Evesham Township, New Jersey

History

The area now known as Evesham Township was originally settled by Quakers in 1672. The township was named either for the town of the same name in England or for prominent English settler Thomas Eves.

Evesham Township was formed on November 6, 1688, as Eversham (with an "R" in the middle of the name that was lost in subsequent years) in the Province of West Jersey before the county was formed. It was incorporated by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's original group of 104 townships. Portions of the township were taken to form Washington Township (November 19, 1802), Medford Township (March 1, 1847) and Mount Laurel Township (March 7, 1872).

The Township was substantially larger than it is today, originally including what are now Mount Laurel, Medford, Lumberton, Hainesport, Shamong, and Washington Townships. The South Branch of the Rancocas on the East Side and Cropwell Creek on the West Side bound this area. Evesham Township was eventually incorporated in 1692 as one of the thirteen Townships in Burlington County. In 1802, a tract was cut off for Washington Township; in 1847, the Township was then divided in half, with the eastern half becoming Medford Township; and in 1872, Evesham was divided again, for the last time, with the northern part becoming Mount Laurel Township.

Marlton is a name commonly associated and interchangeable with the name Evesham, derived from the census-designated place within Evesham. The name Marlton came about in the early 19th century and stems from the word "marl", a naturally occurring mixture of green clay with remnants of shells that was used as a fertilizer, like manure. Its discovery helped local commerce and fueled the first "building boom", which took place in the 1830s and 1840s. Marl continued to be mined locally until 1930, when the pits were finally closed.

The Marlton area was recognized as a village in 1758. The village was named Marlton in 1845. The same year the "Evesham" Post Office and the "Evesham" Baptist Church both had their names changed to "Marlton" Post Office and the "Marlton" Baptist Church. The names remain the same today. Most maps and directional signs refer to Marlton instead of Evesham. The historic village, Olde Marlton, remains mostly intact and is a locally regulated Historic District. Full-time police services began in 1966.

Evesham remained mostly unchanged until the 1950s, when developers began buying farms and building the township's first housing developments. Today, no significant farmland remains.

In 1955, the United States Army opened the PH-32 Nike Ajax facility on Tomlinson Mill Road. This battery was one of twelve used to shield Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from aerial assault during the Cold War. The base was decommissioned in the mid-1960s and used for various functions, including a civil defense center. The site of the base is now a housing development which was built in the mid-1990s.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 29.708 square miles (76.942 km²), including 29.284 square miles (75.845 km²) of land and 0.424 square miles (1.097 km²) of water (1.43%).

Marlton is an historic community, census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated area located within Evesham Township with 10,260 residents (as of Census 2010) that covers 3.235 square miles (8.38 km²) of the township. "Marlton" is often used in place of the township's name, even when referring to locations beyond the boundaries of the CDP.

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Berlin Heights, Cambridge, Cropwell, Crowfoot, Donlontown, Elmwood Road, Evans Corner, Evesboro, Gibbs Mill, Milford, Pine Grove and Tomlinsons Mill.

The township borders the municipalities of Mount Laurel Township and Medford Township in Burlington County and Berlin Township, Cherry Hill, Voorhees Township and Waterford Township in Camden County.

The township is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering 1,100,000 acres (450,000 ha), that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve. Part of the township is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Burlington County, along with areas in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.

2010 Census

The 2010 United States Census counted 45,538 people, 17,620 households, and 12,316 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,555.1 per square mile (600.4/km²). The township contained 18,303 housing units at an average density of 625.0 per square mile (241.3/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 86.98% (39,609) White, 4.19% (1,910) Black or African American, 0.12% (54) Native American, 6.16% (2,804) Asian, 0.02% (9) Pacific Islander, 0.78% (357) from other races, and 1.75% (795) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.39% (1,542) of the population.

Out of a total of 17,620 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the township, 23.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females the census counted 91.3 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 87.9 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $88,980 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,687) and the median family income was $104,784 (+/- $3,519). Males had a median income of $73,801 (+/- $3,907) versus $50,667 (+/- $3,039) for females. The per capita income for the township was $39,910 (+/- $1,464). About 1.5% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 42,275 people, 15,712 households, and 11,344 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,431.1 people per square mile (552.6/km²). There were 16,324 housing units at an average density of 552.6 per square mile (213.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 91.26% White, 3.11% African American, 0.07% Native American, 4.07% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.96% of the population.

There were 15,712 households out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% 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 3.21.

In the township the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $67,010, and the median income for a family was $77,245. Males had a median income of $54,536 versus $36,494 for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,494. About 1.7% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

Local government

Evesham Township operates within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Council-Manager plan 11 form of municipal government, as implemented as of July 1, 1983, based on the recommendations of a Charter Study Commission. The township had first switched to the Council-Manager Plan B of the Faulkner Act on July 1, 1969 to replace the township committee government. The government consists of a Mayor and a four-member Township Council, with all positions elected at-large in elections held every other year. The Mayor is elected directly by the voters. Members are elected in partisan elections to serve four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with two council seats up for vote in even years as part of the November general election. In 2009, a change was approved to shift municipal elections from May to November and from non-partisan to partisan, with officials citing low May turnout and costs estimated at $50,000 to oversee the municipal elections.

As of 2016, the Mayor of Evesham Township is Republican Randy Brown, whose term of office ends December 31, 2018. Members of the Evesham Township Council are Deputy Mayor Ken D'Andrea (R, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2016), Robert DiEnna (R, 2016), Debbie Hackman (R, 2018) and Steve Zeuli (R, 2018).

On May 12, 2009, Evesham held municipal elections in which Republicans Kurt Croft, Debbie Hackman and Joe Howarth were elected, with the three taking office on July 1, 2009, and giving Republicans control of the council.

On March 6, 2010, Democratic Mayor Randy Brown announced he was switching parties to become a Republican, citing philosophical disagreements. That same year, he endorsed Jon Runyan, a Republican for Congress.

In November 2010, the Republican slate swept the township's first partisan elections, with Mayor Randy Brown and Councilmember Debbie Hackman winning re-election along with newcomer Steve Zeuli.

Deputy Mayor Joe Howarth resigned from the council in December 2011 in advance of taking a seat on the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders, with his council seat filled until November 2012 chosen from among prospective candidates selected by the local Republican committee. In January 2012, Ken D'Andrea was selected to fill Howarth's vacancy. Robert DiEnna was chosen in September 2013 to fill the vacancy of Kurt Croft following his resignation.

Federal, state and county representation

Evesham Township is located in the 3rd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 8th state legislative district.

New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District is represented by Tom MacArthur (R, Toms River). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).

For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 8th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Dawn Marie Addiego (R, Evesham Township) and in the General Assembly by Maria Rodriguez-Gregg (R, Evesham Township) and Joe Howarth (R, Evesham Township). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Burlington County is governed by a Board of chosen freeholders, whose five members are elected at-large in partisan elections to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year. The board chooses a director and deputy director from among its members at an annual reorganization meeting held in January. As of 2015, Burlington County's Freeholders are Director Mary Ann O'Brien (R, Medford Township, 2017; Director of Administration and Human Services), Deputy Director Bruce Garganio (R, Florence Township, 2017; Director of Public Works and Health), Aimee Belgard (D, Edgewater Park Township, 2015; Director of Hospital, Medical Services and Education) Joseph Donnelly (R, Cinnaminson Township, 2016; Director of Public Safety, Natural Resources, and Education) and Joanne Schwartz (D, Southampton Township, 2015; Director of Health and Corrections). Constitutional officers are County Clerk Tim Tyler, Sheriff Jean E. Stanfield and Surrogate George T. Kotch.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 30,697 registered voters in Evesham Township, of which 8,924 (29.1% vs. 33.3% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 7,282 (23.7% vs. 23.9%) were registered as Republicans and 14,475 (47.2% vs. 42.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 16 voters registered to other parties. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 67.4% (vs. 61.7% in Burlington County) were registered to vote, including 87.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.3% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 12,507 votes here (52.7% vs. 58.1% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 10,863 votes (45.7% vs. 40.2%) and other candidates with 234 votes (1.0% vs. 1.0%), among the 23,752 ballots cast by the township's 32,323 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.5% (vs. 74.5% in Burlington County). In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 13,071 votes here (54.0% vs. 58.4% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 10,764 votes (44.5% vs. 39.9%) and other candidates with 218 votes (0.9% vs. 1.0%), among the 24,186 ballots cast by the township's 30,579 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.1% (vs. 80.0% in Burlington County). In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 11,419 votes here (49.7% vs. 52.9% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 11,369 votes (49.5% vs. 46.0%) and other candidates with 147 votes (0.6% vs. 0.8%), among the 22,989 ballots cast by the township's 28,314 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.2% (vs. 78.8% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 8,664 votes here (67.4% vs. 61.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 3,890 votes (30.3% vs. 35.8%) and other candidates with 129 votes (1.0% vs. 1.2%), among the 12,848 ballots cast by the township's 32,005 registered voters, yielding a 40.1% turnout (vs. 44.5% in the county). In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 7,628 votes here (53.7% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 5,626 votes (39.6% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 698 votes (4.9% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 133 votes (0.9% vs. 1.2%), among the 14,196 ballots cast by the township's 31,081 registered voters, yielding a 45.7% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).

Education

The Evesham Township School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. As of the 2014-15 school year, the district's nine schools had an enrollment of 6,825 students and 354.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 19.2:1. Schools in the district (with 2014-15 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Helen L. Beeler Elementary School (453 students; in grades K-5), Frances S. DeMasi Elementary School (292; K-5), Florence V. Evans Elementary School (491; K-5), Robert B. Jaggard Elementary School (422; K-5), Marlton Elementary School (438; K-5), Richard L. Rice Elementary School (482; PreK-5), J. Harold Van Zant Elementary School (375; K-5), Frances S. DeMasi Middle School (782; 6-8) and Marlton Middle School (813; 6-8).

Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Cherokee High School, which opened a 210,000-square-foot (20,000 m²) addition in September 2001. As of the 2014-15 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 2,205 students and 181.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.2:1. The high school is part of the Lenape Regional High School District, which also serves students from Medford Lakes, Medford Township, Mount Laurel Township, Shamong Township, Southampton Township, Tabernacle Township and Woodland Township.

Students from Evesham Township, and from all of Burlington County, are eligible to attend the Burlington County Institute of Technology, a countywide public school district that serves the vocational and technical education needs of students at the high school and post-secondary level at its campuses in Medford and Westampton Township.

Private schools include St. Joan of Arc School, a Catholic school established in 1965, serving students in preschool through eighth grade. The school operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton.

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 183.43 miles (295.20 km) of roadways, of which 159.35 miles (256.45 km) were maintained by the municipality, 15.28 miles (24.59 km) by Burlington County and 8.80 miles (14.16 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The Marlton Circle was a traffic circle at the intersection of Route 70 and Route 73. The circle, which had handled 90,000 vehicles a day and had been the site of as many as 175 accidents a year, was completely eliminated in 2011 and replaced by a grade-separated interchange that enables Route 73 to pass over Route 70.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides bus service in the township on the 406 route that runs between Berlin and Philadelphia.

The Atco station, located in Waterford Township just south of the township's border, provides New Jersey Transit train service to the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia and the Atlantic City Rail Terminal in Atlantic City on the Atlantic City Line.

Notable people

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