Pemberton Township is a township in Burlington County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 26,903, a decrease of 1,009 (−3.6%) from the 2010 census count of 27,912, which in turn reflected a decline of 779 (−2.7%) from the 28,691 total in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023. The township, and all of Burlington County, is a part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.

Pemberton was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 10, 1846, from portions of New Hanover Township, Northampton Township (now known as Mount Holly), and Southampton Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Woodland Township on March 7, 1866.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 205. Accessed May 30, 2024. The township is named for James Pemberton, a property owner in the area.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 16, 2015. The township is part of the South Jersey region of the state.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 62.501 square miles (161.875 km2), including 61.284 square miles (158.724 km2) of land and 1.217 square miles (3.151 km2) of water (1.95%).

Browns Mills (with a 2010 population of 11,223,DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Browns Mills CDP, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 28, 2012.), Country Lake Estates (3,943 as of 2010DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Country Lake Estates CDP, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 28, 2012.), Pemberton Heights (2,423 as of 2010DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Pemberton Heights CDP, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 28, 2012.) and Presidential Lakes Estates (2,365 as of 2010DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Presidential Lakes Estates CDP, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 28, 2012.) are census-designated places and are located within Pemberton Township, while Fort Dix (1,765 out of a total population of 7,716 as of 2010DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Fort Dix CDP, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 28, 2012.) is a CDP located in parts of Pemberton Township, New Hanover Township and Springfield Township.GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 30, 2012.

Other unincorporated communities, localities, and places located partially or completely within the township include Birmingham, Browns Mills Junction, Comical Corner, Commercial Corner, Deep Hollow, Earlys Crossing, Hanover Furnace, Lower Mill, Magnolia, Mary Ann Furnace, Mount Misery, New Lisbon, Ong's Hat, South Pemberton Township, Upper Mill, Upton, and Whitesbog.History, Pemberton Township. Accessed May 13, 2020. "Within its sixty four (64) square miles today may be found numerous smaller communities, among them Birmingham, Browns Mills, Magnolia, New Lisbon and Whitesbog."Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

Within the borders of the township lies the independent municipality of Pemberton borough, one of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.DeMarco, Megan. "Voters to decide whether to merge two Princetons into one", The Star-Ledger, November 3, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2017. "There are 22 sets of 'doughnut towns' in New Jersey, those where one town wraps around the other town". Note that following voter approval of the Princeton merger, 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" remain. The township borders Eastampton Township, New Hanover Township, Southampton Township, Springfield Township, Woodland Township and Wrightstown in Burlington County; and Manchester Township and Plumsted Township in Ocean County.Areas touching Pemberton Township, MapIt. Accessed March 2, 2020.Burlington County Map , Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 2, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

The township is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering , that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.The Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Accessed November 29, 2013. 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.Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed November 29, 2013.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 27,912 people, 9,997 households, and 7,078 families in the township. The population density was . There were 10,749 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 67.53% (18,848) White, 20.49% (5,719) Black or African American, 0.37% (104) Native American, 2.89% (806) Asian, 0.13% (37) Pacific Islander, 3.00% (837) from other races, and 5.59% (1,561) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.92% (3,326) of the population.

Of the 9,997 households, 30.6% had children under the age of 18; 48.8% were married couples living together; 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.2% were non-families. Of all households, 23.2% were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.22.

24.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 97.1 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $63,309 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,246) and the median family income was $73,757 (+/− $4,726). Males had a median income of $49,446 (+/− $2,760) versus $38,713 (+/− $3,404) for females. The per capita income for the township was $26,240 (+/− $1,523). About 7.9% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Pemberton township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 29, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 census, there were 28,691 people, 10,050 households, and 7,487 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 10,778 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 66.03% White, 23.12% African American, 0.46% Native American, 3.18% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 2.89% from other races, and 4.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.63% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Pemberton township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 30, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Pemberton township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 30, 2012.

There were 10,050 households, out of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the township, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $47,394, and the median income for a family was $52,860. Males had a median income of $36,572 versus $26,689 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,238. About 6.2% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy Portions of the township are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. Pemberton Township was selected in 1996 as one of a group of seven zones added to participate in the program.Urban Enterprise Zone Tax Questions and Answers, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, May 2009. Accessed October 28, 2019. "The legislation was amended in 1996 to include seven additional zones. They were all predetermined and include East Orange, Guttenberg, Hillside, Irvington, North Bergen, Pemberton and West New York." In addition to other benefits to encourage employment and investment within the UEZ, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate (half of the % rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants.Urban Enterprise Zone Program, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed October 27, 2019. "Businesses participating in the UEZ Program can charge half the standard sales tax rate on certain purchases, currently 3.3125% effective 1/1/2018" Established in May 1996, the township's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in May 2027.Urban Enterprise Zones Effective and Expiration Dates, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed January 8, 2018. Since its inception, more than 180 township businesses have participated, raising nearly $30 million in revenues that have been reinvested into businesses in the UEZ.Urban Enterprise Zone, Pemberton Township. Accessed November 19, 2019. "In Pemberton Township, since the Urban Enterprise Zone's inception, 184 private sector employers have participated in the program and investing $29,243,948 in the participating businesses."

Pemberton Township is home to Deborah Heart and Lung Center, founded in 1922.

Government Local government