Town guide · Burlington County
Living in Medford, NJ
Medford sits where Burlington County's farms give way to the Pine Barrens. It has a historic Main Street in Medford Village, lake communities in the woods, and the Southwest Branch of Rancocas Creek running through town.
- County
- Burlington
- Population
- About 24,500 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 40 square miles
- Setting
- A historic village center, suburban neighborhoods, lake communities, farms and Pinelands forest
- Main roads
- Route 70 and County Routes 532, 541 and 544
First things first
Medford and Medford Lakes are two different towns
Medford Lakes is a separate borough that is completely surrounded by Medford Township. It broke off from Medford in 1939 and has its own government, its own services and its own property tax rate. It is known for its 22 lakes and its log cabins.
Because one town sits inside the other, the name on a listing does not always tell you which municipality a home is in. We confirm the municipality and the block and lot on every property, because that decides the tax bill and the town rules.
Neighborhoods
A village, lakes and the pines
Medford was formed from part of Evesham Township in 1847. Its center is Medford Village, with a historic Main Street, and the rest of the township spreads out into neighborhoods, lake communities, farms and woods. Some of the names you will hear:
- Medford Village: The historic center of town along Main Street, with older homes and the setting for the Dickens Festival.
- Taunton Lake and Medford Lakes in the Pines: Lake communities set in the woods of the township, not to be confused with the separate Borough of Medford Lakes.
- Old mill and crossroads names: Braddocks Mill, Christopher Mills, Kirbys Mill, Oliphants Mills, Fairview, Oak Knoll, Pipers Corners, Taunton and Wilkins still mark sections of the township.
Homes
What you will find
- Historic village homes in and around Medford Village and Main Street.
- Lake homes in the township's lake communities, set among the pines.
- Farms and country properties on larger lots, including some of Burlington County's preserved farmland.
Worth knowing: Medford is in the Pinelands National Reserve, and part of the township is in the state designated Pinelands Area, where Pinelands rules shape what can be built or added. The township runs public water and sewer, but some homes use private wells and septic systems, which fall under the Burlington County Health Department. State figures through 2020 also show 8 preserved farms covering about 1,319 acres, and preserved land carries permanent deed restrictions. We confirm the water, sewer and land rules on every property early.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Medford
- 2.311%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $12,4002025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $550,000 on today's market would pay roughly $12,710 a year at Medford'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 70 is Medford's main highway. It runs west toward Marlton and Cherry Hill and east through the Pinelands toward Brick and the shore. County Route 541 runs north to Mount Holly, and County Routes 532 and 544 cross the township. There is no passenger rail in Medford, and the former NJ Transit 406 bus to Philadelphia no longer runs to the township. Most daily shopping is along Route 70 and in Medford Village.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Medford Park and the Medford Canoe Trail: A township park on South Main Street with a canoe launch onto a 2.5 mile canoe trail along the Southwest Branch of Rancocas Creek.
- Kirby's Mill: A historic grist mill on Church Road, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and one of the access points for the canoe trail.
- Freedom Park: A township park off Union Street with walking trails, an accessible playground, pavilions, pickleball courts, a skatepark and a dog run.
- Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge: A 170 acre nature preserve and wildlife rehabilitation center on the township's southern border, open to the public.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Medford
What are property taxes in Medford, NJ?
Medford Township's 2025 effective tax rate is 2.311 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $12,400, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Is Medford Lakes part of Medford?
No. Medford Lakes is a separate borough, incorporated in 1939, that is completely surrounded by Medford Township. It has its own government and its own property tax rate.
Is Medford in the Pinelands?
Partly. Medford is one of the municipalities in the Pinelands National Reserve, and part of the township is in the state designated Pinelands Area. Pinelands rules can affect what can be built on land in that area, so it is worth checking before you buy land or plan an addition.
Do Medford homes have well and septic?
Some do. Medford Township runs a public water system and a sewer treatment plant, but some homes rely on private wells and septic systems. New Jersey requires the well water to be tested before a home with a private well is sold.
Can you canoe in Medford?
Yes. The Medford Canoe Trail follows about 2.5 miles of the Southwest Branch of Rancocas Creek, with access at Medford Park, Coates Street and Kirby's Mill.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Medford
Buying or selling in Medford?
Village, lake or pines
A house in Medford Village, a lake home and a farm at the edge of the pines each raise different questions about water, sewer and Pinelands rules. We answer those first, then show you what similar homes have sold for.
Call or text either of us directly.