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Lafayette Township, New Jersey

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Lafayette Township is a township located in the Skylands Region of Sussex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 2,358,<ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 180 (−7.1%) from the 2010 census count of 2,538,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 238 (+10.3%) from the 2,300 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> The township is crossed by Route 15 and Route 94.

History

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Lafayette was formed as a Township based on an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14, 1845, from part of Frankford Township and Newton Township (the latter now dissolved), based on the results of a referendum held that same day.<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. 231. Accessed May 29, 2024.</ref> The township was the first in the country to be named for Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, the French general and statesman who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.<ref>Template:Usurped, NY-NJ-CT Botany Online. Accessed April 8, 2008.</ref><ref>Home Page, Lafayette Township. Accessed February 21, 2013. "Lafayette Township was incorporated in 1845 and is the first town in the United States to be named after the Marquis de LaFayette."</ref><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 2, 2015.</ref>

Historic district

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Template:Infobox NRHP The Lafayette Village Historic District is a Template:Convert historic district encompassing the village of Lafayette along NJ 15, Morris Farm Road and Meadows Road. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 2013 for its significance in architecture, exploration/settlement, industry, and transportation. The district includes 42 contributing buildings, a contributing structure, and three contributing sites.<ref name="nrhpdoc">Template:Cite web With accompanying 45 photos.</ref>

The Lafayette Foundry was built where Morris Farm Road crosses the Paulins Kill in 1836 by Alexander Boyles. There are no visible remains at the site. The Lafayette Mill Complex on Morris Farm Road includes a flour and gristmill, storehouse and distillery on the south side; a general store and playhouse on the north side. The Ludlum-Mabee House was built Template:Circa and is now used by Lafayette Center Preservation Foundation.<ref name="nrhpdoc"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 17.97 square miles (46.54 km2), including 17.88 square miles (46.32 km2) of land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km2) of water (0.48%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Branchville Junction, Harmonyvale, Hopkins Corner, Warbasse and Warbasse Junction.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 1, 2015.</ref>

Lafayette Township borders the municipalities of Andover Township, Frankford Township, Hampton Township, Hardyston Township, Sparta Township and Wantage Township.<ref>Sussex County Map, Sussex County, New Jersey. Accessed February 25, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2010 census

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The 2010 United States census counted 2,538 people, 875 households, and 721 families in the township. The population density was 141.3 per square mile (54.6/km2). There were 919 housing units at an average density of 51.2 per square mile (19.8/km2). The racial makeup was 95.43% (2,422) White, 1.58% (40) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 0.75% (19) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.63% (16) from other races, and 1.62% (41) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.08% (129) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 875 households, 34.2% had children under the age of 18; 69.6% were married couples living together; 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 17.6% were non-families. Of all households, 13.1% were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.12.<ref name=Census2010/>

23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 35.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 97.5 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $96,369 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,553) and the median family income was $98,750 (+/− $11,241). Males had a median income of $71,607 (+/− $22,034) versus $56,964 (+/− $13,270) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $34,364 (+/− $3,922). About 6.4% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% 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 Lafayette township, Sussex County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 1, 2013.</ref>

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 2,300 people, 771 households, and 647 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 799 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 97.04% White, 1.04% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.35% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Lafayette township, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 31, 2016.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Lafayette township, Sussex County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 21, 2013.</ref>

There were 771 households, out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.4% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.0% were non-families. 12.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.20.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $82,805, and the median income for a family was $87,650. Males had a median income of $61,307 versus $38,816 for females. The per capita income for the township was $30,491. About 1.2% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Government

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Local government

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Lafayette Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.<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. 110.</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.

Template:As of, members of the Lafayette Township Committee are Mayor Alan R. Henderson (R, term on township committee ends December 31, 2026; term as mayor ends 2024), Deputy Mayor Kevin K. O'Leary (R, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2024), Lisa Carlson (R, 2026), Patrick Geaney (R, 2025) and Richard Hughes (R, 2025).<ref name=Committee>Township Committee, Lafayette Township. Accessed May 24, 2024. "Lafayette Township is governed by a Township Committee consisting of five elected members. The members serve staggered three-year terms. The Township Committee elects a Mayor who serves a one-year term. The Mayor serves as the Chair of the Committee and has powers vested in the mayor's office by general law."</ref><ref>2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Lafayette Township. Accessed May 24, 2024.</ref><ref name=Sussex2023>Summary Results Report Official Results November 7 2023 General Election, Sussex County, New Jersey, November 22, 2023. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Sussex2022>Sussex County, New Jersey General Election November 8, 2022, Official Results Summary Report, Sussex County, New Jersey, dated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Sussex2021>Summary Results Report November 2, 2021 General Election Official Results, Sussex County, New Jersey, updated November 22, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

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Lafayette Township is located in the 5th 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 24th 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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Politics

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As of March 2011, there were a total of 1,738 registered voters in Lafayette Township, of which 228 (13.1% vs. 16.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 781 (44.9% vs. 39.3%) were registered as Republicans and 727 (41.8% vs. 44.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Sussex, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed February 21, 2013.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 68.5% (vs. 65.8% in Sussex County) were registered to vote, including 89.4% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 86.5% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 21, 2013.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 867 votes (65.7% vs. 59.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 431 votes (32.7% vs. 38.2%) and other candidates with 18 votes (1.4% vs. 2.1%), among the 1,319 ballots cast by the township's 1,815 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.7% (vs. 68.3% in Sussex County).<ref>General Election November 6, 2012: District Report - Group Detail, Sussex County, New Jersey Clerk, run date November 30, 2012. Accessed May 10, 2017.</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 921 votes (67.3% vs. 59.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 417 votes (30.5% vs. 38.7%) and other candidates with 18 votes (1.3% vs. 1.5%), among the 1,368 ballots cast by the township's 1,740 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.6% (vs. 76.9% in Sussex County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Sussex County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed February 21, 2013.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 883 votes (67.4% vs. 63.9% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 404 votes (30.8% vs. 34.4%) and other candidates with 18 votes (1.4% vs. 1.3%), among the 1,311 ballots cast by the township's 1,583 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.8% (vs. 77.7% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Sussex County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed February 21, 2013.</ref>

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In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 76.5% of the vote (646 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 20.4% (172 votes), and other candidates with 3.1% (26 votes), among the 855 ballots cast by the township's 1,824 registered voters (11 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 46.9%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 635 votes (66.2% vs. 63.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 214 votes (22.3% vs. 25.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 94 votes (9.8% vs. 9.1%) and other candidates with 14 votes (1.5% vs. 1.3%), among the 959 ballots cast by the township's 1,702 registered voters, yielding a 56.3% turnout (vs. 52.3% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Sussex County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed February 21, 2013.</ref>

Education

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Public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade attend the Lafayette Township School District.<ref>District Bylaw 0110 - Identification, Lafayette Township School District. Accessed September 5, 2020. "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 Lafayette Township School District. Composition: The Lafayette Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Lafayette Township."</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Lafayette Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 7, 2024.</ref> As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 209 students and 23.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.8:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Lafayette Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

For ninth through twelfth grades, public school students attend High Point Regional High School, which also serves students from Branchville, Frankford Township, Montague Township, Sussex Borough and Wantage Township (where the school is located).<ref>High Point Regional Board of Education Bylaw 0110 - Name and Classification, High Point Regional High School. Accessed March 7, 2024. "Composition -The High Point Regional High School District shall comprise all the area within the municipal boundaries of Branchville, Frankford, Lafayette, Sussex and Wantage for the purpose of providing a program of education in grades 9 through 12."</ref><ref>High Point Regional High School 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2020. "High Point Regional High School is a comprehensive high school serving the diversified needs of the three surrounding K through 8 school districts of Lafayette, Frankford, Montague, and Sussex-Wantage."</ref><ref>"2022-23 School Profile", High Point Regional High School. Accessed March 7, 2024. "Located 63 miles northwest of Manhattan in bucolic Sussex County NJ, High Point serves students from six municipalities: Branchville, Lafayette, Frankford, Montague, Sussex, and Wantage."</ref> As of the 2022–23 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 817 students and 68.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.9:1.<ref>School data for High Point Regional High School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> The district is governed by a nine-member board of education; seats on the board are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with one seat assigned to Lafayette Township.<ref>High Point Regional Board of Education Bylaw 0141 - Board Member Number and Term, High Point Regional High School. Accessed March 31, 2020. "The Board of Education shall consist of nine members, proportioned as follows: Wantage - four; Frankford - two; Sussex - one; Lafayette - one; Branchville - one. The term of a Board member shall be three years."</ref>

Transportation

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File:2018-07-26 16 55 04 View south along New Jersey State Route 15 and north along New Jersey State Route 94 (Lafayette Road) at Morris Farm Road in Lafayette Township, Sussex County, New Jersey.jpg
Route 15 southbound and Route 94 northbound in Lafayette Township

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 Sussex County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Sussex County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 24, 2014.</ref>

The main highways serving Lafayette Township are New Jersey Route 15 and New Jersey Route 94. The two routes run concurrently in opposite directions for a short stretch in Lafayette Township.

Notable people

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

References

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Template:Reflist

Further reading

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  • McCabe, Wayne T.; and Gordon, Kate. A Penny A View...An Album of Postcard Views...Lafayette, N.J. (Newton, NJ: Historic Preservation Alternatives, 1993).
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