Collingswood is a borough in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, located east of Center City Philadelphia.Locate Your Business Here!, Borough of Collingswood. Accessed September 18, 2017. "Nestled between the Benjamin Franklin and Walt Whitman Bridges 4 miles from Center City Philadelphia, Collingswood is one of the most convenient towns in southern New Jersey." As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 14,186, an increase of 260 (+1.9%) from the 2010 census count of 13,926, which in turn reflected a decline of 400 (−2.8%) from the 14,326 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.

Owing in part to its Quaker history, Collingswood was founded as a dry town where alcohol cannot be sold, however restaurant patrons are permitted to bring their own wine and beer to consume.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. In July 2015, the town introduced an ordinance that allows craft breweries to operate in the town but not serve food. The ordinance passed in August 2015.Giordano, Riat. "Dry Collingswood may allow craft breweries", The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 6, 2015. Accessed August 29, 2015. "Try the dry town of Collingswood. On Monday, South Jersey's version of Northern Liberties is expected to introduce an ordinance that would allow craft breweries to operate in the borough. It could be approved as soon as early August."

History

The land in what is present day Collingswood was originally inhabited by Lenape Native Americans. Quakers from England and Ireland settled along Newton Creek and Cooper River in the late 17th century, establishing what was known as the Newton Colony and eventually Newton Township. Much of what is now Collingswood was a farm owned by members of the Collings family during the 18th and 19th centuries. Later a section of Haddon Township, Collingswood was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 22, 1888, based on the results of a referendum held 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. Accessed May 1, 2026. That same year, town resident Edward Collings Knight, a wealthy sugar, real estate and railroad magnate, donated the land that became Knight Park. Knight was a descendant of the Collings family for whom the borough is named.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 28, 2015.Home Page, Collings-Knight House. Accessed July 9, 2013.Caretaker's House preview event , Borough of Collingswood. Accessed July 9, 2013. "The Borough of Collingswood and Knight Park Trustees are planning a restoration effort for the only historic house associated with the park's 1888 opening."

Collingswood has several historic homes including the 1820s-era house of the Collings family, known as the Collings-Knight homestead, which stands at the corner of Browning Road and Collings Avenue, shadowed by the Parkview at Collingswood apartment homes. The Stokes-Lees mansion located in the 600 block of Lees Avenue dates back to 1707,Stokes-Lee House - Collingswood, NJ making it one of the oldest houses in Camden County. Sections of Harleigh Cemetery, the location of poet Walt Whitman's tomb, are in Collingswood.Harleigh Cemetery : Camden County Cemetery and Crematorium : Camden NJ

Geography

Collingswood is located in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, east of Philadelphia and southwest of Trenton, the state capital of New Jersey.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.95 square miles (5.04 km2), including 1.83 square miles (4.74 km2) of land and 0.12 square miles (0.30 km2) of water (5.90%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Knight Park.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

Collingswood shares land borders with Camden, Cherry Hill, Haddon Township, Oaklyn, Pennsauken Township and Woodlynne.Areas touching Collingswood, MapIt. Accessed February 24, 2020.Municipalities within Camden County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 24, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

The Cooper River serves as the northern border of Collingswood and Newton Creek as the southern border.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Collingswood had a population of 14,186. The median age was 38.5 years. 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.0 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 6,455 households in Collingswood, of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 38.7% were married-couple households, 21.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 6,950 housing units, of which 7.1% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.4%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 10,535 74.3% Black or African American 1,358 9.6% American Indian and Alaska Native 80 0.6% Asian 348 2.5% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 4 0.0% Some other race 694 4.9% Two or more races 1,167 8.2% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 1,638 11.5%

Income, education, and housing The median household income was $90,184, with 9% of residents at or below the poverty line.

94.9% of residents 25 years or older held a high school diploma or higher, and 55% held a bachelor's degree or higher.

The median home valuation in 2025 was $458,000.

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 13,926 people, 6,299 households, and 3,345 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 6,822 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 81.78% (11,388) White, 9.11% (1,268) Black or African American, 0.32% (45) Native American, 2.20% (307) Asian, 0.01% (2) Pacific Islander, 4.01% (559) from other races, and 2.56% (357) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.67% (1,347) of the population.

Of the 6,299 households, 22.6% had children under the age of 18; 36.8% were married couples living together; 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 46.9% were non-families. Of all households, 37.0% were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.96.

About one-fifth of the population (19.4%) were under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 87.2 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $58,769 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,635) and the median family income was $74,236 (+/− $8,567). Males had a median income of $54,088 (+/− $5,121) versus $48,816 (+/− $4,244) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $34,126 (+/− $2,577). About 10.7% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Collingswood borough, Camden County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 4, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 14,326 people, 6,263 households, and 3,463 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 6,866 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 86.47% White, 6.67% African American, 0.34% Native American, 2.76% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.42% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.67% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Collingswood borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 4, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Collingswood borough, Camden County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 4, 2012.

There were 6,263 households, out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $43,175, and the median income for a family was $57,987. Males had a median income of $40,423 versus $30,877 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,358. About 3.8% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over. Arts and culture

Collingswood's retail district is anchored by Haddon Avenue, a section of County Route 561 which runs from Camden to Haddonfield. Collingswood's downtown is known primarily for its restaurants, which span a variety of cuisines.

On Saturdays from May to November, the borough hosts a farmers' market under the PATCO line, featuring local produce, baked goods, and crafts.Collingswood Farmers' Market, Borough of Collingswood. Accessed March 24, 2020.

Collingswood Porchfest is an annual music event held in September, featuring more than 100 bands playing music around the borough.Wright, Madeleine; Morrison, Chase. "Collingswood's Porchfest has neighbors rocking out from the comfort of their front lawns", CBS News, September 30, 2023. "Collingswood Porchfest is not your typical concert. Instead of having to go somewhere to hear music, the music, in a sense, just comes to you. All Saturday long, performers have been setting up shop on people's porches to play at their designated time slots. There were more than 100 bands all playing throughout the town."

Collingswood sponsors a bike share program, a community greenhouse, as well as a composting program. Beginning in 2009, Collingswood hosts a Green Festival to raise awareness of environmental responsibility.Green Festival , Borough of Collingswood. Accessed August 10, 2014.