Netcong, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Netcong is a Borough
in Morris County
, New Jersey
, United States
. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 2,580. Its estimated population in 2006 was 3,292. Netcong lies on the shores of Lake Musconetcong
.
Netcong was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on October 23, 1894, from portions of both Mount Olive Township
and Roxbury Township
, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), of which, 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (6.67%) is water.
Netcong borders Mt. Olive Twp
, Roxbury Twp
, and Stanhope
.
/U.S. Route 206
), U.S. Route 46
and Route 183
. I-80/US 206 intersect with US 46 in the southwest corner of the borough at Exit 26.
of 2000, there were 2,580 people, 1,008 households, and 681 families residing in the town. The population density
was 3,066.8 people per square mile (1,185.9/km2). There were 1,043 housing units at an average density of 1,239.8 per square mile (479.4/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.30% White, 1.20% African American, 0.04% Native American, 1.67% Asian, 1.43% from other races
, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.13% of the population.
There were 1,008 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples
living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $55,000, and the median income for a family was $65,833. Males had a median income of $42,179 versus $36,458 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $23,472. About 2.5% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
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
of Netcong is Joseph Nametko; Members of the Borough Council are Council President Elmer “Bub” M. Still, James Arbolino, Ben Dellamo, Edward Koster, Cecilia G. Laureys, John "Jack" Sylvester, Jr.
Netcong is in the
, named by the Lenape
Native Americans
and meaning "grass creek", "swamp stream" or "rapid stream". Along with the river, the proximity of the old Morris and Sussex Turnpike, which passed through the region shortly after 1801, and the coming of the Morris Canal
, in 1831, made the site a favorable one for development.
After becoming a Borough, the residents had to elect the first Governing Body. The first Mayor was Abraham J. Drake, elected November 14, 1894. A census of Netcong taken July 1895 showed a population of 877 people.
Netcong derived much of its business from the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
, which had its last stop in Morris County in the heart of the Borough. The DL&W's Sussex Branch to Branchville
also stopped at Netcong Station, with the Sussex Branch coming into the opposite side of the station from where New Jersey Transit
's line is today. The big railroad roundhouse in Port Morris
also supplied many jobs for the town residents. NJ Transit currently operates weekday rail service between Netcong
and Hoboken Terminal
, with service to Penn Station
in New York City
via Midtown Direct.
In view of Netcong's rich railroad history, the town has been named as a site for the NJ State Railroad and Transportation Museum (jointly with Phillipsburg
). Given that the site envisioned for this museum in Phillipsburg has been sold for development as a townhouse complex and college campus annex, it is unclear what role Phillipsburg will play in this museum. No matter what, funding will need to be secured in order to build and operate this museum.
As such, several major highways also pass through Netcong: Interstate 80
, U.S. Route 46
and Route 183
, the latter two highways meeting at the Netcong Circle. Interesting, despite its small size, Netcong is widely known, not only due to its distinct name, but also because the New Jersey Department of Transportation
(NJDOT) uses the town's name as a control city
on directional signage on its highways throughout northern New Jersey, and as far away as the George Washington Bridge
.
, a Pre-K to grade 8 school district, serving 295 students at Netcong Elementary School. Netcong's school offers small class sizes that allow teachers to offer personalized attention not possible in larger schools.
For grades 9 - 12, public school students attend Lenape Valley Regional High School
, which serves Netcong and the Sussex County
communities of Stanhope
and Byram Township
.
St. Michael School is a Catholic school
operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
.
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 Morris County
Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
, 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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 2,580. Its estimated population in 2006 was 3,292. Netcong lies on the shores of Lake Musconetcong
Lake Musconetcong
Lake Musconetcong is located on the border of Morris County and Sussex County, New Jersey, and is part of Hopatcong State Park, which is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Musconetcong River flows through the lake....
.
Netcong was incorporated as a borough by 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 October 23, 1894, from portions of both Mount Olive Township
Mount Olive Township, New Jersey
-Transportation:The major roads that pass through include U.S. Route 46 through the center, U.S. Route 206 in the east and northeast part and Interstate 80 in the north .-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 24,193 people, 9,068 households, and 6,374 families residing in the...
and Roxbury Township
Roxbury Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,883 people, 8,364 households, and 6,532 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,117.4 people per square mile . There were 8,550 housing units at an average density of 400.0 per square mile...
, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.
Geography
Netcong is located at 40.897548°N 74.704356°W (40.897548, -74.704356).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 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), of which, 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (6.67%) is water.
Netcong borders Mt. Olive Twp
Mount Olive Township, New Jersey
-Transportation:The major roads that pass through include U.S. Route 46 through the center, U.S. Route 206 in the east and northeast part and Interstate 80 in the north .-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 24,193 people, 9,068 households, and 6,374 families residing in the...
, Roxbury Twp
Roxbury Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,883 people, 8,364 households, and 6,532 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,117.4 people per square mile . There were 8,550 housing units at an average density of 400.0 per square mile...
, and Stanhope
Stanhope, New Jersey
-Transportation:Route 183 is the main access road that serves the borough. U.S. Route 206 also passes through in the western section and is partially a limited access road which connects to I-80 in neighboring Mount Olive.-Demographics:...
.
Transportation
Major roadways that pass through include the Bergen-Passaic Expressway (Interstate 80Interstate 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...
/U.S. Route 206
U.S. Route 206
U.S. Route 206 is a long north–south United States highway in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, United States. Only about a half a mile of its length is in Pennsylvania; the Milford-Montague Toll Bridge carries it over the Delaware River into New Jersey, where it is the remainder of the route...
), U.S. Route 46
U.S. Route 46
U.S. Route 46 is an east–west U.S. Highway, running for , completely within the state of New Jersey. The west end is at an interchange with Interstate 80 and Route 94 in Columbia, Warren County on the Delaware River...
and Route 183
New Jersey Route 183
Route 183 is a long state highway in the northern regions of New Jersey. The southern end of NJ 183 is at an interchange with Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 206 near Netcong, while the northern end is at an interchange with US 206 in Stanhope. The route heads northward through downtown Netcong and...
. I-80/US 206 intersect with US 46 in the southwest corner of the borough at Exit 26.
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 2,580 people, 1,008 households, and 681 families residing in the town. 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 3,066.8 people per square mile (1,185.9/km2). There were 1,043 housing units at an average density of 1,239.8 per square mile (479.4/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.30% White, 1.20% African American, 0.04% Native American, 1.67% Asian, 1.43% 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 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.13% of the population.
There were 1,008 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% 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, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $55,000, and the median income for a family was $65,833. Males had a median income of $42,179 versus $36,458 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 $23,472. About 2.5% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Netcong 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
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Netcong is Joseph Nametko; Members of the Borough Council are Council President Elmer “Bub” M. Still, James Arbolino, Ben Dellamo, Edward Koster, Cecilia G. Laureys, John "Jack" Sylvester, Jr.
Federal, state and county representation
Netcong is in the 11th Congressional district.Netcong is in the
History
Netcong received its name from the Musconetcong RiverMusconetcong River
The Musconetcong River is a tributary of the Delaware River in northwestern New Jersey in the United States. It flows through the rural mountainous country of northwestern New Jersey. Part of it is a National Wild and Scenic River....
, named by the Lenape
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
and meaning "grass creek", "swamp stream" or "rapid stream". Along with the river, the proximity of the old Morris and Sussex Turnpike, which passed through the region shortly after 1801, and the coming of the Morris Canal
Morris Canal
The Morris Canal was an anthracite-carrying canal that incorporated a series of water-driven inclined planes in its course across northern New Jersey in the United States. It was in use for about a century — from the late 1820s to the 1920s....
, in 1831, made the site a favorable one for development.
After becoming a Borough, the residents had to elect the first Governing Body. The first Mayor was Abraham J. Drake, elected November 14, 1894. A census of Netcong taken July 1895 showed a population of 877 people.
Netcong derived much of its business from the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company was a railroad connecting Pennsylvania's Lackawanna Valley, rich in anthracite coal, to Hoboken, New Jersey, , Buffalo and Oswego, New York...
, which had its last stop in Morris County in the heart of the Borough. The DL&W's Sussex Branch to 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....
also stopped at Netcong Station, with the Sussex Branch coming into the opposite side of the station from where New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
's line is today. The big railroad roundhouse in Port Morris
Port Morris, New Jersey
Port Morris is a historic community in Roxbury Township, in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. Despite its name, Port Morris is in the hills of the Skylands Region, on the shores of Lake Musconetcong....
also supplied many jobs for the town residents. NJ Transit currently operates weekday rail service between Netcong
Netcong (NJT station)
Netcong Station is a New Jersey Transit station in Netcong, New Jersey. Located on U.S. Route 46 at Main Street in downtown Netcong, the small, 1-low level side platform station service passengers for the Morristown Line and the Montclair-Boonton Line...
and Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal is one of the New York Metropolitan area's major transportation hubs. The commuter-oriented intermodal facility, is located on the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey...
, with service to Penn Station
Pennsylvania Station (New York City)
Pennsylvania Station—commonly known as Penn Station—is the major intercity train station and a major commuter rail hub in New York City. It is one of the busiest rail stations in the world, and a hub for inbound and outbound railroad traffic in New York City. The New York City Subway system also...
in New York City
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...
via Midtown Direct.
In view of Netcong's rich railroad history, the town has been named as a site for the NJ State Railroad and Transportation Museum (jointly with Phillipsburg
Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Phillipsburg, known locally as P'burg, is a town in Warren County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 14,950....
). Given that the site envisioned for this museum in Phillipsburg has been sold for development as a townhouse complex and college campus annex, it is unclear what role Phillipsburg will play in this museum. No matter what, funding will need to be secured in order to build and operate this museum.
As such, several major highways also pass through Netcong: 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...
, U.S. Route 46
U.S. Route 46
U.S. Route 46 is an east–west U.S. Highway, running for , completely within the state of New Jersey. The west end is at an interchange with Interstate 80 and Route 94 in Columbia, Warren County on the Delaware River...
and Route 183
New Jersey Route 183
Route 183 is a long state highway in the northern regions of New Jersey. The southern end of NJ 183 is at an interchange with Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 206 near Netcong, while the northern end is at an interchange with US 206 in Stanhope. The route heads northward through downtown Netcong and...
, the latter two highways meeting at the Netcong Circle. Interesting, despite its small size, Netcong is widely known, not only due to its distinct name, but also because the New Jersey Department of Transportation
New Jersey Department of Transportation
The New Jersey Department of Transportation is the agency responsible for transportation issues and policy in New Jersey. It is headed by the Commissioner of Transportation...
(NJDOT) uses the town's name as a control city
Control city
A control city is a city or locality posted on a traffic sign indicating forward destinations on a certain route. These destinations aid motorists using the highway system to reach destinations along the various routes...
on directional signage on its highways throughout northern New Jersey, and as far away as the George Washington Bridge
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting the Washington Heights neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City to Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1/9 cross the river via the bridge. U.S...
.
Education
Netcong is home to the Netcong School DistrictNetcong School District
The Netcong School District is a community public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade from Netcong, in Morris County, New Jersey, United States....
, a Pre-K to grade 8 school district, serving 295 students at Netcong Elementary School. Netcong's school offers small class sizes that allow teachers to offer personalized attention not possible in larger schools.
For grades 9 - 12, public school students attend Lenape Valley Regional High School
Lenape Valley Regional High School
Lenape Valley Regional High School is a four-year regional public high school and school district in New Jersey serving approximately 900 students from two municipalities in Sussex County and one in Morris County....
, which serves Netcong and the 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...
communities of Stanhope
Stanhope, New Jersey
-Transportation:Route 183 is the main access road that serves the borough. U.S. Route 206 also passes through in the western section and is partially a limited access road which connects to I-80 in neighboring Mount Olive.-Demographics:...
and Byram Township
Byram Township, New Jersey
Byram Township — "The Township of Lakes" — is a Township in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 8,350...
.
St. Michael School is a Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
The Diocese of Paterson is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, which includes three counties in northern New Jersey: Passaic, Morris, and Sussex. The city of Paterson, third-largest in the state of New Jersey, was chosen as the episcopal see, even though...
.
External links
- Borough of Netcong website
- Netcong School District
- Data for the Netcong 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...
- Lenape Valley Regional High School
- Regional area newspaper
- Netcong High School Mixed Chorus, circa 1951-53 (photo)