Somerdale, New Jersey
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Somerdale is a borough in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 5,566,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 415 (+8.1%) from the 2010 census count of 5,151,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 41 (−0.8%) from the 5,192 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>
Somerdale was created on April 23, 1929, from portions of Clementon Township, one of seven municipalities created from the now-defunct township, and one of five new municipalities created on the same date: Hi-Nella Borough, Lindenwold Borough, Pine Hill Borough, and Pine Valley Borough created on that same date.<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. 108. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref>
Geography
[edit]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Somerdale had a total area of 1.39 square miles (3.61 km2), all of which was land.<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />
Somerdale borders the Camden County municipalities of Cherry Hill, Gloucester Township, Hi-Nella, Lawnside, Lindenwold, Magnolia, Stratford, and Voorhees Township.<ref>Areas touching Somerdale, MapIt. Accessed March 7, 2020.</ref><ref>Municipalities within Camden County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 7, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>
Demographics
[edit]2010 census
[edit]The 2010 United States census counted 5,151 people, 2,026 households, and 1,345 families in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 2,158 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 68.20% (3,513) White, 18.99% (978) Black or African American, 0.08% (4) Native American, 6.00% (309) Asian, 0.02% (1) Pacific Islander, 3.07% (158) from other races, and 3.65% (188) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.19% (422) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 2,026 households, 25.3% had children under the age of 18; 47.0% were married couples living together; 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.6% were non-families. Of all households, 27.3% were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.11.<ref name=Census2010/>
20.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.4 males.<ref name=Census2010/>
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $60,991 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,116) and the median family income was $71,862 (+/− $7,180). Males had a median income of $46,132 (+/− $3,220) versus $32,287 (+/− $3,698) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,221 (+/− $2,206). About 2.2% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Somerdale borough, Camden County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 12, 2012.</ref>
2000 census
[edit]As of the 2000 U.S. census,<ref name="GR2" /> there were 5,192 people, 2,068 households, and 1,379 families residing in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 2,168 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the borough was 75.35% White, 17.66% African American, 0.21% Native American, 3.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.08% from other races, and 2.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.89% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Somerdale borough, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 12, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Somerdale borough, Camden County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 12, 2012.</ref>
There were 2,068 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.11.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
The population in Somerdale was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
The median income for a household in the borough was $46,898, and the median income for a family was $54,200. Males had a median income of $37,008 versus $31,237 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $21,259. About 6.4% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
Government
[edit]Local government
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Somerdale is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 (of the 564) municipalities in the state, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.<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 governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members, who are elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 28.</ref> The borough form of government used by Somerdale is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.<ref>Borough Council, Borough of Somerdale. Accessed September 22, 2019.</ref>February 25, 2025<ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>
Template:As of, the mayor of Somerdale is Democrat Gary J. Passanante, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Council President George Badey (D, 2024), David A. Alexander (D, 2025), George C. Ehrmann (D, 2024), Barbara Kane (D, 2025), James J. Perry (D, 2023) and Lawrence R. "Larry" Sefchick (D, 2023).<ref name=MayorCouncil>Mayor & Council, Borough of Somerdale. Accessed June 8, 2023.</ref><ref>2021 Municipal User Friendly Budget, Borough of Somerdale. Accessed June 8, 2023. As of date accessed, this is the most recent available budget.</ref><ref name=Camden2022>Official Election Results 2022 General Election November 8, 2022, Camden County, New Jersey, as of November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Camden2021>2021 General Election November 2, 2021 Official Election Results, Camden County, New Jersey, update November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref><ref name=Camden2020>2020 General Election November 3, 2020 Official Election Results, Camden County, New Jersey, update November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref><ref name=Camden2019>Official Election Results 2019 General Election November 5, 2019, Camden County, New Jersey, updated November 15, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.</ref>
Federal, state, and county representation
[edit]Somerdale is located in the 1st 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 6th 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>
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Template:NJ Camden County Freeholders
Politics
[edit]As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,457 registered voters in Somerdale, of which 1,919 (55.5%) were registered as Democrats, 318 (9.2%) were registered as Republicans and 1,215 (35.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref>Voter Registration Summary - Camden, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed October 15, 2012.</ref>
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 72.4% of the vote (1,718 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 26.8% (635 votes), and other candidates with 0.8% (19 votes), among the 2,383 ballots cast by the borough's 3,747 registered voters (11 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 63.6%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 68.3% of the vote (1,758 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain, who received around 28.5% (734 votes), with 2,573 ballots cast among the borough's 3,437 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.9%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Camden County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed October 15, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 65.2% of the vote (1,653 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush, who received around 33.0% (836 votes), with 2,535 ballots cast among the borough's 3,444 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 73.6.<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Camden County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed October 15, 2012.</ref>
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In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 49.2% of the vote (606 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 49.1% (604 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (21 votes), among the 1,259 ballots cast by the borough's 3,753 registered voters (28 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 33.5%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 58.8% of the vote (842 ballots cast), ahead of both Republican Chris Christie with 33.6% (481 votes) and Independent Chris Daggett with 4.8% (69 votes), with 1,433 ballots cast among the borough's 3,469 registered voters, yielding a 41.3% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Camden County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed October 15, 2012.</ref>
Education
[edit]Somerdale School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Somerdale Park School.<ref>Somerdale Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Somerdale School District. Accessed November 1, 2024. "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 eight in the Somerdale School District. Composition: The Somerdale School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Somerdale."</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Somerdale School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Somerdale School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 447 students and 43.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.3:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Somerdale School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>
For ninth grade through twelfth grade, public school students attend Sterling High School, a regional high school district that also serves students from Magnolia and Stratford, along with the sending districts of Hi-Nella and Laurel Springs.<ref>Sterling High School 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 2, 2016. "Sterling High School District is a regional district serving Hi Nella, Laurel Springs, Magnolia, Somerdale and Stratford. Sterling is a suburban residential community, approximately 7 miles southeast of Camden, NJ and part of the Philadelphia, PA metropolitan area."</ref><ref>Annual Comprehensive Financial Report For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2011, Sterling High School District. Accessed December 8, 2014. "The purpose of the School District is to provide educational services for resident students in grades 9 through 12 that reside in the Borough's of Magnolia, Somerdale and Stratford. In addition, the School District provides educational services for students in grades 9 through 12 received, on a tuition basis, from the Laurel Springs School District and the Hi-Nella School District."</ref> The high school is located in Somerdale. As of the 2022–23 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 894 students and 70.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.8:1.<ref>School data for Sterling High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> Seats on the district's board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with three seats assigned to Somerdale.<ref>Board of Education Members, Sterling High School. Accessed November 1, 2024.</ref>
Our Lady of Grace was a K–8 elementary school that operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. As part of the reorganization by the Camden Diocese, Our Lady of Grace School and the associated church were both closed, after a November 2009 announcement from the Camden Diocese that the Somerdale church would be one of three churches that would be closed and combined to create Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Lindenwold.<ref>Staff. "Diocese of Camden Parish Planning Timeline", Catholic Star Herald, November 19, 2009. Accessed July 21, 2013. "November 6, 2009: Bishop Joseph Galante formally decrees that the parishes of Saint Luke (Stratford), St. Lawrence (Lindenwold) and Our Lady of Grace (Somerdale), will merge and the new parish resulting from the merger, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, will be established December 9, 2009."</ref>
Transportation
[edit]_just_west_of_Camden_County_Route_678_(Somerdale_Road)_in_Somerdale,_Camden_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
Roads and highways
[edit]Template:As of, the borough had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Camden County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Camden County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 5, 2013.</ref>
U.S. Route 30 traverses the borough, from the border with Magnolia to the north and to Stratford to the south.<ref>U.S. Route 30 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated March 2018. Accessed February 9, 2023.</ref><ref>Camden County Highway Map, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed February 9, 2023.</ref>
Public transportation
[edit]NJ Transit bus service between the borough and Philadelphia is available on the 403 route (from Turnersville to Camden), with local service available on the 451.<ref>Camden County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed October 12, 2012.</ref><ref>South Jersey Transit Guide Template:Webarchive, Cross County Connection, as of April 1, 2010. Accessed November 11, 2013.</ref>
Notable people
[edit]Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Somerdale include:
- Jason Cook (born 1980), television actor and director<ref>Jason Cook Bio (Matt, GH) Template:Webarchive, Soap Opera Digest. Accessed November 11, 2013. "Jason Cook was born in Somerdale, NJ, and moved to California with his family at a young age."</ref>
- Darryl Dawkins (born 1957), former NBA basketball player<ref>Goldaper, Sam. "Nets Want Dawkins For Skill, Not Flare", The New York Times, August 29, 1982. Accessed September 22, 2019. "Bob MacKinnon, the Nets' general manager, said he was not sure that Dawkins knew of the trade. 'I sent a telegram to his home in Somerdale, New Jersey,' he said. Somerdale is a Philadelphia suburb, but Dawkins has been visiting members of his family in Orlando, Fla."</ref>
- Zac Gallen (born 1995), MLB baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks<ref>Zac Gallen, NJ Sports Heroes. Accessed September 22, 2019. "Zachary Peter Gallen was born August 3, 1995 in Somerdale and grew up in Gibbsboro."</ref>
- April Holmes (born 1973), paralympic runner who holds the world records at 100, 200 and 400 meters<ref>Burgoon, Lauren. "Somerdale's April Holmes to Defend Record at 2012 Paralympics; The 'world's fastest amputee' can't wait for her chance to compete.", CollingswoodPatch, September 1, 2012. Accessed November 11, 2013. "April Holmes of Somerdale, who calls herself 'the world's fastest amputee,' is ready to pad her medal count at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. Holmes, a world-record-holder in the 100, 200 and 400 meters who took gold in the 100 meter at the Beijing Paralympics, will defend her title as well as compete in the 200 meter event."</ref>
- Hugh A. Kelly Jr. (1923–1999), politician who served in the New Jersey Senate for a single term representing District 3B<ref>"Son Wins Grid Honors At Sen. Kelly's Old Field", The Record, January 19, 1971. Accessed February 25, 2025, via Newspapers.com. "A son follows in his father's cleat marks, even if it is all the way from Somerdale in Camden County to Rutherford in Bergen. The New Jersey Senate yesterday congratulated 17-year-old Tom Kelly for earning football honors at St. Mary's High School, Rutherford, where his father, state Sen. Hugh A. Kelly Jr., R-Camden, also starred in football."</ref>
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (born 1993), professional basketball player with the Charlotte Hornets<ref>"Where Will They Be?", Sports Illustrated. Accessed November 11, 2013. "Michael Gilchrist, 15|Forward (Somerdale, N.J.)"</ref>
- Sophia A. Nelson (born 1967), author, political strategist, opinion writer and attorney<ref>Pulley, Brett. "On Politics; A New G.O.P. Face Emerges In a Democratic Stronghold", The New York Times, April 21, 1996. Accessed November 11, 2013. "Sophia A. Nelson, the daughter of lifelong Democrats from Somerdale, has strong ties to the Democratic Party in Camden County."</ref>
- Tim Saunders (born 1962), Philadelphia-based broadcaster, who is the radio announcer for the Philadelphia Flyers<ref>Philadelphia Flyers 2014-15 Media Guide, p. 21. Accessed November 30, 2017. "Tim and his wife, Margie, have two children – daughter Katie and son Steven – and reside in Somerdale, New Jersey."Template:Dead link</ref>
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Somerdale municipal website
- Somerdale Park School
- Template:NJReportCard
- School Data for the Somerdale School District, National Center for Education Statistics
- Sterling High School
- Template:NJReportCard