
The Borough of Elmer has a total area of 0.91 square miles and is located in the eastern side of Salem County. The name comes from a former judge and Congressman (serving from 1843-1845) Lucius Elmer who helped obtain the post office there.
Affectionately known by locals as “The Small Town with a Big Heart,” Elmer offers a welcoming, walkable downtown nestled amidst Salem County’s vast farmlands. Originally growing around a bustling late-19th-century train depot, the borough maintains an authentic, historic charm. It stands today as a tight-knit community where neighbors know each other and civic pride is always on display.
The boroughโs identity was forged as a vital stop on the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad, serving as the primary transit point for local agricultural goods.
The area was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 28, 1893, from portions of Pittsgrove Township and Upper Pittsgrove Township, based on the results of a referendum several days prior. The borough quickly evolved into a self-sufficient center of commerce and community.
Main Street serves as the community’s anchor, featuring local shops and eateries that have served generations of families. From local parades to quiet afternoons in the borough park, the quaint borough captures the timeless essence of small-town New Jersey.
Elmer News and Articles
-
Inspira Health submits Application to D.O.H. to Close ICU’s in Salem County

UPDATED 2:21PM 6/26 – ELMER / MANNINGTON, NJ โ According to official emails sent to staff at both Elmer and Salem Medical Centers as well as after communicating with an Inspira Health Spokesperson, Inspira Health has announced plans to close its Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at both Inspira Medical Center Elmer and Inspira Medical Center…
-
LIVE MUSIC: Week of June 22nd

Solo singer-songwriter artist Mel Lynn makes her debut appearance LIVE! From the Vineyard Stage at Auburn Road Vineyard & Winery this Saturday
-
Inaugural South Jersey PrideFest Draws Historic Crowd of Nearly 1,000 to Salem County

ELMER, N.J. โ June 21, 2026 โ Salem County Pride+ celebrated a landmark achievement on Saturday as nearly 1,000 attendees gathered at Appel Farm Arts and Music Center for the inaugural South Jersey PrideFest, the first event of its kind in the region’s history. The free, family-friendly event brought together LGBTQ+ individuals, families, allies, neighbors,…
-
Southern NJ Transit Market Study Public Survey seeks Salem County Citizens’ Feedback

Speak Up, Salem County: NJ TRANSIT Launches Free Shuttle Pilot and Seeks Your Input to Get the Routes Right SALEM, NJ โ Efforts to bring major changes to the public transportation landscape in South Jersey have begun, and local officials are handing Salem County as well as Cumberland, Cape May, and Atlantic County residents the…
-
2026 South Jersey Arts Fest at Appel Farm

On Saturday, May 30, Appel Farm Arts & Music Center presented the 2026 South Jersey Arts Fest at their beautiful campus nestled in the outskirts of Elmer.
-
LIVE MUSIC: Week of June 1st

Live music listings for the week of June 1 in Salem County, New Jersey
-
Fenwick’s Soil: The Enduring Ecological Tapestry of Salem County

Deep Roots and Sassafras Loam: How Salem County Held the Line Against the Sprawl Drive south from the concrete sprawl of the Northeast Corridor, and the landscape abruptly shifts. The endless distribution centers and subdivisions give way to sprawling fields of corn, historic glazed-brick farmhouses, and vast tidal marshes. You have crossed into Salem County,…
-
Salem County Art Tour set for May 16-17

Free two-day Art Tour to feature over 40 local artists across Salem County The upcoming Salem County Art Tour is an event where artists from all over Salem County share their studios with the public for a free, two-day, county-wide event on May 16th from 10am to 5pm and May 17th from 11am to 4pm.…
-
The Lakes of Salem County

Series on Lakes and Ponds throughout Salem County, NJ Announcing the return to the series “The Lakes of Salem County” by The News of Salem County. We will feature a lake or pond in Salem County, NJ with a writeup, historical information, whether it is private or public, photo galleries, fishing information, wildlife habitats, and…

