Magnolia is a borough in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,352, an increase of 11 (+0.3%) from the 2010 census count of 4,341, which in turn reflected a decline of 68 (−1.5%) from the 4,409 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.

History

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.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 107. Accessed May 29, 2024. The borough was named for magnolia trees that grow in the area.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 4, 2015.Comegno, Carol. "Magnolia celebrates 100th anniversary; Magnolia is small-town America where people know and care about one another and all know its motto: "One Square Mile of Friendliness.'", Courier-Post, May 15, 2015. "Magnolia is small-town America where people know and care about one another and all know its motto: 'One Square Mile of Friendliness.'"

Magnolia has been the site of one of seven remaining single-arch McDonald's signs in the United States, with the bulk of signs in the nation matching the company's trademarked Golden Arches.Strunsky, Steve. "Only 7 original McDonald's golden arches still exist, and one is in N.J.", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, December 10, 2018, updated September 24, 2019. Accessed August 18, 2020. "The single-arch marquee is an original version that dates to 1962, and is one of only a half dozen like it from among the 37,000 McDonald's locations around the world, according to collectors, curators and other sign experts who have been wowed by what may be the Borough of Magnolia's most widely-renowned piece of architecture.... Seltzer said the Magnolia sign is one of just seven remaining single-arch McDonald's 'crest' signs scattered along the byways of America, still bearing the family crest of Richard and Maurice McDonald."

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.98 square miles (2.53 km2), all of which was land.

The borough borders the Camden County municipalities of Barrington, Gloucester Township, Lawnside, Runnemede and Somerdale.Areas touching Magnolia, MapIt. Accessed February 26, 2020.Municipalities within Camden County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed February 26, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Magnolia had a population of 4,352. The median age was 39.4 years. 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.9 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 1,776 households in Magnolia, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.1% were married-couple households, 20.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 1,877 housing units, of which 5.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 2,868 65.9% Black or African American 761 17.5% American Indian and Alaska Native 23 0.5% Asian 130 3.0% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 1 0.0% Some other race 220 5.1% Two or more races 349 8.0% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 497 11.4%

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 4,341 people, 1,710 households, and 1,147 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,850 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 74.71% (3,243) White, 18.27% (793) Black or African American, 0.30% (13) Native American, 1.89% (82) Asian, 0.05% (2) Pacific Islander, 2.21% (96) from other races, and 2.58% (112) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.83% (340) of the population.

Of the 1,710 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18; 45.4% were married couples living together; 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.9% were non-families. Of all households, 26.1% were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.08.

21.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.8 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $53,125 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,496) and the median family income was $74,042 (+/− $10,349). Males had a median income of $49,196 (+/− $2,966) versus $38,523 (+/− $5,667) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,896 (+/− $1,765). 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.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Magnolia borough, Camden County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 21, 2012.

2000 census 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 . There were 1,836 housing units at an average density of . 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.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Magnolia borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 10, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Magnolia borough, Camden County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 10, 2012.

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 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the state's most common 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 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. 28. 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.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 the Borough of Magnolia is Democrat BettyAnn Cowling-Carson, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023.Honorable Mayor BettyAnn Cowling-Carson, Borough of Magnolia. Accessed June 8, 2023. Members of the Magnolia Borough Council are Council President Mary F. Martz (D, 2023), Paula Bonamassa (D, 2025), Anthony DePrince III (D, 2025), Shawn Parker (D, 2024), Steve Whalen (D, 2023) and Shelley Wilson (D, 2024; elected to serve an unexpired term).Borough Council, Borough of Magnolia. Accessed June 8, 2023.2023 Municipal User Friendly Budget, Borough of Magnolia. Accessed June 8, 2023.Official Election Results 2022 General Election November 8, 2022, Camden County, New Jersey, as of November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.2021 General Election November 2, 2021 Official Election Results, Camden County, New Jersey, update November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.2020 General Election November 3, 2020 Official Election Results, Camden County, New Jersey, update November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.Official Election Results 2019 General Election November 5, 2019, Camden County, New Jersey, updated November 15, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.