Brooklawn, New Jersey Explained

Brooklawn, New Jersey
Settlement Type:Borough
Seal Type:logo
Mapsize:250x200px
Image Map1:Census_Bureau_map_of_Brooklawn,_New_Jersey.png
Mapsize1:250x200px
Map Caption1:Census Bureau map of Brooklawn, New Jersey
Pushpin Map:USA New Jersey Camden County#USA New Jersey#USA
Pushpin Label:Brooklawn
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Camden County##Location in New Jersey##Location in the United States
Pushpin Relief:yes
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Camden
Government Type:Borough
Governing Body:Borough Council
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Jerry Granstrom (D, unexpired term ending December 31, 2026)[1]
Leader Title1:Municipal clerk
Leader Name1:Ryan Giles[2]
Established Title:Incorporated
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[3]
Area Total Km2:1.37
Area Land Km2:1.27
Area Water Km2:0.11
Area Total Sq Mi:0.53
Area Land Sq Mi:0.49
Area Water Sq Mi:0.04
Area Water Percent:7.74
Area Rank:546th of 565 in state
32nd of 37 in county[4]
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:1815
Population Rank:493rd of 565 in state
32nd of 37 in county[5]
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Density Sq Mi:3715.7
Population Density Rank:179th of 565 in state
22nd of 37 in county
Population Est:1813
Pop Est As Of:2023
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:−05:00
Timezone Dst:Eastern (EDT)
Utc Offset Dst:−04:00
Elevation Footnotes:[6]
Elevation Ft:20
Coordinates Footnotes:[7]
Coordinates:39.8794°N -75.1204°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP Code
Postal Code:08030[8]
Area Code:856 exchanges: 456, 742, 931, 933[9]
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:3400708170[10] [11]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0885172[12]

Brooklawn is a borough in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,815, a decrease of 140 (−7.2%) from the 2010 census count of 1,955, which in turn reflected a decline of 399 (-16.9%) from the 2,354 counted in the 2000 census.[13]

Brooklawn was incorporated as a borough on March 11, 1924, from portions of the now-defunct Centre Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 5, 1924. The borough was reincorporated on March 23, 1926.[14] The borough's name is derived from its location and setting.[15]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.53 square miles (1.37 km2), including 0.49 square miles (1.27 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.11 km2) of water (7.74%).[4]

The borough borders the municipalities of Bellmawr, Gloucester City, and Mount Ephraim in Camden County and Westville in Gloucester County.[16] [17] [18]

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 1,955 people, 759 households, and 516 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 806 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 87.88% (1,718) White, 5.32% (104) Black or African American, 0.10% (2) Native American, 2.20% (43) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 2.05% (40) from other races, and 2.46% (48) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.29% (123) of the population.

Of the 759 households, 30.8% had children under the age of 18; 43.0% were married couples living together; 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.0% were non-families. Of all households, 24.8% were made up of individuals and 8.2% 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 3.08.

23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $58,488 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,776) and the median family income was $62,390 (+/− $8,247). Males had a median income of $44,612 (+/− $6,912) versus $32,092 (+/− $20,049) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,154 (+/− $2,724). No families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.[19]

2000 census

As of the 2000 U.S. census, there were 2,354 people, 961 households, and 600 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5003.4sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 1,025 housing units at an average density of 2178.6sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the borough was 90.27% White, 4.29% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 2.38% from other races, and 1.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.72% of the population.[20] [21]

There were 961 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.09.[20] [21]

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.[20] [21]

The median income for a household in the borough was $39,600, and the median income for a family was $47,891. Males had a median income of $36,190 versus $26,591 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,295. About 6.1% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.[20] [21]

Government

Local representation

Brooklawn is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[22] The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[23] The borough form of government used by Bellmawr is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[24] [25]

, the mayor of the Borough of Brooklawn is Democrat Jerry "Skip" Granstrom, who was appointed to serve a term of office ending December 31, 2026. Members of the Brooklawn Borough Council are Council President Colin MacAdams (D, 2026), John Clotworthy (D, 2025), Bruce Darrow (D, 2025; appointed to an unexpired term of office), Christina Houchins (D, 2026; appointed to serve an unexpired term of office), Patricia McConnell (D, 2024) and Stacey Ostrom (D, 2024; elected to serve an unexpired term).[26] [27] [28] [29] [30]

In March 2024, councilmember Jerry Granstrom was chosen to serve as mayor, filling the vacant seat expiring December 2026 that had been held by Julie McCleary.[31] The next month, Bruce Darrow was appointed to fill the term expiring in December 2025 that had been held by Patrick Moses until he resigned from office.[32] Christina Houchins was appointed to fill the council seat expiring on December 2026 that became vacant when Jerry Granstrom took office as mayor. Granstrom, Darrow and Houchins wiill serve on an interim basis until the November 2024 general election, when voters will select candidates to serve the balance of all three terms.

In January 2023, the borough council selected Stacey Ostrom from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Julie McCleary until she stepped down from her seat on the council to take office as mayor.[33]

In September 2012, Patrick MacAdams was selected by the borough council from among a list of three prospective candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the unexpired seat of Rickie Boulden, who had resigned from office in June 2012.[34]

Federal, state and county representation

Brooklawn is located in the 1st Congressional District[35] and is part of New Jersey's 5th state legislative district.[36] [37] [38]

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 1,203 registered voters in Brooklawn, of which 512 (42.6% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 158 (13.1% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 532 (44.2% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.[39] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 61.5% (vs. 57.1% in Camden County) were registered to vote, including 80.3% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).[39] [40]

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 542 votes (65.9% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 266 votes (32.3% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates with 9 votes (1.1% vs. 0.9%), among the 823 ballots cast by the borough's 1,326 registered voters, for a turnout of 62.1% (vs. 70.4% in Camden County).[41] [42] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 522 votes (59.1% vs. 66.2% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 329 votes (37.3% vs. 30.7%) and other candidates with 14 votes (1.6% vs. 1.1%), among the 883 ballots cast by the borough's 1,249 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.7% (vs. 71.4% in Camden County).[43] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 562 votes (61.5% vs. 61.7% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 330 votes (36.1% vs. 36.4%) and other candidates with 12 votes (1.3% vs. 0.8%), among the 914 ballots cast by the borough's 1,211 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.5% (vs. 71.3% in the whole county).[44]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 57.4% of the vote (263 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 40.0% (183 votes), and other candidates with 2.6% (12 votes), among the 472 ballots cast by the borough's 1,334 registered voters (14 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 35.4%.[45] [46] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 242 ballots cast (46.4% vs. 53.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 221 votes (42.3% vs. 38.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 35 votes (6.7% vs. 4.5%) and other candidates with 15 votes (2.9% vs. 1.1%), among the 522 ballots cast by the borough's 1,213 registered voters, yielding a 43.0% turnout (vs. 40.8% in the county).[47]

Education

The Brooklawn Public School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Alice Costello School.[48] [49] As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 286 students and 29.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.7:1.[50]

For ninth through twelfth grades, public school students attend Gloucester City Junior-Senior High School in Gloucester City as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Gloucester City Public Schools.[51] As of the 2020–21 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 587 students and 46.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.6:1.[52]

Students from Brooklawn, and from all of Camden County, are eligible to attend the Camden County Technical Schools, a countywide public school district that serves the vocational and technical education needs of students at the high school and post-secondary level at the Gloucester Township Campus in the Sicklerville section of Gloucester Township or the Pennsauken Camps in Pennsauken Township. Students are accepted based on district admission standards and costs of attendance and transportation are covered by the home district of each student.[53]

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Camden County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[54]

U.S. Route 130 is the main highway serving Brooklawn. Additionally, Route 47 reaches its northern terminus in the borough. County Route 551 is the main county road serving Brooklawn.

Public transportation

NJ Transit bus service is available between the borough and Philadelphia on routes 401 (from Salem), 402 (from Pennsville Township), 408 (from Millville), 410 (from Bridgeton), and 412 (from Sewell).[55] [56]

Public safety

Brooklawn is protected by its own police force of approximately eight sworn police officers.[57] Brooklawn also has its own fire company that serves the community with approximately six certified firefighters and eight junior firefighters.[58] The fire company operates two Class A pumpers, a brush truck, a mobile cascade system, a special operations trailer, three boats, two antique fire engines (one of which is non-operational), and a command vehicle. Also housed in the borough-owned buildings are two canteen units used to deliver food to fire scenes that belong to the Camden County Fireman's Association. The fire company operates out of three buildings, of which two are located on the east side of town and one on the west side Brooklawn. The borough has entered a shared service agreement with the Borough of Bellmawr to provide ambulance service for Brooklawn, after shutting down the borough's volunteer ambulance due to lack of attendance on calls.[59]

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.state.nj.us/dca/home/2023mayors.pdf 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory
  2. https://brooklawn-nj.com/departments/municipal-clerk-finance/ Municipal Clerk/Finance
  3. Web site: ArcGIS REST Services Directory. United States Census Bureau. October 11, 2022.
  4. https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_cousubs_34.txt 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places
  5. https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/dmograph/est/mcd/density.xlsx Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021
  6. , Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 4, 2013.
  7. https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990
  8. http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=brooklawn&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Brooklawn, NJ
  9. http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCounty=Camden&frmCity=Brooklawn Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Brooklawn, NJ
  10. https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website
  11. https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey
  12. http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names
  13. https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2010/2010data/table7cm.xls Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010
  14. Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 103. Accessed October 25, 2012.
  15. Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed November 10, 2015.
  16. https://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/1010590/touches.html Areas touching Berlin
  17. https://www.dvrpc.org/Mapping/Maps/pdf/Camden_MCDs.pdf Municipalities within Camden County, NJ
  18. https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries
  19. https://archive.today/20200212085341/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3400708170 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Brooklawn borough, Camden County, New Jersey
  20. http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/1603408170.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Brooklawn borough, New Jersey
  21. https://archive.today/20200212095023/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3400708170 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Brooklawn borough, Camden County, New Jersey
  22. https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey
  23. 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 28.
  24. Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014.
  25. https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=6 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"
  26. https://brooklawn-nj.com/your-government/mayor-and-council/ Mayor & Council
  27. https://brooklawn-nj.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-Budget.pdf 2024 Municipal Data Sheet
  28. https://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/elections/general2023/2023_General_Election_Canvasser.pdf Official Election Results 2023 General Election November 7, 2023
  29. https://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/elections/general2022/2022-General-Election-Canvasser.pdf Official Election Results 2022 General Election November 8, 2022
  30. https://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/elections/general2021/2021-General-Election-Canvasser.pdf 2021 General Election November 2, 2021 Official Election Results
  31. https://brooklawn-nj.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/March-2024-minutes.pdf Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes for March 18, 2024
  32. https://brooklawn-nj.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Public-meeting-April-meeting-2024.pdf Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes for April 16, 2024
  33. https://brooklawn-nj.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/January-meeting-minutes.pdf Borough Council Public Meeting Minutes for January 17, 2023
  34. Martino, Sara. "Brooklawn Boro Swears In New Councilman Patrick MacAdams", Gloucester City News, September 6, 2012. Accessed December 31, 2013. "Brooklawn Mayor Theresa Branella gave the oath of office to Patrick MacAdams as his wife, Brittany, held the Bible, during last week's Borough Council meeting.... He is replacing former Councilwoman Rickie Boulden, who had resigned in June due to personal reasons, and will be on the ballot in the November General Election for the unexpired term."
  35. https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report
  36. https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District
  37. https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf 2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government
  38. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#5 Districts by Number for 2011-2020
  39. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-camden-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Camden
  40. https://www.census.gov GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey
  41. http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-presidential-camden.pdf Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Camden County
  42. http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-camden.pdf Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Camden County
  43. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-camden.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Camden County
  44. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_camden_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Camden County
  45. Web site: Governor - Camden County . January 29, 2014 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  46. Web site: Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Camden County. January 29, 2014 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  47. http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-camden.pdf 2009 Governor: Camden County
  48. https://www.alicecostello.com/ourpages/auto/2018/11/20/37367037/Brooklawn%200000%20Bylaws%20Updated%203_19_19.pdf#page=8 Brooklawn Board of Education Bylaws 0110 - Identification
  49. https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/07/0580 School Performance Reports for the Brooklawn Public School District
  50. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3402370&DistrictID=3402370 District information for Brooklawn Public School District
  51. Graham, Kristen A. "Brooklawn Considers Finding New District For High School Pupils", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 16, 2001. Accessed July 1, 2011. "The tiny Brooklawn system, comprising just over 300 students and one school, sends about 80 ninth through 12th graders to the neighboring Gloucester City district, which has more than 2,000 students and four schools."
  52. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3406000&ID=340600001494 School data for Gloucester City Jr. Sr. High School
  53. http://www.ccts.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=260487&type=d About Camden County Technical Schools
  54. http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Camden.pdf Camden County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction
  55. https://web.archive.org/web/20100128125150/http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BusRoutesCamdenCountyTo Camden County Bus / Rail Connections
  56. http://www.driveless.com/pdfs/SJTG_PDF.pdf#page=3 South Jersey Transit Guide
  57. http://www.brooklawn-nj.com/police_department Police Department
  58. http://www.brooklawn-nj.com/fire_deparment Fire Department
  59. http://www.brooklawn-nj.com/ems_department EMS Department