Hunterdon County, New Jersey

Etymology

Hunterdon County was named for Robert Hunter, a colonial governor of New Jersey.^[17] As language changes over time and location, so by the stemming of [s], and a [t] → [d] lenition of the name of his family seat of "Hunterston" in Ayrshire, Scotland, the name "Hunterdon" was derived.^[18][19]

Paleo Indians and Native Americans

Paleo Indians moved into Hunterdon County between 12,000 BCE and 11,000 BCE. The area was warming due to climate change. The Wisconsin Glacier in Warren and Sussex County was retreating northward. The area was that of Taiga/Boreal forests. Paleo Indians traveled in small groups in search of game and edible plants. They used spears made of bone, jasper or black chert. Their camp sites are difficult to find as they are many feet below the present surface.^{[citation needed]}

Native Americans moved into the area but the time they arrived is unknown. Most have come from the Mississippi River area. Many tribes of the Delaware Nation lived in Hunterdon County especially along the Delaware River and in the Flemington area. These tribes were agricultural in nature, growing corn, beans and squash. Those that lived along the South Branch of the Raritan River fished and farmed. There was a Native American trail that went along the South Branch of the Raritan River (Philhower 1924).

European settlement

Land purchases from Native Americans occurred from 1688 to 1758.^{[citation needed]} Large land purchases from Native Americans occurred in 1703, 1709 and 1710.^{[citation needed]} Over 150,000 acres (610 km²) were bought with metal knives and pots, clothing, blankets, barrels of rum or hard cider, guns, powder and shot allowing for European settlers to enter into Hunterdon County in the early 18th century.^{[citation needed]} After 1760, nearly all Native Americans left New Jersey and relocated to eastern Canada or the Mississippi River area.^{[citation needed]}

The first European settlers were Col. John Reading who settled in Reading Township in 1704 they called him Sir Reading of Readington and John Holcombe who settled in Lambertville in 1705.^[18]

Hunterdon County was separated from Burlington County on March 11, 1714. At that time Hunterdon County was large, going from Assunpink Creek near Trenton to the New York State line which at that time was about 10 miles (16 km) north of Port Jervis, New York.^[16]

On March 15, 1739, Morris County (which at the time included what would later become Sussex County and Warren County) was separated from Hunterdon County.^[16] The boundary between Hunterdon and Somerset counties is evidence of the old Keith Line which separated the provinces of West Jersey and East Jersey. Hunterdon County was reduced in area on February 22, 1838, with the formation of Mercer County from portions of Burlington County, Hunterdon County and Middlesex County. In February 1839, the remaining portion of Hopewell Township was annexed to Mercer County. On March 13, 1844, Hopewell Township returned to Hunterdon County while Tewksbury Township was annexed by Somerset County but in February 1845 both of these changes were repealed. Since then, the county boundaries have remained the same.^[16]

Hunterdon County was being affected by industrialization in the state and nation, mining speculation in northwest New Jersey, and competitors constructing railroads. The Elizabethtown and Somerville Railroad leased a section to White House just south of Tewksbury Township in 1848.^{[citation needed]}

20th Century to Present

In 1935, Hunterdon County and its county seat, Flemington, became the center of worldwide attention as the site of the infamous Lindbergh kidnapping trial, in which Bruno Hauptmann was convicted and sentenced to death of the kidnapping and murder of aviator Charles Lindbergh's son, Charles Lindbergh Jr. The trial, which lasted five weeks, received sensational media coverage, saw thousands of spectators in attendance, including over 700 reporters and hundreds of communications technicians. This led to many observers calling it the "Trial of the Century" for its era.^[20]

In the 1950s, the first sections of Interstate 78 opened up in the western portions of the county. By 1968, the interstate would be completed through the county, enabling commuters easy access to the metropolitan regions of Northern and Central Jersey via Interstate 287. With real estate values soaring along the 78 corridor, multiple companies began relocating into Hunterdon in search of a more tranquil corporate atmosphere, including Merck & Co, ExxonMobil, New York Life, Chubb, and others. With growing towns and shopping areas, as well as relaxing rural areas, Hunterdon County is a far stretch from the urban areas stereotypically associated with New Jersey. Due to the presence of natural habitats with many homes in wooded settings, Hunterdon County was recently found to have the third highest case rate of Lyme disease out of all counties in the United States.^[21]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of 437.4 square miles (1,133 km²), of which 427.84 square miles (1,108.1 km²) was land (97.8%) and 9.56 square miles (24.8 km²) was water (2.2%).^[2]

Much of the county is hilly, with several hills rising to 1,000 feet (300 m) in elevation. The highest points are two areas in Lebanon Township, one on the Morris County line, both reaching approximately 1,060 feet (320 m) above sea level.^[22] The first is at Smith on the Morris County line and the second is north of the area called Little Brook. This area is known as the Highlands of New Jersey. The lowest elevation is where the Mercer County line reaches the Delaware River, approximately 50 feet (15 m) above sea level. The county is drained by the Musconetcong River in the north. The river flows in a southwest direction. The Lamington River drains the county in the east. The central portion of the county is drained by the South Branch of the Raritan River. The Delaware River drains the western side of the county.

Geology

Around 500 million years ago, a chain of volcanic islands shaped like an arch collided with proto North America and rode over the top of the North American plate. The rock from the islands created the highlands of Hunterdon County as there was a shallow sea where Hunterdon County is now located. Then around four hundred million years ago, a small continent that was long and thin, collided with proto North America. This collision created compression, which caused heat. The Paleozoic sediment of shale and sandstone folded and faulted. The heat allowed the igneous rock to bend, thus Hunterdon County was born.

The African plate which later collided with North America created more folding and faulting, especially in the southern Appalachians. Then the African and North America plates tore and drifted away from each other.

The Wisconsin glacier that entered into New Jersey around 21,000 BCE and then melted around 13,000 BCE did not reach Hunterdon County. However, there are glacial outwash deposits from streams and rivers that flowed from the glacier southward depositing rock and sediment.

Hunterdon County has two geophysical provinces. The first is the Highlands which is the western section of the county. The other is the Piedmont which is the eastern and southern section of the county. The Highlands account for one-third of the area and Piedmont accounts for two-thirds of the county. The Highlands are part of the Reading Prong. Limestone and shale over igneous rock comprise the Highlands. Piedmont includes the Hunterdon Plateau and the Raritan Valley Lowlands which are 150 to 300 feet (46 to 91 m) above sea level. Piedmont is made up of shale and sandstone.^[23]

Climate

Hunterdon has a humid continental climate which is hot-summer (Dfa) except in some higher northern areas where it is warm-summer (Dfb). The hardiness zone is mainly 6b except for some 6a in higher northern areas and 7a along the Delaware River in West Amwell Township. Average monthly temperatures in Clinton range from 29.0 °F in January to 74.0 °F in July, while in Flemington they range from 30.0 °F in January to 74.8 °F in July and in Lambertville they range from 31.1 °F in January to 75.7 °F in July.

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Flemington have ranged from a low of 19 °F (−7 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −18 °F (−28 °C) was recorded in January 1984 and a record high of 106 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 3.16 inches (80 mm) in February to 5.16 inches (131 mm) in July.^[24]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 128,947. The median age was 46.8 years. 19.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.9 males age 18 and over.^[27]

The racial makeup of the county was 82.8% White, 2.5% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.2% from some other race, and 6.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 8.5% of the population.^[28]

41.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 58.3% lived in rural areas.^[29]

There were 48,978 households in the county, of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 60.0% were married-couple households, 14.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[27]

There were 51,687 housing units, of which 5.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 82.4% were owner-occupied and 17.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.2%.^[27]

Racial and ethnic composition

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 128,349 people, 47,169 households, and 34,339 families in the county. The population density was 300 per square mile (120/km²). There were 49,487 housing units at an average density of 115.7 per square mile (44.7/km²). The racial makeup was 91.36% (117,264) White, 2.69% (3,451) Black or African American, 0.13% (167) Native American, 3.26% (4,181) Asian, 0.03% (37) Pacific Islander, 1.22% (1,570) from other races, and 1.31% (1,679) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.24% (6,722) of the population.^[7]

Of the 47,169 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18; 62.8% were married couples living together; 7% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.2% were non-families. Of all households, 22% were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.1.^[7]

23.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 34.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 98.1 males.^[7]

Roads and highways

As of May 2010^[update], the county had a total of 1,412.33 miles (2,272.92 km) of roadways, of which 1,059.23 miles (1,704.67 km) were maintained by the local municipality, 237.73 miles (382.59 km) by Hunterdon County and 114.79 miles (184.74 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 0.58 miles (0.93 km) by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.^[40]

Many important roads pass through the county. They include state routes, such as Route 12, Route 29, Route 31, Route 173 and Route 179. Two U.S. Routes pass through the county, which are U.S. Route 22 and U.S. Route 202. The only limited access road that passes through is Interstate 78.

Public transportation

Limited rail service to the northern part of the county from Newark Penn Station/New York Penn Station is provided to High Bridge, Annandale, Lebanon and Whitehouse Station by NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line.^[41]

The Norfolk Southern Railway's Lehigh Line (formerly the mainline of the Lehigh Valley Railroad), runs through Hunterdon County.^[42]

In addition, The Hunterdon County LINK operates demand-response service across the county, as well as fixed-route service in Flemington.^[43] Trans-Bridge Lines also provides service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, as well as several locations to the west in Pennsylvania, with Stops including Clinton, Flemington, Lambertville, and Frenchtown..^[44]

County government

Hunterdon County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members who serve three-year terms of office at-large on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held each January, the Commissioners select one member to serve as the board's director and another to serve as deputy director. The Commissioner 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.^[45][46] As of 2025^[update], Hunterdon County's Commissioners are (with terms for director and deputy director ending every December 31):

Pursuant to Article VII Section II of the New Jersey State Constitution, each county in New Jersey is required to have three elected administrative officials known as "constitutional officers." These officers are the County Clerk and County Surrogate (both elected for five-year terms of office) and the County Sheriff (elected for a three-year term).^[53] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are:

The Hunterdon County Prosecutor is Renée M. Robeson, who was nominated by Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy in 2021.^[60][61] Hunterdon County is a part of Vicinage 13 of the New Jersey Superior Court (along with Somerset County and Warren County), which is seated at the Somerset County Courthouse in Somerville, the county seat of Somerset County; the Assignment Judge for Vicinage 15 is Yolanda Ciccone. The Hunterdon County Courthouse is in Flemington.^[62]

In June 2022, the commissioners appointed Jeff Kuhl to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Mike Holt until he resigned from office. Kuhl will serve on an interim basis until the November 2022 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office. Democrats have not won a countywide office in Hunterdon County since 1982.^[63]

Federal representatives

Hunterdon County falls entirely within the 7th congressional district.^[64][65] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. (R, Westfield).^[66]

State representatives

The 26 municipalities of Hunterdon County are represented by three Legislative Districts.

Law enforcement

The Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office includes about 43 sworn officers.^[68] The current sheriff is Frederick Brown, who was reelected to a second three-year term in 2013.^[69] He was preceded by Republican Deborah Trout who served one term starting in November 2007.^[70]

On December 22, 2008, state investigators seized computers and other records related to Sheriff Deborah Trout's hiring of undersheriffs and other personnel without the usual background checks and qualifications.^[70] In 2010, a grand jury indicted then-sheriff Deborah Trout and two under-sheriffs on 43 counts of official misconduct and other charges. The indictment was later suppressed when new state officials were appointed by incoming Governor Chris Christie. The propriety of the investigation, the indictment and its aftermath are the subject of a number of legal actions.^[71][72][73]

State elections

Public Service

• John T. Bird (1829-1911), U.S. House of Representatives (1869-1873).

• James Buchanan (1839-1900), U.S. House of Representatives (1885-1893).
• Bradley M. Campbell (born 1961), commissioner, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (2002-2006)
• Alvah A. Clark (1840-1912), U.S. House of Representatives (1877-1881).
• Johnston Cornish (1858-1920), U.S. House of Representatives (1893-1895).
• Thomas W. Greelish (1939-1991), United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey (1985-1987).
• George Holcombe (1786–1828), member of the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey's at-large congressional district

• William Kirkpatrick (1769–1832), United States Congressman
• Leonard Lance (born 1952), United States Congressman
• Andrew Maguire (born 1939), U.S. House of Representatives (1975-1981).
• Tom Malinowski (born 1965), U.S. House of Representatives (2019–2023).^[81]
• David S. Manners (1808-1884), 9th Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey (1852-1857).
• Mallory McMorrow (born 1986), Member of the Michigan Senate (2019-Present).
• Daniel Morgan (1736-1802), Revolutionary War general, U.S. House of Representatives (1797-1799).
• George Opdyke (1805-1880), Mayor of New York City 1862-1864
• James Parker (1776-1868), U.S. House of Representatives (1833-1837), Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey (1815-1816, 1850-1851).
• James N. Pidcock (1836-1899), New Jersey General Assembly, U.S. House of Representatives (1885-1889).
• Horace Griggs Prall (1881-1951), Member of the New Jersey Senate, Acting Governor of New Jersey.
• Collin McKinney, Texas independence leader
• Donna Simon (born 1960), New Jersey General Assembly (2012-2016).
• Bennet Van Syckel (1830-1921), Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court (1869-1904).
• Christine Todd Whitman (born 1946), 50th Governor of New Jersey

Businesspeople

• Robert Greifeld (born 1957), former CEO and chairman of Nasdaq, Inc.
• Gary Vaynerchuk (born 1975), entrepreneur and internet personality

Actors

• John Amos (1939-2024)

• Emma Bell (born 1986)
• Anne Elstner (1899–1981)
• James Gandolfini (1961-2013)
• Taissa Farmiga (born 1994)
• Vera Farmiga (born 1973)
• Alison Haislip (born 1981)
• Charlie Murphy (1959-2017)
• Peter Ostrum (born 1957)
• Joe Piscopo (born 1951)
• Alex Shaffer (born 1993)
• Dorothy Stickney (1896-1998)
• Jessica Vosk (born 1983)

Musicians

• Aruna (born 1975), electronic music vocalist

• Scott Bradlee (born 1981), creator of Postmodern Jukebox
• Danny Federici (1950–2008), organ and keyboard player for the E Street Band

• Kyp Malone (born 1973), multi-instrumentalist, member of the band TV on the Radio

• Sharon Van Etten (born 1981), singer-songwriter
• Frederica Von Stade (born 1945), opera singer
• James Valenti (born 1977), operatic tenor
• Gene Ween (born 1970), founding member of Ween
• George David Weiss (1921-2010), songwriter and arranger

Athletics

• Brad Benson (born 1955), offensive lineman who played for the New York Giants

• Jason Cabinda (born 1996), linebacker for the Detroit Lions

• Jack Cust (born 1979), professional baseball designated hitter and outfielder

• Garrett LeRose (born 1985), head coach, Washington and Lee Generals football team
• Jayson Williams (born 1968), former NBA player

School districts

School districts include:^{[82][83][84][85]}

K-12

• South Hunterdon Regional School District

Secondary

• Delaware Valley Regional High School
• Hunterdon Central Regional High School
• Hunterdon County Vocational School District
• North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District

Elementary (K-8, except as noted)

High schools

• Delaware Valley Regional High School, in Alexandria Township, serves the townships of Alexandria, Holland and Kingwood and the boroughs of Frenchtown and Milford.^[86]
• Hunterdon Central Regional High School, located in Raritan Township, serves students from Delaware Township, East Amwell Township, Flemington Borough, Raritan Township and Readington Township.^[87]
• North Hunterdon High School, located in Clinton Township, hosts the students of Bethlehem Township, Clinton Town, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Lebanon Borough and Union Township.^[88]
• Phillipsburg High School, located in Phillipsburg in neighboring Warren County, educates the students of Bloomsbury, though a proposal is currently on the table to send the borough's students to Delaware Valley Regional High school instead.^[89]
• South Hunterdon Regional High School, located in West Amwell Township, serves students from Lambertville, Stockton and West Amwell Township.^[90]
• Voorhees High School, in Lebanon Township, serves the students of Califon Borough, Glen Gardner Borough, Hampton Borough, High Bridge Borough, Lebanon Township, Tewksbury Township.^[91]

Higher education

• Raritan Valley Community College is the two-year community college for both Hunterdon and Somerset County, one of a network of 19 county colleges statewide. Founded in 1965, the school's main campus is located in North Branch, in Somerset County.^[92]
• Rutgers University has a partnership with Raritan Valley Community College which offers bachelor's degree completion programs at the North Branch campus.^[93]