Estell Manor is a city in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Geographically, the city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region and of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.
As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 1,668, a decrease of 67 (−3.9%) from the 2010 census count of 1,735, which in turn reflected an increase of 150 (+9.5%) from the 1,585 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.
Estell Manor was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1925, from portions of Weymouth Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 69. Accessed May 15, 2012.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 55.18 square miles (142.93 km2), including 53.39 square miles (138.27 km2) of land and 1.80 square miles (4.65 km2) of water (3.26%).
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include Estellville, Gibsons Landing, Head of River, Hunters Mill, Oakville, Old Etna Furnace, Russia, Steelmans Landing, Walkers Forge and Warners Mill.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
Estell Manor borders the municipalities of Corbin City, Egg Harbor Township, Hamilton Township and Weymouth Township in Atlantic County; and Upper Township in Cape May County; and Maurice River Township in Cumberland County.Areas touching Estell Manor, MapIt. Accessed March 30, 2020.Atlantic County District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed July 9, 2024.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
The city is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering , that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.The Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Accessed November 18, 2013. All of the city is included either in the state-designated Pinelands area (which includes portions of Atlantic County, along with areas in Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties) or in the Pinelands National Reserve.Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed November 18, 2013.
Climate
Demographics
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,735 people, 619 households, and 488 families in the city. The population density was . There were 673 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 96.48% (1,674) White, 0.92% (16) Black or African American, 0.12% (2) Native American, 1.61% (28) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.17% (3) from other races, and 0.69% (12) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% (18) of the population.
Of the 619 households, 31.7% had children under the age of 18; 66.1% were married couples living together; 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 21.2% were non-families. Of all households, 16.2% were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.13.
23.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 35.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 99.8 males.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,585 people, 528 households, and 432 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 546 housing units at an average density of 10.2 per square mile (3.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.20% White, 3.60% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Estell Manor city, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Estell Manor city, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2013.
There were 528 households, out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.0% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.0% were non-families. 13.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the city the population was spread out, with 30.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $54,653, and the median income for a family was $56,548. Males had a median income of $42,305 versus $29,219 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,469. About 4.9% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government Estell Manor operates within the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law) under the Faulkner Act (small municipality) form of New Jersey municipal government (Plan D), implemented by direct petition as of January 1, 1977."The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities, July 2007. Accessed November 17, 2013. The city is one of 18 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government, which is available to municipalities with less than 12,000 residents at the time of adoption.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The city's governing body is comprised of a mayor and a four-member City Council. The mayor is directly elected to a four-year term of office and the city council members are elected at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms in office on a staggered basis with either one or two seats up for vote as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 13."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 14. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
, the Mayor of Estell Manor is Republican Elizabeth Owen, whose term of office ends December 31, 2025. Members of the City Council are Nelson Dilg (R, 2025), Linda G. Givens (R, 2023; elected to serve an unexpired term), Thomas A. Maddox (R, 2025) and Christine Masker (R, 2024).Mayor and Council, City of Estell Manor. Accessed June 6, 2023.2023 Municipal Data Sheet, City of Estell Manor. Accessed June 6, 2023. Municipal Government , Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2023.2022 General Election Results - Amended, Atlantic County Clerk, updated December 5, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated January 4, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2022.November 3, 2020 General Election Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, update January 4, 2021. Accessed February 1, 2021.
In the November 2022 general election, Linda Givens was elected to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that became vacant following the death of Julia Sparks in May 2022.Conklin, Eric. "Estell Manor Councilwoman Julie Sparks dies", The Press of Atlantic City, May 20, 2022. "City Councilwoman Julie Sparks died following a battle with cancer, the Atlantic County Republicans announced on their Facebook page Friday."
After the City Council was unable to choose a candidate at its February 2019 meeting to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that was vacated following the resignation of Aaron Buchanan, the Republican municipal committee selected Nelson Dilg to fill the vacancy and he took office in March 2019; Dilg served on an interim basis until the November 2019 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.City Council Meeting Minutes for February 6, 2019, City of Estell Manor. Accessed September 25, 2019. "Mayor read the nomination into the record, the nominees were James Owen Sr., Nelson Dilg, and Rocco Silipena.... Coskey, solicitor, explained that the Republican Municipal Committee would now have 15 days from February 10th do chose one of the nominees."City Council Meeting Minutes for March 13, 2019, City of Estell Manor. Accessed September 25, 2019. "Mayor welcomed new Council man Nelson Dilg."General Election Results - November 5, 2019, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated November 19, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.
Federal, state and county representation Estell Manor is located in the 2nd Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 1st state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 census, Estell Manor had been in the 2nd state legislative district.2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government , p. 57, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed May 22, 2015.
Politics As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 1,209 registered voters in Estell Manor, of which 269 (22.2% vs. 30.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 388 (32.1% vs. 25.2%) were registered as Republicans and 552 (45.7% vs. 44.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.Voter Registration Summary - Atlantic, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 24, 2014. Among the city's 2010 Census population, 69.7% (vs. 58.8% in Atlantic County) were registered to vote, including 91.5% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 76.6% countywide).GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 24, 2014.