About Alpha, NJ
We include Alpha, NJ on NJroute22.com because of its proximity to the Phillipsburg area, and that it’s one of the last before crossing the border into PA. Plus, there are at least a couple places worth mentioning!
Alpha, New Jersey
Alpha is a borough in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough’s population was 2,369, reflecting a decline of 113 (-4.6%) from the 2,482 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 48 (-1.9%) from the 2,530 counted in the 1990 Census.
Alpha was incorporated as a borough from portions of Pohatcong Township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature passed on June 26, 1911, and signed by Governor Woodrow Wilson, based on the results of a referendum held on May 31, 1911. The borough was named for the Alpha Cement Works.
The borough is one of the eastern-most locations within the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.698 square miles (4.397 km), including 1.672 square miles (4.329 km) of land and 0.026 square miles (0.068 km) of water (1.54%).
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Vulcanite.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 2,140 | — | |
| 1930 | 2,374 | 10.9% | |
| 1940 | 2,301 | −3.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,117 | −8.0% | |
| 1960 | 2,406 | 13.7% | |
| 1970 | 2,829 | 17.6% | |
| 1980 | 2,644 | −6.5% | |
| 1990 | 2,530 | −4.3% | |
| 2000 | 2,482 | −1.9% | |
| 2010 | 2,369 | −4.6% | |
| Est. 2014 | 2,312 | −2.4% | |
Census 2010
At the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,369 people, 964 households, and 632.4 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,417.2 per square mile (547.2/km). There were 1,032 housing units at an average density of 617.4 per square mile (238.4/km). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.12% (2,206) White, 2.41% (57) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 1.52% (36) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.18% (28) from other races, and 1.77% (42) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 5.28% (125) of the population.
There were 964 households, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the borough, 22.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.6 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.
The Census Bureau’s 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $63,953 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,724) and the median family income was $73,929 (+/- $6,822). Males had a median income of $49,461 (+/- $3,100) versus $40,859 (+/- $5,262) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,567 (+/- $2,455). About 4.0% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 21.40 miles (34.44 km) of roadways, of which 17.38 miles (27.97 km) were maintained by the municipality, 2.78 miles (4.47 km) by Warren County and 1.24 miles (2.00 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
The main road that goes through is CR 519. Route 122 runs through briefly in the north.
While Interstate 78 passes through the southern portion of the borough, the closest access point is at US 22 in neighboring Pohatcong.
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Alpha include:
- Joe Buzas (1919-2003), Minor League Baseball executive who played one season with the New York Yankees.
- Jack Orchulli (born 1946), politician.
