Maple Shade Township is a township in Burlington County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 19,980, an increase of 849 (+4.4%) from the 2010 census count of 19,131, which in turn reflected an increase of 0.3% from the 19,079 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 township, 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.

History What is now Maple Shade was originally formed as Chester Township on November 6, 1688, and was known as Cropwell Township from June 5, 1690, through February 22, 1699. Chester was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken to form Cinnaminson Township (March 15, 1860) and Moorestown Township (March 11, 1922). The municipality's name was changed to Maple Shade Township as of November 6, 1945, based on the results of a referendum passed that same day.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 96 re Maple Shade, p. 94 re Chester Township. Accessed May 30, 2024.

The Mary's Cafe sit-in was an informal sit-in style protest which occurred on the evening of June 11, 1950, at Mary's Cafe, a tavern in Maple Shade Township that had a reputation of being unwelcoming of Black patrons. After being refused service, Martin Luther King Jr. and three friends staged a sit-in that is believed to be the first use of the non-violence and civil disobedience tactics which would distinguish Dr. King's civil-rights activism and legacy.Leap, Barbara. "Martin Luther King Jr.’s Civil Rights Career Began at a Modest NJ Café; King’s first-ever recorded sit-in—a little-known confrontation at a Maple Shade tavern in 1950—changed world history.", New Jersey Monthly, January 16, 2023. Accessed June 22, 2025. "In 1950, a little-known confrontation between the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the gun-wielding owner of a modest Maple Shade tavern changed world history... But his initial drive to become an activist was sparked by the incident at Mary’s Café in Maple Shade."

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 3.83 square miles (9.92 km2), including 3.83 square miles (9.91 km2) of land and <0.01 square miles (<0.01 km2) of water (0.03%).

The township borders Cinnaminson Township, Moorestown Township and Mount Laurel Township in Burlington County; and Cherry Hill and Pennsauken Township in Camden County.Areas touching Maple Shade Township, MapIt. Accessed February 26, 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.

Climate The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Maple Shade Township has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps, with the coldest months of January and February averaging about , and with an annual average temperature of .Climate Summary for Maple Shade Township, New Jersey

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 19,131 people, 8,525 households, and 4,655 families in the township. The population density was . There were 9,186 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 78.62% (15,040) White, 9.54% (1,826) Black or African American, 0.16% (31) Native American, 5.65% (1,080) Asian, 0.03% (5) Pacific Islander, 3.14% (601) from other races, and 2.86% (548) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.32% (1,591) of the population.

Of the 8,525 households, 22.8% had children under the age of 18; 37.9% were married couples living together; 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 45.4% were non-families. Of all households, 36.5% were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.94.

18.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.2 males.

The Census Bureau's 2015–2019 American Community Survey showed that (in 2019 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $61,335 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,606) and the median family income was $825854 (+/− $7,763). Males had a median income of $58,963 (+/− $4,320) versus $49,215 (+/− $2.945) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $34,774 (+/− $2,053). About 8.1% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Maple Shade township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 20, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 19,079 people, 8,462 households, and 4,721 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 9,009 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 83.17% White, 7.21% African American, 0.16% Native American, 6.10% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.46% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Maple Shade township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 15, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 – Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Maple Shade township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 15, 2013.

There were 8,462 households, out of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.2% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the township the population was spread out, with 19.4% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 36.0% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $45,426, and the median income for a family was $53,912. Males had a median income of $40,290 versus $30,858 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,812. About 3.8% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Maple Shade Township operates within the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law) under the Council-Manager (Plan E) form of municipal government, implemented based on the recommendations of a Charter Study Commission as of January 1, 1975."The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities, July 2007. Accessed November 27, 2013. The township is one of 42 (of the 564) municipalities statewide that use this form of government.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 composed of a five-member Township Council, whose members are elected at-large in partisan elections to serve four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats up for election in even-numbered years as part of the November general election.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 38."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 12. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At a reorganization meeting held during the first week of January after each election, the Council selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.Town History, Maple Shade Township. Accessed October 17, 2019.

, members of the Maple Shade Township Council are Mayor Charles Kauffman (D, term on committee ends December 31, 2026; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Steve Schmidt (D, term on committee ends 2024; term as deputy mayor ends 2023), Sandra Nunes (D, 2026), Claire B. Volpe (D, 2024) and J. Nelson Wiest (D, 2024).Town Council, Maple Shade Township. Accessed April 24, 2023.2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Maple Shade Township. Accessed April 24, 2023.November 8, 2022 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 29, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.November 3, 2020 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results , Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 23, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.

Federal, state and county representation Maple Shade Township 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 6th 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

As of March 2011, there were a total of 10,638 registered voters in Maple Shade Township, of which 4,172 (39.2% vs. 33.3% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,593 (15.0% vs. 23.9%) were registered as Republicans and 4,863 (45.7% vs. 42.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 10 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.Voter Registration Summary – Burlington, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 25, 2014. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 55.6% (vs. 61.7% in Burlington County) were registered to vote, including 68.2% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.3% countywide).GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 – State – County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 25, 2014.