Town guide · Burlington County
Living in Maple Shade, NJ
Maple Shade is a compact township of under 4 square miles on the Camden County line, crossed by Route 38, Route 73 and Route 41. It traces its roots to 1688, and it grew quickly after World War II, when its population nearly doubled between 1950 and 1960.
- County
- Burlington
- Population
- About 20,000 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 3.8 square miles
- Setting
- Compact, built out suburban town
- Main roads
- Route 38, Route 73 and Route 41, near the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 295
History
An old township with a newer name
The township was established in 1688 as Chester Township and was incorporated in 1798 as one of New Jersey's original 104 townships. Cinnaminson was split off in 1860 and Moorestown in 1922. Residents voted in 1945 to rename the township Maple Shade.
The population nearly doubled between 1950 and 1960, from about 6,600 to about 12,900. On June 11, 1950, Martin Luther King Jr. and three friends staged a sit in at Mary's Cafe in Maple Shade after being refused service.
Homes
What you will find
- Single family homes: Houses on the township's residential streets, many from its rapid growth in the decades after World War II.
- Condominiums and apartments: Condominium buildings and apartment complexes stand alongside the single family streets.
- Homes near the highways: Streets between Route 38, Route 73 and Route 41, a short drive from the Turnpike and Interstate 295.
Worth knowing: Maple Shade has condominium housing alongside its single family homes, and a condo sale depends on the association as much as the unit. We request the association documents, budget and fee history early, and we check for any special assessments, rental rules or approvals a buyer will need before closing.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Maple Shade
- 2.441%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $6,4152025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $250,000 on today's market would pay roughly $6,102 a year at Maple Shade's 2025 effective rate. Your actual bill depends on your assessment, so we pull the real tax record for any home you are considering.
Source: New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 general and effective tax rates. Rates are set each year.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
Route 38, Route 73 and Route 41 all pass through Maple Shade. The New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 295 are just outside the township and are reached by Route 73. There is no train station in Maple Shade. NJ Transit buses serve the township, including route 317 toward Philadelphia, route 407 to Camden and route 413 between Camden and Burlington. Daily shopping is along the highway corridors.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Chesterford Schoolhouse: Known locally as the Little Red Schoolhouse, built around 1811 and one of the few early 19th century schools still standing in New Jersey.
- Steinhauer Park: A township park improved as part of the Main Street revitalization, as noted in the township's master plan.
- Pennsauken Creek: Both the North Branch and the South Branch of Pennsauken Creek flow through Maple Shade, and the U.S. Geological Survey keeps a stream gauge on the South Branch at Main Street.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Maple Shade
What are property taxes in Maple Shade, NJ?
Maple Shade Township's 2025 effective tax rate is 2.441 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $6,415, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Why is it called Maple Shade?
The township was known as Chester Township for most of its history. Voters approved the name Maple Shade in a referendum on November 6, 1945.
Is Maple Shade in Burlington County or Camden County?
Maple Shade is in Burlington County. It borders Cinnaminson, Moorestown and Mount Laurel in Burlington County and Cherry Hill and Pennsauken in Camden County.
Is there a train station in Maple Shade?
No. Maple Shade is served by NJ Transit buses, including routes 317, 407 and 413. The New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 295 are just outside the township by way of Route 73.
What happened at Mary's Cafe in Maple Shade?
On June 11, 1950, Martin Luther King Jr. and three friends were refused service at Mary's Cafe, a tavern in Maple Shade, and staged a sit in. It is considered the first instance of the nonviolent civil disobedience that became central to his civil rights work.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Maple Shade
Buying or selling in Maple Shade?
House or condo, two different sales
In Maple Shade a condo and a house on the next street are different markets. For a condo, we start with the association documents, the budget and any special assessments.
Call or text either of us directly.