Burlington County, New Jersey

Burlington County, New Jersey
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County	Burlington County
State	New Jersey
Founded	May 17, 1694
Seat	Mount Holly
Largest city	Evesham
Area total sq mi	840
Area land sq mi	798
Area water sq mi	42
Population as of	2020
Population total	461,860

Burlington County, New Jersey. Located in the Delaware Valley region, it is part of the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD Combined Statistical Area. The county is bordered by Mercer County, New Jersey to the north, Monmouth County, New Jersey to the northeast, Ocean County, New Jersey to the east, Atlantic County, New Jersey to the southeast, Camden County, New Jersey to the southwest, and Bucks County, Pennsylvania to the west, across the Delaware River. The county seat is Mount Holly, New Jersey, and the largest city is Evesham Township, New Jersey, with other notable municipalities including Medford, New Jersey, Moorestown, New Jersey, and Willingboro, New Jersey.

Geography

Burlington County is situated in the southwestern part of New Jersey, with the Delaware River forming its western boundary. The county's terrain is characterized by the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont Plateau, with the Rancocas River and its tributaries, including the North Branch Rancocas River and the South Branch Rancocas River, flowing through the area. The county is also home to several parks and nature reserves, such as the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, the Wharton State Forest, and the Rancocas State Park, which offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, and fishing, in collaboration with organizations like the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. The county's geography has also been shaped by its proximity to major cities like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Trenton, New Jersey, and New York City, with transportation infrastructure including the New Jersey Turnpike, Interstate 295 (New Jersey), and the Atlantic City Expressway.

History

Burlington County has a rich and diverse history, dating back to the Lenape Native American tribe, who inhabited the area before the arrival of European settlers. The county was founded on May 17, 1694, and was named after Burlington, New Jersey, which was itself named after Bridlington, a town in East Riding of Yorkshire, England. During the American Revolutionary War, the county played a significant role, with key events including the Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton, which involved notable figures like George Washington, Richard Montgomery, and Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis. The county was also home to several notable historical figures, including William Franklin, the son of Benjamin Franklin, and Joseph Bonaparte, the brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, who lived at the Point Breeze estate in Bordentown, New Jersey.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Burlington County was 461,860, with a diverse range of ethnic and racial groups, including African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, and Native Americans. The county has a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, with major municipalities including Evesham Township, New Jersey, Mount Holly, New Jersey, and Willingboro, New Jersey. The county is also home to several institutions of higher education, including Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Rowan University, and Burlington County College, which offer programs in collaboration with organizations like the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The county's demographics have been shaped by its proximity to major cities like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Trenton, New Jersey, and New York City, with many residents commuting to these cities for work, using transportation infrastructure like New Jersey Transit and the PATCO Speedline.

Government

Burlington County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners, which is responsible for overseeing the county's government and services, including the Burlington County Sheriff's Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office. The county is also part of the New Jersey Legislative Districts, with representation in the New Jersey Senate and the New Jersey General Assembly. The county has a strong tradition of civic engagement, with many residents participating in local government and community organizations, such as the League of Women Voters of Burlington County and the Burlington County NAACP. The county's government has also been shaped by its history, with notable figures like George Washington and Richard Stockton playing a role in the county's development, and institutions like the New Jersey State Library and the New Jersey State Museum providing resources and support.

Economy

Burlington County has a diverse economy, with major industries including healthcare, education, retail, and manufacturing. The county is home to several major employers, including Virtua Health, Rowan University, and Lockheed Martin, as well as smaller businesses and startups, which are supported by organizations like the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The county's economy has also been shaped by its proximity to major cities like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Trenton, New Jersey, and New York City, with many residents commuting to these cities for work, using transportation infrastructure like the New Jersey Turnpike and the Atlantic City Expressway. The county is also a popular tourist destination, with attractions like the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial, the Grounds For Sculpture, and the Six Flags Great Adventure theme park, which are supported by organizations like the New Jersey Tourism Industry Association and the Burlington County Tourism Commission.

Education

Burlington County is served by several school districts, including the Burlington County Special Services School District, the Burlington County Institute of Technology, and the Lenape Regional High School District, which offer programs in collaboration with institutions like Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The county is also home to several institutions of higher education, including Rowan University, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and Burlington County College, which offer a range of academic programs, including those in engineering, business, and health sciences, in partnership with organizations like the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the National Science Foundation. The county's education system has been shaped by its history, with notable figures like Richard Stockton and Jonathan Edwards (theologian) playing a role in the county's educational development, and institutions like the New Jersey State Library and the New Jersey State Museum providing resources and support.