Founding
city in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States
Fetching the article from Wikipedia…
Millville is a city in Cumberland County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 27,491, a decrease of 909 (−3.2%) from the 2010 census count of 28,400, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,553 (+5.8%) from the 26,847 counted in the 2000 census.
Millville was originally incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 24, 1801, from portions of Fairfield Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Landis Township on March 7, 1864. Millville was reincorporated as a city on March 1, 1866, based on the results of a referendum passed that same day. The city derives its name from a proposal to create a mill town in the area.
Millville is part of the South Jersey region of the state and is located within the Vineland-Bridgeton metropolitan statistical area, and it is ultimately part of the larger Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Around 1720, a sawmill was believed to have existed at Leaming's Mill, known as "Shingle Landing" in its earliest days. The area also had a public road, a boat landing, and a bridge-like structure.
In 1790, Joseph Smith and Henry Drinker purchased 24,000 acres (97 km2) of land known as the Union Mills Tract. They formed the Union Estates Company, built lumber mills along the Maurice River and established a dam to power these new mills. Joseph Buck, an American Revolutionary War veteran who served under General George Washington, was part of a group that purchased the land in the area in 1795 and laid out the plans for what would become Millville.
In 1806, an Irish immigrant, James Lee, opened the area's first glass factory, making use of the large amounts of silica sand and the ample wood that could be used to operate the plant.
In the early 1850s, the Smith and Wood Iron Foundry and New Jersey Mills were constructed. In 1860, a bleachery and dye house were added to New Jersey Mills, which then became Millville Manufacturing. David Wood then constructed a dam, forming the largest man-made lake in the state, which powered the entire manufacturing organization. By 1870, the mill had 600 employees, and in 40 years this number doubled.
In 1862, Charles K. Landis laid out the city of Vineland about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east of the Maurice River. In 1864, Vineland was separated from Millville Township and joined the new Landis Township.
In 1936, the town was the site of Roosevelt Park, a project proposed by Effie Maud Aldrich Morrison as the country's first housing development for the elderly. The retirement colony was built on land which had been repossessed by the town of Millville for back taxes, and became known as the "Roosevelt Colony". It was later renamed to the "Roosevelt Park" old age colony, and was sometimes referred to as the Colony for the Aged at Roosevelt Park and Roosevelt Park Colony for Aged. When it opened on October 23, 1936, it became the first senior citizens retirement colony in the United States.
Millville Airport was dedicated "America's First Defense Airport" on August 2, 1941, by local, state, and federal officials. In less than a year, construction of military base facilities began, and in January 1943, the Millville Army Air Field opened as a gunnery school for fighter pilots. Gunnery training began with Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft, but after a few weeks was changed over to the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. During its three-year existence, thousands of soldiers and civilians served here, with about 1,500 pilots receiving advanced fighter training in the Thunderbolt.
Following World War II, the airfield was declared excess to the government's needs, and returned to the City of Millville. Most of the airport buildings were converted to apartments for the many veterans returning from the war. The last of the apartments vanished in the early 1970s, and the airport soon became a hub of industry and aviation for Southern New Jersey.
Up to the late 1990s the Millville downtown area was depressed and somewhat isolated, as illustrated by the abandoned Levoy Theatre and Wheaton Glass Factory, with investors reluctant to venture in its development. Major redevelopment has occurred in the past several years, establishing the scenic Riverfront and Downtown areas into an artists' haven, including many studios, shops, and restaurants. Older abandoned buildings have been restored, and continued major development is planned.
Millville has an arts district named the Glasstown Arts District. A public art center with galleries and studios is the hub of activity, and is open six days a week. The district includes seven full-time galleries, along with ten part-time galleries and studios, which are open mostly on weekends and on the third Friday of each month. Wheaton Arts and the Creative Glass Center of America includes a major collection of early American glass with contemporary glass from CGCA Fellows and working glass artists in a restored 19th century glass factory. Opened in 1908 and closed in 1974 with declining numbers of customers, the Levoy Theatre re-opened in September 2012.
One of Millville's claims to fame is an original paperweight making technique which originated there. Fine paperweights from the classic period (1845–1870) were made with one of three techniques: millefiori, lampwork or cameo incrustations (sulphides). In the first decade of the twentieth century, crimp flowers, mostly roses, originated in Millville, with several glassworkers making them in their off duty time. These paperweights are commonly called "Millville roses", even when sometimes made elsewhere.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 44.50 square miles (115.25 km2), including 42.00 square miles (108.78 km2) of land and 2.50 square miles (6.47 km2) of water (5.62%). Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include Clarks Mill, Farmingdale, Manatico, North Newark and Union Lake.
The city borders the Cumberland County municipalities of Commercial Township, Deerfield Township, Downe Township, Fairfield Township, Lawrence Township, Maurice River Township and Vineland.
Millville lies between the southern termini of the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, Route 55 (which runs through the northeastern portion of the city) and the Atlantic City Expressway.
The city has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and the hardiness zone is 7a bordering 6b.
As of the 2020 census, Millville had a population of 27,491. The median age was 39.4 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.3 males age 18 and over.
83.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 16.1% lived in rural areas.
There were 10,770 households in Millville, of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 37.5% were married-couple households, 18.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 35.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 11,616 housing units, of which 7.3% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.4%.
The 2010 United States census counted 28,400 people, 10,648 households, and 7,187 families in the city. The population density was 676.2 per square mile (261.1/km2). There were 11,435 housing units at an average density of 272.3 per square mile (105.1/km2). The racial makeup was 69.04% (19,608) White, 19.83% (5,631) Black or African American, 0.94% (266) Native American, 1.19% (338) Asian, 0.06% (18) Pacific Islander, 5.24% (1,488) from other races, and 3.70% (1,051) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.93% (4,239) of the population.
Of the 10,648 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18; 41.2% were married couples living together; 20.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.5% were non-families. Of all households, 26.6% 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 2.65 and the average family size was 3.19.
25.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 85.7 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $44,925 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,459) and the median family income was $55,000 (+/− $4,433). Males had a median income of $46,186 (+/− $3,934) versus $35,336 (+/− $2,860) for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,364 (+/− $1,573). About 16.2% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.2% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.
As of the 2000 United States census, there were 26,847 people, 10,043 households, and 7,010 families residing in the city. The population density was 633.9 inhabitants per square mile (244.8/km2). There were 10,652 housing units at an average density of 251.5 per square mile (97.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 76.13% White, 14.99% African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 5.16% from other races, and 2.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.17% of the population.
There were 10,043 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.65 and the average family size was 2.15.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,378, and the median income for a family was $46,093. Males had a median income of $36,915 versus $26,669 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,632. About 12.1% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.
Millville has a Ukrainian community and is home to Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church and St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Portions of the city are part of a joint Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) with Vineland, one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. Millville was selected in 1983 as one of the initial group of 10 zones chosen to participate in the program. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment and investment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate (half of the 6+5⁄8% rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants. Established in October 1988, the city's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in December 2023.
Originally opened in 1908, the Levoy Theatre reopened in September 2012 after a 34-year hiatus, with an orchestra on hand playing music to accompany a pair of silent films featuring Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.
In 1801, Millville was first organized as a township; It became a city in 1866. Until 1913, Millville operated under a Mayor-Council form of government where the mayor was elected by the people. In 1913, a change of form of government to the Walsh Act was passed and the commission form of government became the way the city was run. The city is one of 30 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use the commission form of government. Under this form of government as used in Millville, the governing body is comprised of five commissioners who are elected to four-year concurrent terms of office at-large on a non-partisan basis as part of the November general election. At a reorganization meeting held after each election, each commissioner is assigned a department to oversee and one commissioner is selected from among its members to serve as the mayor and another as vice mayor.
In November 2014, Michael Santiago, the city's first Hispanic councilmember, became Millville's first Hispanic mayor.
Text from the Wikipedia article “Millville, New Jersey”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.