Hampton Township, New Jersey

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 25.295 square miles (65.514 km²), including 24.376 square miles (63.135 km²) of land and 0.919 square miles (2.380 km²) of water (3.63%). The township is located in the Kittatinny Valley, a section of the Great Appalachian Valley that stretches 700 miles (1,100 km) from Canada to Alabama.

Crandon Lakes (with a 2010 Census population of 682 in Hampton Township, out of a CDP total of 1,178) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) split between Hampton Township and Stillwater Township. Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Balesville, Emmons Station, Halsey, Lake Kemah, Little Swartswood Lake, Mecca Lake, Myrtle Grove, Paulins Kill Lake, Smiths Hill, Spring Lake and Washingtonville.

Smiths Hill is a hill located at 41.0825969°N 74.7468316°W / 41.0825969; -74.7468316 in the Kittatinny Valley of the Appalachian Mountains. The summit rises to 863 feet (263 m).

Census 2010

The 2010 United States Census counted 5,196 people, 2,021 households, and 1,445 families residing in the township. The population density was 213.2 per square mile (82.3/km²). The township contained 2,200 housing units at an average density of 90.3 per square mile (34.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.44% (5,011) White, 0.83% (43) Black or African American, 0.08% (4) Native American, 1.19% (62) Asian, 0.02% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.44% (23) from other races, and 1.00% (52) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.85% (200) of the population.

Out of a total of 2,021 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% 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 3.03.

In the township, 21.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 35.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.9 years. For every 100 females the census counted 95.8 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 93.9 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $77,639 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,453) and the median family income was $86,795 (+/- $7,981). Males had a median income of $63,168 (+/- $9,682) versus $37,682 (+/- $3,054) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $32,953 (+/- $3,286). About 3.0% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there are 4,943 people, 1,857 households, and 1,413 families residing in the township. The population density is 200.7 people per square mile (77.5/km²). There are 2,026 housing units at an average density of 82.3 per square mile (31.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township is 97.29% White, 0.97% African American, 0.02% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 1.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 1,857 households out of which 36.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.2% are married couples living together, 8.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% are non-families. 20.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.65 and the average family size is 3.10.

In the township the population is spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township is $60,698, and the median income for a family is $67,386. Males have a median income of $48,882 versus $36,500 for females. The per capita income for the township is $25,353. 2.0% of the population and 1.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.0% of those under the age of 18 and 2.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Local government

Hampton Township is governed under the Township form of government. The five-member Township Committee is elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.

As of 2016, members of the Hampton Township Committee are Mayor Philip L. Yetter (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2017; term as mayor ends 2016), Timothy S. Dooley (R, 2018), Keith Gourlay (R, 2018), David S. Hansen (R, 2017) and Scott MacKenzie (R, 2016; elected to serve an unexpired term).

In January 2015, the township committee selected Scott MacKenzie to fill the vacant seat of Keith Gourlay expiring in December 2016. MacKenzie served on an interim basis until the November 2015 general election, when he was elected to serve the one year remaining on the term of office, while Keith Gourlay—who had left office earlier—was elected to a term expiring in December 2018.

Federal, state and county representation

Hampton Township is located in the 5th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 24th state legislative district.

New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Wyckoff). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).

For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 24th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Steve Oroho (R, Franklin) and in the General Assembly by Parker Space (R, Wantage Township) and Gail Phoebus (R, Andover Township). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Sussex County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders whose five members are elected at-large in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Freeholder Director and Deputy Director from among its members, with day-to-day supervision of the operation of the county delegated to a County Administrator. As of 2014, Sussex County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Richard Vohden (R, Green Township, 2016), Deputy Director Dennis J. Mudrick (R, Sparta Township, 2015), Phillip R. Crabb (R, Franklin, 2014), George Graham (R, Stanhope, 2016) and Gail Phoebus (R, Andover Township, 2015). Graham was chosen in April 2013 to fill the seat vacated by Parker Space, who had been chosen to fill a vacancy in the New Jersey General Assembly. Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are County Clerk Jeff Parrott (R, 2016), Sheriff Michael F. Strada (R, 2016) and Surrogate Gary R. Chiusano (R, filling the vacancy after the resignation of Nancy Fitzgibbons). The County Administrator is John Eskilson.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 3,600 registered voters in Hampton Township, of which 615 (17.1% vs. 16.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,565 (43.5% vs. 39.3%) were registered as Republicans and 1,418 (39.4% vs. 44.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered to other parties. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 69.3% (vs. 65.8% in Sussex County) were registered to vote, including 87.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 86.5% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 1,479 votes (58.3% vs. 59.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 989 votes (39.0% vs. 38.2%) and other candidates with 55 votes (2.2% vs. 2.1%), among the 2,535 ballots cast by the township's 3,676 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.0% (vs. 68.3% in Sussex County). In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 1,636 votes (58.3% vs. 59.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,109 votes (39.6% vs. 38.7%) and other candidates with 32 votes (1.1% vs. 1.5%), among the 2,804 ballots cast by the township's 3,517 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.7% (vs. 76.9% in Sussex County). In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 1,641 votes (63.6% vs. 63.9% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 887 votes (34.4% vs. 34.4%) and other candidates with 45 votes (1.7% vs. 1.3%), among the 2,579 ballots cast by the township's 3,257 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.2% (vs. 77.7% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 71.7% of the vote (1,100 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 25.1% (385 votes), and other candidates with 3.3% (50 votes), among the 1,550 ballots cast by the township's 3,684 registered voters (15 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.1%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,226 votes (61.9% vs. 63.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 538 votes (27.1% vs. 25.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 184 votes (9.3% vs. 9.1%) and other candidates with 21 votes (1.1% vs. 1.3%), among the 1,982 ballots cast by the township's 3,547 registered voters, yielding a 55.9% turnout (vs. 52.3% in the county).

Education

The Hampton Township School District serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade for public school at McKeown School. As of the 2013-14 school year, the district's one school had an enrollment of 332 students and 36.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.2:1.

Students in seventh through twelfth grade for public school attend Kittatinny Regional High School located in Hampton Township, which serves students who reside in Fredon Township, Hampton Township, Sandyston Township, Stillwater Township and Walpack Township. The high school is located on a 96-acre (39 ha) campus in Hampton Township, about seven minutes outside of the county seat of Newton. As of the 2014-15 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,079 students and 97.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.1:1. Kittatinny Regional High School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 1997-98.

Transportation

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 51.51 miles (82.90 km) of roadways, of which 25.99 miles (41.83 km) were maintained by the municipality, 21.24 miles (34.18 km) by Sussex County and 4.28 miles (6.89 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.