A Drive Through Bellmawr, NJ

Let's take a drive through and see. #explore #driving #newjersey #camden #philly #pa

History
Bellmawr was incorporated as a borough on March 23, 1926, from portions of the now-defunct Centre Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 21, 1926. The boroughs of Mount Ephraim, Runnemede and Lawnside were also created in the same two-day period.[25] The borough was named for Ernest C. Bell, who owned a farm in the area.[26][27]

In 1966, the Bellmawr Police Department investigated several officers for ticket fixing. The officers were ordered to cooperate with internal investigators and give statements and told that they would be fired if they refused to do so; upon answering the investigators' questions, the officers were criminally charged. In 1967, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the officers' self-incriminating statements violated the Fifth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment, and that it was therefore unconstitutional to use their statements in a prosecution; the officers' convictions were overturned. The case, Garrity v. New Jersey, led to the creation of the Garrity warning, which advises government employees of their rights during internal investigations.[28]

In late October 2001, the Bellmawr post office was closed due to possible anthrax contamination in the wake of the 2001 anthrax attacks. The office was re-opened several days later, in early November, after testing negative for anthrax.[29]

In 2017, Bellmawr joined Cranbury, Egg Harbor Township, Montclair and Woodbridge Township as one of the first five municipalities in the state that have authorized dispensaries to sell medical cannabis.[30]

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 3.11 square miles (8.05 km2), including 2.98 square miles (7.73 km2) of land and 0.12 square miles (0.32 km2) of water (3.92%).[2][3]

The borough borders the municipalities of Barrington, Brooklawn, Gloucester City, Haddon Heights, Mount Ephraim, and Runnemede in Camden County; and Deptford Township and Westville, both in Gloucester County.[31][32][33]

Demographics
Historical population
Census Pop. Note %±
1930 1,123 —
1940 1,250 11.3%
1950 5,213 317.0%
1960 11,853 127.4%
1970 15,618 31.8%
1980 13,721 −12.1%
1990 12,603 −8.1%
2000 11,262 −10.6%
2010 11,583 2.9%
2020 11,707 1.1%
2022 (est.) 11,683 [10][12] −0.2%
Population sources:1930–2000[34]
1930[35] 1940–2000[36]
2000[37][38] 2010[21][22] 2020[11][10]
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 11,583 people, 4,670 households, and 3,068 families in the borough. The population density was 3,887.7 per square mile (1,501.0/km2). There were 4,883 housing units at an average density of 1,638.9 per square mile (632.8/km2). The racial makeup was 86.44% (10,012) White, 2.46% (285) Black or African American, 0.15% (17) Native American, 5.86% (679) Asian, 0.06% (7) Pacific Islander, 3.38% (392) from other races, and 1.65% (191) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.68% (890) of the population.[21]

Of the 4,670 households, 26.3% had children under the age of 18; 47.5% were married couples living together; 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.3% were non-families. Of all households, 29.4% were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.06.[21]

20.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.8 males.[21]

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $56,182 (with a margin of error of ± $3,809) and the median family income was $66,947 (± $3,353). Males had a median income of $47,251 (± $3,082) versus $39,932 (± $4,677) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,961 (± $1,460). About 7.3% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.9% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.[39]