Hillsborough Township, New Jersey

Map of Hillsborough Township in Somerset County

Hillsborough Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 36,634.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 141.9 km² (54.8 mi²). 141.6 km² (54.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.18%) is water. In terms of area, it is the largest township in Somerset County.

Communities

The following are unincorporated communities located in Hillsborough Township:
*Belle Mead
*Blackwells Mills
*Flagtown
*Neshanic
*South Branch

Parts of Belle Mead and Blackwells Mills are located in neighboring towns adjacent to Hillsborough Township.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 36,634 people, 12,649 households, and 9,802 families residing in the township. The population density was 258.6/km² (669.9/mi²). There were 12,854 housing units at an average density of 90.7/km² (235.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 85.96% White, 3.76% African American, 0.09% Native American, 7.31% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.75% of the population.

There were 12,649 households out of which 44.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the township the population was spread out with 29.1% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 23.3% 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 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $83,290, and the median income for a family was $93,933. Males had a median income of $62,273 versus $42,052 for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,091. About 2.1% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

History

Perhaps the single most important boost to the identity of the Township occurred on May 31, 1771. On that date, Hillsborough was officially granted a Charter incorporating it as a Township. The records of Hillsborough Township are complete from their inception in 1746 and there are ten volumes, each some several hundred pages, kept in the Special Collections Department of the Rutgers University Library along with the Charter.

Hillsborough Township quickly took its place in history as the path General Washington and his troops traveled from the Battle of Princeton to winter quarters in Morristown. While the British were encamped in the valley below awaiting an opportunity to attack, it is said that Washington drilled his troops on the Sourland Mountain around a spring near the top using different formations and corn stalks for guns. As the sun caught the stalks, the British thought Washington had received reinforcements and fresh supplies and the British troops, thinking that they were outnumbered, slipped off to New Brunswick leaving Washington to continue to Morristown.

Hillsborough is also home to Duke Gardens and Duke Farms, a 2,700 acre (11 km²) estate in the north-eastern quadrant of the town. Originally owned by tobacco and electric energy tycoon, James "Buck" Duke and then passed down to daughter Doris Duke, Duke Farms is now one of the few remaining "preserved" natural areas in Hillsborough Township.

Government

Local government

Hillsborough Township is governed by a five-member Township Committee, members of which are elected for staggered three-year terms. The mayor is one of the five, chosen by the other members of the Committee, for a one-year term. The Committee holds two public meetings each month in addition to work sessions.

The members of the Hillsborough Township Committee as of 2006 are Mayor Carl Suraci, Deputy Mayor Anthony Ferrera, Paul M. Drake, Lisa Nisivoccia, and Bob Wagner.