Cherry Hill, New Jersey

History

The area now known as Cherry Hill was originally settled by the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans before being conquered by the first settlers from England, namely Quaker followers of William Penn who arrived in the late 17th century. The first settlement was a small cluster of homes named Colestown, in the perimeters of what is now the Colestown Cemetery on the corner of Route 41 (King's Highway) and Church Road. The municipality was founded on February 25, 1844, in Gloucester County as Delaware Township from half of the area of Waterford Township, and became part of Camden County at its creation some two weeks later on March 13, 1844. Portions of the township were taken to form Stockton Township (February 23, 1859) and Merchantville (March 3, 1874). At its territorial peak, Delaware Township included all of modern-day Cherry Hill Township, as well as the neighborhood of North Camden and the municipalities Merchantville and Pennsauken (including Petty's Island in the Delaware River).

The township's population grew rapidly after World War II, and continued to increase until the 1980s. Today, the municipality's population is stable with new development generally occurring in pockets of custom luxury houses or through the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of commercial and industrial areas.

Origin of the name

Cherry Hill was a 19th-century farm on Kaighn Avenue (Route 38), owned by Abraham Browning. The farm property later became the Cherry Hill Inn (now a movie theater complex), as well as an office campus (now a shopping center with big-box retailers), and today's Cherry Hill Towers and Cherry Hill Estates housing developments.

Adding to the prevalence of the Cherry Hill name, developer Eugene Mori branded several properties using the name, including the Cherry Hill Inn and Cherry Hill Lodge hotels, Cherry Hill Apartments, and Cherry Hill Estates. Cherry Hill Shopping Center (now known as Cherry Hill Mall) opened in 1961 opposite the old Cherry Hill Farm site, featuring 75 stores within a single enclosed space.

When the township sought a new post office, another New Jersey municipality in Hunterdon County was using the name Delaware Township. The United States Postal Service insisted on a name change, suggesting "Deltown". Delaware Township mayors Christian Weber and John Gilmour pursued public write-in campaigns to select possible titles, and chose Cherry Hill from suggestions that included Chapel Hill, Cherry Valley and Delaware City. The name "Cherry Hill" was chosen by the township's citizens in a non-binding referendum in 1961, and was officially adopted November 7, 1961.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 24.244 square miles (62.792 km²), including 24.097 square miles (62.410 km²) of land and 0.147 square miles (0.382 km²) of water (0.61%),

Ashland (2010 population of 8,302), Barclay (4,428), Cherry Hill Mall (14,171), Ellisburg (4,413), Golden Triangle (4,145), Greentree (11,367), Kingston Estates (5,685) and Springdale (14,518) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDPs) located within the township.

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Coffins Corner, Colwick, Cooperstown, Deer Park, Erlton, Freeman, Huttons Hill, Locust Grove, Orchard and Woodcrest.

The township's eastern border with Burlington County is defined by the Pennsauken Creek. The creek separates Cherry Hill from the communities of Maple Shade Township, Evesham Township (and its Marlton neighborhood), and Mount Laurel Township.

The Cooper River forms the southern border with Haddon Township, Haddonfield Borough, and Lawnside Borough, through the Maria Barnaby Greenwald Park and parallel to the east-west Route 70.

To the north, Cherry Hill borders Merchantville Borough and Pennsauken Township, while Voorhees Township shares its southern border along County Route 544 (Evesham Road).

Climate

Cherry Hill has a humid subtropical climate, with mild to warm winters and hot, humid summers.

Demographics

The Asian-American population in Cherry Hill is experiencing particularly rapid growth, increasing 19.5% from 8,304 at the 2010 Census, to an estimated 9,927 according to the 2013 American Community Survey, significantly out-of-proportion to the 1.0% growth in the overall population of the township over the same period.

2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 71,045 people, 26,882 households, and 19,301 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,948.3 per square mile (1,138.3/km²). There were 28,452 housing units at an average density of 1,180.7 per square mile (455.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 78.06% (55,459) White, 6.14% (4,360) Black or African American, 0.11% (78) Native American, 11.69% (8,304) Asian, 0.02% (13) Pacific Islander, 1.83% (1,302) from other races, and 2.15% (1,529) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.64% (4,005) of the population.

There were 26,882 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% 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 3.12.

In the township, the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.1 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 88.4 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $88,183 (with a margin of error of +/− $2,748) and the median family income was $105,786 (+/− $2,321). Males had a median income of $72,128 (+/− $2,699) versus $48,937 (+/− $3,321) for females. The per capita income for the township was $41,252 (+/− $1,504). About 3.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 69,965 people, 26,227 households, and 19,407 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,884.9 people per square mile (1,114.0/km²). There were 27,074 housing units at an average density of 1,116.4 per square mile (431.1/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 84.67% White, 8.87% Asian, 4.46% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.54% of the population.

There were 26,227 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the township the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

According to a 2010 estimate, the median income for a household in the township was $87,392, and the median income for a family was $104,983. Males had a median income of $82,325 versus $49,129 for females. The per capita income for the township was $43,192. About 2.6% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Pinnacle Foods (brands Birds Eye, Vlasic, Swanson, Log Cabin, Duncan Hines, Mrs. Pauls, Van deKamps, Celeste, Lenders), Subaru of America, and TD Bank, N.A. have headquarters in Cherry Hill. Melitta USA has its coffee roasting plant in the township.

Many residents of Cherry Hill work elsewhere. Cherry Hill is an edge city within a half-hour commute to Philadelphia or Camden, and within an hour to Trenton or Princeton, New Jersey. A lesser number of individuals commute to Atlantic City, New Jersey, and a growing number of commuters commute to and from New York City.

Cherry Hill Mall, a principal shopping center in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, was the first enclosed shopping mall in the eastern United States, opening in October 1961.

The Courier-Post is based in Cherry Hill.

Food and dining

Chick's Deli is a deli best known for hoagies and cheesesteaks.

Arts and culture

Community

Sports

In 1973–1974, the Cherry Hill Arena hosted a WHA hockey team, the New Jersey Knights, and from 1964 to 1971, an Eastern Hockey League team, the Jersey Devils (unrelated to the present NHL New Jersey Devils).

Muhammad Ali purchased a house at 1121 Winding Drive in Cherry Hill's Voken Tract in 1971, living there with his family until 1974.

Parks and recreation

Cherry Hill has 51 public parks, plus three parks owned by Camden County. Most parks have playground equipment, basketball courts, tennis courts, walking paths, and athletic fields. Croft Farm, which was originally a working mill and farm, is the only park with an arts center. It was originally built in 1753, and is a historic landmark in Cherry Hill. The farmhouse underwent many changes throughout the years, including an expansion in 1816. The property was sold to the township in 1985. It was formed into the Cherry Hill Arts Center in 1995, which serves the community for art classes, seminars, and concerts produced by the Cherry Hill Recreation Department.

Toward the last two weeks of April, one can see a two-mile avenue of continuous rows of cherry blossoms on Chapel Avenue between Haddonfield Road and Kings Highway. The avenue of cherry blossoms was conceived by a group of residents who wanted to unify the townspeople of Cherry Hill to participate in a community-wide celebration of the diverse community of Cherry Hill. This effort started in 1972 and cherry trees are still being planted every year by the Cherry Hill Fire Department and community volunteers.

Golf courses

Merchantville Country Club is a private country club in Cherry Hill. Woodcrest Country Club was sold at a bankruptcy auction in spring 2013, and is now a semi-private club open to the public.

Police

The Cherry Hill Police Department (CHPD) is the third-largest police department in the tri-county area, employing more than 130 sworn officers as well as 21 civilians. The current chief of the department is William Monaghan. The department's TRT (Tactical Response Team) responds to requests for the service of high risk warrants, the resolving of barricaded and/or hostage situations, and dealing with suicidal individuals just to name a few of their assignments. TRT responds to requests for mutual aid throughout the tri-county area as needed. CHPD is home to its own 9-1-1 public safety answering point (PSAP), when a resident of the township dials 9-1-1 they are routed directly to the CHPD, which provides a significant advantage in response time to the caller, the 9-1-1 center is the hub of the department's 800 MHz trunked radio system, as well as an advanced CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system, and RMS (Records Management System). Both systems work together to provide patrol units up to date information directly to their patrol car computers. CHPD's Community Policing Unit provides many services for residents including child fingerprinting, neighborhood watches, and drug & alcohol awareness seminars.

Fire Department and EMS

The Cherry Hill Fire Department is a career department consisting of four engines (1 engine, 2 Squrts, 1 Squad Company), two ladders, one rescue unit, one technical rescue unit, one haz-mat unit, one foam tender, and other specialized equipment, as well as 5 EMS units. It also has two volunteer units, including the Cherry Hill Fire Police Unit and the Special Services Unit ("Rehab 13"), which provides on scene support for the Cherry Hill Fire Department as well as throughout South Jersey. The Fire Chief is Thomas Kolbe.

The department also provides emergency medical services (EMS). The only hospital in Cherry Hill is Kennedy Memorial Hospital, located on Chapel Avenue. Residents also have access to nearby Virtua Hospitals in Voorhees Township, Marlton and Berlin as well as Cooper University Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden.

Fire companies

Fire stations in Cherry Hill are:

Civil Air Patrol

The Jack Schweiker Composite Squadron, located at the Cherry Hill Army National Guard Armory is the Cherry Hill component of the Civil Air Patrol, a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The Squadron has about 60 members, 40 of which are cadets and 20 of which are senior members.

Local government

Created as Delaware Township in 1844, the community was first governed by a Township Committee. On May 19, 1951, the citizens adopted, in a special election, a Walsh Act Commission form of government, consisting of a three-member Board of Commissioners. In 1962, the Township's population passed the 30,000 mark and two additional Commissioners were elected. Following a study made by a Citizen's Advisory Committee, a special election was held in 1962. The township voted to change its form of government to the Council-Manager Plan A under the Faulkner Act. Five Council members were elected at-large in a May election to serve concurrent four-year terms. The Council members elected one of their own as Mayor, and a Township Manager served as the Chief Administrator of the Township.

By 1975, after a Charter Study Commission report and the passage of a ballot referendum, the township adopted the Council-Manager Plan B form of government. Two features of the government were changed: council members were to be elected every two years for overlapping terms of four years and the number of Council members would increase from five to seven.

After a 1981 referendum, the government changed yet again, this time to a Mayor-Council Plan B form of government. A full-time 'strong' mayor was elected directly by the people and seven Council members were elected at-large for staggered four-year terms, with either three or four seats up for election every other year. After the passage of a ballot referendum in November 1986, voting or the mayor and council was shifted from a non-partisan May election to a partisan November election.

As of 2016, the Mayor of Cherry Hill is Democrat Charles M. "Chuck" Cahn, whose term of office ends December 31, 2019. Members of the Township Council are Council President David Fleisher (D, 2017), Council Vice President Sara Lipsett (D, 2019), Jim Bannar (D, 2017), Brian Bauerle (D, 2019), Carolyn Jacobs (D, 2017; appointed to serve an unexpired term), Melinda Kane (D, 2019) and Carole Roskoph (D, 2017).

In January 2016, the Township Council selected Carolyn Jacobs from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2017 that became vcant when Susan Shin Angulo took office as a Camden County Freeholder.

N. John Amato, whose 30 years of service made him the township's longest-serving councilmember, died in office in September 2014. At a special council meeting in October 2014, Brian Bauerle was selected to fill Amato's seat, which expires in December 2015.

Public library

The Cherry Hill Public Library is an agency of the Township's municipal government. At 72,000 square feet (6,700 m²), Cherry Hill's library is among the largest municipal libraries in New Jersey. The current facility was completed in December 2004 to replace the 1966 Malcolm Wells-designed structure at 1100 King's Highway North.

Federal, state and county representation

Cherry Hill is located in the 1st Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 6th state legislative district. Prior to the 2010 Census, Cherry Hill had been part of the 3rd Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

New Jersey's First Congressional District is represented by Donald Norcross (D, Camden). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (Paramus, 2019).

For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 6th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by James Beach (D, Voorhees Township) and in the General Assembly by Louis Greenwald (D, Voorhees Township) and Pamela Rosen Lampitt (D, Cherry Hill). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Camden County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose seven members chosen at-large in partisan elections to three-year terms office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year. As of 2015, Camden County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. (Collingswood, term as freeholder ends December 31, 2017; term as director ends 2015), Freeholder Deputy Director Edward T. McDonnell (Pennsauken Township, term as freeholder ends 2016; term as deputy director ends 2015), Michelle Gentek (Gloucester Township, 2015), Ian K. Leonard (Camden, 2015), Jeffrey L. Nash (Cherry Hill, 2015), Carmen Rodriguez (Merchantville, 2016) and Jonathan L. Young, Sr. (Berlin Township, November 2015; serving the unexpired term of Scot McCray ending in 2017)

Camden County's constitutional officers, all elected directly by voters, are County clerk Joseph Ripa, Sheriff Charles H. Billingham, and Surrogate Patricia Egan Jones. The Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo was appointed by the Governor of New Jersey with the advice and consent of the New Jersey Senate (the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature).

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 50,178 registered voters in Cherry Hill Township, of which 20,220 (40.3% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 8,374 (16.7% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 21,553 (43.0% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 31 voters registered to other parties. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 70.6% (vs. 57.1% in Camden County) were registered to vote, including 91.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 60.9% of the vote (22,128 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 38.2% (13,872 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (353 votes), among the 36,572 ballots cast by the township's 53,628 registered voters (219 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 68.2%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 61.4% of the vote (23,765 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain, who received around 36.1% (13,966 votes), with 38,678 ballots cast among the township's 52,182 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.1%. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 59.9% of the vote (22,734 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush, who received around 39.3% (14,923 votes), with 37,980 ballots cast among the township's 48,778 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 77.9.

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 60.2% of the vote (12,035 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 38.4% (7,683 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (266 votes), among the 20,526 ballots cast by the township's 53,873 registered voters (542 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 38.1%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 50.8% of the vote (12,046 ballots cast), ahead of both Republican Chris Christie with 42.7% (10,120 votes) and Independent Chris Daggett with 4.5% (1,073 votes), with 23,705 ballots cast among the township's 50,250 registered voters, yielding a 47.2% turnout.

In the 2016 Presidential Election, 36,984 votes were cast with a voter turnout of 70.05% (54,146 registered). Democrat Hillary Clinton received 64.0% of the vote (23,685 votes), beating Republican Donald Trump who received 32.7% of the vote (12,096 votes). Other candidates received 3.25% of votes cast (1,203 votes). In the 1st congressional district election for the House of Representatives, Democrat Donald Norcross received 54.4% of the vote (20,655 votes), beating out Republican Bob Patterson who received 35.1% of the vote (13,318 votes), with other candidates receiving 2.35% of votes (960 votes).

Public schools

The Cherry Hill Public Schools operates 19 schools including an early childhood center, 12 elementary schools, three middle schools, two traditional high schools, and an alternative high school. Cherry Hill is the 12th-largest school district in the state of New Jersey and one of the largest suburban districts. The district has grown by about 2,000 students since the late 1990s, and employs 1,400 (about 1,000 teachers plus administration and staff). The District is governed by a volunteer Board of Education which consists of nine citizens elected at-large to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with three seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election.

As of the 2013–14 school year, the district's 19 schools had an enrollment of 11,266 students and 877.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.8:1. Schools in the district (with 2013–14 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Barclay Early Childhood Center (PreK; 300 students), Clara Barton Elementary School (K–5; 479), James F. Cooper Elementary School (K–5; 273), Bret Harte Elementary School (K–5; 419), James H. Johnson Elementary School (K–5; 434), Joyce Kilmer Elementary School (K–5; 471), Kingston Elementary School (K–5; 465), A. Russell Knight Elementary School (K–5; 357), Horace Mann Elementary School (K–5; 303), Thomas Paine Elementary School (K–5; 370), Joseph D. Sharp Elementary School (K–5; 321), Richard Stockton Elementary School (K–5; 420), Woodcrest Elementary School (K–5; 386), Henry C. Beck Middle School (6–8; 963), John A. Carusi Middle School (6–8; 863), Rosa International Middle School (6–8; 828), Cherry Hill High School East (9–12; 2,113), Cherry Hill High School West (9–12; 1,462) and Cherry Hill Alternative High School (9–12; 39).

For the 2001–02 school year, Cherry Hill High School East received the National Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence from the U.S. Department of Education. Three of the district's schools have been named as "Star Schools" by the New Jersey Department of Education: Cherry Hill High School East (1999–2000), Thomas Paine Elementary School (2002–03) and Clara Barton Elementary School (2003–04). The district has five Best Practices Award Winners. SAT scores far exceed state and national averages, with Cherry Hill High School East's average SAT score of 1668, ranking 41st in the state, and West's 1,529 average ranking 124th in New Jersey, out of 349 schools with students taking the test that year. In 2013, the graduation rate was 95% for East and 89% for West. Newsweek named Cherry Hill High School East 85th overall among the nearly 30,000 public high schools in the U.S. in their rankings of "America's Top High Schools 2015".

Cherry Hill's school district offered the International Baccalaureate certificate and diploma program at Cherry Hill West beginning in 2001, but phased it out at the conclusion of the 2007–08 school year. The IB Primary Years Programme is offered at Joseph D. Sharp, James F. Cooper and Thomas Paine Elementary Schools. This program is also a part of the IB Middle Years Programme offered for grades 6–8 at Rosa International Middle School (RIMS).

Private schools

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden operates Resurrection Regional Catholic School, a Pre-K to 8 elementary school resulting of the merger of St. Peter Celestine School and Queen of Heaven School, as well as Camden Catholic High School for grades 9–12.

The King's Christian School is a private Christian fully accredited PreK–12 institution founded as the Christian Day School of Camden County in 1946.

Politz Day School is a private Modern Orthodox Jewish day school serving early childhood through middle school students, co-located with and supported by Congregation Sons of Israel.

Colleges and universities

Camden County College operates one of its three campuses at the William G. Rohrer Center at Route 70 East and Springdale Road.

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 309.36 miles (497.87 km) of roadways, of which 246.81 miles (397.20 km) were maintained by the municipality, 40.41 miles (65.03 km) by Camden County and 17.91 miles (28.82 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 4.23 miles (6.81 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

The New Jersey Turnpike passes through Cherry Hill Township. The Walt Whitman rest area (southbound at milepost 30.2) is located in the township, but the closest interchange is exit 4 in neighboring Mount Laurel Township.

Interstate 295 has three exits in the township. Exit 34A/B is Route 70 (Marlton Pike); exit 32 is CR 561 (Haddonfield-Berlin Road); and exit 31 goes directly to the Woodcrest station of the PATCO high-speed commuter rail line.

Other major highways in Cherry Hill include Route 38, Route 41, and Route 154.

Public transportation

NJ Transit bus service is available to and from Philadelphia on the 317, 404, and 406 routes, with local service on the 405, 450, 451, 455, and 457 routes. BoltBus, and Chinatown Buses provides frequent express service to and from New York City, and also frequent commuter service to and from the 34th Street – Hudson Yards New York City Subway station.

NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line, traveling on the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Line route, stops at the Cherry Hill station, located on the west side of the tracks between the Garden State Pavilion shopping center and the newer development on the grounds of the former Garden State Racetrack.

The Woodcrest station of the PATCO Speedline is located in Cherry Hill, offering service between Lindenwold and 15–16th & Locust station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As of 2016 two Taiwanese airlines, China Airlines and EVA Air, provides private bus services to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City for customers based in New Jersey and the Philadelphia area. These bus services stop in Cherry Hill.

Rankings