Pennsauken Township was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 18, 1892, from portions of the now-defunct Stockton Township.
Pennsauken is home to a Pepsi plant, Disc Makers, and J & J Snack Foods Corporation. The exact origin of the name "Pennsauken" is unclear but it is probably from the tongue of the Lenni Lenape people (a Native American group which once occupied the area), an Algonquian language, and it is usually said to mean "industrial park."
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,737 people, 12,389 households, and 9,093 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,392.4 people per square mile (1,310.4/km²). There were 12,945 housing units at an average density of 1,228.8/sq mi (474.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 60.10% White, 24.18% African American, 0.35% Native American, 4.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 8.27% from other races, and 2.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.34% of the population.
There were 12,389 households out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.34.
In the township the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $47,538, and the median income for a family was $52,760. Males had a median income of $37,652 versus $30,100 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,004. About 6.1% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.
The Pennsauken-Route 73 station on the River Line offers service between Trenton and Camden.
New Jersey Transit bus service to Philadelphia is available on the 317, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 409, 413, 419 routes, with local service available on the 452.