Berlin was incorporated as a borough on March 29, 1927, from portions of Berlin Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 26, 1927.[22]
History
What is now Berlin was known in earlier times as "Longacoming." The LenapeNative Americans used Lonaconing Trail to describe the travel route that ran through the area, connecting the Jersey Shore to the Delaware River. Another tradition cites early European visitors who found a stream at the head of the Great Egg Harbor River and appreciated the respite as being "long a coming".[23]
Long-a-Coming Depot, built in 1856 and believed to be the oldest surviving railroad station in New Jersey
Long-a-Coming[24] became a stopping point for stagecoaches located at the halfway point between Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Upon the creation of Camden County in 1844, it was briefly named the county seat (while the area was still a part of Waterford Township), until 1848 when the seat moved to the city of Camden.[25] A rail line was laid in 1853. Three years later, the Long-a-Coming railroad station was built. In February 1867, the station was renamed "Magnolia". This caused confusion because there was a community called Magnolia nearby. Three months later, the station's name changed to Berlin. The name "Berlin" may have been chosen as a reference to the city of Berlin in Germany,[26] though the derivation is uncertain.[23]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 3.61 square miles (9.34 km2), including 3.59 square miles (9.31 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.04 km2) of water (0.39%).[1][2]
The borough is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering 1,100,000 acres (450,000 ha), that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.[30] Part of the borough is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Camden County, along with areas in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.[31]
Of the 2,806 households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18; 52.9% were married couples living together; 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.9% were non-families. Of all households, 25.7% were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.22.[19]
22.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 86.3 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $65,771 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,475) and the median family income was $79,347 (+/− $13,820). Males had a median income of $53,102 (+/− $7,153) versus $47,292 (+/− $13,458) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $33,672 (+/− $5,917). About 4.4% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.[36]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[16] there were 6,149 people, 2,205 households, and 1,660 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,718.6 inhabitants per square mile (663.6/km2). There were 2,275 housing units at an average density of 635.8 per square mile (245.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.06% White, 2.18% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.69% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.11% of the population.[37][35]
There were 2,205 households, out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% 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 3.19.[37][35]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.[37][35]
The median income for a household in the borough was $60,286, and the median income for a family was $68,704. Males had a median income of $44,211 versus $31,980 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,675. About 1.9% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.[37][35]
Government
Local government
Berlin is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 (of the 565) municipalities statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[38] 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 is comprised of 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.[6] The borough form of government used by Berlin 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.[39][40]
As of 2023[update], the mayor of Berlin Borough is Independent Rick Miller, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023.[3] Members of the Borough Council are Council President Jacob "Jake" Miller (R, 2024), Leonard Badolato (I, 2023), Patricia Cummings (R, 2024), Keith Hohing (R, 2023), Carlos Mascarenhas (I, 2025) And Millard V. Wilkinson (I, 2025).[41][42][43][44][45][46]
In January 2020, the borough council appointed Patricia Cummings to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that had been held by Ron Rocco until he resigned from office and also appointed Jake Miller to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Rick Miller until he stepped down to take office as a mayor.[47]
In September 2019, Keith Hohing was appointed to serve the term expiring in December 2021 that had been held by Mike Buchanan until he resigned after purchasing a home outside of Berlin Borough.[48]
In May 2019, the borough council selected Andy Simone to fill the seat expiring in December 2019 that had been vacated by Daniel MacDonell until he resigned from office the previous month.[49]
Camden County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners comprised of seven members chosen at-large in partisan elections for three-year terms on a staggered basis by the residents of the county, with either two or three seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. At a reorganization meeting held in January after each election, the newly constituted Board of Commissioners selects one member to serve as Director and another as Deputy Director, each serving a one-year term in that role.[61] As of 2024[update], Camden County's Commissioners are:
Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. (D, Collingswood, 2026),[62]
Commissioner Deputy Director Edward T. McDonnell (D, Pennsauken Township, 2025),[63]
Virginia Ruiz Betteridge (D, Runnemede, 2025),[64]
Almar Dyer (D, Pennsauken Township, 2024),[65]
Melinda Kane (D, Cherry Hill, 2024),[66]
Jeffrey L. Nash (D, Winslow Township, 2024),[67] and
Jonathan L. Young Sr. (D, Berlin Township, 2026).[68][61][69][70][71]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 5,225 registered voters in Berlin, of which 1,731 (33.1% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,044 (20.0% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 2,450 (46.9% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[79] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 68.9% (vs. 57.1% in Camden County) were registered to vote, including 89.2% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).[79][80]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 1,851 votes (50.9% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 1,720 votes (47.3% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates with 44 votes (1.2% vs. 0.9%), among the 3,635 ballots cast by the borough's 5,478 registered voters, for a turnout of 66.4% (vs. 70.4% in Camden County).[81][82] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 1,993 votes (52.2% vs. 66.2% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 1,724 votes (45.2% vs. 30.7%) and other candidates with 45 votes (1.2% vs. 1.1%), among the 3,817 ballots cast by the borough's 5,281 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.3% (vs. 71.4% in Camden County).[83] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 1,842 votes (50.2% vs. 61.7% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 1,766 votes (48.2% vs. 36.4%) and other candidates with 38 votes (1.0% vs. 0.8%), among the 3,667 ballots cast by the borough's 4,790 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.6% (vs. 71.3% in the whole county).[84]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 65.1% of the vote (1,255 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 33.4% (645 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (29 votes), among the 1,975 ballots cast by the borough's 5,487 registered voters (46 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 36.0%.[85][86] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,261 votes (52.0% vs. 38.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 989 votes (40.8% vs. 53.8%), Independent Chris Daggett with 120 votes (5.0% vs. 4.5%) and other candidates with 16 votes (0.7% vs. 1.1%), among the 2,423 ballots cast by the borough's 5,126 registered voters, yielding a 47.3% turnout (vs. 40.8% in the county).[87]
The Berlin Historic District is a 28-acre (11 ha) national historic district along Washington, East Taunton, and Haines avenues and parts of South White Horse Pike, Jackson Road, and Jefferson Avenue in the community. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 14, 1995, for its significance in architecture and community development. The district includes 65 contributing buildings.[90]
The Victorian-style John Westcott House on Washington Avenue was built in the 1860s and features a cupola. The Dr. William C. Raughley House was built 1888–1889 with Queen Anne style and is a key contributing property. The Victorian house at 18 Washington Avenue was built in 1865. The Victorian Joseph N. Ross House was built in 1870 and features a scalloped vergeboard and spindlework.[90]
18 Washington Avenue
Joseph N. Ross House
Hindu temple on Taunton Street
Education
The Berlin Borough School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Berlin Community School.[91][92] As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 802 students and 73.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.9:1.[93] Many Community Education and Recreation (CER) programs are held at Berlin Community School, including preschool and after school programs.
Students from Berlin Borough, and from all of Camden County, are eligible to attend the Camden County Technical Schools, a countywide public school district that serves the vocational and technical education needs of students at the high school and post-secondary level at the Gloucester Township Campus in the Sicklerville section of Gloucester Township or the Pennsauken Camps in Pennsauken Township. Students are accepted based on district admission standards and costs of attendance and transportation are covered by the home district of each student.[97]
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Regional School, founded in 1956, is an elementary school that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden servingstudents in grades PreK-8.[98][99]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 41.51 miles (66.80 km) of roadways, of which 27.66 miles (44.51 km) were maintained by the municipality, 9.52 miles (15.32 km) by Camden County and 4.33 miles (6.97 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[100]
^Shinkle, Matthew. "Berlin Council hosts reorganization meeting Council swears in new Mayor, four councilpersons", The Berlin Sun, January 10, 2020. Accessed March 19, 2020. "Berlin Borough Council hosted its reorganization meeting Jan. 3 at borough hall, swearing in a new mayor as a change in leadership commences within the borough. Four council members were sworn in after the mayor, with two of them having won last November’s election and two being appointed by council.... After swearing in election winners, council appointed two additional residents to council. Two seats were left open for council to fill within 30 days of being vacated. One was left open after Miller was sworn in as mayor and another after the resignation of former Councilman Ron Rocco.... At the reorganization meeting, Jacob Miller was appointed to Rick Miller’s former seat, which is set to expire at the end of this year.... Meanwhile, council also appointed Patricia Cummings for the seat left open after Rocco’s resignation."
^Council Meeting Minutes for September 12, 2019, Berlin Borough. Accessed March 19, 2020. "Councilman Buchanan read his letter of resignation. He explained that he and his family had purchased a new home, which unfortunately did not fall within the boundaries of the Borough.... A motion was made to appoint Keith Hohing to the vacant council seat... New Councilman Appointed - Replacing Councilman Buchanan’s seat will be Berlin Borough business owner & resident Keith Hohing. Mr. Long swore in Mr. Hohing into office."
^Full Biography, Congressman Donald Norcross. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Donald and his wife Andrea live in Camden City and are the proud parents of three grown children and grandparents of two."
^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.."
^Berlin Borough Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Berlin Borough School District. Accessed February 11, 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 eight in the Berlin Borough School District. Composition: The Berlin Borough School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Berlin Borough."
^Meet the Board of Education, Eastern Camden County Regional School District. Accessed February 5, 2020. "Members are elected for three-year terms of service to the community and the school. Representation on the board is determined proportionately based on the populations of the three sending districts, Berlin Borough, Gibbsboro and Voorhees Township."
^Rachel Dawson, Team USA. Accessed December 30, 2013. "From her childhood home in Berlin, NJ, Dawson shared her competitive spirit, natural athleticism and a tiny bathroom with her seven siblings. Two of her older sisters even played field hockey for the U.S. National Team."
^USA adds Sarah Dawson to PanAm Games roster, International Hockey Federation, July 4, 2007. Accessed December 30, 2013. "USA women's head coach Lee Bodimeade has added midfielder Sarah Dawson (Berlin, N.J.) to the USA's Pan American Games roster after an injury sidelined forward Dina Risso (Walpole, Mass.)."
^Hagenmeyer, S. Joseph. "Walter E. Pedersen, 87, Political And Union Leader", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 23, 1998, backed up by the Internet Archive as of October 20, 2016. Accessed November 14, 2017. "Walter E. Pedersen, 87, a former Republican assemblyman and Camden County union leader, died Wednesday at his Clementon home. Mr. Pedersen, who was born in Berlin Borough, had lived in Clementon since he was 9. He was a 1929 graduate of Haddon Heights High School and, while a student, caddied at Pine Valley Golf Club for 10 years."
^Peterson, Bettelou. "Drama Is Ripa's First Job", The Wichita Eagle, May 19, 1991. Accessed August 16, 2007. "Ripa's from Berlin, N.J., and studied at Camden (N.J.) Community College before landing the role through an audition."
^Zwelling, Arden. "Blue Jays' Schneider has unforgettable MLB debut two years after nearly quitting baseball", Sportsnet, August 4, 2023. Accessed August 5, 2023. "The closest Davis Schneider came to walking away from baseball was June, 2021.... Friday, only two years after that text exchange, at Fenway Park, a ballpark he’d never set foot in before, where Williams and Yastrzemski and Ortiz played, against a division rival in the thick of a playoff race, facing a guy with 150 starts and a no-hitter in the bigs, as his parents, his family, his friends from back home in Berlin, N.J. looked on, Schneider stepped into the box for his first major-league plate appearance:"
United States
New Jersey
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