Lopatcong Township, New Jersey

Lopatcong Township, New Jersey
—  Township  —
Map of Lopatcong Township in Warren County. Inset: Location of Warren County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Lopatcong Township, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°42′52″N 75°09′21″W / 40.714352°N 75.155769°W / 40.714352; -75.155769Coordinates: 40°42′52″N 75°09′21″W / 40.714352°N 75.155769°W / 40.714352; -75.155769[1][2]
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Warren
Incorporated March 7, 1851
Government[3]
 • Type Faulkner Act (Small Municipality)
 • Mayor Douglas Steinhardt (R, term ends December 31, 2014)[4]
 • Administrator / Clerk M. Beth Dilts[5]
Area[2]
 • Total 7.159 sq mi (18.541 km2)
 • Land 7.098 sq mi (18.384 km2)
 • Water 0.061 sq mi (0.157 km2)  0.85%
Area rank 242nd of 566 in state
16th of 22 in county[2]
Elevation[6] 384 ft (117 m)
Population (2010 Census)[7][8][9]
 • Total 8,014
 • Rank 287th of 566 in state
3rd of 22 in county[10]
 • Density 1,129.0/sq mi (435.9/km2)
 • Density rank 365th of 566 in state
6th of 22 in county[10]
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (EDT) ([[UTC-4 "]])
ZIP code 08865[11]
Area code(s) 908
FIPS code 3404141490[12][2][1][13]
GNIS feature ID 0882252[14][2]
Website http://www.lopatcongtwp.com

Lopatcong Township (pron.: /loʊˈpætkɒŋ/) is a township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 8,014,[7][8][9] reflecting an increase of 2,249 (+39.0%) from the 5,765 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 713 (+14.1%) from the 5,052 counted in the 1990 Census.[15] The township is part of the eastern region of the Lehigh Valley.

Lopatcong Township was featured in a 2003 article in The New York Times which discussed problems of public school financing in suburban communities and various strategies communities have adopted to deal with the problem.[16]

History

What is now Lopatcong Township was created as Phillipsburg Township on March 7, 1851, by an act approved by the New Jersey Legislature, and contained portions of Greenwich Township and Harmony Township. After Phillipsburg was incorporated as an independent municipality on March 8, 1861, the township changed its name to Lopatcong as of March 18, 1863, after a creek in the area.[17][18]

The name of the creek and township — Lopatcong — came from four words of the Lenni Lenape Native Americans — Lowan peek achtu onk, which meant "winter water place for deer".[19]

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Geography

Lopatcong Township is located at 40°42′52″N 75°09′21″W / 40.714352°N 75.155769°W / 40.714352; -75.155769 (40.714352,-75.155769). According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 7.159 square miles (18.541 km2), of which, 7.098 square miles (18.384 km2) of it is land and 0.061 square miles (0.157 km2) of it (0.85%) is water.[2][1]

Delaware Park (2010 Census population of 700[20]) and Lopatcong Overlook (population 734 as of 2010[21]) are census-designated places and unincorporated communitys located within Lopatcong Township.[22]

Lopatcong is made up of several neighborhoods, including Morris Park, Delaware Park, Rosehill Heights, Brakeley Park, Lows Hollow, Country Hills, Meadow View, Scott's Mountain, and Overlook.

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Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1890 1,738
—
1900 1,982 14.0%
1910 766 −61.4%
1920 1,050 37.1%
1930 1,269 20.9%
1940 1,450 14.3%
1950 1,737 19.8%
1960 2,703 55.6%
1970 3,144 16.3%
1980 4,998 59.0%
1990 5,052 1.1%
2000 5,765 14.1%
2010 8,014 39.0%
Est. 2011 7,989 [23] −0.3%
Population sources:
1890-1910[24] 1910-1930[25]
1930-1990[26] 2000[27] 2010[7][8][9]

Census 2010

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 8,014 people, 3,136 households, and 2,089 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,129.0 inhabitants per square mile (435.9 /km2). There were 3,420 housing units at an average density of 481.8 per square mile (186.0 /km2). The racial makeup of the township was 87.22% (6,990) White, 6.03% (483) Black or African American, 0.14% (11) Native American, 4.18% (335) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.81% (65) from other races, and 1.61% (129) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% (480) of the population.[7]

There were 3,136 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.09.[7]

In the township the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.[7]

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $77,320 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,889) and the median family income was $89,317 (+/- $6,056). Males had a median income of $61,771 (+/- $6,980) versus $49,338 (+/- $4,584) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $33,633 (+/- $2,586). About 0.7% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.[28]

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census[12] there were 5,765 people, 2,143 households, and 1,523 families residing in the township. The population density was 814.6 people per square mile (314.4/km²). There were 2,429 housing units at an average density of 343.2 per square mile (132.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.27% White, 1.13% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.63% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of the population.[27][29]

There were 2,143 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.5% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.[27]

In the township the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.[27]

The median income for a household in the township was $50,918, and the median income for a family was $65,545. Males had a median income of $52,540 versus $30,967 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,333. About 4.7% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.[27]

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Government

Local government

Lopatcong Township is governed by the Faulkner Act (Small Municipality) form of government. The Faulkner Act allows municipalities to adopt a Small Municipality form of government only for municipalities with a population of under 12,000. The government consists of a Mayor and a four-member Township Council, with all positions elected at large in partisan elections. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a three-year term of office. The current Mayor is The Honorable Douglas J. Steinhardt. Council members serve a term of three years, which are staggered so that one or two seats come up for election each year.[3]

As of 2012, the Lopatcong Township Committee consists of Mayor Douglas Steinhardt (R, term ends December 31, 2014), Council President Victor Camporine (R, 2013), William W. Baker, Sr. (D, 2012), H. Matthew Curry (R, 2013) and James Mengucci (D, 2012).[30][31]

Federal, state and county representation

Lopatcong Township is located in the 7th Congressional District[32] and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district.[8][33][34] Prior to the 2010 Census, Lopatcong Township had been part of the 5th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.[35]

New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District is represented by Leonard Lance (R, Clinton Township).[36] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 23rd Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Michael J. Doherty (R, Washington Township, Warren County) and in the General Assembly by John DiMaio (R, Hackettstown) and Erik Peterson (R, Franklin Township, Hunterdon County).[37] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township).[38] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[39]

Warren County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders whose three members are elected at-large on a staggered basis with one seat coming up for election each year. At an annual organization held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve sa Freeholder Director and other as Deputy Director. As of 2013, Warren County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Jason Sarnoski (R, Lopatcong Township, 2013) Freeholder Deputy Director Edward J. Smith (R, Asbury / Franklin Township, 2015) and Freeholder Richard D. Gardner (R, Asbury / Franklin Township, 2014).[40] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are County Clerk Patricia J. Kolb (Blairstown Township),[41] Sheriff David Gallant (Blairstown Township) and Surrogate Kevin O'Neill (Hackettstown).[42][43] The County Administrator, Steve Marvin, is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the county and its departments.[44]

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Education

The Lopatcong Township School District serves public school students in grades K-8. Schools in the district (with 2010-11 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[45]) are Lopatcong Elementary School (grades PreK-4, 480 students) and Lopatcong Middle School (5-8, 433 students). Before the Middle School opened in 2003, students would attend the Elementary School through eighth grade.

Public school students in grade 9 - 12 attend Phillipsburg High School in Phillipsburg, which serves students from the Town of Phillipsburg as part of the Phillipsburg School District. The high school also serves students from five communities as part of sending/receiving relationships: Alpha, Bloomsbury (in Hunterdon County), Greenwich Township, Lopatcong Township and Pohatcong Township.[46]

Students in grades 9-12 can also attend Warren County Technical School in Washington, which also serves students from all of Warren County.

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Transportation

The main county road that passes through is County Route 519 which passes through in the eastern part. Route 57 traverses towards the center and has its western end at US 22 which also passes through in the southern section of the township.

New Jersey Transit bus service is provided on the 890 and 891 routes.[47]

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Film community

Lopatcong Township was the primary location for the independent film Several Ways to Die Trying. The film's writer/director as well as members of the cast and crew are residents of the township.[citation needed]

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References

  1. ^ a b c "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f Gazetteer of New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2013.
  3. ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 103.
  4. ^ 2013 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed May 12, 2013.
  5. ^ Municipal Clerk/Administrator, Lopatcong Township. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  6. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Township of Lopatcong, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 7, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d e f DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Lopatcong township, Warren County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d Municipalities Grouped by 2011-2020 Legislative Districts, New Jersey Department of State, p. 10. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Lopatcong township, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  10. ^ a b GCT-PH1 Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  11. ^ Look Up a ZIP Code for Lopatcong, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  12. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008. 
  13. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  14. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008. 
  15. ^ Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  16. ^ Mansnerus, Laura. "Great Haven for Families, but Don't Bring Children", The New York Times August 13, 2003. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  17. ^ Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 247. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  18. ^ Snell, James P. (1881) History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers. (Centennial ed., Harmony, NJ: Harmony Press, 1981) p.682
  19. ^ Poncavage, Joanna. "Lenape language Legacy; In towns, creeks and more, Indian nation left its mark on our region", The Morning Call, November 14, 2008. Accessed September 21, 2012. "LOPATCONG - From Lenape words: Lowan peek achtu onk Meaning: Winter water place for deer"
  20. ^ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Delaware Park CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 20, 2012.
  21. ^ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Lopatcong Overlook CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 20, 2012.
  22. ^ GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Warren County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  23. ^ Census Estimates for New Jersey April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 26, 2012.
  24. ^ Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890, United States Census Bureau, p. 339. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  25. ^ "Fifteenth Census of the United States: 1930 - Population Volume I", United States Census Bureau, p. 719. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  26. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 2, 2009. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  27. ^ a b c d e Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Lopatcong township, Warren County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  28. ^ DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Lopatcong township, Warren County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  29. ^ DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Lopatcong township, Warren County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  30. ^ Town Council, Lopatcong Township. Accessed September 21, 2012. Note that website shows 2010 term-end dates as of date accessed.
  31. ^ Township of Lopatcong profile, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  32. ^ Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  33. ^ 2012 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 60, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  34. ^ Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  35. ^ 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 60, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  36. ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 5, 2012.
  37. ^ Legislative Roster 2012-2013 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2012.
  38. ^ "About the Governor". State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  39. ^ "About the Lieutenant Governor". State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  40. ^ Board of Chosen Freeholders, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2013.
  41. ^ County Clerk's Office, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2013.
  42. ^ Message from Surrogate, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2013.
  43. ^ Constitutional Officers, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2013.
  44. ^ 2012 Official Directory, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2013.
  45. ^ Data for the Lopatcong Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed September 21, 2012.
  46. ^ OUR VISION: "Quality teaching and learning...by design", Phillipsburg School District. Accessed March 16, 2011. "The district serves students from the Town of Phillipsburg and five sending communities at the secondary level: Alpha, Bloomsbury, Greenwich, Lopatcong and Pohatcong Townships."
  47. ^ Warren County Bus/Rail Connections, New Jersey Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 26, 2010. Accessed September 21, 2012.
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External links

Municipalities and communities of Warren County, New Jersey, United States
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Last modified on 12 May 2013, at 15:58