Blackwood, New Jersey

History

Blackwood, originally known as Blackwoodtown, was settled about 1750 by John Blackwood in an area then known as "head of Timber Creek." Blackwood was a fuller who immigrated from Scotland and established mills in Blackwoodtown. The area was a crossroads village along the Black Horse Pike well into the nineteenth century, that served as a local government and transportation center by the 1830s, when Uriah Norcross established a stage coach line between Camden and Woodbury with a stop at a tavern in Blackwoodtown. The arrival of the Camden County Railroad in 1891 led to further development.

Blackwood Lake operated as a summer resort from 1891 until 1932.

The Blackwood Historic District (roughly covering the area along Church Street from East Railroad Avenue to Indiana Avenue, Black Horse Pike, and Central Avenue) and Solomon Wesley United Methodist Church are listed in the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Blackwood had a total area of 1.235 square miles (3.199 km²), including 1.226 square miles (3.176 km²) of land and 0.009 square miles (0.023 km²) of water (0.72%). Bodies of water include Blackwood Lake and Farrows Run stream.

Parks and recreation

Census 2010

The 2010 United States Census counted 4,545 people, 1,687 households, and 1,210 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,706.4 per square mile (1,431.0/km²). The CDP contained 1,800 housing units at an average density of 1,467.9 per square mile (566.8/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.71% (4,032) White, 5.21% (237) Black or African American, 0.04% (2) Native American, 2.53% (115) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.63% (74) from other races, and 1.87% (85) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 5.94% (270) of the population.

Out of a total of 1,687 households, 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the CDP, 22.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females the census counted 98.6 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 95.1 males.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 4,692 people, 1,721 households, and 1,261 families residing in the section. The population density was 1,461.0/km² (3,782.1/mi²). There were 1,840 housing units at an average density of 572.9/km² (1,483.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the section was 91.30% White, 3.94% African American, 0.11% Native American, 2.11% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.19% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.15% of the population.

There were 1,721 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the section the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.

The median income for a household in the section was $49,707, and the median income for a family was $60,136. Males had a median income of $41,274 versus $30,677 for females. The per capita income for the section was $21,815. About 0.9% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.6% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools, that are part of the Gloucester Township Public Schools district, include Blackwood Elementary School, Gloucester Township Elementary School as well as Charles W. Lewis Middle School Highland Regional High School is part of the Black Horse Pike Regional School District.

The Kingdom Charter School of Leadership is a charter school that serves students in Kindergarten through sixth grade residing in Gloucester Township, who are accepted by lottery on a space-available basis.

Our Lady of Hope Regional School is a Roman Catholic elementary school that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. Our Lady of Hope Regional School was renamed following the 2008 merger of St. Jude's Regional School with St. Agnes School.

Higher education in Blackwood includes Pennco Tech and Camden County College.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Blackwood include: