Runnemede 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 8,324, a decrease of 144 (−1.7%) from the 2010 census count of 8,468, which in turn reflected a decline of 65 (−0.8%) from the 8,533 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.

Runnemede was authorized to incorporate as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 23, 1926, from portions of the now-defunct Centre Township, and was then made independent based on the results of a referendum held on April 24, 1926. Acts enabling creation of the boroughs of Bellmawr, Mount Ephraim, and Lawnside were passed during the same two-day period.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 108. Accessed May 30, 2024. The derivation of the borough's name is uncertain, though claims that it derives from a Native American term for "running water" have been refuted and connections to General George Meade or to "rum we need" for a nearby tavern are probably apocryphal.Riordan, Kevin. "Runnemede: Name cloaked in mystery", Courier-Post, October 18, 2006. Accessed September 27, 2015. "When the a railway extension was proposed in 1877, the name "Mapleville" appeared on a survey showing the location of what is now Runnemede. But by the railroad's completion to present-day Blackwood in 1893, the name for the station in town was Runnemede. 'There are no definitive answers,' Leap writes." Sources have cited the name as coming from Runnymede, England.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 27, 2015.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.11 square miles (5.45 km2), including 2.05 square miles (5.31 km2) of land and 0.05 square miles (0.14 km2) of water (2.56%).

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

The borough borders Barrington, Bellmawr, Gloucester Township and Magnolia in Camden County. Runnemede also borders Deptford Township in Gloucester County.Areas touching Runnemede, MapIt. Accessed March 5, 2020.Municipalities within Camden County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 5, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Runnemede had a population of 8,324. The median age was 39.5 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.6% 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 90.7 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 3,374 households in Runnemede, of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.7% were married-couple households, 19.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 3,540 housing units, of which 4.7% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 6,738 80.9% Black or African American 452 5.4% American Indian and Alaska Native 41 0.5% Asian 313 3.8% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 0.0% Some other race 276 3.3% Two or more races 504 6.1% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 752 9.0%

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 8,468 people, 3,370 households, and 2,214 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,548 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 88.52% (7,496) White, 4.72% (400) Black or African American, 0.30% (25) Native American, 2.63% (223) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 2.18% (185) from other races, and 1.64% (139) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.09% (516) of the population.

Of the 3,370 households, 26.7% had children under the age of 18; 46.5% were married couples living together; 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.3% were non-families. Of all households, 28.8% were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.11.

20.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.5 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $53,454 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,014) and the median family income was $62,899 (+/− $4,849). Males had a median income of $43,016 (+/− $1,759) versus $38,854 (+/− $5,740) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,260 (+/− $1,884). About 6.9% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Runnemede borough, Camden County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 11, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 8,533 people, 3,376 households, and 2,275 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,510 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 91.77% White, 3.76% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.55% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.22% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.59% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Runnemede borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 11, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Runnemede borough, Camden County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 11, 2012.

There were 3,376 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $41,126, and the median income for a family was $50,127. Males had a median income of $37,705 versus $28,062 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,143. About 3.1% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over. Economy Mister Softee, an ice cream truck franchiser with about 350 franchisees operating 625 trucks in 18 states, has been headquartered in Runnemede since 1958.About Us, Mister Softee. Accessed September 27, 2015. "By 1958 the company had outgrown the building in Philadelphia and moved to the current location in Runnemede, NJ."

Government

Local government

Runnemede 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. 28. The borough form of government used by Runnemede 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 Runnemede is Democrat Nick Kappatos, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Patricia Tartaglia Passio (D, 2023), Luis "Rich" Cepero (D, 2025), Robert Farrell (D, 2025), Eleanor M. Kelly (D, 2024), Craig Laubenstein (D, 2024) and John Ranieri (D, 2023).Council Members, Borough of Runnemede. Accessed June 8, 2023.2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Runnemede. 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.

Federal, state and county representation Runnemede 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 5th 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 5,547 registered voters in Runnemede, of which 2,902 (52.3%) were registered as Democrats, 572 (10.3%) were registered as Republicans and 2,070 (37.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.Voter Registration Summary - Camden, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed October 15, 2012.