Holland Township, New Jersey
Template:Short description Template:For Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Holland Township is a township in Hunterdon County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 5,177,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 114 (−2.2%) from the 2010 census count of 5,291,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 167 (+3.3%) from the 5,124 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>
Holland Township is located in the northwestern part of Hunterdon County. The Delaware River forms its boundary with Pennsylvania and the Musconetcong River its boundary with Warren County. It was created from Alexandria Township on April 13, 1874, before being dissolved and reabsorbed into Alexandria Township on March 4, 1878. The township was reformed and separated as a municipality of its own again on March 11, 1879. Milford was created on April 15, 1911, from portions of Holland Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 8, 1911.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. pp. 155-156. Accessed May 29, 2024.</ref> The township was named by Dutch settlers for Holland.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 2, 2015.</ref>
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 23.97 square miles (62.08 km2), including 23.47 square miles (60.78 km2) of land and 0.50 square miles (1.30 km2) of water (2.09%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />
The township borders the municipalities of Alexandria Township, Bethlehem Township and Milford in Hunterdon County; Pohatcong Township in Warren County; and Bridgeton Township, Durham Township, Nockamixon Township and Riegelsville in Bucks County across the Delaware River in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.<ref>Areas touching Holland Township, MapIt. Accessed February 24, 2020.</ref><ref>Map of County Municipalities, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed July 30, 2023.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Amsterdam, Finesville, Hughesville,<ref>Feature Detail Report for: Hughesville, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed November 19, 2019.</ref> Little York,<ref>Feature Detail Report for: Little York, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed November 19, 2019.</ref> Mount Joy, Riegel Ridge, Spring Mills and Warren Paper Mills.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed April 20, 2015.</ref>
Demographics
[edit]2010 census
[edit]The 2010 United States census counted 5,291 people, 1,972 households, and 1,544 families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 2,066 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 97.62% (5,165) White, 0.72% (38) Black or African American, 0.06% (3) Native American, 0.77% (41) Asian, 0.04% (2) Pacific Islander, 0.28% (15) from other races, and 0.51% (27) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.68% (142) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 1,972 households, 34.0% had children under the age of 18; 68.8% were married couples living together; 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 21.7% were non-families. Of all households, 18.1% were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.06.<ref name=Census2010/>
24.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.8 males.<ref name=Census2010/>
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $85,190 (with a margin of error of +/− $11,358) and the median family income was $99,535 (+/− $16,553). Males had a median income of $77,951 (+/− $14,766) versus $56,719 (+/− $14,287) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $43,162 (+/− $5,210). About 1.9% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Holland township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref>
2000 census
[edit]As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 5,124 people, 1,881 households, and 1,523 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,942 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 98.09% White, 0.43% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.39% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.70% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Holland township, Hunterdon County, New JerseyTemplate:Dead link, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Holland township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref>
There were 1,881 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.2% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.0% were non-families. 15.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.06.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
In the township the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
The median income for a household in the township was $68,083, and the median income for a family was $71,925. Males had a median income of $50,737 versus $35,615 for females. The per capita income for the township was $28,581. About 1.6% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
Parks and recreation
[edit]The Template:Convert Musconetcong Gorge Nature Preserve is an undeveloped park managed by the Hunterdon County Parks and Recreational System, with steeply wooded terrain overlooking the Musconetcong River. The gorge includes many spring-fed streams, a variety of plant species and wildlife. While much of the area offers challenging hikes, a variety of trails are being developed to offer access to less-seasoned hikers.<ref>Musconetcong Gorge Preserve Trail Map and Guide Template:Webarchive, Hunterdon County Division of Parks and Recreation. Accessed November 19, 2019.</ref>
Government
[edit]Local government
[edit]Holland Township is governed under the Township form of government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> 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.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 103.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.<ref>Form of Government, Holland Township. Accessed May 4, 2023. "Voters Elect: Township Committee 5 members, elected at-large. Staggered, 3 year terms. Partisan. Organization Of Governing Body: First week in January. Mayor: Elected by Township Committee for 1 year term.".</ref>
Template:As of, members of the Holland Township Committee are Mayor Daniel T. Bush (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Scott M. Wilhelm (R, term on committee ends 2025; term as deputy mayor ends 2023), Lisa Pezzano Mickey (R, 2023), Robert H. Thurgarland (R, 2025) and Duane C. Young (R, 2023; elected to serve an unexpired term).<ref name=Committee>Township Committee, Holland Township. Accessed May 4, 2023.</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Holland Township. Accessed May 4, 2023.</ref><ref name=HunterdonPage>Township of Holland, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed May 4, 2023.</ref><ref name=HunterdonDirectory>2022 County and Municipal Directory, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Hunterdon2022>Hunterdon County District Canvass November 8, 2022, General Election, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Hunterdon2021>November 2, 2021 District Report Hunterdon County Official Results, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 12, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref><ref name=Hunterdon2020>November 3, 2020 District Report Hunterdon County Official Results, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref>
In January 2022, the Township Council appointed Duane Young to fill the seat that expires in December 2022 that had been held by Ray Krov until his resignation that became effective earlier that month.<ref>Township Council Meeting Minutes for January 18, 2022, Township of Holland. Accessed July 18, 2022. "Mr. Thurgarland moved and Mr. Wilhelm seconded the motion to adopt the following Resolution electing Duane Young to fill the vacancy left with the resignation of Ray Krov... -Mayor Bush swears in newly elected Committeeman Duane Young"</ref> Young served on an interim basis until the November 2022 general election, when he was chosen to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref name=Hunterdon2022/>
In April 2019, the Township Committee selected Lisa Mickey from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to the fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Thomas Scheibener until he resigned from office earlier that month.<ref>Meeting Minutes for April 16, 2019, Holland Township. Accessed November 19, 2019. "On April 3, 2019, Clerk Miller sent a letter to Holland Township Municipal Committee Chair Lisa Mickey informing her of the vacancy.... Mr. Bush moved and Mr. Krov seconded the motion to appoint Lisa Pezzano Mickey to fill the unexpired term of Thomas Scheibener effective until the election results of the November 5, 2019 are certified by Hunterdon County Clerk, Mary Melfi.... Attorney Matthew Lyons administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Lisa Mickey."</ref>
In March 2016, the Township Committee selected Robert Thurgarland from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the term expiring December 2016 of Tony Roselle, who had resigned from office the previous month.<ref>Township Council Minutes March 1, 2016, Holland Township. Accessed July 10, 2016. "Whereas, on January 21, 2016, the written resignation, stating the effective date to be February 4, 2016, of Anthony Roselle as member of the Township Committee of this Township was filed with the Municipal Clerk of this Township, and by operation of N.J.S.A. 40A:16-3 a vacancy in the office of Township Committee member thereupon occurred... Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, by the Township Committee of the Township of Holland, in the County of Hunterdon and State of New Jersey, [by the majority vote of its remaining members] that Robert Thurgarland be, and hereby is, appointed to fill the vacancy in the office of member of this Township Committee created by the resignation of Anthony Roselle, to take office and to serve as specified in N.J.S.A. 40A:16-21."</ref>
Federal, state and county representation
[edit]Holland Township is located in the 7th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>
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Template:NJ Hunterdon County Freeholders
Politics
[edit]As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,699 registered voters in Holland Township, of which 669 (18.1%) were registered as Democrats, 1,537 (41.6%) were registered as Republicans and 1,490 (40.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref>Voter Registration Summary - Hunterdon, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref>
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 60.8% of the vote (1,680 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 37.7% (1,041 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (43 votes), among the 2,785 ballots cast by the township's 3,867 registered voters (21 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 72.0%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 57.5% of the vote (1,698 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 39.9% (1,180 votes) and other candidates with 1.6% (48 votes), among the 2,955 ballots cast by the township's 3,723 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.4%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Hunterdon County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 62.9% of the vote (1,805 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 36.1% (1,036 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (38 votes), among the 2,871 ballots cast by the township's 3,612 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 79.5.<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Hunterdon County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref>
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In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 74.4% of the vote (1,353 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 23.9% (435 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (30 votes), among the 1,849 ballots cast by the township's 3,836 registered voters (31 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 48.2%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 65.0% of the vote (1,478 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 24.2% (551 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 8.4% (192 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (22 votes), among the 2,274 ballots cast by the township's 3,693 registered voters, yielding a 61.6% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Hunterdon County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref>
Education
[edit]The Holland Township School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Holland Township Elementary School.<ref>Holland Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Holland Township School District, adopted March 31, 2010. Accessed February 23, 2025. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the Holland Township School District. Composition: The Holland Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Holland Township."</ref><ref name=HunterdonSchools>2024-2025 Public School Directory, Hunterdon County Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2025.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Holland Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Holland Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 510 students and 62.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.2:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Holland Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref>
Students in public school for ninth through twelfth grades attend Delaware Valley Regional High School, together with students from Alexandria Township, Frenchtown, Kingwood Township and Milford.<ref>Delaware Valley Regional School District 2016 Report Card Narrative Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 6, 2017. "The Delaware Valley Regional High School District can be found in the heart of pastoral and beautiful Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The District serves students in grades nine through twelve who reside in the five municipalities that comprise our region: Alexandria Township, Frenchtown Borough, Holland Township, Kingwood Township, and Milford Borough."</ref><ref>Our Story, Delaware Valley Regional High School District. Accessed February 23, 2025. "The Delaware Valley Regional High School District can be found in the heart of pastoral and beautiful Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The District serves students in grades nine through twelve who reside in the five municipalities that comprise our region: Alexandria Township, Frenchtown Borough, Holland Township, Kingwood Township, and Milford Borough."</ref> As of the 2023–24 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 692 students and 61.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.3:1.<ref>School data for Delaware Valley Regional High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref> Seats on the high school district's nine-member board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with three seats assigned to Holland Township.<ref>Delaware Valley Regional High School District-Holland Twp Template:Webarchive, Vote411.org. Accessed May 4, 2020. "Delaware Valley Regional High School is serves students from five local school districts: Alexandria Township, Holland Township, Kingwood Township, Borough of Milford, and Borough of Frenchtown. The Delaware Valley Regional School District Board of Education consists of nine members elected by the constituents of the participating municipalities: three representatives from Holland Township, two representatives each from Alexandria Township and Kingwood Township, and one representative each from the Borough of Milford and the Borough of Frenchtown."</ref><ref>Board of Education, Delaware Valley Regional High School. Accessed February 23, 2025.</ref>
Eighth grade students from all of Hunterdon County are eligible to apply to attend the high school programs offered by the Hunterdon County Vocational School District, a county-wide vocational school district that offers career and technical education at its campuses in Raritan Township and at programs sited at local high schools, with no tuition charged to students for attendance.<ref>Heyboer, Kelly. "How to get your kid a seat in one of N.J.'s hardest-to-get-into high schools", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 2017. Accessed November 18, 2019. "Hunterdon County's vo-tech district has three academies for high-achieving students, all operating in partnerships with local high schools.... The academies are open to all students in the county. Students in the 8th grade are required to submit an application, schedule an interview and take a placement exam."</ref>
Transportation
[edit]_just_north_Little_York-Mount_Pleasant_Road_in_Holland_Township,_Hunterdon_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
Template:As of, the township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality and Template:Convert by Hunterdon County.<ref>Hunterdon County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>
The only major road that passes through the township is County Route 519.<ref>County Route 519 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated November 2012. Accessed March 3, 2023.</ref>
The closest limited access road is Interstate 78/U.S. Route 22 ("Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway") in neighboring Pohatcong Township in Warren County.<ref>Hunterdon County Highway Map, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed March 3, 2023.</ref>
References in fiction
[edit]In the 1984 film The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, Holland Township is the location of the Banzai Institute for Biomedical Research and Strategic Information.<ref>About the Institute Template:Webarchive, Banzai Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Strategic Information. Accessed November 14, 2012. "The Banzai Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Strategic Information is an independent, non-profit research organization of ranking scientists. Its East Coast campus is located an hour from New York City in Holland township, New Jersey."</ref>
Notable people
[edit]Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Holland Township include:
- Connie Myers (born 1944), politicians who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1996 to 2006, where she represented the 23rd Legislative District<ref>Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey: 2004 Edition, p. 275. Lawyers Diary and Manual, LLC, 1900. Template:ISBN. Accessed February 15, 2018. "Connie Myers, Rep., Holland - Assemblywoman Myers was born in Staten Island, N.Y., on Nov. 14, 1944."</ref>
Landmarks
[edit]Template:See also The Volendam Windmill Museum is a working mill driven by wind, used for grinding raw grain into flour. The Template:Convert structure is seven stories high with sail arms Template:Convert from tip to tip, having been designed and constructed in 1965 by Paul and May Jorgenson, using windmills they had seen in Denmark and the Netherlands as models.<ref>Salgado, Robert J. "Dutch Windmill In Hunterdon Is A Museum", The New York Times, July 11, 1982. Accessed May 4, 2023. "It is with great pride that Mr. Jorgensen leads visitors through his full-size replica of a Dutch windmill. He built it himself with the help of his wife, May. The windmill is 60 feet high and has sail arms of 68 feet from tip to tip.... The windmill here is patterned after several that Mr. and Mrs. Jorgensen visited and measured in the Netherlands and Denmark before they started building it in 1965."</ref> The windmill is located on the Template:Convert Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Farm, a property that has been preserved, though the windmill itself is not part of the preservation agreement.<ref>"Building the Volendam Windmill in Holland Township" Template:Webarchive, Hunterdon Land Trust, December 7, 2017. Accessed February 12, 2018. "Recently, Hunterdon Land Trust preserved 127 acres of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Farm in Holland Township to ensure it would remain farmland for generations to come. This farm is also the site of the Volendam Windmill Museum, and although it’s not part of the preservation deal, the windmill and its construction is quite an interesting story, and serves as another example of our county’s rich cultural heritage."</ref>
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Holland Township website
- [May 4, 2023 Hunterdon County web page for Holland Township]
- Holland Township School District
- Template:NJReportCard
- School Data for the Holland Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics
- Delaware Valley Regional High School District
- Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance