Jump to content

Lebanon Township, New Jersey

From Niidae Wiki

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Lebanon Township (pronounced "LEB-uh-nin")<ref>Franco, Judi. "20 town names in NJ with crazy pronunciations that make no sense Read More: 20 NJ town names with crazy pronunciations that make no sense", WKXW, June 29, 2023. Accessed February 5, 2025. "Case in point: Another Hunterdon County favorite is Lebanon Township. Yes, if you’re referring to the Middle Eastern country, 'Lebanon,' you’ll pronounce the last syllable 'On,' as in the opposite of 'Off.' Don’t make that mistake here, though! Our Jersey Lebanon is 'LEB-uh-nin.'"</ref> is the northernmost township in Hunterdon County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 6,195,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 393 (−6.0%) from the 2010 census count of 6,588,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 772 (+13.3%) from the 5,816 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>

Located within the Raritan Valley region, the township is situated in the northernmost part of Hunterdon County bordering both Morris and Warren counties. When Lebanon Township was created in 1731, its original borders extended from the Musconetcong River to Readington Township.<ref>History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, New Jersey With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, pg. 445. Everts & Peck, 1881. Accessed November 20, 2019.</ref>

History

[edit]

Lebanon Township was first mentioned on October 26, 1731, as having been formed partly from the now-defunct Amwell Township, though the exact circumstances of its formation are unknown. Lebanon Township was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township have been taken to form Tewksbury Township (March 11, 1755), Clinton Township (April 12, 1841), High Bridge borough (February 19, 1898), Junction borough (February 20, 1895, now known as Hampton borough), Califon borough (April 2, 1898) and Glen Gardner borough (March 26, 1919).<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. p. 154. Accessed May 29, 2024.</ref>

Spruce Run Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church, a member of the New Jersey Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was established in 1774 by a group of 13 families. The church's current facility was constructed in 1870.<ref>"Glen Gardner church celebrates 240th anniversary with pig roast", Hunterdon County Democrat, May 19, 2015, updated March 29, 2019. Accessed January 19, 2020. "This year, Spruce Run Evangelical Zion Lutheran Church in Glen Gardner is celebrating over 240 years of active worship and service in the community. In December 1774, thirteen families gathered in a farm house at Spruce Run to worship and organize their own church. In January 1775, with the help of New Germantown (Oldwick) Lutheran Church, Spruce Run Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church was organized. The present church building on West Hill Road was built in 1870, making 2015 its 145th year of use by members of Spruce Run Lutheran."</ref> The Mt. Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church and Cemetery, popularly known as the Swack Church, is a historical Lutheran church; the burial ground of which houses plots dating as early as 1801.

In April 2024, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck New Jersey, with its epicenter in Lebanon Township.<ref name=NYT>Template:Cite news</ref>

Geography

[edit]
File:2013-05-06 17 29 22 Stream and forest along Turkey Top Road in northern Lebanon Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.jpg
Natural landscape along Turkey Top Road in northern Lebanon Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 31.68 square miles (82.05 km2), including 31.43 square miles (81.40 km2) of land and 0.25 square miles (0.66 km2) of water (0.80%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Anthony, Bunnvale, Changewater, Hampton Junction, Hoffmans, Little Brook, Lower Valley, Mount Lebanon, New Hampton, Newport, Penwell, Red Mill, Saint Nicholas Village, Scrappy Corner, Spruce Run, Stone Mill, The Point and Woodglen.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>

The township borders Bethlehem Township, Califon, Clinton Township, Glen Gardner, Hampton, High Bridge, Tewksbury Township and Union Township in Hunterdon County; Washington Township in Morris County; and Mansfield Township and Washington Township in Warren County.<ref>Areas touching Lebanon Township, MapIt. Accessed February 25, 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>

Demographics

[edit]

Template:US Census population

2010 census

[edit]

The 2010 United States census counted 6,588 people, 2,296 households, and 1,761 families in the township. The population density was 209.4 per square mile (80.8/km2). There were 2,439 housing units at an average density of 77.5 per square mile (29.9/km2). The racial makeup was 95.01% (6,259) White, 1.68% (111) Black or African American, 0.06% (4) Native American, 1.47% (97) Asian, 0.11% (7) Pacific Islander, 0.59% (39) from other races, and 1.08% (71) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.11% (205) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 2,296 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18; 66.7% were married couples living together; 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.3% were non-families. Of all households, 18.4% were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.11.<ref name=Census2010/>

22.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 35.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 98.0 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $96,489 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,123) and the median family income was $110,893 (+/− $29,973). Males had a median income of $78,056 (+/− $22,457) versus $56,346 (+/− $14,410) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $43,424 (+/− $5,347). About 4.4% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 1.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Lebanon township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 5,816 people, 1,963 households, and 1,556 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 2,020 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 96.97% White, 0.81% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.72% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Lebanon township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Lebanon township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.</ref>

There were 1,963 households, out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.1% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.7% were non-families. 15.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.15.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $77,662, and the median income for a family was $86,145. Males had a median income of $58,306 versus $40,474 for females. The per capita income for the township was $30,793. About 1.0% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Arts and culture

[edit]

Musical groups from the township include the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, a bluegrass trio of the Mizzone brothers: Jonny (banjo), Robbie (fiddle) and Tommy (guitar)<ref>Nutt, Bill. "Bluegrass music fest funds to benefit people of Appalachia", Daily Record, July 1, 2011. Accessed July 28, 2011. "Some of this year's acts are dyed-in-the-wool bluegrass acts. One such group is the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, which consists of the three Mizzone brothers: Tommy (13), Robbie (11) and Jonny Mizzone (8), who hail from Lebanon Township in Hunterdon County. The trio recently appeared on The David Letterman Show."</ref>

Parks and recreation

[edit]

Lebanon Township hosts part of a rail trail that was created out of the former Central Railroad of New Jersey High Bridge Branch. The trail is maintained by Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation and is called the Columbia Trail, which includes a scenic area known as the Ken Lockwood Gorge.<ref>Columbia Trail, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Division of Parks and Recreation. Accessed March 3, 2023.</ref><ref>A Gorgeous Ride: The Columbia Trail, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed March 3, 2023.</ref>

Government

[edit]

Local government

[edit]

Lebanon Township is governed under the Township form of government, a form used by 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide.<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, comprised of five members, is 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 held during the first week of January, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.<ref name=Committee/>

Template:As of, the Lebanon Township Committee consists of Mayor Beverly Koehler (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2025; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Thomas R. McKee (R, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2023), Abe Abuchowski (R, 2023; appointed to serve an unexpired term), Michael Schmidt (R, 2024) and Brian K. Wunder (R, 2025).<ref name=Committee>Township Committee, Lebanon Township. Accessed May 4, 2023. "The Township of Lebanon is governed by a five member Township Committee consisting of township residents elected for three year terms. The committee organizes annually during the first week in January, at which time it elects a Mayor and Deputy Mayor from among its members.... In addition to the Township Committee, a number of boards, commissions, and committees, comprised of township residents, are established."</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Lebanon Township. Accessed May 4, 2023.</ref><ref name=HunterdonPage>Township of Lebanon, 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 2021, the Township Committee appointed Abe Abuchowski to fill the seat expiring in December 2022 that had been held by Brian Wunder who resigned from office the previous month.<ref>Resnick, Marin. "Lebanon Township swears in two returning, one new committee member", Hunterdon Review, January 11, 2021. Accessed June 26, 2022. "The Township Committee swore in returning members Tom McKee and Marc Laul and welcomed newest member Abe Abuchowski during its annual reorganization meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 6.... Abuchowski fills the one-year, unexpired term of Brian Wunder who resigned in December."</ref> Abuchowski served on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election, when Guy Wilson was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref>Primerano, Jane. "Lebanon Township swears Guy Wilson onto committee; clarifies medical cannabis license", New Jersey Hills, November 21, 2021. "Republican Guy Wilson was sworn in as the newest member of the Township Committee at its Wednesday, Nov. 17, meeting. He replaces Republican Abe Abuchowski, who was appointed in January of this year to fill the unexpired term of Republican Brian Wunder, who resigned last year."</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

[edit]

Lebanon 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>

Template:NJ Congress 07 Template:NJ Senate

Template:NJ Legislative 23

Template:NJ Hunterdon County Freeholders

Politics

[edit]

As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,366 registered voters in Lebanon Township, of which 723 (16.6%) were registered as Democrats, 1,759 (40.3%) were registered as Republicans and 1,881 (43.1%) 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 15, 2012.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 63.3% of the vote (2,048 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 35.3% (1,140 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (46 votes), among the 3,250 ballots cast by the township's 4,543 registered voters (16 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 71.5%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 60.4% of the vote (2,119 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 37.2% (1,305 votes) and other candidates with 1.7% (59 votes), among the 3,507 ballots cast by the township's 4,450 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.8%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Hunterdon County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 15, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 63.9% of the vote (2,152 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 34.7% (1,170 votes) and other candidates with 1.2% (49 votes), among the 3,370 ballots cast by the township's 4,249 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 79.3.<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Hunterdon County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 15, 2012.</ref>

Template:PresHead Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow |}

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 74.6% of the vote (1,547 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 23.0% (477 votes), and other candidates with 2.5% (51 votes), among the 2,118 ballots cast by the township's 4,499 registered voters (43 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 47.1%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 70.3% of the vote (1,851 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 20.5% (539 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.9% (208 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (15 votes), among the 2,633 ballots cast by the township's 4,396 registered voters, yielding a 59.9% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Hunterdon County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed November 15, 2012.</ref>

Education

[edit]

The Lebanon Township Schools serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.<ref name=HunterdonSchools>2019-2020 Public School Directory, Hunterdon County Department of Education. Accessed May 6, 2020.</ref> As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 624 students and 64.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.7:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Lebanon Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Lebanon Township Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.</ref>) are Valley View School<ref>Valley View School, Lebanon Township Schools. Accessed May 6, 2020.</ref> with 310 students in grades Pre-K–4 and Woodglen School<ref>Woodglen School, Lebanon Township Schools. Accessed May 6, 2020.</ref> with 320 students in grades 5–8.<ref name=HunterdonSchools/><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Lebanon Township Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> Both schools are located in Lebanon Township, but have a Califon mailing address.

Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Voorhees High School, which also serves students from Califon, Glen Gardner, Hampton, High Bridge and Tewksbury Township.<ref name=HunterdonSchools/><ref>Voorhees High School 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 3, 2016. "Voorhees High School has consistently ranked among the top high schools in New Jersey and was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2015. With an enrollment of 1,095 students in grades 9-12, the school serves the communities of Califon, Glen Gardner, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon Township, and Tewksbury Township."</ref> As of the 2018–2019 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 982 students and 83.1 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.8:1.<ref>School data for Voorhees High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.</ref> The school is part of the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District, which also includes students from Bethlehem Township, Clinton Town, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Lebanon Borough and Union Township who attend North Hunterdon High School in Annandale.<ref>About the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District, North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District. Accessed January 4, 2015. "North Hunterdon High School educates students from: Bethlehem Township, Clinton Town, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Lebanon Borough, Union Township; Voorhees High School educates students from: Califon, Glen Gardner, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon Township, Tewksbury Township"</ref><ref>Information Regarding Choice of District School, North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District. Accessed January 4, 2015. "In the past, parents and students of the North Hunterdon High School sending districts were able to select either North Hunterdon High School or Voorhees High School as their school of choice.... As our student population continued to grow and our two high schools reached, and exceeded, 90% capacity, the option of choosing Voorhees was eliminated in the 2005-2006 school year for the North Hunterdon sending districts (Bethlehem Township, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Lebanon Borough and Union Township – Clinton Town students still have choice as they are classmates at Clinton Public School with Glen Gardner students, who attend Voorhees)."</ref><ref>About the District, North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District. Accessed January 4, 2015. "North Hunterdon High School educates students from: Bethlehem Township, Clinton Town, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Lebanon Borough, Union Township; Voorhees High School educates students from: Califon, Glen Gardner, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon Township, Tewksbury Township"</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>

Lebanon Township is also home to the Hunterdon Learning Center, an alternative education school founded by James Butters in 1975.<ref>Home Page, Hunterdon Learning Center. Accessed January 6, 2008.</ref>

Points of interest

[edit]
File:New Hampton, NJ - information signs.jpg
New Hampton Historic District

The New Hampton Historic District, including the New Hampton Pony Pratt Truss Bridge, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Lebanon Township Museum, built Template:Circa, is a contributing property of the district. It includes a memorial to General Daniel Morgan, who was born here and served in the American Revolutionary War.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Transportation

[edit]
File:2018-06-14 11 05 42 View north along New Jersey State Route 31 at Van Syckels Road in Lebanon Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.jpg
Route 31 northbound in Lebanon Township

Roads and highways

[edit]

Template:As of, the township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Hunterdon County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Hunterdon County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>

Route 31 passes through the township, providing access to Interstate 78.<ref>Route 31 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated May 2017. Accessed March 4, 2023.</ref><ref>Hunterdon County Highway Map, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed March 4, 2023.</ref>

Public transportation

[edit]

Local bus service was provided by NJ Transit on the 884 route, until it was discontinued in 2010. Train service on the Raritan Valley Line is available at the High Bridge station, located just outside of the township.<ref>Hunterdon County public transportation, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed June 30, 2011.</ref>

The Hunterdon County LINK provides bus service on Route 15, which passes through the western part of the township along Route 31.

Notable people

[edit]

Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Lebanon Township include:

References

[edit]

Template:Reflist

[edit]

Template:Commons category

Template:Geographic Location (8-way) Template:Hunterdon County, New Jersey Template:Raritan River

Retrieved from "https://wiki.niidae.com/index.php?title=Lebanon_Township,_New_Jersey&oldid=94741"