Lafayette Township, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Lafayette Township is a Township
located in the Skylands Region
of Sussex County
, New Jersey
. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 2,300.
Lafayette was formed as a Township based on an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on April 14, 1845, from part of Frankford Township
and Newton Township
, based on the results of a referendum held that same day. The Township was named after the Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834), the French
general and statesman who served in the Continental Army
(1777–81) during the American Revolutionary War
.
It is crossed by Route 15 and Route 94.
, the township has a total area of 18.1 square miles (46.9 km²), of which, 18 square miles (46.6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.17%) is water.
of 2000, there were 2,300 people, 771 households, and 647 families residing in the township. The population density
was 127.6 people per square mile (49.3/km2). There were 799 housing units at an average density of 44.3 per square mile (17.1/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.04% White, 1.04% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.35% from other races
, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.35% of the population.
There were 771 households out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.4% were married couples
living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.0% were non-families. 12.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the township the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $82,805, and the median income for a family was $87,650. Males had a median income of $61,307 versus $38,816 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $30,491. About 1.2% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.
form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.
, members of the Lafayette Township Committee are Mayor
George Sweeney (term ends December 31, 2011), Deputy Mayor Gregory Corcoran (2011), Richard Bruning (2013), John D’Angeli (2012) and Richard Hughes (2013).
Lafayette is in the
, 781 (44.9% vs. 39.3% countywide) were registered as Republicans
and 727 (41.8% vs. 44.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared
. There were two voters registered to other parties (one Green
and one Libertarian
).
On the national level, Lafayette is a stronghold for the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election
, Republican George W. Bush
received 67% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry
, who received 31%. In the 2008 presidential election
, Republican John McCain
received 67% of the vote here, defeating Democrat Barack Obama
, who received 30%. This gives Lafayette Township a Cook PVI of R+20.
, which served 290 students as of the 2008-09 school year.
For grades 9 - 12, public school students attend High Point Regional High School
, located in Sussex. Attending the school are students from Branchville
, Frankford Township
, Lafayette Township, Sussex Borough
and from Wantage Township
.
Township (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
located in the Skylands Region
Skylands Region
The Skylands Region is a marketing area of the State of New Jersey located in the Northern and Central part of the state. It is one of six tourism regions established by the New Jersey State Department of Tourism, the others being the Gateway Region, Greater Atlantic City Region, the Southern...
of 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...
. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 2,300.
Lafayette was formed as a Township based on an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on April 14, 1845, from part of Frankford Township
Frankford Township, New Jersey
Frankford Township is a Township in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 5,565....
and Newton Township
Newton Township, Sussex County, New Jersey
Newton Township is a defunct township that existed within Sussex County, New Jersey, United States, from 1751 through 1864.Newton Township was created on March 27, 1751, while the area was still part of Morris County and became part of the newly-created Sussex County upon its creation June 8, 1753...
, based on the results of a referendum held that same day. The Township was named after the Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834), the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
general and statesman who served in the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
(1777–81) during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
It is crossed by Route 15 and Route 94.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 township has a total area of 18.1 square miles (46.9 km²), of which, 18 square miles (46.6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.17%) 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 2,300 people, 771 households, and 647 families residing in the township. 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 127.6 people per square mile (49.3/km2). There were 799 housing units at an average density of 44.3 per square mile (17.1/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.04% White, 1.04% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.35% 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 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.35% of the population.
There were 771 households out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.4% 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, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.0% were non-families. 12.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the township the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $82,805, and the median income for a family was $87,650. Males had a median income of $61,307 versus $38,816 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 township was $30,491. About 1.2% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Lafayette Township is governed under the TownshipTownship (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.
, members of the Lafayette Township Committee are Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
George Sweeney (term ends December 31, 2011), Deputy Mayor Gregory Corcoran (2011), Richard Bruning (2013), John D’Angeli (2012) and Richard Hughes (2013).
Federal, state and county representation
Lafayette Township is in the 5th Congressional district.Lafayette is in the
Politics
As of March 23, 2011, out of a 2010 Census population of 2,538 in Lafayette, there were 1,738 registered voters (68.5% of the population, vs. 65.8% in all of Sussex County). Of registered voters, 228 (13.1% 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...
, 781 (44.9% 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 727 (41.8% 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 two voters registered to other parties (one Green
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 one Libertarian
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, Lafayette is a stronghold for 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 67% 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 31%. 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 67% 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 30%. This gives Lafayette Township a Cook PVI of R+20.
Education
Public school students in Kindergarten through eighth grade attend the Lafayette Township School DistrictLafayette Township School District
The Lafayette Township School District is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade from Lafayette Township, in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States....
, which served 290 students as of the 2008-09 school year.
For grades 9 - 12, public school students attend High Point Regional High School
High Point Regional High School
High Point Regional High School is a comprehensive four-year public high school and school district, which serves students from five municipalities in Sussex County, New Jersey, serving students from the five municipalities of Branchville Borough, Frankford Township, Lafayette Township, Sussex...
, located in Sussex. Attending the school are students from Branchville
Branchville, New Jersey
Branchville is a borough in Sussex County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 841. The borough is located in the northernmost region of Sussex County....
, Frankford Township
Frankford Township, New Jersey
Frankford Township is a Township in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 5,565....
, Lafayette Township, Sussex Borough
Sussex, New Jersey
Sussex is a borough in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 2,130.Sussex was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 14, 1891, as Deckertown, from portions of Wantage...
and from Wantage Township
Wantage Township, New Jersey
Wantage Township is a Township in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 10,387.-Geography:...
.
Reading List
McCabe, Wayne T. and Kate Gordon. A Penny A View...An Album of Postcard Views...Lafayette, N.J. (Newton, NJ: Historic Preservation Alternatives, 1993).External links
- Lafayette Township Official Website
- Sussex County webpage for Lafayette Township
- Lafayette Township School District
- Data for the Lafayette Township School District, 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...
- High Point Regional High School
- The Advertiser-News, community newspaper
- Sensations Magazine - Three-time winner, national American Literary Magazine Awards, now based in and hosting events in Lafayette, NJ