Voorhees Township is a township in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is a suburb in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 10, 2023. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 31,069, an increase of 1,938 (+6.7%) from the 2010 census count of 29,131, which in turn reflects an increase of 1,005 (+3.6%) from the 28,126 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.

Voorhees Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 1, 1899, from portions of Waterford Township. Portions of the township were taken on March 8, 1924, to form Gibbsboro.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 109. Accessed May 30, 2024.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Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 310. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 19, 2015.

The township is named for Foster McGowan Voorhees, the Governor of New Jersey who authorized its creation. History of Voorhees , Township of Voorhees. Accessed May 8, 2007. "Over the years six 'neighborhood' communities took root; Ashland, Glendale, Kirkwood, Kresson, Osage and Gibbsboro. Residents held strong loyalties to these sections of town, rather than to the town itself. One result of this divisive attitude was Gibbsboro's secession from Voorhees in 1924.... Since Governor Foster McGowan Voorhees granted the request, the township was named in his honor."A History of New Jersey Governors, State of New Jersey. Accessed October 19, 2015. "Foster M. Voorhees... Voorhees Township and State Park are named in his honor." The township is part of the state's South Jersey region.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 11.64 square miles (30.15 km2), including 11.47 square miles (29.71 km2) of land and 0.17 square miles (0.44 km2) of water (1.44%).

Echelon, with a 2020 population of 11,896, is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in the western part of the township between Cherry Hill and Gibbsboro.

Other unincorporated communities, localities and places located partially or completely within the township include Ashland, Brighton Heights, Glendale, Kirkwood, Kresson and Osage.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

Voorhees borders the municipalities of Berlin Township, Cherry Hill, Gibbsboro, Lawnside, Lindenwold and Somerdale in Camden County; and Evesham Township to the east in Burlington County.Areas touching Voorhees Township, MapIt. Accessed March 14, 2020.Municipalities within Camden County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 14, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Climate Voorhees has a Humid Continental/Humid Subtropical transition climate according to (Köppen Classification) with mild to very cold winters and hot, humid summers. Temperatures have ranged from .

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 29,131 people, 11,470 households, and 7,433 families in the township. The population density was . There were 12,260 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 71.77% (20,908) White, 8.70% (2,534) Black or African American, 0.15% (44) Native American, 16.13% (4,700) Asian, 0.04% (11) Pacific Islander, 0.84% (246) from other races and 2.36% (688) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.43% (998) of the population.

Of the 11,470 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18; 53.8% were married couples living together; 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 35.2% were non-families. Of all households, 29.8% were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.14.

22.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 86.8 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $82,146 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,405) and the median family income was $107,000 (+/− $4,910). Males had a median income of $72,430 (+/− $6,605) versus $51,322 (+/− $2,170) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $44,169 (+/− $2,717). About 4.0% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Voorhees township, Camden County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 4, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 U.S. census, there were 28,126 people, 10,489 households and 7,069 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 11,084 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 78.26% White, 8.00% African American, 0.14% Native American, 11.44% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.47% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Voorhees township, Camden County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 4, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Voorhees township, Camden County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 12, 2012.

There were 10,489 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.6% were non-families. 26.9% of all households 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 2.60 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the township, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64 and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $68,402 and the median income for a family was $86,873. Males had a median income of $58,484 versus $38,897 for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,635. About 3.7% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy New Jersey American Water, previously based in Voorhees Township, is the largest water utility in New Jersey, serving over two million people in 176 communities throughout the state. New Jersey American Water is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water.Sorkin, Andrew Ross. "German Deal for U.S. Water Utility", The New York Times, September 17, 2001. Accessed July 11, 2011. "In the first deal in the United States since the terrorist attacks of last week, American Water Works of Voorhees, N.J., has agreed to be sold to RWE, a German utility, for more than $5 billion, executives close to the transaction said yesterday.... American Water Works, the largest publicly traded water utility in the nation, with annual revenue of $1.4 billion, has been acquisitive itself."

Saddlehill Vineyard and Winery was established on the site of the Stafford Farm in 2021. The site of the winery had been given by George Washington to John Stafford in 1773, whose family farmed the land for more than two centuries.Musni, Lauren. https://www.nj.com/food/2024/05/this-new-nj-winery-sits-on-historic-land-gifted-by-george-washington.html "This new N.J. winery sits on historic land gifted by George Washington"], NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 1, 2024. Accessed March 31, 2025. "Saddlehill Winery in Voorhees just joined the ever-growing wine community, opening at the beginning of April by owner Bill Green and his wife Amy.... In 1773, George Washington gifted an approximate 70-acre piece of land in Voorhees to his loyal personal guard, Lt. John Stafford. For the next 230 years, the Stafford family owned the farmland using it to grow corn and potatoes and then eventually using the land for horse harness racing and hay growing."

Sports Voorhees is the home of the Flyers Training Center, the training facility for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League.Staff. "Flyers Take First Look At Next Generation Minus The Mosquitoes, The Rookies Opened Summer \ Camp In Voorhees. Some Already Felt At Home.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 15, 2000. Accessed July 11, 2011. "Amid renewed negotiations for a long-term contract for John LeClair, in which no progress was reported, the Flyers opened their rookie camp yesterday at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees. They held their first official on-ice skate and practice at the new facility, and it was handled by Phantoms coach John Stevens and assistant coach Kjell Samuelsson." In 2018, the Flyers, renovated and expanded their training facility. Current and former players of the team often become residents of Voorhees. Voorhees includes a community park that includes a running track, children's playground, gazebo and dedicated areas for dogs.

The Philadelphia Soul of the now defunct Arena Football League practiced at the Coliseum in Voorhees.Staff. "Philadelphia Soul Celebrate The Coliseum As New Practice Facility", Our Sports Central, February 29, 2008. Accessed November 7, 2013. "The Philadelphia Soul celebrated the move of its home of football operations to the Coliseum in Voorhees, NJ on Friday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony honored the facility as the Soul's new home for practice, training and coaching."

Government Local government

Voorhees 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. 33."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. The Mayor and Deputy Mayors are chosen by the Township Committee from among its members during the Reorganization meeting each January.