Riverside Township is a township in Burlington County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 8,003, a decrease of 76 (−0.9%) from the 2010 census count of 8,079, which in turn reflected an increase of 168 (+2.1%) from the 7,911 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. 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.

Riverside was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 20, 1895, from portions of Delran Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 98. Accessed May 30, 2024. A portion of the township was annexed by Delran in 1901.Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 235. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed September 23, 2015. The township was originally named Progress which was changed to Riverside for its location on the Delaware River.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 23, 2015.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 1.61 square miles (4.16 km2), including 1.48 square miles (3.84 km2) of land and 0.12 square miles (0.32 km2) of water (7.70%).

The township borders the Burlington County municipalities of Delanco Township and Delran Township.Areas touching Riverside Township, MapIt. Accessed March 4, 2020.Municipalities within Burlington County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 4, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 8,079 people, 2,959 households, and 2,027 families in the township. The population density was . There were 3,147 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 80.21% (6,480) White, 6.39% (516) Black or African American, 0.26% (21) Native American, 0.95% (77) Asian, 0.05% (4) Pacific Islander, 7.04% (569) from other races, and 5.10% (412) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.34% (916) of the population.

Of the 2,959 households, 31.0% had children under the age of 18; 46.2% were married couples living together; 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.5% were non-families. Of all households, 24.3% were made up of individuals and 8.5% 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 3.22.

23.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 101.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 99.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $56,377 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,391) and the median family income was $65,825 (+/− $9,709). Males had a median income of $46,962 (+/− $4,387) versus $32,413 (+/− $6,739) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,243 (+/− $2,264). About 3.9% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Riverside township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 30, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 7,911 people, 2,978 households, and 1,992 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 3,118 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 90.22% White, 4.44% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.28% from other races, and 2.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.11% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Riverside township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 30, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Riverside township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 30, 2012.

There were 2,978 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $43,358, and the median income for a family was $52,479. Males had a median income of $36,556 versus $25,510 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,758. About 6.7% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Riverside Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) 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. 38."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, each for a term of one year.

, members of the Riverside Township Committee are Mayor Michael Higgins (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2023; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Corey S. Kimble (D, term on committee ends December 31, 2023; term as deputy mayor ends 2023), Robert Giovanetti (D, 2024), Matthew Kirk (R, 2024) and Joseph Peditto (R, 2025).Elected Officials, Township of Riverside. Accessed March 26, 2023. "The Riverside Township Committee is comprised of five (5) members that are elected at large during the annual elections. These elections are partisan and each committee member serves a staggered three-year term upon election.... The members of the committee select the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to serve for a one-year term."2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Township of Riverside. Accessed August 29, 2022.General Election November 8, 2022 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.

In March 2023, Higgins switched parties and announce that he would run as a Republican in November 2023; the switch gave Republicans a 3-2 majority on the council."Mayor of Riverside Switches Parties – Will Run for Reelection as a Republican", Insider NJ, March 24, 2023. Accessed March 26, 2023. "Democrats lost control of Riverside Township Committee this week when Mayor Mike Higgins (aka John M. Higgins) changed his party affiliation to Republican. Higgins joins fellow GOP Committee members Matt Kirk and Joe Peditto. He will run for reelection this year on the Republican slate alongside newcomer Christy Veasy."

In March 2019, the Township Committee chose Michael Higgins from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that became vacant when Michael D. Miller submitted his resignation.Township Committee Meeting Minutes for March 18, 2019, Riverside Township. Accessed May 14, 2020. In the November 2019 general election, Republican Matthew Kirk defeated Higgins by a single vote and was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.November 5, 2019 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results , Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 16, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.Woolston, George. "GOP holds on by one vote for Riverside seat", Burlington County Times, November 14, 2019. Accessed May 14, 2020. "The Republican challenger for a one-year, unexpired seat on the Riverside Township Committee has defeated the Democrat incumbent by one vote. Matthew Kirk just barely held on to his lead over Michael Higgins on Thursday after provisional ballots were tallied at the Burlington County Board of Elections in Mount Holly.... The final tally was Kirk 582, Higgins 581."

In January 2018, Republican F. Michael Hart was selected by the Township Committee from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2019 that was vacated by Robert R. Prisco after he resigned to accept a Judicial appointment to a New Jersey Workers' Compensation Judgeship; Hart served on an interim basis until the November 2018 general election,January 22, 2018, Regular Meeting Minutes, Riverside Township. Accessed August 24, 2018. "Robert R. Prisco - Letter of Resignation from the Township Committee due to an appointment as a Workers' Compensation Judge.... Motion made by Messrs. Frey and Miller to appoint Frederick Michael Hart to the Township Committee to fill a vacancy which was created by the resignation of Robert R. Prisco." when voters elected Democrat Michelle Weaver to serve the balance of the term of office.November 6, 2018 General Election Summary Report Official Results , Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 17, 2018. Accessed January 1, 2019.