Laurel Springs, New Jersey


Laurel Springs is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 1,908, reflecting a decline of 62 from the 1,970 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 371 from the 2,341 counted in the 1990 Census.
Laurel Springs was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 2, 1913, from portions of Clementon Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 1, 1913. The borough was named for its therapeutic springs situated in laurel groves.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Laurel Springs borough had a total area of 0.471 square miles, including 0.458 square miles of land and 0.013 square miles of water.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Watsontown.
Laurel Springs borders the Camden County municipalities of Lindenwold and Stratford.

Demographics

Census 2010

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $69,405 and the median family income was $83,750. Males had a median income of $57,900 versus $49,028 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,139. About 11.4% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2010 United States Census there were 1,970 people, 762 households, and 534 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,213.5 people per square mile. There were 806 housing units at an average density of 1,723.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 94.37% White, 2.74% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.71% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.62% of the population.
There were 762 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $52,500, and the median income for a family was $58,854. Males had a median income of $41,349 versus $30,893 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,254. About 1.9% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Laurel Springs is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 of 565 municipalities statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. 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 is comprised of 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. The Borough form of government used by Laurel Springs 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.
, the Mayor of Laurel Springs Borough is Democrat Thomas A. "Tom" Barbera, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Laurel Springs Borough Council are Council President James W. "Jim" Redstreake, Joseph Cruz, Douglas DelPidio, Susan DiGregorio, Sarah Bolam DiMarco and Marc A. Riondino.

Federal, state and county representation

Laurel Springs is located in the 1st Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 4th state legislative district.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 1,339 registered voters in Laurel Springs, of which 500 were registered as Democrats, 293 were registered as Republicans and 545 were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 58.9% of the vote, ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 39.5%, and other candidates with 1.6%, among the 962 ballots cast by the borough's 1,422 registered voters, for a turnout of 67.7%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 55.7% of the vote, ahead of Republican John McCain, who received around 40.3%, with 1,047 ballots cast among the borough's 1,346 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.8%. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 55.6% of the vote, outpolling Republican George W. Bush, who received around 42.9%, with 1,048 ballots cast among the borough's 1,328 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 78.9.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 63.5% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 34.6%, and other candidates with 1.9%, among the 598 ballots cast by the borough's 1,438 registered voters, for a turnout of 41.6%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 45.8% of the vote, ahead of both Democrat Jon Corzine with 43.5% and Independent Chris Daggett with 7.2%, with 708 ballots cast among the borough's 1,368 registered voters, yielding a 51.8% turnout.

Education

The Laurel Springs School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at Laurel Spring School. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprising one school, had an enrollment of 191 students and 13.5 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 14.2:1.
For seventh and eighth grades, students from Laurel Springs attend Samuel S. Yellin Elementary School in Stratford as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Stratford School District. As of the 2018–19 school year, Yellin School had an enrollment of 487 students and 37.5 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 13.0:1.
For ninth grade through twelfth grade, public school students attend Sterling High School, a regional high school district that also serves students from Magnolia, Somerdale and Stratford, along with the sending districts of Hi-Nella and Laurel Springs. The high school is located in Somerdale. As of the 2018–19 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 958 students and 69.8 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 13.7:1.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Camden County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
U.S. Route 30 is the main highway serving Laurel Springs. It runs along the northeast side of the borough, connecting it with Lindenwold and Stratford.

Public transportation

offers service between the borough and Atlantic City on the 554 route, with local bus service offered on the 451 and 459 routes.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Laurel Springs include: