Woodland 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 1,544, a decrease of 244 (−13.6%) from the 2010 census count of 1,788, which in turn reflected an increase of 618 (+52.8%) from the 1,170 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.

Woodland was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 7, 1866, from portions of Pemberton Township, Shamong Township, Southampton Township and Washington Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Tabernacle Township on March 22, 1901.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 100. Accessed May 30, 2024.

History The area now known as Woodland Township was originally inhabited by the Lenape Native American tribe. European settlers began arriving in the late 17th century, attracted by the fertile soil and abundant lumber resources. The settlers cleared land for farming and built homes and other structures using local materials, including wood and sandstone.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Woodland was predominantly an agricultural community, with farming being the primary occupation for most residents. The fertile soil in the region was ideal for growing a variety of crops, including corn, wheat, and potatoes. In addition to crop farming, livestock, dairy, and poultry farming also played a significant role in the local economy.

In the early 20th century, several small-scale industries began to emerge in Woodland, including sawmills, gristmills, and blacksmith shops. These industries relied heavily on the local resources, such as timber and iron ore, and provided employment opportunities for the residents.

In the latter half of the 20th century, Woodland experienced a shift away from agriculture and towards a more diversified economy. Although farming remained an important aspect of the township's identity, the focus shifted to include manufacturing, retail, and service-based industries.

The township has a mix of residential, commercial, and agricultural areas, reflecting its multifaceted history. Woodland is known for its landscapes, including the scenic Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, which offers numerous recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 94.45 square miles (244.61 km2), including 92.64 square miles (239.93 km2) of land and 1.81 square miles (4.68 km2) of water (1.91%).

The township borders Bass River Township, Pemberton Township, Southampton Township, Tabernacle Township, Washington Township in Burlington County; and Barnegat Township, Lacey Township, Little Egg Harbor Township and Manchester Township in Ocean County.Areas touching Woodland Township, MapIt. Accessed March 10, 2020.Municipalities within Burlington County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 10, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Bullock, Butlers Place, Chatsworth (the postal address for most of the residents of the township), DeCou Pond, Dukes Bridge, Four Mile, Goose Pond, Hedger House, Johnson Place, Jones Mill, Lebanon, Long Causeway, Old Halfway, South Park and Woodmansie.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

The township 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 December 2, 2013. All of the township 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 December 2, 2013.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,788 people, 476 households, and 359 families in the township. The population density was . There were 494 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 89.60% (1,602) White, 8.11% (145) Black or African American, 0.06% (1) Native American, 0.84% (15) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.45% (8) from other races, and 0.95% (17) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.81% (86) of the population.

Of the 476 households, 30.5% had children under the age of 18; 60.7% were married couples living together; 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 24.6% were non-families. Of all households, 17.9% were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.14.

20.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 37.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 152.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 166.0 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 +/− $16,290) and the median family income was $96,875 (+/− $31,126). Males had a median income of $61,250 (+/− $11,359) versus $33,393 (+/− $4,757) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $33,552 (+/− $5,866). About 4.9% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Woodland township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 3, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,170 people, 425 households, and 323 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 448 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 98.03% White, 0.60% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Woodland township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 2, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Woodland township, Burlington County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 2, 2012.

There were 425 households, out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $59,271, and the median income for a family was $65,972. Males had a median income of $43,654 versus $31,765 for females. The per capita income for the township was $26,126. About 2.0% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government Woodland Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.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 three-member Township Committee, whose members are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election 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. 103."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another to serve as deputy mayor.Government, Woodland Township. Accessed March 10, 2020. "Woodland Township is a Committee form of government. We have 3 elected committee people, one of which is appointed Mayor, on a yearly basis. Committee people terms run on a 3 year basis, with a different committee person being up for election each year."

, the members of the Woodland Township Committee are Mayor William DeGroff (R, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2023), Deputy Mayor Mark J. Herndon (R, term on committee ends 2024; term as deputy mayor ends 2023) and Donna Mull (R, 2025).Meet Our Mayor and Committee, Woodland Township. Accessed April 25, 2023. "Woodland Township is a committee based township. We have 3 elected committeemen which sit for 3 years terms. Terms are staggered, so a different committeeman runs each year. The Mayor's position is a one year term, appointed by the other committee members."2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Tabernacle Township. Accessed April 25, 2023.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.