About Franklin Township, NJ (Hunterdon version)
Another confusing town situation in NJ with Franklin Township. Don’t forget there is another Franklin Township in Warren County just up the road!
Anyway, we’re including this because it just barely kisses Route 78 / Route 22 – and houses some very notable businesses we recommend. So stay tuned!
Below is the “encyclopedia” entry:
Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Franklin Township is a township in central Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township’s population was 3,195, reflecting an increase of 205 (+6.9%) from the 2,990 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 139 (+4.9%) from the 2,851 counted in the 1990 Census. Most of the township lies on the Hunterdon Plateau with only the eastern section along the South Branch Raritan River being on the lower part of the Newark Basin.
Franklin Township was established by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 7, 1845, when it was created from portions of Kingwood Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. Portions of the township were taken to form Clinton town on April 5, 1865. The township was named for Benjamin Franklin.
In its early days, Franklin was a Quaker settlement. The most reliable records that are available about the early days of the Township are found in the minutes of the Friends’ Meeting in Quakertown.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 22.998 square miles (59.563 km), including 22.803 square miles (59.058 km) of land and 0.195 square miles (0.505 km) of water (0.85%).
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Allens Corner, Alvater Corner, Cherryville (previously known as Dogtown), Grandin, Kingtown, Lansdowne, Littletown, Oak Grove, Pittstown, Quakertown (previously known as Fairview), Sidney and Sunnyside. Pittstown, previously known as Hoffs, is also spread across Alexandria Township and Union Township.
The Capoolong Creek, which runs through Pittstown, was an attraction to early settlers and they soon established three of the oldest churches in present day Hunterdon: Thomas Episcopal, established in 1723, Bethlehem Presbyterian, organized in 1730 and the Quaker Church in 1733.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 1,454 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,552 | 6.7% | |
| 1870 | 1,342 | * | −13.5% |
| 1880 | 1,338 | −0.3% | |
| 1890 | 1,287 | −3.8% | |
| 1900 | 1,258 | −2.3% | |
| 1910 | 1,099 | −12.6% | |
| 1920 | 980 | −10.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,100 | 12.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,211 | 10.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,255 | 3.6% | |
| 1960 | 1,777 | 41.6% | |
| 1970 | 2,154 | 21.2% | |
| 1980 | 2,294 | 6.5% | |
| 1990 | 2,851 | 24.3% | |
| 2000 | 2,990 | 4.9% | |
| 2010 | 3,195 | 6.9% | |
| Est. 2014 | 3,236 | 1.3% | |
| * = Lost territory in previous decade. | |||
Census 2010
At the 2010 United States Census, there were 3,195 people, 1,137 households, and 908.5 families residing in the township. The population density was 140.1 per square mile (54.1/km). There were 1,204 housing units at an average density of 52.8 per square mile (20.4/km). The racial makeup of the township was 96.84% (3,094) White, 0.69% (22) Black or African American, 0.16% (5) Native American, 1.25% (40) Asian, 0.09% (3) Pacific Islander, 0.44% (14) from other races, and 0.53% (17) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.44% (110) of the population.
There were 1,137 households, of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.0% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.1% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the township, 24.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 19.4% from 25 to 44, 34.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.0 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.9 males.
The Census Bureau’s 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $104,500 (with a margin of error of +/- $19,534) and the median family income was $118,182 (+/- $16,643). Males had a median income of $72,303 (+/- $13,313) versus $52,202 (+/- $5,525) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $46,892 (+/- $5,196). About 1.7% of families and 1.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 0.0% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
As of May 2010, the township had a total of 53.09 miles (85.44 km) of roadways, of which 32.91 miles (52.96 km) were maintained by the municipality, 19.55 miles (31.46 km) by Hunterdon County and 0.63 miles (1.01 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
County roads that pass through include CR 513 and CR 579.
Route 12 passes through for just less than ½ mile. Interstate 78/U.S. Route 22 traverse through for a fifth of a mile with an interchange (Exit 15) at the northern tip of the township (which is the eastern overlapping end of Route 173).
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Franklin Township include:
- Chris Kappler (born 1967), Olympic gold and silver medalist in equestrian events.
(SOURCE: Infogalactic)
