Galloway Township

Galloway Township is the largest municipality in New Jersey.  The Township has bustling commercial areas, convenient community services, and a wide range of housing options. Yet, Galloway Township is also famous for large areas of protected natural habitat, as well as quiet residential areas.

The Township is over 112 square miles.  Approximately one-third of Galloway Township is islands & wetlands along the coast. One-third is located within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, which is a protected natural area covering more than one million acres.  Lastly, nearly one-third is developed land located near the Garden State Parkway, Route 9 and the White Horse Pike.

Atlantic City International airport is just 15 minutes away. Philadelphia Airport is just an hour away, and the New York Metropolitan airports can be reached via the Garden State Parkway.

Galloway is home to two major Atlantic County institutions;

The AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, is located on Jimmie Leeds Road. The Center is regionally recognized as one of  America’s 100 Best Hospitals in several specialties.

One of New Jersey’s best colleges, Stockton University has its main campus off Pomona Road in Galloway.  Stockton is ranked among the nation’s top public universities with more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs.

The  Galloway Town Center or “Downtown Galloway” is  located along South Pitney Road and Jimmie Leeds Road.  The Township’s municipal buildings are here, along with athletic fields, parks, and several shopping areas.

There are many other places of economic activity, and historic communities throughout Galloway; such as Oceanville, Smithville, Leeds Point, Pomona, Cologne, and Absecon Highlands.

Galloway continues to grow. As of the 2020 United States census, the township’s population was 37,813, its highest population ever, which is an increase of 1.2% from the 2010 count of 37,349, and, an increase of more than 20% from the 2000 census.

The Township is also part of the NJ Transit rail system, which stops in nearby Absecon and Egg Harbor City. The Atlantic City Line provides train service to Amtrak at Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. The line also connects to the PATCO High Speed Line.

 

Galloway Township History

The original inhabitants of Galloway Township were the Lenni-Lenape tribe.  The Lenape’s historical territory consisted of most of New Jersey, including what is now Galloway Township.  Many place names in the Township are of Lenape origin, including Absegami High School.  Before Europeans settlers arrived, the Lenape lived off the region’s natural resources.  European settlers arrived in the 16th century, and would permanently settle in the 1700’s. Kings Highway was constructed along Native America trail which is now Old New York Road.  Galloway Township was formally in 1774, and the Township included Absecon, Brigantine, Port Republic, portions of Atlantic City, as well as other towns in Atlantic and Burlington counties.  The Township likely gets its name from Joseph Galloway, who was a loyalist Revolutionary War figure.

As Galloway Township grew, the population would be clustered in several areas, including Smithville, Leeds Point, Oceanville, Higbeeville, Cologne, Pomona, Germania, as well as others.  The major industry was shipbuilding, and throughout the early 19th century, Absecon Creek and the Mullica River were major centers of shipping.  The railroad would replace shipping as the main mode of transportation in the mid 1800’s. The Camden to Absecon rail line in 1854 would link Philadelphia with the shore and lead to the growth of Atlantic City. The area would continue to grow for decades, and by the 1920s, Atlantic City’s growth lead to U.S. Route 30 being built through Galloway.  Restaurants and tourist accommodations were built along the road.

The Great Depression would halt most development. However, after World War II, expansion resumed, and more motels and restaurants would be built throughout the area.  Casino gaming was passed in the 1970’s to reverse a decline which began in the 1960’s. The first casino opened in 1978, which started the economic rebirth of the region. With it came population, jobs, and development.

 

Galloway Township Facts

The Township is home to several world-class golf courses and resorts.  The Seaview Resort has two courses.  Seaview’s Bay Course was built in 1914 and is the  current host of the Shop Rite LPGA classic. It hosted the 1942 PGA Championship. The Pines Course also hosted the PGA Championship in 1942.

Blue Heron Pines opened in 1993 and has quickly been recognized as the best 18-hole course at the Jersey Shore. USA Today’s Golf Week ranks Seaview Bay course, Blue Heron Pines, and Seaview Pines course as top places to play in New Jersey.  Other courses include Vineyard National at Renault, and a private club, Galloway National. Seaview and Vineyard National also offer accommodations and golf packages.

The largest employers in Galloway Township are AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Stockton University, Village ShopRite, Ole Hansen and Company, Seaview Resort, and A3 Technologies.

 

Sustainability

Galloway Township has been at the forefront of the  Sustainable Jersey Program, and was one of the first four towns in in New Jersey to receive Silver status.   Sustainability initiatives have included the formation of Go Green Galloway, which is a mayor- appointed committee that seeks to reduce the carbon footprint of Galloway through the promotion of energy efficiency, environmental education and promotion of sustainable practices.

 

Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces

The Township of Galloway has significant natural assets with the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge located in the eastern portion of the Township and the Mullica River and along the northern border.

Galloway has several parks and recreational facilities, including Patriot Lake,  Imagination Station, Galloway Township Dog Park,  Glenn by the Bay Park,  Pine Needle Park , Wrangleboro Recreation Fields. There are also walking and bike paths;  Galloway East –Seaview Bike Trails , Galloway West A & B Tract Bike Trails and the Smithville Nature Reserve.

The Township acquires open space through Green Acres funding.  The Township also continues to maintain farmland by working with Atlantic County and the State to target viable farms for preservation programs.

 

Housing

Galloway Township has residential options for everyone. From condos, townhomes, single family home in neighborhoods, and large estates on several acres, there is something in everyone’s price range. Galloway also has rural areas with five-acre minimum and farms.  While many homes are in quiet and secluded areas, most are just a short drive to the numerous shopping areas in Galloway Township.

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency’s (NJHMFA) First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Program provides financing for eligible homebuyers purchasing in Galloway. The program can be coupled with the NJHMFA  Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA), which provides qualified homebuyers with up to $15,000 toward down payment and/or closing costs based upon the county of the property being purchased. The DPA is a forgivable loan with no interest and no monthly payments. The DPA is forgiven if the Borrower continuously resides in the premises as their principal residence for five years.  Call-1-800NJHOME for details on these programs.

USDA’s Rural Housing Service offers loans and loan guarantees for single- and multifamily housing in rural areas.  Portions of Galloway Township are eligible for these loans. Qualification for these loans, loan guarantees, and grants is based on income. The USDA has both Direct Loans and Guaranteed Loan Programs featured here.

 

Redevelopment Areas

Provide potential tax abatements and zoning flexibility

The Township envisions enhancing several existing areas, including the White Horse Pike corridor, Smithville, Oceanville, and the Galloway Town Center as walkable, livable communities with many services and varied commercial opportunities. Galloway also has plans for redevelopment of a town center in the Downtown Galloway area, along Jimmie Leeds Road and South Pitney Road.

White Horse Pike Corridor; several areas along the White Horse Pike. See more detail here.

Galloway Downtown; South Pitney Road and Jimmie Leeds Road area.  See more detail here.

Oceanville; along Route 9 near the intersection of Great Creek Road; See more detail here.

Interested parties should contact the Township Manager for further information: Chris Johansen, 609-652-3700 ext. 260

 

Are there any financial/tax benefits to developing in this municipality?

Local Small Business Loan Programs from the Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA) 

For Atlantic County Businesses | ACIA Business Loans May be Combined with Small Business Administration Loans for Maximum Impact

Click here for details

New Jersey Economic Development Authority Business Loan and Incentives Programs 

For New Jersey Businesses | Various Loans and Incentives | Click here for details

 

Primary Contact

• Name: Anthony Coppola Jr
• Title: Mayor
• Phone Number: (609) 652-3700
• Email: [email protected]