Pennsville Township consists of 24.6 square miles of which local rivers and wetlands account for 12.6% of the area. It is located along the western edge of Salem County along the Delaware River and, with nearly 13,000 residents, it is Salem County’s most populated municipality. Some local place names and long-time communities include Churchtown, Central Park, Deepwater, Fort Mott, Harrisonville, Penn Beach, and Valley Park.
Serving as a major gateway to the region via the Delaware Memorial Bridge, Pennsville Township is a proud riverfront community defined by its scenic shores and strong local culture. It remains a deeply engaged community renowned for its historic coastal defenses, beautiful river sunsets, and treasured historical significance.
Long before the forts, the area known as “Churchtown” was established by early Swedish and Finnish settlers, whose legacy is still felt heavily today. Unaware of these settlements, John Fenwick claimed the area West Fenwick. This included Pennsville, Penns Grove, Carneys Point and Oldmans. After declining health and hard times, Fenwick sold West Fenwick to William Penn. It soon was known as Penns Neck and was established in 1701.
On July 10, 1721, Penns Neck was split into Upper Penns Neck (Penns Grove, Carneys Point Twp., and Oldmans Twp.) and Lower Penns Neck which included Pennsville. The Township was incorporated in 1798 as one of the first 104 original townships of New Jersey. In November of 1965, a referendum was held and the township became known as Pennsville.
Riverview Beach Park stands as the recreational jewel of the township, offering walking paths, breathtaking sunsets, and a gathering space for beloved local festivals. One of the communities largest and most popular events is the annual Septemberfest.
The township is a focal point of regional history, anchored by the post-Civil War coastal defense systems of Fort Mott State Park. It is also bolstered by a passionate local sports culture, and Pennsville thrives on community involvement and waterfront recreation.
Pennsville News and Articles
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Riverview Beach Park Photo Gallery: Summer of 2026
From its iconic wooden entrance to the shores of the Delaware River, Riverview Beach Park has been a Pennsville Township cornerstone for over a century. The beautiful fountain, multiple areas of play/jungle gyms for children, new pickleball courts, tennis courts, basketball court, track, and more draw hundreds of visitors daily. It is, truly, a Salem…
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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
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UPDATED: Riverview Beach Park Entrance Open to Public Use 6/15
PENNSVILLE — The entrance to Riverview Beach Park has been reopened just earlier this evening after closing due to electrical issues on Friday June 12, 2026. When the cherished local park’s main entrance closure was announced, officials were unable to determine the length of the project to fix the issue. So at the time, no…
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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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LIVE MUSIC: Week of June 8th
Local Artist Highlight: The Collin Bunch Band
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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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March 2026 Pennsville Crime Totals
The Pennsville Police Department has recently released their monthly crime statistics and totals for March of 2026. March 2026 Pennsville Crime Statistics Description Totals Calls for Service 1,380 Motor Vehicle Stops 223 Motor Vehicle Tickets 217 Motor Vehicle Crashes 35 Driving While Intoxicated 7 Drug Offenses 3 Domestic Violence Complaints 16 Shoplifting Complaints 13 Burglaries…
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History of Riverview Beach Park of Pennsville
From Farm to Hotel and First Gatherings Originally, in 1845, the land where Riverview Beach Park in Pennsville was a farm with a tavern and a ferry. In 1851, a building called the Silver Grove Hotel opened on the property. The hotel was named for the 16 silver maple trees planted between it and the…
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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…