Hopatcong, New Jersey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hopatcong is a Borough in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 15,888.
The area had been called "Brookland" in the 1800's and the lake that was expanded to become Lake Hopatcong had been known as "Great Pond" or "Brookland Pond". During the later 1800's, the name of the community had been modified to "Brooklyn", likely in sync with the city on New York's Long Island.[1] Hopatcong was originally established as the Borough of Brooklyn on April 2, 1898. On March 22, 1901, the Borough of Hopatcong replaced Brooklyn.[2] In 1922, residents of Byram Cove, Northwood, and other areas to the west of the original land area of the borough, voted to leave Byram Township and join Hopatcong, leaving the Borough with its current borders.[3]
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[edit] Geography
Hopatcong is located at (40.938650, -74.664462)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 32.0 km² (12.3 mi²). 28.4 km² (11.0 mi²) of it is land and 3.6 km² (1.4 mi²) of it (11.18%) is water.
[edit] Pictures
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 534 |
|
|
| 1940 | 660 | 23.6% | |
| 1950 | 1,173 | 77.7% | |
| 1960 | 3,391 | 189.1% | |
| 1970 | 9,052 | 166.9% | |
| 1980 | 15,531 | 71.6% | |
| 1990 | 15,586 | 0.4% | |
| 2000 | 15,888 | 1.9% | |
| historical data source: [4] | |||
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 15,888 people, 5,656 households, and 4,236 families residing in the borough. The population density was 559.7/km² (1,449.7/mi²). There were 6,190 housing units at an average density of 218.1/km² (564.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.10% White, 1.95% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.80% Asian, 1.42% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% of the population.
There were 5,656 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the borough the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $65,799, and the median income for a family was $73,277. Males had a median income of $47,083 versus $34,238 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,698. About 2.2% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] History
The town of Hopatcong has a rich history given its relationship with New York City. It borders Lake Hopatcong, a partially man made lake that is now a source of much recreation and desirable real estate, and is the biggest lake in New Jersey. The town, just 40 miles west of New York City, began as a summer get away for the wealthy in NYC who primarily sought access to the lake. An amusement park sprung up called "Bertrand's Island" which was accessible via the lake or by car through Mount Arlington. Much of this however, changed due to the construction of Interstate 80, a highway that stretches from Teaneck, New Jersey all the way across the country to San Francisco, California. This new road ignited a rapid growth in New York's suburbia, enabling people a much easier commute and thus enabling Hopatcong to become a permanent residential community.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the Borough. The Mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term. The Mayor is considered to be a member of the Borough Council, helps set the agenda for Council meetings and chairs all meetings of the Council. The Mayor can vote only in the event of a tie but has the power to veto any ordinance adopted by the Council.
The Mayor has executive authority to act between Council meetings in matters affecting the Borough. The Mayor can declare a state of emergency and can act to protect the Borough and its citizens. The Mayor appoints the members of all Borough Committees and certain Borough Commissions. The Mayor's nominations for certain other Borough Boards and Commissions are subject to Council approval. The Mayor prepares the initial draft of the annual Borough budget for submission to the Council. The Mayor can issue Proclamations. The Mayor is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies. The Mayor is required to sit as a member of the Borough Planning Board. The signatures of the Mayor and Borough Clerk are necessary to create any legally binding obligation of the Borough.
The Common Council of the Borough of Hopatcong (Borough Council) is the legislative body of the Borough. There are six members of the Council elected at-large for three-year terms. In every year, two council positions are available for election. The Council can act in one of two formats: a) Ordinances, which have the effect of law and b) Resolutions, which state the policy or direction of the Council. Ordinances require public notice and a public hearing prior to adoption. Resolutions must be adopted in public but do not require public hearings.
The Council is charged with the adoption of the annual Borough Budget. The Mayor's nominations of certain Borough officials are also subject to Council approval. Council members are annually appointed by the Mayor to act as liaisons to various Borough departments, Boards, Commissions or Committees. The Council annually elects a member to serve in the position of Council President. In the absence of the Mayor, the Council President can assume the role and duties of the Mayor. The Council also annually elects a member to serve as its representative on the Planning Board.
The Mayor of Hopatcong Borough is Richard H. Hodson (term ends December 2007). Members of the Hopatcong Borough Council are Council President Rich Bunce (2006), John Armeno (2007), Paul X. Fisher (2006), Estelle Klein (2008), Madeline McManus (2008) and Sylvia Petillo (2007)[5].
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Hopatcong Borough is in the Fifth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 24th Legislative District[6].
New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, covering the northern portions of Bergen County, Passaic County and Sussex County and all of Warren County, is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
The 24th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Robert Littell (R, Franklin) and in the Assembly by Guy R. Gregg (R, Flanders) and Alison Littell McHose (R, Sparta). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).
Sussex County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Sussex County's Freeholders are Director Gary R. Chiusano (term ends December 31, 2008), Deputy Director Harold J. Wirths (2007), Steven V. Oroho (2007), Glen Vetrano (2006) and Susan M. Zellman (2006).
[edit] Education
Students in grades K through 12 attend the Hopatcong Public Schools. Schools in the district (with 2004-05 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are:
- Hudson Maxim School (375 students in KG-1)
- Tulsa Trail Elementary School (380 students in grades 2-3):
- Durban Avenue School (414 students in grades 4-5)
- Hopatcong Middle School (655 students in grades 6-8)
- Hopatcong High School (813 students in grades 9-12)
[edit] References
- ^ A HISTORY OF LANDING, MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, accessed December 28, 2006
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. pp. 231 (re Hopatcong) and 229 (re Brooklyn)
- ^ WELCOME TO HOPATCONG HISTORY, accessed December 28, 2006
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990. Retrieved on 2007-03-03.
- ^ 2006 Mayor and Members of the Common Council of the Borough Of Hopatcong, accessed September 12, 2006
- ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 59, accessed August 30, 2006
[edit] External links
- Hopatcong Borough website
- Hopatcong Public Schools
- Hopatcong Public Schools's 2005-06 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Nation Center for Education Statistics data for Hopatcong Public Schools
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
