Willingboro Township, New Jersey

Willingboro Township (known from 1959 to 1963 as Levittown and Levittown Township) is a township in Burlington County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is a suburb of Philadelphia and part of the state's South Jersey region. The township, and all of Burlington County, is a part of the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.<ref>New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.</ref>

As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 31,889,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 260 (+0.8%) from the 2010 census count of 31,629,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 1,379 (−4.2%) from the 33,008 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>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.</ref>

The township has British roots going back to the 17th century. Abraham Levitt and Sons purchased and developed Willingboro land in the 1950s and 1960s as a planned community in their Levittown model.<ref>Hester, Tom. "Willingboro: a half-century of suburbia", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 12, 2018, updated April 2, 2019. Accessed October 26, 2019.</ref>

The 1967 book The Levittowners, by sociologist Herbert J. Gans, was a famous case study in American urban sociology based on the development of Levittown.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Willingboro later became a predominantly African American suburb.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

History

File:Millcreek Park, Willingboro.jpg

Lake at Millcreek Park in Willingboro, New Jersey

Willingboro was one of the original nine divisions in the organization of Burlington County within West Jersey, and was originally formed as the "Constabulary of Wellingborrow" on November 6, 1688.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 100. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref> At the time, it included present day Delanco Township, New Jersey. The original name of Wellingborough was after the community in England,<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 31, 2015.</ref> which was the hometown of Thomas Olive, who led the original settlers into what would become Willingboro Township. Other spellings were used at different times.

After the establishment of the United States and the State of New Jersey, the community was formally incorporated as "Willingborough Township", one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships, on February 21, 1798, by the New Jersey Legislature when it enacted "An Act incorporating the Inhabitants of Townships, designating their Powers, and regulating their Meetings", P.L. 1798, p. 289.<ref name=Story/> This makes Willingboro one of the oldest townships in the State. Portions of the township were taken to form Beverly borough (March 5, 1850, now Beverly city) and Beverly Township (March 1, 1859, now known as Delanco Township).<ref name=Story/>

In the 1950s and 1960s, Willingboro was the location for a massive residential development by Levitt & Sons. The town was to be Levitt & Sons' third and largest Levittown development, following similar projects in New York and Pennsylvania. Levitt acquired the great majority of the land in Willingboro; the historic community of Rancocas, in the southeast portion of the township, was annexed to Westampton Township to keep it from being bulldozed, as Levitt wished to keep the development within the boundaries of a single municipality. The first Levittown homes were sold in June 1958, at which time the community was already known as Levittown, New Jersey.<ref name=History>Township History, Township of Willingboro. Accessed August 12, 2013.</ref>

The town's name was changed from the original Willingboro to "Levittown Township" by a referendum of township residents held on November 3, 1959. Willingboro was less than Template:Convert from Levittown, Pennsylvania and this occasionally caused confusion. The community used the name "Levittown, New Jersey" in 1958, and "Levittown Township" from 1959 to 1963.<ref>"Chronology of Willingboro" Template:Webarchive, Willingboro Township. Accessed June 29, 2007.</ref> A referendum held on the issue on November 5, 1963, changed the name back to Willingboro.<ref name=Story/><ref name=Suplee>Suplee, C. (1995). Stories of Willingboro Township, New Jersey. Willingboro: Calkins Newspapers, Inc.</ref> The name change was passed by a narrow margin of 3,123 to 3,003.<ref name=Suplee/> In retaliation, Levitt refused to donate any more schools to the fast-growing community.<ref name=Suplee/> With residential development, the 1950 population of 852 rapidly climbed to 11,861 in 1960; and 43,386 in 1970.

When homes for the new Levittown were first being sold in 1958, Levitt and Sons had a policy against sales to African Americans.<ref name=Anderson>Anderson, Priscilla B. The History and Contribution of Black Americans to the Development of Willingboro, Burlington, New Jersey. Trenton, NJ: New Jersey Historical Commission - Afro-American Division, 1985</ref> W. R. James, an African-American officer in the Army's Criminal Investigation Division, was stationed at nearby Fort Dix and applied to purchase a Levittown home. On June 29, 1958, an agent of Levitt and Sons told him that the new Levittown development would be an all-white community. James filed suit against the company challenging their policy. A friend of his, who worked at the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights, said that it was illegal in New Jersey to discriminate in federally-subsidized housing. At the time, de facto racial segregation in housing existed in many areas in the United States. Levittown was receiving mortgage insurance from the Federal Housing Administration. But as of 1958, the law had not been tested.<ref name=Anderson/>

James sued Levitt in a case that ultimately went to the New Jersey Supreme Court, which upheld lower court rulings in favor of James.<ref name=Suplee/> James was not the first African American to move into Willingboro. Given James' success in his suit, Charles and Vera Williams purchased a house and moved into the community in 1960, the first African-American family in Willingboro.<ref name=Anderson/> James eventually moved into Millbrook Park in 1960.<ref name=Anderson/> He served as head of the local chapter of the NAACP and eventually became a minister. An elementary school in Willingboro was named in his honor.<ref name=History/><ref>Mulford, Kim. "'It was like heaven': Residents recall Levittown; Original owners gather for its 55th anniversary", Courier-Post, October 13, 2013. Accessed October 21, 2013.</ref>

Following the court case, Levitt developed a thorough integration program. The company set up an integration committee headed by Howard Lett, an African American.<ref name=Suplee/> Lett created a five-point program, which included the announcement by community leaders of Levitt's plan to desegregate housing, and a thorough briefing program for Levitt employees, government officials, the police and the press. Lett recommended an attempt to discourage anti-integration activities known as "Operation Hothead".<ref name=Anderson/> Lett created a Human Relations Council to oversee possible disputes in community. James served as a member of that committee.<ref name=Suplee/> The committee tried to solve problems of juvenile delinquency in the township. It opposed a curfew passed by the Township Council in the early 1970s. The curfew was later dropped, but reintroduced later.<ref name=Suplee/>

The African-American population of Willingboro increased throughout the 1960s; by 1964 there were 50 African-American families. By 1970, African Americans represented about 11% of the population.<ref name=Pooley>Beck Pooley, Karen. "The Other Levittown: Race and Place in Willingboro, NJ," The Next American City 2(2003).</ref> During the early 1970s, several homeowners said they were approached by local real estate agents and told that their neighborhood was becoming increasingly African-American and home values could decline if they did not sell quickly; a practice known as blockbusting. While the Human Relations Council could not prove these claims, it made recommendations to help foster better relations between ethnic communities in the township and calm concerns.<ref name=Blockbusting>"Has Blockbusting Come to Willingboro?", Burlington County Times, October 28, 1973.</ref>

The township in 1974 enacted an ordinance that prohibited the posting of "for sale" or "sold" signs on real estate. Proponents of the ordinance alleged the purpose was to maintain integration. Many other communities had enacted similar laws in reaction to the practice of blockbusting in the 1960s and 1970s. The Supreme Court in the 1977 case of Linmark Associates, Inc. v. Willingboro ruled that the ordinance violated the First Amendment protections for free speech, which applied to commercial needs.<ref>Linmark Associates, Inc. v. Township of Willingboro (No. 70-357), Cornell University Law School Legal Information Institute. Accessed August 12, 2013.</ref>

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 8.14 square miles (21.08 km²), including 7.73 square miles (20.01 km²) of land and 0.41 square miles (1.07 km²) of water (5.09%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

The township borders the Burlington County municipalities of Burlington Township, Delanco Township, Delran Township, Edgewater Park Township, Moorestown Township, Mount Laurel Township and Westampton Township.<ref>Areas touching Willingboro Township, MapIt. Accessed March 10, 2020.</ref><ref>Municipalities within Burlington County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 10, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref> Rancocas Creek drains Willingboro and forms its SW boundary while U.S. Route 130 forms its NW boundary.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Bortons Landing, Charleston and Cooperstown.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>

Parks and sections

Willingboro is divided into several sections called parks. Each section's street names begin with the same letter as the corresponding section name. For example, streets in Pennypacker Park all begin with the letter "P".<ref>Friedman, Sally. "Levittown: Home to stay The Willingboro incarnation, now 50 years old, was a keeper. Residents who bought in early tell why they love it still.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 26, 2008. Accessed August 12, 2013. "They got that in a town ultimately divided into 11 'parks,' each with street names that began with the same letter, and offering schools, pools and recreation areas."</ref> This is the case with all parks, excluding Martin's Beach and certain streets in Rittenhouse Park. Some streets that predate Levittown retained their original names, such as Charleston Road.

Originally, each park or section had its own swimming pool for residents' use. Residents' families would receive free swim tags after showing applicable IDs at each section's school or the community office. However, some swimming pools, such as Hawthorne Park, have been inactive for years. Free lessons and other events were focused on these "park" pools during the summer months. By the 1990s, only Pennypacker Park and Country Club Park had operating summer pools. Finally, Country Club Park and Pennypacker Park have been denoted the "community pools" at this time.

The township's parks include:

• Buckingham Park
• Country Club Ridge, laid out in the 1960s around a golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Pennypacker Park
• Millbrook Park
• Martin's Beach
• Deer Park
• Somerset Park (First house was occupied here.<ref>Chronology of Willingboro Template:Webarchive.</ref>)
• Windsor Park
• Garfield Park
• Garfield Park East
• Garfield Park North
• Rittenhouse Park
• Twin Hill Park
• Ironside Court (Non-residential, Public Works Department and some industry.)
• Hawthorne Park
• Fairmount Park

A small, unnamed section of the township uses area code 856. The rest of Willingboro is in area code 609.

Climate

Willingboro has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and average monthly temperatures in the vicinity of Veterans Parkway and Willingboro Parkway range from Template:Convert in January to Template:Convert in July.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The local hardiness zone is 7a.

Demographics

2020 census

Willingboro township, Burlington County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition
Template:Nobold

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref>	Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	% 2010	% 2010	Template:Partial
White alone (NH)	7,560	4,690	3,678	22.90%	14.83%	11.53%
Black or African American alone (NH)	21,616	22,325	21,940	65.49%	70.58%	68.80%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	87	82	81	0.26%	0.26%	0.25%
Asian alone (NH)	553	618	602	1.68%	1.95%	1.89%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	12	10	24	0.04%	0.03%	0.08%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	126	121	295	0.38%	0.38%	0.93%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)	1,056	1,046	1,504	3.20%	3.31%	4.72%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1,998	2,737	3,765	6.05%	8.65%	11.81%
Total	33,008	31,629	31,889	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 31,629 people, 10,884 households, and 8,283 families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 11,442 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 17.31% (5,475) White, 72.74% (23,007) Black or African American, 0.37% (117) Native American, 2.01% (635) Asian, 0.03% (10) Pacific Islander, 3.12% (988) from other races, and 4.42% (1,397) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.65% (2,737) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 10,884 households, 27.3% had children under the age of 18; 49.3% were married couples living together; 21.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.9% were non-families. Of all households, 20.1% were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.32.<ref name=Census2010/>

23.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 85.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 81.2 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $66,479 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,323) and the median family income was $73,968 (+/− $2,888). Males had a median income of $48,323 (+/− $2,553) versus $40,313 (+/− $3,074) for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,989 (+/− $1,048). About 6.9% of families and 8.6% 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.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Willingboro township, Burlington County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 24, 2012.</ref>

Arts and culture

The rap/R&B group City High was established in the township.<ref>City High: Top of their class Template:Webarchive, MTV Music. Accessed January 9, 2011. "And for a young trio from the suburb of Willingboro, New Jersey, who go by the name of City High, those dreams left the rec room and back yard and came true. Big time."</ref><ref>Duhart, Bill. "Willingboro trio lands in Grammy spotlight", Courier-Post, February 27, 2022. Accessed July 5, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "It's a single from the group's debut album, City High. Claudette Ortiz, 20, Robby Pardlo, 22, and Ryan Toby, 24, the group members, are all Willingboro High School graduates. They may be hobnobbing in Tinseltown tonight, but their hearts belong to Willingboro."</ref>

Government

Local government

File:Willingboro.jpg

Willingboro Municipal Complex

Willingboro Township is governed within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Council-Manager form of government (Plan E), enacted by direct petition and implemented as of January 1, 1962.<ref>"The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, July 2007. Accessed October 22, 2013.</ref> The township is one of 42 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The current Council-Manager form of government was adopted by referendum in November 1960 based on the recommendations of a Charter Study Commission. The elections for the first council to operate under the new Council-Manager form of government took place in November 1961, with the new council taking office as of January 1, 1962, under the new form.<ref name=Council/> The Township Council is comprised of five members, who are elected in partisan elections to serve four-year terms in office on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election as part of the November general election during odd-numbered years. At a reorganization held during the first week of January after each election, the council selects a Mayor and Deputy Mayor from among its members.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 38.</ref><ref name=Council/><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 12. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref><ref>Township Code Article II - Township Council, Willingboro Township. Accessed March 10, 2020. "Ordinance. § 3-5 Selection of Mayor. The Mayor shall be elected by a majority vote of all members of the Township Council. The selection of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor shall be made at the annual reorganization meeting of the Township Council."</ref>

Template:As of, the members of the Willingboro Township Council are Mayor Kaya T. McIntosh (D, term on council ends December 31, 2027; term as mayor ends 2025), Deputy Mayor Nathaniel Anderson (D, term on council and as deputy mayor ends 2025), Rebecca Perrone (D, 2025), Samantha E. Whitfield (D, 2027) and Tiffani A. Worthy (D, 2027).<ref name=Council>Township Council, Township of Willingboro. Accessed May 3, 2024. "The Township of Willingboro is governed within the Faulkner Act, under the Council-Manager form of government (Plan E). The five-member Township Council is elected in partisan elections to serve four-year terms in office on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election as part of the November general election during odd-numbered years. At a reorganization held during the first week of January after each election, the council selects a Mayor and Deputy Mayor from among its members."</ref><ref>2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Township of Willingboro. Accessed May 3, 2024.</ref><ref name=Burlington2023>2023 General Election November 7, 2023 Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 30, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Burlington2021>November 2, 2021 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

In July 2017, the council selected Rebecca Perone from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat that had been held by Christopher "Chris" Walker expiring in December 2019 until he resigned from his post as mayor in June 2017.<ref>McHale, Todd. "Rebecca Perrone", Burlington County Times, July 6, 2017. Accessed September 25, 2017. "Willingboro appoints Rebecca Perrone to fill an unexpired term on the Township Council on Wednesday, July 5, 2017."</ref><ref>Hefler, Jan. "N.J. court asked to settle yet another political dispute in Willingboro", The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 27, 2017. Accessed September 25, 2017. "Councilman Chris Walker, who was named mayor by the five-member council in January, is the latest casualty. He resigned abruptly last month, opening the door for Harry Walker — they are not related — to go to court to lay claim to his seat.... After Chris Walker's resignation, the town's Democratic committee chose Rebecca Perrone to fill the council vacancy."</ref>

The township council appointed Chris Walker in October 2013 to fill the vacant seat of Ken Gordon, after a New Jersey Superior Court judge ruled that Gordon's seat was vacant based on his having missed a series of council meetings. Eddie Campbell was named to fill Gordon's former position as deputy mayor.<ref>Krebs, Rose. "Willingboro appoints new council member, names deputy mayor", Burlington County Times, October 3, 2013. Accessed December 2, 2013. "Chris Walker was appointed Tuesday to the Township Council to fill the seat left vacant by former Deputy Mayor Ken Gordon — a seat he was primed to assume in a few months anyway. Last month, a Superior Court judge declared Gordon's seat vacant because of his lack of attendance at recent meetings.... Also Tuesday, the council appointed longtime member and former Mayor Eddie Campbell Jr. to serve as deputy mayor until it reorganizes in January."</ref> Darvis Holley was appointed in April 2014 to fill the vacant seat of Jim Ayrer, who had resigned after serving on the council for 34 years.<ref>Hefler, Jan. "Willingboro primary will likely decide council seat", The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 2, 2014. Accessed August 25, 2014. "A one-year unexpired term became available when longtime Councilman Jim Ayrer resigned last month after 34 years in office.... Mayor Eddie Campbell said Darvis Holley will be sworn in Tuesday to serve on the council for the rest of the year, until an election can be held to determine who will serve the remainder of Ayrer's term."</ref>

Federal, state, and county representation

Willingboro Township is located in the 3rd Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 7th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

Politics

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As of March 2011, there were a total of 20,713 registered voters in Willingboro Township, of which 12,117 (58.5% vs. 33.3% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,268 (6.1% vs. 23.9%) were registered as Republicans and 7,322 (35.3% vs. 42.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 6 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Burlington, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 29, 2014.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 65.5% (vs. 61.7% in Burlington County) were registered to vote, including 85.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.3% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 29, 2014.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 15,635 votes here (91.4% vs. 58.1% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 1,300 votes (7.6% vs. 40.2%) and other candidates with 63 votes (0.4% vs. 1.0%), among the 17,101 ballots cast by the township's 22,031 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.6% (vs. 74.5% in Burlington County).<ref>Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Burlington County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 29, 2014.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Burlington County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 29, 2014.</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 16,104 votes here (90.0% vs. 58.4% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 1,616 votes (9.0% vs. 39.9%) and other candidates with 75 votes (0.4% vs. 1.0%), among the 17,899 ballots cast by the township's 21,755 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.3% (vs. 80.0% in Burlington County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Burlington County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 29, 2014.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 12,226 votes here (81.1% vs. 52.9% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 2,701 votes (17.9% vs. 46.0%) and other candidates with 85 votes (0.6% vs. 0.8%), among the 15,067 ballots cast by the township's 20,197 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.6% (vs. 78.8% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Burlington County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 29, 2014.</ref>

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 6,513 ballots cast (70.6% vs. 35.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 2,453 votes (26.6% vs. 61.4%) and other candidates with 40 votes (0.4% vs. 1.2%), among the 9,227 ballots cast by the township's 21,474 registered voters, yielding a 43.0% turnout (vs. 44.5% in the county).<ref>2013 Governor: Burlington County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 29, 2014.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 5, 2013 General Election Results : Burlington County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 29, 2014.</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 8,235 ballots cast (83.7% vs. 44.5% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 1,296 votes (13.2% vs. 47.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 169 votes (1.7% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 64 votes (0.7% vs. 1.2%), among the 9,837 ballots cast by the township's 21,588 registered voters, yielding a 45.6% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Burlington County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 29, 2014.</ref>

Education

Willingboro Township Public Schools serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.<ref>Willingboro Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Willingboro Township Public Schools. Accessed March 10, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Willingboro Township School District. Composition: The Willingboro Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Willingboro Township."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of nine schools, had an enrollment of 3,456 students and 277.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.5:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Willingboro Public School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Willingboro Township Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are Garfield East Early Childhood Development Center<ref>Garfield East Early Childhood Development Center, Willingboro Township Public Schools. Accessed June 18, 2022.</ref> with 214 students in grades Pre-K–K, J. Cresswell Stuart Early Childhood Development Center<ref>J. Cresswell Stuart Early Childhood Development Center, Willingboro Township Public Schools. Accessed June 18, 2022.</ref> with 305 students in grades Pre-K–K, Hawthorne Elementary School<ref>Hawthorne Elementary School, Willingboro Township Public Schools. Accessed June 18, 2022.</ref> with 352 students in grades 1–4, W.R. James Sr. Elementary School<ref>W.R. James Sr. Elementary School, Willingboro Township Public Schools. Accessed June 18, 2022.</ref> with 353 students in grades 1–4, Twin Hills Elementary School<ref>Twin Hills Elementary School, Willingboro Township Public Schools. Accessed June 18, 2022.</ref> with 321 students in grades 1–4, Levitt Intermediate School<ref>Levitt Intermediate School, Willingboro Township Public Schools. Accessed June 18, 2022.</ref> with 558 students in grades 5–6, Willingboro Memorial Middle School<ref>Willingboro Memorial Middle School, Willingboro Township Public Schools. Accessed June 18, 2022.</ref> with 573 students in grades 7–8, and Willingboro High School<ref>Willingboro High School, Willingboro Township Public Schools. Accessed June 18, 2022.</ref> with 674 students in grades 9–12.<ref>2018-2019 Public School Directory Template:Webarchive, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed June 18, 2022.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Willingboro Public School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 1, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Willingboro Township Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

During the early development of the township, all high school students attended Levittown High School for grades 9–12 (LHS was renamed "Levitt Jr. High School" when the new high school—John F. Kennedy—was opened in 1964). It was the only junior high school, grades 7 through 9, until Memorial Junior High School opened in 1968. The substantial student population at JFK HS required that the school go to split sessions and only was able to house grades 10–12, with the freshmen classes divided between Memorial and Levitt junior high schools. In 1975, Willingboro HS was opened and became the "sister" school, located only about two miles apart—both on JFK Way. Over time student enrollment fell and both middle schools would eventually close. The district shifted the make-up of the school and elementary schools held grades K-7 while the two high schools held grades 8-12. This is the way the township was until JFK HS became a middle school in 1990, leaving Willingboro as the only high school. By this time, the township population fell and Levitt Junior High School was closed to become township offices and storage. Memorial Junior High School would remain open for college classes for Burlington County College. Kennedy Middle School eventually closed and became Kennedy Center, a community center for the performing arts, an additional gym for events, and classrooms for college classes.

The S.W. Bookbinder, J.A. McGinley and Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Schools were closed at the end of the 2005–2006 school year as part of an effort to save about $3.6 million, through the reduction of as many as 100 staff members and class sizes increased as large as 27 at the five remaining elementary schools. The cuts were needed to fill a two-year budget deficit of nearly $10 million.<ref>Coltimore, Edward. "Willingboro district OKs an austere budget The $72 million measure would raise taxes, close schools, cut staff. Voters will decide on April 18.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 29, 2006.Accessed August 25, 2014. "The board voted Saturday to close Martin Luther King Jr., S.W. Bookbinder and J.A. McGinley Elementary Schools on July 1 to save $3.6 million."</ref>

Students from Willingboro Township, and from all of Burlington County, are eligible to attend the Burlington County Institute of Technology, a countywide public school district that serves the vocational and technical education needs of students at the high school and post-secondary level at its campuses in Medford and Westampton Township.<ref>Why Choose BCIT?, Burlington County Institute of Technology. Accessed December 2, 2013.</ref>

The Willingboro Public Library (WPL) is the municipal public library for the community. It first opened in 1960 and operates independently from the Burlington County Library System. Before 2003, the library was housed in the township's municipal building on Salem Road. The current library building is Template:Convert.<ref name="BCT">"Willingboro's Independent Library a grassroots effort.", Burlington County Times, August 31, 2008. p. B1. Print.</ref> and is an anchor for the new Willingboro Town Center on Route 130.

Transportation

File:2018-05-23 16 13 11 View north along U.S. Route 130 (Burlington Pike) just north of the Rancocas Creek on the border of Delanco Township and Willingboro Township in Burlington County, New Jersey.jpg

U.S. Route 130 on the northwest edge of Willingboro

Roads and highways

Template:As of, the township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Burlington County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Burlington County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed December 2, 2013.</ref>

U.S. Route 130 is the main highway serving Willingboro. It straddles the township's borders with Delanco Township and Edgewater Park Township.<ref>U.S. Route 130 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, February 2006. Accessed August 25, 2014.</ref><ref>Burlington County Highway Map, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed February 7, 2023.</ref>

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides bus service on 409 / 417 / 418 routes between Trenton and Philadelphia.<ref>Burlington County Bus/Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of January 28, 2010. Accessed December 2, 2013.</ref><ref>South Jersey Transit Guide Template:Webarchive, Cross County Connection, as of April 1, 2010. Accessed December 2, 2013.</ref>

BurLink bus service is offered on the B1 route (between Beverly and Pemberton) and on the B2 route (between Beverly and Westampton).<ref>BurLINK Bus System, Cross County Connection. Accessed October 26, 2019.</ref>

Academy Bus provides service from Willingboro and at the park-and-ride facility near Exit 5 of the New Jersey Turnpike in Westampton to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and other street service in Midtown Manhattan and to both Jersey City and the Wall Street area in Lower Manhattan.<ref>Willingoro / Westampton to Midtown Manhattan and Port Authority, Academy Bus. Accessed December 2, 2013.</ref><ref>Willingoro / Westampton to Lower Manhattan, Academy Bus. Accessed December 2, 2013.</ref>

Notable people

Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Willingboro Township include: Template:Div col

• Mark Adamo (born 1962), composer and librettist with New York City Opera<ref>Staff. "Composer Mark Adamo, a Willingboro native, is the man behind `Little Women'"Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore, Courier-Post, August 26, 2001. Accessed February 14, 2011.</ref>
• Malik Allen (born 1978), NBA power forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves<ref>Malik Allen, CBS Sports. Accessed April 16, 2008.</ref>
• Priscilla B. Anderson (born 1935), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from the 7th Legislative District from 1992 to 1994 and as mayor of Willingboro<ref>O'Sullivan, Jeannie. "Notable Women of New Jersey honored at The Merion", Burlington County Times, March 23, 2012. Accessed April 20, 2020. "The honorees were New Jersey Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver, D-34th of East Orange, Essex County; Shelley Adler, a Cherry Hill attorney who is running for the 3rd Congressional District seat her late husband, John, had held; Priscilla B. Anderson, who formerly served as a 7th District assemblywoman, Willingboro’s mayor and the Burlington County Bridge Commission’s vice chairwoman..."</ref>
• Tony Bellinger (born 1957), retired professional soccer defender who played in the NASL for the Dallas Tornado<ref>Yannis, Alex. "Tornado Tops Cosmos by 2-1 In a Shootout; Cosmos Are Shot Down, 2-1, By Tornado in a Shootout", The New York Times, April 25, 1977. Accessed November 17, 2018. "That was primarily the result of a good performance by Tony Bellinger, whom Miller signed out of high school in Willingboro, N.J., south of Trenton."</ref>
• T. J. Brennan (born 1989), professional ice hockey defenseman who has played in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs<ref>Wawrow, John. "Sabres select Brennan 31st", Toronto Star, June 23, 2007. Accessed October 31, 2015. "'Once I started, I didn't want to stop,' said Brennan, a Willingboro, N.J. native, of his interest in hockey."</ref>
• Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, healthcare policy official who has been the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services since May 2021<ref>Woolston, George. "Willingboro native becomes first Black woman to lead Medicare and Medicaid services", Burlington County Times, June 2, 2021. Accessed June 21, 2024. "Chiquita Brooks-LaSure was sworn in as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra last week after her nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate."</ref>
• Cardiak (born 1988), music producer for 50 Cent, Rick Ross, Fabolous, Meek Mill and Lloyd Banks<ref>Markman, Rob. "Producer Cardiak Talks '600 Benz': When I produced the track, I was actually thinking of Meek Mill,' Cardiak tells Mixtape Daily.", MTV, May 13, 2011. Accessed May 24, 2012. "In the grand scheme of things, Cardiak is new to the game. But the Willingboro, New Jersey, rap producer has already amassed some major hits."</ref>
• Sean Casey (born 1974), Major League Baseball first baseman for the Boston Red Sox<ref>Stringer, Matt. "Philadelphia: The cradle of baseball" Template:Webarchive, The Temple News, November 20, 2003. Accessed December 3, 2007. "For example, Sean Casey, a lifetime .300 hitter, plays first base for the Cincinnati Reds and hails from Willingboro, NJ."</ref>
• Fannie Lee Chaney (1921–2007), baker who became a civil rights activist following the murder of her son James Chaney in Mississippi in 1964 by the Ku Klux Klan<ref>Martin, Douglas. "Fannie Lee Chaney, 84, Mother of Slain Civil Rights Worker, Is Dead", The New York Times, May 24, 2007. Accessed December 2, 2013. "Fannie Lee Chaney, a $28-a-week bakery worker who became a target of racial hatred herself after her son James Chaney and two other civil rights workers were killed by the Ku Klux Klan in Mississippi during the Freedom Summer of 1964, died on Tuesday in Willingboro, N.J. She was 84."</ref><ref>Pettus, Emily Wagster via Associated Press. "Fannie Lee Chaney, 84, mother of slain civil rights worker", Boston Globe, May 24, 2007. Accessed December 2, 2013. "Her death was announced yesterday by her son, Ben, from her home in Willingboro, N.J."</ref>
• Mike Chioda (born 1964), WWE professional wrestling Referee and Raw Senior Referee<ref>"Chioda Reppin' The Boro", WWE.</ref>
• Ant Clemons (born 1991), singer-songwriter, who released his debut album Happy 2 Be Here in March 2020<ref>Kuperinsky, Amy. "N.J.'s Ant Clemons went from waiting tables to working with Kanye West. Next up: The Grammys.", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, December 18, 2019. Accessed March 30, 2020. "Music was a constant for Clemons while growing up in Willingboro."</ref>
• Lady Bird Cleveland (1926–2015), painter whose work primarily depicts the African-American experience<ref>"Meet the Author: Pat Cleveland", Burlington County Times, October 23, 2016. Accessed April 7, 2024. "Daughter of the noted artist and longtime Willingboro resident Ladybird Strickland, Pat Cleveland was born and raised in Harlem, New York."</ref>
• Tom Davis (born Template:Circa), basketball player best known for his college career at Delaware State University between 1987–88 and 1990–91 in which he had more than 2,200 points and 1,000 rebounds<ref>Hunt, Donald. "Tom Davis Sets Sights On Nba", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 25, 1991. Accessed December 2, 2013. "When Tom Davis was an all-South Jersey basketball star at Willingboro High four years ago, he definitely wanted to play Division I basketball."</ref>
• Gary Dourdan (born 1966), actor best known for playing the character Warrick Brown on the television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation<ref>Rys, Richard. "Exit Interview: Gary Dourdan", Philadelphia magazine, June 8, 2007. Accessed December 2, 2013. "Exit Interview: How old were you when you moved to Willingboro from West Philly? Gary Dourdan: Ten or something. There was nothing in the suburbs but a house to live in."</ref>
• Chuck Faucette (born 1963), former NFL linebacker who played for the San Diego Chargers for two seasons<ref>Jenkins, Sally via The Washington Post. "Faucette, Maryland Linebacker, a Wild but Not Crazy Guy", Los Angeles Times, September 20, 1986. Accessed November 3, 2017. "The son of a steel worker and music teacher from Willingboro, N.J., Faucette was a two-sport blue-chipper out of Willingboro High School who played running back and linebacker for the football team and outfielder for the baseball team, and who also could dabble with guitar, piano, drums and clarinet."</ref>
• William Franklin (1731–1813), last Colonial Governor of New Jersey, son of Benjamin Franklin<ref>"A Short History of Willingboro", Willingboro Township. Accessed August 15, 2007.</ref>
• Vance Gilbert, folk music singer/songwriter<ref>Burns-Fusaro, Nancy. "Friday Night Folk gets 'voice of an angel' with Vance Gilbert", The Westerly Sun, March 26, 2015. Accessed April 23, 2017. "Born and raised in Willingboro, N.J., Gilbert moved to Boston after graduating from Connecticut College."</ref>
• James Green (born 1992), amateur wrestler who won bronze at the 2015 World Wrestling Championships at Men's freestyle 70 kg<ref>James Green, United States Olympic Committee. Accessed August 9, 2016. "Residence: Willingboro, N.J.... As a senior at Willingboro High School, became first wrestler in school history to win state championship after perfect 29-0 season... Closed prep career with 148-8 overall record"</ref>
• Anthony Griggs (born 1960), former NFL linebacker who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns<ref>Staff. "Griggs helps Steelers focus on life's issues", Courier-Post, November 7, 2004. Accessed October 31, 2015. "For Anthony Griggs it's all about giving back. Growing up in Willingboro Griggs excelled in track and field as well as football."</ref>
• Erskine Hawkins (1914–1993), jazz trumpeter and big band leader<ref>Beech, Wendy. "Erskine Hawkins, 79, A Jazz-trumpet Legend", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 15, 1993. Accessed December 2, 2013. "Erskine Hawkins, 79, a trumpet player who was one of the greats of the swing era, died Thursday at his home in Willingboro."</ref>
• Nola Henry (born 1994), professional basketball coach who is an assistant coach for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA<ref>Nola Henry, UMass Minutewomen basketball. Accessed March 28, 2025. "High School: Willingboro. Hometown: Willingboro, N.J."</ref>
• Derrick Hodge (born 1979), bassist, composer, music producer, music director and recording artist<ref>"Hodge Steps Out from the Robert Glasper Experiment With Diverse Debut Live Today To Be Released Aug. 6 On Blue Note Records Featuring Common, Glasper, Alan Hampton & Others", DerrickHodge.com. Accessed March 4, 2016. "Now residing in Los Angeles, Hodge grew up right outside of Philadelphia in Willingboro, N.J."</ref>
• Charles W. Hooper, Lieutenant General in the United States Army who has held the position of Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency since 2017<ref>Krebs, Rose. "Two-star Army general from Willingboro has enjoyed long military career", Burlington County Times, June 11, 2012. Accessed December 1, 2019. "U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Charles Wayne Hooper, a native of Willingboro, has traveled all over the world during his 33-year military career, but he remains a Jersey boy at heart."</ref>
• Barbara Kalik (born 1936), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from the 7th Legislative District from 1978 to 1992 and as mayor of Willingboro<ref>Gansberg, Martin. "Townships Seeking Status To Qualify for U.S. Funds", The New York Times, February 19, 1974. Accessed April 20, 2020. "Mayor Barbara Kalik of Willingboro, one of the communities affected by the classification, declared: 'You are using either Midwestern or 1910 vintage terminology.'"</ref>
• Stephen Kasprzyk (born 1982), rower who represented the United States in the Men's eight event at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London<ref>Williams, Kevin. "New Jersey Olympians Earn Gold At The Summer Games", WKXW, August 13, 2012. Accessed December 2, 2013. "Steve Kasprzyk - Rowing - Willingboro, N.J. - Cinnaminson"</ref>
• Michelle Kosinski (born 1974), journalist who has been a White House correspondent for CNN<ref>Cusack, Bob. "Answer these questions: CNN's Michelle Kosinski", The Hill, March 12, 2014. Accessed October 31, 2015. "Born in: Willingboro, N.J., a suburb of Philadelphia; Grew up in: Cinnaminson, N.J., yet another suburb of Philadelphia"</ref>
• Crystal Langhorne (born 1986), WNBA basketball player drafted in 2008 by the Washington Mystics<ref>Orton, Kathy. "Mystics Draft Langhorne, One of Two Terps Selected", The Washington Post, April 10, 2008. Accessed July 16, 2008. "'I love the area,' said Langhorne, who grew up in Willingboro, N.J."</ref> Won the National Championship in 2006 as a member of the Maryland Terrapins<ref>"Player Bio: Crystal Langhorne." Template:Webarchive, Maryland Terrapins women's basketball. Accessed July 16, 2007. "highest drafted Terrapin, taken with the sixth pick in the first round by the WNBA's Washington Mystics."</ref>

File:CarlLewis.jpg

Carl Lewis

• Carl Lewis (born 1961), United States Olympic track athlete who won ten Olympic medals (9 gold, 1 silver) and was ranked #1 on the Sports Illustrated list of The 50 Greatest New Jersey Sports Figures<ref>The 50 Greatest New Jersey Sports Figures, Sports Illustrated, December 27, 1999.</ref><ref>"Carl Lewis Sweeps Triple In National Championship", The Miami Herald, June 20, 1983. Accessed July 20, 2007. "Lewis, a 21-year-old from Willingboro, N.J., who had won the 100 in 10.27 Saturday night, leaped a remarkable 28 feet 10¼ inches in capturing the long jump and was clocked in an American record 19.75 seconds in the 200 on the final night of the USA- Mobil Outdoor track and field championships."</ref>
• Cleve Lewis (born 1955), retired professional soccer player who was the first African American drafted by the North American Soccer League<ref>Yannis, Alex. "Lewis, a New Jerseyan, Is Drafted by Cosmos", The New York Times, January 24, 1978. Accessed July 11, 2019. "The Cosmos; with Coach Eddie Firmani on hand at the Plaza Hotel, became the first club to draft a black American. He is Cleveland Lewis, a forward from Brandeis University in Massachusetts. Lewis, who found out through a reporter that he had been selected, attended Willingboro High School in New Jersey."</ref>
• Wali Lundy (born 1983), rapper and former football running back who played in the NFL for the Houston Texans<ref>Ewell, Christian. "Looking for direction, a family finds football; Colleges: Towson's Mikal Lundy and his brothers and cousins have used the sport as a refuge from tragedy and danger.College Football", The Baltimore Sun, October 17, 2003. Accessed October 31, 2015. "Brian died of a stroke in 1989, and Joann moved her family from central New Jersey to Willingboro, near Camden. She pressed her sons into sports, hoping for an offsetting influence."</ref>
• Joey Marella (1963–1994), WWE professional wrestling referee, who refereed main event for the indoor attendance record setting match at WrestleMania III between André the Giant versus Hulk Hogan in the Pontiac Silverdome<ref>Staff. "Deaths Elsewhere", The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 8, 1994. Accessed May 24, 2012. "Mr. Marella, a resident of Tampa, Fla., grew up in Willingboro and played baseball at Holy Cross High School, Delran."</ref>
• Marilyn Marshall (1941–2015), R&B singer/musician<ref>McHale, Todd. "Entertainer and Educator supports our youth", Burlington County Times, December 31, 2012. Accessed September 11, 2013. "Marilyn Marshall, a retired teacher and current program director of Hold On To Education, poses in her home in Willingboro on Wednesday afternoon."</ref>
• Tim Marshall, R&B Music Hall of Fame radio host, journalist, educator and humanitarian<ref>Coppock, Kristen. "No strings", Burlington County Times, November 13, 2007. Accessed May 24, 2012. "DJ Tim Marshall, a Willingboro resident who has been providing music for Champps customers since the establishment opened in 1995..."</ref>
• Patrick McFarland (born 1951), former professional basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association for the Denver Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and San Diego Sails<ref>Patrick McFarland, Basketball-Reference.com. Accessed October 31, 2015.</ref>
• Kareem McKenzie (born 1979), National Football League offensive tackle<ref>Eisen, Michael. "Giants Sign OL Kareem McKenzie: Signing is second major addition in two days for Big Blue", new York Giants, March 4, 2005. Accessed May 25, 2007. "McKenzie played only two years of football at Willingboro High School, but was still named an All-America by USA Today. He was All-State and All-Burlington County. McKenzie competed in the discus and shot put on the track team, serving as captain for two seasons."</ref>
• David Miscavige (born 1960), leader of the Church of Scientology<ref>Nark, Jason. "From here to Scientology: Worldwide leader David Miscavige's Philly-area roots", The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 3, 2012. Accessed April 9, 2013. "Miscavige's middle-class Catholic upbringing in Willingboro, N.J., abruptly changed four decades ago when his childhood asthma led the family to another utopian vision - that of L. Ron Hubbard."</ref>
• Gorilla Monsoon (1937–1999), WWE Hall of Fame professional wrestler who is a former president of WWE<ref>Hagenmayer, S. Joseph. "Robert Marella, 62, Wrestler Known As 'Gorilla Monsoon'", The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 7., 1999. Accessed February 27, 2008. "Robert "Gorilla Monsoon" Marella, 62, a professional wrestler whose demeanor in the ring resembled Atilla the Hun's but whose deeds and personality were more akin to those of Santa Claus, died yesterday at his Willingboro home after being ill for the last month."</ref> Monsoon, whose real name was Robert James "Gino" Marella, was the adopted father of Joey Marella.
• Dezman Moses (born 1989), National Football League linebacker with the Green Bay Packers<ref>Dezman Moses Template:Webarchive, Tulane Green Wave football. Accessed December 27, 2012. "High School: Four-year letterman at Willingboro High where he played wide receiver and inside linebacker for coach Nelson Hayspell... Personal: Born Dezman Mirrill Moses on Jan. 4, 1989, in Willingboro, N.J."</ref>
• Kristopher Negron (born 1986), professional baseball utility player who has played for the Cincinnati Reds<ref>Kristopher Negron, Minor League Baseball. Accessed December 2, 2013.</ref>
• Thomas Olive, deputy-governor of West Jersey from 1684 to 1685, who gave the township its name, based on his birthplace of Wellingborough<ref name=History/><ref>Guenther, Alan. "Willingboro revives corridor",

Courier-Post, April 1, 2007. Accessed December 2, 2013. "The town's history dates to 1682, when Thomas Olive became its first colonist and named the town Wellingborough, according to township records."</ref>

• Claudette Ortiz (born 1981), singer and model<ref>Trebay, Guy. "Fashion Diary; The Promotion Tour Known as Fashion Week", The New York Times, March 19, 2002. Accessed December 2, 2013. "'It's about the ignorance,' Steven Stoute, the executive vice president of Interscope Geffen A&M, the record company, explained the other day. Mr. Stoute was referring to Claudette Ortiz, a young singer from Willingboro, N.J., whose group, City High, was nominated for a Grammy Award this year."</ref>

File:Gregory pardlo 1075.JPG

Gregory Pardlo

• Gregory Pardlo (born 1968), poet<ref>Gregory Pardlo, Poetry Foundation. Accessed May 24, 2012. "Gregory Pardlo was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Willingboro, New Jersey."</ref>
• Gervase Peterson (born 1969), contestant on Survivor: Borneo, the first season of the program<ref>"Gervase Gets Booted Off", CBS News, August 3, 2000. Accessed May 25, 2007. "For weeks the buzz, fueled by Internet rumors, was the Willingboro N.J., resident had won the million-dollar prize, even prompting a Philadelphia newspaper to feature Peterson on one of its covers."</ref>
• Shaun Phillips (born 1981), National Football League defensive tackle<ref>Shaun Phillips player profile Template:Webarchive, San Diego Chargers. Accessed July 20, 2007. "Shaun grew up in Willingboro, New Jersey, not far from Giants Stadium where the New York Jets play their home games....all-state, All-South Jersey and all-city at Willingboro High School in Willingboro, New Jersey"</ref>
• Maria Rodriguez-Gregg (born 1981), member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 2014 to 2018, who was the first Republican Hispanic woman to be elected to the New Jersey Legislature<ref>Pizarro, Max. "The PolitickerNJ.com Interview: LD 8 Republican hopeful Maria Rodriguez Gregg", PolitickerNJ, March 28, 2013. Accessed December 2, 2013. "'I want to see more young people get involved,' said the 31-year-old of Puerto Rican descent who grew up in Willingboro and Burlington, whose parents both served in the military, and whose husband is a veteran of the Iraq War due for redeployment."</ref>
• Keith Saunders (born 1984), professional football linebacker who has played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League<ref>Staff. "Bombers Sign Two Defensive Linemen", Our Sports Central, February 27, 2009. Accessed December 2, 2013. "Saunders (6-3, 240, Alabama '08, DOB: Dec. 23, 1984 in Willingboro Township, NJ) is a big-bodied defensive end that was a two-year starter with the Crimson Tide."</ref>
• Craig Schurig (born 1965), football coach and former player who has been the head coach for the Washburn Ichabods football team since the 2002 season<ref>Caywood, Kurt. "Caywood: Can Schurig engineer WU success?", The Topeka Capital-Journal, December 30, 2001. Accessed January 2, 2018. "When he graduated from high school, Schurig went more than halfway across the country, from Willingboro, N.J., to Colorado School of Mines, where he earned a degree in petroleum engineering."</ref>
• Troy Singleton (born 1973), member of the New Jersey Senate from the 7th Legislative District since 2018<ref>Krebs, Rose. "Assemblyman Troy Singleton returns to teach for a day in Willingboro", Burlington County Times, December 21, 2012. Accessed December 2, 2013. "He said the visit to his former school district offered him hands-on experience that he will use in his work on the Assembly's budget and education committees. Singleton is a 1991 graduate of Willingboro High School and a schoolmate of Newman's."</ref><ref>"Singleton Sworn In As Newest Assembly Member", Assemblyman Troy Singleton, November 21, 2011. Accessed December 2, 2013. "Born in Philadelphia, Singleton was raised in Willingboro, NJ, and currently resides in Palmyra with his wife Megan and their three children."</ref>
• LaMont Smith (born 1972), gold medalist at the 1996 Olympic Games in the men's 4x400 meter relay<ref>Green, Joe. "Olympic gold medalist from Willingboro launches foundation to help students" Template:Webarchive, Burlington County Times, April 23, 2015. Accessed March 19, 2018. "LaMont Smith had come a long way from Willingboro High, where he'd won nine state track championships. But among the thousands of voices he heard that day during the 1996 Summer Olympics, he could still make out that of his high school coach.... 'I'm proud to be from Willingboro ... and I just want to do my part,' Smith said."</ref>
• Mark Tatulli (born 1963), syndicated comic strip cartoonist and children's book author<ref>Nazareno, Analisa. "Cartoonist Spirited On By Lifelong Yen To Draw Mark Tatulli's Angelic Comic Strip, Bent Halos, Now Runs In 12 Papers.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 14, 1996. Accessed September 20, 2016. "Growing up in Willingboro, cartoonist Mark Tatulli was no angel, no devil, just a sharp-witted kid who had his hands in everything - like Mort and Harold, the devilish angels in his syndicated comic strip, Bent Halos."</ref>
• Ryan Toby (born 1976), soul singer, songwriter, producer, and actor best known for playing Wesley Glen Ahmal James in the 1993 film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit<ref>Lowe, Herbert. "Standing Tall, In And Out Of Character Ryan Toby, 17, Wants The World To Judge Him 'Not By My Money, Not By My Status.'", The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 26, 1994. Accessed October 31, 2015. "'Honestly,' said Toby, dressed in jeans and a white crewneck sweater in his parents' living room in Willingboro, 'I think he (Ahmal) just started wanting to know more about his heritage and... was rebellious in that 'I'm going to do something different than what my friends are doing.'... A student at Willingboro High School, Toby began his singing in school and church choirs."</ref>
• Jimmy Valiant (born 1942), WWE Hall of Fame professional wrestler<ref>"Wrestler Of The Week 'The Boogie Woogie Man' Jimmy Valiant", Wrestling News Center, February 15, 2009. Accessed October 31, 2015. "Jimmy Valiant was born in Franklin County, Tennessee. He later moved to Willingboro, New Jersey, hometown of WWE Hall of Fame professional wrestler Gorilla Monsoon, WWE referees Joey Marella and Mike Chioda, and Olympian Carl Lewis."</ref>
• Peter Vermes (born 1966), former professional soccer player who has been the head coach of Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer<ref>Tannewald, Jonathan. "Willingboro native Peter Vermes has the soccer world on his doorstep", Philly.com, January 12, 2012. Accessed December 2, 2013. "I know that many of you already know a thing or two about Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes. For some of you, one of those things might be that he's a native of Willingboro, N.J., and still has the accent to prove it."</ref>
• Mark Zagunis (born 1993), professional baseball player<ref>Mark Zagunis, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed June 18, 2015.</ref>
• Mike Zombie (born 1992 as William Michael Coleman), record producer and rapper<ref>Davis, Shanice. "Interview: Mike Zombie Talks Working With Drake, ‘Humble Genius,’ & Going Major With The Right Label", Vibe, July 22, 2016. Accessed March 15, 2025. "Sporting a red and white 'New Jerz Natives' hat to match his outfit of the day, the artist is fully conscious of his home base in Willingboro."</ref>

See also

• List of sundown towns in the United States

External links

• Official township website