6,218
2020 Population
Official Census count for the township.
NJTGO.com
New Jersey Town Guide Online
A vast rural township of historic river villages, working shipyards and marinas, Pine Barrens forests, nationally designated Wild and Scenic rivers, Delaware Bay marshes and one of South Jersey’s most recognizable lighthouses.
2020 Census: 6,218 residents · Land area: about 93.2 square miles
Maurice River Township is one of New Jersey’s largest municipalities by land area and one of Cumberland County’s most rural. Route 47 ties together inland villages and local businesses, while the Maurice River, Delaware Bay, Manumuskin, Menantico and Muskee Creek shape the township’s natural identity.
Official Census count for the township.
A remarkably large municipality of villages, forests, wetlands and working waterfronts.
The Maurice, Menantico, Manumuskin and Muskee Creek all have designated Wild and Scenic reaches within the township.
Route 47 village and home of Maurice River Township School, the diner, markets, local industry and easy access toward the Menantico and Manumuskin corridors.
Municipal center on the Maurice River, with Township Hall, marinas, community facilities and George’s Pizzeria.
Historic shipbuilding village on the Maurice River, home to working marine yards and Route 47 businesses.
Route 47 and bayshore community near Thompson’s Beach, Peaslee WMA and marine-service businesses.
Gateway to Matt’s Landing, Heislerville Wildlife Management Area and East Point Lighthouse.
Smaller rural localities surrounded by forest, farms, waterways and protected lands.
590 Main Street
Leesburg, NJ 08327
Phone: 856-785-1120
Fax: 856-785-1974
Mayor: Ken Whildin
Deputy Mayor: Joe Sterling
Committeeman: Ben Stowman
3593 Route 47
Port Elizabeth, NJ 08348
856-825-7411
The district serves PreK–8 in one school and participates in New Jersey’s Interdistrict Public School Choice Program.
Maurice River Township is a sending district to Millville Public Schools for grades 9–12. The high-school grades are now consolidated at Millville High School rather than split between separate Memorial and Senior buildings.
Built in 1849 and still an active aid to navigation, the lighthouse is the last remaining lighthouse on Cumberland County’s Delaware Bayshore.
Matt’s Landing and nearby impoundments are major birding, fishing, crabbing and wildlife-viewing destinations.
A remote bayshore landscape with observation access, marsh habitat and seasonal shorebird activity.
Pine Barrens habitat around the Manumuskin headwaters, including Cumberland Pond and extensive forest recreation.
A 3,200-acre Nature Conservancy preserve protecting rare plants and sensitive wildlife habitat.
Spring shorebirds, fall songbirds and raptors, winter waterfowl, bald eagles and a strong osprey population make the township a year-round birding destination.
Dorchester has been associated with shipbuilding for generations. The current Dorchester Shipyard continues commercial-vessel work on the Maurice River.
New Jersey’s official tall ship was built as an oyster schooner in Dorchester in 1928, connecting today’s township to the Delaware Bay oyster fleet.
The township identifies Dorchester, Heislerville, Leesburg and Port Elizabeth as historic villages, each with its own relationship to river, farm or bayshore life.