📉 Our decreasing child population | Inquirer South Jersey
🐔 And Collingswood’s new pecking order.
Good morning, South Jersey.
Over the last 15 years, the number of children in Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington Counties has dropped by more than 23,000. A new Inquirer analysis seeks to get a better understanding of why — and what that may mean for the future.
And we have good news for pro-chicken Collingswood residents: Backyard hens are finally welcome in the borough.
Plus, DeVonta Smith gave away free breakfast at a Cherry Hill McDonald’s, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
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Census data between 2010 and 2025 makes it clear: There are fewer kids around nowadays.
The decline is 6.4% for Camden County, 8.2% in Burlington County, and 9.5% in Gloucester County.
There are plenty of variables at play. Experts and adults without children cite finances, political concerns, and the desire for more freedom.
“Whatever that maternal thing is that drives you to have a child, that is missing in me,” said Jessica Hawk, a retired English teacher in Glassboro who often posts on TikTok about being child-free.
Reporter Dana Munro explores what this trend could mean for the region’s future.
After advocating for the ability to have backyard chickens for more than a decade, some Collingswood residents were finally granted their wish.
The borough commissioners voted 2-1 to pass the ordinance on Monday night.
Residents can now apply for one of 30 licenses, as long as they adhere to the following requirements:
🐔 They must take a course on how to properly care for their chickens.
🐔 Their yards need to be inspected before and after installing a coop.
🐔 They must pay an annual $20 fee.
The Inquirer’s Sarah Nicell breaks down the additional rules of the new code.
What to know today
Three new lawsuits allege young people were abused at two Bordentown juvenile detention facilities: the Juvenile Medium Security Facility and the Female Secure Care & Intake Facility.
A Sicklerville man was charged with first-degree attempted murder and arrested Tuesday for allegedly shooting another man inside a Winslow Township Wawa Sunday night.
An SUV drove onto a sidewalk and injured six teenage pedestrians near Lindenwold High School, according to local authorities.
New Jersey lawmakers pushed forward a bill that would regulate how employers use artificial intelligence to monitor employees or alter their jobs.
Parents and educators at a state Department of Education event Monday said the way New Jersey funds its schools needs to be repaired, 70and73 reports. Department leaders assured the room it’s going “down to the studs” as it redesigns its funding formula over 18 months.
A Woodbine man allegedly found a dead rodent inside a Monster Energy can and is now suing the companies behind the brand.
As part of a deal with Google and Constellation Energy to compensate for increased energy demands because of AI, the nuclear plant Salem Generating Station in Lower Alloways Creek Township will be able to produce more power, gaining 97 megawatts.
Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith passed out free breakfast at the McDonald’s on Kaighns Avenue in Cherry Hill Tuesday morning.
The Camden County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team is calling on kids to help name their robot dog. Submissions are due by the end of the month.
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🧠 Trivia time
The Emmys will end a seven-decade run of airing on broadcast networks next year. Which streaming service will it air on?
A) Disney+
B) Prime Video
C) Netflix
D) Hulu
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re ...
🦕 Reviewing: Photos from the last day the Academy of Natural Sciences museum was open to the public.
🍣 Testing: Sushi from Wawa.
⚡ Planning: A trip to Activate Gaming in Cherry Hill.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: A landfill turned waterfront park
CHILLER RAM
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Rosemary Gallagher Maul, who solved last Wednesday’s anagram: White Horse Pike. The major roadway is both a highway and a main street.
🏡 On the market
This three-level townhouse has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a two-car garage, a kitchen, a laundry area, and two separate living areas. Highlights include stainless steel appliances in the kitchen and the rear deck with wooded views.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $425,000 | Size: 2,232 | Acreage: 0.06
And now you should be all caught up. I’ll have more news to share tomorrow morning. ☀️
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