| Walpack Township, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| — Township — | |
| Map of Walpack Township in Sussex County. Inset: Location of Sussex County highlighted in the State of New Jersey. | |
| Census Bureau map of Walpack Township, New Jersey | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Sussex |
| Earliest mention | October 26, 1731 |
| Incorporated | February 21, 1798 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Township (New Jersey) |
| • Mayor | Raymond J. Fuller |
| Area | |
| • Total | 24.7 sq mi (64.0 km2) |
| • Land | 24.1 sq mi (62.3 km2) |
| • Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.7 km2) |
| Elevation[1] | 1,457 ft (444 m) |
| Population (2010)[2] | |
| • Total | 16 |
| • Density | 0.7/sq mi (0.3/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 07881 - Walpack Center |
| Area code(s) | 908 |
| FIPS code | 34-76640[3][4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882259[5] |
Walpack Township is a Township in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was only 16 residents. Walpack Township is one of only four municipalities in New Jersey with a double-digit population, and it places third behind Tavistock (population 5) and Pine Valley (population 12), both in Camden County.[2]
Walpack Township dates back to October 26, 1731, when it was first mentioned as Walpake in Hunterdon County. The area covered by the present-day township was set off to Morris County upon that county's creation in 1739, and became part of the newly formed Sussex County in 1753. As of April 15, 1754, Walpack's boundaries were defined as a "precinct". Walpack was formally incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken to form Montague Township (March 26, 1759), Sandyston Township (February 26, 1762) and the now-defunct Pahaquarry Township in Warren County (December 27, 1824).[6]
The current Walpack Township is named from a corruption of the Lenape Native American word "wahlpeck," which means "turn-hole," or an eddy or whirlpool. This word is a compound of two Native American words, "woa-lac" (a hole), and "tuppeck" (a pool).[7]
New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Walpack Township as its 18th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.[8]
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According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 24.7 square miles (64 km2), of which, 24.1 square miles (62 km2) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) of it (2.63%) is water. The Township is located in the Minisink Valley that extends from the Delaware Water Gap north to Port Jervis, New York.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 178 |
|
|
| 1940 | 207 | 16.3% | |
| 1950 | 204 | −1.4% | |
| 1960 | 248 | 21.6% | |
| 1970 | 384 | 54.8% | |
| 1980 | 150 | −60.9% | |
| 1990 | 67 | −55.3% | |
| 2000 | 41 | −38.8% | |
| 2010 | 16 | −61.0% | |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[9] | |||
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 41 people, 20 households, and 12 families residing in the township. The population density was 1.7 people per square mile (0.7/km²). There were 34 housing units at an average density of 1.4 per square mile (0.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 100.00% White.
There were 20 households out of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the township the population was spread out with 19.5% under the age of 18, 2.4% from 18 to 24, 19.5% from 25 to 44, 31.7% from 45 to 64, and 26.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $22,250, and the median income for a family was $22,250. Males had a median income of $46,250 versus $0 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,624. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.
| Lehman Twp, PA | Delaware Twp, PA | Sandyston Twp | ||
| Hampton Twp | ||||
| Walpack Twp | ||||
| Hardwick Twp and Mid. Smithfield Twp, PA |
Stillwater Twp |
Walpack Township is governed under the Township form of government with a three-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 seat coming up for election each year.[10] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.
Members of the Walpack Township Committee are Mayor Raymond J. Fuller (term ends December 31, 2007), James Heigis (2006) and Joseph A. Maglio (2008)[11]
Walpack Township is in the 5th Congressional district. New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
Walpack Township is in the 24th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Steve Oroho (R, Franklin) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Gary R. Chiusano (R, Augusta) and Alison Littell McHose (R, Franklin).[12]
Sussex County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders whose five members are elected at-large on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. As of 2011, Sussex County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Richard A. Zeoli (R, term ends December 31, 2012; Byram Township)[13], Deputy Director Susan M. Zellman (R, 2012; Stanhope)[14], Phillip R. Crabb (R, 2011; Franklin)[15], Parker Space (R, 2013; Wantage Township)[16] and Richard Vohden (R, 2013; Green Township).[17][18]
As of March 23, 2011, out of a 2010 Census population of 16 in Walpack, there were 22 registered voters (137.5% of the population, vs. 65.8% in all of Sussex County; the overflow is most likely caused by either Census error or those who have moved out maintaining their registration in the township). Of registered voters, 1 (4.5% vs. 16.5% countywide) was registered as a Democrat, 17 (77.2% vs. 39.3% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 2 (9.1% vs. 44.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were two voters registered to other parties (both Green) making this one of the only municipalities in New Jersey to have a third party out-registering a major party.[19]
On the national level, Walpack is a stronghold for the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 79% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received 21%.[20] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 74% of the vote here, defeating Democrat Barack Obama, who received 16% (Independent Ralph Nader received the last 10%).[21] This gives Walpack Township a Cook PVI of R+32.
Students in Kindergarten through sixth grade attend the schools of the Sandyston-Walpack Consolidated School District, together with students from Sandyston Township.[22] The school is located in Layton. As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 177 students and 17.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 10.1.[23]
The students of middle and high school age attend Kittatinny Regional High School in Hampton Township, which serves 1,300 students who reside in Fredon Township, Hampton Township, Sandyston Township, Stillwater Township and Walpack Township.[24] The high school is in Hampton, about 7 minutes outside of the County seat of Newton.
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