Voorhees Township, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Voorhees Township, New Jersey
settlement_type = Township
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

---

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Voorhees highlighted in Camden County


mapsize1 = 250x200px
map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Voorhees Township, New Jersey

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Camden
government_footnotes =
government_type = Township (New Jersey)
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Michael R. Mignogna
leader_title1 = Administrator
leader_name1 = Lawrence Spellman
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = March 1, 1899

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 30.1
area_land_km2 = 30.1
area_water_km2 = 0.1
area_total_sq_mi = 11.6
area_land_sq_mi = 11.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_total = 29391
population_density_km2 = 935.9
population_density_sq_mi = 2424.0

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|882153|Township of Voorhees, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed January 4, 2008.]
elevation_m = 41
elevation_ft = 135
latd = 39 |latm = 51 |lats = 7 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 57 |longs = 41 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 08043
area_code = 856
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-76220GR|2 [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0882153GR|3
website = http://voorheesnj.com
footnotes =

Voorhees Township is a township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 28,126. Voorhees is a New Jersey suburb in the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area.

Voorhees Township was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 1, 1899, from portions of Waterford Township. Portions of the township were taken on March 8, 1924, to form Gibbsboro."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 109.]

The township is named after Foster MacGowan Voorhees, the Governor of New Jersey who authorized its creation. [http://voorheesnj.com/content/history/ History of Voorhees] , accessed May 8, 2007. "Over the years six "neighborhood" communities took root; Ashland, Glendale, Kirkwood, Kresson, Osage and Gibbsboro. Residents held strong loyalties to these sections of town, rather than to the town itself. One result of this divisive attitude was Gibbsboro’s secession from Voorhees in 1924.... Since Governor Foster McGowan Voorhees granted the request, the township was named in his honor."]

The area comprises the Ashland, Kirkwood, Kresson, Glendale, and Osage sections. Voorhees is largely a bedroom community, with many of its residents commuting to Cherry Hill or Philadelphia for work.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 11.6 square miles (30.1 km²), of which, 11.6 square miles (30.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.26%) is water.

Echelon is a census-designated place in the western part of the township between Cherry Hill and Gibbsboro.

Voorhees borders the Camden County communities of Berlin Township, Cherry Hill, Gibbsboro, Lindenwold, and Somerdale. To the east is Evesham Township in Burlington County.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1930= 1405
1940= 1450
1950= 1823
1960= 3784
1970= 6214
1980= 12919
1990= 24559
2000= 28126
estimate=29391
estyear=2006
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US3471220&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C16000US3471220&_street=&_county=voorhees&_cityTown=voorhees&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Voorhees Township] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 8, 2007.]
footnote=Population 1930 - 1990 [ [http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] , Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 28,126 people, 10,489 households, and 7,069 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,424.0 people per square mile (936.2/km²). There were 11,084 housing units at an average density of 955.2/sq mi (368.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 78.26% White, 8.00% African American, 0.14% Native American, 11.44% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.47% of the population.

There were 10,489 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the township the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $68,402, and the median income for a family was $86,873. Males had a median income of $58,484 versus $38,897 for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,635. About 3.7% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

The Township of Voorhees is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government by a five-member Township Committee. Members are elected at large in partisan elections to three-year terms in office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. ["2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 33.] The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are chosen by the Township Committee from among its members during the Reorganization meeting each January.

The current mayor is Michael R. Mignogna (D). Other members of the Voorhees Township Committee are Deputy Mayor Mario DiNatale, Joseph C. Lovallo II, Dean T. Mazurek and Harry A. Platt. [http://voorheesnj.com/content/commembers/ 2008 Committee Members] , Voorhees Township. Accessed May 20, 2008.]

Federal, state and county representation

Voorhees Township is in the First Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 6th Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 65. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Education

Students in Kindergarten through eighth grade attend the Voorhees Township Public Schools. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3416830 Data for the Voorhees Township Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed may 20, 2008.] ) are four elementary schools serving grades Kindergarten through fifth grade — [http://www.voorhees.k12.nj.us/ethamiltons/site/default.asp Edward T. Hamilton Elementary School] (571 students), [http://www.voorhees.k12.nj.us/kressons/site/default.asp Kresson Elementary School] (470), [http://www.voorhees.k12.nj.us/osages/site/default.asp Osage Elementary School] (632), and [http://www.voorhees.k12.nj.us/signalhills/site/default.asp Signal Hill Elementary School] (552) — and [http://www.voorhees.k12.nj.us/voorheesms/site/default.asp Voorhees Middle School] with 1,184 students in grades 6 - 8.

Public school students in grades 9 - 12 attend the Eastern Camden County Regional High School District, a limited-purpose, public regional school district. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3404380 Data for the Eastern Camden County Regional High School District] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 20, 2008.] ) are
Eastern Intermediate High School with 1,135 students for grades 9 and 10, and
Eastern High School with 1,099 students for grades 11 and 12. The schools serve a combined population of approximately 37,000 in the communities of Berlin Borough, Gibbsboro and Voorhees Township. Both schools are located on the same site, but operate independently. [ [http://education.state.nj.us/rc/rc07/narrative/07/1255/07-1255-050.html Eastern Senior High School 2007 Report Card Narrative] , New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed May 19, 2008. "Our district is a limited purpose, public, regional system consisting of two schools: Eastern Intermediate High School (grades 9 and 10) and Eastern Senior High School (grades 11 and 12), located on the same site. Our student population is multicultural and reflects the diversity of the three communities it serves: Berlin Borough, Gibbsboro and Voorhees Township."]

Transportation

The only major highway that passes through Voorhees is Route 73. Interstate 295 and Route 70 provide access to nearby Philadelphia via Cherry Hill. Exit 32 of Interstate 295 is partially signed for Voorhees, though motorists can also use exits 29A (U.S. Route 30/Berlin), 31 (Woodcrest Station) or 36 (Route 73) to access parts of the township.

One station on the PATCO High-Speed rail system, Ashland, is located within township limits, but the Woodcrest and Lindenwold stations are also easily accessible to many residents.

New Jersey Transit bus service is offered on the 403 to Philadelphia, with local service provided by the 451 and 459 routes. [ [http://www.njtransit.com/sf_tp_rc_camden.shtml Camden County Bus/Rail Connections] , New Jersey Transit. Accessed June 21, 2007.]

Corporate residents

New Jersey American Water, based in Voorhees Township, is the largest water utility in New Jersey, serving over two million people in 176 communities throughout the state. New Jersey American Water is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Water.

ports

Vorhees is noted to be the home of the Skate Zone, a training facility for the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL and it's AHL affiliate Philadelphia Phantoms. Current and former players of either team often become residents of Voorhees.

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Voorhees Township include:
*Ron Anderson (born 1958), played on several NBA teams, as well as in Europe.Fact|date=July 2008
*Hank Baskett (born 1982), wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles
*Barrett Brooks (born 1972), offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers. [Domowitch, Paul. [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_docid=11A567C6B33B6EC8&p_docnum=3&p_queryname=NaN&p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated4&p_nbid=M57A57KOMTE4NTg0NzQ0OS4yODY4NjU6MTo3OnJhLTE4ODg "Former Eagle Brooks in super situation with Steelers"] , "Philadelphia Daily News', February 3, 2006. Accessed August 8, 2007. "Brooks still lives in the Philadelphia area. He and his family live in Voorhees, N.J."]
*Jeff Carter (born 1985), plays on the Philadelphia Flyers.Fact|date=July 2008
*Sarah Chang (born 1980), violinist. [Baxter, Robert. "Chang forced to cancel appearance", "Courier-Post", March 2, 2000. "Violinist Sarah Chang barely returned from a brief European tour last week when she joined her parents on a flight to Korea to be with her ill grandmother. Chang, who lives in Voorhees, was forced to cancel her Sunday concert with the Cherry Hill Orchestra at the Garden State Racetrack Pavilion."]
*Brian Dawkins (born 1973), plays on the Philadelphia Eagles.Fact|date=July 2008
*Josh Farro, (born 1987) birthplace for guitarist of pop-punk band Paramore.Fact|date=July 2008
*Zac Farro, (born 1990) birthplace for drummer of pop-punk band Paramore.Fact|date=July 2008
*Simon Gagné (born 1980), plays on the Philadelphia Flyers.Fact|date=July 2008
*Scott Graham (born 1965), former sports broadcaster for the Philadelphia Phillies. [ [http://www.courierpostonline.com/blogs/2006/11/scott-graham-reportedly-out-as.html " Scott Graham reportedly out as Phillies broadcaster"] , "Courier-Post", November 15, 2006, accessed April 29, 2007. "Graham, 41, of Voorhees worked in the Phillies broadcast booth for the last eight years after starting his career with the Phillies in 1991 as a pregame and postgame host on the radio."]
*Louis Greenwald (born 1967), represents the 6th legislative district in the New Jersey General Assembly. [ [http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=8136 Assembly Member Louis D. Greenwald] , Project Vote Smart. Accessed August 8, 2007.]
*Ryan Howard (born 1979), plays with the Philadelphia Phillies.Fact|date=October 2007
*Ron Jaworski (born 1951), formerly played on the Philadelphia Eagles. [ [http://www.leadingauthorities.com/21127/Ron_Jaworski.htm Ron Jaworski speaker profile] , accessed April 29, 2007. "A proud family man, Ron Jaworski currently resides in Voorhees, New Jersey with his wife, Liz."]
*John LeClair (born 1969), played on the Philadelphia Flyers.Fact|date=October 2007
*Eric Lindros (born 1973), former player of the Philadelphia Flyers.Fact|date=October 2007
*Craig MacTavish (born 1958), former NHL hockey player. [Anderson, Dave. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE6DB1739F931A15756C0A963958260 "Sports of The Times; MacT's Muscular Art: The Crucial Face-Off"] , "The New York Times", May 22, 1995. Accessed October 29, 2007. "Despite their age difference, MacTavish and the 22-year-old Lindros are roommates on Flyer road trips, and the Flyer captain often hangs out at the MacTavish home in nearby Voorhees, N.J."]
*Raoul Peck (born 1953), award-winning Haitian filmmaker. [ [http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/film.php?mode=filmmaker&directoryname=lumumba Raoul Peck profile] for the film "Lumumba, accessed March 19, 2007.]
*Todd Pinkston (born 1977), formerly played on the Philadelphia Eagles.Fact|date=October 2007
*Keith Primeau (born 1971), played on the Philadelphia Flyers.Fact|date=October 2007
*Adam Taliaferro (born 1982), played on the Penn State Nittany Lions football team. [Kindred, David. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_35_225/ai_77811455 "One amazing freshman"] , "The Sporting News", August 27th, 2001. Accessed June 2, 2007. "For three months, from October 6 past his 19th birthday on New Year's Day to January 5, Taliaferro underwent rehabilitation therapy at the Magee Rehabilitation Center in Philadelphia, 15 miles from his home in Voorhees, N.J."]
*John Vukovich (1947-2007), former MLB third baseman, best known for his career with the Philadelphia Phillies. [Mandel, Ken. [http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070309&content_id=1835380&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp "Phils pay respect to Vukovich"] , Major League Baseball. Accessed May 20, 2008. ""A private funeral will be held Tuesday near Vukovich's Voorhees, N.J., home, and many members of the Phillies organization are planning to attend by traveling to Philadelphia on a chartered flight."]
*Clarence Weatherspoon (born 1970), played on the Philadelphia 76ers.Fact|date=October 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.voorheesnj.com Voorhees Township official web site]
* [http://www.myvoorhees.com/ Voorhees Community Website]
* [http://www.voorhees.k12.nj.us/ Voorhees Township Public Schools]
*NJReportCard|07|5400|0|Voorhees Township Public Schools
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3416830 Data for the Voorhees Township Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics
* [http://eastern.k12.nj.us/ Eastern Camden County Regional School District]
* [http://www.voorheesnj.com/voorhees/history.asp Detailed history of the township]