Andover Township, New Jersey


Andover Township is a township in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 6,319, reflecting an increase of 286 from the 6,033 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 595 from the 5,438 counted in the 1990 Census.
Andover was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 11, 1864, from portions of Newton Township, which was split up on that date and dissolved. Portions of the township were taken to form Fredon Township and Andover borough. Portions of the township were ceded to Newton town in both 1869 and 1927.
The township was suggestively named after the existing village of Andover, whose name origin is not certain, though sources indicate that the name comes from Andover, Hampshire, England. In the years before World War II, Andover Township was home to Camp Nordland, a retreat and gathering place covering owned and operated by the German American Bund, an American Nazi organization devoted to promoting a favorable view of Nazi Germany. Camp Nordland was shut down by the federal government after Germany declared war on the United States and sold at auction in 1944. The property eventually was acquired by Andover Township and is now called Hillside Park with a recreational hall and sports fields.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 20.687 square miles, including 19.956 square miles of land and 0.731 square miles of water.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Brighton, County Road Camp, Davis Pond, Drakes Pond, Garders Lake, Iliffs Lake, Lake Aeroflex, Lake Iliff, Lake Lenape, Long Pond, Mulford, New Waywayanda Lake, Pinkneyville, Redings Pond, Springdale, Stickle Pond, Sussex Mills, Whitehall and Whites Pond.
The township borders the Sussex County municipalities of Andover, Byram Township, Fredon Township, Green Township, Hampton Township, Lafayette Township and Sparta Township.

Demographics

Census 2010

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $95,313 and the median family income was $105,554. Males had a median income of $72,066 versus $47,750 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $38,284. About 2.3% of families and 2.9% 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 6,033 people, 1,889 households, and 1,499 families residing in the township. The population density was 298.9 people per square mile. There were 1,968 housing units at an average density of 97.5 per square mile. The racial makeup of the township was 94.45% White, 1.86% African American, 0.08% Native American, 2.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.25% of the population.
There were 1,889 households out of which 39.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.9% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.6% were non-families. 16.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $75,748, and the median income for a family was $78,439. Males had a median income of $57,098 versus $36,268 for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,180. About 1.3% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Andover Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 of 565 municipalities statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state. The Township Committee consists 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. At an annual reorganization held in January, the council selects a mayor and a deputy mayor from among its members.
, members of the Andover Township Committee are Mayor Michael Lensak, Deputy Mayor Dolores Blackburn, Ellsworth E. Bensley Jr., John Carafello and Janis L. McGovern.

Federal, state and county representation

Andover Township is located in the 5th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 24th state legislative district.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 3,979 registered voters in Andover Township, of which 606 were registered as Democrats, 1,813 were registered as Republicans and 1,552 were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 8 voters registered to other parties. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 63.0% were registered to vote, including 80.8% of those ages 18 and over.
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 1,703 votes, ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,034 votes and other candidates with 62 votes, among the 2,807 ballots cast by the township's 4,074 registered voters, for a turnout of 68.9%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 1,772 votes, ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,173 votes and other candidates with 37 votes, among the 3,002 ballots cast by the township's 3,948 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.0%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 1,799 votes, ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 966 votes and other candidates with 30 votes, among the 2,811 ballots cast by the township's 3,566 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.8%.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 71.2% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 25.1%, and other candidates with 3.8%, among the 1,718 ballots cast by the township's 4,121 registered voters, for a turnout of 41.7%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,271 votes, ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 482 votes, Independent Chris Daggett with 195 votes and other candidates with 22 votes, among the 1,974 ballots cast by the township's 3,882 registered voters, yielding a 50.9% turnout.

Education

Public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade attend the Andover Regional School District, together with students from Andover Borough. As of the 2017–18 school year, the district and its two schools had an enrollment of 470 students and 47.9 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 9.8:1. Schools in the district are
Florence M. Burd Elementary School and
Long Pond Middle School. The district's board of education has nine members who set policy and oversee the fiscal and educational operation of the district through its administration, with Andover Township assigned eight of the nine seats, based on the population of the two constituent municipalities.
Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Newton High School in Newton, together with students from Andover Township and Green Township, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Newton Public School District. As of the 2017–18 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 719 students and 67.5 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 10.6:1.

Transportation

, the township had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Sussex County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
U.S. Route 206 is the main highway serving Andover Township. County Route 517 also passes through the township.

Notable people

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