Visit the Salem County Economic Development Website
Salem Countyis very diverse. The northwestern part of the County is characterized by the heavily industrialized Delaware River Corridor which contains large warehouses, chemical producers, and other heavy industry. Eastern Salem County is the most rural area of New Jersey, with small villages and farms dotting the landscape. This region has the highest concentraton of farmland preservation in the state.
Salem City, the County seat, is a historic community with roots dating to the 18th century. The infamous Cowtown Rodeo, located in Pilesgrove Township, is the oldest weekly rodeo inthe United States. It has received national recognition through television and other coverage and is one of the County’s premier tourist attractions. Cowtown accounts for a sizeable percentage of the County’s approximately 400,000 day-trip and overnight visitors. These and other assets contribute over $560 million dollars to Salem County’s $7.9 billion dollar economy.
This County is also home to the end of the NJ Turnpike as well as the I-295 terminus at the Delaware Memorial Bridge. These heavily traveled highway arteries provide the County with excellent transportation access for the many industries, large commercial enterprises, and visitors traveling to and from the region. The County also owns a substantial short line railroad. While not the operator of the trains, ownership of the rail lines and rights-of-way enable the County to ensure the long-term viability of rail access for the short-line operator and the companies requiring rail service.
