Riverton, New Jersey

Riverton is a borough located in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough had a total population of 2,779,DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Riverton borough, Burlington County, New Jersey
United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 30, 2012.Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Riverton borough
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed August 30, 2012. reflecting an increase of 20 (+0.7%) from the 2,759 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 16 (−0.6%) from the 2,775 counted in the 1990 Census.

Riverton was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on December 18, 1893, from portions of Cinnaminson Township, based on the results of a referendum held six days earlier. Portions of the borough were taken to form Palmyra Township on April 19, 1894.Snyder, John P
''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''
Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 99. Accessed August 30, 2012. The borough's name is derived from The Riverton Improvement Company, which was established after a group of ten purchased a that would be the site of a planned community with homes erected for many of the founders along the riverfront.Hahle, Betty

Borough of Riverton. Accessed September 24, 2015.

It is a dry town, where alcohol cannot be sold legally. The borough's dry status was an early character of the borough, with a clause inserted starting in 1952 by the Riverton Improvement Company into deeds for all properties in the community that prohibited the sale or manufacture of alcoholic beverages.

The borough is located on the Delaware River and is pedestrian-friendly, with sidewalks, gas lamps, and Victorian architecture. Riverton is home to the Riverton Yacht Club, one of the oldest active yacht clubs in the country. Many residents' sailboats make their home at this landmark.

History

Riverton was established in 1851, along the Delaware River, having been laid out by Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan. According to architectural historian Henry Russell Hitchcock, Riverton was one of the first totally planned residential subdivisions in the United States.

In 1916, Japanese beetles, now a widespread invasive insect pest in the United States, were first discovered in a nursery near Riverton.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.96 square miles (2.50 km²), including 0.66 square miles (1.71 km²) of land and 0.30 square miles (0.78 km²) of water (31.46%).

The borough borders Cinnaminson Township and Palmyra in Burlington County; and Philadelphia, across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania.

Demographics

Census 2010

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $94,762 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,688) and the median family income was $112,721 (+/− $9,113). Males had a median income of $81,078 (+/− $9,544) versus $50,517 (+/− $6,553) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $47,945 (+/− $4,715). About 3.4% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 2,759 people, 1,066 households, and 746 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,113 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 95.83% White, 1.78% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Riverton borough, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 30, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Riverton borough, Burlington County, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 30, 2012.

There were 1,066 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. Another 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% 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 3.00.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $58,977, and the median income for a family was $68,125. Males had a median income of $50,950 versus $36,042 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,223. 3.1% of the population and 2.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.5% of those under the age of 18 and 2.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Government

Local government

Riverton 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. 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.''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 38. The Borough form of government used by Riverton 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.

, the Mayor of Riverton is Republican Suzanne Cairns Wells, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023.Mayor's Message
Riverton Borough. Accessed August 29, 2022. Members of the Riverton Borough Council are Council President William Corbi (R, 2024), Kirk Fullerton (R, 2022), Laura Major (R, 2022), James Quinn ( D, 2023), Julie Scott (R, 2024) and Edgar Wilburn (D, 2023).Elected Officials
Riverton Borough. Accessed August 29, 2022.November 2, 2021 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results
Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.November 3, 2020 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results
Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 23, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.November 5, 2019 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results
Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 16, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.

In January 2016, the Borough Council selected Kirk Fullerton from three names nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that was vacated by Susan Cairns Wells when she took office as mayor.

Federal, state and county representation

Riverton is located in the 3rd Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report
New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 7th state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District
New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.''2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''
New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019. Prior to the 2010 Census, Riverton had been part of the , a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.''2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''
, p. 63, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed May 22, 2015.

Burlington County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners comprised of five members who are chosen 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; at an annual reorganization meeting, the board selects a director and deputy director from among its members.Board of County Commissioners
Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed February 26, 2022. , Burlington County Board of County Commissioners are
Commissioner Director Daniel J. O'Connell ( D, Delran Township; term as commissioner ends December 31, 2024; term as director ends 2022)
Commissioner Deputy Director Tom Pullion (D, Edgewater Park, term as commissioner ends 2023; term as deputy director ends 2022),
Allison Eckel (D, Medford, 2022; appointed to fill an unexpired term),
Felicia Hopson (D, Willingboro Township, 2024) and
Balvir Singh (D, Burlington Township, 2023).
Burlington County's Constitutional Officers are
County Clerk Joanne Schwartz (R, Southampton Township, 2023),
Sheriff Anthony Basantis (D, Burlington Township, 2022) and
Surrogate Brian J. Carlin (D, Burlington Township, 2026).

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 1,893 registered voters in Riverton, of which 571 (30.2% vs. 33.3% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 724 (38.2% vs. 23.9%) were registered as Republicans and 597 (31.5% vs. 42.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.Voter Registration Summary - Burlington
New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 28, 2014. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 68.1% (vs. 61.7% in Burlington County) were registered to vote, including 86.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.3% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 838 votes (55.5% vs. 58.1% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 638 votes (42.3% vs. 40.2%) and other candidates with 23 votes (1.5% vs. 1.0%), among the 1,509 ballots cast by the borough's 1,951 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.3% (vs. 74.5% in Burlington County). In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 912 votes (57.2% vs. 58.4% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 659 votes (41.3% vs. 39.9%) and other candidates with 16 votes (1.0% vs. 1.0%), among the 1,594 ballots cast by the borough's 1,919 registered voters, for a turnout of 83.1% (vs. 80.0% in Burlington County). In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 858 votes (54.4% vs. 52.9% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 693 votes (43.9% vs. 46.0%) and other candidates with 14 votes (0.9% vs. 0.8%), among the 1,578 ballots cast by the borough's 1,877 registered voters, for a turnout of 84.1% (vs. 78.8% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 591 votes (62.3% vs. 61.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 328 votes (34.6% vs. 35.8%) and other candidates with 13 votes (1.4% vs. 1.2%), among the 949 ballots cast by the borough's 1,930 registered voters, yielding a 49.2% turnout (vs. 44.5% in the county). In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 502 votes (46.1% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 482 votes (44.3% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 85 votes (7.8% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 9 votes (0.8% vs. 1.2%), among the 1,089 ballots cast by the borough's 1,902 registered voters, yielding a 57.3% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).

Historic district

The Riverton Historic District is a historic district encompassing the borough. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 5, 1999, for its significance in architecture, community planning and development. The district has 371 contributing buildings, including the Riverton Yacht Club. With

The Victorian house at 503 Bank Avenue was designed by architect Samuel Sloan and built in 1851. The Riverton Yacht Club was built in 1880 with Stick style.

File:RIVERTON HISTORIC DISTRICT.jpg, Victorian house at 503 Bank Avenue

Education

The Riverton School District serves students in public school in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Riverton Elementary School. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 294 students and 27.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.6:1.District information for Riverton School District
National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.

For ninth through twelfth grades, public school students attend Palmyra High School as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Palmyra Public Schools, along with students from Beverly. As of the 2020–21 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 378 students and 31.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.2:1.

Students from Riverton, 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 Township.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality and by Burlington County.

No Interstate, U.S. or state highways directly serve Riverton. The most prominent road crossing the borough is County Route 543.

Public transportation

The Riverton station located on Main Street provides service on the River Line light rail system, offering southbound service to Camden and the Walter Rand Transportation Center with connections to PATCO Speedline trains to Philadelphia and the Camden County suburbs and northbound service to the Trenton Rail Station with connections to NJ Transit trains to New York City, SEPTA trains to Philadelphia and Amtrak trains.

NJ Transit provides bus service in the borough on the 419 route that runs between Camden and Burlington.

BurLink bus service is offered on the B8 route between the Riverside station and Hartford Crossing / Delran Township.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Riverton include:

* John Fraser (1825–1906), architect who served as acting supervisory architect for the United States Department of the Treasury, created a master plan for the United States Capitol grounds and served on the commission to complete the Washington Monument
* Nat Gertler (born 1965), writer best known for his comics and his books about comic books
* Lloyd Carpenter Griscom (1872–1959), American diplomat
* Charles Wellford Leavitt (1871–1928), landscape architect, urban planner and civil engineer
* Frank A. Mathews Jr. (1904–1964), represented in the United States House of Representatives from 1945 to 1949
* Philip Slater (1927–2013), sociologist who wrote the 1970 work ''The Pursuit of Loneliness''
* F. Trowbridge vom Baur (1908–2000), lawyer who was General Counsel of the Navy from 1953 to 1960Saxon, Wolfgang
"F. Trowbridge vom Baur, 91, General Counsel of Navy Dept."
''The New York Times'', June 23, 2000. Accessed September 24, 2015. "Francis Trowbridge vom Baur was born in Riverton, N.J., and received a bachelor's degree from Amherst College in 1929 and a law degree from Harvard in 1932."

References

External links

Riverton Borough website

Riverton School District
*

School Data for the Riverton School District
National Center for Education Statistics

Riverton Volunteer Fire Company

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1893 establishments in New Jersey
Borough form of New Jersey government
Boroughs in Burlington County, New Jersey
Populated places established in 1893
New Jersey populated places on the Delaware River