Westampton was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 6, 1850, from portions of Northampton Township (now known as Mount Holly Township). Portions of the township were taken to form Eastampton Township on February 11, 1880.[22] Its name derives from its original location in the western portion of what was Northampton Township.[23]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 11.10 square miles (28.75 km2), including 10.97 square miles (28.42 km2) of land and 0.13 square miles (0.33 km2) of water (1.15%).[1][2]
Of the 3,195 households, 34.7% had children under the age of 18; 59.4% were married couples living together; 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 24.0% were non-families. Of all households, 19.9% were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.18.[18]
24.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 87.8 males.[18]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $89,713 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,240) and the median family income was $97,080 (+/− $9,080). Men had a median income of $65,651 (+/− $7,331) versus $45,956 (+/− $4,844) for women. The per capita income for the borough was $38,334 (+/− $4,669). About 2.8% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.[39]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 7,217 people, 2,525 households, and 1,966 families residing in the township. The population density was 653.6 inhabitants per square mile (252.4/km2). There were 2,581 housing units at an average density of 233.8 per square mile (90.3/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 70.81% White, 21.27% African American, 0.28% Native American, 3.03% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.83% from other races, and 2.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.21% of the population.[37][38]
There were 2,525 households, out of which 42.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.2% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 22.1% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.24.[37][38]
In the township the population was spread out, with 29.3% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.[37][38]
The median income for a household in the township was $63,973, and the median income for a family was $69,656. Males had a median income of $46,536 versus $32,167 for females. The per capita income for the township was $26,594. About 2.7% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.[37][38]
Government
Local government
Westampton Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.[40] The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[7][41] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.[42]
As of 2023[update], members of the Westampton Township Committee are Mayor Sandy V. Henley (D, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2023), Jaime Mungo (D, term on committee and as mayor ends 2023), Nancy A. Burkley (R, 2024), Odise Carr (D, 2025), Genel Wright (D, 2024; elected to serve an unexpired term).[3][43][44][45][46]
Genel Wright was appointed in September 2022 to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that became vacant following the resignation of Anthony DeSilva.[47] Wright served on an interim basis until the November 2022 general election, when she was chosen to serve the balance of the term of office.[44]
In January 2022, the Township Committee chose Odise Carr from a list of three candidates submitted by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the vacant seat expiring in December 2022.[48]
In January 2020, the Township Committee appointed Jaime Mungo to complete the term of office expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Linda A. Hynes until she resigned from office to take a seat on the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders.[49]
Federal, state and county representation
Westampton Township is located in the 3rd Congressional District[50] and is part of New Jersey's 8th state legislative district.[51][52][53]
Burlington County's Constitutional Officers are:
Clerk Joanne Schwartz (D, Southampton Township, 2028)[69][70]
Sheriff James H. Kostoplis (D, Bordentown, 2025)[71][72] and
Surrogate Brian J. Carlin (D, Burlington Township, 2026).[73][74]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 5,540 registered voters in Westampton Township, of which 2,175 (39.3% vs. 33.3% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,115 (20.1% vs. 23.9%) were registered as Republicans and 2,249 (40.6% vs. 42.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.[75] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 62.9% (vs. 61.7% in Burlington County) were registered to vote, including 83.2% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.3% countywide).[75][76]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 3,060 votes here (67.9% vs. 58.1% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 1,368 votes (30.3% vs. 40.2%) and other candidates with 46 votes (1.0% vs. 1.0%), among the 4,509 ballots cast by the township's 5,848 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.1% (vs. 74.5% in Burlington County).[77][78] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 3,138 votes here (67.3% vs. 58.4% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 1,448 votes (31.1% vs. 39.9%) and other candidates with 44 votes (0.9% vs. 1.0%), among the 4,661 ballots cast by the township's 5,556 registered voters, for a turnout of 83.9% (vs. 80.0% in Burlington County).[79] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 2,259 votes here (57.4% vs. 52.9% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 1,640 votes (41.7% vs. 46.0%) and other candidates with 26 votes (0.7% vs. 0.8%), among the 3,937 ballots cast by the township's 4,795 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.1% (vs. 78.8% in the whole county).[80]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,410 votes here (52.7% vs. 61.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 1,187 votes (44.4% vs. 35.8%) and other candidates with 28 votes (1.0% vs. 1.2%), among the 2,675 ballots cast by the township's 5,802 registered voters, yielding a 46.1% turnout (vs. 44.5% in the county).[81][82] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 1,501 ballots cast (52.9% vs. 44.5% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 1,162 votes (41.0% vs. 47.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 115 votes (4.1% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 33 votes (1.2% vs. 1.2%), among the 2,835 ballots cast by the township's 5,592 registered voters, yielding a 50.7% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).[83]
Education
For pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, public school students attend the Westampton Township Schools.[84] As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 937 students and 87.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.7:1.[85] The schools in the district (with 2021–22 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[86]) are
Holly Hills Elementary School[87] with 403 students in pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade and
Westampton Intermediate School[88] / Westampton Middle School[89] with 524 students in PreK and grades 4 to 8.[90][91][92]
For ninth through twelfth grades, public school students attend the Rancocas Valley Regional High School, a comprehensive regional publichigh school/district, which also serves students from the communities of Eastampton Township, Hainesport Township, Lumberton Township and Mount Holly Township.[93][94][95] As of the 2021–22 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 2,048 students and 140.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.6:1.[96] The school is located in Mount Holly Township. The district's board of education is comprised of nine members who are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. Seats on the board are allocated based on the population of the five constituent municipalities, with two seats assigned to Westampton.[97][98]
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 55.24 miles (88.90 km) of roadways, of which 32.47 miles (52.26 km) were maintained by the municipality, 15.84 miles (25.49 km) by Burlington County and 2.83 miles (4.55 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 4.10 miles (6.60 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.[100]
Westampton hosts two major highways. A 4.1-mile (6.6 km) section of the New Jersey Turnpike, including the four-lane toll gate for Exit 5, is located within the township.[101]Interstate 295 also runs through the northwestern section of the township for about 2+1⁄2 miles (4.0 km), including one interchange, Exit 45.[102] The most significant county road is County Route 541,[103] which passes through the municipality from the northwestern section to the southeastern corner.[104]
^ abMayor and Township Committee, Township of Westampton. Accessed April 29, 2022. "The Township Committee is comprised of 5 members elected by the public."
^Township History, Township of Westampton. Accessed July 21, 2020. "Westampton Township was organized from the township of Northampton by an Act of Assembly dated March 6, 1850. It received its name as the 'western' portion of Northampton."
^Weather Forecast Office for Philadelphia / Mount Holly, National Weather Service. Accessed August 11, 2013. "The Mount Holly NWSFO serves approximately eleven million people in thirty-four (34) counties located within Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The office is located at 732 Woodlane Road (State Route 630) off of State Route 541 in Westampton Township, Burlington County, New Jersey."
^Form of Government, Township of Westampton. Accessed April 25, 2023. "Township Committee: 5 members, elected at-large. Staggered, 3 year terms. Partisan. Mayor: Elected by Township Committee for 1 year term at the Annual Reorganization Meeting. The Mayor chairs Committee with voice and vote and is the head of municipal government. The Mayor has all powers vested in Mayor by general law. Committee: The Committee is the legislative body of municipality and has all executive responsibilities of the municipality not placed in office of Mayor."
^Township Committee Meeting Minutes for September 6, 2022, Township of Westampton. Accessed April 25, 2023. "Mayor Henley gave a speech for Mr. Anthony DeSilva's resignation from the Township Committee.... Ms. Wright was sworn into appointment by the Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel as the Democratic Candidate to fill the vacancy of Mr. Anthony DeSilva."
^Reorganization Meeting Minutes for January 4, 2022, Township of Westampton. Accessed April 29, 2022. "Ms. Gibson read a letter from the Democratic Party, which provided the names of three candidates to fill an unexpired term on the Committee. The nominations are Carolyn Chang, Esq., Vernita Jones, and Odise Carr.... Resolution Appointing Committee member to fill unexpired term – Ms. Mungo made a motion to appoint Odise Carr; the motion was seconded by Mr. DeSilva. All voted yes. Mr. Carr was sworn in to fill the unexpired term for one year by Senator Troy Singleton."
^Woolston, George. "Westampton appoints school principal as new township committee member", Burlington County Times, January 23, 2020. Accessed March 10, 2020. "Jaime Mungo, principal of the Florence Riverfront School, was appointed to a one-year unexpired term on the Westampton Township Committee at its meeting on Tuesday. Mungo, a Democrat, replaces Linda Hynes, who was elected to the Burlington County Board of Freeholders in November. Hynes stepped down from her township post at its reorganization meeting at the beginning of the month."
^Westampton Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Westampton Township Schools. Accessed January 4, 2023. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade in the Westampton School District. Composition: The Westampton School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Westampton Township in the County of Burlington."
^History of the School, Rancocas Valley Regional High School. Accessed June 1, 2016. "The district encompasses approximately 40 square miles (100 km2) and comprises the townships of Eastampton, Hainesport, Lumberton, Mount Holly, and Westampton."
^Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the Rancocas Valley Regional High School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2023. Accessed May 10, 2024. "The School District is a Type II district located in the County of Burlington, State of New Jersey. As a Type II district, the School District functions independently through a Board of Education (the 'Board'). The Board is comprised of nine members elected to three-year terms. These terms are staggered so that three member's terms expire each year. The Superintendent is appointed by the Board to act as executive officer of the School District. The purpose of the School District is to educate students in grades 9 through 12 at its one school." See "Roster of Officials" on page 12.
^School Profile, p. 7. Rancocas Valley Regional High School District. Accessed May 10, 2024. "RVRHS is governed by nine Board members, comprising two representatives each from Mount Holly and Westampton, three from Lumberton, and one each from Eastampton and Hainesport. Board members are elected each November for three-year terms."
^Staff. "Special services school superintendent retiring", Courier-Post, March 15, 2001. Accessed October 26, 2015. "A former assemblyman representing Burlington County, DeSopo was the subject of an FBI investigation in 1997 regarding an election campaign complaint that he misused students and staff to work on his Westampton home and a summer home on Long Beach Island."
^Staff. "Fire strikes Rowan estate mansion in Westampton", Courier-Post, November 10, 2016. Accessed May 14, 2017. "Westampton - A fire was reported at the historic Rowan estate mansion Thursday, according to police reports.... The home, located on county parkland, was formerly owned by the late industrialist and philanthropist Henry Rowan."
^Levinsky, David. "Longtime Sheriff Jean Stanfield to step down in May", Burlington County Times, February 23, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020. "Stanfield said she was still unsure of her future plans but did not rule out the possibility of rejoining the GOP ticket as a freeholder candidate. 'I would definitely think about it if asked,' said the Westampton resident."
^Kelsi Worrell, USA Swimming. Accessed December 14, 2015. "Birthplace: Voorhees, N.J. Hometown: Westampton, N.J. High School: Rancocas Valley Regional High School (Mt. Holly, N.J.) '12"