Medford Lakes is a borough in Burlington County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,264, an increase of 118 (+2.8%) from the 2010 census count of 4,146, which in turn reflected a decline of 27 (−0.6%) from the 4,173 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 borough, 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.

Medford Lakes was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 17, 1939, from portions of Medford Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 97. Accessed May 30, 2024. The borough was named for Medford Township, which was named by a developer for Medford, Massachusetts.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 5, 2015.Tergesen, Anne. , The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 3, 1992. Accessed June 21, 2012.

The borough's 22 lakes and surrounding lake communities are within the boundaries of the New Jersey Pinelands Commission. The Medford Lakes Colony, a community association, manages the lakes and other recreational facilities. More than 10% of the borough's homes are log cabins.Borough Facts, Borough of Medford Lakes. Accessed August 18, 2013.

History Prior to European colonization, the area now known as Medford Lakes was inhabited by the Lenni-Lenape people, who utilized the region's abundant natural resources, including its water bodies and forests, for survival and shelter.

European influence in the area began in the 17th century following English control over former Dutch territories. However, permanent European settlement did not commence until the 18th century. During this period, the region—characterized by its fertile soil and extensive forestland—remained sparsely populated and was primarily used for agriculture and lumbering activities.

During the American Revolutionary War, local industry played a role in the war effort. Charles Read’s Aetna Furnace contributed by producing cannonballs for the Continental Army, using locally sourced bog iron. Around the same time, John Haines constructed a saw and grist mill, marking the early stages of industrial activity in the area.

The 19th century saw continued exploitation of natural resources, particularly iron ore, which fueled local industry and expanded during the Industrial Revolution. Forges were established along the area’s waterways, and the population grew significantly during this period.

In 1927, the Medford Lakes Development Company was established, and in 1928, the Vaughn and Sons Lumber Company constructed the Colony Club Pavilion on land donated by the development company. The community became known for its distinctive log cabin architecture, utilizing imported cedar logs for construction. These log cabins, which featured strong insulation and prominent stone fireplaces, extended the usability of the area beyond the summer season, attracting visitors from Philadelphia and New York City.

In 1931, St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church, a single-story log cabin structure, was built and later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007., National Register of Historic Places, received March 15, 2007. Accessed November 27, 2013.

Medford Lakes was officially incorporated as a borough on May 17, 1939, from portions of Medford Township. Since incorporation, the borough has worked to maintain the community's unique log cabin character, even as it has expanded and modernized.

Throughout the second half of the 20th century, Medford Lakes' population surged, transitioning from a summer resort to a year-round residential community.

On July 12, 2004, the borough suffered substantial damage due to flooding, caused by 7.26 inches of rainfall over 14 hours. This led to the breaking of several dams, including the Quogue Dam and the Lower and Upper Aetna Lake Dams, causing water levels to rise beyond 500-year flood elevations on portions of Ballinger Run.Protz, Amy R.; and Reed, Timothy J. "Flood Of July 12-13, 2004, Burlington And Camden Counties, South-Central New Jersey", United States Geographical Survey. Accessed June 21, 2012.

Since 1931, the Canoe Carnival, an event featuring hand-crafted floats each supported by a maximum of two canoes, has taken place on Lower Aetna Lake during the first week of August. A king, queen, and court are announced before the event begins. Spectators then gather along the lake to view the floats, after which the winning float is announced.Sachdev, Alexis. "83rd Annual Canoe Carnival Kicks Off in Medford Lakes", Burlington County Times, August 1, 2014. Accessed August 7, 2014. "For the 83rd year, the Colony Club will host its annual, highly anticipated Canoe Carnival and Festival of Lights."

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.293 square miles (3.348 km2), including 1.162 square miles (3.008 km2) of which is land and 0.131 square miles (0.340 km2) of which is water (10.15%). The borough is an independent municipality surrounded entirely by Medford Township,Areas touching Medford Lakes, MapIt. Accessed February 27, 2020.Burlington County Map, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed February 26, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019. making it part one of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.DeMarco, Megan. "Voters to decide whether to merge two Princetons into one", The Star-Ledger, November 3, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2017. "There are 22 sets of 'doughnut towns' in New Jersey, those where one town wraps around the other town". Note that following voter approval of the Princeton merger, 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" remain.

Medford Lakes 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 November 27, 2013. All of the borough 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 November 27, 2013.

Climate

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Medford Lakes had a population of 4,264. The median age was 43.4 years. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.2 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 1,522 households in Medford Lakes, of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 67.0% were married-couple households, 9.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 19.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 1,574 housing units, of which 3.3% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 0.0%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 3,971 93.1% Black or African American 26 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native 6 0.1% Asian 43 1.0% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 0.0% Some other race 29 0.7% Two or more races 189 4.4% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 122 2.9%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 4,146 people, 1,483 households, and 1,186 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,543 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 97.32% (4,035) White, 0.46% (19) Black or African American, 0.17% (7) Native American, 0.96% (40) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.39% (16) from other races, and 0.70% (29) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.69% (70) of the population.

Of the 1,483 households, 36.0% had children under the age of 18; 68.8% were married couples living together; 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 20.0% were non-families. Of all households, 16.3% were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.13.

26.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 30.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.9 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006−2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $101,086 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,928) and the median family income was $105,563 (+/− $9,949). Males had a median income of $85,139 (+/− $26,197) versus $66,379 (+/− $13,826) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $48,789 (+/− $6,097). About 5.0% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Medford Lakes borough, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 21, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 4,173 people, 1,527 households, and 1,238 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,555 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 98.32% White, 0.43% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Medford Lakes borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 28, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Medford Lakes borough, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 28, 2013.

There were 1,527 households, out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.9% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.0% 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 3.04.

In the borough the age distribution of the population shows 25.6% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.