Exploring Egg Harbor Township: A Guide to Its Villages and Neighborhoods

Ask people in Egg Harbor Township where they live, and you'll hear a lot of different answers. One says Bargaintown. Another says Scullville, English Creek, West Atlantic City or Cardiff. They all share one town government, but each of those names means something to the people who live there.

If you're shopping for a home in EHT, learning that village map is the place to start.

One Large Township, Many Small Communities

Egg Harbor Township spans roughly 75 square miles, which puts it among the biggest municipalities in Atlantic County by land area. The 2020 Census counted 47,842 residents, the most in the township's history.

The township's history goes back a long way. It was first mentioned in 1693, incorporated in 1798, and over time gave up land to form ten other municipalities.

Today's villages are unincorporated communities. They're all governed by EHT, so they share the same municipal services and the same school district.

Bargaintown: The Heart of the Township

Bargaintown is home to the township's municipal building, and it's about as close as EHT gets to a downtown. You'll find it just east of the Garden State Parkway.

The village got its name from a developer who started selling lots at a discount after building slowed down.

Homes here range from established properties to newer builds, and getting onto the Parkway is quick.

Scullville and Steelmanville: Space to Spread Out

Scullville, which used to be known as Jeffers, and its neighbor Steelmanville have a more rural feel. Out in the southern part of the township, you'll find bigger lots, wooded properties and quieter roads.

Even so, Somers Point, Linwood and the causeways to the islands are only a short drive away.

English Creek: Trails Right Behind the House

English Creek takes its name from a nearby stream. It's mostly residential and sits between the Parkway and the township's central corridors.

One of its best features is the Atlantic County Bikeway, a 7.56-mile path for cyclists and walkers. It stretches from Harbor Square in EHT to the Atlantic County Institute of Technology in Hamilton Township, with a trailhead on English Creek Avenue. Signs along the way explain Pinelands ecology and the old rail line the path is built on.

Cardiff, McKee City and Farmington: Everything Nearby

These villages in the northern and central parts of the township line U.S. Routes 40 and 322, also known as the Black Horse Pike. That's where you'll find most of the shopping, dining and everyday services.

Harbor Square anchors the area as the regional retail center. It first opened as the Shore Mall in 1968.

The Atlantic City Expressway is close by, and so is Atlantic City International Airport, most of which sits in the township's northern section. Families also know the area for Storybook Land, a 20-acre amusement park on the Black Horse Pike that has been open since 1955.

West Atlantic City: Close to the Bay

On the township's eastern edge, West Atlantic City sits near the bays and marshes. It's one of the fastest ways to get from the mainland to the island, and it has a coastal feel without being on a barrier island.

Seaview Harbor: EHT on the Water

Seaview Harbor surprises a lot of people. It belongs to EHT, but it sits on Route 152 along Great Egg Harbor Bay, with the Beach Thorofare separating it from Longport. It's about 10 miles from the rest of the township.

Planning for Seaview Harbor started in 1957 as a community built for boating families. Today it has 92 single-family homes and a marina with roughly 300 slips.

Even though it's right next to Longport, its taxes, services and schools all run through EHT.

Green Space All Over the Township

• Egg Harbor Township Nature Reserve: This 220-acre former gravel pit became a park in 2013. It now has an arboretum, about 6 miles of trails, and a lake for fishing and kayaking.
• Wildlife management areas: Malibu Beach, Pork Island and Lester G. MacNamara all protect land within the township.
• Waterways: The Great Egg Harbor River and Patcong Creek help shape the township's borders.

EHT is also part of the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve.

Buyer Tips for Egg Harbor Township

• Pick your village before your house. Spend a weekend driving through each area to get a feel for it.
• Plan your commute. The Parkway, the Expressway and the Black Horse Pike all run through EHT, so map out how you'll get to work.
• Look up flood zones. Check the flood zone for every address you're considering, and ask for an elevation certificate before you make an offer.
• Weigh new construction against resales. Compare price, lot size and HOA rules. EHT is a designated Pinelands Regional Growth Area, which affects where and how new homes get built.

Selling Your Home in Egg Harbor Township

When you list, name your village and play up what makes it special. That might be a wooded lot in Scullville, easy bikeway access in English Creek, or a boat slip in Seaview Harbor.

The Takeaway

Egg Harbor Township is really a collection of distinct neighborhoods. You can find rural lots, bayfront homes and everything in between, all within easy reach of the shore towns and Atlantic City.

Daniel Rallo works with buyers and sellers in EHT, Somers Point, Linwood, Northfield, Ocean City and across the South Jersey Shore. Call 609.338.7364 or visit www.DanielRallo.com to talk about your next move.