Camden County

Camden County

Camden County is a county located in the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was approximately 523,485, making it one of the more populous counties in the state. The county seat is Camden, which is also the largest city in the county.

History

Camden County was formed on March 13, 1844, from portions of Gloucester County. It was named after Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden, a British judge and politician who was a staunch advocate of civil liberties.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 227.3 square miles (588.8 km²), of which 221.3 square miles (573.2 km²) is land and 6.0 square miles (15.6 km²) (2.64%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

• Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania - northwest
• Burlington County - northeast
• Atlantic County - southeast
• Gloucester County - southwest

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the racial makeup of the county was 54.5% White, 20.4% Black or African American, 6.3% Asian, 0.3% Native American, and 18.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Government

Camden County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners, consisting of seven members elected at-large. The county also has a County Executive, who is responsible for the administration of county government.

Education

Camden County is home to several institutions of higher education, including:

• Rutgers University–Camden
• Rowan University
• Camden County College

Transportation

The county is served by several major highways, including:

• Interstate 295
• New Jersey Turnpike
• U.S. Route 30

Public transportation is provided by the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) Speedline, which connects Camden to Philadelphia.

Economy

The economy of Camden County is diverse, with sectors including healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The Cooper University Hospital in Camden is a major employer and healthcare provider in the region.

Points of Interest

• Adventure Aquarium
• Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
• Camden Waterfront

Notable People

• Walt Whitman, the famous American poet, spent the last years of his life in Camden.
• Campbell Soup Company, headquartered in Camden, is a major food company known worldwide.

External Links

• Official Camden County Website