Editing Califon, New Jersey

{{short description|Borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, US}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Califon, New Jersey
|official_name            = 
|settlement_type          = [[Borough (New Jersey)|Borough]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = 84 Main Street, Califon, NJ.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Victorian house on Main Street
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = Califon Wordmark.png
|seal_type                = wordmark
|seal_size                = 200px

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Hunterdon_County_New_Jersey_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Califon_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location of Califon in [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey|Hunterdon County]] highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Hunterdon County in [[New Jersey]] highlighted in orange (right).
|image_map1               = Census_Bureau_map_of_Califon,_New_Jersey.png
|mapsize1                 = 250x200px
|map_caption1             = Census Bureau map of Califon, New Jersey
|pushpin_map              = USA New Jersey Hunterdon County#USA New Jersey#USA
|pushpin_label            = Califon
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey|Hunterdon County]]##Location in [[New Jersey]]##Location in the United States
|pushpin_relief           = yes

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{nowrap|{{flag|United States}}}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|New Jersey}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in New Jersey|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey|Hunterdon]]
|government_footnotes     = <ref name=DataBook/>
|government_type          = [[Borough (New Jersey)|Borough]]
|governing_body           = Borough Council
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Charles Daniel ([[New Jersey Democratic Party|D]], term ends December 31, 2026)<ref name=Government/><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/dca/home/2023mayors.pdf 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory], [[New Jersey Department of Community Affairs]], updated February 8, 2023. Accessed February 10, 2023.</ref>
|leader_title1            = [[City manager|Administrator]] / [[Municipal clerk]]
|leader_name1             = Karen Mastro<ref>[https://www.califonboro.org/staff-directory/ Staff Directory], Borough of Califon. Accessed March 2, 2023.</ref>
|established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = April 2, 1918
|named_for                = [[California]]

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='34'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 11, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 2.54
|area_land_km2            = 2.48
|area_water_km2           = 0.05
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.98
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.96
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02
|area_water_percent       = 2.04
|area_rank                = 502nd of 565 in state<br/>23rd of 26 in county<ref name=CensusArea>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_cousubs_34.txt 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed July 1, 2020.</ref>

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name=LWD2020/>
|population_total         = 1005
|population_rank          = 531st of 565 in state<br>24th of 26 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/dmograph/est/mcd/density.xlsx Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref>
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = 1048.1
|population_density_rank  = 378th of 565 in state<br>8th of 26 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density/>
|population_est           = 1013
|pop_est_as_of            = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name=PopEst/>

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = −05:00
|timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|Eastern (EDT)]]
|utc_offset_DST           = −04:00
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=GNIS/>
|elevation_m              = 
|elevation_ft             = 479
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name=GNIS/><ref name="GR1">[https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref>
|coordinates              = {{coord|40|43|09|N|74|50|13|W|region:US-NJ_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 07830<ref>[http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=califon&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Califon, NJ], [[United States Postal Service]]. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/njzips.htm ZIP Codes], State of [[New Jersey]]. Accessed September 8, 2013.</ref>
|area_code                = [[Area code 908|908]]<ref>[http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCity=Califon Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Califon, NJ], Area-Codes.com. Accessed September 8, 2013.</ref>
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 3401909280<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR2">[https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey], Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 885176<ref name=GNIS>{{cite gnis|885176|Borough of Califon}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.califonboro.org/}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Califon''' is a [[Borough (New Jersey)|borough]] in [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey|Hunterdon County]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the borough's population was 1,005,<ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 71 (−6.6%) from the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] count of 1,076,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 21 (+2.0%) from the 1,055 counted in the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]].<ref>[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], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]], February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>

The borough's name is said to have been inspired by the [[California gold rush]] of 1849.<ref>Resnick, Abraham. [https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/25/nyregion/new-jersey-opinion-where-did-this-name-come-from.html "Where Did This Name Come From"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', February 25, 1990. Accessed July 3, 2011. "In the western part of the state, Califon is believed to have been named during the California gold rush, because an enterprising mill operator sold a special cattle feed that resembled gold."</ref><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. [http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/356/nj_place_names_origin.pdf ''The Origin of New Jersey Place Names''], New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed March 15, 2023.</ref> The name was shortened to Califon, supposedly because the longer name could not be fit on signs at the train station.<ref>[https://califonhistory.org/califon-history/ Califon History], Californ Historical Society. Accessed March 21, 2023. "1849 Jacob Neighbor returns from the California Gold Rush and christens the town California. 1875 Legend has it that the train station sign painters could not fit California on the new station signs, and so shortened the name to Califon."</ref>

==History==
[[File:Train station, Califon, NJ.jpg|thumb|left|Califon Station]]
Califon was a station on the [[High Bridge Branch]] of the [[Central Railroad of New Jersey]]. The station was built in 1875 and is now used as a museum by the Califon Historical Society.<ref name=chs>{{cite web |title=A Walking Tour of Historic Califon |url=http://www.califonhistoricsociety.org/files/7813/4037/5622/califon_walking_tour.pdf |publisher=Califon Historical Society}}</ref><ref name="nrhpdoc"/> The rail line was abandoned in 1976 and now serves as a Hunterdon County-administered [[rail trail]] called [[Columbia Trail]], which runs south to High Bridge and north to points in [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]].

Though the mills were present in the area of Califon for some time prior to its incorporation as a town, it was quite a while before growth became evident in the mid-nineteenth century. The [[J. K. Apgar Farmhouse]], listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], exemplifies the early stone farmhouses constructed in the region in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century.<ref name="apgarnrhpdoc">{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=79001494}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: J.K. Apgar Farmhouse |publisher=[[National Park Service]]|first1=Terry |last1=Karschner |date=April 1979 }}</ref> The area that would become Califon was first called California, from Jacob Neighbor's enthusiasm in the milling business about the time the [[California Gold Rush]] broke out. The borough was incorporated by an act of the [[New Jersey Legislature]] from portions of both [[Lebanon Township, New Jersey|Lebanon]] and [[Tewksbury Township, New Jersey|Tewksbury]] Townships on April 2, 1918.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. [https://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/bulletin67.pdf ''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''], Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 154. Accessed October 25, 2012.</ref>

Local legend has it that California became a regular stop for weekend excursion trains through the countryside. When riders bought their tickets they were issued a voucher good for an ice cream; the train would stop so tourists could wander around and cash in their ice cream coupons. Anxious to exploit this source of outside revenue, residents petitioned the railroad to let them build a real station, which they did as a community project. Citing the local account again, two sign painters who came to letter the sign rode the train from [[Dunellen, New Jersey|Dunellen]], but the background paint wasn't dry when they arrived. They sat and drank at the hotel, which later burned down. By the time the sign was ready for their artistic touch, the local tale says, "Califon" was as close to California as the inebriated painters could manage.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Califon is situated just north of the [[Ken Lockwood Gorge]] on the [[South Branch Raritan River|South Branch of the Raritan River]]; this pristine stretch of clear water and forest is a well-known treasure for New Jersey trout fishermen. It is regularly restocked by the state fisheries service.

[[File:Main Street Bridge, Califon, NJ - looking west.jpg|thumb|left|Califon Main Street Bridge]]
The center of Califon is the [[Main Street Bridge (Califon, New Jersey)|historic iron bridge]] spanning the [[South Branch Raritan River|South Branch of the Raritan River]], which divides the borough.<ref>[[Historic American Engineering Record]] (HAER) No. NJ-56, "[http://loc.gov/pictures/item/nj1006/ Califon Bridge]," 1986.</ref> Recently the State of New Jersey announced that the bridge would be replaced because a loaded school bus represented more weight than the aging bridge could safely carry. Incensed citizens objected, protective of the landmark, and found a colorful but simple solution; the school bus stops at one end of the bridge unloading the students, who then walk across to the other side. Then the empty bus, within imposed weight limits, drives across and the students get back on the bus to continue their ride. Thus the bridge was saved. (Account featured on Califon website).

The 1943 short story, "[[The Greatest Gift]]," was set in a town inspired by Califon and adapted into the 1946 classic film ''[[It's a Wonderful Life]].'' Author [[Philip Van Doren Stern]] said in a 1946 interview, "Incidentally, the movie takes place in [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester County]]. Actually, the town I had in mind was Califon, N.J." The historic iron bridge in Califon is similar to the bridge that [[George Bailey (It's a Wonderful Life)|George Bailey]] considered jumping from in the movie.<ref name=nj.com>{{cite web|last=Heyboer|first=Kelly|date=December 24, 2017|title=The surprising Jersey roots of 'It's a Wonderful Life'|url=http://www.nj.com/education/2017/12/the_surprising_jersey_roots_of_its_a_wonderful_lif.html|website=NJ.com|access-date=December 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224214748/http://www.nj.com/education/2017/12/the_surprising_jersey_roots_of_its_a_wonderful_lif.html|archive-date=December 24, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Califon became a regional household name when frequently mentioned by [[Merv Griffin]] on his TV show during the 1970s. He and his wife Juliette owned a home in nearby Lebanon Township, which had a Califon mailing address, and, while they were married, they were often seen visiting the village in a fringed-top Bermuda-style resort cart, though they lived over 2 miles away. Califon Productions created all of his television ventures.<ref name=MervCalifon/>

[[Hoffman's Crossing, New Jersey|Hoffman's Crossing]] was named for Issac Hoffman, who farmed land that lies just south of Califon Bridge, along present day [[County Route 513 (New Jersey)|County Route 513]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Isaac Hoffman, Bank Official and Farmer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39442155/obituary-for-isaac-h-hoffman/ |newspaper=[[Plainfield Courier-News]] |date=August 17, 1959 |page=20 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |quote=In his early life he was a farmer in Hoffman's Crossing area (which had been named for him) between Califon and High Bridge.}}</ref>

==Historic district==
{{Infobox NRHP
  | name = Califon Historic District
  | nrhp_type = HD
  | nocat = yes
  | image = 12-16 Academy Street, Califon, NJ.jpg
  | caption = Victorian houses on Academy Street
  | location= Main, Academy, Mill, Bank and First streets; Railroad and Philhower avenues; and River Road
  | locmapin = 
  | architecture = [[Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals architecture|Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals]], [[Late Victorian architecture|Late Victorian]], Mid 19th Century
  | added = October 14, 1976
  | area = {{convert|164|acre}}
  | refnum = 76001157<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2013a|refnum=76001157}}</ref>
  | designated_other1_name = New Jersey Register of Historic Places
  | designated_other1_abbr = NJRHP
  | designated_other1_link = New Jersey Register of Historic Places
  | designated_other1_date = May 8, 1975
  | designated_other1_number = 1565<ref name=NJRHP>{{cite web |title=New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places – Hunterdon County |url=https://www.nj.gov/dep/hpo/1identify/nrsr_lists/HUNTERDON.pdf#page=2 |publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection]] – Historic Preservation Office |page=2 |date=March 23, 2021 }}</ref>
  | designated_other1_num_position = bottom
  | designated_other1_color = #ffc94b
}}
The '''Califon Historic District''' is a {{convert|164|acre|adj=on}} [[historic district (United States)|historic district]] encompassing much of the borough. It was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on October 14, 1976, for its significance in commerce. The district includes 154 [[contributing buildings]], three [[contributing structures]], and one [[contributing site]].<ref name="nrhpdoc">{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=76001157}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Califon Historic District |publisher=[[National Park Service]]|first1=Terry |last1=Karschner |date=August 1974 }} With {{NRHP url|id=76001157|photos=y|title=accompanying 28 photos}}</ref> It was created through the efforts of the Califon Historical Society. Califon is a Victorian-style enclave where the houses are marked with the names of the builders and their dates of establishment rather than with street numbers.

The Joseph Tiger House was built of stone in 1846. A stone raceway runs under the former Beatty's Store, indicating a possible mill site. The mid-19th century house at 1 First Street features a gable roof with an intersecting dormer. The [[Main Street Bridge (Califon, New Jersey)|Califon Main Street Bridge]] is a [[Pratt truss|Pratt thru truss]] design built in 1887 by I. P. Bartley & Co. of [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]].<ref name="nrhpdoc"/>

<gallery heights=150px widths=225px mode="nolines">
File:80-82 Main Street, Califon, NJ.jpg|Victorian houses on Main Street
File:106 Mill Street, Califon, NJ.jpg|Joseph Tiger House on Mill Street
File:74 Main Street, Califon, NJ.jpg|Former Beatty's Store on Main Street
File:1 First Street, Califon, NJ.jpg|1 First Street
</gallery>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the borough had a total area of 0.98 square miles (2.54&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), including 0.96 square miles (2.48&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of land and 0.02 square miles (0.05&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of water (2.04%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Califon borders the Hunterdon County municipalities of [[Lebanon Township, New Jersey|Lebanon Township]] and [[Tewksbury Township, New Jersey|Tewksbury Township]].<ref>[https://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/425246/touches.html Areas touching Califon], Mapit. Accessed March 22, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/880/Municipalities Map of County Municipalities], [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey]]. Accessed July 30, 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

[[Lower Valley, New Jersey|Lower Valley]] is an unincorporated community located along the border of Califon and Lebanon Township.<ref>{{cite book |title=Acts of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey |date=1918 |publisher=New Jersey |pages=979–984 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nVc4AAAAIAAJ |chapter=Chapter 257: An Act to incorporate the borough of Califon, in the county of Hunterdon |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nVc4AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA979 |quote=Approved March 4, 1918.}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 513
|1930= 534
|1940= 572
|1950= 623
|1960= 777
|1970= 970
|1980= 1023
|1990= 1073
|2000= 1055
|2010= 1076
|2020= 1005
| estimate=1013
| estyear=2023
| estref=<ref name=PopEst>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/mcds/totals/SUB-MCD-EST2023-POP-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023], [[United States Census Bureau]], released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.</ref>
|footnote=Population sources:<small> 1920<ref>[https://dspace.njstatelib.org/xmlui/handle/10929/25218?show=full ''Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905''], [[New Jersey Department of State]], 1906. Accessed September 8, 2013.</ref><br/>1920–1930<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=kifRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA716 ''Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I''], [[United States Census Bureau]], p. 716. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref> 1940–2000<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2kpub/njsdcp3.pdf#page=27 Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000], Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref><br/>2000<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/> 2010<ref name=Census2010>[https://archive.today/20200212104053/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3401909280 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Califon borough, Hunterdon County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref><ref name=LWD2010>[http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_hun/califon1.pdf Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Califon borough] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820030808/http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_hun/califon1.pdf |date=2013-08-20 }}, [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref> 2020<ref name=LWD2020>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_Mun/MCD%200_All.pdf Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref></small>
}}

===2010 census===
The [[2010 United States census]] counted 1,076 people, 394 households, and 309 families in the borough. The [[population density]] was 1,133.3 per square mile (437.6/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 419 housing units at an average density of 441.3 per square mile (170.4/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup was 96.10% (1,034) [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 0.28% (3) [[Black (U.S. census)|Black or African American]], 0.09% (1) [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 0.84% (9) [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.00% (0) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.09% (1) from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census#Race|other races]], and 2.60% (28) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 1.30% (14) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 394 households, 40.1% had children under the age of 18; 67.8% were married couples living together; 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 21.6% were non-families. Of all households, 17.8% 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 2.73 and the average family size was 3.14.<ref name=Census2010/>

28.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 34.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.5 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 [[American Community Survey]] showed that (in 2010 [[inflation adjustment|inflation-adjusted]] dollars) [[median household income]] was $108,375 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,026) and the median family income was $110,365 (+/− $5,782). Males had a median income of $95,536 (+/− $13,555) versus $73,958 (+/− $14,845) for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $42,975 (+/− $5,250). About 1.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 0.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.<ref>[https://archive.today/20200212083813/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3401909280 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Califon borough, Hunterdon County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census]]<ref name="GR2" /> there were 1,055 people, 401 households, and 301 families residing in the borough. The population density was {{convert|1,093.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 410 housing units at an average density of {{convert|424.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the borough was 98.67% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.76% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 0.57% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.47% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>[http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/1603409280.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Califon borough, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819201348/http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/1603409280.pdf |date=2013-08-19 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>[https://archive.today/20200212102525/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3401909280 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Califon borough, Hunterdon County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref>

There were 401 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the borough the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the borough was $76,657, and the median income for a family was $85,963. Males had a median income of $59,167 versus $41,125 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $31,064. About 3.3% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

==Parks and recreation==
Califon 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>[https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/2908/Columbia-Trail-Map-PDF?bidId= Columbia Trail], [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey]] Division of Parks and Recreation. Accessed March 3, 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/bike/application3/pdf/ColumbiaTrail.pdf A Gorgeous Ride: The Columbia Trail], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed March 3, 2023.</ref>

==Government==

===Local government===
Califon is governed under the [[Borough (New Jersey)|borough]] form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.<ref>[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''], [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected [[at-large]] on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year 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. 110.</ref> The borough form of government used by Califon is a "[[weak mayor]] / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can [[veto]] ordinances subject to an [[veto override|override]] by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.<ref>Cerra, Michael F. [http://www.njslom.org/magart0307_p14.html "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924045019/http://www.njslom.org/magart0307_p14.html |date=2014-09-24 }}, [[New Jersey State League of Municipalities]]. Accessed November 30, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=6 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"], p. 6. [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

{{As of|2023}}, the [[mayor]] of Califon Borough is [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] Charles Daniel, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Califon Borough Council are Council President Michael P. Medea (D, 2024), Richard Baggstrom ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 2023), Ed Haversang (R, 2023), Leo M. Janas (D, 2024), Jason Ruggiero (R, 2025) and Cathy Smith (D, 2025).<ref name=Government>[https://www.califonboro.org/staff-directory/ Staff Directory], Borough of Califon. Accessed May 3, 2023.</ref><ref name=Budget>[https://www.califonboro.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1004_introbudget_2023.pdf 2023 Municipal Data Sheet], Borough of Califon. Accessed May 3, 2023.</ref><ref name=HunterdonPage>[https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/902/Califon-Borough Borough of Califon], [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey]]. Accessed May 3, 2023.</ref><ref name=HunterdonDirectory>[https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/5487/2022-Hunterdon-County-and-Municipal-Officials-Directory-PDF#page=51 ''2022 County and Municipal Directory''], [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey]]. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Hunterdon2022>[https://co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/9118/G2022-Official-SOV-PDF 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>[https://co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/6226/2021-General-Election-Official-Results-by-Municipality-PDF 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>[https://co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/8592/2020-Official-General-Election-Results-Municipality-PDF November 3, 2020 District Report Hunterdon County Official Results], [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey]], updated November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref>

Police coverage in the borough is provided by the [[Washington Township, Morris County, New Jersey|Washington Township (Morris County)]] Police Department under the terms of a [[shared services]] agreement between the two municipalities.<ref>[http://www.califonboro.net/useful-links/ Useful Links], Borough of Califon. Accessed November 15, 2019. "Califon has a shared service with the Washington Township Police Department for police coverage."</ref>

===Federal, state and county representation===
Califon is located in the 7th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf 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>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>[https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf ''2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''], New Jersey [[League of Women Voters]]. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#23 Districts by Number for 2011-2020], [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

{{NJ Congress 07}} {{NJ Senate}}

{{NJ Legislative 23}}

{{NJ Hunterdon County Freeholders}}

===Politics===
As of March 2011, there were a total of 723 registered voters in Califon, of which 214 (29.6%) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], 252 (34.9%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 257 (35.5%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|Unaffiliated]]. There were no voters registered to other parties.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-hunterdon-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Hunterdon], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref>

In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012 presidential election]], Democrat [[Barack Obama]] received 51.0% of the vote (290 cast), ahead of Republican [[Mitt Romney]] with 47.3% (269 votes), and other candidates with 1.8% (10 votes), among the 573 ballots cast by the borough's 773 registered voters (4 ballots were [[Spoilt vote|spoiled]]), for a turnout of 74.1%.<ref name=2012Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-hunterdon.pdf |title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Hunterdon County |date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-hunterdon.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Hunterdon County|date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008 presidential election]], Democrat Barack Obama received 51.1% of the vote (324 cast), ahead of Republican [[John McCain]] with 46.4% (294 votes) and other candidates with 1.7% (11 votes), among the 634 ballots cast by the borough's 792 registered voters, for a turnout of 80.1%.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-hunterdon.pdf 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 [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004 presidential election]], Republican [[George W. Bush]] received 51.2% of the vote (330 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat [[John Kerry]] with 47.2% (304 votes) and other candidates with 1.3% (10 votes), among the 644 ballots cast by the borough's 796 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 80.9.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_hunterdon_co_2004.pdf 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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{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|331|370|8|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|323|378|16|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|287|270|37|New Jersey}}
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In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013|2013 gubernatorial election]], Republican [[Chris Christie]] received 62.4% of the vote (237 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barbara Buono]] with 35.3% (134 votes), and other candidates with 2.4% (9 votes), among the 383 ballots cast by the borough's 774 registered voters (3 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 49.5%.<ref name=2013Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-hunterdon.pdf |title=Governor - Hunterdon County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-hunterdon.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Hunterdon County|date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009|2009 gubernatorial election]], Republican Chris Christie received 55.4% of the vote (251 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] with 30.5% (138 votes), Independent [[Chris Daggett]] with 12.1% (55 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (4 votes), among the 453 ballots cast by the borough's 772 registered voters, yielding a 58.7% turnout.<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-hunterdon.pdf 2009 Governor: Hunterdon County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017230346/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-hunterdon.pdf |date=2012-10-17 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed November 14, 2012.</ref>

==Education==
The [[Califon School District]] serves students in public school for [[pre-kindergarten]] through [[eighth grade]] at Califon Public School.<ref>[https://www.straussesmay.com/seportal/Public/DistrictPolicy.aspx?policyid=0110&id=b8c3f2004db74eba84a7cf4699b19c16 Califon Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification], Califon School District. Accessed June 23, 2022. "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 Califon School District. Composition The Califon School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Califon."</ref><ref>[https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/pdf/schools/Directory.pdf#page=15 ''2021-2022 School Directory''], [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey]]. Accessed June 23, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/19/0670 School Performance Reports for the Califon Public School District], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed September 15, 2023.</ref> As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 83 students and 14.9 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 5.6:1.<ref name=NCES>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3402610&DistrictID=3402610 District information for Califon Borough School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> In the 2016–2017 school year, Califon had the seventh-smallest enrollment of any school district in the state.<ref>Guion, Payton. [https://www.nj.com/education/2017/09/njs_smallest_school_districts.html "These 43 N.J. school districts have fewer than 200 students"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], September 2017. Accessed January 30, 2020. "Based on data from the state Department of Education from the last school year and the Census Bureau, NJ Advance Media made a list of the smallest of the small school districts in the state, excluding charter schools and specialty institutions.... 7. Califon Borough - Enrollment: 93; Grades: Pre-K-8; County: Hunterdon"</ref>

Public school students in [[ninth grade|ninth]] through [[twelfth grade]]s attend [[Voorhees High School]], which also serves students from [[Glen Gardner, New Jersey|Glen Gardner]], [[Hampton, New Jersey|Hampton]], [[High Bridge, New Jersey|High Bridge]], [[Lebanon Township, New Jersey|Lebanon Township]] and [[Tewksbury Township, New Jersey|Tewksbury Township]].<ref>[http://www.nj.gov/education/pr/1415/narrative/19/3660/060.html 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 2021–22 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 780 students and 76.4 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 10.2:1.<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3411610&ID=341161003026 School data for Voorhees High School], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> The school is part of the [[North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District]], which also includes students from [[Bethlehem Township, New Jersey|Bethlehem Township]], [[Clinton, New Jersey|Clinton Town]], [[Clinton Township, New Jersey|Clinton Township]], [[Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey|Franklin Township]], [[Lebanon, New Jersey|Lebanon Borough]] and [[Union Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey|Union Township]] who attend [[North Hunterdon High School]] in [[Annandale, New Jersey|Annandale]].<ref>[http://www.nhvweb.net/index.php/boe-district-services/about/ About the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District], [[North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District]]. Accessed February 13, 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>[http://www.nhvweb.net/index.php/choice-of-district-school/ Information Regarding Choice of District School], [[North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District]]. Accessed February 13, 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>[http://www.nhvweb.net/index.php/boe-district-services/about/ About the District] North Hunterdoon-Voorhees Regional High School District. Accessed February 13, 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, New Jersey|Raritan Township]] and at programs sited at local high schools, with tuition covered by local taxes.<ref>Heyboer, Kelly. [https://www.nj.com/education/2017/05/how_to_get_your_kid_into_one_of_njs_elite_high_sch.html "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>

==Places of worship==
The Califon United Methodist Church was founded in 1867, but the oldest part of the building was built in 1824 at [[Oldwick, New Jersey|Oldwick]] and moved here. The newer sanctuary facing River Road was built in 1891.<ref>{{cite book |title=[[The New Jersey Churchscape]] |chapter=Califon Methodist Episcopal Church |first1=Frank L. |last1=Greenagel |year=2001 |chapter-url=http://www.njchurchscape.com/Califon-ME.html |publisher=[[Rutgers University Press]] |isbn=9-780-8135-2990-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=About Califon United Methodist Church |url=https://califonumc.org/about-califon-united-methodist-church/ |publisher=Califon United Methodist Church}}</ref> The Lower Valley Presbyterian Church was built in 1871.<ref name=Greenagel>{{cite book |title=[[The New Jersey Churchscape]] |chapter=Lower Valley Presbyterian Church |first1=Frank L. |last1=Greenagel |year=2001 |chapter-url=http://www.njchurchscape.com/Lower%20valley%20Presbyterian.html |publisher=[[Rutgers University Press]] |isbn=9-780-8135-2990-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lower Valley Presbyterian Church |url=http://www.lowervalley.org/ |publisher=Lower Valley Presbyterian Church}}</ref> Both are noted by the Califon Historical Society.<ref name=chs/>

<gallery heights=150px widths=225px mode="nolines">
File:United Methodist Church, Califon, NJ.jpg|United Methodist Church on River Road
File:Presbyterian Church, Lower Valley, NJ.jpg|Lower Valley Presbyterian Church
</gallery>

==Transportation==
[[File:2018-06-13 09 43 55 View east along Hunterdon County Route 512 (Main Street) just east of Hunterdon County Route 513 (High Bridge-Califon Road) in Califon, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|right|[[County Route 512 (New Jersey)|County Route 512]] in Califon]]
{{As of|2010|5}}, the borough had a total of {{convert|11.50|mi}} of roadways, of which {{convert|9.50|mi}} were maintained by the municipality and {{convert|2.00|mi}} by Hunterdon County.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Hunterdon.pdf Hunterdon County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>

The most prominent roads passing through Califon are [[County Route 512 (New Jersey)|County Route 512]]<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/pdf/sldiag/00000512__-.pdf County Route 512 Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], updated November 2012. Accessed March 2, 2023.</ref> and [[County Route 513 (New Jersey)|513]].<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000513__-.pdf#page=10 County Route 513 Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], updated November 2012. Accessed March 2, 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/gis/maps/Hunterdon.pdf Hunterdon County Highway Map], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed March 2, 2023.</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Category see also|People from Califon, New Jersey}}
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Califon include:
* [[W. Carl Burger]] (1925–2023), [[Abstract expressionism|abstract expressionist]] painter<ref>Schultz, Eric. [https://stateoftheartsnj.com/w-carl-burger/ "W. Carl Burger: Mastery of the Medium"], State of the Arts, September 22, 2020. Accessed November 13, 2023. "In the first feature, produced in 1983, Carl was still teaching at Kean University and living with his partner Peter in the house they built together in Califon, NJ."</ref>
* [[Thomas W. Greelish]] (1939–1991), [[United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey]] from 1985 to 1987. Greelish moved to Califon with his family when he was seven years old<ref>{{cite news |title=Thomas W. Greelish, 51, Ex-U.S. Attorney for N.J.|work=[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]] |date=1991-06-25}}</ref>
* [[Merv Griffin]] (1925–2007), television producer, once owned a farm a few miles outside of Califon.<ref>McLellan, Dennis. [https://archive.today/20150215013704/http://record-bergen.vlex.com/vid/merv-griffin-entertainment-mogul-dies-62937221 "Merv Griffin, entertainment mogul, dies"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', August 13, 2007. Accessed September 4, 2007. "He stabled quarter horses at his former home in Califon, in Hunterdon County."</ref> When he created the game show ''[[Wheel of Fortune (US game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'', he gave a nod to Califon when naming the show's production company. To this day, ''Califon Productions, Inc.'' is the copyright holder for all episodes of ''Wheel of Fortune'' to date, although the show is owned by [[Sony Pictures Television]]<ref name=MervCalifon>Holl, John. [http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/1187067699306540.xml&coll=1 "To Califon, Merv was a regular farm guy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929121154/http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/1187067699306540.xml&coll=1 |date=September 29, 2007 }}, ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', August 14, 2007. Accessed September 4, 2007. "Viewers who pay careful attention to the closing credits on ''Wheel of Fortune'' will see the game show is produced by Califon Productions, a subtle nod from Merv Griffin, the program's creator, to the Hunterdon County community where he once owned a farm."</ref>
* [[Asher Grodman]] (born 1987), actor and producer who stars in the CBS series ''[[Ghosts (American TV series)|Ghosts]]''<ref>Kuperinsky, Amy. [https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2022/09/meet-ghosts-stars-asher-grodman-and-richie-moriarty-njs-pantsless-finance-bro-and-arrowed-scout-leader.html "Meet ''Ghosts'' stars Asher Grodman and Richie Moriarty, N.J.’s pantsless finance bro and arrowed scout leader"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], September 28, 2022. Accessed March 28, 2023. "Grodman came of age in the Hunterdon County borough of Califon, about 10 minutes outside Chester.... 'I was the one Jew in a very, very not Jewish community,' Grodman says of his elementary and middle school days at Far Hills Country Day School."</ref>
* [[Francis Burton Harrison]] (1873–1957), member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] and [[Governor-General of the Philippines]] under [[Woodrow Wilson]] who retired to Califon a few months before his death in 1957<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1957/11/22/archives/fb-harrison-83-us-exaide-dies-philippine-governor-general-191321.html "F.B. Harrison, 83, U.S. Ex-Aide, Dies"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', November 22, 1957. Accessed March 20, 2011.</ref>
* [[Teddy Schneider]] (born 1988), soccer player for the [[New York Red Bulls]]<ref>Fensom, Michael J. [http://www.nj.com/redbulls/index.ssf/2011/04/red_bulls_sign_former_princeton_defender_teddy_schneider.html "Red Bulls sign former Princeton defender Teddy Schneider"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', April 12, 2011. Accessed July 3, 2011. "The Red Bulls announced today the signing of former Princeton defender Teddy Schneider.... A native of Califon and Delbarton alum, the 5-6, 130-pound Schneider will play left back for the Red Bulls."</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|1=https://www.califonboro.org/}}
* [http://www.califonhistoricsociety.org/ Califon Historical Society website]
* {{HABS |survey=NJ-650 |id=nj0543 |title=William Trimmer House, Califon, Hunterdon County, NJ |photos=4 |color= |dwgs=12 |data=5 |cap= |supp=yes }}

{{Hunterdon County, New Jersey}}
{{NRHP in Hunterdon County, New Jersey}}
{{Raritan River}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Califon, New Jersey| ]]
[[Category:1918 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Borough form of New Jersey government]]
[[Category:Boroughs in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Boroughs in Hunterdon County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1918]]