New Egypt, New Jersey
History
There are several explanations for how New Egypt received its name. One possibility is it was a reference by George Washington in December 1776 after the victory at the Battle of Trenton. Joseph Curtis, Washington's secretary, was sent to the town to retrieve grain for the army, and upon his return from the area, Washington exclaimed, "Joseph has been to Egypt and gotten the corn." Having added 'New' sometime around 1845. Other references have that the town was originally given the name "Egypt" in 1793 and "New Egypt" in 1801, the name is believed to be a biblical allusion about "going to Egypt for corn" that was plentiful in the area.
Around 1890, the area was once known as Timmins Mill, a reference to the mill owner who owned most of the land in the area.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 4.071 square miles (10.543 km), including 4.015 square miles (10.398 km) of land and 0.056 square mile (0.145 km) of water (1.38%).
Author Henry Charlton Beck gave Timmins Mill the distinction of the approximate geographical center of New Jersey. Upon reading the estimate by Beck, a Christmas tree farmer used their own methods to approximate the geographic center of New Jersey to be on their farm. They have since placed a marker on the location they determined as the geographic center of New Jersey (Coordinates 40° 05’02” N Latitude 74° 32’ 01” W longitude). The marker is on their farm located across the street from the New Egypt High School.
Community
The community has a volunteer fire station, a first aid station, and a police department. New Egypt is also home to the New Egypt Historical Society, a clay race track called the New Egypt Speedway, and the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library system.
The town also includes several Christian religious centers, Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Bethel AME Church, Accessed October 14, 2015.</ref> Church of Christ, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, New Egypt United Methodist Church, Plumsted Presbyterian Church, the Christian Fellowship Church of New Egypt, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Oakford Lake is located in the middle of the town. In the early 1900s the location thrived as a tourist and vacation attraction.
New Egypt also has a recreation center which includes four baseball fields, a football field, two softball fields, and a basketball court and three small fields used for tee ball.
McGuire Air Force Base is immediately south of New Egypt.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 632 | — | |
| 1890 | 556 | −12.0% | |
| 1990 | 2,327 | — | |
| 2000 | 2,519 | 8.3% | |
| 2010 | 2,512 | −0.3% | |
| 2020 | 2,460 | −2.1% | |
| Population sources: 1880-1890 1990-2010 2000 2010 2020 | |||
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 2,512 people, 902 households, and 652 families in the CDP. The population density was 625.7 per square mile (241.6/km). There were 972 housing units at an average density of 242.1 per square mile (93.5/km). The racial makeup was 91.44% (2,297) White, 1.99% (50) Black or African American, 0.84% (21) Native American, 0.96% (24) Asian, 0.08% (2) Pacific Islander, 3.11% (78) from other races, and 1.59% (40) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.51% (264) of the population.
Of the 902 households, 34.8% had children under the age of 18; 52.9% were married couples living together; 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.7% were non-families. Of all households, 21.3% were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.21.
25.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 103.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 99.5 males.
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States Census there were 2,519 people, 913 households, and 664 families residing in New Egypt. The population density was 241.9/km (625.9/mi). There were 980 housing units at an average density of 94.1/km (243.5/mi). The racial makeup of New Egypt was 91.90% White, 2.18% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 2.74% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.19% of the population.
There were 913 households, out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.18.
In New Egypt the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.1 males.
The median income for a household in New Egypt was $49,297, and the median income for a family was $50,833. Males had a median income of $38,156 versus $35,313 for females. The per capita income for New Egypt was $18,771. About 5.9% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
NJ Transit provides bus service to Philadelphia on the 317 bus route. New Egypt was a major stop on the Pennsylvania Railroad's Pemberton & Hightstown line; it was abandoned in 1979. The former roadbed was converted in 2010 for rail trail use as the Union Transportation Trail.
Wineries
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with New Egypt include
- Deena Nicole Cortese (born 1987), cast member of MTV's Jersey Shore.
- Keith Jones, news anchor and reporter for WCAU in Philadelphia.
- Duke Lacroix (born 1993), professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Indy Eleven in the North American Soccer League.
- Rocky Marval (born 1965), pairs figure skater who finished 10th at the 1992 Winter Olympics together with partner Calla Urbanski.
- Stephen Panasuk (born 1989), quarterback for the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League.