Berlin is a borough in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 7,489, a decrease of 99 (−1.3%) from the 2010 census count of 7,588, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,439 (+23.4%) from the 6,149 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, 2022.

Berlin was incorporated as a borough on March 29, 1927, from portions of Berlin Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 26, 1927.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. Accessed May 1, 2026.

History What is now Berlin was known in earlier times as "Longacoming." The Lenape Native Americans used Lonaconing Trail to describe the travel route that ran through the area, connecting the Jersey Shore to the Delaware River. Another tradition cites early European visitors who found a stream at the head of the Great Egg Harbor River and appreciated the respite as being "long a coming".Berlin Borough History, Long-A-Coming Historical Society. Accessed July 8, 2013.

Long-a-Coming Variant names: Long-a-coming, Longacoming became a stopping point for stagecoaches located at the halfway point between Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Upon the creation of Camden County in 1844, it was briefly named the county seat (while the area was still a part of Waterford Township), until 1848 when the seat moved to the city of Camden. A rail line was laid in 1853. Three years later, the Long-a-Coming railroad station was built. In February 1867, the station was renamed "Magnolia". This caused confusion because there was a community called Magnolia nearby. Three months later, the station's name changed to Berlin. The name "Berlin" may have been chosen as a reference to the city of Berlin in Germany,Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 27, 2015. though the derivation is uncertain.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 3.61 square miles (9.34 km2), including 3.59 square miles (9.31 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.04 km2) of water (0.39%).

The borough borders the Camden County municipalities of Berlin Township, Clementon, Lindenwold, Pine Hill, Waterford Township and Winslow Township.Areas touching Berlin, MapIt. Accessed March 19, 2020.Municipalities within Camden County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 19, 2020.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 December 30, 2013. Part of the borough is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Camden County, along with areas in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed December 30, 2013.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Berlin had a population of 7,489. The median age was 42.9 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.2 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 2,858 households in Berlin, of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.7% were married-couple households, 13.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,981 housing units, of which 4.1% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.8%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 6,205 82.9% Black or African American 365 4.9% American Indian and Alaska Native 9 0.1% Asian 265 3.5% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 6 0.1% Some other race 185 2.5% Two or more races 454 6.1% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 422 5.6%

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 7,588 people, 2,806 households, and 1,967 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,949 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 90.47% (6,865) White, 4.19% (318) Black or African American, 0.09% (7) Native American, 2.78% (211) Asian, 0.04% (3) Pacific Islander, 0.88% (67) from other races, and 1.54% (117) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.12% (237) of the population.

Of the 2,806 households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18; 52.9% were married couples living together; 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.9% were non-families. Of all households, 25.7% were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.22.

22.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 86.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $65,771 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,475) and the median family income was $79,347 (+/− $13,820). Males had a median income of $53,102 (+/− $7,153) versus $47,292 (+/− $13,458) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $33,672 (+/− $5,917). About 4.4% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 3, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 6,149 people, 2,205 households, and 1,660 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,275 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 94.06% White, 2.18% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.69% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.11% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Berlin borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 3, 2012., United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 3, 2012.

There were 2,205 households, out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $60,286, and the median income for a family was $68,704. Males had a median income of $44,211 versus $31,980 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,675. About 1.9% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over. Government

Local government Berlin is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 (of the 565) municipalities 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 a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A 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. 33. The borough form of government used by Berlin 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, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.

, the mayor of Berlin Borough is Independent Rick Miller, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Jacob "Jake" Miller (R, 2024), Leonard Badolato (I, 2026), Patricia Cummings (R, 2024), Keith Hohing (R, 2026), Carlos Mascarenhas (R, 2028) And Millard V. Wilkinson (R, 2028).Mayor & Council, Borough of Berlin. Accessed January 26, 2026.2025 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Berlin. Accessed January 26, 2026.Official Election Results 2025 General Election November 4, 2025, Camden County, New Jersey, as of November 18, 2025. Accessed January 1, 2026.Official Election Results 2024 General Election November 5, 2024, Camden County, New Jersey, update November 19, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.Official Election Results 2023 General Election November 7, 2023, Camden County, New Jersey, updated November 22, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.