Brooklawn 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 1,815, a decrease of 140 (−7.2%) from the 2010 census count of 1,955, which in turn reflected a decline of 399 (-16.9%) from the 2,354 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.

Brooklawn was incorporated as a borough on March 11, 1924, from portions of the now-defunct Centre Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 5, 1924. The borough was reincorporated on March 23, 1926.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. The borough's name is derived from its location and setting.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed November 10, 2015.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.53 square miles (1.37 km2), including 0.49 square miles (1.27 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.11 km2) of water (7.74%).

The borough borders the municipalities of Bellmawr, Gloucester City, and Mount Ephraim in Camden County and Westville in Gloucester County.Areas touching Berlin, MapIt. Accessed March 22, 2020.Municipalities within Camden County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 22, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 1,955 people, 759 households, and 516 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 806 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 87.88% (1,718) White, 5.32% (104) Black or African American, 0.10% (2) Native American, 2.20% (43) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 2.05% (40) from other races, and 2.46% (48) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.29% (123) of the population.

Of the 759 households, 30.8% had children under the age of 18; 43.0% were married couples living together; 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.0% were non-families. Of all households, 24.8% were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.08.

23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $58,488 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,776) and the median family income was $62,390 (+/− $8,247). Males had a median income of $44,612 (+/− $6,912) versus $32,092 (+/− $20,049) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,154 (+/− $2,724). No families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 4, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 U.S. census, there were 2,354 people, 961 households, and 600 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,025 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 90.27% White, 4.29% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 2.38% from other races, and 1.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.72% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Brooklawn borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 4, 2012., United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 4, 2012.

There were 961 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 30.9% of all households 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 2.45 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $39,600, and the median income for a family was $47,891. Males had a median income of $36,190 versus $26,591 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,295. About 6.1% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local representation Brooklawn 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 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. 28. The borough form of government used by Bellmawr 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 the Borough of Brooklawn is Democrat Jerry "Skip" Granstrom, who was elected to serve a term of office ending December 31, 2026. Members of the Brooklawn Borough Council are Council President Colin MacAdams (D, 2026), John Clotworthy (D, 2028), Bruce Darrow (D, 2026), Jeffrey M. Haller (D, 2028), Patricia McConnell (D, 2027) and Stacey Ostrom (D, 2027).Mayor & Council, Borough of Brooklawn. Accessed January 26, 2026.2025 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Brooklawn. 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.

In March 2024, councilmember Jerry Granstrom was chosen to serve as mayor, filling the vacant seat expiring December 2026 that had been held by Julie McCleary.Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes for March 18, 2024, Borough of Brooklawn. Accessed June 2, 2024. "Appointment Of Mayor: The Camden County Democratic Committee presented the following three names: Jerry Granstrom, Patricia McConnell, Stacey Ostrom Nomination of Mayor: Jerry Granstrom... Swearing in of Mayor" The next month, Bruce Darrow was appointed to fill the term expiring in December 2025 that had been held by Patrick Moses until he resigned from office.Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes for April 16, 2024, Borough of Brooklawn. Accessed June 2, 2024. "Acceptance of Resignation of Council member P. Moses... Appointment of Council Member: The Camden County Democratic Committee presented the following three names: Bruce Darrow, Kevin Everhart, Christine Houchin Nomination of Council Member: Motion: Nomination for Bruce Darrow made by P. McConnell... Swearing in: Oath of Office" Christina Houchins was appointed to fill the council seat expiring in December 2026 that became vacant when Jerry Granstrom took office as mayor. Granstrom, Darrow and Houchins served on an interim basis until the November 2024 general election, when voters will select candidates to serve the balance of all three terms.

In January 2023, the borough council selected Stacey Ostrom from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Julie McCleary until she stepped down from her seat on the council to take office as mayor.Borough Council Public Meeting Minutes for January 17, 2023, Borough of Brooklawn. Accessed June 7, 2023. "Nomination for Council by the Democratic Committee are as follows: Stacey Ostrom Kim Meehan Kevin Everhart Motion to nominate Stacey Ostrom Motion made by: P. Moses 2nd: M. Mevoli Roll Call Vote: 3-0 OATH OF OFFICE – New Council Member Stacey Ostrom by Mayor McCleary"

In September 2012, Patrick MacAdams was selected by the borough council from among a list of three prospective candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the unexpired seat of Rickie Boulden, who had resigned from office in June 2012.Martino, Sara. "Brooklawn Boro Swears In New Councilman Patrick MacAdams", Gloucester City News, September 6, 2012. Accessed December 31, 2013. "Brooklawn Mayor Theresa Branella gave the oath of office to Patrick MacAdams as his wife, Brittany, held the Bible, during last week's Borough Council meeting.... He is replacing former Councilwoman Rickie Boulden, who had resigned in June due to personal reasons, and will be on the ballot in the November General Election for the unexpired term."

Federal, state and county representation Brooklawn is located in the 1st Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 5th state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.

Politics