Somerdale, New Jersey Explained

Somerdale, New Jersey
Settlement Type:Borough
Seal Type:logo
Seal Size:200px
Mapsize:250x200px
Image Map1:Census_Bureau_map_of_Somerdale,_New_Jersey.png
Mapsize1:250x200px
Map Caption1:Census Bureau map of Somerdale, New Jersey
Pushpin Map:USA New Jersey Camden County#USA New Jersey#USA
Pushpin Label:Somerdale
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:Gary J. Passanante (D, term ends December 31, 2023)[1]
Leader Title2:Municipal clerk
Leader Name2:Michele D. Miller[2]
Established Title:Incorporated
Established Date:April 23, 1929
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[3]
Area Total Km2:3.61
Area Land Km2:3.61
Area Water Km2:0.00
Area Total Sq Mi:1.39
Area Land Sq Mi:1.39
Area Water Sq Mi:0.00
Area Water Percent:0.00
Area Rank:461st of 565 in state
26th of 37 in county[4]
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:5566
Population Rank:362nd of 565 in state
22nd of 37 in county[5]
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Density Sq Mi:3998.6
Population Density Rank:158th of 565 in state
20th of 37 in county
Population Est:5567
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:39.8454°N -75.0217°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP Code
Postal Code:08083[8] [9]
Area Code:856[10]
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:3400768340[11] [12]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0885396[13]

Somerdale 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 5,566, an increase of 415 (+8.1%) from the 2010 census count of 5,151, which in turn reflected a decline of 41 (−0.8%) from the 5,192 counted in the 2000 census.[14]

Somerdale was created on April 23, 1929, from portions of Clementon Township, one of seven municipalities created from the now-defunct township, and one of five new municipalities created on the same date: Hi-Nella Borough, Lindenwold Borough, Pine Hill Borough, and Pine Valley Borough created on that same date.[15]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Somerdale had a total area of 1.39 square miles (3.61 km2), all of which was land.[4]

Somerdale borders the Camden County municipalities of Cherry Hill, Gloucester Township, Hi-Nella, Lawnside, Lindenwold, Magnolia, Stratford, and Voorhees Township.[16] [17] [18]

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 5,151 people, 2,026 households, and 1,345 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,158 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 68.20% (3,513) White, 18.99% (978) Black or African American, 0.08% (4) Native American, 6.00% (309) Asian, 0.02% (1) Pacific Islander, 3.07% (158) from other races, and 3.65% (188) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.19% (422) of the population.

Of the 2,026 households, 25.3% had children under the age of 18; 47.0% were married couples living together; 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.6% were non-families. Of all households, 27.3% were made up of individuals and 9.9% 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 3.11.

20.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.4 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $60,991 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,116) and the median family income was $71,862 (+/− $7,180). Males had a median income of $46,132 (+/− $3,220) versus $32,287 (+/− $3,698) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,221 (+/− $2,206). About 2.2% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.[19]

2000 census

As of the 2000 U.S. census, there were 5,192 people, 2,068 households, and 1,379 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3778.9sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 2,168 housing units at an average density of 1577.9sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the borough was 75.35% White, 17.66% African American, 0.21% Native American, 3.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.08% from other races, and 2.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.89% of the population.[20] [21]

There were 2,068 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.11.[20] [21]

The population in Somerdale was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.[20] [21]

The median income for a household in the borough was $46,898, and the median income for a family was $54,200. Males had a median income of $37,008 versus $31,237 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $21,259. About 6.4% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.[20] [21]

Government

Local government

Somerdale is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 (of the 564) municipalities in the state, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[22] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the 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, who are 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 Somerdale 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] [26]

, the mayor of Somerdale is Democrat Gary J. Passanante, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Council President George Badey (D, 2024), David A. Alexander (D, 2025), George C. Ehrmann (D, 2024), Barbara Kane (D, 2025), James J. Perry (D, 2023) and Lawrence R. "Larry" Sefchick (D, 2023).[27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32]

Federal, state, and county representation

Somerdale is located in the 1st Congressional District[33] and is part of New Jersey's 6th state legislative district.[34] [35] [36]

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,457 registered voters in Somerdale, of which 1,919 (55.5%) were registered as Democrats, 318 (9.2%) were registered as Republicans and 1,215 (35.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[37]

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 72.4% of the vote (1,718 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 26.8% (635 votes), and other candidates with 0.8% (19 votes), among the 2,383 ballots cast by the borough's 3,747 registered voters (11 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 63.6%.[38] [39] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 68.3% of the vote (1,758 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain, who received around 28.5% (734 votes), with 2,573 ballots cast among the borough's 3,437 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.9%.[40] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 65.2% of the vote (1,653 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush, who received around 33.0% (836 votes), with 2,535 ballots cast among the borough's 3,444 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 73.6.[41]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 49.2% of the vote (606 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 49.1% (604 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (21 votes), among the 1,259 ballots cast by the borough's 3,753 registered voters (28 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 33.5%.[42] [43] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 58.8% of the vote (842 ballots cast), ahead of both Republican Chris Christie with 33.6% (481 votes) and Independent Chris Daggett with 4.8% (69 votes), with 1,433 ballots cast among the borough's 3,469 registered voters, yielding a 41.3% turnout.[44]

Education

Somerdale School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Somerdale Park School.[45] [46] As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 461 students and 44.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.5:1.[47]

For ninth grade through twelfth grade, public school students attend Sterling High School, a regional high school district that also serves students from Magnolia and Stratford, along with the sending districts of Hi-Nella and Laurel Springs.[48] [49] The high school is located in Somerdale. As of the 2020–21 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 912 students and 69.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.2:1.[50] Seats on the district's board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with three seats assigned to Somerdale.[51]

Our Lady of Grace was a K–8 elementary school that operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. As part of the reorganization by the Camden Diocese, Our Lady of Grace School and the associated church were both closed, after a November 2009 announcement from the Camden Diocese that the Somerdale church would be one of three churches that would be closed and combined to create Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Lindenwold.[52]

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.[53]

U.S. Route 30 traverses the borough, from the border with Magnolia to the north and to Stratford to the south.[54] [55]

Public transportation

NJ Transit bus service between the borough and Philadelphia is available on the 403 route (from Turnersville to Camden), with local service available on the 451.[56] [57]

Notable people

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

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.state.nj.us/dca/home/2023mayors.pdf 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory
  2. https://www.somerdale-nj.com/departments/municipal-clerk Borough Clerk
  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 14, 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=somerdale&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Somerdale, 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=Somerdale Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Somerdale, 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. 108. Accessed May 30, 2024.
  16. https://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/1010599/touches.html Areas touching Somerdale
  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. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3400768340 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Somerdale borough, Camden County, New Jersey
  20. http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/1603468340.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Somerdale borough, New Jersey
  21. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3400768340 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Somerdale 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. https://www.somerdale-nj.com/departments/borough-council Borough Council
  25. 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.
  26. 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"
  27. https://somerdale-nj.com/your-government/mayor-council/ Mayor & Council
  28. https://somerdale-nj.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/6126b38525a74b43ede4fdfb_2021-Municipal-Budget-User-Friendly.pdf 2021 Municipal User Friendly Budget
  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://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/elections/general2020/2020-General-Election-Canvasser.pdf 2020 General Election November 3, 2020 Official Election Results
  32. https://www.camdencounty.com/wp-content/elections/general2019/results/2019-General-Election-Canvasser.pdf Official Election Results 2019 General Election November 5, 2019
  33. https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report
  34. https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District
  35. https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf 2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government
  36. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#6 Districts by Number for 2011-2020
  37. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-camden-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Camden
  38. Web site: Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Camden County . March 15, 2013 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  39. 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.
  40. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-camden.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Camden County
  41. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_camden_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Camden County
  42. Web site: Governor - Camden County . January 29, 2014 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  43. 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.
  44. http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-camden.pdf 2009 Governor: Camden County
  45. https://www.straussesmay.com/seportal/Public/DistrictPolicy.aspx?policyid=0110&id=952650e6b9ae40aabadc328a21f9e2f5Somerdale Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification
  46. https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/07/4790 School Performance Reports for the Somerdale School District
  47. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3415000&DistrictID=3415000 District information for Somerdale School District
  48. http://www.nj.gov/education/pr/1415/narrative/07/5035/050.html Sterling High School 2015 Report Card Narrative
  49. 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
  50. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3402880&ID=340288001662 School data for Sterling High School
  51. http://www.sterling.k12.nj.us/District/board_of_education/meet_the_boe Board of Education Members
  52. Staff. "Diocese of Camden Parish Planning Timeline", Catholic Star Herald, November 19, 2009. Accessed July 21, 2013. "November 6, 2009: Bishop Joseph Galante formally decrees that the parishes of Saint Luke (Stratford), St. Lawrence (Lindenwold) and Our Lady of Grace (Somerdale), will merge and the new parish resulting from the merger, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, will be established December 9, 2009."
  53. http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Camden.pdf Camden County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction
  54. https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000030__-.pdf#page=4 U.S. Route 30 Straight Line Diagram
  55. https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/gis/maps/Camden.pdf Camden County Highway Map
  56. https://web.archive.org/web/20090522212311/http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BusRoutesCamdenCountyTo Camden County Bus / Rail Connections
  57. http://www.driveless.com/pdfs/SJTG_PDF.pdf#page=3 South Jersey Transit Guide
  58. http://soapoperadigest.com/jason-cook-bio Jason Cook Bio (Matt, GH)
  59. Goldaper, Sam. "Nets Want Dawkins For Skill, Not Flare", The New York Times, August 29, 1982. Accessed September 22, 2019. "Bob MacKinnon, the Nets' general manager, said he was not sure that Dawkins knew of the trade. 'I sent a telegram to his home in Somerdale, New Jersey,' he said. Somerdale is a Philadelphia suburb, but Dawkins has been visiting members of his family in Orlando, Fla."
  60. http://www.njsportsheroes.com/zacgallenbb.html Zac Gallen
  61. Burgoon, Lauren. "Somerdale's April Holmes to Defend Record at 2012 Paralympics; The 'world's fastest amputee' can't wait for her chance to compete.", CollingswoodPatch, September 1, 2012. Accessed November 11, 2013. "April Holmes of Somerdale, who calls herself 'the world's fastest amputee,' is ready to pad her medal count at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. Holmes, a world-record-holder in the 100, 200 and 400 meters who took gold in the 100 meter at the Beijing Paralympics, will defend her title as well as compete in the 200 meter event."
  62. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0907/where.will.they.be/content.12.html "Where Will They Be?"
  63. Pulley, Brett. "On Politics; A New G.O.P. Face Emerges In a Democratic Stronghold", The New York Times, April 21, 1996. Accessed November 11, 2013. "Sophia A. Nelson, the daughter of lifelong Democrats from Somerdale, has strong ties to the Democratic Party in Camden County."
  64. http://flyers.nhl.com/v2/ext/01%20-%20Publications/2014-15%20Flyers%20Media%20Guide.pdf Philadelphia Flyers 2014-15 Media Guide