Monroe Township is a township in Gloucester County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 37,117, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 988 (+2.7%) from the 36,129 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn had reflected an increase of 7,162 (+24.7%) from the 28,967 counted at the 2000 census. The township is part of the South Jersey region of the state and a suburb of Philadelphia, within the Delaware Valley.
Monroe Township was originally formed as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 3, 1859, from portions of Washington Township while the area was still part of Camden County. Monroe Township was shifted to Gloucester County on February 28, 1871, along with the majority of Washington Township. In 1950, portions of the township were transferred to Winslow Township in Camden County. The township was named for President James Monroe.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 46.93 square miles (121.54 km2), including 46.42 square miles (120.23 km2) of land and 0.51 square miles (1.31 km2) of water (1.08%).
Victory Lakes (with a 2010 census population of 2,111,) and Williamstown (15,567 residents as of 2010) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places located in Monroe Township.
Other unincorporated communities, localities, and places located partially or completely within the township include Berryland, Broad Lane, Cecil, Cross Keys, Downer, New Brooklyn and Radix.
The township borders the municipalities of Clayton, Franklin Township, Glassboro, and Washington Township in Gloucester County; Buena Vista Township and Folsom in Atlantic County; and Winslow Township in Camden County.
Demographics
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 36,129 people, 12,815 households, and 9,445 families in the township. The population density was . There were 13,387 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 79.41% (28,689) White, 14.01% (5,060) Black or African American, 0.20% (73) Native American, 2.42% (875) Asian, 0.01% (5) Pacific Islander, 1.54% (557) from other races, and 2.41% (870) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.97% (1,795) of the population.
Of the 12,815 households, 34.7% had children under the age of 18; 56.2% were married couples living together; 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 26.3% were non-families. Of all households, 21.5% were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.28.
25.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.0 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $66,761 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,083) and the median family income was $83,929 (+/− $4,293). Males had a median income of $61,505 (+/− $3,058) versus $41,946 (+/− $1,826) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,270 (+/− $1,121). About 6.1% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
As of the 2000 U.S. census, there were 28,967 people, 10,521 households, and 7,848 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 11,069 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 84.83% White, 11.15% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.71% of the population.
There were 10,521 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% 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 3.18.