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".
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 km˛), of which, 805 square miles (2,084 km˛) of it is land and 15 square miles (38 km˛) 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
Demographics
| Historical populations |
| Census |
Pop. |
|
%± |
| 1790 |
18,095 |
|
— |
| 1800 |
21,521 |
|
18.9% |
| 1810 |
24,979 |
|
16.1% |
| 1820 |
28,822 |
|
15.4% |
| 1830 |
31,107 |
|
7.9% |
| 1840 |
32,831 |
* |
5.5% |
| 1850 |
43,203 |
|
31.6% |
| 1860 |
49,730 |
|
15.1% |
| 1870 |
53,639 |
|
7.9% |
| 1880 |
55,402 |
|
3.3% |
| 1890 |
58,528 |
|
5.6% |
| 1900 |
58,241 |
|
-0.5% |
| 1910 |
66,565 |
|
14.3% |
| 1920 |
81,770 |
|
22.8% |
| 1930 |
93,541 |
|
14.4% |
| 1940 |
97,013 |
|
3.7% |
| 1950 |
135,910 |
|
40.1% |
| 1960 |
224,499 |
|
65.2% |
| 1970 |
323,132 |
|
43.9% |
| 1980 |
362,542 |
|
12.2% |
| 1990 |
395,066 |
|
9.0% |
| 2000 |
423,394 |
|
7.2% |
| Est. 2005 |
450,743 |
|
6.5% |
* lost territory
historical census data source: |
As of the census 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/km˛). There were 161,311 housing units at an average density of 200 per square mile (77/km˛). 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:
- 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)
Municipalities
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:
North Hanover Township
Palmyra (borough)
Pemberton Township
Pemberton (borough)
Riverside Township
Riverton (borough)
Shamong Township
Southampton Township
Springfield Township
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.
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