gray, Matt. "Costs exceed $64M for mega tornado that ripped through N.J. county during Ida", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 29, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2022. "Dozens of homes were destroyed and nearly 100 more suffered major damage, according to figures compiled by the county. Wenonah reported the highest number of properties with some sort of damage at 204, while Harrison Township reported 155, Deptford Township reported 101, Mantua Township had 51 and Woodbury Heights reported 40."
^Full Biography, Congressman Donald Norcross. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Donald and his wife Andrea live in Camden City and are the proud parents of three grown children and grandparents of two."
^Wenonah Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Wenonah School District. Accessed June 21, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Kindergarten through six in the Wenonah School District. Composition: The Wenonah School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Wenonah."
^Guion, Payton. "These 43 N.J. school districts have fewer than 200 students", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 2017. Accessed January 30, 2020. "Based on data from the state Department of Education from the last school year and the Census Bureau, NJ Advance Media made a list of the smallest of the small school districts in the state, excluding charter schools and specialty institutions.... 37. Wenonah Borough; Enrollment: 177; Grades: K-6; County: Gloucester; Town population: 2,278"
^Shryock, Bob. "Plans are in the works for Gateway's 50th anniversary", Gloucester County Times, March 22, 2012, updated January 18, 2019. Accessed June 21, 2020. "The 50-year milestone is based on Gateway opening in the fall of 2014 when four sending districts (Woodbury Heights, Westville, National Park and Wenonah) split from Woodbury and sent seventh, eighth and ninth graders to the new school on Egg Harbor Road in Woodbury Heights."
^Admissions, Gloucester County Institute of Technology. Accessed November 7, 2019. "There is no charge to attend. GCIT is a public school.... GCIT is the vocational-technical school for Gloucester County residents. You must live in Gloucester County to apply and attend."
^Glassboro-Camden Line Fact Sheet 2013, Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO. Accessed September 1, 2013. "The new line proposed under the Light Rail Alternative would traverse the communities of Glassboro, Pitman, Sewell, Mantua Township, Deptford Township, Wenonah, Woodbury Heights, Woodbury, Westville, Brooklawn, Gloucester City, and Camden."
^Duhart, Bill. "18-mile light rail in South Jersey is coming, but not for another 6 years, at least", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, February 17, 2019. Accessed November 10, 2019. "The 18-mile commute time by light rail from Glassboro to Camden looks like it’s coming in now at just under six more years. That’s because a long-planned commuter rail project connecting a growing population hub in South Jersey with mass transit into Philadelphia still appears to be a few more years away, despite an old timeline that still says it’d be up and running in 2019."
^Strauss, Robert. "Worth Noting; Good Thing He Got His Licks In", The New York Times, November 4, 2001. Accessed October 31, 2012. "Michael Capuzzo of Wenonah had a tremendous run this summer with his book, Close to Shore: A True Story of Terror in an Age of Innocence, (Broadway, $24.95) a detailed account of shark attacks at the Jersey shore in 1916."
^"New Jersey Girl Appointed Instructor in School in Spain", Evening Public Ledger, September 1, 1915. Accessed January 18, 2024. "At 23 years of age, Miss Ethel A. Grosscup, of Wenonah, N. J., has received appointment to the chair of English at the International Institute for Girls In Spain."
^"BJJ Athletes – Joe Solecki Biography Interview", BJJ Tribes, August 18, 2020. Accessed February 28, 2023. "Joe Solecki is a BJJ black belt and professional MMA fighter in the UFC. He resides in Wilmington, NC but originally hails from Wenonah, NJ and has been training BJJ since the age of 6 years old."
^Shryock, Bob. "South Jersey native nominated for Oscar for 'Life of Pi'", South Jersey Times, January 12, 2013. Accessed October 24, 2015. "Former Wenonah resident Tim Squyres, who has edited 11 of director Ang Lee's 12 films, has been nominated for an Oscar for his work on Lee's acclaimed fantasy adventure Life of Pi."