Medford 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 24,497, an increase of 1,464 (+6.4%) from the 2010 census count of 23,033, which in turn reflected an increase of 780 (+3.5%) from the 22,253 counted 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.
Medford was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 1, 1847, from portions of Evesham Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. Portions of the township were taken to form Shamong Township (February 19, 1852), Lumberton (March 14, 1860), and Medford Lakes (May 17, 1939).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 98. Accessed May 30, 2024. The township is part of the South Jersey region of the state.
History The area now known as Medford first saw European settlement when Samuel Coles purchased of land in 1670. Shortly thereafter, families such as the Braddock, Prickett, Stratton, Branin, and Wilkins relocated to the area, many of whom have descendants residing in Medford today. Initially known as Upper Evesham, the area gradually developed from scattered homesteads into a small village. Several structures and roads built between the initial land sale and the American Revolutionary War, including Oliphant's Mill, Christopher's Mill, and the Shamong Trail (now Stokes Road), still exist today.
In 1820, the area officially adopted the name Medford of Upper Evesham with the establishment of a post office. This name was proposed by Mark Reeve, a developer who had recently visited Medford, Massachusetts.Tergesen, Anne. "Welcome To Medford's Inexact History Its Signs Say 'Established 1692.' A Little Research Was Enough To Put A Damper On Celebrations.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 3, 1992. Accessed June 21, 2012.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 26, 2015. On March 1, 1847, Medford Township was formally separated from Evesham Township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature. The first township meeting took place at the Cross Roads (now the intersection of County Route 541 and Church Road) on March 9, 1847, which remained the seat of township government for several years. Over time, the boundaries of Medford Township were altered, with portions taken to form Shamong Township in 1852 and Lumberton in 1860. The borders remained unchanged until 1939, when Medford Lakes was incorporated.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 98. Accessed May 30, 2024.
By 1825, a thriving glass-making industry had emerged in Medford, beginning with a furnace that produced window panes. By 1850, William Porter operated a glass factory on a triangular property bordered by South Main Street, Mill Street, and Trimble Street. The factory, which operated under names such as Medford Glass Works and Star Glass throughout the 1880s, employed approximately 250 workers at its peak. It fostered a "company town" atmosphere, providing housing for owners, managers, and workers, as well as a company store where workers could exchange scrip for food and necessities. Glass-making operations ceased around 1925, and the factory was demolished by the mid-1940s. Today, nearly 30 workers' homes are preserved on Trimble Street and Mill Street, along with the owners' and managers' residence at 126 South Main Street and the former company store at 132 South Main Street.Medford Historical Society, Medford: Pioneering Township, 1975, Burlington County College.
Dr. James Still (1812–1882), a self-taught African-American physician known as "the Black Doctor of the Pines," lived and practiced in Medford. Although his home was demolished in 1932, his office building was preserved when the State of New Jersey acquired it in 2006. It now serves as the Dr. James Still Historic Office Site and Education Center.Dr. James Still Historic Office Site and Education Center website
Medford's location along the Camden and Atlantic Railroad facilitated trade and contributed to rapid growth in the years following the American Civil War. By the 1920s, however, the railroad line had been dismantled, and the milling industry began to decline. Despite these changes, Medford continued to grow, largely due to its proximity to Philadelphia and Camden County, attracting families seeking a more rural lifestyle away from urban areas.
Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 39.81 square miles (103.10 km2), including 38.80 square miles (100.49 km2) of land and 1.01 square miles (2.61 km2) of water (2.53%). Unincorporated communities, localities, and place names located partially or completely within the township include Birchwood Lakes, Braddocks Mill, Chairville, Christopher Mills, Crossroads, Fairview, Kirbys Mill, Medford Lakes in the Pines, Melrose, Oak Knoll, Oakanickon, Oliphants Mills, Pipers Corners, Reeves, Taunton, Taunton Lake, and Wilkins.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 12, 2015.
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 27, 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 27, 2013.
Medford Lakes is an independent municipality encircled within the boundaries of Medford, making it half 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 Evesham Township (which includes Marlton), Lumberton, Mount Laurel, Shamong Township, Southampton, Tabernacle in Burlington County; and Waterford Township in Camden County.Areas touching Medford Township, MapIt. Accessed February 27, 2020.Burlington County Map, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed February 27, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
The climate of Medford is classified as humid continental, with cold winters, hot summers, and year-round humidity. Annual precipitation for the area is , and annual snowfall is .
Demographics
2020 census +Medford township, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000Pop 2010% 2000% 2010White alone (NH)21,35321,33021,50695.96%92.61%87.79%Black or African American alone (NH)1653384290.74%1.47%1.75%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)2515140.11%0.07%0.06%Asian alone (NH)3254605821.46%2.00%2.38%Pacific Islander alone (NH)4420.02%0.02%0.01%Other Race alone (NH)1016690.04%0.07%0.28%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)1192707880.53%1.17%3.22%Hispanic or Latino (any race)2526001,1071.13%2.60%4.52%Total22,25323,03324,497100.00%100.00%100.00%
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 23,033 people, 8,277 households, and 6,456 families in the township. The population density was . There were 8,652 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 94.33% (21,726) White, 1.53% (353) Black or African American, 0.16% (36) Native American, 2.03% (467) Asian, 0.03% (6) Pacific Islander, 0.56% (130) from other races, and 1.37% (315) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.60% (600) of the population.
Of the 8,277 households, 36.4% had children under the age of 18; 67.3% were married couples living together; 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 22.0% were non-families. Of all households, 18.1% were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.15.
26.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.3 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $107,883 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,728) and the median family income was $122,986 (+/− $5,037). Males had a median income of $82,169 (+/− $6,188) versus $58,324 (+/− $5,381) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $45,926 (+/− $2,571). About 0.8% of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Medford township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 21, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 U.S. census, there were 22,253 people, 7,946 households, and 6,285 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 8,147 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 96.74% White, 0.76% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.47% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Medford Township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 15, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Medford township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 15, 2013.
There were 7,946 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.9% were non-families. 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the township, the age distribution of the population shows 26.8% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 30.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.