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Franklin Township is a township in central Hunterdon County, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 3,195, reflecting an increase of 205 (+6.9%) from the 2,990 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 139 (+4.9%) from the 2,851 counted in the 1990 Census. Most of the township lies on the Hunterdon Plateau with only the eastern section along the South Branch Raritan River being on the lower part of the Newark Basin.

History

Long populated by the Lenape (Delaware) Native Americans, the first European settlement of present-day Franklin was around 1700, when it became a Quaker community of settlers who came from Burlington County. The most reliable records that are available about the early days of the Township are found in the minutes of the Friends' Meeting in Quakertown.A Brief History
Franklin Township. Accessed July 18, 2022.

Franklin Township was established by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 7, 1845, when it was created from portions of Kingwood Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. Portions of the township were taken to form Clinton town on April 5, 1865.Snyder, John P
''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''
Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 155. Accessed October 25, 2012. The township was named for Benjamin Franklin.

The rich soil made the township a center of agriculture for hundreds of years. While Franklin Township had long hosted a major dairy farming industry, in modern times, the primary crops have been corn, hay and soybeans.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 23.18 square miles (60.02 km²), including 23.04 square miles (59.66 km²) of land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km²) of water (0.60%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Allens Corner, Alvater Corner, Cherryville (previously known as Dogtown), Grandin, Kingtown, Lansdowne, Littletown, Oak Grove, Pittstown, Quakertown (previously known as Fairview), Sidney and Sunnyside. Pittstown, previously known as Hoffs, is also spread across Alexandria Township and Union Township.

The Capoolong Creek, which runs through Pittstown, was an attraction to early settlers and they soon established three of the oldest churches in present-day Hunterdon: Thomas Episcopal, established in 1723, Bethlehem Presbyterian, organized in 1730 and the Quaker Church in 1733.

The township borders the Hunterdon County municipalities of Alexandria Township, Clinton, Clinton Township, Delaware Township, Kingwood Township, Raritan Township and Union Township.

Demographics

Census 2010

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $104,500 (with a margin of error of +/− $19,534) and the median family income was $118,182 (+/− $16,643). Males had a median income of $72,303 (+/− $13,313) versus $52,202 (+/− $5,525) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $46,892 (+/− $5,196). About 1.7% of families and 1.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 2,990 people, 1,091 households, and 890 families residing in the township. The population density was 130.7 people per square mile (50.5/km²). There were 1,125 housing units at an average density of 49.2 per square mile (19.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.53% White, 0.40% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.24% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Franklin township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Franklin township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.

There were 1,091 households, out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.8% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.4% were non-families. 14.2% 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 2.74 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the township the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $91,364, and the median income for a family was $96,320. Males had a median income of $66,667 versus $44,779 for females. The per capita income for the township was $39,668. About 1.5% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Franklin Township is governed under the Township form of government, which is used by 141 of the state's 564 municipalities. The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 103. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.

, members of the Franklin Township Committee are Mayor Philip J. Koury ( R, term on committee ends December 31, 2023; term asmayor ends 2022), Deputy Mayor Diane M. Burgess (R, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2022), Sebastian Donaruma (R, 2022), Michael Homulak (R, 2024) and Craig A. Repmann (R, 2024).Elected Officials
Franklin Township. Accessed July 18, 2022.
Hunterdon County, New Jersey