Burlington County, New Jersey

Burlington County, New Jersey
Location in the state of New Jersey
New Jersey's location in the U.S.
Founded	May 17, 1694
Seat	Mount Holly [1]
Largest city	Evesham
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	819.84 sq mi (2,123 km²) 798.58 sq mi (2,068 km²) 21.26 sq mi (55 km²), 2.59%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	448,734[2] 557/sq mi (215.2/km²)
Website	www.co.burlington.nj.us

Burlington County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The county seat is Mount Holly Township.^[3][1] The county seat had been in Burlington but, as population increased in the interior, away from the Delaware River, a more central location was needed. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 448,734, an increase of 25,340 (6.0%) from the 423,394 enumerated in the 2000 Census, making it the 11th-most populous county in the state.^[4] The largest municipality in the county is Evesham Township. The Bureau of Economic Analysis ranked the county as having the 158th-highest per capita income of all 3,113 counties in the United States (and the 11th-highest in New Jersey) as of 2009.^[5]

Anglo-European records of Burlington County date to 1681, when its court was established in the Province of New Jersey. The county was formed on May 17, 1694, "by the union of the first and second Tenths."^[6]

Burlington county is part of the Delaware Valley area, located east of the river. However, the county stretches across the state, and its southeast corner almost reaches the Atlantic Ocean.

Geography [edit]

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 819.84 square miles (2,123.4 km²), of which 798.58 square miles (2,068.3 km²) (or 97.41%) is land and 21.26 square miles (55.1 km²) (or 2.59%) is water.^[7]

Most of the land in the county is coastal and alluvial plain with little relief. There are a few anomalous hills, such as Apple Pie Hill and Arney's Mount, the highest of not only the entire county but all of South Jersey at approximately 260 feet (79 m) above sea level. The low point is sea level along the Delaware and Mullica rivers.

Demographics [edit]

Census 2010 [edit]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 448,734 people, 166,318 households, and 117,254 families residing in the county. The population density was 561.9 inhabitants per square mile (217.0 /km²). There were 175,615 housing units at an average density of 219.9 per square mile (84.9 /km²). The racial makeup of the county was 73.84% (331,342) White, 16.60% (74,505) Black or African American, 0.22% (985) Native American, 4.32% (19,395) Asian, 0.05% (219) Pacific Islander, 2.05% (9,193) from other races, and 2.92% (13,095) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.42% (28,831) of the population.^[2]

There were 166,318 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 12% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.14.^[2]

In the county the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.^[2]

Census 2000 [edit]

As of the 2000 United States Census^[12] there were 423,394 people, 154,371 households, and 111,610 families residing in the county. The population density was 526 people per square mile (203/km²). There were 161,311 housing units at an average density of 200 per square mile (77/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.39% White, 15.13% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.69% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.48% from other races, and 2.07% from two or more races. 4.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.0% were of Irish, 15.6% Italian, 13.3% German, 7.4% English and 5.4% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000.^[13]

There were 154,371 households out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.14.^[13]

In the county the population was spread out with 25.20% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 31.50% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.60 males.^[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $58,608, and the median income for a family was $67,481. Males had a median income of $46,381 versus $32,228 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,339. About 3.20% of families and 4.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.50% of those under age 18 and 4.90% of those age 65 or over.^[13]

Seniors [edit]

The county has its own website where they have resources, links and info for senior services. In addition they also have a monthly newsletter that they send out to seniors.

Transportation [edit]

Roads [edit]

A variety of major routes were constructed through Burlington County. Major county roads include County Route 528, County Route 530, County Route 532, County Route 534 (only in Shamong), County Route 537, County Route 541, County Route 543, County Route 545 and County Route 563. State Routes that pass through are Route 38, Route 68, Route 70, Route 72, Route 73, Route 90 (only in Cinnaminson), and Route 413 (only in Burlington). U.S. Routes that traverse are U.S. Route 9 (only in Bass River), U.S. Route 130 and U.S. Route 206. Limited access roads include the Garden State Parkway (only in Bass River), Interstate 295 and the New Jersey Turnpike (a portion of Interstate 95).

Five Turnpike interchanges are located in Burlington: Exit 4 in Mount Laurel, Exit 5 in Westampton, Exit 6A in Florence, Exit 6 in Mansfield and Exit 7 in Bordentown.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority plans to widen the Parkway to three lanes in each direction from exit 80 in South Toms River, Ocean County to exit 30 in Somers Point, Atlantic County.

In addition, the Authority is planning to extend the 'dual-dual' configuration (Inner Car Lanes & Outer Truck Lanes) to Exit 6 from its current end at Exit 8A in Monroe Township, Middlesex County. This is planned to be completed by 2014.

Bridges [edit]

The Burlington County Bridge Commission is responsible for maintaining the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge and the Burlington-Bristol Bridge, both of which cross the Delaware River. In addition, the agency maintains several bridges along CR 543 including the Riverside-Delanco Bridge over the Rancocas Creek.^[14]

Railroads [edit]

The River Line is a diesel light-rail system operated for New Jersey Transit by the Southern New Jersey Rail Group on a former Pennsylvania Railroad line between Trenton and Camden.

Government [edit]

Burlington County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of five members. Freeholders are elected at large by the voters of Burlington County in partisan elections and serve staggered three-year terms. The Board is currently completely held by Republicans. Burlington County's Freeholders have both administrative and policy making powers. Each Burlington County Freeholder oversees a particular area of service: Administration & Natural Resources; Education & Justice; Public Works & Veteran Services; Public Safety & Health and Human Services; and Hospital and Medical Services & Elections.

As of 2012^[update], Burlington County's Freeholders are:^[15]

• Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio (R) – Director of Administration & Natural Resources (Florence Township, 2012)
• Freeholder Deputy Director Joe Donnelly (R) – Director of Public Works & Veteran Services (Cinnaminson Township, 2013)
• Freeholder Mary Ann O'Brien (R)- Director of Public Safety & Health and Human Services (Medford, 2012)
• Freeholder Joe Howarth (R) – Director of Hospital and Medical Services & Elections (Evesham Township, 2014)
• Freeholder Leah Arter (R) - Director of Education & Justice (Moorestown Township, 2011)

Three federal Congressional Districts cover the county, including portions of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Districts. New Jersey's First Congressional District is represented by Rob Andrews (D, Haddon Heights).^[16] New Jersey's Second Congressional District is represented by Frank LoBiondo (R, Ventnor City).^[17] New Jersey's Third Congressional District is represented by Jon Runyan (R, Mount Laurel Township).^[18]

Politics [edit]

A moderate county in New Jersey politics, Burlington County in recent years has become an important area for the Republican Party, especially in more affluent communities that have developed new residential areas, such as Medford, Mount Laurel, Moorestown, and Evesham (as opposed to areas along the Delaware River occupied by minority and working class households). In the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, Barack Obama carried Burlington County by an 18.5% margin over John McCain, with Obama carrying the state by 14.4% over McCain.^[19] In the 2009 Gubernatorial Election, Republican Chris Christie received 48% of the vote, defeating Democrat Jon Corzine, who received around 45%.

Municipalities [edit]

Index map of Burlington County Municipalities (click to see index key)

The following municipalities are located in Burlington County. Unincorporated areas are listed within the municipalities in which they are situated. The type of government is listed in parentheses where it is not included in municipality name:

• Bass River Township
• Beverly (city)
• Bordentown Township
• Bordentown (city)
• Burlington Township
• Burlington (city)
• Chesterfield Township
• Cinnaminson Township
• Delanco Township
• Delran Township
• Eastampton Township
• Edgewater Park Township
• Evesham Township
  • Marlton CDP
• Fieldsboro (borough)
• Florence Township
  • Florence CDP
  • Roebling CDP
• Hainesport Township
• Lumberton Township
• Mansfield Township
• Maple Shade Township
• Medford Lakes (borough)
• Medford Township
• Moorestown Township
  • Moorestown-Lenola
• Mount Holly Township
• Mount Laurel Township
  • Ramblewood
• New Hanover Township
  • Fort Dix (part)
  • McGuire Air Force Base (part)
• North Hanover Township
  • McGuire Air Force Base (part)
• Palmyra (borough)
• Pemberton Township
  • Browns Mills
  • Country Lake Estates
  • Fort Dix (part)
  • Pemberton Heights
  • Presidential Lakes Estates
• Pemberton (borough)
• Riverside Township
• Riverton (borough)
• Shamong Township
• Southampton Township
  • Leisuretowne
• Springfield Township
  • Fort Dix (part)
• Tabernacle Township
• Washington Township
• Westampton Township
• Willingboro Township
• Woodland Township
• Wrightstown (borough)

Most municipalities have their own municipal courts, and the county has a Superior Court as well. Municipal courts handle traffic and minor criminal and civil matters, while Superior Court handles the more serious cases.

Libraries [edit]

The Burlington County Library, the first county library in New Jersey, began in a small room of the Mt. Holly YMCA in 1921 after voters adopted a new law providing for the creation of a county library system. Library service grew in popularity and several moves ensued as more space became a necessity. By 1971, a new headquarters facility had been constructed, Cinnaminson and Bordentown had joined the system as branches, and a bookmobile visited areas without local facilities. Medford and Evesham had joined the system by 1975. The Pemberton Branch joined the system in 1987. Maple Shade became a branch in April, 2001 while Riverton, the newest branch, joined in December 2003. With a larger network of 9 additional member libraries, the system provides a range of services to its residents.

Education [edit]

Burlington County College is a two-year public community college serving students from Burlington County. The school is located in Pemberton and Mount Laurel and was founded in 1966.

Climate and weather [edit]

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Mount Holly have ranged from a low of 22 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in February 1934 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.92 inches (74 mm) in February to 4.87 inches (124 mm) in August.^[20]

Wineries [edit]

• DeMastro Vineyards
• Valenzano Winery

See also [edit]

	Philadelphia portal
	New Jersey portal

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Burlington County, New Jersey

References [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Burlington County, New Jersey

• Burlington County Historic Photos, Part I (Bass River, NJ to Medford Lakes, NJ)
• Burlington County Historic Photos, Part II (Medford Lakes, NJ to Wrightstown, NJ)
• Official County Government website
• Burlington County Library System
• Burlington County Chamber of Commerce
• Burlington County Home Health Care
• Early houses Nathaniel Rue Ewan's photographs of early houses of Burlington County, New Jersey.

	Bucks County, Pennsylvania	Mercer County	Monmouth County
	Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania		Ocean County
		Burlington County, New Jersey
	Camden County	Atlantic County	Atlantic Ocean

v t e Municipalities and communities of Burlington County, New Jersey, United States County seat: Mount Holly Township Cities Beverly Bordentown Burlington Boroughs Fieldsboro Medford Lakes Palmyra Pemberton Riverton Wrightstown Townships Bass River Bordentown Burlington Chesterfield Cinnaminson Delanco Delran Eastampton Edgewater Park Evesham Florence Hainesport Lumberton Mansfield Maple Shade Medford Moorestown Mount Holly Mount Laurel New Hanover North Hanover Pemberton Riverside Shamong Southampton Springfield Tabernacle Washington Westampton Willingboro Woodland CDPs Browns Mills Country Lake Estates Florence Fort Dix Juliustown Leisuretowne Marlton McGuire Air Force Base Moorestown-Lenola Pemberton Heights Presidential Lakes Estates Ramblewood Roebling Communities Arneytown Atsion Birmingham Bridgeboro Buddtown Burrs Mill Centerton Chairville Chatsworth Columbus Cookstown Cropwell Crosswicks Evesboro Fellowship Fostertown Georgetown Hartford Hedding Jacksonville Jacobstown Jobstown Kinkora Masonville New Gretna New Lisbon Rancocas Rancocas Woods Retreat Sandtown Vincentown

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Coordinates: 39°53′N 74°40′W / 39.88°N 74.67°W / 39.88; -74.67