Wrightstown, New Jersey

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Wrightstown, New Jersey
Borough
Borough of Wrightstown
Motto: "Gateway to Freedom"
Wrightstown highlighted in Burlington County. Inset map: Burlington County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Wrightstown, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°02′03″N 74°37′21″W / 40.034128°N 74.622596°W / 40.034128; -74.622596Coordinates: 40°02′03″N 74°37′21″W / 40.034128°N 74.622596°W / 40.034128; -74.622596[1][2]
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Burlington
Incorporated March 26, 1918
Government[3]
 • Type Borough
 • Mayor Thomas E. Harper (term ends December 31, 2015)[4]
 • Clerk Freda Gorman[5][6]
Area[2]
 • Total 1.768 sq mi (4.579 km2)
 • Land 1.768 sq mi (4.579 km2)
 • Water 0.000 sq mi (0.000 km2)  0.00%
Area rank 425th of 566 in state
33rd of 40 in county[2]
Elevation[7] 151 ft (46 m)
Population (2010 Census)[8][9][10]
 • Total 802
 • Estimate (2012[11]) 801
 • Rank 545th of 566 in state
38th of 40 in county[12]
 • Density 453.6/sq mi (175.1/km2)
 • Density rank 449th of 566 in state
29th of 40 in county[12]
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (EDT) (UTC-4)
ZIP code 08562[13][14]
Area code(s) 609 exchanges: 723, 724, 752, 758[15]
FIPS code 3400582960[16][2][17]
GNIS feature ID 0885453[18][2]
Website wrightstownborough.com

Wrightstown is a borough in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 802[8][9][10] reflecting an increase of 54 (+7.2%) from the 748 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 3,095 (-80.5%) from the 3,843 counted in the 1990 Census.[19]

Wrightstown was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 4, 1918, from portions of New Hanover Township and North Hanover Township, based on the results of a referendum held on March 26, 1918.[20]

Geography

Wrightstown is located at 40°02′03″N 74°37′21″W / 40.034128°N 74.622596°W / 40.034128; -74.622596 (40.034128,-74.622596). According to the United States Census Bureau, Wrightstown borough had a total area of 1.768 square miles (4.579 km2), all of which was land.[2][1]

The borough borders North Hanover Township, New Hanover Township, Pemberton Township, Springfield Township, and McGuire AFB and Fort Dix.

The borough is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering 1,100,000 acres (450,000 ha), that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.[21] Part of the borough is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Burlington County, along with areas in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.[22]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1920270
—
1930176−34.8%
194024136.9%
19501,199397.5%
19604,846304.2%
19702,719−43.9%
19803,03111.5%
19903,84326.8%
2000746−80.6%
20108027.5%
Est. 2012801[11]−0.1%
Population sources: 1920-2000[23]
1920[24] 1920-1930[25] 1930-1990[26]
1960-2000[27] 2000[28][29] 2010[8][9][10]

Jozsef A. Farago, a former mayor of Wrightstown, criticized the 2000 Census data that showed that the borough's population had dropped 80%, to 748 from 3,843 a decade earlier, noting that the 1990 population had been inflated and that the conversion of Fort Dix to a reserve base had caused a decrease but that the borough's master plan showed a population of 838.[30]

Census 2010

At the 2010 United States Census, there were 802 people, 309 households, and 189.1 families residing in the borough. The population density was 453.6 per square mile (175.1 /km2). There were 348 housing units at an average density of 196.8 per square mile (76.0 /km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 47.38% (380) White, 21.07% (169) Black or African American, 0.75% (6) Native American, 5.99% (48) Asian, 0.37% (3) Pacific Islander, 18.70% (150) from other races, and 5.74% (46) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.05% (225) of the population.[8]

There were 309 households of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.8% were married couples living together, 21.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.17.[8]

In the borough, 26.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 14.1% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.9 years. For every 100 females there were 109.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.8 males.[8]

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $40,096 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,881) and the median family income was $38,438 (+/- $7,242). Males had a median income of $37,917 (+/- $22,280) versus $34,167 (+/- $13,020) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,231 (+/- $4,722). About 15.2% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.6% of those under age 18 and 0.0% of those age 65 or over.[31]

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census[16] there were 748 people, 312 households, and 181 families residing in the borough. The population density was 425.1 people per square mile (164.1/km2). There were 339 housing units at an average density of 192.7 per square mile (74.4/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 49.87% White, 30.21% African American, 0.53% Native American, 7.22% Asian, 7.22% from other races, and 4.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.23% of the population.[28][29]

There were 312 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.2% were married couples living together, 25.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.09.[28][29]

In the borough the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.[28][29]

The median income for a household in the borough was $27,500, and the median income for a family was $29,375. Males had a median income of $28,889 versus $25,417 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $14,489. About 22.8% of families and 24.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 22.4% of those age 65 or over.[28][29]

Government

Local government

Wrightstown is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council made up of six council members, with all positions elected at large in partisan elections. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[3]

As of 2013, the Mayor of Wrightstown is Republican Thomas E. Harper, whose term of office ends December 31, 2016. Members of the Wrightstown Borough Council are Council President Costic Michael Borsavage (R, 2013), William Bird (R, 2014; serving an unexpired term), Vlad Grushin (D, 2015), Jeanie Knapp (R, 2013; serving an unexpired term), Laurance R. Lownds (D, 2015) and David Scott Timberman (R, 2014).[32][6][33][34][35]

In July 2012, following the death of Brian Sperling in the previous month, the Borough Council selected William Bird to fill Sperling's vacancy on the council and picked Costic Michael Borsavage to take over his role as council president.[36]

Jennifer Heisler, a councilmember who resigned in October 2010, was sentenced in November 2011 to five years of probation after pleading guilty to the theft of $20,000 from Wrightstown Volunteer Fire Company, of which she had been the treasurer.[37]

Federal, state and county representation

Wrightstown is located in the 3rd Congressional District[38] and is part of New Jersey's 12th state legislative district.[9][39][40] Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Wrightstown had been in the 8th state legislative district.[41]

New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District is represented by Jon Runyan (R, Mount Laurel Township).[42] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark; took office on October 31, 2013, after winning a special election to fill the seat of Frank Lautenberg)[43][44] and Bob Menendez (D, North Bergen).[45][46]

For the 2014-2015 Session, the 12th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Samuel D. Thompson (R, Old Bridge Township) and in the General Assembly by Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan) and Ronald S. Dancer (R, Plumsted Township).[47] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township).[48] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[49]

Burlington County is governed by a Board of chosen freeholders, whose five members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year.[50] The board choose a director and deputy director from among its seven members at an annual reorganization meeting held in January.[50] As of 2013, Burlington County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Joseph B. Donnelly (R, 2013; Cinnaminson Township),[51] Deputy Director Leah Arter (R, 2014; Moorestown Township),[52] Aimee Belgard (D, 2015; Edgewater Park Township),[53] Joseph Howarth (R, 2014; Evesham Township)[54] and Joanne Schwartz (D, 2015; Southampton Township).[55][50]

Education

Students in public school for grades pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade attend the New Hanover Township School, which serves students from both New Hanover Township and Wrightstown, as part of the consolidated New Hanover Township School District.[3] The school had an enrollment of 174 students as of the 2010-11 school year.[56]

For ninth through twelfth grades, public school students from both New Hanover Township and Wrightstown Borough attend Bordentown Regional High School as part of a sending/receiving relationship.[57] The high school is part of the Bordentown Regional School District, a regional K–12 school district that serves students from Bordentown City, Bordentown Township and Fieldsboro Borough.[58][59][60]

Students from Wrightstown, and from all of Burlington County, are eligible to attend the Burlington County Institute of Technology, a countywide public school district that serves the vocational and technical education needs of students at the high school and post-secondary level at its campuses in Medford and Westampton Township.[61]

Transportation

The borough had a total of 4.35 miles (7.00 km) of roadways, of which 2.70 miles (4.35 km) are maintained by the municipality, 1.18 miles (1.90 km) by Burlington County and 0.47 miles (0.76 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[62]

New Jersey Transit provides bus service in the township on the 317 route between Asbury Park and Philadelphia.[63][64]

News coverage

Wrightstown and neighboring Cookstown were put in the national spotlight when six Islamic militants, dubbed "The Fort Dix Six", were arrested while trying to carry out an attack against Fort Dix on May 7, 2007. Heightened security around the bases affected the local economy based heavily in restaurants specializing in delivery to the base.[citation needed]

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Wrightstown include:

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Gazetteer of New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 14, 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 43.
  4. ↑ 2013 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed May 13, 2013.
  5. ↑ Clerk's Office, Wrightstown, New Jersey. Accessed December 2, 2013.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Staff. "Wrightstown", Burlington County Times, posted March 13, 2012, updated May 24, 2013. Accessed August 12, 2013.
  7. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Borough of Wrightstown, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 14, 2013.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Wrightstown borough, Burlington County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 3, 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Municipalities Grouped by 2011-2020 Legislative Districts, New Jersey Department of State, p. 7. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Wrightstown borough, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed September 3, 2012.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 PEPANNRES - Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012 - 2012 Population Estimates for New Jersey municipalities, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 7, 2013.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 GCT-PH1 Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 12, 2013.
  13. ↑ Look Up a ZIP Code for Wrightstown, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed September 3, 2012.
  14. ↑ Zip Codes, State of New Jersey. Accessed September 1, 2013.
  15. ↑ Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Wrightstown, NJ, Area-Codes.com. Accessed September 1, 2013.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  17. ↑ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed September 3, 2012.
  18. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  19. ↑ Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed September 3, 2012.
  20. ↑ Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 100. Accessed September 3, 2012.
  21. ↑ The Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Accessed December 1, 2013.
  22. ↑ Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed December 1, 2013.
  23. ↑ Barnett, Bob. Population Data for Burlington County Municipalities, 1800 - 2000, WestJersey.org, January 6, 2011. Accessed September 3, 2012.
  24. ↑ Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed September 1, 2013.
  25. ↑ Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 715. Accessed September 3, 2012.
  26. ↑ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 2, 2009. Accessed September 3, 2012.
  27. ↑ Burlington County Data Book, 2010 Edition, , Burlington County Department of Economic Development and Regional Planning. Accessed December 2, 2013.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Wrightstown borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 3, 2012.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Wrightstown borough, Burlington County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 3, 2012.
  30. ↑ Avril, Tom; and Fleming, leonard N. "Camden Feeds Towns' Diversity The Census Shows Minorities Leaving For The Inner Suburbs.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 12, 2001. Accessed December 2, 2013. "Former Mayor Jozsef A. Farago said Wrightstown's population couldn't possibly have dropped from 3,843 in 1990 to 748 in 2000, as the census reported. He said census officials had overestimated the Burlington County borough's population in 1990.... The borough, which borders Fort Dix, did lose some people early in the decade when the base converted to a reservist facility, Farago said."
  31. ↑ DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Wrightstown borough, Burlington County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 3, 2012.
  32. ↑ Mayor & Council, Wrightstown, New Jersey. Accessed December 2, 2013.
  33. ↑ November 6, 2012 Summary Report Burlington County Amended Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed December 2, 2013.
  34. ↑ November 8, 2011 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed December 2, 2013.
  35. ↑ November 2, 2010 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed December 2, 2013.
  36. ↑ Zimmaro, Mark. 'Wrightstown council fills vacancies", Burlington County Times, July 13, 2012. Accessed December 2, 2013. "The Borough Council filled a vacant seat and appointed a new president after the recent death of Brian Sperling.Sperling, who was council president at the time of his death, was one of the longest-serving elected officials in Burlington County history.... On Wednesday, the five remaining council members unanimously appointed William Bird to fill Sperling’s seat.... Costic Michael Borsavage was sworn in as council president Wednesday night after a unanimous vote."
  37. ↑ Camilli, Danielle. "Former Wrightstown councilwoman sentenced for theft from fire company", Burlington County Times, November 20, 2011. Accessed December 2, 2013. "A former Wrightstown councilwoman was ordered to serve five years on probation and pay more than $20,000 in restitution for stealing money from the borough’s volunteer fire company.... Heisler, formerly Jennifer Schwager, served on the Borough Council from January 2006 until her resignation in October 2010. Council members at the time said she left office after giving birth and no longer had time to devote to the community."
  38. ↑ Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  39. ↑ 2012 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 66, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  40. ↑ Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  41. ↑ 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 66, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  42. ↑ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 5, 2012.
  43. ↑ Cory A. Booker, United States Senate. Accessed November 5, 2013.
  44. ↑ via Associated Press. "Booker is officially a U.S. senator after being sworn in", NJ.com, October 31, 2013. Accessed October 31, 2013. "Former Newark Mayor Cory Booker was sworn in as a Democratic senator from New Jersey today, taking the oath of office, exchanging hugs with Vice President Joe Biden and acknowledging the applause of friends and family members seated in the visitor's gallery that rings the chamber.... Booker, 44, was elected to fill out the term of the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died earlier this year."
  45. ↑ Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate. Accessed November 5, 2013. "He currently lives in North Bergen and has two children, Alicia and Robert."
  46. ↑ Senators of the 113th Congress from New Jersey, United States Senate. Accessed November 5, 2013.
  47. ↑ Legislative Roster 2014-2015 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 27, 2014.
  48. ↑ "About the Governor". State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  49. ↑ "About the Lieutenant Governor". State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 Staff. Meet the Freeholders, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed November 27, 2013.
  51. ↑ Joseph B. Donnelly, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed January 5, 2013.
  52. ↑ Leah Arter, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed January 5, 2013.
  53. ↑ Aimee Belgard, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed November 27, 2013.
  54. ↑ Joseph Howarth, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed January 5, 2013.
  55. ↑ Joanne Schwartz, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed November 27, 2013.
  56. ↑ Data for the New Hanover Township School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed August 12, 2013.
  57. ↑ Zimmaro, Mark. "New Hanover School to decide on middle school proposal", Burlington County Times, March 11, 2011. Accessed August 20, 2011. "The township’s school district will decide on Wednesday whether to enter an agreement with the Bordentown Regional School District for a send-receive agreement for middle school children. The district which serves New Hanover and Wrightstown, already sends its high school students to Bordentown Regional High School and district officials are trying to determine whether sending sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders to Bordentown Regional Middle School would be a feasible idea."
  58. ↑ Bordentown Regional School District 2013 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed August 12, 2013. "The district proudly serves the communities of Fieldsboro, Bordentown City and Bordentown Township."
  59. ↑ Esposito, Martha. "Regional School Districts", Burlington County Times, May 9, 2013. Accessed August 31, 2013. "BORDENTOWN REGIONAL - Serves: Bordentown City, Bordentown Township, Fieldsboro"
  60. ↑ High School Sending Districts, Burlington County Library System, backed up by the Internet Archive as of September 27, 2006. Accessed December 2, 2013.
  61. ↑ Why Choose BCIT?, Burlington County Institute of Technology. Accessed December 2, 2013.
  62. ↑ Burlington County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed December 2, 2013.
  63. ↑ Burlington County Bus/Rail Connections, New Jersey Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of January 28, 2010. Accessed December 2, 2013.
  64. ↑ South Jersey Transit Guide, Cross County Connection, as of April 1, 2010. Accessed December 2, 2013.
  65. ↑ Staff. "Death of Daniel Asay. Mr. Asay Was in His 83d Year and He Had Lived at Red Bank Nearly All His Life. Death Was Due to a General Breakdown", Red Bank Register, May 7, 1930. Accessed December 2, 2013. "Mr. Asay was born at Wrightstown, a son of the late Edward P. and Hannah Van Note Asay."
  66. ↑ Samuel Gardiner Wright, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed June 22, 2008.

External links

Municipalities and communities of Burlington County, New Jersey, United States
Cities
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