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Hunterdon County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2000 Census, the population is 121,989. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Flemington6. Hunterdon County ranks as the 13th among the highest-income counties in the United States with a per capita income of $36,370. It ranks fourth among U.S. counties for household income.

General

Hunterdon County sits on the western edge of New Jersey and has become an exurb — increasingly less rural and more suburban — home for many families working and commuting from New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its most notable historical fact is that the county seat, Flemington, was home to the "Trial of the 20th Century" of Bruno Hauptmann, who was charged with — and ultimately convicted of — the murder of the son of famous pilot Charles Lindbergh (who was the first to fly solo over the Atlantic Ocean). Home to growing towns and shopping areas, as well as relaxing rural areas, Hunterdon County is a far stretch from the urban areas that are often associated with New Jersey.

Politics

Hunterdon County is fiscally conservative and socially moderate. It is one of the most Republican areas of New Jersey. George W. Bush beat John F. Kerry by 20 points in the 2004 presidential election in Hunterdon County, even though he lost New Jersey by 7 points *. Hunterdon County is represented exclusively by Republican Freeholders and the majority of township committee seats are held by Republicans. Hunterdon County's affluence and rural character contribute to this fact.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,134 km² (438 mi²). 1,114 km² (430 mi²) of it is land and 20 km² (8 mi²) of it (1.79%) is water.

Much of the county is hilly, the ground rising up slowly from the Delaware River. The highest points are two areas in Lebanon Township, one on the Morris County line, both reaching at least 1,060 feet (323 m) above sea level. The lowest elevation is where the Mercer County line reaches the Delaware River, approximately 40 feet (12 m) above sea level.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 121,989 people, 43,678 households, and 32,845 families residing in the county. The population density was 110/km² (284/mi²). There were 45,032 housing units at an average density of 40/km² (105/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.91% White, 2.25% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.92% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 2.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 43,678 households out of which 37.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.30% were married couples living together, 6.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.80% were non-families. 20.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.70% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 10.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

Hunterdon County's median income for a household was $79,888, which makes it the fourth highest county in the country based on median household income. Median income for a family was $91,050. Males had a median income of $61,888 versus $40,852 for females. The per capita income for the county was $36,370, which ranks as the thirteenth highest county in the country based on per capita income. About 1.60% of families and 2.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.10% of those under age 18 and 4.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Hunterdon County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. The members are elected at large to serve three-year terms, with 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.

As of 2006, Hunterdon County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Nancy I. Palladino, Freeholder Deputy Director Marcia A. Karrow, George B. Melick, George D. Muller, Erik C. Peterson.

Municipalities

The following municipalities are located in Hunterdon County. The municipality type is listed in parentheses after the name, except where the type is included as part of the name. Census-designated places and other unincorporated communities are listed under their municipalities.

Points of interest

External links

Hunterdon County, New Jersey | New York metropolitan area | New Jersey counties

Hunterdon County | Condado de Hunterdon | Hunterdon County | Hrabstwo Hunterdon

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Hunterdon County, New Jersey".

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