The Borough of Stratford is located in Camden County, New Jersey with a population of 7,040, according to 2010 Census Bureau report. This 1.59 square mile town has been voted one of the BEST towns in Camden County to raise a family, and is just minutes away from the PATCO Speedline and Philadelphia, via the Walt Whitman bridge.
The Borough is bordered by the Borough of Hi-Nella on the north and Gloucester Township on the north and east, the Borough of Somerdale and the Borough of Lindenwold is to the west, and the Borough of Laurel Springs and the Borough of Lindenwold to the south.
Recreational facilities include five parks, play fields and playgrounds. There are various charitable, non-profit organizations such as Stratford Athletic Organization, Tar-Kill (Soccer), Summer Programs, Sterling Youth Athletic Association, the Sterling Kiwanis, and the William Kenney Memorial VFW Post.
History
Founded in 1889 and incorporated by the State Legislators in 1925, the Borough of Stratford was created from Clementon Township, one of seven municipalities created from the now-defunct township. The borough was named for Stratford-upon-Avon, England, by the owners of the Rural Land Improvement Company that developed the area in the 1880s.
Stratford has a recorded history dating back to 1695, when early Dutch and Swede settlers began to occupy land previously farmed by Native Americans. As the area, referred to as West Jersey, increased in population, small villages began to expand. On May 26, 1686, Gloucester County was established, separated from Burlington County, the county seat for the Provence of New Jersey. Gloucester County’s boundaries were, officially, defined on May 17, 1694. On February 21, 1798, Gloucester Township was Incorporated as part of Gloucester County, followed by Camden County, which was formed on March 13, 1844, from portions of Gloucester County.
The land Stratford sits on, became part of Gloucester Township in 1871, and then, Clementon Township, on February 24, 1903. Clementon Township was formed from portions of Gloucester Township. The, Stratford Borough’s 1.45 sq. miles was incorporated on February 13, 1925. Clementon Township was dissolved in 1941.
Government
The Borough of Stratford is governed under a Mayor-Council form of government. The Council consists of six (6) members elected at large for three-year terms. The Mayor is elected to a four-year term. The Municipal elections are held on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November.
Council meetings are held once a month at the Stratford Public Safety Building, 315 Union Avenue, Stratford, NJ 08084
- Council Meetings (in- person) – 2nd Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
Education
The Stratford School District currently serves public school students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Sterling High School serves grades 9th through 12th grade.
Library
The Stratford Public Library, located at 303 Union Avenue has been serving the residents of Stratford since it was first organized in March of 1921 by the P.T.A. Today the library continues to strive to fulfill the educational, informational, and recreational needs of its community of customers. The library supports the principles of intellectual freedom and endeavors to provide materials and information that reflects various points of view. Through judicious collection development, our print and non-print materials will expand to meet the evolving expectations of a diverse user population.