Location of Riverside Township in
Burlington County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Burlington County in
New Jersey highlighted in red (left).
Census Bureau map of Riverside Township, New Jersey
Riverside was incorporated as a township by an act of the
New Jersey Legislature on February 20, 1895, from portions of
Delran Township.[22] A portion of the township was annexed by Delran in 1901.[23] The township was originally named Progress which was changed to Riverside for its location on the
Delaware River.[24]
Geography
According to the
United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 1.61 square miles (4.16 km2), including 1.48 square miles (3.84 km2) of land and 0.12 square miles (0.32 km2) of water (7.70%).[1][2]
Of the 2,959 households, 31.0% had children under the age of 18; 46.2% were married couples living together; 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.5% were non-families. Of all households, 24.3% were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.22.[18]
23.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 101.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 99.6 males.[18]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010
American Community Survey showed that (in 2010
inflation-adjusted dollars)
median household income was $56,377 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,391) and the median family income was $65,825 (+/− $9,709). Males had a median income of $46,962 (+/− $4,387) versus $32,413 (+/− $6,739) for females. The
per capita income for the borough was $24,243 (+/− $2,264). About 3.9% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.[36]
2000 census
As of the
2000 United States census[15] there were 7,911 people, 2,978 households, and 1,992 families residing in the township. The population density was 5,197.2 inhabitants per square mile (2,006.7/km2). There were 3,118 housing units at an average density of 2,048.4 per square mile (790.9/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 90.22%
White, 4.44%
African American, 0.14%
Native American, 0.42%
Asian, 0.01%
Pacific Islander, 2.28% from
other races, and 2.50% from two or more races.
Hispanic or
Latino of any race were 4.11% of the population.[34][35]
There were 2,978 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were
married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.21.[34][35]
In the township the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.[34][35]
The median income for a household in the township was $43,358, and the median income for a family was $52,479. Males had a median income of $36,556 versus $25,510 for females. The
per capita income for the township was $18,758. About 6.7% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.[34][35]
Government
Local government
Riverside 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.[37] 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.[6][38] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor, each for a term of one year.
As of 2023[update], members of the Riverside Township Committee are
Mayor Michael Higgins (
R, term on committee ends December 31, 2023; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Corey S. Kimble (
D, term on committee ends December 31, 2023; term as deputy mayor ends 2023), Robert Giovanetti (D, 2024), Matthew Kirk (R, 2024) and Joseph Peditto (R, 2025).[3][39][40][41][42]
In March 2023, Higgins switched parties and announce that he would run as a Republican in November 2023; the switch gave Republicans a 3-2 majority on the council.[43]
In March 2019, the Township Committee chose Michael Higgins from a list of three candidates nominated by the
Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that became vacant when Michael D. Miller submitted his resignation.[44] In the November 2019 general election, Republican Matthew Kirk defeated Higgins by a single vote and was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[45][46]
In January 2018, Republican F. Michael Hart was selected by the Township Committee from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2019 that was vacated by Robert R. Prisco after he resigned to accept a Judicial appointment to a New Jersey Workers' Compensation Judgeship; Hart served on an interim basis until the November 2018 general election,[47] when voters elected Democrat Michelle Weaver to serve the balance of the term of office.[48]
In July 2016, Jason Frey was selected by the Township Committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2018 that was vacated by Timothy LeConey when he announced that he was resigning and moving out of the township.[49] Frey served on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[50]
On Election Day, November 7, 2006, Mayor Chuck Hilton and fellow Republican incumbent James Ott were defeated by their Democratic opponents, newcomers Lorraine Hatcher and Thomas Polino. An anti-immigration
ordinance passed by the Township Committee that imposed fines on any business that hires or any landlord who rents to an illegal immigrant was a major issue in the campaign.[51]
Federal, state and county representation
Riverside is located in the 3rd Congressional District[52] and is part of New Jersey's 7th state legislative district.[53][54][55]
Burlington County's Constitutional Officers are:
Clerk Joanne Schwartz (D,
Southampton Township, 2028)[71][72]
Sheriff James H. Kostoplis (D,
Bordentown, 2025)[73][74] and
Surrogate Brian J. Carlin (D, Burlington Township, 2026).[75][76]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,189 registered voters in Riverside Township, of which 1,527 (36.5% vs. 33.3% countywide) were registered as
Democrats, 685 (16.4% vs. 23.9%) were registered as
Republicans and 1,974 (47.1% vs. 42.8%) were registered as
Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as
Libertarians or
Greens.[77] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 51.9% (vs. 61.7% in Burlington County) were registered to vote, including 67.4% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.3% countywide).[77][78]
In the
2012 presidential election, Democrat
Barack Obama received 1,816 votes here (61.7% vs. 58.1% countywide), ahead of Republican
Mitt Romney with 1,073 votes (36.5% vs. 40.2%) and other candidates with 31 votes (1.1% vs. 1.0%), among the 2,941 ballots cast by the township's 4,329 registered voters, for a turnout of 67.9% (vs. 74.5% in Burlington County).[79][80] In the
2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 1,881 votes here (58.9% vs. 58.4% countywide), ahead of Republican
John McCain with 1,233 votes (38.6% vs. 39.9%) and other candidates with 42 votes (1.3% vs. 1.0%), among the 3,191 ballots cast by the township's 4,278 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.6% (vs. 80.0% in Burlington County).[81] In the
2004 presidential election, Democrat
John Kerry received 1,726 votes here (56.7% vs. 52.9% countywide), ahead of Republican
George W. Bush with 1,278 votes (42.0% vs. 46.0%) and other candidates with 24 votes (0.8% vs. 0.8%), among the 3,044 ballots cast by the township's 4,197 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.5% (vs. 78.8% in the whole county).[82]
In the
2013 gubernatorial election, Republican
Chris Christie received 1,018 votes here (59.4% vs. 61.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat
Barbara Buono with 634 votes (37.0% vs. 35.8%) and other candidates with 18 votes (1.1% vs. 1.2%), among the 1,714 ballots cast by the township's 4,254 registered voters, yielding a 40.3% turnout (vs. 44.5% in the county).[83][84] In the
2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat
Jon Corzine received 854 ballots cast (46.4% vs. 44.5% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 821 votes (44.6% vs. 47.7%), Independent
Chris Daggett with 104 votes (5.7% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 28 votes (1.5% vs. 1.2%), among the 1,840 ballots cast by the township's 4,324 registered voters, yielding a 42.6% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).[85]
Students from Riverside Township, and from all of Burlington County, are eligible to attend the
Burlington County Institute of Technology, a countywide public school district that serves the vocational and technical education needs of students at the high school and post-secondary level at its campuses in
Medford and
Westampton.[98]
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 27.39 miles (44.08 km) of roadways, of which 24.14 miles (38.85 km) were maintained by the municipality and 3.25 miles (5.23 km) by Burlington County.[99]
No Interstate, U.S. or state highways directly serve Riverside Township. The most significant road passing through the township is
County Route 543.[100][101]
Riverside was used for the filming of the film Jesus' Son and was the site of picketing by nuns who objected to the implication from the film's title that Jesus fathered a child.[106][107]
Immigration debate
In July 2006, a controversial ordinance was passed by the township committee trying to handle the large number of unauthorized immigrants, primarily from
Brazil, that had moved into the township. The ordinance stated that employers who hired an
illegal immigrant and landlords who rented to them would be fined $1,000 - $2,000 per incident and could possibly lose their business license. In response to the ordinance, several civil groups including the
ACLU and
People for the American Way took or contemplated legal actions against the ordinance.[108][109]
In August 2007, the ordinance was repealed, and some have speculated that the exodus of over 1,000 immigrants from Riverside to other New Jersey townships was a major factor.[110] The ordinance repealing the law cited the high cost of defending it against further legal challenges.[111]
Many people born in Riverside Township were born at Zurbrugg Hospital during a period of about 75 years beginning in 1915.[112] People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Riverside Township include:
Jim Bailey (1938–2015), singer, film, television and stage actor, and female impersonator[113]
^
abcElected Officials, Township of Riverside. Accessed March 26, 2023. "The Riverside Township Committee is comprised of five (5) members that are elected at large during the annual elections. These elections are partisan and each committee member serves a staggered three-year term upon election.... The members of the committee select the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to serve for a one-year term."
^"Mayor of Riverside Switches Parties – Will Run for Reelection as a Republican", Insider NJ, March 24, 2023. Accessed March 26, 2023. "Democrats lost control of Riverside Township Committee this week when Mayor Mike Higgins (aka John M. Higgins) changed his party affiliation to Republican. Higgins joins fellow GOP Committee members Matt Kirk and Joe Peditto. He will run for reelection this year on the Republican slate alongside newcomer Christy Veasy."
^Woolston, George.
"GOP holds on by one vote for Riverside seat", Burlington County Times, November 14, 2019. Accessed May 14, 2020. "The Republican challenger for a one-year, unexpired seat on the Riverside Township Committee has defeated the Democrat incumbent by one vote. Matthew Kirk just barely held on to his lead over Michael Higgins on Thursday after provisional ballots were tallied at the Burlington County Board of Elections in Mount Holly.... The final tally was Kirk 582, Higgins 581."
^January 22, 2018, Regular Meeting Minutes, Riverside Township. Accessed August 24, 2018. "Robert R. Prisco - Letter of Resignation from the Township Committee due to an appointment as a Workers' Compensation Judge.... Motion made by Messrs. Frey and Miller to appoint Frederick Michael Hart to the Township Committee to fill a vacancy which was created by the resignation of Robert R. Prisco."
^McHale, Todd.
"Riverside Township Committee appoints new member", Burlington County Times, July 19, 2016. Accessed November p, 2017. "A software developer has been named the newest member of the Township Committee. Jason Frey was appointed at Monday’s meeting to fill the vacancy left by Timothy LeConey.... Deputy Mayor Lorraine Hatcher, who ran with LeConey twice, said her former running mate had to step down because he plans to relocate out of town."
^Biography of Bob Menendez,
United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
^Riverside Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Riverside School District. Accessed May 14, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades K through 12 in the Township of Riverside School District and in grades 9 through 12 for the Township of Delanco. Composition: The School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Riverside Township."
^Hurdle, Jon.
"New Jersey town scraps law on illegal immigration",
Reuters, September 18, 2007. Accessed August 9, 2013. "Riverside Township's decision to scrap the law, agreed late on Monday, represents the first time that a municipality planning such a measure has backed down in the face of a lawsuit, said Omar Jadwat, an attorney with the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project.... In Riverside, about 10 miles northeast of Philadelphia, an ordinance rescinding the law cited high legal costs and the defeat of the Hazleton law for its decision to repeal."
^History, Zurbrugg Memorial Hospital. Accessed January 18, 2014.
^Staff.
"Jim Bailey Banks On Fabulous Fakes", Philadelphia Daily News, May 13, 1983. Accessed November 26, 2013. "They moved to New Jersey when Jim was 10, and lived in Palmyra, Riverside and Willingboro before locating in Vincentown, where he visited them this week before his shore date."
^Lesley Choyce - Biography, Waterfront Views. Accessed November 30, 2013. "Prolific author Lesley Choyce was born in Riverside, New Jersey in 1951."
^Bodnar, Jason.
"Former football player ready to tackle a career in acting", Burlington County Times, October 17, 2005. Accessed November 30, 2013. "Now 1993 Delran High School graduate Bill Duff is trying his hand at a new entertainment career: acting. Duff, who now lives in Riverside, plays a 'Freezer Nasty' monster in "Nightmares X-treme Scream Park," an interactive show playing through Oct. 31 at the Wachovia Spectrum."
^Winkler, Renee.
"WWII vet a witness to the unspeakable", Courier-Post, May 5, 2008. Accessed February 26, 2011. "South Jersey recipients of the Medal of Honor were John W. Dutko of Riverside, Francis X. McGraw of Camden and Benjamin George Jr. of Carneys Point, all privates."
^"Historical Society". Riverside Township.
Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
^Sheneman, Drew.
"Chatting with DC Comics cover artist Adam Hughes", The Star-Ledger, October 7, 2010. Accessed February 26, 2011. "Born in the small town of Riverside, Adam Hughes spent his childhood drawing and reading comics. Then one day, while driving with his parents, he was doused with a dose of military-grade chemical waste during a fender bender."
^George Lehmann, Basketball-Reference.com. Accessed November 30, 2013.