Hopatcong

Hopatcong ( ) is a borough in Sussex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 14,362, a decrease of 785 (−5.2%) from the 2010 census count of 15,147, which in turn reflected a decline of 741 (−4.7%) from the 15,888 counted in the 2000 census.

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 community, west of New York City, began as a summer getaway for the wealthy in NYC who primarily sought access to the lake. An amusement park, called "Bertrand's Island", sprang up and was accessible via the lake, trolley or by car through Mount Arlington. The construction of Interstate 80, a highway that stretches from Teaneck, New Jersey, all the way across the country to San Francisco, California, triggered rapid growth in New York City's suburbs and led to Hopatcong becoming a permanent residential community.
The area had been called "Brookland" in the 19th century and the lake that was expanded to become Lake Hopatcong had been known as "Great Pond" or "Brookland Pond". During the 1830s, the name of the community had been modified to "Brooklyn", to match the spelling of the city on New York's Long Island. Hopatcong was originally established as the Town of Brooklyn on April 2, 1898, from portions of Byram Township. On March 22, 1901, the Borough of Hopatcong replaced Brooklyn. 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.Historical Information
Borough of Hopatcong. Accessed November 6, 2017. "The newly formed Borough stretched from the Musconetcong River, in what is today Hopatcong State Park, to the southern shore of Byram Cove.... This left the areas of Byram Cove and Northwood, as well as significant lands to the west (including Bear Pond), still in Byram Township. As these locales began to develop, their residents wished to join Hopatcong, which had shared interests. In 1922, the local population of these areas voted to join Hopatcong and the Borough grew to the borders we know today."

While the origin of the borough's name is unclear, it is said to derive from Native American phrases variously meaning "stone over water" or "pipestone", among other variations.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 12.35 square miles (31.99 km²), including 10.89 square miles (28.21 km²) of land and 1.46 square miles (3.78 km²) of water (11.83%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Bear Pond, Byram Cove, Cow Tongue Point, Davis Cove, Glasser, Hendersons Cove, Roseville, Sharps Rock and Sperry Springs.

Hopatcong borders Byram Township, Sparta Township and Stanhope in Sussex County; and Jefferson Township, Mount Arlington and Roxbury Township in Morris County.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 15,147 people, 5,653 households, and 4,110 families in the borough. The population density was 1,395.5 per square mile (538.8/km²). There were 6,296 housing units at an average density of 580.0 per square mile (223.9/km²). The racial makeup was 91.07% (13,794) White, 2.91% (441) Black or African American, 0.11% (16) Native American, 2.25% (341) Asian, 0.02% (3) Pacific Islander, 1.76% (266) from other races, and 1.89% (286) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.32% (1,714) of the population.

Of the 5,653 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18; 58.0% were married couples living together; 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.3% were non-families. Of all households, 21.0% were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.13.

22.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 32.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 101.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 101.5 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $85,730 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,570) and the median family income was $95,962 (+/− $5,996). Males had a median income of $60,533 (+/− $5,094) versus $47,515 (+/− $7,133) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,033 (+/− $2,406). About 1.6% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 15,888 people, 5,656 households, and 4,236 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 6,190 housing units at an average density of . 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.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hopatcong borough, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 6, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hopatcong borough, Sussex County, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 6, 2012.

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.

Government

Local government

Hopatcong is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes 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.''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 53. The borough form of government used by Hopatcong is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.

, the mayor of Hopatcong Borough is Republican Marie Galate, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the Hopatcong Borough Council are Bradley Hoferkamp (R, 2025), Jennifer Johnson (R, 2025), Dawn Roberts (R, 2024), Rachel Rodriguez (R, 2026), Christine Smith (R, 2025) and Ryan Smith (R, 2024).Mayor / Council
Borough of Hopatcong. Accessed May 24, 2024. "The Mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term.... 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."Summary Results Report Official Results November 7 2023 General Election
Sussex County, New Jersey