Laurel Springs, New Jersey Explained

Laurel Springs, New Jersey
Settlement Type:Borough
Mapsize:250x200px
Image Map1:Census_Bureau_map_of_Laurel_Springs,_New_Jersey.png
Mapsize1:250x200px
Map Caption1:Census Bureau map of Laurel Springs, New Jersey
Pushpin Map:USA New Jersey Camden County#USA New Jersey#USA
Pushpin Label:Laurel Springs
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Camden County##Location in New Jersey##Location in the United States
Pushpin Relief:yes
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Camden
Government Type:Borough
Governing Body:Borough Council
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Thomas A. Barbera (D, term ends December 31, 2023)[1]
Leader Title1:Administrator
Leader Name1:Kenneth J. Cheeseman[2]
Leader Title2:Municipal clerk
Leader Name2:Dawn T. Amadio
Established Title:Incorporated
Established Date:April 2, 1913
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[3]
Area Total Km2:1.19
Area Land Km2:1.17
Area Water Km2:0.02
Area Total Sq Mi:0.46
Area Land Sq Mi:0.45
Area Water Sq Mi:0.01
Area Water Percent:2.17
Area Rank:549th of 565 in state
33rd of 37 in county[4]
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:1978
Population Rank:485th of 565 in state
31st of 37 in county[5]
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Density Sq Mi:4381.5
Population Density Rank:141st of 565 in state
17th of 37 in county
Population Est:1984
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:85
Coordinates Footnotes:[7]
Coordinates:39.8205°N -75.0054°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP Code
Postal Code:08021 – Clementon[8] [9]
Area Code:609 and 856[10]
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:3400739210[11] [12]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0885272[13]

Laurel Springs 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 1,978, an increase of 70 (+3.7%) from the 2010 census count of 1,908, which in turn reflected a decline of 62 (−3.1%) from the 1,970 counted in the 2000 census.[14]

Laurel Springs was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 2, 1913, from portions of Clementon Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 1, 1913.[15] The borough was named for its therapeutic springs situated in laurel groves.[16] [17]

In 2021, the borough had the 11th-highest property tax rate in New Jersey, with an equalized rate of 4.803% in 2020, compared to 3.470% in the county as a whole and a statewide average of 2.279%.[18]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.46 square miles (1.19 km2), including 0.45 square miles (1.17 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.02 km2) of water (2.17%).[4]

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Watsontown.[19]

Laurel Springs borders the Camden County municipalities of Lindenwold and Stratford.[20] [21] [22]

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 1,908 people, 727 households, and 506 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 771 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 92.87% (1,772) White, 3.46% (66) Black or African American, 0.10% (2) Native American, 1.00% (19) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.31% (25) from other races, and 1.26% (24) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.88% (74) of the population.

Of the 727 households, 29.6% had children under the age of 18; 51.3% were married couples living together; 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 30.4% were non-families. Of all households, 25.7% were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.15.

22.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 94.1 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $69,405 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,221) and the median family income was $83,750 (+/− $12,497). Males had a median income of $57,900 (+/− $10,860) versus $49,028 (+/− $11,130) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,139 (+/− $3,021). About 11.4% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.[23]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,970 people, 762 households, and 534 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4213.5sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 806 housing units at an average density of 1723.9sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the borough was 94.37% White, 2.74% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.71% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.62% of the population.[24] [25]

There were 762 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.16.[24] [25]

In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.[24] [25]

The median income for a household in the borough was $52,500, and the median income for a family was $58,854. Males had a median income of $41,349 versus $30,893 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,254. About 1.9% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.[24] [25]

Government

Local government

Laurel Springs 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.[26] 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.[27] The borough form of government used by Laurel Springs 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.[28] [29]

, the mayor of Laurel Springs Borough is Democrat Thomas A. "Tom" Barbera, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Laurel Springs Borough Council are Council President James W. "Jim" Redstreake (R, 2024), Joseph Cruz (D, 2023), Samuel V. Del Pidio (R, 2023), Susan DiGregorio (D, 2024), Sarah Bolam DiMarco (D, 2025) and Marc A. Riondino (D, 2025).[30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35]

Federal, state and county representation

Laurel Springs is located in the 1st Congressional District[36] and is part of New Jersey's 6th state legislative district.[37]

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 1,339 registered voters in Laurel Springs, of which 500 (37.3%) were registered as Democrats, 293 (21.9%) were registered as Republicans and 545 (40.7%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.[38]

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 58.9% of the vote (558 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 39.5% (374 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (15 votes), among the 962 ballots cast by the borough's 1,422 registered voters (15 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 67.7%.[39] [40] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 55.7% of the vote (583 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain, who received around 40.3% (422 votes), with 1,047 ballots cast among the borough's 1,346 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.8%.[41] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 55.6% of the vote (583 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush, who received around 42.9% (450 votes), with 1,048 ballots cast among the borough's 1,328 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 78.9.[42]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 63.5% of the vote (371 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 34.6% (202 votes), and other candidates with 1.9% (11 votes), among the 598 ballots cast by the borough's 1,438 registered voters (14 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.6%.[43] [44] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 45.8% of the vote (324 ballots cast), ahead of both Democrat Jon Corzine with 43.5% (308 votes) and Independent Chris Daggett with 7.2% (51 votes), with 708 ballots cast among the borough's 1,368 registered voters, yielding a 51.8% turnout.[45]

Education

The Laurel Springs School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at Laurel Spring School.[46] As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 177 students and 15.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.5:1.[47]

For seventh and eighth grades, students from Laurel Springs attend Samuel S. Yellin Elementary School in Stratford as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Stratford School District.[48] [49] [50] As of the 2021–22 school year, Yellin School had an enrollment of 484 students and 41.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.7:1.[51]

For ninth grade through twelfth grade, public school students attend Sterling High School, a regional high school district that also serves students from Magnolia, Somerdale and Stratford, along with the sending districts of Hi-Nella and Laurel Springs.[48] [52] [53] The high school is located in Somerdale. As of the 2021–22 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 897 students and 70.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.8:1.[54]

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.[55]

U.S. Route 30 is the main highway serving Laurel Springs.[56] It runs along the northeast side of the borough, connecting it with Lindenwold and Stratford.[57]

Public transportation

NJ Transit offers service between the borough and Atlantic City on the 554 route, with local bus service offered on the 451 and 459 routes.[58] [59]

Notable people

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

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.state.nj.us/dca/home/2023mayors.pdf 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory
  2. https://www.laurelsprings-nj.com/administration Administration
  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 7, 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=laurel%20springs&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Laurel Springs, NJ
  9. http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/njzips.htm Zip Codes
  10. http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCity=Laurel+Springs Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Laurel Springs, NJ
  11. https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website
  12. https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey
  13. http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names
  14. 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
  15. Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 107. Accessed May 29, 2024.
  16. Heavens, Alan J. "Town By Town: A big year for a small Camden County town", The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 1, 2013. Accessed September 2, 2015.
  17. Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 2, 2015.
  18. https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/03/here-are-the-30-nj-towns-with-the-highest-property-tax-rates.html "Here are the 30 N.J. towns with the highest property tax rates"
  19. http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search
  20. https://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/83093/touches.html Areas touching Laurel Springs
  21. https://www.dvrpc.org/Mapping/Maps/pdf/Camden_MCDs.pdf Municipalities within Camden County, NJ
  22. https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries
  23. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3400739210 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Laurel Springs borough, Camden County, New Jersey
  24. http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/1603439210.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Laurel Springs borough, New Jersey
  25. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3400739210 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Laurel Springs borough, Camden County, New Jersey
  26. 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
  27. 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 24.
  28. 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.
  29. 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"
  30. https://www.laurelsprings-nj.com/mayor-and-borough-council Mayor and Borough Council
  31. https://www.laurelsprings-nj.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif4591/f/uploads/0420_certifiedintrobudget_2022.pdf#page=14 2022 Municipal Data Sheet
  32. https://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/elections/general2022/2022-General-Election-Canvasser.pdf Official Election Results 2022 General Election November 8, 2022
  33. https://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/elections/general2021/2021-General-Election-Canvasser.pdf 2021 General Election November 2, 2021 Official Election Results
  34. https://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/elections/general2020/2020-General-Election-Canvasser.pdf 2020 General Election November 3, 2020 Official Election Results
  35. https://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/elections/general2019/results/2019-General-Election-Canvasser.pdf Official Election Results 2019 General Election November 5, 2019
  36. https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report
  37. https://nj1015.com/whats-your-new-nj-legislative-district-20-moved-on-new-map/ Districts by Number for 2023-2031
  38. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-camden-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Camden
  39. Web site: Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Camden County . March 15, 2013 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  40. Web site: Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Camden County. March 15, 2013 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  41. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-camden.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Camden County
  42. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_camden_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Camden County
  43. Web site: Governor - Camden County . January 29, 2014 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  44. 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.
  45. http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-camden.pdf 2009 Governor: Camden County
  46. https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/07/2540 School Performance Reports for the Laurel Springs School District
  47. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3408280&DistrictID=3408280 District information for Laurel Springs School District
  48. https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/1516/07/2540/000.html Laurel Springs Public School District 2016 Report Card Narrative
  49. https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/1516/07/5080/060.html Samuel S. Yellin School 2016 Report Card Narrative
  50. Beerman, William J. "Laurel Springs Considers Transferring Students", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 21, 1989. Accessed October 17, 2013. "The Laurel Springs school board this week continued laying the groundwork for a possible attempt to withdraw Laurel Springs students from the Sterling Regional High School in Somerdale and the Yellin School in Stratford.... Laurel Springs has only one public school, the Laurel Springs School, which houses students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Laurel Springs' seventh and eighth graders go to Yellin."
  51. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3415870&ID=341587001670 School data for Samuel S. Yellin Elementary School
  52. https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/1516/07/5035/050.html Sterling High School 2016 Report Card Narrative
  53. http://www.state.nj.us/education/finance/fp/cafr/search/11/5035.pdf Annual Comprehensive Financial Report For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2011
  54. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3402880&ID=340288001662 School data for Sterling High School
  55. http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Camden.pdf Camden County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction
  56. https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000030__-.pdf#page=5 U.S. Route 30 Straight Line Diagram
  57. https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/gis/maps/Camden.pdf Camden County Highway Map
  58. https://web.archive.org/web/20090522212311/http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BusRoutesCamdenCountyTo Camden County Bus / Rail Connections
  59. http://www.driveless.com/pdfs/SJTG_PDF.pdf#page=3 South Jersey Transit Guide
  60. Sokolic, William H. "This Town Of Tranquility Is Like A Step Back In Time Whitman Spent Summers Here. This Quiet Borough Has Resisted Urban Sprawl And Commercialism.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 11, 1992, backed up by the Internet Archive as of October 17, 2016. Accessed September 17, 2019. "'The springs are considered a fountain of youth,' said Daniel Dalton, the former state senator, who has lived in Laurel Springs for almost nine years."
  61. Staff. "Glimpse into the major league career of South Jersey's Ray Narleski", Courier-Post, April 13, 2000. Accessed June 1, 2015. "'When you're there in the major leagues, you're on top of the world,' said Narleski, 71, now retired and living in Laurel Springs."
  62. Philadelphia Inquirer, February 15, 1921 (Tuesday), "Rupertus--At Laurel Springs, Feb. 14th, Jacob, husband of the late Caroline Rupertus, aged 98 years. Relatives and friends invited to the service, Wed 2 P. M. at the Oliver H. Blair Bldg., 1820 Chestnut st."
  63. 1910 US Census for 'Jacob Rupertus' Clementon (Laurel Springs), Camden, New Jersey
  64. 1920 US Census for 'Jacob Rupertus' Laurel Springs, Camden, New Jersey
  65. https://books.google.com/books?id=h9JLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA595 "Personals"
  66. Sardella, Carlo M. "Laurel Springs Honors Whitman", The New York Times, May 20, 1979. Accessed October 6, 2012. "Laurel Springs - In the early summer of 1876, a prosperous local farmer was disturbed because his poet-friend, Walt Whitman, who lived in nearby Camden, was despairing over a paralytic condition brought on three years before by a mild stroke."