Magnolia, New Jersey


Magnolia is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 4,341, reflecting a decline of 68 from the 4,409 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 452 from the 4,861 counted in the 1990 Census.
Magnolia was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14, 1915, from portions of the now-defunct Centre Township, and parts of Clementon, based on the results of a referendum held on May 12, 1915. The borough was named for magnolia trees that grow in the area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Magnolia borough had a total area of 0.968 square miles, all of which was land.
The borough borders the Camden County municipalities of Barrington, Gloucester Township, Lawnside, Runnemede and Somerdale.

Demographics

Census 2010

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $53,125 and the median family income was $74,042. Males had a median income of $49,196 versus $38,523 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,896. About 1.0% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 4,409 people, 1,710 households, and 1,162 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,543.3 people per square mile. There were 1,836 housing units at an average density of 1,891.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 77.00% White, 17.80% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.54% from other races, and 2.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.06% of the population.
There were 1,710 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $43,728, and the median income for a family was $50,791. Males had a median income of $38,480 versus $27,172 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,032. About 5.9% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Magnolia is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 218 of 565 municipalities statewide that use this form, the state's most common form of government. The governing body consists 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 composed 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 Magnolia 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 the Borough of Magnolia is Democrat BettyAnn Cowling-Carson, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Magnolia Borough Council are Council President Richard V. Krause Jr., Paula Bonamassa, Anthony DePrince III, Mary F. Martz, Odell Saxton and Steve Whalen.

Federal, state and county representation

Magnolia is located in the 1st Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 5th state legislative district.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 2,918 registered voters in Magnolia, of which 1,170 were registered as Democrats, 367 were registered as Republicans and 1,381 were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 69.8% of the vote, ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 29.3%, and other candidates with 0.9%, among the 2,002 ballots cast by the borough's 3,162 registered voters, for a turnout of 63.3%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 66.2% of the vote, ahead of Republican John McCain, who received around 30.1%, with 2,177 ballots cast among the borough's 2,877 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.7%. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 60.7% of the vote, outpolling Republican George W. Bush, who received around 37.3%, with 2,129 ballots cast among the borough's 2,887 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 73.7.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 53.3% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 44.9%, and other candidates with 1.8%, among the 1,070 ballots cast by the borough's 3,196 registered voters, for a turnout of 33.5%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 53.7% of the vote, ahead of both Republican Chris Christie with 37.2% and Independent Chris Daggett with 5.3%, with 1,191 ballots cast among the borough's 2,942 registered voters, yielding a 40.5% turnout.

Education

The Magnolia School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Magnolia School.As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprising one school, had an enrollment of 408 students and 39.1 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 10.4:1.
For ninth through twelfth grades, public school students attend Sterling High School, a regional high school serving students from Magnolia, Somerdale, Stratford, along with students from Hi-Nella and Laurel Springs who attend as part of sending/receiving relationships. 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 Magnolia. County Route 544 also traverses the borough.

Public transportation

offers bus service between Turnersville and Camden on the 403 route.

Notable people

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