Burlington County, New Jersey

Infobox U.S. County
county = Burlington County
state = New Jersey


seallink = show


map size = 100
founded = May 17, 1694
seat = Mount Holly
largest city = Moorestown
area_total_sq_mi =819
area_land_sq_mi =805
area_water_sq_mi =15
area percentage = 1.81%
census yr = 2000
pop = 423394
density_km2 =203
web = www.co.burlington.nj.us
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Burlington County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The county seat is Mount Holly. The county seat had been in Burlington, but as population moved away from the Delaware River a more central location was needed. As of 2000, the population was 423,394.

Burlington County dates back to 1681, when its court was established. The county was formed on May 17, 1694, "by the union of the first and second Tenths"."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 93.]

This county is part of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 819 square miles (2,122 km²), of which, 805 square miles (2,084 km²) of it is land and 15 square miles (38 km²) of it (1.81%) is water.

Most of the land in the county is coastal and alluvial plain with little relief. There are a few anomalous hills, however, and one of them, Arneys Mount, is 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.

Burlington County has the largest area of New Jersey's 21 counties.

Adjacent counties

*Mercer County, New Jersey - north
*Monmouth County, New Jersey - northeast
*Ocean County, New Jersey - east
*Atlantic County, New Jersey - south
*Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania - west
*Camden County, New Jersey - southwest
*Bucks County, Pennsylvania - northwest

Demographics

USCensusPop
1790=18095
1800=21521
1810=24979
1820=28822
1830=31107
1840=32831 |1840n=*
1850=43203
1860=49730
1870=53639
1880=55402
1890=58528
1900=58241
1910=66565
1920=81770
1930=93541
1940=97013
1950=135910
1960=224499
1970=323132
1980=362542
1990=395066
2000=423394
estimate=450743
estyear=2005
estref= [cite web
url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/34/34005.html
title=QuickFacts: Burlington County, New Jersey
publisher=U.S. Census Bureau
accessdate=2007-03-01]
footnote=* lost territory historical census data source: [cite web
url=http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd5.htm
title=New Jersey Resident Population by County: 1880 - 1930] [cite web
url=http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/
title=Geostat Center: Historical Census Browser
publisher=University of Virginia Library
accessdate=2007-03-02] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Government

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. Burlington County's Freeholders have both administrative and policy making powers. Each Burlington County Freeholder oversees a particular area of service: Administration; Education and Human Services; Public Safety and Solid Waste; Economic Development and Public Works; and Land Use and Public Affairs.

As of 2008, Burlington County's Freeholders are: [ [http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/gov/freeholders/index.htm The Burlington County Board Of Chosen Freeholders] , Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed January 30, 2008.]

*Freeholder Director Aubrey A. Fenton - Director of Economic Development and Transportation (Willingboro Township, 2008)

*Freeholder James K. Wujcik - Director of Economic Development and Public Safety (Cinnaminson Township, 2009)
*Deputy Director Joseph B. Donnelly - Director of Economic Development and Public Works (Cinnaminson Township, 2010)
*Dawn Marie Addiego - Director of Health and Human Services (Evesham Township, 2008)
*William S. Haines, Jr. - Director of Natural Resources (Medford Township, 2009)

Politics

In the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, John Kerry carried the county by a 7.0% margin over George W. Bush, with Kerry carrying the state by 6.7% over Bush. [ [http://www.njvoterinfo.org/2004presNJ.htm New Jersey Presidential Election Returns by County 2004] , Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Accessed August 31, 2008.]

Municipalities

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-Roebling
*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.

Education

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

References

External links

* [http://www.co.burlington.nj.us Official County Government website]
* [http://www.state.nj.us/state/darm/links/guides/pewan001.html Early houses] Nathaniel Rue Ewan's photographs of early houses of Burlington County, New Jersey.