Fredon Township, New Jersey Explained

Fredon Township, New Jersey
Settlement Type:Township
Mapsize:250x200px
Image Map1:Census_Bureau_map_of_Fredon_Township,_New_Jersey.png
Mapsize1:250x200px
Map Caption1:Census Bureau map of Fredon Township, New Jersey.
Pushpin Map:USA New Jersey Sussex County#USA New Jersey#USA
Pushpin Label:Fredon Township
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Sussex County##Location in New Jersey##Location in the United States
Pushpin Relief:yes
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2: Sussex
Government Type:Township
Governing Body:Township Committee
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Glenn Dietz (R, term ends December 31, 2024)[1]
Leader Title1:Municipal clerk
Leader Name1:Suzanne Boland[2]
Established Title:Incorporated
Established Date:February 24, 1904
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[3]
Area Total Km2:46.40
Area Land Km2:45.69
Area Water Km2:0.71
Area Total Sq Mi:17.92
Area Land Sq Mi:17.64
Area Water Sq Mi:0.28
Area Water Percent:1.53
Area Rank:160th of 565 in state
14th of 24 in county
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:3235
Population Rank:440th of 565 in state
17th of 24 in county[4]
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Density Sq Mi:183.4
Population Density Rank:511th of 565 in state
17th of 24 in county
Population Est:3293
Pop Est As Of:2023
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:−05:00
Timezone Dst:Eastern (EDT)
Utc Offset Dst:−04:00
Elevation Footnotes:[5]
Elevation Ft:830
Coordinates Footnotes:[6]
Coordinates:41.0247°N -74.8182°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP Code
Postal Code:07860 – Newton[7]
Area Code:973[8]
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:3403725140[9] [10]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0882268[11]

Fredon Township is a township in Sussex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 3,235, a decrease of 202 (−5.9%) from the 2010 census count of 3,437, which in turn reflected an increase of 577 (+20.2%) from the 2,860 counted in the 2000 census.[12]

In 1800, Isaac V. Coursen named the Stillwater Township area "Coursen's Corners" after establishing a post office in his store, the Coursen House, but changed the name to Fredon Village before his death in 1855.[13] Stillwater Township's Bicentennial Committee obtained information from the Postmaster General which "states that 'Fredon' is derived from the German word 'fredonia,' meaning place of freedom."[14] Fredon Township was incorporated on February 24, 1904, from portions of Andover Township, Green Township, Hampton Township and Stillwater Township.[15]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 17.92 square miles (46.40 km2), including 17.64 square miles (45.69 km2) of land and 0.28 square miles (0.71 km2) of water (1.53%).[3]

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Hunts Pond, Muckshaw Pond and Stillwater.[16]

Fredon Township borders the municipalities of Andover Township, Green Township, Hampton Township, Newton and Stillwater Township in Sussex County; and Frelinghuysen Township in Warren County[17] [18]

The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway operated from 1872 until 1962 through the Paulinskill Valley, which runs along the border with Hampton and Stillwater Townships to the township's northwest, and was used to transport agricultural products to New York City. Today the right-of-way has been developed into the Paulinskill Valley Trail, a non-motorized multi-use trail that is part of the Kittatinny Valley State Park.[19]

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 3,437 people, 1,207 households, and 973 families in the township. The population density was 194.0 per square mile (74.9/km2). There were 1,289 housing units at an average density of 72.7 per square mile (28.1/km2). The racial makeup was 96.04% (3,301) White, 0.52% (18) Black or African American, 0.12% (4) Native American, 1.69% (58) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.61% (21) from other races, and 1.02% (35) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.70% (127) of the population.

Of the 1,207 households, 35.6% had children under the age of 18; 71.9% were married couples living together; 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.4% were non-families. Of all households, 15.8% were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.18.

25.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 21.0% from 25 to 44, 33.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 97.1 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $104,074 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,084) and the median family income was $110,000 (+/− $10,332). Males had a median income of $78,000 (+/− $7,722) versus $42,981 (+/− $6,474) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $40,761 (+/− $4,361). About none of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.[20]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 2,860 people, 982 households, and 818 families residing in the township. The population density was 161.1sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 1,019 housing units at an average density of 57.4sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the township was 97.17% White, 0.52% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.56% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.17% of the population.[21] [22]

There were 982 households, out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.5% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.7% were non-families. 13.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.18.[21] [22]

In the township the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 29.5% 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 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.[21] [22]

The median income for a household in the township was $75,710, and the median income for a family was $84,038. Males had a median income of $52,396 versus $34,205 for females. The per capita income for the township was $31,430. About 0.7% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.[21] [22]

Government

Local government

Fredon Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.[23] The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[24] [25] At an annual reorganization meeting held during the first week of January, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.

, members of the Fredon Township Committee are Mayor Glenn Dietz (R, term on township committee ends December 31, 2026; term as mayor ends 2024), Deputy Mayor Christopher Nichols (R, 2026), Erin Corcella (R, 2024), Carl Lazzaro (R, 2025) and George Plock (R, 2024).[26] [27] [28] [29] [30]

In December 2015, the Township Committee appointed Keith Smith to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by former mayor Carl F. Lazzaro until he resigned to run for and win a seat as a Sussex County Freeholder; Smith will serve on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when voters will select a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.[31]

Federal, state, and county representation

Fredon Township is located in the 7th Congressional District[32] and is part of New Jersey's 24th state legislative district.[33] [34] [35]

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 2,394 registered voters in Fredon Township, of which 316 (13.2% vs. 16.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,136 (47.5% vs. 39.3%) were registered as Republicans and 941 (39.3% vs. 44.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.[36] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 69.7% (vs. 65.8% in Sussex County) were registered to vote, including 93.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 86.5% countywide).[36] [37]

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 1,237 votes (65.6% vs. 59.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 610 votes (32.3% vs. 38.2%) and other candidates with 33 votes (1.7% vs. 2.1%), among the 1,887 ballots cast by the township's 2,478 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.2% (vs. 68.3% in Sussex County).[38] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 1,269 votes (64.4% vs. 59.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 654 votes (33.2% vs. 38.7%) and other candidates with 40 votes (2.0% vs. 1.5%), among the 1,970 ballots cast by the township's 2,405 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.9% (vs. 76.9% in Sussex County).[39] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 1,202 votes (67.5% vs. 63.9% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 553 votes (31.1% vs. 34.4%) and other candidates with 21 votes (1.2% vs. 1.3%), among the 1,780 ballots cast by the township's 2,150 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.8% (vs. 77.7% in the whole county).[40]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 76.9% of the vote (864 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 19.7% (221 votes), and other candidates with 3.4% (38 votes), among the 1,138 ballots cast by the township's 2,464 registered voters (15 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 46.2%.[41] [42] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 911 votes (67.7% vs. 63.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 297 votes (22.1% vs. 25.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 120 votes (8.9% vs. 9.1%) and other candidates with 15 votes (1.1% vs. 1.3%), among the 1,346 ballots cast by the township's 2,370 registered voters, yielding a 56.8% turnout (vs. 52.3% in the county).[43]

Education

Public school students are served by the Fredon Township School District for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at Fredon Township School.[44] [45] As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 178 students and 21.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.2:1.[46] Fredon School was awarded the National Blue Ribbon Award for Academic Excellence in November 2001, the highest level of recognition granted to an American school.

Students in seventh through twelfth grade for public school attend Kittatinny Regional High School located in Hampton Township, which serves students who reside in Fredon Township, Hampton Township, Sandyston Township, Stillwater Township and Walpack Township.[47] The high school is located on a 96acres campus in Hampton Township, about seven minutes outside of the county seat of Newton. As of the 2020–21 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 843 students and 91.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.2:1.[48] Kittatinny Regional High School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 1997–1998.[49]

Transportation

, the township had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Sussex County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[50]

New Jersey Route 94 is the main highway serving Fredon Township. County Route 519 is the only other significant road traversing the township.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Fredon Township include:

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.state.nj.us/dca/home/2023mayors.pdf 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory
  2. https://www.fredonnj.gov/township-clerk Township Clerk
  3. https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_cousubs_34.txt 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places
  4. https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/dmograph/est/mcd/density.xlsx Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021
  5. , Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 5, 2013.
  6. https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990
  7. http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=newton&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Newton, NJ
  8. http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCity=Fredon&frmCounty=Sussex Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Fredon, NJ
  9. https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website
  10. https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey
  11. http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names
  12. https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2010/2010data/table7cm.xls Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010
  13. https://www.fredonnj.gov/home/pages/history History
  14. Wynne, Ann. "Township beset by changing boundaries," New Jersey Sunday Herald Bicentennial Edition, February 8, 1976.
  15. Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 230. Accessed October 25, 2012.
  16. http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search
  17. https://www.sussex.nj.us/FCpdf/Sussex%20County%20Map%20-%207-1-03.pdf Sussex County Map
  18. https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries
  19. http://www.libertygap.org/paulinskill-sussex.html Paulinskill & Sussex Branch Trails
  20. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3403725140 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Fredon township, Sussex County, New Jersey
  21. http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603403725140.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Fredon township, Sussex County, New Jersey
  22. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3403725140 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Fredon township, Sussex County, New Jersey
  23. https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey
  24. 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 110.
  25. https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=7 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"
  26. https://www.fredonnj.gov/township-committee Township Committee
  27. https://www.fredonnj.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3141/f/uploads/municipal_budget_2024_-_letter_sized.pdf#page=7 2024 Municipal Data Sheet
  28. https://sussexcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Nov-7-2023-GE-OFFICIAL-summary-rpt-with-write-ins-suppressed.pdf Summary Results Report Official Results November 7 2023 General Election
  29. https://sussexcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/NOV-8-2022-GE-Official-County-Summary.pdf Sussex County, New Jersey General Election November 8, 2022, Official Results Summary Report
  30. https://sussexcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/official-11-22-21.pdf Summary Results Report November 2, 2021 General Election Official Results
  31. Comstock, Lori. "Fredon Committee elects chairman, swears in incumbents", New Jersey Herald, January 5, 2016. Accessed August 2, 2016. "Carl Lazzaro gave his farewell speech as the outgoing mayor of Fredon Monday night before the governing body elected Committeeman George Green as the new mayor."It's been my privilege and honor to serve the citizens of Fredon," said Lazzaro, who left the committee to run, successfully, for the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders.... In addition, Keith Smith, who was appointed in December to fill Lazzaro's one-year unexpired term on the Township Committee, was sworn in with his wife and two daughters nearby."
  32. https://www.njredistrictingcommission.org/documents/2021/Data2021/Plan%20Components.pdf 2022 Redistricting Plan
  33. https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District
  34. https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf 2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government
  35. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#24 Districts by Number for 2011-2020
  36. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-sussex-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Sussex
  37. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTP7.ST16?slice=GEO~0400000US34 GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey
  38. http://sussexcountyclerk.org/docs/elections/2012/Amended-2GNJSUSS-District-Detailed.html General Election November 6, 2012: District Report - Group Detail
  39. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-sussex.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Sussex County
  40. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_sussex_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Sussex County
  41. Web site: Governor - Sussex County . January 29, 2014 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  42. Web site: Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Sussex County. January 29, 2014 . New Jersey Department of Elections . December 24, 2014.
  43. http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-sussex.pdf 2009 Governor: Sussex County
  44. https://www.straussesmay.com/seportal/Public/DistrictPolicy.aspx?policyid=0110&id=611d3576488e4e62b9ea21857851fe22 Fredon Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification
  45. https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/37/1630 School Performance Reports for the Fredon Township School District
  46. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3405550&DistrictID=3405550 District information for Fredon Township School District
  47. http://www.nj.gov/education/pr/1415/narrative/37/2465/000.html Kittatiny Regional School District 2015 Report Card Narrative
  48. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3408060&ID=340806005372 School data for Kittatinny Regional High School
  49. http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002 (PDF)
  50. http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Sussex.pdf Sussex County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction
  51. Bouchal, Lyndsay Cayetana. "Delicate Steve frontman happy to be home", New Jersey Herald, April 22, 2011. Accessed January 12, 2017. "The Fredon resident began taking private piano lessons as child, but when he was given a toy guitar by his grandmother one Christmas, the young musician quickly switched to guitar.... His first brush with the professional world of music came in 2004 when his high school band was signed by Warner Brothers. Marion was a 2005 Pope John graduate."
  52. via United Press International. "Hero Of Twa Hijacking Wins Medal Derickson Forgives Those Who Said She Aided Terrorists", Orlando Sentinel, October 5, 1985. Accessed August 31, 2020. "Derickson, of Fredon, N.J., is the first woman to receive the medal given by the Legion of Valor, the nation's senior organization of war veterans."
  53. Staff. "Charles J. Fletcher: Obituary", New Jersey Herald, April 22, 2011. Accessed August 31, 2020. "Charles J. Fletcher, 88, died Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at Saint Clare's Hospital, in Sussex.... He had resided in Sparta for 37 years before moving to Fredon 13 years ago."