Springfield 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 3,245, a decrease of 169 (−5.0%) from the 2010 census count of 3,414, which in turn reflected an increase of 187 (+5.8%) from the 3,227 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.
History Springfield was originally formed on November 6, 1688, and reformed by Royal charter on January 13, 1713. Springfield Township was incorporated by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships. Portions of the township were taken on December 2, 1723, to form New Hanover Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 99. Accessed May 30, 2024. The township's name derives from springs and brooks in the area.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 8, 2015.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 29.57 square miles (76.58 km2), including 29.51 square miles (76.44 km2) of land and 0.06 square miles (0.15 km2) of water (0.19%).
Jobstown (2020 Census population of 369) and Juliustown (362) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDP) located entirely within Springfield Township, while Fort Dix (total population of 7,716 as of 2010DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Fort Dix CDP, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 31, 2012.) is a CDP located in parts of Springfield Township, New Hanover Township and Pemberton Township.GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 31, 2012.
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Arneys Mount, Chambers Corner, Ellis, Folwell, Jacksonville, Pine Lane and Powell.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed December 1, 2013.
The township borders the Burlington County municipalities of Burlington Township, Chesterfield Township, Eastampton Township, Florence Township, Mansfield Township, North Hanover Township, Pemberton Township and Wrightstown.Areas touching Springfield Township, MapIt. Accessed March 9, 2020.Municipalities within Burlington County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 9, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
The township 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 December 1, 2013. Part of the township is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Burlington County, along with areas in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed December 1, 2013.
Demographics
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 3,414 people, 1,162 households, and 941 families in the township. The population density was . There were 1,217 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 90.60% (3,093) White, 3.81% (130) Black or African American, 0.21% (7) Native American, 2.55% (87) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.20% (41) from other races, and 1.64% (56) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.72% (127) of the population.
Of the 1,162 households, 33.7% had children under the age of 18; 69.4% were married couples living together; 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.0% were non-families. Of all households, 13.3% were made up of individuals and 5.4% 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 3.24.
23.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 20.3% from 25 to 44, 35.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 102.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 103.0 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $85,417 (with a margin of error of +/− $13,463) and the median family income was $102,337 (+/− $14,017). Males had a median income of $62,813 (+/− $16,928) versus $47,361 (+/− $11,194) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $37,901 (+/− $4,219). About 2.6% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Springfield township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 31, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 3,227 people, 1,098 households, and 906 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 1,138 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 91.94% White, 3.22% African American, 0.31% Native American, 2.63% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Springfield township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 31, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Springfield township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 31, 2012.
There were 1,098 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.4% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.4% were non-families. 13.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% 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 3.22.
In the township the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $69,268, and the median income for a family was $72,292. Males had a median income of $49,044 versus $31,392 for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,322. About 2.8% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
Parks and recreation Burlington County Fairgrounds (home of the annual Farm Fair) opened in 2011 at the intersection of Route 206 and Columbus-Jobstown Road.County Fairgrounds, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed August 10, 2013.
Government
Local government Springfield Township operates within the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law) under the Council-Manager form of municipal government, implemented by direct petition as of January 1, 2001, having been approved by voters in a November 1999 referendum.Township Code, Township of Springfield, NJ - Burlington County. Accessed December 1, 2013. "The citizens of Springfield Township adopted the Council-Manager form of government by referendum held in November 1999. The first Council members under the Council-Manager form of government were elected at the General Election held in November 2000, and the new form of government took effect as of 12:00 noon on January 1, 2001.""The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, July 2007. Accessed December 1, 2013. Source incorrectly lists a Small Municipality plan for Springfield Township. The township is one of 42 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The Township Council is comprised of five members elected at-large in a partisan vote to four-year terms on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election in even-numbered years as part of the November general election.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 43."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 12. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At a reorganization meeting held during the first week of January following each election, the council selects a mayor and deputy mayor from among its members to serve two-year terms of office.Township Government, Springfield Township. Accessed April 25, 2023. "Springfield Township has a Council - Manager form of government. There are five elected Council Members who serve a four year term. The Council appoints the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The Manager is hired by and serves at the pleasure of the Council and manages the day to day affairs of the Municipal Government."
, members of the Springfield Township Council are Mayor David Frank (R, term on council ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Andrew Eaton (R, term on council ends 2024; term as deputy mayor ends 2023), Patrick Hermesmann (R, 2026), Denis McDaniel (R, 2026) and Peter Sobotka (R, 2026).Council, Springfield Township. Accessed April 25, 2023.2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Southampton Township. Accessed July 19, 2022.November 8, 2022 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 29, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.November 3, 2020 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 23, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.
Federal, state and county representation