Pitman is a borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 9,011, reflecting a decline of 320 (−3.4%) from the 9,331 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 34 (−0.4%) from the 9,365 counted in the 1990 Census. The borough was named for Rev. Charles Pitman, a Methodist minister.
Until August 2014, Pitman was a dry town. Though the borough still does not allow liquor stores or bars, patrons can purchase wine by the bottle from local vineyards at select licensed establishments under the terms of a state law that bypasses municipal oversight. In 2016, a pair of local breweries opened in Pitman's Uptown business district under the terms of a state law that allows the sale of beer by the glass in tasting rooms.
History
In 1871, land was chosen in both Glassboro Township and Mantua Township to be set aside for a Methodist summer camp. The New Jersey Conference Camp Meeting Association was officially chartered and given authority over the land grant in 1872, and began planning the campground and organizing meetings. The land had an auditorium located on a central meeting ground, and twelve roads originated from the central area as spokes on a wheel. This area became known as the Pitman Grove, and while worshipers' tents originally lined each of the twelve roads, cottages slowly replaced the tents and formed the foundation of the town of Pitman. By the 1880s, the number of cottages had climbed to 400 and residents had begun staying year-round, both of which led to the establishment of the first public school in 1884. In 1904, residents of Pitman Grove voted 122 to 35 for incorporation as an autonomous borough, and on May 24, 1905, Governor of New Jersey Edward C. Stokes signed a law granting the incorporation.
Pitman Grove was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.26 square miles (5.85 km2), including 2.22 square miles (5.75 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.11 km2) of water (1.81%).
The borough borders the Gloucester County municipalities of Glassboro, Mantua Township and Washington Township.
Demographics
Census 2010
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $67,234 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,656) and the median family income was $92,120 (+/− $9,726). Males had a median income of $50,119 (+/− $5,616) versus $46,806 (+/− $6,937) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,777 (+/− $2,034). About 4.4% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
Census 2000
As of the 2000 United States Census there were 9,331 people, 3,473 households, and 2,431 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,068.3 people per square mile (1,573.2/km2). There were 3,653 housing units at an average density of 1,592.7 per square mile (615.9/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.16% White, 0.91% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.41% of the population.
There were 3,473 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. Of all households 26.0% were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.15.
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In the borough the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $49,743, and the median income for a family was $59,419. Males had a median income of $40,894 versus $30,889 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $22,133. About 2.8% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government
Pitman is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 218 municipalities (of the 565) statewide that use this form of government, the most common in the state. 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 is comprised of 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. The Borough form of government used by Pitman 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.
, the Mayor of Pitman Borough is Republican Michael L. Razze, Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Pitman Borough Council are Council President Paul Blass (D, 2021), John Fitzpatrick (R, 2022), Vanessa James (D, 2022), Adam Mazzola (D, 2023), Amy Rudley (D, 2021), Matt Weng (D, 2023).
The borough's police department, established in 1925, is led by Chief of Police Daniel J. McAteer.
Federal, state and county representation
Pitman is located in the 2nd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 4th state legislative district.
Politics
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 6,118 registered voters in Pitman, of which 1,840 (30.1%) were registered as Democrats, 1,446 (23.6%) were registered as Republicans and 2,824 (46.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 8 voters registered to other parties.
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 52.5% of the vote (2,340 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 45.7% (2,036 votes), and other candidates with 1.8% (82 votes), among the 4,508 ballots cast by the borough's 6,297 registered voters (50 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 71.6%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 52.4% of the vote (2,529 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 44.8% (2,164 votes) and other candidates with 1.7% (80 votes), among the 4,828 ballots cast by the borough's 6,486 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.4%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 49.3% of the vote (2,369 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 48.8% (2,345 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (64 votes), among the 4,804 ballots cast by the borough's 6,350 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 75.7.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 61.0% of the vote (1,842 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 36.2% (1,095 votes), and other candidates with 2.8% (85 votes), among the 3,090 ballots cast by the borough's 6,157 registered voters (68 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 50.2%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 46.4% of the vote (1,498 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 42.5% (1,373 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 8.4% (270 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (34 votes), among the 3,231 ballots cast by the borough's 6,255 registered voters, yielding a 51.7% turnout.
Education
The Pitman School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of five schools, had an enrollment of 1,283 students and 142.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.0:1. Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are
Elwood Kindle Elementary School with 158 students in grades K-5,
Memorial Elementary School with 188 students in grades PreK-5,
W. C. K. Walls Elementary School with 229 students in grades PreK-5,
Pitman Middle School with 307 students in grades 6-8 and
Pitman High School with 380 students in grades 9–12.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden operates St. Michael the Archangel Regional School in Clayton; Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Pitman is one of the sending parishes.
Transportation
Roads and highways
, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality and by Gloucester County.
New Jersey Route 47 is the main highway directly serving Pitman, running along the borough's eastern border with Glassboro. County Route 553 and County Route 553 Alternate are the main county roads passing through Pitman. New Jersey Route 55 passes just to the west of Pitman in neighboring Mantua Township.
Public transportation
NJ Transit provides bus service between the borough and Philadelphia on the 313, 408 and 412 routes.
The community is a planned stop on the Glassboro–Camden Line, an diesel multiple unit (DMU) light rail system that was projected for completion in 2019. However, as of 2019, completion is not expected until 2025.
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Pitman include:
George Anastasia (born 1947), author and journalist.
Madeline Brewer (born 1992), Actress best known for her roles in "Orange is the New Black" and "The Handmaid's Tale" .
Joe Crispin (born 1979), Gloucester County's all-time leading scorer for boys' high school basketball (2,651 career points) who played in the NBA for the Lakers and Suns
Jon Crispin (born 1981), Gloucester County's fourth all-time leading boys' scorer (2,319 career points) in high school. Played collegiately for two seasons at Penn State with brother Joe, then transferred and spent last two seasons with the UCLA Bruins.
Preston Foster (1900-1970), actor.
Harry Gamble (1930-2014), football coach and executive.
Erica Scanlon Harr (born 1982), Miss New Jersey 2004.
John E. Hunt (1908–1989), represented New Jersey's 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1967 to 1975.
C. Austin Miles (1868-1946), prolific writer of thousands of hymns and gospel songs, who was best known for his 1912 hymn "In the Garden".
Jane Moffet (born 1930), utility player who played for four seasons in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
Patti Smith (born 1946), singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist.
John E. Wallace Jr. (born 1942), former Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Don Wildman (born 1961), actor and television host.
