Stafford Township is a township situated on the Jersey Shore in southern Ocean County, within the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 28,617, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 2,082 (+7.8%) from the 26,535 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn reflected an increase of 4,003 (+17.8%) from the 22,532 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

Stafford Township is the gateway to the resort communities on Long Beach Island, with Route 72 providing the sole road access to the island, ending in Ship Bottom as it crosses Barnegat Bay via the Manahawkin Bay Bridge (formally known as the Dorland J. Henderson Memorial Bridge). The Garden State Parkway and U.S. Route 9 pass through the township and provide access to Route 72.

History Stafford Township was formed by royal charter on March 3, 1750, from portions of Shrewsbury Township, while the area was still part of Monmouth County. It was incorporated as one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, and became part of the newly formed Ocean County on February 15, 1850. Portions of the township were taken to form Union Township (March 10, 1846, now Barnegat Township), Eagleswood Township (March 17, 1874), Long Beach City Borough (September 19, 1894, now Surf City) and Long Beach Township (March 23, 1899).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 205. Accessed May 30, 2024. The township was named after Staffordshire, England.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 9, 2015.

Historically, Stafford Township was a rural area, with the notable exception of the downtown hub of Manahawkin. Significant growth began in the 1950s with the development of resort communities like Beach Haven West and Ocean Acres. These developments coincided with the completion of the Garden State Parkway and the expansion of Route 72, which formerly ran along the two-lane Bay Avenue.

While growing quickly, development was still sparse. Route 72 was still mostly wooded, aside from several car dealerships, gas stations, a drive-in movie theater, and the Manahawkin Executive Airport. The pace of development increased during the 1980s with new residential projects, including the expansion of Beach Haven West and Ocean Acres, transforming the area from seasonal vacation homes to year-round residences. This period also saw the establishment of Stafford Square, the township's first major shopping center. The Manahawkin Airport closed in the early 1990s to make way for commercial developments, including a Walmart and Pathmark.Key, Peter. "Wal-Mart Store To Open In Area / Stafford Site Set For 1992", The Press of Atlantic City, March 19, 1991. Accessed July 8, 2012. "Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has announced plans to open a Wal-Mart store in a shopping center being developed on the Manahawkin Airport by National Property Development Inc. of Purchase, N.Y." However, part of the runway was left intact until the 2000s, when the St. Mary's of the Pines Catholic Church and All Saints Regional Catholic School were built on the land.Larsen, Erik. , Asbury Park Press, March 11, 2000. Accessed July 8, 2012. "Last December, All Saints broke ground on about 20 acres beside Wal-Mart, which was once the site of the now-defunct Manahawkin Airport."

Stafford Township celebrates its history and community spirit through an annual Founders Day event held each June. Originating in 1964 as part of New Jersey’s 300th anniversary celebrations, Founders Day has grown into a vibrant tradition featuring a hometown parade, pie-eating contests, inflatable rides, the Miss Stafford, Jr. Miss Stafford, Little Miss Stafford, and Little Town Crier pageants, and concludes with a fireworks display."Founders Day Calls Upon Seuss With Forward-Looking ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go, Stafford!’", The SandPaper, June 1, 2022 Accessed June 9, 2022. "According to Stafford Township Recreation Director Jason Hazelton, Founders Day started in 1964 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of New Jersey and has evolved into a multifaceted celebration that has taken place on the second Saturday in June for the past 30 years, omitting the pandemic years."

In July 2021, the township buried a 50-year time capsule, which will be opened in 2070. Stafford Township officials included various items, and residents submitted memorabilia from 2020 to give future residents a glimpse of life in Stafford Township during the COVID-19 pandemic.Riccardi, Alyssa. "Stafford Captures The History Of 2020 With Time Capsule", Jersey Shore Online, February 3, 2021. Accessed June 9, 2022. "The time capsule is a 130-pound solid steel treasure chest that was built by Kurt Brownell of the Stafford Township Department of Public Works. Mayor Myhre explained how Brownell used scrap metal to create this one-of-a-kind time capsule. On December 31, 2020, Myhre and Williams made an initial deposit into the capsule. Inside, they put in: 2020 census bags; the Press of Atlantic City, 2020 in review paper; National Geographic photos of 2020; letters from the mayor and council; township calendars; Signs hung around the township in 2020 (for example wash your hands, wear masks, stop the spread of germs); masks and a current map of Stafford Township."

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 54.71 square miles (141.69 km2), including 46.11 square miles (119.44 km2) of land and 8.59 square miles (22.26 km2) of water (15.71%). Stafford Township straddles the breadth of southern Ocean County from its eastern border at the Jersey Shore to the county's western border with Burlington County, New Jersey.

Beach Haven West (2010 Census population of 4,143) and Manahawkin (2,413DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Manahawkin CDP, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 8, 2012.) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places contained within Stafford Township, while Ocean Acres (16,142DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Ocean Acres CDP, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 8, 2012.) is a census-designated place and unincorporated area split between Barnegat Township and Stafford Township.GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Ocean County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed January 2, 2013.

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or entirely within the township include Bayside, Beach View, Bonnet Island, Cedar Bonnet, Cedar Grove, Cedar Run, Manahawkin Landing, Mayetta, South Beach View, and Sunshine City.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 10, 2015. Warren Grove is an unincorporated rural area located within the township as well as portions of Barnegat Township and Little Egg Harbor Township in the heart of the Pine Barrens.

The township borders the Ocean County municipalities of Barnegat Township, Eagleswood Township, Harvey Cedars, Little Egg Harbor Township, Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom, and Surf City.Areas touching Stafford Township, MapIt. Accessed March 6, 2020.Ocean County Map, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 6, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2020 census The 2020 United States census counted 28,617 people in the township.

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 26,535 people, 10,096 households, and 7,249 families in the township. The population density was . There were 13,604 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 94.51% (25,077) White, 1.05% (278) Black or African American, 0.16% (42) Native American, 1.48% (394) Asian, 0.03% (8) Pacific Islander, 1.68% (445) from other races, and 1.10% (291) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.31% (1,410) of the population.

Of the 10,096 households, 29.5% had children under the age of 18; 58.9% were married couples living together; 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.2% were non-families. Of all households, 23.9% were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.10.

22.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $68,250 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,646) and the median family income was $80,059 (+/− $4,290). Males had a median income of $60,398 (+/− $4,092) versus $43,138 (+/− $7,270) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $31,690 (+/− $1,364). About 2.9% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Stafford township, Ocean County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 8, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 22,532 people, 8,535 households, and 6,435 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 11,522 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 96.79% White, 0.74% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.41% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Stafford township, Ocean County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 3, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Stafford township, Ocean County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 8, 2012.

There were 8,535 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.6% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the township the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.