Lumberton is a township in Burlington County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township, and all of Burlington County, is a part of 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 township's population was 12,803, an increase of 244 (+1.9%) from the 2010 census count of 12,559, which in turn reflected an increase of 2,098 (+20.1%) from the 10,461 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.
Lumberton was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1860, from portions of Medford, Southampton and Eastampton townships. Portions of Lumberton were taken on March 12, 1924, to form Hainesport Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 96. Accessed May 29, 2024. Named for its early lumber industry, the township supplied Philadelphia with wood from harvested pitch pines.History of Lumberton Township, New Jersey, Lumberton Township. Accessed September 3, 2015. "Its name came from the fact that Pine trees were abundant in the vicinity and boats and rafts carried lumber and cord wood from the Rancocas Creek to Philadelphia and other places."Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 3, 2015.
In March 2007, Lumberton was identified as having the most active community of eBay buyers and sellers on a per-capita basis in the United States, with 46,000 items posted on the site over a three-week period by members based in the Lumberton ZIP code 08048.Berr, Jonathan. "A South Jersey Town Emerges as a Hub of E-Commerce", The New York Times, March 20, 2007. Accessed November 26, 2013. "But Ms. Pfeiffer didn't recognize Lumberton's place in the Internet marketplace until November, when eBay announced that the largely white-collar town of 12,000 people had the most active community of buyers and sellers on a per-capita basis in the United States.... EBay based its ranking on transactions posted during three weeks in November, when more than 46,000 listings originated from Lumberton and its ZIP code — 08048 — for items ranging from bedding to books to camping equipment."Community Counts Winner Announced, eBay, November 29, 2006, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 6, 2008. Accessed January 7, 2012.
History The Lenape Native Americans were the earliest inhabitants in what is now known as Lumberton. By the 17th century, European colonists began to settle the southwestern part of the township. They cleared wooded areas and established farms centered around Fostertown, an unincorporated community. Eayrestown was founded by Richard and Elizabeth Eayres in the late 1600s and became the first significant settlement in the area. It also served as the center of commerce, thanks to its sawmill. The village of Lumberton emerged from these two neighboring communities.
The history of some homes in Lumberton can be traced back to the times of slavery. The township's earliest settlers and their descendants held various views on slavery. These perspectives varied from supporting and tolerating it to passive and active opposition. Over the years, many locals became advocates for the abolition of slavery, first in New Jersey, and then across the entire nation.
One notable historical site is a house on Creek Road. Built in 1824 by D.B. Cole, a descendant of the founders of Old Colestown, New Jersey, this house played a crucial part in the Underground Railroad. The property's deed dates back to 1806 when the Coles bought it from the Moores of Moorestown. Charles Blockson's Hippocrene Guide to the Underground Railroad documents that a fake well in the backyard once served as a refuge for enslaved people. They would slide down into it to evade slave catchers as they made their way north toward Canada."Traveling the East Coast Underground Railroad", Traveling with MJ, February 5, 2011. Accessed September 5, 2013. "New Jersey – D.B. Cole House, Creek Rd, Lumberton – Can be seen from the road, and rumored to be open by appointment – Cole used a well to hide runaway slaves by building a room with 20-foot ceilings at the bottom of the well."
During the Cold War, the town served as a site for Project Nike. In the event of a nuclear war, Nike Ajax and Hercules missiles would have been deployed from bases in Lumberton and other neighboring bases. This strategy aimed to deter the Soviet Union from bombing the Philadelphia metropolitan area.Bender, Donald E. "Lumberton's Cold War Legacy: Nike Missile Battery PH-23/25" , Nike Missiles and Missile Sites. Accessed July 14, 2016.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 13.01 square miles (33.71 km2), including 12.88 square miles (33.37 km2) of land and 0.13 square miles (0.34 km2) of water (1.01%).
The township borders the Burlington County municipalities of Eastampton, Hainesport, Medford, Mount Holly, Mount Laurel, and Southampton.Areas touching Lumberton Township, MapIt. Accessed February 26, 2020.Areas touching Mansfield Township, MapIt. Accessed February 26, 2020.Burlington County Map, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed February 26, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Brown, Eayrestown, Fostertown and Newbolds Corner.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
Climate
Demographics
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 12,559 people, 4,540 households, and 3,237 families in the township. The population density was . There were 4,719 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 70.99% (8,916) White, 18.93% (2,378) Black or African American, 0.24% (30) Native American, 4.71% (591) Asian, 0.04% (5) Pacific Islander, 1.55% (195) from other races, and 3.54% (444) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.86% (736) of the population.
Of the 4,540 households, 38.7% had children under the age of 18; 56.2% were married couples living together; 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.7% were non-families. Of all households, 24.0% 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 2.73 and the average family size was 3.28.
27.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.1 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $82,250 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,344) and the median family income was $102,276 (+/− $7,854). Males had a median income of $71,475 (+/− $6,369) versus $54,452 (+/− $5,969) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,294 (+/− $1,882). About 5.6% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 1.3% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Lumberton township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 20, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 10,461 people, 3,930 households, and 2,731 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 4,080 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 78.31% White, 13.75% African American, 0.23% Native American, 3.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.90% from other races, and 2.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.15% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Lumberton township, Burlington County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 14, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Lumberton township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 14, 2013.
There were 3,930 households, out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the township the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $60,571, and the median income for a family was $70,329. Males had a median income of $46,045 versus $32,431 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,789. About 2.6% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government Lumberton is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 (of the 564) municipalities statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election 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. 103."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.
, members of the Lumberton Township Committee are Mayor Terrance Benson (D, terms on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2023), Deputy Mayor Gina LaPlaca (D, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2023), Lori Faye (D, 2025), Kendra Hatfield (D, 2024) and Robert Rodriguez (D, 2024).Government, Lumberton Township. Accessed April 24, 2023.2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Lumberton Township. Accessed April 24, 2023.November 8, 2022 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 29, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.November 2, 2021 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.November 3, 2020 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 23, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.