Glassboro is a borough within Gloucester County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 23,149, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 4,570 (+24.6%) from the 18,579 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn had reflected a decline of 489 (−2.6%) from the 19,068 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. Much of the recent and projected growth in Glassboro have been attributed to the growth trajectory of Rowan University, founded in 1923 and formerly known as Glassboro State College. Glassboro and surrounding Gloucester County constitute part of South Jersey.

What is now Glassboro was originally formed as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 11, 1878, from portions of Clayton Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Elk Township (April 17, 1891) and Pitman (May 24, 1905). Glassboro was incorporated as a borough on March 18, 1920, replacing Glassboro Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 139. Accessed July 12, 2012. The borough was named for its glass industry.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 31, 2015.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 138. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed August 31, 2015.Herman, Jennifer New Jersey Encyclopedia, p. 280. State History Publications, 2008. . Accessed August 31, 2015.

History

Glassboro's early industrial history was built on the manufacturing of glass. The town was first established in 1779 by Solomon Stanger as Glass Works in the Woods. Glass manufacturers over the years since include Heston-Carpenter Glass Works, Olive Glass Works, Harmony Glass Works, Temperanceville Glass Works, Whitney Brothers Glass Works, Owens Bottle Company, Owens Illinois Glass Company, and Anchor Hocking.About, Borough of Glassboro. Accessed October 18, 2017.

Rowan University, formerly Glassboro State College, was founded in 1923. The university was the site of the Glassboro Summit Conference in 1967 between U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin.Bitman, Terry. "New chapter for Hollybush Restoration advances at Glassboro residence where LBJ met Kosygin.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 14, 2003. Accessed July 21, 2015.From Normal to Extraordinary: The History of Rowan University , Rowan University. Accessed July 21, 2015. "Rowan University has evolved from its humble beginning in 1923 as a normal school, with a mission to train teachers for South Jersey classrooms, to a comprehensive university with a strong regional reputation.... The University received worldwide attention when it hosted a historic summit conference between President Lyndon Johnson and Soviet Premier Aleksei Kosygin in Hollybush." In 1958, a typhoid fever epidemic broke out in the predominantly African-American neighborhoods of Elsmere and Lawns, which was attributed to 20 years of municipal neglect of the sanitary infrastructure in these neighborhoods.Staff. "Officials Neglect Negro Pleas, Typhoid Epidemic Hits N. J. Town", Jet, December 4, 1958. Accessed October 18, 2017.

The Glassboro Summit Conference between U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin took place in Glassboro. Johnson and Kosygin met for three days from June 23 to June 25, 1967, at Glassboro State College (later renamed Rowan University). The location was chosen as a compromise. Kosygin, having agreed to address the United Nations in New York City, wanted to meet in New York City. Johnson, wary of encountering protests against the Vietnam War, preferred to meet in Washington, D.C. They agreed in Glassboro because it was equidistant between the two cities.Gray, Jerry. "Panel Approves Changing Name of Glassboro State to Rowan College", The New York Times, July 18, 1992. Accessed September 29, 2012. "The Soviet leader was attending a session of the United Nations General Assembly, and the southern New Jersey campus was chosen as the site of the meeting because it was roughly midway between New York City and Washington." The summit's generally amicable atmosphere was referred to as the "Spirit of Glassboro," although the leaders failed to reach agreement on limiting anti-ballistic missile systems.

On June 19, 1986, Ronald Reagan became the first sitting president to speak at a high school graduation when he spoke at the Glassboro High School commencement ceremonies.Remarks at the High School Commencement Exercises in Glassboro, New Jersey June 19, 1986 , Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Accessed July 24, 2014.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 9.36 square miles (24.24 km2), including 9.32 square miles (24.14 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of water (0.41%). Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Elsemere.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

Glassboro borders the Gloucester County municipalities of Clayton Borough, Elk Township, Harrison Township, Mantua Township, Monroe Township, Pitman, and Washington Township.Municipalities within Gloucester County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed November 7, 2019.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 7, 2019.

Climate The area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Glassboro has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.Climate Summary for Glassboro, New Jersey

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Glassboro had a population of 23,149. The median age was 24.6 years. 13.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 104.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.2 males age 18 and over.

97.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 2.6% lived in rural areas.

There were 6,859 households in Glassboro, of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.3% were married-couple households, 21.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 7,953 housing units, of which 13.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.1%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 15,074 65.1% Black or African American 4,222 18.2% American Indian and Alaska Native 67 0.3% Asian 1,009 4.4% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 6 0.0% Some other race 1,107 4.8% Two or more races 1,664 7.2% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 2,529 10.9%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 18,579 people, 6,158 households, and 3,972 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 6,590 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 72.25% (13,423) White, 18.67% (3,469) Black or African American, 0.11% (21) Native American, 2.87% (534) Asian, 0.05% (10) Pacific Islander, 3.12% (580) from other races, and 2.92% (542) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.42% (1,378) of the population.

Of the 6,158 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18; 44.4% were married couples living together; 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 35.5% were non-families. Of all households, 22.5% were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.13.

19.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 26.4% from 18 to 24, 21.1% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $54,795 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,793) and the median family income was $67,171 (+/− $9,496). Males had a median income of $49,695 (+/− $4,361) versus $43,489 (+/− $2,608) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,108 (+/− $1,421). About 9.3% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Glassboro borough, Gloucester County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 12, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 census, there were 19,068 people, 6,225 households, and 4,046 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 6,555 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 74.5% White, 19.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.8% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Glassboro borough , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 – Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Glassboro borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2012.

There were 6,225 households, out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 23.6% 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 2.66 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 22.1% under the age of 18, 25.6% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $44,992, and the median income for a family was $55,246. Males had a median income of $40,139 versus $30,358 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,113. About 8.5% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over. Parks and recreation The Glassboro Wildlife Management Area covers almost in portions of Glassboro, Clayton, and Monroe Township.Glassboro Wildlife Management Area, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Accessed November 7, 2019.Wildlife Management Areas, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Accessed November 7, 2019.

Government Local government