Hillsborough Township, New Jersey
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| Hillsborough Township, New Jersey | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Somerset |
| Royal Charter | September 12, 1771 |
| Incorporated | February 21, 1798 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Anthony Ferrera (2008) |
| - Township Administrator | Kevin P. Davis.[1] |
| Area | |
| - Total | 54.8 sq mi (141.9 km²) |
| - Land | 54.7 sq mi (141.6 km²) |
| - Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²) |
| Elevation [2] | 105 ft (32 m) |
| Population (2006)[3] | |
| - Total | 38,110 |
| - Density | 669.9/sq mi (258.6/km²) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 08844 |
| Area code(s) | 908 |
| FIPS code | 34-31890[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882169[5] |
| Website: http://hillsborough-nj.org | |
Hillsborough Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 36,634.
Hillsborough Township was originally created by Royal Charter on September 12, 1771, from portions of Western precinct. It was incorporated as one of New Jersey's original 104 townships by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken to form Millstone (May 14, 1894) and Manville (April 1, 1929).[6]
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[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 54.8 square miles (141.9 km²), of which, 54.7 square miles (141.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (0.18%) is water. In terms of area, it is the largest township in Somerset County.
[edit] Communities
Unincorporated communities located within Hillsborough Township are Belle Mead, Blackwells Mills, Flagtown, Neshanic and South Branch. Parts of Belle Mead and Blackwells Mills are located in neighboring communities adjacent to Hillsborough Township.
[edit] Redevelopment
After the three and three quarter mile US 206 bypass is completed, the town plans to design a town center along the old Business Route 206.[7] Construction for the bypass is expected to begin in 2009 and be complete by 2012[8]. The old section of US-206 will become the main street for the township and will be zoned for commercial and residential use.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 2,283 |
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| 1940 | 2,645 | 15.9% | |
| 1950 | 3,875 | 46.5% | |
| 1960 | 7,584 | 95.7% | |
| 1970 | 11,061 | 45.8% | |
| 1980 | 19,061 | 72.3% | |
| 1990 | 28,808 | 51.1% | |
| 2000 | 36,634 | 27.2% | |
| Est. 2006 | 38,110 | [3] | 4.0% |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[9] | |||
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 36,634 people, 12,649 households, and 9,802 families residing in the township. The population density was 669.9 people per square mile (258.6/km²). There were 12,854 housing units at an average density of 235.0/sq mi (90.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 85.96% White, 3.76% African American, 0.09% Native American, 7.31% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.75% of the population.
There were 12,649 households out of which 44.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the township the population was spread out with 29.1% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $83,290, and the median income for a family was $93,933. Males had a median income of $62,273 versus $42,052 for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,091. About 2.1% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.
According to Money magazine, Hillsborough was ranked as the #23 best place to live.[10]
[edit] History
On May 31, 1771, Hillsborough was officially granted a Charter incorporating it as a Township. A revised charter was issued on September 12, 1771.[6] The records of Hillsborough Township are complete from their inception in 1746 and there are ten volumes, each some several hundred pages, kept in the Special Collections Department of the Rutgers University Library along with the Charter.
Hillsborough Township quickly took its place in history as the path General George Washington and his troops traveled from the Battle of Princeton to winter quarters in Morristown. While the British were encamped in the valley below awaiting an opportunity to attack, it is said that Washington drilled his troops on the Sourland Mountain around a spring near the top using different formations and corn stalks for guns. As the sun caught the stalks, the British thought Washington had received reinforcements and fresh supplies and the British troops, thinking that they were outnumbered, slipped off to New Brunswick leaving Washington to continue to Morristown.
Hillsborough Township was formally incorporated on February 21, 1798.[6]
Hillsborough is also home to Duke Gardens and Duke Farms, a 2,700 acre (11 km²) estate in the north-eastern quadrant of the town. Originally owned by tobacco and electric energy tycoon, James "Buck" Duke and then passed down to daughter Doris Duke, Duke Farms is now one of the few remaining "preserved" natural areas in Hillsborough Township.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
Hillsborough Township is governed by a five-member Township Committee elected at large in partisan elections for staggered three-year terms, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. The mayor and deputy mayor are chosen by the Township Committee from among its members at an annual reorganization meeting, for a one-year term. The Committee holds two public meetings each month in addition to work sessions.[11].
The members of the Hillsborough Township Committee as of 2008 are Mayor Anthony Ferrera (term expires December 31, 2008), Deputy Mayor Frank Delcore (2010), Lisa Nisivoccia (2008), Carl Suraci (2009) and Bob Wagner (2009).[12]
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Hillsborough Township is in the Seventh Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 16th Legislative District.[13]
New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District, covering portions of Hunterdon County, Middlesex County, Somerset County and Union County, is represented by Mike Ferguson (R). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 16th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R, Neshanic Station) and in the Assembly by Peter J. Biondi (R, Hillsborough Township) and Denise Coyle (R, Basking Ridge).[14] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[15]
Somerset County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose members are elected at-large to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with one or two elected each year. As of 2008, Somerset County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Peter S. Palmer (Bernardsville, term ends December 31, 2008), Freeholder Deputy Director Rick Fontana (Bridgewater Township, 2009), Jack Ciattarelli (Hillsborough Township, 2009), Patricia Walsh (Green Brook Township, 2010) and Robert Zaborowski (Franklin Township, 2008).[16]
[edit] Education
The Hillsborough Township School District serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students from Millstone attend the district's schools as part of a sending/receiving relationship.
Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[17]) are six K-4 elementary schools — Amsterdam Elementary School (520 students), Hillsborough Elementary School (551 students), Sunnymead Elementary School (454 students), Triangle Elementary School (432 students), Woodfern Elementary School (479 students) and Woods Road Elementary School (434 students) — Auten Road Intermediate School for grades 5-6 (1,237 students), Hillsborough Middle School for grades 7-8 (1,158 students) and Hillsborough High School for grades 9-12 (2,390 students).
[edit] Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Hillsborough Township include:
- John Bell - Radio DJ Z100 WHTZ Elvis Duran and the Z Morning Zoo.
- Michael Ian Black (1971-), Actor.[18]
- Minakshi Datta and Jyotirmoy Datta - Writers originally from India who now reside in Hillsborough.
- Doris Duke (1912-1993) heiress and philanthropist.[19]
- Jaheim - R&B singer.[20]
- Kristin Malko - Actress
- Shawn Mayer (1979-), NFL who played Safety for the Cleveland Browns.[21]
- Shaun O'Hara (1977-), NFL center for the New York Giants.[22]
- Ricky Proehl (1968-), NFL wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts.[23][24]
- Peter Dumont Vroom (1791-1873) - 9th Governor of New Jersey.[25]
[edit] References
- ^ Township Administrator , Hillsborough Township. Accessed July 4, 2007.
- ^ USGS GNIS: Township of Hillsborough, Geographic Names Information System, accessed July 4, 2007.
- ^ a b Census data for Hillsborough township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 19, 2007.
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b c "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 223.
- ^ Fox unveils re-designed Hillsborough Bypass: New smart growth plan reduces sprawl, preserves more open space, New Jersey Department of Transportation press release dated December 20, 2002.
- ^ Hillsborough reorganization set for Monday, Courier News January 2, 2008
- ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ Best Places to Live: Top 100 for 2007 - 23. Hillsborough, N.J.", Money (magazine), July 2007. Accessed March 30, 2008.
- ^ Hillsborough Township Form of Government, Hillsborough Township. Accessed August 20, 2006.
- ^ Township Committee, Hillsborough Township. Accessed March 30, 2008.
- ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 58. Accessed August 30, 2006.
- ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ The Role of County Government: "What Is A Freeholder?", Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed March 30, 2008.
- ^ Data for the Hillsborough Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 30, 2008.
- ^ Toronto International Film Festival: The Pleasure of Your Company, accessed December 10, 2006.
- ^ via Associated Press. "DORIS DUKE, 80", The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 29, 1993. Accessed March 30, 2008. "Doris Duke, 80, the tobacco heiress whose father's fortune made her the richest girl in the world and propelled her into an international circle of celebrities, died yesterday.... Her main residence was Duke Farms in Hillsborough, N.J."
- ^ Deak, Michael. "R&B singer Jaheim can appeal drug conviction", Home News Tribune, February 20, 2008. Accessed March 30, 2008. "Jaheim Hoagland, a Hillsborough resident best known for his double platinum album "Ghetto Love," was found guilty on Sept. 20, 2005, on charges of possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle and the use of an unapproved tinted window in Hillsborough."
- ^ Staff. "LIONS SAFETY MAYER INJURED, WILL MISS SEASON", The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 15, 2000. Accessed March 30, 2008. "Safety Shawn Mayer, who had figured heavily in Penn State's plans this year, will miss the football season because of a knee injury suffered in practice.... The 6-foot, 197-pounder from Hillsborough, N.J., played in every game last season."
- ^ O'Gorman, George. "Giants Stadium celebration gives Big Blue chance to celebrate at home for the first time in months", Trentonian, February 6, 2008. Accessed March 30, 2008. "For two of the Giants’ three Jersey guys, the salute by their home state wasn’t a surprise. “They always do things right in New Jersey,” said center Shaun O’Hara, a Rutgers grad who grew up in Hillsborough and now lives in Rutherford."
- ^ Player profile for Ricky Proehl, Indianapolis Colts. Accessed December 20, 2006.
- ^ Ricky Proehl celebrates Super Bowl championship: 'It felt awesome,' ex-Hillsborough High football standout said, Princeton Packet, February 3, 2000.
- ^ Peter D. Vroom, New Jersey Historical Society. Accessed December 16, 2006.
[edit] External links
- Hillsborough Township official web site
- Hillsborough Township School District
- Hillsborough Township School District's 2006-07 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Data for the Hillsborough Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics
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