Voorhees Township is a township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 28,126. Voorhees is a New Jersey suburb in the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area.
Voorhees Township was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 1, 1899, from portions of Waterford Township. Portions of the township were taken on March 8, 1924, to form Gibbsboro.[8]
The township is named after Foster MacGowan Voorhees, the Governor of New Jersey who authorized its creation.[9]
The area comprises the Ashland, Kirkwood, Kresson, Glendale, and Osage sections.[9] Voorhees is largely a bedroom community, with many of its residents commuting to Cherry Hill or Philadelphia for work.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 11.6 square miles (30.1 km²), of which, 11.6 square miles (30.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.26%) is water.
Echelon is a census-designated place in the western part of the township between Cherry Hill and Gibbsboro.
Voorhees borders the Camden County communities of Berlin Township, Cherry Hill, Gibbsboro, Lindenwold, and Somerdale. To the east is Evesham Township in Burlington County.
Demographics
| Historical populations |
| Census |
Pop. |
|
%± |
| 1930 |
1,405 |
|
—
|
| 1940 |
1,450 |
|
3.2% |
| 1950 |
1,823 |
|
25.7% |
| 1960 |
3,784 |
|
107.6% |
| 1970 |
6,214 |
|
64.2% |
| 1980 |
12,919 |
|
107.9% |
| 1990 |
24,559 |
|
90.1% |
| 2000 |
28,126 |
|
14.5% |
| Est. 2008 |
31,317 |
[4] |
11.3% |
| Population 1930 - 1990[10] |
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 28,126 people, 10,489 households, and 7,069 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,424.0 people per square mile (936.2/km²). There were 11,084 housing units at an average density of 955.2/sq mi (368.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 78.26% White, 8.00% African American, 0.14% Native American, 11.44% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.47% of the population.
There were 10,489 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the township the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $68,402, and the median income for a family was $86,873 (these figures had risen to $82,035 and $105,933 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[11]). Males had a median income of $58,484 versus $38,897 for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,635. About 3.7% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government
The Township of Voorhees is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government by a five-member Township Committee. Members are elected at large in partisan elections to three-year terms in office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year.[1] The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are chosen by the Township Committee from among its members during the Reorganization meeting each January.
The current mayor is Michael R. Mignogna (D). Other members of the Voorhees Township Committee are Deputy Mayor Joseph C. Lovallo II, Dean T. Mazurek, Harry A. Platt and Mario DiNatale.[2]
Federal, state and county representation
Voorhees Township is in the First Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 6th Legislative District.[12]
New Jersey's First Congressional District, covering portions of Burlington County, Camden County and Gloucester County, is represented by Rob Andrews (D, Haddon Heights). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 6th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by James Beach (D, Voorhees Township) and in the Assembly by Louis Greenwald (D, Voorhees Township) and Pamela Rosen Lampitt (D, Cherry Hill Township).[13] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[14]
Camden County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, elected at-large for staggered three-year terms by the residents of the county.[15] As of 2008[update], Camden County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. (Collingswood, term ends December 31, 2008), Freeholder Deputy Director Edward McDonnell (Pennsauken Township, 2010), Riletta L. Cream (Camden, 2008), Rodney A. Greco (Gloucester Township, 2009), Jeffrey L. Nash (Cherry Hill Township, 2009), Joseph Ripa (Voorhees Township, 2009) and Carmen Rodriguez (Merchantville, 2010).[16]
Education
Students in Kindergarten through eighth grade attend the Voorhees Township Public Schools. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[17]) are four elementary schools serving grades Kindergarten through fifth grade — Edward T. Hamilton Elementary School (571 students), Kresson Elementary School (470), Osage Elementary School (632), and Signal Hill Elementary School (552) — and Voorhees Middle School with 1,184 students in grades 6 - 8.
Public school students in grades 9 - 12 attend the Eastern Camden County Regional High School District, a limited-purpose, public regional school district. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[18]) are Eastern Intermediate High School with 1,135 students for grades 9 and 10, and Eastern High School with 1,099 students for grades 11 and 12. The schools serve a combined population of approximately 37,000 in the communities of Berlin Borough, Gibbsboro and Voorhees Township. Both schools are located on the same site, but operate independently.[19]
Voorhees is also the home of one private school. Kellman Brown Academy (formerly Harry B. Kellman Academy) is a private Jewish day school serving children aged 3 through 8th grade. The school was founded in 1959 in association with Congregation Beth El at Parkside in Camden. It has been in Voorhees independently since October 2008. It currently houses 150 Jewish Students.
Transportation
The only major highway that passes through Voorhees is Route 73. Interstate 295 and Route 70 provide access to nearby Philadelphia via Cherry Hill. Exit 32 of Interstate 295 is partially signed for Voorhees, though motorists can also use exits 29A (U.S. Route 30/Berlin), 31 (Woodcrest Station) or 36 (Route 73) to access parts of the township.
One station on the PATCO High-Speed rail system, Ashland, is located within township limits, but the Woodcrest and Lindenwold stations are also easily accessible to many residents.
New Jersey Transit bus service is offered on the 403 to Philadelphia, with local service provided by the 451 and 459 routes.[20]
Corporate residents
New Jersey American Water, based in Voorhees Township, is the largest water utility in New Jersey, serving over two million people in 176 communities throughout the state. New Jersey American Water is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Water.
Sports
Voorhees is noted to be the home of the Skate Zone, a training facility for the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL and its AHL affiliate Philadelphia Phantoms. Current and former players of either team often become residents of Voorhees.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Voorhees Township include:
- Ron Anderson (born 1958), played on several NBA teams, as well as in Europe.[citation needed]
- Hank Baskett (born 1982), wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Barrett Brooks (born 1972), offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers.[21]
- Jeff Carter (born 1985), plays on the Philadelphia Flyers.[citation needed]
- Sarah Chang (born 1980), violinist.[22]
- Prince Chunk (born 1998), a forty-four pound cat
- Brian Dawkins (born 1973), former free safety for the Philadelphia Eagles.[citation needed]
- Josh Farro, (born 1987) birthplace for guitarist of pop-punk band Paramore.[citation needed]
- Zac Farro, (born 1990) birthplace for drummer of pop-punk band Paramore.[citation needed]
- Simon Gagné (born 1980), plays on the Philadelphia Flyers.[citation needed]
- Scott Graham (born 1965), former sports broadcaster for the Philadelphia Phillies.[23]
- Louis Greenwald (born 1967), represents the 6th legislative district in the New Jersey General Assembly.[24]
- Ryan Howard (born 1979), plays with the Philadelphia Phillies.[citation needed]
- Ron Jaworski (born 1951), formerly played on the Philadelphia Eagles.[25]
- John LeClair (born 1969), played on the Philadelphia Flyers.[citation needed]
- Zachary Lindberg (born 1990), actor.
- Eric Lindros (born 1973), former player of the Philadelphia Flyers.[citation needed]
- Craig MacTavish (born 1958), former NHL hockey player.[26]
- Jimmy McGriff (1936-2008), jazz and blues organist[27]
- Raoul Peck (born 1953), award-winning Haitian filmmaker.[28]
- Todd Pinkston (born 1977), formerly played on the Philadelphia Eagles.[citation needed]
- Keith Primeau (born 1971), played on the Philadelphia Flyers.[29]
- Adam Taliaferro (born 1982), played on the Penn State Nittany Lions football team.[30]
- Jeremy Thompson (born 1985), NFL player for the Green Bay Packers.[31]
- John Vukovich (1947-2007), former MLB third baseman, best known for his career with the Philadelphia Phillies.[32]
- Clarence Weatherspoon (born 1970), played on the Philadelphia 76ers.[citation needed]
- Bryan Winchester (born 1981), hip hop recording artist.[citation needed]
- Kevin Pierce (born 1988), Alternative Rock Drummer, Formerly of the short lived local super group, "Talk Box".[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 33.
- ^ a b 2008 Committee Members, Voorhees Township. Accessed May 20, 2008.
- ^ USGS GNIS: Township of Voorhees, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b Census data for Voorhees Township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 31, 2009.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 109.
- ^ a b History of Voorhees, accessed May 8, 2007. "Over the years six "neighborhood" communities took root; Ashland, Glendale, Kirkwood, Kresson, Osage and Gibbsboro. Residents held strong loyalties to these sections of town, rather than to the town itself. One result of this divisive attitude was Gibbsboro’s secession from Voorhees in 1924.... Since Governor Foster McGowan Voorhees granted the request, the township was named in his honor."
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=06000US3400522110&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C05000US34005%7C06000US3400522110&_street=&_county=voorhees&_cityTown=voorhees&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=060&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=
- ^ 2008 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 65. Accessed September 30, 2009.
- ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed March 16, 2009.
- ^ "About the Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/about/. Retrieved 6 June 2008.
- ^ What is a Freeholder?, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed March 25, 2008.
- ^ Board of Freeholders, Camden County, New Jersey. Accessed April 14, 2008.
- ^ Data for the Voorhees Township Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 20, 2008.
- ^ Data for the Eastern Camden County Regional High School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 20, 2008.
- ^ Eastern Senior High School 2007 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed May 19, 2008. "Our district is a limited purpose, public, regional system consisting of two schools: Eastern Intermediate High School (grades 9 and 10) and Eastern Senior High School (grades 11 and 12), located on the same site. Our student population is multicultural and reflects the diversity of the three communities it serves: Berlin Borough, Gibbsboro and Voorhees Township."
- ^ Camden County Bus/Rail Connections, New Jersey Transit. Accessed June 21, 2007.
- ^ Domowitch, Paul. "Former Eagle Brooks in super situation with Steelers", Philadelphia Daily News', February 3, 2006. Accessed August 8, 2007. "Brooks still lives in the Philadelphia area. He and his family live in Voorhees, N.J."
- ^ Baxter, Robert. "Chang forced to cancel appearance", Courier-Post, March 2, 2000. "Violinist Sarah Chang barely returned from a brief European tour last week when she joined her parents on a flight to Korea to be with her ill grandmother. Chang, who lives in Voorhees, was forced to cancel her Sunday concert with the Cherry Hill Orchestra at the Garden State Racetrack Pavilion."
- ^ " Scott Graham reportedly out as Phillies broadcaster", Courier-Post, November 15, 2006, accessed April 29, 2007. "Graham, 41, of Voorhees worked in the Phillies broadcast booth for the last eight years after starting his career with the Phillies in 1991 as a pregame and postgame host on the radio."
- ^ Assembly Member Louis D. Greenwald, Project Vote Smart. Accessed August 8, 2007.
- ^ Ron Jaworski speaker profile, accessed April 29, 2007. "A proud family man, Ron Jaworski currently resides in Voorhees, New Jersey with his wife, Liz."
- ^ Anderson, Dave. "Sports of The Times; MacT's Muscular Art: The Crucial Face-Off", The New York Times, May 22, 1995. Accessed October 29, 2007. "Despite their age difference, MacTavish and the 22-year-old Lindros are roommates on Flyer road trips, and the Flyer captain often hangs out at the MacTavish home in nearby Voorhees, N.J."
- ^ Ratliff, Ben. "Jimmy McGriff, 72, Jazz and Blues Organist", The New York Times, May 28, 2008. Accessed July 31, 2009.
- ^ Raoul Peck profile for the film Lumumba, accessed March 19, 2007.
- ^ Panaccio, Tim. "Primeau finally deals with reality", The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 14, 2006. Accessed July 31, 2009. "The phone rang at Keith Primeau's house in Voorhees, N.J., on Sept. 6. Flyers general manager Bob Clarke said he wanted to meet the next day."
- ^ Kindred, David. "One amazing freshman", The Sporting News, August 27th, 2001. Accessed June 2, 2007. "For three months, from October 6 past his 19th birthday on New Year's Day to January 5, Taliaferro underwent rehabilitation therapy at the Magee Rehabilitation Center in Philadelphia, 15 miles from his home in Voorhees, N.J."
- ^ Jeremy Thompson, Database Football. Accessed July 31, 2009.
- ^ Mandel, Ken. "Phils pay respect to Vukovich", Major League Baseball. Accessed May 20, 2008. ""A private funeral will be held Tuesday near Vukovich's Voorhees, N.J., home, and many members of the Phillies organization are planning to attend by traveling to Philadelphia on a chartered flight."
External links
