Warren County, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state
of New Jersey
. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 108,692. Its county seat
is Belvidere
. It is part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area
and is generally considered the eastern border of the Lehigh Valley
.
Warren County was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on November 20, 1824, from portions of Sussex County
. At its creation, the county consisted of the townships of Greenwich
, Independence
, Knowlton
, Mansfield
, Oxford
, Pahaquarry
(now defunct).
, the county has a total area of 363 mi2, of which, 358 mi2 of it is land and 5 mi2 of it (1.35%) is water.
Warren County is mountainous, with the Kittatinny Ridge
providing a hard backbone to the county in the west. Allamuchy Mountain and Jenny Jump Mountain are part of the Highlands
, also known as the Reading Prong.
Warren County is located in two valleys of the Great Appalachian Valley
. The first is the Kittatinny Valley
, which is in the northern part of the county, and the Lehigh Valley
, which is in the southern part of the county.
The Lehigh Valley starts at the terminal moraine of the Wisconsin Glacier slightly north of Belvidere. It extends from the Delaware River
south to where the Musconetcong River
goes into the Delaware River, northeast to the Jenny Jump Mountains and then along Route 80 to the Allamuchy Mountains to the terminal moraine near Hackettstown
.
The Kittatinny Valley is north of the terminal moraine; it runs north of Belvidere, to south of Great Meadows, then east to the north of Hackettstown. Towns such as Blairstown, Johnsonburg, Hope and Allamuchy are in the Kittatinny Valley
The highest elevation is 1,600 feet (487.6 m) above sea level on the Kittatinny Ridge, at two areas just south of Upper Yards Creek Reservoir, west of Blairstown; the lowest point is the confluence
of the Delaware and Musconetcong rivers at the county's southern tip, at 160 feet (48.8 m) of elevation.
The highest elevation on Allamuchy Mountain is 1240 feet (378 m) on the ridge northeast of Allamuchy. On Jenny Jump Mountain the highest point is 1134 feet (345.6 m) east of the Shiloh area or south of Route 80. Sunfish Pond has an elevation of 1379 feet (420.3 m) and upper Yards Creek Reservoir is at 1555 feet (474 m).
. The chain of islands went over the North American plate, thus the Highlands were created from the island rock and so was the Great Appalachian Valley
. The Highlands is Allamuchy Mountains and the Jenny Jump Mountains. Thus, Warren County was born.
Around four hundred million years ago a small continent that was long and thin collided with proto North America. This created the Kittatinny Mountains
, as the land was compressed from the collision. The quartzite that was lying in a shallow sea over top of the Martinsburg shale, folded and faulted due to pressure and heat. The quartzite lifted, thus the Kittatinny Mountain was born.
The final collision was when the African plate collided with the North American plate. This was the final episode of the building of the Appalachian Mountains
. Then the African plate tore away from North America.
Then the Wisconsin Glacier covered the northern part of the county from 21,000 to 13,000 BC. This glacier covered the top of Kittatinny Mountain and carved the terrain in the northern part of the county. The terminal moraine runs from north of Belvidere to south of Great Meadows to north of Hackettstown, to north of Budd Lake. Blairstown Twp., Hope Twp., half of Independence Twp., part of White Twp., and all of Allamuchy Twp was covered by the Glacier.
When the glacier melted, a lake was formed at Great Meadows. Slowly the lake drained leaving a large flat area filled with organic material.
The county is drained by three rivers. All three rivers are shallow and narrow. They are fresh water rivers that are excellent for fishing.
The Paulinskill drains the western portion of the county. The river flows from Newton to Blairstown Twp, and then through Knowlton Twp where it drains into the Delaware River.
The Pequest River drains the middle of the county flowing from Andover Twp. through Allamuchy, then to Independence Twp where it turns west and flows through White Twp. and then empties into the Delaware River at Belvidere.
The third river is the Musconetcong. Starting at Lake Musconetcong, the river divides the county from Morris and Hunterdon. This river drains the southern portion of the county and empties into the Delaware River near Warren Glen.
Native Americans moved into the area but their time of arrival is unknown. Eventually ancestors of the Algonquian
-speaking Lenape
moved into the area, perhaps as early as 1000 A.D. Clay pottery and the bow and arrow was being invented around 1000 A. D. Agriculture also started around that time, with the cultivation of varieties of corn, beans and squash. Settlements of family groups became more stable, as they could store food, as well as procure more game with the bow and arrow. Agriculture contributed to the rise of population density in areas where crops could be grown. The Lenape would tend their oval gardens during the spring and summer months. They fished with nets or by hand in the shallow rivers. The Lenape trapped game with deadfalls and snares.
Problems developed in the early 17th century when the Little Ice Age came to North America. With late frost in May and June and frosts in early August or September, made the growing of crops difficult. Cold weather also made game more difficult to find. Also nut crops from oak, hickory, beech, walnut, chestnut, failed at times making the supply of food scarce. All these factors along with diseases contacted from Europeans made the Native populations decline dramatically.
. Due to differing interpretations of land uses and vastly different cultures, the Dutch and Native Americans had increasing misunderstandings. In the middle of the 17th century, there were three wars between the Dutch and Native Americans. Due to the conflicts, Europeans did not move into the interior of New Jersey for settlement for decades. By this time, the English had taken control of the area which the Dutch called New Netherlands. Relations between the British and Native American improved for a while.
In the present-day Phillipsburg
area, European settlement occurred in the late 17th century. Surveyors from Philadelphia went north along the Delaware River to survey land. Settlers from Philadelphia moved north into present-day Warren County after colonists purchased land from the Native Americans. Their population had declined after epidemics of infectious diseases, for which they had no acquired immunity
, as these were endemic among European settlers and new to North America. Many Native American populations were weakened from starvation due to the Little Ice Age, which was coldest during the 17th century. Their important corn
, bean
and squash crops failed. Big and small game became scarce due to the cold weather. Rivers froze early and prevented fishing. As the Native American population declined, more land was available for European settlement.
The five major rivers or creeks for fishing in Warren County are the Paulinskill
, the Pequest
, the Musconetcong
, Pohatcong Creek
, and the Delaware River. These are the premier fishing streams of the county. They are stocked with trout and other fish.
Also there is Merrill Creek Reservoir
which is stocked with fish and is very deep.
Pohatcong Creek is also popular for trout fishing in the spring.
The Pequest Fish Hatchery which produces trout and other fish is located in Warren County about five miles northeast of Oxford. Thousands of trout are raised in this hatchery.
There are several Wildlife Management areas for hunting, White Lake, Oxford Lake, and the Pequest River W.M.A.
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is also for hunting and fishing.
of 2000, there were 102,437 people, 38,660 households, and 27,487 families residing in the county. The population density
was 286 people per square mile (111/km²). There were 41,157 housing units at an average density of 115 per square mile (44/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.54% White
, 1.87% Black
or African American
, 0.11% Native American
, 1.21% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 1.01% from other races
, and 1.24% from two or more races. 3.66% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 18.4% were of Italian
, 18.2% German, 14.6% Irish
, 7.2% Polish, 6.8% English
and 5.2% American
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 38,660 households out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples
living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $56,100, and the median income for a family was $66,223. Males had a median income of $47,331 versus $31,790 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $25,728. About 3.60% of families and 5.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.90% of those under age 18 and 6.70% of those age 65 or over.
. The members are elected at large to serve three-year terms. One Freeholder seat comes up for election each year, and the three-year term of office starts (and ends) on January 1.
The Freeholder Board is the center of legislative and administrative responsibility and, as such, performs a dual role. As legislators they draw up and adopt a budget, and in the role of administrators they are responsible for spending the funds they have appropriated.
, Warren County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Richard D. Gardner (term expires January 1, 2012), Freeholder Deputy Director Everett A. Chamberlain (January 1, 2013), and Freeholder Jason Sarnoski (January 1, 2014).
Other elected officials in Warren County are County Clerk Patricia J Kolb, Sheriff David Gallant, Surrogate Susan A. Dickey. Prosecutor Thomas S. Ferguson is appointed by the Governor.
, George W. Bush
carried the county by a 24% margin over John Kerry
, the second-highest margin for Bush in the state behind Sussex County
. In the 2008 U.S. Presidential election
, John McCain
carried Warren County by a 14% margin over Barack Obama
, with Obama winning statewide by 15.5% over McCain. In the state's 2005 gubernatorial election
, Warren County voted for Doug Forrester
by 21 points over statewide winner Jon Corzine
. In the 2009 Gubernatorial Election
, Republican Chris Christie received 61% of the vote, defeating Democrat Jon Corzine
, who received around 26%.
train stop in the entire county (Hackettstown), Warren has a number of state routes, a few U.S. Routes, and two interstates. Warren houses Route 31, Route 57, Route 94, Route 173 and Route 182. The US Routes are U.S. Route 22
, and U.S. Route 46
. The two interstates that pass through the county are the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway (Interstate 78)
, and the Bergen-Passaic Expressway (Interstate 80)
.
By air, the county is served by Lehigh Valley International Airport
.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 108,692. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Belvidere
Belvidere, New Jersey
Belvidere is a Town in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 2,681. It is the county seat of Warren County....
. It is part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area
Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley, known officially by the United States Census Bureau as the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area and referred to locally as The Valley and A-B-E, is a metropolitan region consisting of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, and Carbon counties in eastern Pennsylvania and...
and is generally considered the eastern border of the Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley, known officially by the United States Census Bureau as the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area and referred to locally as The Valley and A-B-E, is a metropolitan region consisting of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, and Carbon counties in eastern Pennsylvania and...
.
Warren County was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on November 20, 1824, from portions of Sussex County
Sussex County, New Jersey
The County of Sussex is the northernmost county in the State of New Jersey. It is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 Federal decennial census, 149,265 persons resided in Sussex County...
. At its creation, the county consisted of the townships of Greenwich
Greenwich Township, Warren County, New Jersey
Greenwich Township is a Township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 5,712. The township is located in the far eastern region of the Lehigh Valley....
, Independence
Independence Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 5,603 people, 2,146 households, and 1,489 families residing in the township. The population density was 282.4 people per square mile . There were 2,210 housing units at an average density of 111.4 per square mile...
, Knowlton
Knowlton Township, New Jersey
- Local government :The Knowlton Township Committee consists of Mayor Frank Van Horn , Deputy Mayor Ronald Farber , Theresa Capriccio , René Mathez and Scott Odorizzi ....
, Mansfield
Mansfield Township, Warren County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,653 people, 2,334 households, and 1,750 families residing in the township. The population density was 222.3 people per square mile . There were 2,415 housing units at an average density of 80.7 per square mile...
, Oxford
Oxford Township, New Jersey
Oxford Township is a Township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 2,514...
, Pahaquarry
Pahaquarry Township, New Jersey
Pahaquarry Township is a now-defunct Township that was located in Warren County, New Jersey.Pahaquarry Township was formed on December 27, 1824, from portions of Walpack Township in Sussex County and set off to Warren County....
(now defunct).
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 363 mi2, of which, 358 mi2 of it is land and 5 mi2 of it (1.35%) is water.
Warren County is mountainous, with the Kittatinny Ridge
Kittatinny Mountains
The Kittatinny Mountains are a long ridge traversing across northwestern New Jersey running in a northeast-southwest axis. It is the first major ridge in the far northeastern extension of the Ridge and Valley province of the Appalachian Mountains...
providing a hard backbone to the county in the west. Allamuchy Mountain and Jenny Jump Mountain are part of the Highlands
The Highlands
The Highlands may refer to:* Scottish Highlands* The Highlands * The Highlands - historic mansion and gardens located 17 miles north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania* The Highlands School - located in Irving, Texas...
, also known as the Reading Prong.
Warren County is located in two valleys of the Great Appalachian Valley
Great Appalachian Valley
The Great Valley, also called the Great Appalachian Valley or Great Valley Region, is one of the major landform features of eastern North America. It is a gigantic trough — a chain of valley lowlands — and the central feature of the Appalachian Mountain system...
. The first is the Kittatinny Valley
Kittatinny valley
The Kittatinny Valley lies east of the Kittatinny Mountain in western Sussex County, New Jersey. To the east of the valley is the Highlands in eastern Sussex County. The valley is part of the Great Appalachian Valley.-Geography:...
, which is in the northern part of the county, and the Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley, known officially by the United States Census Bureau as the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area and referred to locally as The Valley and A-B-E, is a metropolitan region consisting of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, and Carbon counties in eastern Pennsylvania and...
, which is in the southern part of the county.
The Lehigh Valley starts at the terminal moraine of the Wisconsin Glacier slightly north of Belvidere. It extends from the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
south to where the Musconetcong River
Musconetcong River
The Musconetcong River is a tributary of the Delaware River in northwestern New Jersey in the United States. It flows through the rural mountainous country of northwestern New Jersey. Part of it is a National Wild and Scenic River....
goes into the Delaware River, northeast to the Jenny Jump Mountains and then along Route 80 to the Allamuchy Mountains to the terminal moraine near Hackettstown
Hackettstown, New Jersey
Hackettstown is a town in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 9,724. The town is located in the eastern most region of the Lehigh Valley....
.
The Kittatinny Valley is north of the terminal moraine; it runs north of Belvidere, to south of Great Meadows, then east to the north of Hackettstown. Towns such as Blairstown, Johnsonburg, Hope and Allamuchy are in the Kittatinny Valley
The highest elevation is 1,600 feet (487.6 m) above sea level on the Kittatinny Ridge, at two areas just south of Upper Yards Creek Reservoir, west of Blairstown; the lowest point is the confluence
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
of the Delaware and Musconetcong rivers at the county's southern tip, at 160 feet (48.8 m) of elevation.
The highest elevation on Allamuchy Mountain is 1240 feet (378 m) on the ridge northeast of Allamuchy. On Jenny Jump Mountain the highest point is 1134 feet (345.6 m) east of the Shiloh area or south of Route 80. Sunfish Pond has an elevation of 1379 feet (420.3 m) and upper Yards Creek Reservoir is at 1555 feet (474 m).
Geology
Around four hundred fifty million years ago, a chain of volcanic islands collided with proto North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. The chain of islands went over the North American plate, thus the Highlands were created from the island rock and so was the Great Appalachian Valley
Great Appalachian Valley
The Great Valley, also called the Great Appalachian Valley or Great Valley Region, is one of the major landform features of eastern North America. It is a gigantic trough — a chain of valley lowlands — and the central feature of the Appalachian Mountain system...
. The Highlands is Allamuchy Mountains and the Jenny Jump Mountains. Thus, Warren County was born.
Around four hundred million years ago a small continent that was long and thin collided with proto North America. This created the Kittatinny Mountains
Kittatinny Mountains
The Kittatinny Mountains are a long ridge traversing across northwestern New Jersey running in a northeast-southwest axis. It is the first major ridge in the far northeastern extension of the Ridge and Valley province of the Appalachian Mountains...
, as the land was compressed from the collision. The quartzite that was lying in a shallow sea over top of the Martinsburg shale, folded and faulted due to pressure and heat. The quartzite lifted, thus the Kittatinny Mountain was born.
The final collision was when the African plate collided with the North American plate. This was the final episode of the building of the Appalachian Mountains
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
. Then the African plate tore away from North America.
Then the Wisconsin Glacier covered the northern part of the county from 21,000 to 13,000 BC. This glacier covered the top of Kittatinny Mountain and carved the terrain in the northern part of the county. The terminal moraine runs from north of Belvidere to south of Great Meadows to north of Hackettstown, to north of Budd Lake. Blairstown Twp., Hope Twp., half of Independence Twp., part of White Twp., and all of Allamuchy Twp was covered by the Glacier.
When the glacier melted, a lake was formed at Great Meadows. Slowly the lake drained leaving a large flat area filled with organic material.
The county is drained by three rivers. All three rivers are shallow and narrow. They are fresh water rivers that are excellent for fishing.
The Paulinskill drains the western portion of the county. The river flows from Newton to Blairstown Twp, and then through Knowlton Twp where it drains into the Delaware River.
The Pequest River drains the middle of the county flowing from Andover Twp. through Allamuchy, then to Independence Twp where it turns west and flows through White Twp. and then empties into the Delaware River at Belvidere.
The third river is the Musconetcong. Starting at Lake Musconetcong, the river divides the county from Morris and Hunterdon. This river drains the southern portion of the county and empties into the Delaware River near Warren Glen.
Paleo Indians and Native Americans
After the Wisconsin Glacier melted around 13,000 B.C., the area slowly warmed. At first the area was Tundra, and later changed to Taiga/Boreal Forests. Water was everywhere in the northern part of the county due to the glacier melt. The water drained slowly and grasses grew. There was a big lake at Great Meadows. The area was still cold, so coniferous forests and grasslands grew. Big game such as mastodons came into the area. This is when Paleo Indians moved into the area. Paleo Indians lived in small groups and traveled in search of game and plants to eat. They were hunter-gathers. They made spear points of jasper and black chert. They lived near water and moved after game became scarce in the area. Their camp sites are many feet below the present ground surface,. This is why they are difficult to locate.Native Americans moved into the area but their time of arrival is unknown. Eventually ancestors of the Algonquian
Algonquian languages
The Algonquian languages also Algonkian) are a subfamily of Native American languages which includes most of the languages in the Algic language family. The name of the Algonquian language family is distinguished from the orthographically similar Algonquin dialect of the Ojibwe language, which is a...
-speaking Lenape
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
moved into the area, perhaps as early as 1000 A.D. Clay pottery and the bow and arrow was being invented around 1000 A. D. Agriculture also started around that time, with the cultivation of varieties of corn, beans and squash. Settlements of family groups became more stable, as they could store food, as well as procure more game with the bow and arrow. Agriculture contributed to the rise of population density in areas where crops could be grown. The Lenape would tend their oval gardens during the spring and summer months. They fished with nets or by hand in the shallow rivers. The Lenape trapped game with deadfalls and snares.
Problems developed in the early 17th century when the Little Ice Age came to North America. With late frost in May and June and frosts in early August or September, made the growing of crops difficult. Cold weather also made game more difficult to find. Also nut crops from oak, hickory, beech, walnut, chestnut, failed at times making the supply of food scarce. All these factors along with diseases contacted from Europeans made the Native populations decline dramatically.
European settlement
The Dutch started to settle the Hudson River valley in the early 17th century, from Manhattan Island to slightly north of present-day Albany, New YorkAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. Due to differing interpretations of land uses and vastly different cultures, the Dutch and Native Americans had increasing misunderstandings. In the middle of the 17th century, there were three wars between the Dutch and Native Americans. Due to the conflicts, Europeans did not move into the interior of New Jersey for settlement for decades. By this time, the English had taken control of the area which the Dutch called New Netherlands. Relations between the British and Native American improved for a while.
In the present-day Phillipsburg
Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Phillipsburg, known locally as P'burg, is a town in Warren County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 14,950....
area, European settlement occurred in the late 17th century. Surveyors from Philadelphia went north along the Delaware River to survey land. Settlers from Philadelphia moved north into present-day Warren County after colonists purchased land from the Native Americans. Their population had declined after epidemics of infectious diseases, for which they had no acquired immunity
Immunity (medical)
Immunity is a biological term that describes a state of having sufficient biological defenses to avoid infection, disease, or other unwanted biological invasion. Immunity involves both specific and non-specific components. The non-specific components act either as barriers or as eliminators of wide...
, as these were endemic among European settlers and new to North America. Many Native American populations were weakened from starvation due to the Little Ice Age, which was coldest during the 17th century. Their important corn
Corn
Corn is the name used in the United States, Canada, and Australia for the grain maize.In much of the English-speaking world, the term "corn" is a generic term for cereal crops, such as* Barley* Oats* Wheat* Rye- Places :...
, bean
Bean
Bean is a common name for large plant seeds of several genera of the family Fabaceae used for human food or animal feed....
and squash crops failed. Big and small game became scarce due to the cold weather. Rivers froze early and prevented fishing. As the Native American population declined, more land was available for European settlement.
Hunting and fishing
Warren County has many areas for hunting and fishing.The five major rivers or creeks for fishing in Warren County are the Paulinskill
Paulins Kill
The Paulins Kill is a tributary of the Delaware River in northwestern New Jersey in the United States...
, the Pequest
Pequest River
The Pequest River is a tributary of the Delaware River in the Skylands Region in northwestern New Jersey in the United States.The Pequest, Native American for "open land", drains an area of across Sussex and Warren counties, consisting of ten municipalities....
, the Musconetcong
Musconetcong River
The Musconetcong River is a tributary of the Delaware River in northwestern New Jersey in the United States. It flows through the rural mountainous country of northwestern New Jersey. Part of it is a National Wild and Scenic River....
, Pohatcong Creek
Pohatcong Creek
Pohatcong Creek is a tributary of the Delaware River in northwestern New Jersey in the United States.It rises in the mountains of eastern Warren County, west of Hackettstown. It flows southwest, in a valley along the northwestern side of the Pohatcong Mountain ridge, which separates its watershed...
, and the Delaware River. These are the premier fishing streams of the county. They are stocked with trout and other fish.
Also there is Merrill Creek Reservoir
Merrill Creek Reservoir
Located in central Warren County, New Jersey, Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650 acre artificial lake that is surrounded by 290 acres of protected woodland and fields. These lands are themselves part of of open spaces. Merrill Creek is connected to the Delaware River, about three miles away, by an...
which is stocked with fish and is very deep.
Pohatcong Creek is also popular for trout fishing in the spring.
The Pequest Fish Hatchery which produces trout and other fish is located in Warren County about five miles northeast of Oxford. Thousands of trout are raised in this hatchery.
There are several Wildlife Management areas for hunting, White Lake, Oxford Lake, and the Pequest River W.M.A.
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is also for hunting and fishing.
Adjacent counties
- Sussex County, New JerseySussex County, New JerseyThe County of Sussex is the northernmost county in the State of New Jersey. It is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 Federal decennial census, 149,265 persons resided in Sussex County...
– northeast - Morris County, New JerseyMorris County, New JerseyMorris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
– east - Bucks County, PennsylvaniaBucks County, Pennsylvania- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
– south - Hunterdon County, New JerseyHunterdon County, New JerseyHunterdon County is a county located in the western section of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 128,349. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Flemington....
– south - Northampton County, PennsylvaniaNorthampton County, PennsylvaniaAs of the 2010 census, the county was 86.3% White, 5.0% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 2.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 2.2% were two or more races, and 3.8% were some other race. 10.5% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.As of the census of...
– west - Monroe County, PennsylvaniaMonroe County, Pennsylvania-National protected areas:* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area * Middle Delaware National Scenic River -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there are 176,567 people, 49,454 households, and 36,447 families residing in the county. The population density was 228 people per square mile...
– northwest
National protected areas
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation AreaDelaware Water Gap National Recreation AreaDelaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, administered by the National Park Service, preserves almost of land along the Delaware River's New Jersey and Pennsylvania shores, stretching from the Delaware Water Gap northward almost to the New York state line...
(part) - Middle Delaware National Scenic River (part)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 102,437 people, 38,660 households, and 27,487 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 286 people per square mile (111/km²). There were 41,157 housing units at an average density of 115 per square mile (44/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.54% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.87% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.11% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.21% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.01% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.24% from two or more races. 3.66% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 18.4% were of Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
, 18.2% German, 14.6% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 7.2% Polish, 6.8% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and 5.2% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 38,660 households out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $56,100, and the median income for a family was $66,223. Males had a median income of $47,331 versus $31,790 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $25,728. About 3.60% of families and 5.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.90% of those under age 18 and 6.70% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Warren County is governed by a three-member Board of Chosen FreeholdersBoard of Chosen Freeholders
In New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures in each of that state's 21 counties.- Origin :New Jersey's system of naming county legislators "freeholders" is unique in the United States...
. The members are elected at large to serve three-year terms. One Freeholder seat comes up for election each year, and the three-year term of office starts (and ends) on January 1.
The Freeholder Board is the center of legislative and administrative responsibility and, as such, performs a dual role. As legislators they draw up and adopt a budget, and in the role of administrators they are responsible for spending the funds they have appropriated.
, Warren County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Richard D. Gardner (term expires January 1, 2012), Freeholder Deputy Director Everett A. Chamberlain (January 1, 2013), and Freeholder Jason Sarnoski (January 1, 2014).
Other elected officials in Warren County are County Clerk Patricia J Kolb, Sheriff David Gallant, Surrogate Susan A. Dickey. Prosecutor Thomas S. Ferguson is appointed by the Governor.
Former Freeholders
- 2011-13 - Jason Sarnoski (R)
- 2010 - Angelo Accetturo (R)
- 2003-12 - Everett Chamberlain (R)
- 2002-11 - Richard Gardner (R)
- 2001-09 - John DiMaio (R)
- 2000-02 - James DeBosh (D)
- 1997-99 - Stephen Lance (R)
- 1996-00 - Ann Stone (D)
- 1993-01 - Susan Dickey (R)
- 1990-92 - Anthony Fowler (R)
- 1989-94 - Jacob Matthenius (R)
- 1988-96 - Kenneth Miller (R)
- 1984-87 - Charles Lee (R)
- 1981-83 - George Thompson (R)
- 1978-80 - Garabed Haytaian (R)
- 1977-79 - Christopher Maier (D)
Elections
Warren County has been a consistently Republican county in state and national elections. In the 2004 U.S. Presidential electionUnited States presidential election, 2004
The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
, George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
carried the county by a 24% margin over John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
, the second-highest margin for Bush in the state behind Sussex County
Sussex County, New Jersey
The County of Sussex is the northernmost county in the State of New Jersey. It is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 Federal decennial census, 149,265 persons resided in Sussex County...
. In the 2008 U.S. Presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
, John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
carried Warren County by a 14% margin over Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, with Obama winning statewide by 15.5% over McCain. In the state's 2005 gubernatorial election
New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2005
The New Jersey gubernatorial election of 2005 was a race for the Governor of New Jersey. It was held on November 8, 2005. Incumbent Democratic Governor Richard Codey, who replaced Governor Jim McGreevey in 2004 after his resignation, did not run for election for a full term of office.The primary...
, Warren County voted for Doug Forrester
Doug Forrester
Douglas Forrester is an American businessman in New Jersey. He was the 2002 Republican nominee for New Jersey U.S. Senator and the 2005 Republican nominee for Governor of New Jersey. Forrester was defeated by his two Democratic opponents, Frank Lautenberg and then-U.S. Senator Jon Corzine,...
by 21 points over statewide winner Jon Corzine
Jon Corzine
Jon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
. In the 2009 Gubernatorial Election
New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009
The New Jersey gubernatorial election of 2009 took place on November 3, 2009. Democratic Governor Jon Corzine was running for a second term and was being challenged by Republican Chris Christie, Independent Christopher Daggett and nine others, in addition to several write-in candidates...
, Republican Chris Christie received 61% of the vote, defeating Democrat Jon Corzine
Jon Corzine
Jon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
, who received around 26%.
Transportation
While Warren County only has one New Jersey TransitNew Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
train stop in the entire county (Hackettstown), Warren has a number of state routes, a few U.S. Routes, and two interstates. Warren houses Route 31, Route 57, Route 94, Route 173 and Route 182. The US Routes are U.S. Route 22
U.S. Route 22
U.S. Route 22 is a west–east route and is one of the original United States highways of 1926, running from Cincinnati, Ohio, at US 27, US 42, US 127, and US 52 to Newark, New Jersey, at U.S. Route 1/9 near the Newark Liberty International Airport.US 22 also carries the names of the William...
, and U.S. Route 46
U.S. Route 46
U.S. Route 46 is an east–west U.S. Highway, running for , completely within the state of New Jersey. The west end is at an interchange with Interstate 80 and Route 94 in Columbia, Warren County on the Delaware River...
. The two interstates that pass through the county are the Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway (Interstate 78)
Interstate 78
Interstate 78 is an Interstate Highway in the Northeast United States, running 144 miles from Interstate 81 northeast of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, through Allentown, Pennsylvania, and western and northern New Jersey to the Holland Tunnel and Lower Manhattan in New York City.I-78 is a major road...
, and the Bergen-Passaic Expressway (Interstate 80)
Interstate 80 in New Jersey
Interstate 80 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States, running from the New York City Metropolitan Area westward to San Francisco, California...
.
By air, the county is served by Lehigh Valley International Airport
Lehigh Valley International Airport
Lehigh Valley International Airport , formerly Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton International Airport, is a public airport in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania....
.
Municipalities
- Allamuchy TownshipAllamuchy Township, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,877 people, 1,692 households, and 1,133 families residing in the township. The population density was 188.8 people per square mile . There were 1,774 housing units at an average density of 86.4 per square mile...
- Allamuchy-Panther ValleyAllamuchy-Panther Valley, New JerseyAllamuchy-Panther Valley is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Allamuchy Township, in Warren County, New Jersey. It is located in the eastern region of the Lehigh Valley....
- Allamuchy-Panther Valley
- AlphaAlpha, New JerseyAlpha is a borough in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 2,369.Alpha was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature and signed by Governor Woodrow Wilson on June 26, 1911, from portions of Pohatcong...
- BelvidereBelvidere, New JerseyBelvidere is a Town in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 2,681. It is the county seat of Warren County....
- Blairstown TownshipBlairstown Township, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 5,747 people, 2,040 households, and 1,638 families residing in the township. The population density was 185.3 people per square mile . There were 2,136 housing units at an average density of 68.9 per square mile...
- Franklin TownshipFranklin Township, Warren County, New Jersey- Local government :Franklin Township is governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for...
- Frelinghuysen TownshipFrelinghuysen Township, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,083 people, 722 households, and 578 families residing in the township. The population density was 88.9 people per square mile . There were 755 housing units at an average density of 32.2 per square mile...
- Greenwich TownshipGreenwich Township, Warren County, New JerseyGreenwich Township is a Township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 5,712. The township is located in the far eastern region of the Lehigh Valley....
- HackettstownHackettstown, New JerseyHackettstown is a town in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 9,724. The town is located in the eastern most region of the Lehigh Valley....
- Hardwick TownshipHardwick Township, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,464 people, 502 households, and 410 families residing in the township. The population density was 40.1 people per square mile . There were 530 housing units at an average density of 14.5 per square mile...
- Harmony TownshipHarmony Township, New Jersey-Transportation:The only major road that traverses Harmony is CR 519 which leads to U.S. Route 22 to the south and U.S. Route 46 to the north.The closest limited access road is Interstate 78 which is in neighboring Greenwich and Franklin.- Local government :...
- Hope TownshipHope Township, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,891 people, 697 households, and 538 families residing in the township. The population density was 102.2 people per square mile . There were 747 housing units at an average density of 40.4 per square mile...
- Independence TownshipIndependence Township, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 5,603 people, 2,146 households, and 1,489 families residing in the township. The population density was 282.4 people per square mile . There were 2,210 housing units at an average density of 111.4 per square mile...
- Great Meadows-ViennaGreat Meadows-Vienna, New JerseyGreat Meadows-Vienna is a census-designated place located within Independence Township and Liberty Township, in Warren County, New Jersey, United States...
- Great Meadows-Vienna
- Knowlton TownshipKnowlton Township, New Jersey- Local government :The Knowlton Township Committee consists of Mayor Frank Van Horn , Deputy Mayor Ronald Farber , Theresa Capriccio , René Mathez and Scott Odorizzi ....
- Liberty TownshipLiberty Township, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,765 people, 980 households, and 750 families residing in the township. The population density was 234.3 people per square mile . There were 1,088 housing units at an average density of 92.2 per square mile...
- Lopatcong TownshipLopatcong Township, New JerseyLopatcong Township is a Township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 8,014...
- Mansfield TownshipMansfield Township, Warren County, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,653 people, 2,334 households, and 1,750 families residing in the township. The population density was 222.3 people per square mile . There were 2,415 housing units at an average density of 80.7 per square mile...
- Beatyestown
- Port MurrayPort Murray, New JerseyPort Murray is an unincorporated area within Mansfield Township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP code 07865...
- Oxford TownshipOxford Township, New JerseyOxford Township is a Township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 2,514...
- OxfordOxford, New JerseyOxford is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Oxford Township, in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. The population was 2,283 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Oxford is located at ....
- Oxford
- PhillipsburgPhillipsburg, New JerseyPhillipsburg, known locally as P'burg, is a town in Warren County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 14,950....
- Pohatcong TownshipPohatcong Township, New JerseyPohatcong Township is a Township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States, located in the easternmost region of the Lehigh Valley. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 3,339....
- WashingtonWashington, New JerseyWashington is a borough in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 6,461. The borough is located in the eastern most region of the Lehigh Valley....
- Washington TownshipWashington Township, Warren County, New JerseyWashington Township is a Township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 6,651. It is part of the eastern most region of the Lehigh Valley. It is one of six municipalities in New Jersey under the name Washington...
- Brass CastleBrass Castle, New JerseyBrass Castle is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Washington Township, in Warren County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 1,507....
- Brass Castle
- White TownshipWhite Township, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 4,245 people, 1,668 households, and 1,179 families residing in the township. The population density was 155.1 people per square mile . There were 1,770 housing units at an average density of 64.7 per square mile...
Education
- Blair AcademyBlair AcademyBlair Academy is a private, coeducational, secondary boarding high school with an enrollment of about 448 students for grades nine through twelve. The school has 78 faculty members...
is a prestigious college preparatory school located in Blairstown, New Jersey. - Centenary CollegeCentenary College of New JerseyCentenary College was founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church. Centenary has evolved from a coeducational preparatory school to a girls' preparatory school , to a Junior college for women , to a four-year women's college , to a coeducational...
is a private college affiliated with the United Methodist ChurchUnited Methodist ChurchThe United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
and in HackettstownHackettstown, New JerseyHackettstown is a town in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 9,724. The town is located in the eastern most region of the Lehigh Valley....
, New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. - Warren County Community CollegeWarren County Community CollegeWarren County Community College is an accredited, coeducational, two-year, public community college located in Warren County, New Jersey. Its campus is in Washington Township....
, in Franklin TownshipWashington, New JerseyWashington is a borough in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 6,461. The borough is located in the eastern most region of the Lehigh Valley....
, offers degree programs and certificate programs. The College serves approximately 1,700 full-time and part-time students, in addition to students in non-credit programs and courses.
See also
- List of people from the Lehigh Valley
- List of shopping malls in the Lehigh Valley
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Warren County, New Jersey
- Media in the Lehigh ValleyMedia in the Lehigh ValleyThis is a list of media based in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey in the United States.-Magazines and Newspapers:-Spanish Newspapers:-Television stations:...
- Warren Hills AVAWarren Hills AVAThe Warren Hills AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Warren County, New Jersey. The Warren Hills region includes several small valleys formed by tributaries of the Delaware River. The valleys drain from northeast to southwest, and most vineyards in the area are planted on...