Country United States Founded February 20, 1700 Incorporated February 21, 1798 Population 16,105 (2000) | County Mercer Royal charter March 1, 1755 Area 152.6 km² | |
Area rank 22nd of 565 in state
1st of 12 in county Weather -2°C, Wind N at 32 km/h, 93% Humidity Points of interest Washington Crossing State Park, Rosedale Park, Howell Living History F, Baldpate Mountain, Johnson Ferry House | ||
Hopewell Township is a township in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. The township is within the New York metropolitan area as defined by the United States Census Bureau, but directly borders the Philadelphia metropolitan area and is part of the Federal Communications Commission's Philadelphia Designated Market Area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 17,304, reflecting an increase of 1,199 (+7.4%) from the 16,105 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 4,515 (+39.0%) from the 11,590 counted in the 1990 Census.
Contents
- Map of Hopewell Township NJ USA
- Geography
- Census 2010
- Census 2000
- Parks and recreation
- Local government
- Federal state and county representation
- Politics
- Neighboring municipalities
- Education
- Roads and highways
- Public transportation
- The Hopewell Project
- Media
- Winery
- Notable people
- References
Map of Hopewell Township, NJ, USA
The township dates back to February 20, 1700, when the area was still part of Burlington County. It was formerly the name for one of two portions of 800 acres (3.2 km2) of land purchased in 1714 by William Trent, and was formally set off to Hunterdon County, when that county was created on March 11, 1714. Trenton Township was formed out of this estate on June 3, 1719, later to become the City of Trenton. Hopewell Township was incorporated by Royal charter on March 1, 1755, and was re-incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of the state's initial group of 104 townships. Hopewell Township became part of Mercer County at its creation on February 22, 1838. Portions of the township were taken to form Marion Township (February 22, 1838, reverted to Hopewell Township on February 14, 1839), the Borough of Pennington (January 31, 1890) and Hopewell Borough (April 14, 1891), with additional portions of the township transferred to both Pennington and Hopewell Borough in 1915.
Hopewell Township includes the location (now known as Washington Crossing) along the east side of the Delaware River to which George Washington and the Continental Army crossed from Pennsylvania. Once in Hopewell Township, the army marched to Trenton on December 26, 1776. The Battle of Trenton followed. Today, Washington Crossing State Park commemorates this important milestone in American history.
Hopewell Township was also the location where, two months after being abducted from his home in neighboring East Amwell, the body of Charles Lindbergh Jr. was discovered on May 12, 1932.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 58.911 square miles (152.580 km2), including 58.031 square miles (150.300 km2) of it is land and 0.880 square miles (2.279 km2) of water (1.49%) is water.
The township completely surrounds Hopewell Borough and Pennington, making it part of two of the 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another, and the only municipality that surrounds two others. The township borders Ewing Township, Lawrence Township and Princeton in Mercer County; East Amwell Township and West Amwell Township in Hunterdon County; Montgomery Township in Somerset County; and Solebury Township and Upper Makesfield Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, across the Delaware River.
Akers Corner, Baldwins Corner, Bear Tavern, Centerville, Coopers Corner, Federal City, Glenmoore, Harbourton, Harts Corner, Marshalls Corner, Moore, Mount Rose, Pleasant Valley, Stoutsburg, Titusville, Washington Crossing and Woodsville are unincorporated communities, localities and place names located within Hopewell Township. Some neighborhoods in the township include Hopewell Hunt, Brandon Farms and Elm Ridge.
Washington Crossing State Park is located in the western part of the township.
Census 2010
The 2010 United States Census counted 17,304 people, 6,282 households, and 4,925 families residing in the township. The population density was 298.2 per square mile (115.1/km2). The township contained 6,551 housing units at an average density of 112.9 per square mile (43.6/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 86.74% (15,010) White, 2.10% (364) Black or African American, 0.07% (12) Native American, 8.89% (1,539) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.52% (90) from other races, and 1.66% (288) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.31% (573) of the population.
Out of a total of 6,282 households, 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.1% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the township, 26.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 34.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.4 years. For every 100 females the census counted 96.7 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 93.4 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $132,813 (with a margin of error of +/- $15,634) and the median family income was $151,394 (+/- $9,062). Males had a median income of $106,431 (+/- $9,830) versus $66,285 (+/- $11,820) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $55,219 (+/- $3,466). About 0.6% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 1.3% of those age 65 or over.
Census 2000
As of the 2000 United States Census there were 16,105 people, 5,498 households, and 4,431 families residing in the township. The population density was 277.1 people per square mile (107.0/km²). There were 5,629 housing units at an average density of 96.9 per square mile (37.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 77.30% White, 15.83% African American, 0.12% Native American, 3.97% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.66% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.45% of the population.
There were 5,498 households out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.6% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.4% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the township the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 103.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $93,640, and the median income for a family was $101,579. Males had a median income of $66,849 versus $47,701 for females. The per capita income for the township was $43,947. About 0.9% of families and 1.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Parks and recreation
Local government
Hopewell 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, the members of the Hopewell Township Committee are Mayor Kevin Kuchinski (D, term on committee ends December 31, 2017; term as mayor ends 2016), Deputy mayor Vanessa Sandom (D, term on committee ends 2017; term as deputy mayor ends 2016), Julie Blake (D, 2016), Todd Brant (R, 2016) and John R. Hart (R, 2016).
Citing differences with local party leadership, Mayor Harvey Lester changed his party affiliation in March 2015 from Democrat to Republican. In the November 2015 general election, Democrat Julie Blake defeated incumbent Mayor Harvey Lester, with affordable housing, development and taxes as key issues in the race.
Hopewell Township is served by the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station & Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, located in Trenton.
Federal, state and county representation
Hopewell Township is located in the 12th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 15th state legislative district.
New Jersey's Twelfth Congressional District is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman (D, Ewing Township). 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 15th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Shirley Turner (D, Lawrence Township, Mercer County) and in the General Assembly by Reed Gusciora (D, Trenton) and Elizabeth Maher Muoio (D, Pennington). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).
Mercer County is governed by a County Executive who oversees the day-to-day operations of the county and by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders that acts in a legislative capacity, setting policy. All officials are chosen at-large in partisan elections, with the executive serving a four-year term of office while the freeholders serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats up for election each year. As of 2014, the County Executive is Brian M. Hughes (D, term ends December 31, 2015; Princeton). Mercer County's Freeholders are Freeholder Chair Andrew Koontz (D, 2016; Princeton), Freeholder Vice Chair Samuel T. Frisby, Sr. (2015; Trenton), Ann M. Cannon (2015; East Windsor Township), Anthony P. Carabelli (2016; Trenton), John A. Cimino (2014, Hamilton Township), Pasquale "Pat" Colavita, Jr. (2015; Lawrence Township) and Lucylle R. S. Walter (2014; Ewing Township) Mercer County's constitutional officers are County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello (D, 2015), Sheriff John A. Kemler (D, 2014) and Surrogate Diane Gerofsky (D, 2016).
Politics
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 12,218 registered voters in Hopewell Township, of which 3,949 (32.3%) were registered as Democrats, 3,088 (25.3%) were registered as Republicans and 5,178 (42.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered to other parties.
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 54.9% of the vote (5,223 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 43.8% (4,171 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (123 votes), among the 10,697 ballots cast by the township's 12,983 registered voters (1,180 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 82.4%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 56.5% of the vote here (5,517 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 41.4% (4,042 votes) and other candidates with 1.4% (133 votes), among the 9,765 ballots cast by the township's 12,615 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.4%. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 51.3% of the vote here (4,974 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 46.2% (4,476 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (80 votes), among the 9,698 ballots cast by the township's 11,780 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 82.3.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 61.8% of the vote (3,826 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 36.5% (2,257 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (107 votes), among the 6,322 ballots cast by the township's 12,818 registered voters (132 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 49.3%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 48.9% of the vote here (3,503 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 42.9% (3,074 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.9% (497 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (36 votes), among the 7,158 ballots cast by the township's 12,441 registered voters, yielding a 57.5% turnout.
Neighboring municipalities
Hopewell Township surrounds both Pennington and Hopewell Borough.
Education
Public school students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade attend the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, a comprehensive regional public school district serving students from Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township and Pennington Borough. As of the 2011-12 school year, the district's six schools had an enrollment of 3,797 students and 329.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.51:1. Schools in the district (with 2011-12 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) include four elementary schools — Bear Tavern Elementary School (grades PreK-5; 429 students), Hopewell Elementary School (PreK-5; 474), Stony Brook Elementary School (K-5; 418) and Toll Gate Grammar School (K-5; 300) — Timberlane Middle School with 951 students in grades 6-8 and Hopewell Valley Central High School with an enrollment of 1,225 students in grades 9 - 12.
Roads and highways
As of May 2010, the township had a total of 189.67 miles (305.24 km) of roadways, of which 136.96 miles (220.42 km) are maintained by the municipality, 36.68 miles (59.03 km) by Mercer County and 16.03 miles (25.80 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Route 29 passes through the southwestern part of Hopewell alongside the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Route 31 is the main north-south road that goes through the township. Interstate 95 also passes through in the southern part with two interchanges: Exits 3 (Scotch Road) and 4 (Route 31). Interstate 295 is outside the municipality in neighboring Lawrence Township. A few major county roads that go through are County Route 518, County Route 546, County Route 569 and County Route 579.
Hopewell Township was supposed to be where the Somerset Freeway would have started in the south, ending in the north in either Piscataway or Franklin. This would have completed I-95 in New Jersey. But the cancellation of this project led to having the New Jersey Turnpike carry the interstate numbering instead. Originally, I-295 had extended into Hopewell and ended where the supposed Somerset Freeway interchange was to be built. Ultimately, the Somerset Freeway was canceled in 1982. I-295 was redesignated I-95 from the canceled interchange to the exit at U.S. Route 1 in 1993.
Public transportation
NJ Transit provides bus service between the township and Trenton on the 602, 606 and 608 routes.
The Hopewell Project
Hopewell is home to an experimental renewable energy project called The Hopewell Project, which uses solar power to generate hydrogen that is used to provide 100% of a home's heating, cooling and electrical needs. The Hopewell Solar-Hydrogen Residence was dedicated on October 20, 2006.
Media
Winery
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Hopewell Township include: