About Salem County

Salem County lies in the southwest corner of our great state of New Jersey. It is bounded by the Delaware River and Bay to the west and the Maurice River to the east. Oldmans Creek creates nearly half of Salem County’s northern border, while Stow Creek runs along a portion of its southern divide. Salem County’s natural features include six rivers, more than 34,000 acres of unique meadow and marshland, tidal and freshwater wetlands, 40 lakes and ponds, bay beaches, dunes, expansive woodlands, a critical underground aquifer, numerous streams and important headwaters. Salem County covers 338 square miles- with nearly half of the land actively farmed. It also boasts a population of less than 65,000- the lowest population and the lowest density per square mile in New Jersey.

Salem County’s rich legacy of historical places and events; its vast array of natural resources and open spaces; its stable farming community and strong economic job base all contribute to a quality of life for Salem County residents that is unparalleled in New Jersey. Salem County’s Board of Chosen Freeholders is committed to the preservation of Salem County’s rural character. The Board is dedicated to pursuing balanced growth and select economic development that is compatible with Salem County’s vision for the future. The strong work ethic of its people, the prime location of Salem County in the transportation corridor, and the accessibility to the metropolitan market all enhance our opportunities for carefully planned growth.

The Board of Chosen Freeholders remains responsive to the needs of Salem County’s residents. Our nursing home, community college, county-wide emergency response services, state-of-the-art landfill, newly-constructed correctional facility, upgraded administrative offices, "one-stop-shop" agricultural center, and college-prep academies at the county vocational-technical school are examples that attest to the high caliber services provided by the County. Through trained and dedicated employees, Salem County provides knowledgeable, efficient services to Salem County residents within a reasonable allocation of budget dollars.

The Board of Chosen Freeholders welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate its flexibility and firm resolve to meet new challenges for Salem County - "The Garden Spot of the Garden State."