Pine Hill was created on April 23, 1929, from Clementon Township, one of seven municipalities created from the now-defunct township, and one of five new municipalities, including Hi-Nella Borough, Lindenwold Borough, Pine Valley Borough, and Somerdale Borough, created on that same date.[24] Earlier known as Mont Ararat or Clementon Heights, the name "Pine Hill" was chosen to reflect the trees and terrain of the area.[25]
The borough of Pine Valley agreed to be absorbed into Pine Hill in 2021. The merger took effect on January 1, 2022, adding $20 million in taxable property and the famed golf course into Pine Hill.[26] The merger of the two municipalities was the first in the state since Princeton was formed in 2011 from the former Princeton Borough and Princeton Township, New Jersey.[27]
The borough had the 16th-highest property tax rate in New Jersey, with an equalized rate of 4.520% in 2020, compared to 3.470% in the county as a whole and a statewide average of 2.279%.[28]
Of the 4,086 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18; 38.6% were married couples living together; 18.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 36.3% were non-families. Of all households, 29.1% were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.10.[21]
23.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 88.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 84.2 males.[21]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that, in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars, median household income was $53,236 with a margin of error of +/− $3,808, and the median family income was $71,789 (+/− $4,439). Males had a median income of $47,094 (+/− $3,168) versus $41,711 (+/− $3,474) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,610 (+/− $1,792). About 11.0% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.[37]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census,[18] there were 10,880 people, 4,214 households, and 2,743 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,768.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,068.9/km2). There were 4,444 housing units at an average density of 1,130.8 per square mile (436.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 76.79% White, 18.35% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.41% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.21% from other races, and 1.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.64% of the population.[35][36]
There were 4,214 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 27.8% of all households 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 2.58 and the average family size was 3.18.[35][36]
In the borough, the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.[35][36]
The median income for a household in the borough was $42,035, and the median income for a family was $50,040. Males had a median income of $36,277 versus $29,826 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,613. About 5.9% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.[35][36]
Government
Local government
Pine Hill is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) 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.[8] The borough form of government used by Pine Hill 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][41]
As of 2023[update], the mayor of Pine Hill Borough is Democrat Christopher Green, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Pine Hill Borough Council are Terence G. "Terry" Burke (D, 2025), Patricia L. Corry-Gaft (D, 2023), Thomas B. Knott (D, 2024), John J. Robb (D, 2024), Erica Wakeley (D, 2023; elected to serve an unexpired term) and Charles E. Warrington Jr. (D, 2025).[4][42][43][44][45][46]
In July 2022, Erica Wakely was appointed to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Charles Jaxel until he resigned from office
[47] Wakely served on an interim basis until the November 2022 general election when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[43]
Federal, state, and county representation
Pine Hill is located in the 1st Congressional District[48] and is part of New Jersey's 6th state legislative district.[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.[56] As of 2024[update], Camden County's Commissioners are:
Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. (D, Collingswood, 2026),[57]
Commissioner Deputy Director Edward T. McDonnell (D, Pennsauken Township, 2025),[58]
Virginia Ruiz Betteridge (D, Runnemede, 2025),[59]
Almar Dyer (D, Pennsauken Township, 2024),[60]
Melinda Kane (D, Cherry Hill, 2024),[61]
Jeffrey L. Nash (D, Winslow Township, 2024),[62] and
Jonathan L. Young Sr. (D, Berlin Township, 2026).[63][56][64][65][66]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 6,425 registered voters in Pine Hill, of which 2,586 (40.2%) were registered as Democrats, 634 (9.9%) were registered as Republicans and 3,201 (49.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[74]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 74.8% of the vote (3,087 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 23.9% (987 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (52 votes), among the 4,162 ballots cast by the borough's 6,965 registered voters (36 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 59.8%.[75][76] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 70.4% of the vote (3,029 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain, who received around 26.2% (1,127 votes), with 4,304 ballots cast among the borough's 6,203 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.4%.[77] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 65.5% of the vote (2,578 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush, who received around 32.9% (1,294 votes), with 3,936 ballots cast among the borough's 5,912 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 66.6.[78]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 51.4% of the vote (988 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 46.9% (903 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (33 votes), among the 1,966 ballots cast by the borough's 7,046 registered voters (42 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 27.9%.[79][80] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 55.4% of the vote (1,165 ballots cast), ahead of both Republican Chris Christie with 36.6% (769 votes) and Independent Chris Daggett with 4.9% (102 votes), with 2,103 ballots cast among the borough's 6,369 registered voters, yielding a 33.0% turnout.[81]
Education
The Pine Hill Schools serve public school students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 1,899 students and 168.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.3:1.[82] Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[83]) are Dr. Albert Bean Elementary School[84] with 370 students in grades Pre-K–5, John H. Glenn Elementary School[85] with 453 students in grades Pre-K–5, Pine Hill Middle School[86] with 377 students in grades 6–8, and Overbrook High School[87] with 656 students in grades 9–12.[88][89]
Following the dissolution of the Lower Camden County Regional School District, Overbrook High School became part of the Pine Hill district as of September 2001, with students from Berlin Township and Clementon attending the school as part of sending/receiving relationships.[90][91][92]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 32.13 miles (51.71 km) of roadways, of which 24.15 miles (38.87 km) were maintained by the municipality and 7.98 miles (12.84 km) by Camden County.[93]
County Route 534 is the only significant roadway serving Pine Hill directly, running 1.2 miles (1.9 km) through the borough.[94][95]
Lucinda Florio (1947–2022), teacher and advocate for education and literacy, who, as the wife of former New Jersey Governor James Florio, served as the First Lady of New Jersey[101]
John Vukovich (1947–2007), professional baseball utility infielder, manager and coach[102]
^Riordan, Kevin. "Humble Pine Hill gets ready to welcome the posh Pine Valley Golf Club as two N.J. boroughs become one", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 3, 2021. Accessed November 16, 2021. "Kennedy said that Pine Valley had sought the consolidation after a nonbinding 2020 referendum voters there approved, 10-0, because it “has been experiencing some budgetary challenges.” Becoming part of Pine Hill will provide his constituents with “a sustainable municipal government,” said the Pine Valley mayor.... So far, Pine Hill seems to be taking in stride the prospect of gaining a few well-heeled residents, a $20 million tax ratable, and bragging rights to one of the finest golf courses anywhere."
^Symons, Michael. "NJ about to subtract one of its tiniest towns in rare merger", NJ 101.5, December 30, 2021. Accessed April 24, 2023. "For the first time in a decade, and the third time in a quarter-century, two New Jersey municipalities are about to merge. The borough of Pine Valley in Camden County voted to consolidate into Pine Hill. The disappearing town has 21 residents – barely one for each hole on the main course at Pine Valley Golf Club, one of the top golf courses in the world and the borough’s reason for existing... The merge takes effect on Jan 1.... Princeton borough and township voted to merge in 2011, after discussing the idea for a half-century."
^"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.... 16. Pine Hill Equalized tax rate in Pine Hill Borough, Camden County, was 4.520 in 2020 Average equalized tax rate in Camden County: 3.470"
^Borough Council Meeting Minutes for July 18, 2022, Borough of Pine Hill. Accessed June 8, 2023. "Mayor Green and Council discussed the submittal of (3) names from the Democrat Committee Chair to fill unexpired term due to the recent resignation of Charles Jaxel. Councilman Robb made a motion to appoint Erica Michelle Wakeley as Mr. Jaxel's replacement, seconded by Councilman Knott Mayor Green reported on Resolution 2022-106 to appoint Erica Michelle Wakeley to fill the unexpired term of Councilman Jaxel and after this she will be on the November ballot as well."
^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.."
^Clementon School District 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed January 11, 2017. "The Clementon School District serves approximately 435 students in grades preschool through eight. These students all attend Clementon Elementary School. Clementon students in grades nine through twelve attend Overbrook High School in the Pine Hill School District."
^District Profile, Pine Hill Schools. Accessed January 11, 2017. "Pine Hill School District is composed of four schools which include Dr. Albert Bean Elementary School, John Glenn Elementary School, Pine Hill Middle School, and Overbrook High School. Students from both Clementon and Berlin Township School Districts join those residing in Pine Hill to attend Overbrook High School."
^Longman, Jere. "Penn State Overcomes Badgers' Mass", The New York Times, September 29, 1996. Accessed July 10, 2015. "Dayne grew up in Pine Hill, N.J., but showed the same indifference to Penn State's recruiting efforts as he did to its miserly defense."
^via Associated Press. "DeMarco Using Cure-All Again", Reading Eagle, March 2, 1979. Accessed July 10, 2015. "'The year I was closed down in Pennsylvania 15 people died because they didn't get the drug,' DeMarco said in a telephone interview from his Pine Hill, N.J., home."
^Kuperinsky, Amy. "Jermaine Jones, South Jersey's 'Gentle Giant,' perseveres on American Idol", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, March 6, 2012. Accessed September 20, 2019. "Jermaine Jones, of Pine Hill in Camden County, impressed the judges enough that they decided to bring him back to the competition, where he's now made the cut as a top-13 contestant."
^Turner, Elizabeth. "Meet Lucinda Florio", Asbury Park Press, April 22, 1990. Accessed July 24, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "Because of the long hours she kept and the unreliability of an old car, Mrs. Florio made a fateful decision to move to an apartment complex in Pine Hill near the end of 1984. She soon found out Congressman Jim Florio lived in the unit below her."
![House believed to have been owned by Al Capone[1]](/en/File:Believed_to_be_Al_Capones_house_Pine_Hill,_NJ.jpg)
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