New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Tabernacle Township as its 23rd best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.[26]New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Tabernacle Township as its sixth-best place to live in its 2010 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.[27] In 2009, it was rated the #1 small town by South Jersey Magazine.[28]
History
The area now known as Tabernacle was originally inhabited by the LenapeNative Americans. In 1778, John Brainerd established a Christian church called "Tabernacle in the Wilderness," with the aim of converting the local Native American population to Christianity.[29] In 1803, William Wilkins sold land to 28 individuals for the creation of Tabernacle Cemetery, which was located adjacent to the church.[30]
The church also served as a schoolhouse, but as the community expanded, a one-room schoolhouse was built in 1856 at the future location of Tabernacle Town Hall. A sawmill was constructed in the Friendship area in the early 1700s, and around 1860, Gilbert Knight built the Knight-Pepper House near the Town Hall. The property subsequently passed to the Scott and Pepper families, and upon the death of Clara Pepper in 1987, it was donated to the Tabernacle Historic Society. In the 1880s, the Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church was constructed on the original site, where it still stands today.[31]
On July 13, 1928, Emilio Carranza, known as the "Lindbergh of Mexico," tragically crashed in Tabernacle during a storm while flying from New York City to Mexico. The Carranza Memorial was erected in his memory, funded by Mexican schoolchildren, and Hampton Gates Road was subsequently renamed Carranza Road in his honor.[30]
In 1909, the one-room schoolhouse was demolished and replaced by a two-room schoolhouse; it was relocated down the road in 1936, and two additional rooms were added.[citation needed] In the 1950s, the Tabernacle Elementary School was constructed on New Road, and Olson Middle School (previously Tabernacle Middle School) was built across the road in 1968. Following the death of Kenneth R. Olson in 1990, the Tabernacle School District renamed the school in his honor. In 2003, Seneca High School was established to serve high school students from Tabernacle, Shamong, Southampton, and Woodland Townships.
In 1970, the population of Tabernacle was 2,103. By 1980, the population had nearly tripled to 6,236, reflecting the rapid suburbanization of the Delaware Valley in South Jersey. The population peaked at 7,362 in 1990, but has been gradually decreasing since then, with 7,170 residents recorded in 2000, and 6,949 in the 2010 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 49.63 square miles (128.54 km2), including 49.20 square miles (127.43 km2) of land and 0.43 square miles (1.11 km2) of water (0.86%).[2][3]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Apple Pie Hill, Bozuretown, Carranza Memorial, Eagle, Fairview, Fox Chase, Friendship, Hampton Gate, Harris, Oriental, Paisley, Pine Crest, Sandy Ridge, Sooy Place, South Park, Speedwell and White Horse Station.[32]
The township 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.[36] All of the township is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Burlington County, along with areas in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.[37]
Of the 2,375 households, 34.7% had children under the age of 18; 72.1% were married couples living together; 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 16.7% were non-families. Of all households, 13.4% were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.20.[19]
24.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 35.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 101.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 100.8 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $101,053 (with a margin of error of +/– $15,205) and the median family income was $107,179 (+/– $7,238). Males had a median income of $47,947 (+/– $13,091) versus $40,231 (+/– $18,026) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,726 (+/– $3,161). About 1.1% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.[45]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[16] there were 7,170 people, 2,346 households, and 2,010 families residing in the township. The population density was 145.0 inhabitants per square mile (56.0/km2). There were 2,385 housing units at an average density of 48.2 per square mile (18.6/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 96.29% White, 2.09% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.[43][44]
There were 2,346 households, out of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.6% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.3% were non-families. 11.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.28.[43][44]
In the township the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males.[43][44]
The median income for a household in the township was $76,432, and the median income for a family was $86,729. Males had a median income of $58,148 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the township was $27,874. About 1.1% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the Poverty threshold, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.[43][44]
Parks and recreation
The Carranza Monument – A 12-foot (3.7 m) monument in the Wharton State Forest that marks the site of the July 13, 1928, crash of Emilio Carranza, known as "The Lindbergh of Mexico". The monument, installed with funds donated by Mexican schoolchildren, depicts a falling eagle of Aztec design. Every July on the Saturday nearest the anniversary of his crash (second Saturday in July) at 1:00 p.m., he is honored at the monument site by local residents and representatives from the Mexican consulates in New York City and Philadelphia.[46]
Delanco Camp – An inter-denominational Christian camp meeting and summer camp along Lake Agape, located here since 1964, preaching under the Wesleyan doctrine.[47]
The Batona Trail – A hiking trail that extends for 49.5 miles (79.7 km), with significant portions running through Tabernacle Township.[48]
Apple Pie Hill is the highest point in the Pine Barrens and one of the highest in South Jersey, standing 205 feet (62 m) above sea level, with a 60-foot (18 m) fire tower providing panoramic views across much of the region.[49][50] In September 2016, chronic vandalism led the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to eliminate access to Apple Pie Hill by erecting a fence around the tower; access is possible when New Jersey Forest Fire Service Division personnel are at the site.[51]
Government
Local government
Tabernacle 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.[52] 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.[8][53] At an annual reorganization meeting held during the first week of January after each election, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.
As of 2023[update], members of the Tabernacle Township Committee are Mayor Samuel R. Moore III (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Mark Hartman (R, elected to serve an unexpired term on committee that ends 2023; term as deputy mayor ends 2023), Kimberly A. Brown (R, 2023), Noble McNaughton (R,2025;appointed to serve an unexpired term), William J. Sprague Jr. (R, 2025).[4][54][55][56][57]
The township committee appointed Noble McNaughton in February 2023 to fill the seat expiring in December 2025 that had been held by Robert C. Sunbury.[58]
In January 2022, the Township Committee appointed Mark Hartman to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held Matthew Baals until he resigned the previous month, shortly after taking office, citing "time commitment issues".[59][60] Hartman served on an interim basis until the November 2022 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[55]
Burlington County's Constitutional Officers are:
Clerk Joanne Schwartz (D, Southampton Township, 2028)[79][80]
Sheriff James H. Kostoplis (D, Bordentown, 2025)[81][82] and
Surrogate Brian J. Carlin (D, Burlington Township, 2026).[83][84]
Politics
As of March 2011[update], there were a total of 5,022 registered voters in Tabernacle Township, of which 981 (19.5% vs. 33.3% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,916 (38.2% vs. 23.9%) were registered as Republicans and 2,122 (42.3% vs. 42.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[85] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 72.3% (vs. 61.7% in Burlington County) were registered to vote, including 95.2% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.3% countywide).[85][86]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 2,247 votes here (58.4% vs. 40.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,525 votes (39.6% vs. 58.1%) and other candidates with 49 votes (1.3% vs. 1.0%), among the 3,848 ballots cast by the township's 5,202 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.0% (vs. 74.5% in Burlington County).[87][88] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 2,216 votes here (56.4% vs. 39.9% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,635 votes (41.6% vs. 58.4%) and other candidates with 53 votes (1.3% vs. 1.0%), among the 3,926 ballots cast by the township's 4,978 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.9% (vs. 80.0% in Burlington County).[89] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,345 votes here (59.4% vs. 46.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 1,544 votes (39.1% vs. 52.9%) and other candidates with 45 votes (1.1% vs. 0.8%), among the 3,950 ballots cast by the township's 4,991 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.1% (vs. 78.8% in the whole county).[90]
In the 2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,850 votes here (74.5% vs. 61.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 557 votes (22.4% vs. 35.8%) and other candidates with 36 votes (1.4% vs. 1.2%), among the 2,484 ballots cast by the township's 5,150 registered voters, yielding a 48.2% turnout (vs. 44.5% in the county).[91][92] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,682 votes here (63.8% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 778 votes (29.5% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 127 votes (4.8% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 27 votes (1.0% vs. 1.2%), among the 2,636 ballots cast by the township's 5,009 registered voters, yielding a 52.6% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).[93]
Students from Tabernacle 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.[106]
Transportation
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 89.17 miles (143.51 km) of roadways, of which 71.63 miles (115.28 km) were maintained by the municipality, 14.00 miles (22.53 km) by Burlington County and 3.54 miles (5.70 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[107]
^Wharton State Forest - Apple Pie Hill, New Jersey Birding and Wildlife Trails. Accessed December 29, 2014. "At approximately 205 feet above sea level, Apple Pie Hill is the highest point in the Pine Barrens."
^Apple Pie Hill, SummitPost.org. Accessed December 29, 2014. "This one is unique in that it has a fire tower on it and it is accessible by car. Summit elevation is 205 feet, and the tower adds some 60 feet."
^Adomaitis, Greg. "Pine Barrens landmark off limits to public due to vandalism", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 10, 2016. Accessed October 18, 2016. "The fire tower at Apple Pie Hill, which at 205 feet tall provides glimpses of both Atlantic City and Philadelphia, is being fenced off to restrict public access.
Larry Hajna, a state Department of Environmental Protection spokesman, said Saturday that those wishing to climb the 60-foot-tall tower will only be able to do so when New Jersey Forest Fire Service Division B staff are present."
^Township Committee Special Meeting Minutes February 2, 2023, Township of Tabernacle. Accessed April 25, 2023. "Discussion regarding Committee Vacancy Motion made by Hartman, 2nd by Brown to nominate Mr. Noble McNaughton to fill the vacancy. Ayes: Brown, Hartman, Moore, Sprague Absent: None Carried. Administrator Brown sworn in Mr. McNaughton"
^Township Committee Meeting Minutes for January 24, 2022, Tabernacle Township. Accessed May 1, 2022. "Mayor Moore stated that Committeeman Matthew Baals informed himself and the Administrator that he had to resign as Committeeman due to time commitment issues he had."
^Township Committee Meeting Minutes for February 14, 2022, Tabernacle Township. Accessed May 1, 2022. "Committeewoman Brown made a motion to appoint Mark Hartman to the vacant seat on the Township Committee, with Mr. Sunbury seconding. Mayor Moore called for a roll call vote.... With all ayes and no nays, the motion carried"
^Police, Tabernacle Township. Accessed April 25, 2023.
^Tabernacle Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Tabernacle School District. Accessed June 16, 2020. "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 Tabernacle Township School District. Composition: The Tabernacle Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Tabernacle Township."
^Lenape Regional High School District 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 16, 2020. "The Lenape Regional High School District (LRHSD) serves the eight municipalities of Evesham, Medford, Mount Laurel, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle and Woodland Townships and Medford Lakes Borough. Encompassing an area of 350 square miles the Lenape District is the largest school district in Burlington County."
^Staff. "Regional School Districts", Burlington County Times, March 14, 2012. Accessed June 17, 2022. "Lenape Regional Serves: Evesham, Medford, Medford Lakes, Mount Laurel, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle, Woodland"
^Staff. "Pinelands water unusual", Courier-Post, September 10, 2004. Accessed February 10, 2011. "Howard P. Boyd, who has written three books about the Pinelands, is struck by the clarity of cedar water when viewed in small quantities... Now a resident of Tabernacle he likes everything about the unique region."
^Bodnar, Jason. "Shawnee grad bets on childhood dream through poker series", Burlington County Times, November 18, 2004. "Two decades after she was filming Shana's Variety Hour in the basement of her Tabernacle home..."
^Tarr, Mary Ann. "TCA's Brandon Taylor wins Times' boys' basketball Player of the Year", The Times, March 24, 2012. Accessed October 9, 2017. "He might have been a Golden Eagle but instead Brandon Taylor of Tabernacle chose to do his high-flying high school days at Trenton Catholic Academy in Hamilton. Taylor, who opted to attend TCA instead of his hometown Seneca High, became the Iron in the Iron Mikes’ boys’ basketball program."