Wantage Township, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
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.
, the township has a total area of 67.5 square miles (174.8 km²), of which, 67.1 square miles (173.8 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²) of it (0.62%) is water. The township is located in the Kittatinny Valley
which is a section of the 700 mile long Great Appalachian Valley
that stretches from Canada to Alabama.
of 2000, there were 10,387 people, 3,441 households, and 2,856 families residing in the township. The population density
was 154.8 people per square mile (59.8/km2). There were 3,663 housing units at an average density of 54.6 per square mile (21.1/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.10% White, 0.65% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races
, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.89% of the population.
There were 3,441 households out of which 43.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.5% were married couples
living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.0% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the township the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $58,440, and the median income for a family was $65,339. Males had a median income of $42,697 versus $30,160 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $22,488. About 4.2% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
.
form of government with a three-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 seat coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.
, members of the Wantage Township Committee are Mayor
Bill DeBoer (R
, term ends December 31, 2011), Deputy Mayor Bill Gaechter (R, 2012) and Ronald Bassani (R, 2013).
Wantage is in the
, 3,315 (44.8% vs. 39.3% countywide) were registered as Republicans
and 3,104 (42.0% vs. 44.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared
. There were nine voters registered to other parties (three Conservatives
, two Greens
and four Libertarians
).
On the national level, Wantage 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 32%. In the 2008 presidential election
, Republican John McCain
received 62% of the vote here, defeating Democrat Barack Obama
, who received 36%. This gives Wantage Township a Cook PVI of R+17.
, together with children from Sussex Borough
. The three schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are
Clifton E. Lawrence School in Wantage (506 students; grades Kingergarten to 2),
Wantage Elementary School in Wantage (543; 3 - 5) and
Sussex Middle School in Sussex (485; 6 - 8).
For grades 9 - 12, public school students attend High Point Regional High School
, located in Wantage. Attending the school are students from Branchville
, Frankford Township
, Lafayette Township
, Sussex Borough
and from Wantage Township.
, CR 565
, Route 23 and Route 284 all pass through the township. Route 284 connects to NY 284
, providing access to US 6
. Sussex Airport
, a small general aviation
airport, is located in 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...
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 2000 United States Census, the township population was 10,387.
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 67.5 square miles (174.8 km²), of which, 67.1 square miles (173.8 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²) of it (0.62%) is water. The township is located in the Kittatinny Valley
Kittatinny Mountains
The Kittatinny Mountains are a long ridge traversing across northwestern New Jersey running in a northeast-southwest axis. It is the first major ridge in the far northeastern extension of the Ridge and Valley province of the Appalachian Mountains...
which is a section of the 700 mile long Great Appalachian Valley
Great Appalachian Valley
The Great Valley, also called the Great Appalachian Valley or Great Valley Region, is one of the major landform features of eastern North America. It is a gigantic trough — a chain of valley lowlands — and the central feature of the Appalachian Mountain system...
that stretches from Canada to Alabama.
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 10,387 people, 3,441 households, and 2,856 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 154.8 people per square mile (59.8/km2). There were 3,663 housing units at an average density of 54.6 per square mile (21.1/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.10% White, 0.65% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.41% 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 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.89% of the population.
There were 3,441 households out of which 43.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.5% 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, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.0% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the township the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $58,440, and the median income for a family was $65,339. Males had a median income of $42,697 versus $30,160 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 $22,488. About 4.2% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
Surrounding communities
Also, the township completely surrounds SussexSussex, 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...
.
Local government
Wantage 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 three-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 seat coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.
, members of the Wantage 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....
Bill DeBoer (R
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...
, term ends December 31, 2011), Deputy Mayor Bill Gaechter (R, 2012) and Ronald Bassani (R, 2013).
Federal, state and county representation
Wantage Township is in the 5th Congressional district.Wantage is in the
Politics
As of March 23, 2011, out of a 2010 Census population of 11,358 in Wantage, there were 7,397 registered voters (65.1% of the population, vs. 65.8% in all of Sussex County). Of registered voters, 969 (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...
, 3,315 (44.8% 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 3,104 (42.0% 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 nine voters registered to other parties (three Conservatives
New Jersey Conservative Party
The New Jersey Conservative Party, also known as the NJCP, is a conservative political party in New Jersey, United States.-Ideological base:The NJCP is similar to the Republican Party. It believes in low taxes, a balanced budget and job growth...
, two 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 four 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, Wantage 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 32%. 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 62% 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 36%. This gives Wantage Township a Cook PVI of R+17.
Education
Public school students in Kindergarten through eighth grade attend the schools of the Sussex-Wantage Regional School DistrictSussex-Wantage Regional School District
The Sussex-Wantage Regional School District is a comprehensive public school district serves students in Kindergarten through eighth grade in northern Sussex County, New Jersey, United States...
, together with children from 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...
. The three schools in the district (with 2008-09 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
Clifton E. Lawrence School in Wantage (506 students; grades Kingergarten to 2),
Wantage Elementary School in Wantage (543; 3 - 5) and
Sussex Middle School in Sussex (485; 6 - 8).
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 Wantage. 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
Lafayette Township, New Jersey
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....
, 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.
Transportation
CR 519County Route 519 (New Jersey)
County Route 519 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Daniel Bray Highway in Delaware Township to the New York state line in Wantage Township...
, CR 565
County Route 565 (New Jersey)
County Route 565, abbreviated CR 565, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from U.S. Route 206 / Route 15 in Frankford Township to McAfee Glenwood Road in Vernon Township.-Route description:...
, Route 23 and Route 284 all pass through the township. Route 284 connects to NY 284
New York State Route 284
New York State Route 284 is a short state highway located entirely in Orange County in New York, United States. It is the continuation of New Jersey Route 284 northbound from the state line at Minisink to U.S. Route 6 in Wawayanda...
, providing access to US 6
U.S. Route 6 in New York
U.S. Route 6 is a part of the U.S. Highway System that runs from Bishop, California, to Provincetown, Massachusetts. In New York, US 6 extends from the Pennsylvania state line at Port Jervis to the Connecticut state line east of Brewster...
. Sussex Airport
Sussex Airport (New Jersey)
Sussex Airport is a small general aviation airport located one nautical mile southwest of Sussex in Wantage Township, Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. It is just outside of Sussex Borough...
, a small general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airport, is located in Wantage Township.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Wantage include:- Joe BrownJoe Brown (judge)Joseph "Joe" Brown is a judge and host of a court show which shares his name.-Early life:Raised in South Central Los Angeles, Brown graduated at the top of his class at Dorsey High School, then earned a bachelor's degree in political science and in 1973 a Juris Doctor degree at UCLA...
(born 1947), civil court judge and host of TV program Judge Joe Brown. - Lou DobbsLou DobbsLouis Carl "Lou" Dobbs is an American journalist, radio host, television host on the Fox Business Network, and author. He anchored CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight until November 2009 when he announced on the air that he would leave the 24-hour cable news television network.He was born in Texas and lived...
(born 1945), radio and television host.
External links
- Wantage Township website
- Sussex-Wantage Regional School District
- Data for the Sussex-Wantage Regional 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