Stanhope, New Jersey


Stanhope is a borough in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 3,610, reflecting an increase of 26 from the 3,584 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 191 from the 3,393 counted in the 1990 Census.
Stanhope was formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 24, 1904, from portions of Byram Township.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Stanhope borough had a total area of 2.188 square miles, including 1.836 square miles of land and 0.352 square miles of water.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Lake Musconetcong.
Stanhope is the southernmost municipality in Sussex County. The borough borders the municipalities of Byram Township and Hopatcong in Sussex County; and Mount Olive Township, Netcong and Roxbury in Morris County.

Demographics

Census 2010

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $78,625 and the median family income was $94,545. Males had a median income of $51,974 versus $47,241 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,934. About 0.9% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 3,584 people, 1,384 households, and 978 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,913.6 people per square mile. There were 1,419 housing units at an average density of 757.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 93.55% White, 1.34% African American, 0.06% Native American, 1.53% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.40% from other races, and 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.05% of the population.
There were 1,384 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 22.9% 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 2.58 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $63,059, and the median income for a family was $73,203. Males had a median income of $49,861 versus $36,545 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,535. About 1.7% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.7% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Stanhope is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 of 565 municipalities statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of a Mayor and a Borough Council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council is comprised 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. The Borough form of government used by Stanhope 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 Stanhope Borough is Republican Patricia Zdichocki, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Thomas J. Romano, Raymond Cipollini, Diana M. Kuncken, Anthony Riccardi, William "Bill" Thornton and Gene Wronko.
In January 2021, the Borough Council chose Gene Wronko to serve the balance of the term ending in December 2021 that was vacated by Patricia Zdichocki when she took office as mayor.
In January 2018, the Borough Council selected Anthony Riccardi from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Michael A. Depew until he left office because of health issues. Ricciardi served on an interim basis until the November 2018 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.

Federal, state and county representation

Stanhope is located in the 11th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 24th state legislative district.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 2,403 registered voters in Stanhope, of which 486 were registered as Democrats, 754 were registered as Republicans and 1,159 were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered to other parties. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 66.6% were registered to vote, including 86.1% of those ages 18 and over.
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 843 votes, ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 738 votes and other candidates with 29 votes, among the 1,614 ballots cast by the borough's 2,458 registered voters, for a turnout of 65.7%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 995 votes, ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 821 votes and other candidates with 30 votes, among the 1,863 ballots cast by the borough's 2,384 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.1%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 1,017 votes, ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 665 votes and other candidates with 25 votes, among the 1,712 ballots cast by the borough's 2,200 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.8%.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 69.8% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 26.2%, and other candidates with 3.9%, among the 1,029 ballots cast by the borough's 2,475 registered voters, for a turnout of 41.6%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 716 votes, ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 354 votes, Independent Chris Daggett with 105 votes and other candidates with 22 votes, among the 1,201 ballots cast by the borough's 2,360 registered voters, yielding a 50.9% turnout.

Education

The Stanhope Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through eighth grade. As of the 2017–18 school year, the district, comprising one school, had an enrollment of 318 students and 30.8 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 10.3:1.
For ninth through twelfth grades, the borough shares Lenape Valley Regional High School, which serves public school students from Netcong in Morris County and the Sussex County communities of Byram Township and Stanhope. As of the 2017–18 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,876 students and 154.6 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 12.1:1. Students from the borough had attended Netcong High School until 1974, when the Lenape Valley district was created.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, 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.
Route 183 is the main access road that serves the borough. U.S. Route 206 also passes through in the western section and is partially a limited access road which connects to Interstate 80 in neighboring Mount Olive.
Stanhope is noted for its highway oddity. Upon the completion of Interstate 80, Old U.S. Route 206 through Stanhope was renamed Route 183. A section of Interstate 80 now acts as a traffic bypass around Stanhope.

Public transportation

provides service operating along Interstate 80 between Newton, New Jersey and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.

Points of interest

Since 1949, the Patriots' Path Council of the Boy Scouts of America operate two camps at the Mt. Allamuchy Scout Reservation in Stanhope. Camp Somers is a year-round overnight camp for Boy Scouts aged 12 to 17. Camp Wheeler is a day camp for younger Cub Scouts.

Notable people

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