Jefferson Township, New Jersey

Jefferson Township is a Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 19,717. The township was founded in 1804 and named for Thomas Jefferson, the President of the United States at the time the Township was created.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 111.5 km² (43.0 mi²). 105.2 km² (40.6 mi²) of it is land and 6.2 km² (2.4 mi²) of it (5.60%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 19,717 people, 7,131 households, and 5,448 families residing in the township. The population density was 187.4/km² (485.3/mi²). There were 7,527 housing units at an average density of 71.5/km² (185.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.14% White, 0.83% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.41% of the population.

There were 7,131 households out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.5% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 18.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the township the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $68,837, and the median income for a family was $76,974. Males had a median income of $51,359 versus $37,849 for females. The per capita income for the township was $27,950. About 1.0% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Jefferson Township is governed under a Mayor-Council system of municipal government under the Faulkner Act.

The Mayor of Jefferson Township is Russell Felter, whose term of office is from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2006.

Members of the Jefferson Township Council are Richard Yocum (Council President, term ends 2008), Debi Merz (Council Vice-President, term ends 2006), Brooke Hardy (2008), Robert Birmingham (2008) and Michael Sanchelli (2006).Jefferson Township Council, accessed May 23, 2006

Federal, state and county representation

Jefferson Township is in the Eleventh Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 25th Legislative District.

Education

The Jefferson Township Public Schools serve students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district are Milton School (PreK), Robert F. Drummond (K), Cozy Lake School (1&2), Ellen T. Briggs School (1&2), Arthur T. Stanlink school (3-5), White Rock Elementary School (3-5), Jefferson Township Middle School (6-8) and Jefferson Township High School (9-12) ^*, home of the Falcons.

Most students and yound adults fondly refer to Jefferson as J-Town, thus sparking the slogan, J-Town What?, which can be found on most school shirts. In addition each year the graduating class comes up with a slogan involving their graduation year. This slogan is the put on many shirts and sold to students at the school.

Jefferson Day

Every year, around Independence Day, Jefferson Township hosts a day of celebration known as Jefferson Township Day (it is colloquially referred to as Jefferson Day). Throughout the entire day, entertainment and festivities at the Jefferson Township High School are provided. In the afternoon, a parade featuring the town’s fire trucks, high school marching band (Jefferson Towship High School Golden Falcon Marching Band) and other local groups marches down Weldon Road. After the parade, people are welcomed to enjoy the rest of the day looking at the shops set up, food being served and a couple of slides and bounce pen for the little kids so the parents won't have to deal with the whinning of the children and gives them time to relax. At night, the Jefferson Township Community Band, directed by Peter Tummillo Jr., performs before the display of fireworks, which is considered to be the main event. Most people in Jefferson belive the fireworks display at Jefferson Day to be the best in the area. Most skip the 4th of July fireworks and wait for the Jefferson Day display.

The next Jefferson Township Day will be held on July 22, 2006.

References

External links

Faulkner Act | Morris County, New Jersey | Townships in New Jersey

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