| Colts Neck Township, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| — Township — | |
| Map of Colts Neck Township in Monmouth County. Inset: Location of Monmouth County highlighted in the State of New Jersey. | |
| Census Bureau map of Colts Neck Township, New Jersey | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Monmouth |
| Incorporated | February 18, 1847 as Atlantic Township |
| Renamed | November 6, 1962 as Colts Neck Township |
| Government[1] | |
| • Type | Township (New Jersey) |
| • Mayor | James C. Schatzle (2011)[2] |
| • Administrator | Robert Bowden[3] |
| Area[4] | |
| • Total | 32.10 sq mi (83.1 km2) |
| • Land | 31.43 sq mi (81.4 km2) |
| • Water | 0.68 sq mi (1.8 km2) 2.12% |
| Elevation[5] | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Population (2010 Census)[6] | |
| • Total | 10,142 |
| • Density | 316.1/sq mi (122/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 07722[7] |
| Area code(s) | 732 |
| FIPS code | 34-14560[8][9] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882602[10] |
| Website | http://www.colts-neck.nj.us |
Colts Neck is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 10,142.[6]
What is now Colts Neck Township was established by an act of the New Jersey Legislature as Atlantic Township on February 18, 1847, from portions of Freehold Township, Middletown Township and Shrewsbury Township. The name was changed to "Colts Neck Township" as of November 6, 1962, based on the results of a referendum held that day.[11]
Colts Neck ranked 39th in the 2000 Census among the highest-income places in the United States with a population of at least 10,000.
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Colts Neck is an affluent community in Central New Jersey, located within the New York metropolitan area. Many people choose to move to Colts Neck due to its open space and proximity to the Jersey Shore, while still being within commuting distance of New York City and, to a lesser extent, Philadelphia. The town's strict zoning ordinances have long kept out urban development and chain retailers, allowing for locally owned businesses, while still being close to malls, movie theaters, and other amenities in neighboring communities. A 2007 study of New Jersey's wealthiest communities listed Colts Neck as New Jersey's 16th wealthiest town and categorized the town's population as "top rung", meaning:
These communities are the wealthiest consumer market, representing less than 1 percent of all U.S. households. These highly educated residents are in their peak earning years, aged 45 to 64, in married-couple households, with or without children. The median age is 42.3 years. With the purchasing power to indulge any choice, Top Rung residents travel in style, both domestically and overseas. This is the top market for owning or leasing a luxury car; residents favor new imported vehicles, especially convertibles. Exercise and community activities are part of their busy lifestyle. Avid readers, these residents find time to read two or more daily newspapers and countless books.
The township has a Farmland Preservation Committee which to date has preserved nearly 1,000 acres (400 ha) of land, providing one way in which the town has been able to prevent large-scale development. The township has strict zoning regulations, and because there is no public water or sewage service, all homes must be built on not less than an acre of land.
Originally a farming community, Colts Neck has long been known for its large number of equestrian farms. From the 1950s into the 1970s many of Colts Neck's heavily wooded areas were developed with large colonial and ranch-style houses on acre-sized lots. In the 1980s and continuing into the 2000s much of the town's farm land has been replaced with large houses, mansions and sprawling estates, although a large number of equestrian farms remain. During this time period increasing home prices in northern New Jersey and New York City resulted in large numbers of people moving to central New Jersey, causing real estate prices in Colts Neck and surrounding towns to rise considerably over the course of the two decades. Today Colts Neck real estate prices remain high despite the economic downturn: the current average listing price of a house is $1,455,838,[12] and home prices are up 1.1% since last year. While home prices have remained strong, the number of home sales is down 32% from last year.[12]
Many of Colts Neck's residents are professional business people who commute into New York City's financial district, as could be seen in the unusual proportion of the small community who were lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks upon the World Trade Center. A memorial garden dedicated to the five members of the community who were lost was created at the municipal center by sculptor Jim Gary, a member of the community who was raised in Colts Neck. The central feature of the memorial garden is his sculpture of metal and stained glass.[13]
The Colts Neck Fire Department is split between two fire companies. Company #1, organized in 1926, is located on Route 537. Company #2, located on Conover Road, was established in 1970. In case of a hazardous materials emergency, the HazMat team from the Middletown Township Special Services unit is called.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 32.10 square miles (83.1 km2), of which 31.43 square miles (81.4 km2) is land and 0.68 square miles (1.8 km2), or 2.12%, is water.[4]
| Marlboro Township | Holmdel Township and Middletown Township | |||
| Tinton Falls | ||||
| Colts Neck Township | ||||
| Freehold Township | Howell Township | Wall Township |
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 1,241 |
|
|
| 1940 | 1,177 | −5.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,814 | 54.1% | |
| 1960 | 2,177 | 20.0% | |
| 1970 | 5,819 | 167.3% | |
| 1980 | 7,888 | 35.6% | |
| 1990 | 8,559 | 8.5% | |
| 2000 | 12,331 | 44.1% | |
| 2010 | 10,142 | −17.8% | |
| Population sources: 1930-1990[14] 2000[15] 2010[16][17] |
|||
As of the 2010 Census, Colts Neck had a population of 10,142. The median age was 43.6. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 92.2% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 4.6% Asian, 0.4% some other race and 1.2% reporting two or more races. 3.5% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[16]
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 12,331 people, 3,513 households, and 3,193 families residing in the township. The population density was 392.4 people per square mile (151.5/km²). There were 3,614 housing units at an average density of 115.0 per square mile (44.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 85.51% White, 7.89% African American, 0.23% Native American, 3.63% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.45% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.22% of the population.[15]
There were 3,513 households out of which 50.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 83.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.1% were non-families. 7.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.17 and the average family size was 3.33.[15]
In the township the population was spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.4 males.[15]
The median income for a household in the township was $109,190, and the median income for a family was $117,980. Males had a median income of $55,609 versus $38,457 for females. The per capita income for the township was $46,795. 2.8% of the population and 2.2% of families were living below the poverty line, including 2.2% of under eighteens and 2.8% of those over 64.[15]
A 2007 study of New Jersey's wealthiest communities shows Colts Neck has a median household income of $166,495, up from $109,190 in 2000, and the average household income is $232,520. The per capita income for the township as of 2007 is $70,781 up from $46,795 in 2000.[15] The average household net worth, not including equity in homes, is $1,088,351 and the average disposable income for a household is $140,507.[18]
Colts Neck 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 election each year.[1] At an annual reorganization meeting, the township committee selects one of its members to serve as mayor and another as deputy mayor.
As of 2011[update], the Colts Neck Township Committee consists of Mayor James C. Schatzle, Deputy Mayor Jarrett R. Engle, Edward C. Eastman, Jr., Michael D. Fitzgerald and Russell Macnow.[19]
Colts Neck is in the 4th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 12th state legislative district.[20] The township was relocated to the 11th state legislative district by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission based on the results of the 2010 Census.[17] The new district is in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.[20]
New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District is represented by Christopher Smith (R). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
12th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Jennifer Beck (R, Red Bank) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Caroline Casagrande (R, Colts Neck Township) and Declan O'Scanlon (R, Little Silver).[21] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[22] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[23]
Monmouth County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of five members who are elected at-large to serve three year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats up for election each year. [24] As of 2011, Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan; term ends December 31, 2013)[25], Freeholder Deputy Director John P. Curley (R, Red Bank; 2012)[26], Thomas A. Arnone (R, Neptune City; 2013), Lillian G. Burry (R, Colts Neck Township; 2011)[27] and Amy A. Mallet (D, Fair Haven, 2011).[28][29][30]
Two major state roads pass through the township: Route 18 (the freeway portion) and Route 34.
Major county roads that traverse the township are CR 520 (along the border) and CR 537.
The Garden State Parkway is accessible in neighboring Holmdel, Middletown, Tinton Falls and Wall Township. I-195 is also outside in neighboring Wall and Howell.
Students in public school attend the Colts Neck School District for Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[31]) are Conover Road Primary School (grades PreK-2, 382 students), Conover Road Elementary School (grades 3-5, 434 students) and Cedar Drive Middle School (grades 6-8, 486 students).
Students in public school for grades 9-12 attend Colts Neck High School or one of the other schools of the Freehold Regional High School District. The Freehold Regional High School District serves students from Colts Neck Township, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell Township, Manalapan Township and Marlboro.[32]
In any given year about 20% of the town's K-8 population attend private schools. These include Ranney School, Rumson Country Day School and St. Leo the Great School. At the high school level about half of all students attend private schools, including Christian Brothers Academy, Lawrenceville School, Peddie School, Ranney School, Red Bank Catholic High School and St. John Vianney High School.[33]
Some notable current and former residents include: