Did you know Burlington County was named after an English town? Bridlington in England gave Burlington County its name. The county was formed in 1694. It was created by uniting the first and second Tenths.
Burlington County is big. It is the largest county by land area in New Jersey. Only Ocean County is larger if you count water area. As of 2020 the population was 461860 people. Evesham Township is the most populous place. Washington Township covers the largest area.
Listen closely. Burlington County sits east of the Delaware River. It borders Philadelphia. It’s part of the Philadelphia Camden Vineland area also known as the Delaware Valley. The county stretches across New Jersey. Its southeast corner meets tidal estuaries and the Great Bay.
Let’s delve into its history. Burlington County was the seat of government for West Jersey. West Jersey merged with East Jersey in 1702. This formed the Province of New Jersey. Burlington County was much larger at first. Over time it was divided to create new counties. In 1714 Hunterdon County was created from part of Burlington County. Later Hunterdon County was split into Morris Sussex and Warren counties.
Initially Burlington was the county seat. As people moved inland a more central location was needed. In 1793 the government moved to Mount Holly.
Imagine the changes industrialization brought. Transportation improved a lot. This helped Burlington County’s agriculture become more profitable. The coastal communities grew quickly due to trade and ship repair. Roads had to be improved throughout the county.
Think about the geography. Most of Burlington County is coastal and flat. There are a few hills. Apple Pie Hill and Arney’s Mount are notable. Arney’s Mount is about 240 feet high. It is among the highest points in South Jersey. The lowest point is at sea level along the Delaware and Mullica rivers. Many rivers streams and wetlands dot the landscape. The Rancocas Creek Mullica River and Batsto River are important waterways.
Consider the climate. Mount Holly’s average temperatures range from 22°F in January to 87°F in July. The county has a humid subtropical climate. Expect cool to cold winters and hot summers. Severe weather is common in the warm months. Hurricanes sometimes hit Burlington County but tornadoes are rare. Severe thunderstorms are common in summer. Snow falls in winter averaging 18 to 22 inches. The Atlantic Ocean moderates the climate. Rain is common all year. The county seat gets about 41 inches of rain per year. Radiative cooling occurs in the Pine Barrens. This can make those areas 10 to 15°F colder on clear dry nights.
Burlington County’s economy is diverse. The gross domestic product was 27.4 billion in 2021. That ranked tenth in the state. In 2015 the per capita personal income was 55227 dollars. That was tenth highest in New Jersey.
The county government is run by a board of county commissioners. It has five members elected at large. They serve staggered three year terms. Each commissioner oversees a specific area. These areas are Administration Education Public Works Public Safety and Hospital Services.
Remember Burlington County’s history its geography and its government. It is a unique and important part of New Jersey.