Hamilton Township is a township in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. The township is within the New York metropolitan area as defined by the United States Census Bureau, but directly borders the Philadelphia metropolitan area and is part of the Federal Communications Commission's Philadelphia Designated Market Area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 88,464, reflecting an increase of 1,355 (+1.6%) from the 87,109 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 556 (+0.6%) from the 86,553 counted in the 1990 Census. The township was the state's 9th-largest municipality, after having been ranked 10th in 2000. The township is located immediately east of the city of Trenton, the state's capital.
Hamilton was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 11, 1842, from portions of the now-defunct Nottingham Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Chambersburg borough (April 1, 1872, annexed by Trenton in 1888) and Wilbur borough (April 24, 1891, annexed by Trenton in 1898). Hamilton Township derives its name from the village of Hamilton Square, which might have been named for Alexander Hamilton.
In 2006, Hamilton Township was ranked by Morgan Quitno as the eighteenth-safest city in the United States, out of 369 cities nationwide. In the company's 2005 survey, the Township was ranked 15th safest of 354 cities surveyed nationwide.
Geography
Hamilton Township is located at 40°12′25″N 74°40′28″W (40.20704,-74.674431). According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 40.387 square miles (104.602 km2), of which, 39.489 square miles (102.277 km2) of it is land and 0.898 square miles (2.325 km2) of it (2.22%) is water.
Although Hamilton is one of the largest townships in New Jersey it doesn't have a true "downtown", but a number of settlements within the township form smaller commercial centers. Groveville (with a 2010 Census population of 2,945), Hamilton Square (12,784), Mercerville (13,230), White Horse (9,494) and Yardville (7,186) are all census-designated places and unincorporated communities located within the township. Other unincorporated communities in Hamilton include Briar Manor, Broad Street Park, Chewalla Park, Creston, Deutzville, Duck Island, East Trenton Heights, Edgebrook, Extonville, Golden Crest, Haines Corner, Hutchinson Mills, Lakeside Park, Maple Shade, North Crosswicks, Nottingham, Pond Run, Quaker Bridge, Quaker Gardens, Rosemont, The Orchards, Trenton Gardens, Warner Village and Yardville Heights.
As of late 2005, much of the new residential development in Hamilton has been geared to accommodating the aging baby boomer generation. Retirement communities and assisted-living facilities outpace that of traditional residential communities. Such construction has been spurred by several factors. The first being that school budgets have always been kept low. Hamilton voters have often rejected school budgets in their yearly elections to keep taxes low. As a result, the planning board has been reluctant to authorize construction of housing that will increase the student population. Another reason is a series of improvements to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The hospital is now a highly respected source of care in the state. It is situated next to where most of the under-developed land in the township used to be, land that is now home to the active older-adult communities.
Demographics
2010 Census
At the 2010 United States Census, there were 88,464 people, 34,534 households, and 23,759 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,240.2 per square mile (864.9/km2). There were 36,170 housing units at an average density of 915.9 per square mile (353.6/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 78.38% (69,340) White, 11.78% (10,419) Black or African American, 0.17% (149) Native American, 3.29% (2,914) Asian, 0.09% (79) Pacific Islander, 4.27% (3,775) from other races, and 2.02% (1,788) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 10.87% (9,613) of the population.
There were 34,534 households, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the township, 21.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 29.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.8 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $72,026 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,663) and the median family income was $87,512 (+/- $2,631). Males had a median income of $58,674 (+/- $3,519) versus $45,661 (+/- $1,733) for females. The per capita income for the township was $32,344 (+/- $701). About 3.5% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
2000 Census
As of the 2000 United States Census there were 87,109 people, 33,523 households, and 23,667 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,208.0 people per square mile (852.5/km²). There were 34,535 housing units at an average density of 875.4 per square mile (338.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 85.15% White, 8.16% African American, 0.14% Native American, 2.56% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.19% from other races, and 1.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.13% of the population.
There were 33,523 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% 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 township the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $57,110, and the median income for a family was $66,986. Males had a median income of $46,360 versus $33,673 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,441. About 2.8% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government
Hamilton Township is governed within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Mayor-Council plan E system of New Jersey municipal government, as implemented on January 1, 1976, based on the recommendations of a Charter Study Commission. The township's government consists of a mayor and a five-member township council, with all elected representatives serving four-year terms of office. Elections alternate in a four-year cycle, with the mayor and two township council members up for election and then the three other township council seats coming up to vote two years later.
As of 2014, the Mayor of Hamilton Township is Republican Kelly Yaede, serving a term of office that ends December 31, 2015. Members of the Township Council are Council President David Kenny (R, 2017), Council Vice President Dennis Pone (R, 2017), Edward R. Gore (R, 2017), Kevin Meara (R, 2015) and Ileana Schirmer (R, 2015).
2012 Mayoral resignation
On April 27, 2012, Mayor John Bencivengo was charged by the U.S. Attorney's office for corruption in the extortion of payments in exchange for influencing the awarding of a health insurance contract for the Township's Board of Education. On June 22, 2012 he was indicted by a federal grand jury on five criminal counts including extortion, attempted extortion, money laundering and two counts related to the federal travel act.
On June 29, 2012, Rob Warney, a former Hamilton Township Director in Mayor John Bencivengo's cabinet, pleaded guilty before US District Court Judge Peter Sheridan to laundering money related to the federal bribery indictment against Mayor Bencivengo. Warney also admitted to accepting a bribe in 2006 in exchange for his vote and influence over a health insurance broker's contract.
On November 19, 2012, Bencivengo was found guilty on all counts of corruption, extortion and bribery. He submitted his resignation effective November 21, 2012.
On March 24, 2013, Bencivengo was sentenced to a 38-month prison term, and is currently serving his sentence at a minimum security federal prison at Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary in Lewisburg, PA. On September 23, 2013, his attorney filed an appeal with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
Federal, state and county representation
Hamilton Township is located in the 4th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 14th state legislative district.
New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District is represented by Christopher Smith (R). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).
For the 2014-2015 Session, the 14th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Linda R. Greenstein (D, Plainsboro Township) and in the General Assembly by Daniel R. Benson (D, Hamilton Township, Mercer County) and Wayne DeAngelo (D, Hamilton Township). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).
Mercer County is governed by a County Executive who oversees the day-to-day operations of the county and by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders that acts in a legislative capacity, setting policy. All officials are chosen at-large in partisan elections, with the executive serving a four-year term of office while the freeholders serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats up for election each year. As of 2014, the County Executive is Brian M. Hughes (D, term ends December 31, 2015; Princeton). Mercer County's Freeholders are Freeholder Chair Andrew Koontz (D, 2016; Princeton), Freeholder Vice Chair Samuel T. Frisby, Sr. (2015; Trenton), Ann M. Cannon (2015; East Windsor Township), Anthony P. Carabelli (2016; Trenton), John A. Cimino (2014, Hamilton Township), Pasquale "Pat" Colavita, Jr. (2015; Lawrence Township) and Lucylle R. S. Walter (2014; Ewing Township) Mercer County's constitutional officers are County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello (D, 2015), Sheriff John A. Kemler (D, 2014) and Surrogate Diane Gerofsky (D, 2016).
Politics
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 56,202 registered voters in Hamilton Township, of which 18,266 (32.5%) were registered as Democrats, 10,402 (18.5%) were registered as Republicans and 27,508 (48.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 26 voters registered to other parties.
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 57.1% of the vote (23,434 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 41.7% (17,114 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (510 votes), among the 44,558 ballots cast by the township's 58,973 registered voters (3,500 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 75.6%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 53.5% of the vote here (23,658 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 43.9% (19,422 votes) and other candidates with 1.5% (679 votes), among the 44,201 ballots cast by the township's 58,979 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.9%. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 49.0% of the vote here (20,874 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 48.5% (20,637 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (376 votes), among the 42,561 ballots cast by the township's 56,332 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 75.6.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 62.0% of the vote (17,434 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 36.3% (10,217 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (478 votes), among the 29,111 ballots cast by the township's 57,809 registered voters (982 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 50.4%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 47.4% of the vote here (14,234 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 45.0% (13,490 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 5.4% (1,629 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (324 votes), among the 29,999 ballots cast by the township's 57,543 registered voters, yielding a 52.1% turnout.
Education
The Hamilton Township School District serve students in pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2011-12 school year, the district's 23 schools had an enrollment of 12,441 students and 905.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a studentâ€"teacher ratio of 13.74:1. Schools in the district (with 2011-12 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are 17 elementary schools â€" Alexander Elementary School (grades K-5; 366 students), Greenwood Elementary School (PreK-5; 248), Kisthardt Elementary School (K-5; 253), Klockner Elementary School (K-5; 246), Kuser Elementary School (K-5; 336), Lalor Elementary School (K-5; 264), Langtree Elementary School (K-5; 346), McGalliard Elementary School (K-5; 275), Mercerville Elementary School (K-5; 369), Morgan Elementary School (K-5; 373), Robinson Elementary School (K-5; 387), Sayen Elementary School (K-5; 301), Sunnybrae Elementary School (K-5; 362), University Heights Elementary School (K-5; 333), George E. Wilson Elementary School (K-5; 391), Yardville Elementary School (PreK-5; 298) and Yardville Heights Elementary School (K-5; 265) â€" three middle schools for grades 6-8 â€" Richard C. Crockett Middle School (903), Albert E. Grice Middle School (907) and Emily C. Reynolds Middle School (1,099) â€" And four high schools for 9-12 â€" Nottingham High School (North; 1,324), Hamilton High School (West; 1,295), Steinert High School (East; 1,500) and Hamilton Educational Program (HEP) High School.
Pace Charter School of Hamilton is a charter school serving students in Kindergarten through fifth grade, operating under a charter granted by the New Jersey Department of Education. The school was one of 11 in the state to be recognized in 2014 by the United States Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.
St. Gregory the Great Academy is a Catholic school serving students in preschool through eighth grade that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton. The school was also recognized in 2014 by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.
Transportation
Roads and highways
Situated next to the New Jersey state capital of Trenton, and New Jersey's eighth-largest municipality, Hamilton Township is 65 miles (105Â km) away from New York City and 35 miles (56Â km) away from Philadelphia. Hamilton is also close to most points along the Jersey Shore. By car, Hamilton is about 80 minutes from New York City and 50 minutes from Philadelphia. The train ride to New York is slightly shorter than the drive into New York while the train ride to Philadelphia is slightly longer than the drive into Philadelphia. With nearly 90,000 residents and 40 square miles (100Â km2) of land, it offers modern train station and major roads passing through.
As of May 2010, the township had a total of 369.10 miles (594.01Â km) of roadways, of which 304.98 miles (490.82Â km) were maintained by the municipality, 33.49 miles (53.90Â km) by Mercer County and 27.93 miles (44.95Â km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 2.70 miles (4.35Â km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
Roads include the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95), Interstate 295, Interstate 195, U.S. Route 130, U.S. Route 206 and Route 33. Hamilton is the only municipality in the state that hosts Interstate 95 and both of its auxiliary routes, Interstates 195 and 295.
Major county routes that traverse through include CR 524, CR 533 and CR 535.
The Turnpike's Woodrow Wilson service area is located between Interchanges 7 and 7A northbound at milepost 58.7. The Richard Stockton service area is located between Interchanges 7A and 7 southbound at milepost 58.7. No turnpike interchange is located in the township, but the closest exit is at Interchange 7A along I-195 in neighboring Robbinsville Township.
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority widened the turnpike between Exit 6 in Mansfield Township, Burlington County and Exit 8A in Monroe Township, Middlesex County. Two new carriageways were built to accommodate the outer roadway (or truck lanes). In Hamilton, new sound barriers and overpasses were built, as well as new entrance & exit ramps to the service areas. The project was announced in December 2004 and completed in early November of 2014.
Public transportation
With the addition of the modern Hamilton train station located on Sloan Avenue just off I-295 at Exit 65B, the township has attracted more New York City-based commuters to the area. The station offers service on New Jersey Transit's Northeast Corridor Line to New York Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan and to Trenton station where there is a SEPTA Trenton Line Regional Rail service to and from Philadelphia.
New Jersey Transit provides public bus service between the township and Philadelphia on the 409 route and to Trenton on the 601, 603, 606, 607, 608 and 609 routes.
In the news
- The Megan Kanka case, for whom Megan's Law was named, occurred in Hamilton Township.
- Some letters involved in the 2001 anthrax attacks were processed through the United States Postal Service Regional Mail Facility in Hamilton Township. The building was closed for more than four years while it was decontaminated at a cost of $65 million, but an improvised post office was made from tents and canopies in the building's vicinity.
- The annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree chosen for 2008 was grown in Hamilton. It was a 77-year-old Norway Spruce weighing 8 tons and rising 72 feet (22Â m) that was located off the side of Klockner Road at the Tree King Tree Mart.
Points of interest
- Hamilton hosts one of the largest recreational parks in the state, and borders another. The municipal Veterans Park is 350 acres (1.4Â km2) and is housed entirely in the township. Mercer County Park borders the township to the North and encompasses 2,500 acres (10Â km2) of land that was shared from Hamilton Township along with neighboring Lawrence Township and West Windsor Township. This park contains Mercer Lake, one of the largest man-made lakes in the state, which was built as a result of a federal flood control project to prevent flooding in Trenton along Assunpink Creek, with gravel removed to deepen the lake basin used as part of the construction of Interstates 95 and 195.
- The Grounds for Sculpture is a 35-acre (140,000Â m2) sculpture park which houses more than 230 sculptures, gardens, water features, and other nature scenes. The organization's mission is to promote the appreciation of arts and sculpture.
- Sayen Park Botanical Garden - Named after Fredrick Sayen because it was originally his land and his home.
- Quakerbridge Road - George Washington used this road on his famous night march from the Second Battle of Trenton on his way to the Battle of Princeton.
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Hamilton Township include:
- Samuel Alito (born 1950), Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
- Bill Baroni (born 1971), Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, former state senator and assemblyman.
- Daniel R. Benson (born 1975), member of the New Jersey General Assembly and former Hamilton Township Councilman.
- Stephen Clifford (born 1985), drummer of Circa Survive and the Flyermile.
- Wayne DeAngelo (born 1965), member of the New Jersey General Assembly and former Hamilton Township Councilman.
- Jayson DiManche (born 1990), outside linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League.
- Dan Donigan (born 1967), retired soccer forward and current head coach of Rutgers University Men's Soccer team.
- Colin Ferrell (born 1984), defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts, who played collegiate football at Kent State University.
- Eddie Gaven (born 1986), soccer player who plays for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer.
- Glen Gilmore, former mayor of Hamilton Township.
- Janice Harsanyi (1930â€"2007), soprano singer and college professor.
- Peter Inverso (born 1938), former member of the New Jersey Senate.
- Dahntay Jones (born 1980), professional basketball player, currently playing for the Sacramento Kings.
- Tad Kornegay (born 1982) defensive back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League.
- Paul Kramer (born 1933), member of the New Jersey General Assembly.
- Chris Pittaro (born 1961), former Major League Baseball infielder.
- George R. Robbins (1814â€"1875), represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1855 to 1859.
- Chris Smith (born 1953), member of the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey's 4th congressional district.
References
External links
- Hamilton Township website
- Hamilton Township Public Schools
- Hamilton Township Public Schools's 2012â€"13 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Data for the Hamilton Township Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
- Hamilton Township Election and Polling Place information
- Hamilton Township Politics Blog
- Cub Scout Pack 87, Hamilton Township
- Hamilton Township Recreation Soccer Association
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