Country United States County Burlington Named for Florence, Italy Local time Monday 7:38 AM Population 10,746 (2000) | State New Jersey Incorporated March 7, 1872 Area 26.36 km² Zip code 08518 | |
 | ||
Area rank 210th of 566 in state
20th of 40 in county Weather -7°C, Wind S at 3 km/h, 55% Humidity | ||
Florence Township is a township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 12,109, reflecting an increase of 1,363 (+12.7%) from the 10,746 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 480 (+4.7%) from the 10,266 counted in the 1990 Census.
Contents
- Map of Florence Township NJ USA
- History
- Geography
- Census 2010
- Census 2000
- Local government
- Federal state and county representation
- Politics
- Education
- Media
- Roads and highways
- Public transportation
- Notable people
- References
Map of Florence Township, NJ, USA
Florence was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 7, 1872, from portions of Mansfield Township. The township was named for Florence, Italy.
History
The Florence City Company, formed in 1849, organized the original layout of lots and streets in Florence. It also oversaw construction of the Florence Hotel and wharf. The Florence Iron Works was established in 1857 along the Delaware River by Richard Jones. It continued as a major force in the economy of the community, especially after ownership was transferred to Richard D. Wood in 1867. The 1900 United States Census reported that a good portion of the workforce was dependent on the foundry.
Florence was soon recognized as an attractive vacation spot with sandy beaches. Visitors could also partake of hydrotherapy offered by a center established about 1872 by Dr. Trall of Philadelphia.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 10.177 square miles (26.30 km2), including 9.780 square miles (25.331 km2) of land and 0.397 square miles (1.029 km2) of water (3.90%).
Florence CDP (with a 2010 Census population of 4,426) and Roebling (3,715) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDPs) located within the township. As of the 2000 Census, the CDP's population was 8,200. Up to and including the 2000 United States Census, the two CDPs had been combined as Florence-Roebling, which had a total population of 8,200 in 2000.
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Bustleton, Dobbins, Florence Station and Hoffner's Tract.
The township borders Bordentown Township, Burlington Township, Mansfield Township, Springfield Township in Burlington County; and Bristol Township, Falls Township and Tullytown across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania.
Census 2010
The 2010 United States Census counted 12,109 people, 4,775 households, and 3,285 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,238.1 per square mile (478.0/km2). The township contained 5,053 housing units at an average density of 516.6 per square mile (199.5/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 78.43% (9,497) White, 12.23% (1,481) Black or African American, 0.19% (23) Native American, 5.04% (610) Asian, 0.06% (7) Pacific Islander, 1.00% (121) from other races, and 3.06% (370) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.76% (576) of the population.
Out of a total of 4,775 households, 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the township, 22.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.0 years. For every 100 females the census counted 92.1 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 89.8 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $75,219 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,776) and the median family income was $88,479 (+/- $5,289). Males had a median income of $54,010 (+/- $3,496) versus $47,707 (+/- $2,587) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $32,871 (+/- $1,737). About 1.4% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 0.0% of those age 65 or over.
Census 2000
As of the 2000 United States Census there were 10,746 people, 4,149 households, and 2,891 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,106.5 people per square mile (427.3/km²). There were 4,391 housing units at an average density of 452.1 per square mile (174.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 85.52% White, 9.74% African American, 0.18% Native American, 2.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.35% of the population.
There were 4,149 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $56,843, and the median income for a family was $67,412. Males had a median income of $45,325 versus $31,215 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,529. About 4.8% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Florence Township is governed within the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law) under Plan F of the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) system of municipal government. implemented based on the recommendations of a Charter Study Commission as of January 1, 1972. The governing body consists of a mayor and a five-member Township Council. Under this form of government the voters participate in partisan elections to choose a Mayor for a four-year term, along two Council members At-Large and one Council members from each of three wards for overlapping terms of four years. The legislative power is vested in the Council and the Executive power is vested in the Mayor. The Mayor appoints a professionally qualified Business Administrator with the advice and consent of Council.
As of 2016, the Mayor of Florence Township is Republican Craig H. Wilkie, whose terms of office ends December 31, 2019. Members of the Florence Township Council are Council President Theodore J. "Ted" Lovenduski (at-large; R, 2019), Council Vice President Paul C. Ostrander (at-large; R, 2019), Frank K. Baldorossi Jr. (Ward 1; D, 2017), Jerry Sandusky (Ward 3; R, 2017) and David Woolston (Ward 2; R, 2017).
The Township Business Administrator is Richard A. Brook and the Township Clerk is Joy M. Weiler.
Federal, state and county representation
Florence Township is located in the 3rd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 7th state legislative district. Prior to the 2010 Census, Florence Township had been part of the 4th 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 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 7th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Diane Allen (R, Edgewater Park Township) and in the General Assembly by Herb Conaway (D, Moorestown) and Troy Singleton (D, Palmyra). 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 7,543 registered voters in Florence Township, of which 2,237 (29.7% vs. 33.3% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,851 (24.5% vs. 23.9%) were registered as Republicans and 3,452 (45.8% vs. 42.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered to other parties. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 62.3% (vs. 61.7% in Burlington County) were registered to vote, including 80.1% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.3% countywide).
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 3,354 votes here (55.7% vs. 58.1% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 2,539 votes (42.2% vs. 40.2%) and other candidates with 80 votes (1.3% vs. 1.0%), among the 6,021 ballots cast by the township's 7,971 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.5% (vs. 74.5% in Burlington County). In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 3,235 votes here (53.8% vs. 58.4% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 2,656 votes (44.2% vs. 39.9%) and other candidates with 73 votes (1.2% vs. 1.0%), among the 6,015 ballots cast by the township's 7,452 registered voters, for a turnout of 80.7% (vs. 80.0% in Burlington County). In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 2,703 votes here (49.7% vs. 52.9% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 2,682 votes (49.3% vs. 46.0%) and other candidates with 32 votes (0.6% vs. 0.8%), among the 5,439 ballots cast by the township's 6,817 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.8% (vs. 78.8% in the whole county).
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 2,651 votes here (63.8% vs. 61.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 1,365 votes (32.9% vs. 35.8%) and other candidates with 46 votes (1.1% vs. 1.2%), among the 4,153 ballots cast by the township's 7,975 registered voters, yielding a 52.1% turnout (vs. 44.5% in the county). In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 2,130 votes here (49.2% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,866 votes (43.1% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 217 votes (5.0% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 52 votes (1.2% vs. 1.2%), among the 4,332 ballots cast by the township's 7,538 registered voters, yielding a 57.5% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).
Education
The Florence Township School District serves public school students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2014-15 school year, the district's three schools had an enrollment of 1,689 students and 124.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.6:1. Schools in the district (with 2014-15 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Roebling Elementary School (grades K-3; 455 students), Riverfront School (4-8; 710) and Florence Township Memorial High School (9-12; 433).
Students from Florence 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.
Media
WIFI, 1460 AM, is a radio station broadcasting out of Florence Township. It has a Christian Contemporary format.
Roads and highways
As of May 2010, the township had a total of 67.24 miles (108.21 km) of roadways, of which 45.31 miles (72.92 km) were maintained by the municipality, 14.11 miles (22.71 km) by Burlington County and 4.52 miles (7.27 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 3.30 miles (5.31 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
Florence hosts a section of the New Jersey Turnpike, which extends from Burlington Township on the west and continues for 3.3 miles (5.3 km) into Mansfield Township.
The section includes Interchange 6A on the Pennsylvania Extension, which had been connected with Cedar Lane at an odd roadway setup (where Cedar Lane overpasses itself) the locals term the "whirlybird" until 1999, when the Authority constructed a double-trumpet interchange at US 130. The 6 toll gate is just east of Exit 6A on the Pennsylvania Extension. Interchange 6 (itself) is located in Mansfield Township.
Other highways and roads in the township include Interstate 295 U.S. Route 130 and County Route 543.
Public transportation
The NJ Transit River Line light rail system offers service in the township at Florence station at U.S. Route 130 and Roebling station at Hornberger Avenue providing southbound service to Camden and the Walter Rand Transportation Center (with transfers available to the PATCO Speedline) and northbound service to the Trenton Rail Station with connections to NJ Transit trains to New York City, SEPTA trains to Philadelphia, and Amtrak trains on the Northeast Corridor.
NJ Transit provides bus service on the 409 route between Trenton and Philadelphia.
BurLink bus service is offered on the B5 route between the Florence light rail station and Haines Industrial Center.
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Florence Township include: