MULLICA HILL, NJ

Mullica Hill is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated community in Harrison Township, in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 3,982.

History

Spicerville was the name of a community on the south bank of Raccoon Creek, named after prominent landowner Jacob Spicer. Mullica Hill originally referred to the settlement on the north bank of Raccoon Creek, named after the sons of Eric Pålsson Mullica, whose sons William, Eric, Olag and John Mullica began purchasing land here in 1704. Eventually, both communities became known as just Mullica Hill as the original name of Eric's grandfather's house in Central Finland: "Mullikkamäki" (mullikka meaning bull calf and mäki meaning hill). Some of Mullica Hill's historic buildings were built following the Civil War, notably the town hall that still stands today. The period of industrial and agricultural growth during and after the Civil War is commemorated by a reenactment every fall.

The area was hit by a strong EF3 tornado on September 1, 2021, with winds of up to , produced by the remnants of Hurricane Ida, with multiple homes and farms destroyed.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 3.626 square miles (9.392 km²), including 3.603 square miles (9.333 km²) of land and 0.023 square miles (0.059 km²) of water (0.63%).

Demographics

Census 2010

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 1,658 people, 697 households, and 432 families living in the CDP. The population density was 533.5/km² (1,382.0/mi²). There were 737 housing units at an average density of 237.1/km² (614.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.07% White, 6.88% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.84% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.05% of the population.

There were 697 households, out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.09.

The population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,628, and the median income for a family was $62,321. Males had a median income of $48,295 versus $35,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,503. About 6.4% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 20.7% of those age 65 or over.

Historic district

The Mullica Hill Historic District is a national historic district along East Avenue, Woodstown Road, Church, High, Main, Mill, New and Union streets in the community. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 25, 1991 for its significance in architecture, commerce, industry, community development, and exploration/settlement. The district includes 136 contributing buildings.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church was built in 1852, with a bell tower added in 1879. It has been documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey.

Education

Mullica Hill hosts Harrison Township Elementary School which serves students in grades K - 3 and Pleasant Valley School (grades 4 - 6) as part of the Harrison Township School District. Public school students from Mullica Hill also attend Clearview Regional Middle School (grades 7 & 8), and Clearview Regional High School (grades 9-12) of the Clearview Regional High School District. All are located in Mullica Hill.

Friends School Mullica Hill is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational day school, serving students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, as well as giving private music lessons. The current school was originally established in 1969, but is part of a local Quaker tradition in the area extending back over 300 years.

Guardian Angels Regional School (PreK-Grade 3 campus in Gibbstown and 4-8 campus in Paulsboro) accepts students from Mullica Hill. The school operates under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden.

Transportation

New Jersey Transit bus service between Mullica Hill and Philadelphia is available on the 410 route.

New Jersey Route 45, New Jersey Route 77 and U.S. Route 322 are the main highways serving Mullica Hill. While Route 45 and Route 77 still pass through downtown, in January 2012 a new alignment of US 322 opened which bypasses the downtown area.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Mullica Hill include: