Pemberton 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 1,371, a decrease of 38 (−2.7%) from the 2010 census count of 1,409, which in turn reflected an increase of 199 (+16.4%) from the 1,210 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.
Pemberton was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on December 15, 1826, within portions of New Hanover Township and Northampton Township (now known as Mount Holly Township). Pemberton became an independent borough .Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 98. Accessed May 30, 2024. The borough is named for James Pemberton, a property owner in the area.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 16, 2015.
It is a dry community, where alcohol is not permitted to be sold legally, as affirmed by the most recent referendum which was held in 1980.New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. New Jersey ABC list of dry towns (May 1, 2013)Giordano, Rita. "More towns catching liquor-license buzz; Moorestown considers ending its dry spell", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 24, 2007. Accessed February 16, 2014.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.61 square miles (1.57 km2), including 0.59 square miles (1.53 km2) of land and 0.02 square miles (0.04 km2) of water (2.79%).
Pemberton is an independent municipality within the boundaries of and completely surrounded by Pemberton Township,Areas touching Pemberton, MapIt. Accessed April 1, 2020.Municipalities within Burlington County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed April 1, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019. making it 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.
Demographics
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 1,409 people, 581 households, and 404 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 642 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 74.38% (1,048) White, 15.26% (215) Black or African American, 0.21% (3) Native American, 3.26% (46) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 3.12% (44) from other races, and 3.76% (53) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.70% (179) of the population.
Of the 581 households, 25.1% had children under the age of 18; 51.3% were married couples living together; 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 30.5% were non-families. Of all households, 24.1% were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.79.
19.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 33.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.5 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $65,568 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,899) and the median family income was $74,773 (+/− $17,679). Males had a median income of $44,750 (+/− $5,830) versus $46,406 (+/− $8,202) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,399 (+/− $6,078). About 2.8% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Pemberton borough, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 21, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,210 people, 470 households, and 316 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 513 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 78.43% White, 12.73% African American, 0.66% Native American, 2.40% Asian, 2.73% from other races, and 3.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.60% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Pemberton borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 30, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Pemberton borough, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 30, 2012.
There were 470 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 26.4% 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 2.56 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $44,063, and the median income for a family was $48,500. Males had a median income of $34,911 versus $25,474 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,909. About 7.2% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 1.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government Pemberton Borough is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.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 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 includes 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.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 43. The borough form of government used by Pemberton 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.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
, the mayor of Pemberton Borough is Republican Harold Griffin, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Terry Jerome (R, 2023), Karl "Nick" Conner (R, 2024), Diane Fanucci (R, 2025), Steven Fenster (D, 2025), Andrea Martin (R, 2024) and Melissa Tettemer (R, 2023; elected to serve an unexpired term).2020 Mayor and Council, Borough of Pemberton. Accessed April 25, 2023.2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Pemberton. Accessed August 28, 2022.November 8, 2022 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 29, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.November 2, 2021 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.November 3, 2020 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results , Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 23, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.November 5, 2019 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results , Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 16, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.
In September 2020, Melissa Tettemer was chosen to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that became vacant following the death of George Ward.Melegari, Douglas D. "Pemberton Boro Landlord Who Operates Stained-Glass Business Selected As Late Councilman’s Successor With Election Looming", Pine Barrens Tribune, September 2020. Accessed August 28, 2022. "Melissa Tettemer, a 14-year resident of Pemberton Borough who is self-employed making stained-glass windows, panels, and suncatchers, has been selected as late Pemberton Borough Councilman George Ward’s successor, but in order to maintain her spot on the governing body, she must run for the unexpired term this November." Tettemer was elected in November 2020 to serve the rmaainedr of the term of office.
The borough council appointed Harold Griffin in January 2014 to fill the vacant seat of William Kochersperger, who had resigned from his seat as mayor that month.Hart, Steven. "New mayor appointed by Pemberton Borough Council", Burlington County Times, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 28, 2014. "Harold Griffin, a retired high school guidance counselor and former borough tax collector, is now the town's mayor.Griffin, 80, was appointed Monday by a unanimous vote of the Borough Council. He succeeds William Kochersperger, who resigned earlier this month over health concerns."
Federal, state and county representation Pemberton Borough is located in the 3rd Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 8th 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