Rio Grande () is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Middle Township and Lower Township in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

Though for the 1990 to 2010 U.S. censuses the CDP was entirely located within Middle Township, For the 2020 U.S. census, the boundary was redrawn so that portions of Lower Township were included in the Rio Grande CDP.

It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 United States census, the CDP's population was 3,610, which in turn had reflected an increase of 226 (+9.2%) from the 2000 census of 2,444.

George F. Boyer and J. Pearson Cunningham explain that, during the colonial period, Aaron Leaming, the Hildreths and the Cresses had plantations in that area. Where the King's Highway crossed the road coming from Dennisville and Goshen a stage coach terminal was set up, and the spot became the center for trade for the local farming families. Boyer and Cunningham say that the area was known as "Leamings," for the prominent landholders, or as "Hildreth," the family who ran the local store. (p. 121-122) They continue, "The name, Rio Grande, was suggested by the seventh Aaron Leaming who thought this southern United States river had an attractive sound."

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of , including of land and of water (1.26%).

Climate

thumb|upright=1.3|Rio Grande Bible Baptist Church

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Rio Grande has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Rio Grande first appeared as an unincorporated community in the 1970 U.S. census;

91.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 8.5% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,471 households in Rio Grande, of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.8% were married-couple households, 17.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 1,029 households, out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 46.6% were married couples living together; 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present; and 36.0% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93. it operates its campuses in Cape May Court House, including Middle Township High School.

The areas within Lower Township, including a sliver of the CDP, are in the Lower Township School District for elementary grades and the Lower Cape May Regional School District for secondary grades. (for technical school students) and Cape May County Special Services School District (for special needs students) in the Cape May Court House area.

In the era of de jure educational segregation in the United States, a school for white children in grades 1-6 was maintained in Rio Grande and a school for black children was maintained in Whitesboro in grades 1–8. White children in Rio Grande were sent to West Cape May School District for grades 7–12.

Transportation

Rio Grande is situated at the junction of U.S. Route 9 and Route 47. U.S. Route 9 runs south to Cape May and north toward the Atlantic City area while Route 47 runs southeast to Wildwood and north to Millville and the Camden area. Rio Grande is accessible from the Garden State Parkway at exit 4 northbound and exit 4B southbound.

NJ Transit offers bus service from Rio Grande to Cape May and Philadelphia on the 313, 315 and 316 (seasonal only) routes, to Cape May and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 319 route, to Wildwood on the 510 route, and to Cape May and Atlantic City on the 552 route.

The Great American Trolley Company operates trolley service from North Wildwood and Wildwood to shopping centers in Rio Grande on Mondays through Fridays in the summer months.

Cape May Airport, established in 1941 as NAS Rio Grande, is located in the area, in adjacent Lower Township.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Rio Grande include:

  • Jane Moffet (1930–2018), utility player who played for four seasons in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League

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File:RIoGrandeNJFireSTation.jpg|Rio Grande Fire Station

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References

  • The Cape May County Gazette Local community newspaper
  • The Beachcomber
  • Cape May County Herald