Westville was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 7, 1914, from portions of Deptford Township and West Deptford Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 28, 1914. The borough was reincorporated on March 8, 1924.[23][24] Legislation had been passed in 1900 to create Westville, but it had to have a majority vote in favor of the new municipality in both Deptford and West Deptford.[25] The borough was named for Thomas West, who built a home in the area in 1775 that still stands.[26][27][28]
The borough had the 17th-highest property tax rate in New Jersey, with an equalized rate of 4.502% in 2020, compared to 3.212% in the county as a whole and a statewide average of 2.279%.[29]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.38 square miles (3.58 km2), including 1.02 square miles (2.65 km2) of land and 0.36 square miles (0.93 km2) of water (25.94%).[2][3]Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Newbold, South Westville and Westville Manor.[30]
The 2010 United States census counted 4,288 people, 1,755 households, and 1,095 families in the borough. The population density was 4,187.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,616.6/km2). There were 1,912 housing units at an average density of 1,867.0 per square mile (720.9/km2). The racial makeup was 89.53% (3,839) White, 4.90% (210) Black or African American, 0.16% (7) Native American, 1.49% (64) Asian, 0.05% (2) Pacific Islander, 2.31% (99) from other races, and 1.56% (67) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.02% (258) of the population.[18]
Of the 1,755 households, 26.2% had children under the age of 18; 40.9% were married couples living together; 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 37.6% were non-families. Of all households, 31.3% were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.06.[18]
20.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 94.1 males.[18]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $49,854 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,131) and the median family income was $65,089 (+/− $13,208). Males had a median income of $45,294 (+/− $5,957) versus $39,732 (+/− $7,921) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,908 (+/− $3,575). About 13.7% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 24.2% of those age 65 or over.[39]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census,[15] there were 4,500 people, 1,812 households, and 1,125 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,666.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,801.6/km2). There were 1,938 housing units at an average density of 2,009.5 per square mile (775.9/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.47% White, 2.71% Black, 0.13% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.96% of the population.[37][38]
There were 1,812 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.15.[37][38]
In the borough, the age distribution of the population shows 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.[37][38]
The median income for a household in the borough was $39,570, and the median income for a family was $49,005. Males had a median income of $35,909 versus $27,220 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,747. About 7.4% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.[37][38]
Government
Local government
Westville is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[40] 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 Westville 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.[4][41][42]
As of 2025[update], the mayor of Westville is Democrat Fritz H. Sims Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Westville Borough Council are Council President Bruce Nordaby (D, 2027), Donna M. Domico (D, 2026), Travis R. Lawrence (D, 2025), Paul C. Mailley (D, 2025), Charles D. Murtaugh (D, 2026), Tracy Van Acker (D, 2025; appointed to serve an unexpired term) and Timothy Young (D, 2027).[4][43][44][45][46][47]
In December 2024, Tracy Van Acker was appointed to fill the seat expiring in December 2025 that had been held by Matthew Gayle until he resigned from office.[48]
In June 2020, Fritz H. Sims Jr. was appointed to fill the seat expiring in December 2022 that became vacant following the resignation of Russell W. Welsh Jr. after moving out of Westville.[49]
Federal, state, and county representation
Westville is located in the 1st Congressional District[50] and is part of New Jersey's 3rd state legislative district.[51]
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 2,636 registered voters in Westville, of which 898 (34.1%) were registered as Democrats, 481 (18.2%) were registered as Republicans and 1,256 (47.6%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.[77]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 57.2% of the vote (967 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 40.5% (685 votes), and other candidates with 2.4% (40 votes), among the 1,711 ballots cast by the borough's 2,715 registered voters (19 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 63.0%.[78][79] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 57.0% of the vote (1,133 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 38.8% (770 votes) and other candidates with 2.5% (50 votes), among the 1,987 ballots cast by the borough's 2,854 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.6%.[80] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 55.5% of the vote (1,044 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 43.1% (812 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (19 votes), among the 1,882 ballots cast by the borough's 2,623 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 71.7.[81]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 64.2% of the vote (602 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 32.4% (304 votes), and other candidates with 3.4% (32 votes), among the 961 ballots cast by the borough's 2,666 registered voters (23 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 36.0%.[82][83] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 45.0% of the vote (514 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 41.5% (473 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 10.2% (116 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (10 votes), among the 1,141 ballots cast by the borough's 2,759 registered voters, yielding a 41.4% turnout.[84]
Education
The Westville School District is a community public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at Parkview Elementary School.[85][86] As of the 2019–20 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 361 students and 31.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.4:1.[87]
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.[91]
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 18.05 miles (29.05 km) of roadways, of which 12.72 miles (20.47 km) were maintained by the municipality, 1.66 miles (2.67 km) by Gloucester County and 3.67 miles (5.91 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[92]
^Transportation, Westville, New Jersey. Accessed November 1, 2014. "Westville was called the Gateway to South Jersey because Delsea Drive, Broadway and Crown Point Road all lead to important spots in South Jersey."
^ abcElected Officials, Borough of Westville. Accessed January 26, 2025. "The Borough of Westville is classified as a weak Mayor, strong Council form of Government. While the Mayor does not vote on issues unless there is a tie with the Council members, he is the Administrative Head of the Government, calling and governing all meetings of the Council and making appointments to the various Boards and Commissions. Council Members are elected in the November General Election for three year terms. The Mayor is elected for a four year term."
^"Business Men Organize Westville Trust Company", Courier-Post, March 27, 1926. Accessed February 27, 2023. "The opening of the Philadelphia-Camden Bridge with a direct traffic arrtery over the Crescent Boulevard and with the Camden Relief road, all leading into Westville as the gateway to South Jersey, is another indication to us of the sure growth of our town and success of the trust company."
^Early History, Westville, New Jersey. Accessed October 26, 2015. "Thomas West and his wife built the old 'West' house located on River Drive and raised a family of three children."
^"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.... 17. Westville Equalized tax rate in Westville Borough, Gloucester County, was 4.502 in 2020 Average equalized tax rate in Gloucester County: 3.212"
^"New Council Member Sworn In", Borough of Westville, December 24, 2024. Accessed January 26, 2025. "At the December 23rd Special Council Meeting, a majority vote authorized the appointment of Tracy Van Acker to fill the Council position left vacant by the resignation of Matthew Gayle."
^New Mayor, Borough of Westville, June 2, 2020. Accessed October 25, 2020. "Congratulations to Councilman Fritz H. Sims, Jr. who was elected to the position of Mayor at the June 1, 2020 council meeting as a result of former Mayor Welsh moving out of the Borough."
^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."
^Shryock, Bob. "Plans are in the works for Gateway's 50th anniversary", Gloucester County Times, March 22, 2012. Accessed June 8, 2016. "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 2013Archived August 19, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, 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."
^Woodbury Public Schools History, Woodbury Public Schools. Accessed May 11, 2009. "Captain James Laurence, of 'Don't Give Up the Ship' fame, was educated at the Woodbury Academy, as was Commodore Stephen Decatur, who then lived in Westville."
^Reed, Terry. Indy: The Race and Ritual of the Indianapolis 500, p. 57. Potomac Books, 2005. ISBN9781574889079. Accessed August 15, 2016. "While Louis Meyer enjoyed his somewhat unanticipated second Indianapolis win in 1933, one of the forty-one other cars chasing him was a Studebaker-powered Universal Service Special driven by Westville, New Jersey's Malcolm Fox, who slowed momentarily behind another car in the southwest turn on Fox's 123rd lap."
^Fitzgerald's Legislative Manual, State of New Jersey, 1971, p. 359. J.A. Fitzgerald, 1971. Accessed November 20, 2017. "Harold W. Hannold (Rep., Westville) Mr. Hannold was born December 20, 1911, in Westville, New Jersey. He is the son of Chaikley C. Hannold and Bertha T. Hannold."
^Staff "Copyright chief eyes web conflict", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 6, 2011. Accessed October 26, 2015. "A native of Westville, N.J., Pallante, who has two children, has spent most of her career hopping back and forth between New York and Washington."
^Dinich, Heather A. "Terps, Rutgers rivals on recruiting trail: Schools frequent foes on recruiting trail in N.J.", The Baltimore Sun, September 29, 2007. Accessed October 26, 2015. "A large outline of the state of New Jersey is tattooed on the right biceps of Maryland senior defensive tackle Carlos Feliciano, a native of Elizabeth, N.J. The same tattoo is etched into the arm of his teammate, defensive back Antwine Perez, of Westville Grove, N.J. And linebacker Jeff Clement, from Westville, plans to get one soon."
^"Westville: Once a part of two other townships", Courier-Post, October 19, 2006. Accessed June 18, 2007. "Milt Plum, who played quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants during a 13-year NFL career that lasted from 1957 to 1969, was born in Westville on Jan. 20, 1935."
^Shyrock, Bob. "Bob Shryock: What Gloucester County people are doing", Gloucester County Times, September 24, 2009, updated January 19, 2019. Accessed November 11, 20119. "Former long-time professional wrestler 'Pretty Boy' Larry Sharpe of Westville will participate in a Friday, 7 p.m. fund-raiser at Dover Downs Raceway & Casino, shooting pool (9-ball) against Miss America, Katie Stam, of Indiana, and NASCAR drivers K.C. Kane, Ryan Newman, Benny Hamlin and K.C. Mears, who are in town for the big race."