Woodbury Heights is a borough in Gloucester County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 3,098, an increase of 43 (+1.4%) from the 2010 census count of 3,055, which in turn reflected an increase of 67 (+2.2%) from the 2,988 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.
Woodbury Heights was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 6, 1915, from portions of Deptford Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 27, 1915. Portions were exchanged with Woodbury in 1925, and portions of the city were annexed on March 22, 1938. Portions were exchanged with Deptford Township in 1956 and other portions were annexed from the township in 1965.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 142. Accessed May 30, 2024. The borough was named for the city of Woodbury, which in turn was named for its founder Henry Wood, who settled in the area in 1683 after arriving from Bury, England, at the age of 80 to escape religious persecution.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed November 4, 2015.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 32. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed November 4, 2015.McClure, Vicki. "Embarking On Journey For History's Sake From England To Woodbury - By Yacht.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 25, 2000. Accessed November 4, 2015. "He learned of a man named Henry Wood, who was beaten, imprisoned, and blinded in one eye for his religious beliefs. At 80, Wood left his home in Bury, England, to settle a new community in the United States. With his son John and John's family, Wood founded Woodbury in 1683 on 300 acres along the banks of Woodbury Creek."
As of 2020, the borough had the 19th-highest property tax rate in New Jersey with an equalized rate of 4.442% compared to 3.212% in the county as a whole and a statewide average of 2.279%."Here are the 30 N.J. towns with the highest property tax rates", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, March 15, 2021. Accessed January 19, 2022. "The average equalized tax rate in New Jersey was 2.279 in 2020, according to data from the Department of Community Affairs. Here is the list of 30 New Jersey towns with the highest property tax rates.... 19. Woodbury Heights Equalized tax rate in Woodbury Heights Borough, Gloucester County, was 4.442 in 2020 Average equalized tax rate in Gloucester County: 3.212"
Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.25 square miles (3.24 km2), including 1.25 square miles (3.23 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.02 km2) of water (0.48%). Glen Lake, although no longer open for swimming, is available for fishing and non-motorized boating.Green, Joe. "Non-profit urges locals to protect Glen Lake in Woodbury Heights", South Jersey Times, July 6, 2011. Accessed September 1, 2013.
The borough borders the Gloucester County municipalities of Deptford Township, West Deptford Township, and Woodbury.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.
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, Woodbury Heights had a population of 3,098. The median age was 40.5 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.5 males age 18 and over.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,095 households in Woodbury Heights, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 60.4% were married-couple households, 12.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 1,149 housing units, of which 4.7% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.8%.
+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 2,736 88.3% Black or African American 122 3.9% American Indian and Alaska Native 2 0.1% Asian 31 1.0% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 11 0.4% Some other race 42 1.4% Two or more races 154 5.0% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 164 5.3%
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 3,055 people, 1,081 households, and 832 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,125 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 92.96% (2,840) White, 3.40% (104) Black or African American, 0.16% (5) Native American, 1.64% (50) Asian, 0.03% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.36% (11) from other races, and 1.44% (44) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.42% (74) of the population.
Of the 1,081 households, 32.1% had children under the age of 18; 61.2% were married couples living together; 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.0% were non-families. Of all households, 18.2% were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.22.
22.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.4 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $82,411 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,735) and the median family income was $91,667 (+/− $14,100). Males had a median income of $68,478 (+/− $6,757) versus $49,327 (+/− $4,589) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $33,099 (+/− $2,495). About 0.7% of families and 1.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% 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 Woodbury Heights borough, Gloucester County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 10, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 census, there were 2,988 people, 1,027 households, and 825 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,045 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 96.35% White, 1.54% African American or Black, 0.27% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.37% from two or more races. 1.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Woodbury Heights borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 10, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Woodbury Heights borough, Gloucester County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 10, 2012.
There were 1,027 households, out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.6% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the borough, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% 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 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $63,266, and the median income for a family was $70,167. Males had a median income of $51,342 versus $33,220 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,001. 4.1% of the population and 2.4% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 3.7% were under the age of 18 and 2.8% were 65 or older. Government Local government
Woodbury Heights is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 (of the 564) municipalities 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 the mayor and the 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 Woodbury Heights 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, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.Government Structure, Borough of Woodbury Heights. Accessed November 12, 2019. "The Borough mayor is elected at-large to a four-year term. Six council members are elected at-large to staggered three-year terms. The Borough form is often referred to as a 'weak mayor-strong council' form."