Location of Hardwick Township in Warren County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Warren County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
Census Bureau map of Hardwick Township, New Jersey
Hardwick Township was created around 1713 through a royal patent.[19] The township was created by Royal charter on January 22, 1750, from Greenwich Township when the area was part of Morris County. It became part of the newly created Sussex County on June 8, 1753. Parts of Hardwick Township were taken on November 11, 1782, to form Independence Township. Hardwick Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. On November 20, 1824, most of Hardwick Township was transferred to form part of Warren County, with the remainder staying in Sussex County as parts of Green Township and Stillwater Township, which were both created as of December 27, 1824. Frelinghuysen Township was created March 7, 1848, from portions of the township.[20] The township was named for Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke.[21]
Pahaquarry Township was dissolved and absorbed by Hardwick Township on July 2, 1997. Pahaquarry Township had been created on March 14, 1825, and received its name from the word "Pahaquarra", which was a derivation of the Native American word Pahaqualong used by the Lenape meaning "termination of two mountains" (describing the mountain or mountainous area that was the area's southern border) or "the place between the mountains beside the waters".[22][23]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 38.94 square miles (100.85 km2), including 37.53 square miles (97.19 km2) of land and 1.42 square miles (3.66 km2) of water (3.63%).[1][2] The part of the township east of the Kittatinny Ridge (the part excluding the now defunct Pahaquarry Township) is located in the Kittatinny Valley which is a section of the Great Appalachian Valley that stretches for 700 miles (1,100 km) from Canada to Alabama. The defunct Pahaquarry section of the Township which borders the Delaware River is located in the Minisink Valley that extends from the Delaware Water Gap north to Port Jervis, New York.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Bass Lake, Franklin Grove, Hardwick, Hardwick Center, Millbrook, Newbakers Corner, Sand Pond, Squares Corner and White Pond.[24]
Camp Ralph S. Mason is a YMCA, established in 1900, that covers 460 acres (190 ha) adjacent to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area that serves approximately 800 campers in its summer camp programs and 7,000 participants at its outdoor center.[26]
The Pahaquarry Copper Mine is an abandoned copper mine. Active mining was attempted for brief periods during the mid-eighteenth, mid-nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries but was never successful. The site is administered by the National Park Service.[27]
The 2010 United States census counted 1,696 people, 573 households, and 453 families in the township. The population density was 46.3 inhabitants per square mile (17.9/km2). There were 619 housing units at an average density of 16.9 per square mile (6.5/km2). The racial makeup was 96.99% (1,645) White, 0.94% (16) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 0.65% (11) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.71% (12) from other races, and 0.71% (12) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.95% (67) of the population.[16]
Of the 573 households, 33.9% had children under the age of 18; 67.9% were married couples living together; 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 20.9% were non-families. Of all households, 16.2% were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.19.[16]
24.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 19.3% from 25 to 44, 35.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.3 males.[16]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $96,094 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,827) and the median family income was $105,469 (+/− $14,654). Males had a median income of $77,045 (+/− $8,432) versus $46,667 (+/− $3,953) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $38,377 (+/− $5,353). About 3.0% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.[42]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[13] there were 1,464 people, 502 households, and 410 families residing in the township. The population density was 40.1 inhabitants per square mile (15.5/km2). There were 530 housing units at an average density of 14.5 per square mile (5.6/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.06% White, 0.61% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.89% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.32% of the population.[39][40]
There were 502 households, out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.3% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% were non-families. 13.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.15.[39][40]
In the township the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.[39][40]
The median income for a household in the township was $72,167, and the median income for a family was $76,111. Males had a median income of $56,000 versus $31,875 for females. The per capita income for the township was $30,038. About 0.5% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.5% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.[39][40]
Government
Local government
Hardwick Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.[43] The governing body is comprised of a three-member Township Committee, whose members are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[6][44] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.[45]
As of 2023[update] members of the Hardwick Township Committee are Mayor Chris Jacksic (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Nichole L. Meuse (R, term on committee ends 2025; term as deputy mayor ends 2023) and John C. Lovell Jr. (R, 2023).[3][46][47][48][49]
Federal, state, and county representation
Hardwick Township is located in the 7th Congressional District[50] and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district.[51]
Warren County is governed by a three-member Board of County Commissioners, who are chosen at-large on a staggered basis in partisan elections with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as Commissioner Director and other as Deputy Director.[57] As of 2024[update], Warren County's Commissioners are:
As of March 2011, there were a total of 1,097 registered voters in Hardwick Township, of which 195 (17.8% vs. 21.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 480 (43.8% vs. 35.3%) were registered as Republicans and 422 (38.5% vs. 43.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[69] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 64.7% (vs. 62.3% in Warren County) were registered to vote, including 86.0% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 81.5% countywide).[69][70]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 446 votes (59.9% vs. 56.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 267 votes (35.8% vs. 40.8%) and other candidates with 18 votes (2.4% vs. 1.7%), among the 745 ballots cast by the township's 1,123 registered voters, for a turnout of 66.3% (vs. 66.7% in Warren County).[71][72] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 473 votes (57.9% vs. 55.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 310 votes (37.9% vs. 41.4%) and other candidates with 17 votes (2.1% vs. 1.6%), among the 817 ballots cast by the township's 1,075 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.0% (vs. 73.4% in Warren County).[73] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 536 votes (65.7% vs. 61.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 272 votes (33.3% vs. 37.2%) and other candidates with 5 votes (0.6% vs. 1.3%), among the 816 ballots cast by the township's 1,019 registered voters, for a turnout of 80.1% (vs. 76.3% in the whole county).[74]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 72.9% of the vote (299 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 24.9% (102 votes), and other candidates with 2.2% (9 votes), among the 427 ballots cast by the township's 1,141 registered voters (17 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 37.4%.[75][76] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 343 votes (61.4% vs. 61.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 151 votes (27.0% vs. 25.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 46 votes (8.2% vs. 9.8%) and other candidates with 16 votes (2.9% vs. 1.5%), among the 559 ballots cast by the township's 1,065 registered voters, yielding a 52.5% turnout (vs. 49.6% in the county).[77]
Education
For kindergarten through sixth grade, public school students attend Blairstown Elementary School in Blairstown Township as part of the Blairstown Township School District.[78][79] The Hardwick Township Board of Education was dissolved and merged into the Blairstown district as of July 1, 2009. The tax levies for the 2009–2010 year were left unchanged, with the tax levy for subsequent years apportioned based 78.8% on enrollment and 21.2% on the equalized value of property on the two municipalities.[80] As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 466 students and 46.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.0:1.[81]
Students in seventh through twelfth grades for public school attend the North Warren Regional High School in Blairstown, a public secondary high school that also serves students from the townships of Blairstown, Frelinghuysen and Knowlton.[82][83][84][79] As of the 2018–19 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 799 students and 77.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.3:1.[85] Seats on the high school district's nine-member board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with one seat allocated to Hardwick Township.[86]
Old Mine Road, a scenic road that runs along the Delaware River, is said to be among the oldest roads in the Northeast used for the business purposes. It originates in Hardwick at I-80 and continues to the northeast into Walpack Township.[90]
^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. 619
^Departments, Hardwick Township. Accessed June 21, 2022. "The Township Committee is comprised of three Committee members who are elected at large for staggered terms of office. Each year voters elect one of the members to a three (3) year term on the Township Committee. In January, the Committee reorganizes selecting one of its members to serve as the Mayor and a second member to serve as the Deputy Mayor."
^Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
^Governmental Structure, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed February 22, 2022. "Warren County operates under the County Commissioner form of county government. The Board of County Commissioners consists of three Commissioners each elected at large for staggered terms of three years. The Commissioner Director is chosen by the full board at the board's annual reorganization meeting in January. The Commissioners supervise, direct and administer all county services and functions through the various departments, autonomous boards, agencies, and commissions. Reporting to the Board of County Commissioners is an appointed County Administrator."
^Jason J. Sarnoski, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed February 22, 2022.
^Lori Ciesla, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed February 22, 2022.
^James R. Kern III, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed February 22, 2022.
^North Warren Regional Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, North Warren Regional High School. Accessed March 31, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades seven through twelve in the North Warren Regional High School District. Composition: The North Warren Regional High School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Blairstown Township, Frelinghuysen Township, Knowlton Township and Hardwick Township."
^Home Page, North Warren Regional School District. Accessed March 31, 2020. "North Warren Regional is a public secondary school district, serving students in grades 7-12 in the townships of Blairstown, Frelinghuysen, Hardwick, and Knowlton. The district covers 96.8 square miles bordering the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in scenic Warren County."
^Board of Education, North Warren Regional High School. Accessed June 3, 2020. "The Board of Education is an elected council who, in compliance with State, and Federal laws, establish the policies, and regulations, by which the school is governed. The Board of Education is comprised of nine residents, each elected for a three-year term."
^F.A.Q., Ridge and Valley Charter School. Accessed July 17, 2017. "Enrollment is open, on a space available basis, to all K–8 students residing in N.J. with priority given to students residing in the districts of Blairstown, Hardwick, Knowlton, Frelinghuysen, and North Warren Regional School."
^Staff. "Friday the 13th comes home to Warren County", Warren Reporter, May 13, 2011. Accessed June 5, 2013. "The original Friday the 13th, released in 1980, was centered around Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco in Hardwick Township, and included scenes across northern Warren County, including downtown Blairstown, Hardwick and Hope."
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