Hopatcong, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Hopatcong is a Borough
in Sussex County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 15,147.
The area had been called "Brookland" in the 19th century and the lake that was expanded to become Lake Hopatcong
had been known as "Great Pond" or "Brookland Pond". During the 1830s, the name of the community had been modified to "Brooklyn", to match the spelling of the city on New York
's Long Island
. Hopatcong was originally established as the Town of Brooklyn on April 2, 1898 from portions of Byram Township. On March 22, 1901, the Borough of Hopatcong replaced Brooklyn. In 1922, residents of Byram Cove, Northwood, and other areas to the west of the original land area of the borough, voted to leave Byram Township and join Hopatcong, leaving the Borough with its current borders.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 12.34 square miles (32 km²), of which, 10.96 square miles (28.4 km²) of it is land and 1.38 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (11.18%) is water.
of 2000, there were 15,888 people, 5,656 households, and 4,236 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 1,449.7 people per square mile (559.7/km2). There were 6,190 housing units at an average density of 564.8 per square mile (218.1/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.10% White, 1.95% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.80% Asian, 1.42% from other races
, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% of the population.
There were 5,656 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples
living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the borough the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 24.9% 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 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $65,799, and the median income for a family was $73,277. Males had a median income of $47,083 versus $34,238 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $26,698. About 2.2% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
The town of Hopatcong has a rich history given its relationship with New York City
. It borders Lake Hopatcong
, a partially man made lake that is now a source of much recreation and desirable real estate, and is the biggest lake in New Jersey. The town, just 40 miles west of New York City, began as a summer get away for the wealthy in NYC who primarily sought access to the lake. An amusement park sprung up called "Bertrand's Island" which was accessible via the lake or by car through Mount Arlington
. The construction of Interstate 80
, a highway that stretches from Teaneck, New Jersey
all the way across the country to San Francisco, California
, triggered rapid growth in New York City's suburbs and led to Hopatcong becoming a permanent residential community.
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the Borough, helps set the agenda for Council meetings and chairs all meetings of the Council. The Mayor can vote only in the event of a tie but has the power to veto any ordinance adopted by the Council.
The Mayor has executive authority to act between Council meetings in matters affecting the Borough. The Mayor can declare a state of emergency and can act to protect the Borough and its citizens. The Mayor appoints the members of all Borough Committees and certain Borough Commissions. The Mayor's nominations for certain other Borough Boards and Commissions are subject to Council approval. The Mayor prepares the initial draft of the annual Borough budget for submission to the Council. The Mayor can issue Proclamations. The Mayor is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies. The Mayor is required to sit as a member of the Borough Planning Board. The signatures of the Mayor and Borough Clerk are necessary to create any legally binding obligation of the Borough.
The Borough Council is the legislative body of the Borough and can act in one of two formats: a) Ordinances, which have the effect of law and b) Resolutions, which state the policy or direction of the Council. Ordinances require public notice and a public hearing prior to adoption. Resolutions must be adopted in public but do not require public hearings.
The Council is charged with the adoption of the annual Borough Budget. The Mayor's nominations of certain Borough officials are also subject to Council approval. Council members are annually appointed by the Mayor to act as liaisons to various Borough departments, Boards, Commissions or Committees. The Council annually elects a member to serve in the position of Council President. In the absence of the Mayor, the Council President can assume the role and duties of the Mayor. The Council also annually elects a member to serve as its representative on the Planning Board.
, the Mayor
of Hopatcong Borough is Sylvia Petillo (R). Members of the Hopatcong Borough Council are Howard Baker, Richard Bunce, Marie Galate, Michael Francis, Madeline McManus and John Young.
The Hopatcong Museum also holds a variety of interesting local historical artifacts.
based on the results of the 2010 Census.
, 3,242 (33.9% vs. 39.3% countywide) were registered as Republicans
and 4,383 (45.9% vs. 44.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared
. There were twelve voters registered to other parties (four Greens
and eight Libertarians
).
On the national level, Hopatcong leans toward the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election
, Republican George W. Bush
received 59% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry
, who received 39%. In the 2008 presidential election
, Republican John McCain
received 55% of the vote here, defeating Democrat Barack Obama
, who received 43%. This gives Hopatcong a Cook PVI of R+10.
. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are
Hudson Maxim School (313 students in KG-1),
Tulsa Trail Elementary School (296; 2-3),
Durban Avenue School (329; 4-5),
Hopatcong Middle School (528; 6-8) and
Hopatcong High School
(730; 9-12).
Borough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
in Sussex County
Sussex County, New Jersey
The County of Sussex is the northernmost county in the State of New Jersey. It is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 Federal decennial census, 149,265 persons resided in Sussex County...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 15,147.
The area had been called "Brookland" in the 19th century and the lake that was expanded to become Lake Hopatcong
Lake Hopatcong
Lake Hopatcong is the largest freshwater body in the state of New Jersey, USA, approximately 4 square miles in area. The lake is located in the mountains of northern New Jersey, north of Netcong and along the border between Sussex and Morris counties.The lake is within the borders of four...
had been known as "Great Pond" or "Brookland Pond". During the 1830s, the name of the community had been modified to "Brooklyn", to match the spelling of the city on New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
's Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
. Hopatcong was originally established as the Town of Brooklyn on April 2, 1898 from portions of Byram Township. On March 22, 1901, the Borough of Hopatcong replaced Brooklyn. In 1922, residents of Byram Cove, Northwood, and other areas to the west of the original land area of the borough, voted to leave Byram Township and join Hopatcong, leaving the Borough with its current borders.
Geography
Hopatcong is located at 40.938650°N 74.664462°W (40.938650, -74.664462).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 12.34 square miles (32 km²), of which, 10.96 square miles (28.4 km²) of it is land and 1.38 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (11.18%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 15,888 people, 5,656 households, and 4,236 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,449.7 people per square mile (559.7/km2). There were 6,190 housing units at an average density of 564.8 per square mile (218.1/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.10% White, 1.95% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.80% Asian, 1.42% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% of the population.
There were 5,656 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the borough the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 24.9% 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 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $65,799, and the median income for a family was $73,277. Males had a median income of $47,083 versus $34,238 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $26,698. About 2.2% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
History
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. It borders Lake Hopatcong
Lake Hopatcong
Lake Hopatcong is the largest freshwater body in the state of New Jersey, USA, approximately 4 square miles in area. The lake is located in the mountains of northern New Jersey, north of Netcong and along the border between Sussex and Morris counties.The lake is within the borders of four...
, a partially man made lake that is now a source of much recreation and desirable real estate, and is the biggest lake in New Jersey. The town, just 40 miles west of New York City, began as a summer get away for the wealthy in NYC who primarily sought access to the lake. An amusement park sprung up called "Bertrand's Island" which was accessible via the lake or by car through Mount Arlington
Mount Arlington, New Jersey
-History:While Mount Arlington is now mostly a suburban residential community, it was once a thriving resort town. In the era before the world wars and the advent of air travel, it was a welcome respite for the residents of nearby New York City and Newark....
. The construction of Interstate 80
Interstate 80 in New Jersey
Interstate 80 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States, running from the New York City Metropolitan Area westward to San Francisco, California...
, a highway that stretches from Teaneck, New Jersey
Teaneck, New Jersey
Teaneck is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, and a suburb in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 39,776, making it the second-most populous among the 70 municipalities in Bergen County....
all the way across the country to San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, triggered rapid growth in New York City's suburbs and led to Hopatcong becoming a permanent residential community.
Local government
Hopatcong is governed under the BoroughBorough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the Borough, helps set the agenda for Council meetings and chairs all meetings of the Council. The Mayor can vote only in the event of a tie but has the power to veto any ordinance adopted by the Council.
The Mayor has executive authority to act between Council meetings in matters affecting the Borough. The Mayor can declare a state of emergency and can act to protect the Borough and its citizens. The Mayor appoints the members of all Borough Committees and certain Borough Commissions. The Mayor's nominations for certain other Borough Boards and Commissions are subject to Council approval. The Mayor prepares the initial draft of the annual Borough budget for submission to the Council. The Mayor can issue Proclamations. The Mayor is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies. The Mayor is required to sit as a member of the Borough Planning Board. The signatures of the Mayor and Borough Clerk are necessary to create any legally binding obligation of the Borough.
The Borough Council is the legislative body of the Borough and can act in one of two formats: a) Ordinances, which have the effect of law and b) Resolutions, which state the policy or direction of the Council. Ordinances require public notice and a public hearing prior to adoption. Resolutions must be adopted in public but do not require public hearings.
The Council is charged with the adoption of the annual Borough Budget. The Mayor's nominations of certain Borough officials are also subject to Council approval. Council members are annually appointed by the Mayor to act as liaisons to various Borough departments, Boards, Commissions or Committees. The Council annually elects a member to serve in the position of Council President. In the absence of the Mayor, the Council President can assume the role and duties of the Mayor. The Council also annually elects a member to serve as its representative on the Planning Board.
, the Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Hopatcong Borough is Sylvia Petillo (R). Members of the Hopatcong Borough Council are Howard Baker, Richard Bunce, Marie Galate, Michael Francis, Madeline McManus and John Young.
Events
Hopatcong holds annual APBA Boat Races that attract the local residents to a day at the lake. Hopatcong is also known for its yearly "Hopatcong Days" which is a weekend of events that include a parade, and an array of festivities in Modick Park, sponsored by the local Business Association. Most popular during this weekend is the annual Soap Box Derby and Car Show devised and run by the Wagner Family for over 10 years to date.The Hopatcong Museum also holds a variety of interesting local historical artifacts.
Federal, state and county representation
Hopatcong Borough is in the 5th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 24th state legislative district. The legislative district was kept unchanged by the New Jersey Apportionment CommissionNew Jersey Apportionment Commission
The New Jersey Apportionment Commission is a constitutionally-created ten-member commission responsible for apportioning the forty districts of the New Jersey Legislature. The commission is convened after each decennial U.S. Census, and the districts are to be in use for the legislative elections...
based on the results of the 2010 Census.
Politics
As of March 23, 2011, out of a 2010 Census population of 15,147 in Hopatcong, there were 9,554 registered voters (63.1% of the population, vs. 65.8% in all of Sussex County). Of registered voters, 1,917 (20.1% vs. 16.5% countywide) were registered as DemocratsDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, 3,242 (33.9% vs. 39.3% countywide) were registered as Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and 4,383 (45.9% vs. 44.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared
Undeclared (New Jersey)
Unaffiliated is a status for registered voters in New Jersey. Those voters who do not specify a political party affiliation when they register to vote are listed as unaffiliated....
. There were twelve voters registered to other parties (four Greens
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
and eight Libertarians
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
).
On the national level, Hopatcong leans toward the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election
United States presidential election, 2004
The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
, Republican George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
received 59% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
, who received 39%. In the 2008 presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
, Republican John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
received 55% of the vote here, defeating Democrat Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, who received 43%. This gives Hopatcong a Cook PVI of R+10.
Education
Students in grades K through 12 attend the Hopatcong Public SchoolsHopatcong Public Schools
The Hopatcong Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade from Hopatcong, in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States....
. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are
Hudson Maxim School (313 students in KG-1),
Tulsa Trail Elementary School (296; 2-3),
Durban Avenue School (329; 4-5),
Hopatcong Middle School (528; 6-8) and
Hopatcong High School
Hopatcong High School
Hopatcong High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school serving students in ninth through twelfth grades from Hopatcong, in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States, as part of the Hopatcong Public Schools....
(730; 9-12).
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Hopatcong include:- Joe CookJoe Cook (actor)Joe Cook was an American actor, comedian, and entertainer most known for his work on Broadway but who also appeared in motion pictures....
(1890–1959), vaudeville actor who lived on the shores of Lake Hopatcong in a house he named "Sleepless Hollow". - Lotta CrabtreeLotta CrabtreeLotta Mignon Crabtree was an American actress, entertainer and comedian. She was also a significant philanthropist....
(1847-1924), actress. - Joe MartinekJoe MartinekJoe Martinek is a collegiate American football player. He is the all-time high school leading rusher in New Jersey state history with 7,589 yards and is currently a running back at Rutgers.-High school:...
(born 1989), leading football rusher in New Jersey high school history. - Hudson MaximHudson MaximHudson Maxim , was a U.S. inventor and chemist who invented a variety of explosives, including smokeless gunpowder. He was the brother of Hiram Stevens Maxim, inventor of the Maxim gun and uncle of Hiram Percy Maxim, inventor of the Maxim Silencer.Maxim was a man of many talents...
(1853–1927), inventor and chemist who is the namesake of the district's Hudson Maxim School. - Dave YovanovitsDave YovanovitsDave Yovanovits is a former American football offensive lineman in the NFL most recently of the New Orleans Saints. He played in every snap of 40 of 45 games for Temple University. He was drafted in the 2003 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, whom he played for in 2003 and 2004...
(born 1981), former NFL Offensive lineman.
External links
- Hopatcong Borough website
- Hopatcong Public Schools
- The Township Journal, community newspaper
- Data for Hopatcong Public Schools, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...