About Camden, NJ

City's Library

Founded in 1828, Camden began as a secondary economic and transportation hub to its larger neighbor across the Delaware River, Philadelphia. Growth of industry and population lead Camden to evolve into a prosperous city in its own right, with a strong manufacturing base and a thriving port. Home to the Campbell Soup Company, the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, and RCA Victor, Camden provided economic and cultural opportunity to residents of the city and surrounding areas. Like most American cities, Camden began to suffer from the decline of the manufacturing industry. Hard-hit by decades of plant closures and fiscal mismanagement by the city’s government, Camden is synonymous with poverty, crime, and dysfunction.

In the 1900’s:

  • Camden was a prosperous, industrialized city with over 43,000 manufacturing jobs, including Knox Gelatin, Esterbrook Pen, Evans Leather, US Cocoa, Campbell Soup, RCA Victor, and New York Shipbuilding.

  • A 1920’s slogan was, “On Camden’s supplies, the world relies.”

  • Camden provided a pathway for success for its residents through education, employment, and affordable housing.

Today:

  • The city of Camden has become the dumping ground for everything that nobody wants: drugs, violence, trash, failing schools, sewage, brownfields, and corruption.

  • The median income for households in Camden, New Jersey is $36, 258.

  • Poverty rate: 31.6% Population: 72,000

  • Home ownership rate: 37.2% Median price of a home: $95,700

  • Most large businesses are located close to the waterfront: Adventure Aquarium, Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Rutgers University-Camden, Cooper Hospital, Holtec International, Subaru of America, and Campbell Soup.

Romero Center Ministries is committed to the care and future of Camden and its people. Our lives and journeys are inextricably linked to the lives of those around us and we are compelled by faith to care for our brothers and sisters. By participating in activities at Romero Center Ministries, you will walk in solidarity with the poor and heed Jesus’ call to serve “the least of these.”

We can’t do it without you

Romero Center Ministries relies on supporters like you to ensure that we remain a place that invites “actions on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world.” (U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1971).

All donations to Romero Center Ministries are fully tax-deductible.

You may also mail donations payable to Romero Center Ministries to:

St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral
Romero Center Ministries
2907 Federal Street
Camden, NJ 08105