Folsom is a borough in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Geographically, the city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region and of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.

As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,811, a decrease of 74 (−3.9%) from the 2010 census count of 1,885, which in turn reflected a decline of 87 (−4.4%) from the 1,972 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

Folsom was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 23, 1906, from portions of Buena Vista Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 69. Accessed October 25, 2012. The borough was named for Frances Folsom, wife of President Grover Cleveland.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 30, 2015.

New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Folsom as its 19th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey."Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100" , New Jersey Monthly, February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 8.51 square miles (22.04 km2), including 8.26 square miles (21.40 km2) of land and 0.25 square miles (0.63 km2) of water (2.88%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Penny Pot.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

Folsom borders the municipalities of Buena Vista Township, Hamilton Township, and Hammonton in Atlantic County; Winslow Township in Camden County; and Monroe Township in Gloucester County.Areas touching Folsom, MapIt. Accessed March 30, 2020.Atlantic County District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed July 9, 2024.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

The borough is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering , that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.The Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Accessed November 18, 2013. All of the borough is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Atlantic County, along with areas in Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed November 18, 2013.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,885 people, 688 households, and 526 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 717 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 90.93% (1,714) White, 4.19% (79) Black or African American, 0.16% (3) Native American, 0.85% (16) Asian, 0.16% (3) Pacific Islander, 1.86% (35) from other races, and 1.86% (35) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.74% (127) of the population.

Of the 688 households, 28.2% had children under the age of 18; 60.5% were married couples living together; 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.5% were non-families. Of all households, 17.4% were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.08.

22.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 33.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.7 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $65,795 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,755) and the median family income was $67,778 (+/− $7,595). Males had a median income of $50,192 (+/− $6,784) versus $36,471 (+/− $4,204) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,446 (+/− $2,979). About 3.2% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Folsom borough, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2013.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,972 people, 671 households, and 552 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 702 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 91.73% White, 4.41% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 1.57% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 3.45% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Folsom borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Folsom borough, Atlantic County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2013.

There were 671 households, out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 13.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $56,406, and the median income for a family was $59,231. Males had a median income of $39,659 versus $30,000 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $20,617. 5.7% of the population and 4.2% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.3% of those under the age of 18 and 4.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Government

Local government

Folsom is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. 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. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 49. The borough form of government used by Folsom 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.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.

, the mayor of Folsom is Republican Glenn Smith, whose term of office ends December 31, 2025. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Gregory Conway (R, 2024), Jacob Blazer (R, 2023), James Hoffman (R, 2025), Albert W. Norman Jr. (R, 2024), Michael Porretta (R, 2025) and James C. Whittaker Jr. (R, 2023).Government, Borough of Folsom. Accessed June 6, 2023. "Folsom was incorporated as a Borough in 1906. The Borough is governed by a mayor-council form of government. The mayor is elected for a four-year term, six council members are elected for three-year terms on a staggered basis."2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Folsom. Accessed June 6, 2023. As of date accessed, this is the most recent budget available on the borough's web site.Municipal Government , Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2023.2022 General Election Results - Amended, Atlantic County Clerk, updated December 5, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated January 4, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2022.November 3, 2020 General Election Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, update January 4, 2021. Accessed February 1, 2021.General Election Results - November 5, 2019, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated November 19, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.

In January 2020, the borough council appointed Jake Blazer to fill the balance of the term expiring in December 2021 that had been held by Greg Schenker until he resigned from office.Reorganization Meeting Minutes for January 7, 2020, Borough of Folsom. Accessed March 30, 2020. "Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, by the Borough Council of the Borough of Folsom, County of Atlantic and State of New Jersey that the resignation from the Councilman position of Greg Schenker (copy attached) is hereby accepted.... Greg Conway made a motion to nominate Jake Blazer and Councilman Hoffman seconded that motion.... Judge Frank Raso gave the Oath of Office to Jake Blazer."

In September 2016, the borough council selected Lisa O'Toole from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2018 that had been vacated by Bryan Gummoe, who resigned the previous month.Minutes-16.pdf Council Meeting Minutes September 14, 2016, Borough of Folsom. Accessed May 18, 2017. "Whereas, Councilman Byron Gummoe has submitted to the Municipal Clerk a letter of resignation from said position effective August 29, 2016... Now, Therefore, It Is Hereby Resolved by the Governing Body this 14thday of September, 2016 that Lisa O'Toole shall be and hereby is appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Councilman Bryon Gummoe until the successor is qualified and certified after the next General Election." In the November 2016 general election, Independent Greg Schenker defeated O'Toole to win the balance of the term of office.General Election Results - November 8, 2016, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed January 30, 2017.