Camden

by The Linguist

Camden, New Jersey By Population

Camden is a city in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city had a population of 73,974, making it the 12th-largest municipality in New Jersey. Camden is located directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia.

History

Camden was originally incorporated as a city on February 13, 1828, from portions of Newton Township. The city was named for Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden, a British judge and proponent of civil liberties.

For more on the history of Camden, visit the Wikipedia page on Camden, New Jersey.

Population

As mentioned above, Camden has a population of 73,974 as of the 2020 census. This makes it the 12th largest city in New Jersey. The city has seen a decline in population over the past several decades, having peaked at over 120,000 residents in the 1950s.

Economy

Traditionally, Camden was a center for manufacturing, home to major companies such as Campbell Soup, RCA Victor, and the New York Shipbuilding Corporation. However, many of these corporations have downsized or left the city over the past 50 years, leading to economic decline.

Today, the largest employers in Camden include Cooper University Hospital, Rutgers University–Camden, L3Harris Technologies, and the State of New Jersey. The healthcare sector is a major part of the modern economy. For more on the economy of Camden, visit the Downtown Camden website.

Landmarks

Some of the most notable landmarks and attractions in Camden include:

  • Adventure Aquarium (1 Riverside Dr, Camden, NJ 08103) – One of the top aquariums in the country featuring sharks, hippos, penguins and more. Phone: (856) 365-3300
  • BB&T Pavilion (1 Harbour Blvd, Camden, NJ 08103) – An outdoor amphitheater along the waterfront that hosts major concerts.
  • Walt Whitman House (330 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Camden, NJ 08103) – The restored home of poet Walt Whitman, with exhibits about his life and works.

The geographic coordinates for these three landmarks are:

  • Adventure Aquarium: 39.9499° N, 75.1171° W
  • BB&T Pavilion: 39.9479° N, 75.1198° W
  • Walt Whitman House: 39.9253° N, 75.1140° W

Tourism

In addition to the Adventure Aquarium mentioned above, popular tourist attractions and things to do in Camden include:

  • Visiting the Camden Public Library (203 Laurel St, Camden, NJ 08103 – Phone: (856) 757-7000)
  • Attending an event at the BB&T Pavilion waterfront amphitheater
  • Touring the Walt Whitman House
  • Taking in views of the Philadelphia skyline from Wiggins Waterfront Park
  • Shopping and dining in the Downtown Camden District

For more on things to do and upcoming events, see the City of Camden Facebook page.

Camden Museum

The Camden Museum (SNMP Building | 900 Market St # 120, Camden, NJ 08102 – Phone: (856) 702-7555) primarily serves as a history museum focusing on the history and culture of Camden. Permanent exhibits cover topics like famous Camden residents, local architecture, and the city’s industrial heritage. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions on Camden related topics.

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Camden and the surrounding area is provided by NJ Transit. Options include:

  • NJ Transit Bus – Extensive bus network serving Camden and providing connections to Philadelphia and other nearby cities.
  • RiverLINE Light Rail – Tram service connecting Camden to Trenton, with stops in Downtown Camden.
  • PATCO Speedline – Subway connecting Camden to Philadelphia.

The Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden serves as the city’s main bus terminal.

Major Employers

As mentioned previously, some of the largest employers in Camden include:

  • Cooper University Hospital (1 Cooper Plaza, Camden, NJ 08103 – Phone: (856) 342-2000)
  • Rutgers University–Camden (406 Penn St, Camden, NJ 08102 – Phone: (856) 225-6000)
  • L3Harris Technologies (1040 S US-130, Camden, NJ 08104 – Phone: (800) 452-1061)
  • State of New Jersey (225 E State St, Trenton, NJ 08608 – Phone: (609) 292-6000)

Camden County

Camden is located within Camden County in New Jersey. The county government is headquartered at:

Camden County Administration Building
520 Market Street, Camden, NJ 08102
Phone: (856) 225-5400

Learn more about Camden County government services and departments at the official Camden County website.

School Districts

Public education in Camden is managed by three local school districts:

There are also nearly 20 charter and private schools located within the city of Camden.

Local Resources

Here are some other useful local resources and organizations in Camden:

Map of Camden