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 borough’s 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
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Tuesday’s high school roundup
A compilation of scores and highlights from Tuesday’s Salem County sports calendar BOYS SOCCERCumberland 9, Pennsville 0Penns Grove 4, Gloucester Catholic 2Delran 3, Schalick 0Woodstown 1, Gateway 1 PENNSVILLE – This year’s Pennsville soccer team may be better than some of coach Derek Foglein’s early teams and it may catch up to last year’s division champion…
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County Creates Nuclear Advisory Council and Its Leaders Immediately Clash Over Whether the Public Gets In
The Board Director says meetings are “not planning on being public.” Commissioner Ramsay, in writing: “Advisory boards are public.” SALEM — Salem County has created a Nuclear Advisory Council to prepare for what may be the largest development question in the county’s modern history. Whether the public will be allowed to watch it work is…
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Bartee blows up Blue Devils, Schalick dominant once again
Schalick laying a claim to be in conversation for the best team in Group 1 after second straight dominant win; Bartee runs for 238 yards, 4 TDs PITTSGROVE — For the second week in a row Schalick opened the game with something unexpected. It didn’t work out as planned, but in the grand scheme of…
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This Week’s Sports Schedule – August 31, 2026
MONDAY, AUG. 31 BOYS SOCCERx-Absegami at Woodstownx-Pennsville at Penn Tech GIRLS SOCCERx-Penn Tech at Pennsville GIRLS TENNISWest Deptford at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. TUESDAY, SEPT. 1 FIELD HOCKEYSchalick at Gateway, 9 a.m.x-Woodstown at Gloucester, 3:45 p.m. GIRLS SOCCERx-Salem Tech at PaulsboroWoodstown at Vineland WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2 BOYS SOCCERCape May Tech at Salem Tech (NJTAC Tournament) FIELD…
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Stewart’s 4 TD lead Schalick in season-opening rout of Maple Shade
WHAT TO KNOW Schalick wins first season opener since 2023, when it started the season 11-0 David Stewart scores the Cougars’ first four touchdowns and had another called back. After first play TD called back by a penalty and falling behind, Cougars score 63 straight points, most in more than 20 years PITTSGROVE — When Schalick’s…
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Cougars spent the summer working on themselves to ‘take the next step’
PITTSGROVE – Say what you will about 7-on-7 not being real football, but a lot of teams take advantage of the platform over the summer to work on their passing game – on both sides of the ball – even if the big linemen aren’t there to provide protection. Schalick used to be one of…
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Inspira Health submits Application to D.O.H. to Close ICU’s in Salem County
UPDATED 2:21PM 6/26 – ELMER / MANNINGTON, NJ — 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…
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Inaugural South Jersey PrideFest Draws Historic Crowd of Nearly 1,000 to Salem County
ELMER, N.J. — June 21, 2026 — 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,…
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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 — 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…
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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.
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LIVE MUSIC: Week of June 1st
Live music listings for the week of June 1 in Salem County, New Jersey
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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,…
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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.…
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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…