Location of Palmyra in Burlington County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Burlington County in New Jersey highlighted in red (lower left).
The area that is now Palmyra was settled in the late 17th century by Swedes, marking the northernmost border of New Sweden. A farmhouse built in 1761 by the third generation of settlers still remains as the oldest house in Palmyra.[25] Farming was the primary use of land in Palmyra and the surrounding area until after the construction of the Camden and Amboy Railroad in 1834 with a station in the area, after which railroad workers built homes on lots they purchased along the railroad right of way. The community was originally known as Texas, but a local landowner, Isaiah Toy, a descendant of the original Swedish settlers and a stockholder in the Camden and Amboy Railroad, who wanted to have a post office established in the community, convinced the railroad to change the name of the station in 1849 to Palmyra, which came from his love of ancient history.[26] Palmyra was the name of an ancient trading center located in central Syria.[27][28] The post office was established in 1851. Palmyra, along with Bordentown, Burlington, Moorestown Township, and Mount Holly Township, established its high school in the late 1890s, making it one of the oldest high schools in Burlington County and in New Jersey.[29]
The community was laid out in 1850, when Joseph Souder's land was broken up into building lots to pay his debts, with the street names matching those of Center City, Philadelphia—Market, Arch, Race, and Vine (from south to north), and Front Street and numbered streets from the Delaware River.[30] What is now Palmyra was part of Chester Township (now Maple Shade Township), which was created in 1694 and was one of the original 104 townships in New Jersey incorporated in 1798.[27] Palmyra became a part of Cinnaminson Township when that township was set off from Chester in 1860. Palmyra Township was set off from Cinnaminson in 1894, and Palmyra was incorporated as a borough in 1923.[24]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.54 square miles (6.58 km2), including 1.85 square miles (4.79 km2) of land and 0.69 square miles (1.79 km2) of water (27.28%).[1][2]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include West Palmyra.[31]
The city is connected to the Tacony section of Philadelphia via Route 73 by the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, which is named for the two communities connected by the bridge. The bridge was completed in 1929 at a cost of $4 million.[35]
In 1999, a 250-acre (100 ha) nature park, Palmyra Nature Cove, was opened along the banks of the Delaware which borders Palmyra on the west; in addition to serving as a bird sanctuary, the park offers educational programs for schools and hiking trails for walkers. The park is open from dawn to dusk; no pets or bicycles are allowed.[36]
Driftwood along the banks of the Delaware River in Palmyra Nature Cove in Palmyra
The 2010 United States census counted 7,398 people, 3,156 households, and 1,938 families in the borough. The population density was 3,968.4 per square mile (1,532.2/km2). There were 3,392 housing units at an average density of 1,819.5 per square mile (702.5/km2). The racial makeup was 78.75% (5,826) White, 14.54% (1,076) Black or African American, 0.31% (23) Native American, 1.84% (136) Asian, 0.08% (6) Pacific Islander, 1.95% (144) from other races, and 2.53% (187) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.37% (397) of the population.[20]
Of the 3,156 households, 23.5% had children under the age of 18; 43.1% were married couples living together; 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 38.6% were non-families. Of all households, 31.5% 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 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.[20]
19.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.2 males.[20]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $61,990 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,744) and the median family income was $74,265 (+/− $6,025). Males had a median income of $53,295 (+/− $6,313) versus $48,417 (+/− $6,580) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,361 (+/− $2,319). About 6.5% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.[45]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[17] there were 7,091 people, 3,004 households, and 1,853 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,586.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,384.9/km2). There were 3,219 housing units at an average density of 1,628.3 per square mile (628.7/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 80.99% White, 14.34% African American, 0.30% Native American, 1.40% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.41% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.23% of the population.[43][44]
There were 3,004 households, out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.02.[43][44]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.[43][44]
The median income for a household in the borough was $51,150, and the median income for a family was $57,192. Males had a median income of $42,910 versus $31,445 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,454. About 2.2% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.[43][44]
Government
Local government
Palmyra 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.[46] 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 includes 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.[7] The borough form of government used by Palmyra 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.[47][48]
As of 2023[update], the mayor of Palmyra Borough is Democrat Gina Ragomo Tait, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Timothy S. Howard (D, 2024), Laura Craig Cloud (D, 2023), Natashia Latimore (D, 2025), John Liebe (D, 2025), Michelle McCann (D, 2024) and Jessica O'Connor (D, 2023; appointed to serve an unexpired term).[3][49][50][51][52][53]
In February 2023, the borough council appointed Jessica O'Connor to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Brandon Allmond.[54]
In April 2022, the borough council selected Natashia Latimore from a list of three names nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2022 that had been held by Farrah Jenkins until she resigned from office the precious month.[55]
In February 2020, Laura Craig Cloud was sworn in to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that was vacated by Gina Tait when she resigned her seat to take office as mayor the previous month.[56]
In February 2016, the borough council selected Edward Kearney from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the council seat expiring in December 2016 that became vacant when Michelle Arnold took office as mayor.[57]
In October 2015, the borough council selected Bryan Norcross to fill the vacant seat expiring in December 2016 of Adam Nowicki, who had resigned from office the previous month.[58][59]
Gina Ragomo Tait was appointed in February 2013 to serve until the November general election, filling the seat of Council President Kenneth Brahl, who had resigned during the previous month due to work and education obligations.[60]
Federal, state and county representation
Palmyra is located in the 1st Congressional District[61] and is part of New Jersey's 7th state legislative district.[62][63][64]
Burlington County's Constitutional Officers are:
Clerk Joanne Schwartz (D, Southampton Township, 2028)[81][82]
Sheriff James H. Kostoplis (D, Bordentown, 2025)[83][84] and
Surrogate Brian J. Carlin (D, Burlington Township, 2026).[85][86]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,736 registered voters in Palmyra, of which 1,864 (39.4% vs. 33.3% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 972 (20.5% vs. 23.9%) were registered as Republicans and 1,892 (39.9% vs. 42.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 8 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[87] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 64.0% (vs. 61.7% in Burlington County) were registered to vote, including 79.6% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.3% countywide).[87][88]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 2,308 votes here (62.7% vs. 58.1% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 1,287 votes (35.0% vs. 40.2%) and other candidates with 55 votes (1.5% vs. 1.0%), among the 3,679 ballots cast by the borough's 4,939 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.5% (vs. 74.5% in Burlington County).[89][90] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 2,429 votes here (62.5% vs. 58.4% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 1,358 votes (35.0% vs. 39.9%) and other candidates with 64 votes (1.6% vs. 1.0%), among the 3,884 ballots cast by the borough's 4,790 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.1% (vs. 80.0% in Burlington County).[91] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 2,138 votes here (58.3% vs. 52.9% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 1,448 votes (39.5% vs. 46.0%) and other candidates with 36 votes (1.0% vs. 0.8%), among the 3,667 ballots cast by the borough's 4,770 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.9% (vs. 78.8% in the whole county).[92]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,327 votes here (57.6% vs. 61.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 879 votes (38.2% vs. 35.8%) and other candidates with 41 votes (1.8% vs. 1.2%), among the 2,304 ballots cast by the borough's 4,902 registered voters, yielding a 47.0% turnout (vs. 44.5% in the county).[93][94] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 1,166 ballots cast (50.2% vs. 44.5% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 969 votes (41.7% vs. 47.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 132 votes (5.7% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 32 votes (1.4% vs. 1.2%), among the 2,321 ballots cast by the borough's 4,859 registered voters, yielding a 47.8% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).[95]
Students from Palmyra, 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.[108]
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Palmyra include:
Jim Bailey (1949–2015), singer, film, television and stage actor, and female impersonator[117]
Lena Blackburne (1886–1968), major league baseball player and manager best known for his discovery of a mud in a tributary of the Delaware River near Palmyra which is still used to rub down baseballs, allowing pitchers to gain better control over the ball[118]
Robert K. Crane (1919–2010), biochemist best known for his discovery of sodium-glucose cotransport[121]
Calvin T. Durgin (1893–1965), Vice Admiral who served in the U.S. Navy from 1916 until 1951, and was Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air in 1949[122]
^Bergbauer, Thomas A. "Society's cruises shed light on communities' past", Courier-Post, October 12, 2008. Accessed June 27, 2012. "The Toy Morgan House in Palmyra: The house is perhaps Palmyra's most revered historical treasure. Elias Toy, replacing an older house his grandfather built, built the house in 1761."
^Siokalo, Zoriana E.; Solmssen, Clarissa; and Trimarco, Vito. Before Penn : Swedish Colonists in the land of the Lenape, (Philadelphia, PA: American Swedish Historical Museum. 1988).
^Smith, Eileen. "A quaint river community"[dead link], Courier-Post, October 19, 2006. Accessed June 27, 2012. "1850: Joseph Souder's land is divided into lots to pay his debts and the first streets are laid out."
^Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, Delaware River Heritage Trail. Accessed June 27, 2012. "Construction began in February 1928 and the new bridge opened to traffic in August 1929, a mere 18 months and $4 million dollars later. "
^Home Page, Palmyra Nature Cove. Accessed April 28, 2015.
^Borough CouncilMeeting Minutes for February 21, 2023, Borough of Palmyra. Accessed April 24, 2023. "Mrs. McCann nominated Jessica O’Connor to fill the vacant seat of Brandon Allmond. No more nominations, Mayor Tait requested a motion to approve Resolution 2023-85, Appointing Jessica O’Connor as a councilmember to fill a council seat vacancy."
^Council Caucus Meeting Minutes for April 4th, 2022, Borough of Palmyra. Accessed August 3, 2022. "Mayor Tait requested a motion to accept the resignation of Councilwoman, Farrah Jenkins effective March 24th, 2022.... Ms. Rossignol’s email gave the following three candidates names to fill the vacant seat of Councilwoman Farrah Jenkins.... President Howard nominated Natashia Denise Latimore to fill the vacant seat of Farrah Jenkins.... Mr. Rosenberg swore in Natasha Denise Latimore to the position of Council woman, with her daughter Kaylah Latimore holding the bible, in the presence of her family."
^Meeting Minutes for February 3, 2020, Borough of Palmyra. Accessed May 13, 2020. "Dr. Laura Craig Cloud was sworn in as Councilmember filling the unexpired seat of Gina Tait, term to expire December 31, 2020."
^Borough Council Minutes February 1, 2016, Borough of Palmyra. Accessed June 22, 2016. "Council Vacancy-Mayor Arnold explained that the Republican Party submitted the three names to council as required.... President Norcross made a motion to appoint Edward Kearney to fill the unexpired term, Mr. Yetter second the motion."
^McHale, Todd. New council member takes seat in Palmyra", Burlington County Times, February 20, 2013. Accessed October 30, 2013. "Gina Ragomo Tait has been called a 'quiet volunteer' and a 'self-starter,' and now she's a councilwoman.... Tait took over a seat that became open after council President Kenneth Brahl resigned in January because of work commitments and his plan to continue his education at night. Her term will run until the general election in November, when she can run for the seat.
^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."
^Palmyra Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Palmyra Public Schools. Accessed September 22, 2024. "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 twelve in the Palmyra School District. Composition: The Palmyra School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Palmyra."
^Welcome, Palmyra School District. Accessed September 22, 2024. "The Palmyra School District serves over 900 students in three schools. The Charles Street School serves students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 5, the Palmyra Middle School serves students in grades 6 through 8, and Palmyra High School serves students in grades 9 through 12. We also have the Delaware Avenue School, which supports district offices and the Palmyra Learning Academy. Through a collaborative sendreceive agreement, students in grades 9 through 12 from the Borough of Riverton and the City of Beverly attend Palmyra High School."
^Staff. "Jim Bailey Banks On Fabulous Fakes", Philadelphia Daily News, May 13, 1983. Accessed November 26, 2013. "They moved to New Jersey when Jim was 10, and lived in Palmyra, Riverside and Willingboro before locating in Vincentown, where he visited them this week before his shore date."
^Deron Cherry, NJSports.com. Accessed April 9, 2024. "Deron Leigh Cherry was born September 12, 1959, in Riverside and grew up in Palmyra.... He attended Palmyra High School, excelling on the athletic field and in the classroom."
^Johnson, Thomas. A. "Man in the News", The New York Times, April 29, 1971. Accessed December 9, 2017. "When Mr. Jones was a boy the family moved to Palmyra, N. J., and he Went to Palmyra High School."
^Barto, Tyler. "Quron Pratt", The Trentonian, August 31, 2014. Accessed April 28, 2015. "Palmyra native and former Rutgers receiver Quron Pratt has agreed to terms to join the Eagles' practice squad, a source confirmed Sunday."
^Oral History Project - Arthur Raymond Randolph, Historical Society of the District of Columbia Circuit. Accessed October 1, 2015. "Mr. Prettyman: And where did you grow up? You were born in Riverside. Did you stay there during your childhood? Judge Randolph: No, we never lived in Riverside. We lived in a town called Palmyra, New Jersey, for a while, which is where my grandmother and my great-uncle lived, and then moved in 1950 to what was then a very small rural town called Glendora."
^[1], PhillyVoice.com. Accessed October 13, 2024. “Sherin is from Palmyra in Burlington County.”
^Comegno, Carol. "Palmyra man will serve on Burlco bridge panel", Courier-Post, December 31, 2008. Accessed November 28, 2013. "The all-Republican county board of freeholders unanimously appointed Troy Singleton, 35, of Palmyra on Tuesday to the vacant Democratic seat on the three-member commission by a 5-0 vote."
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