Freehold Township, New Jersey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Also see: Freehold Borough.
| Freehold, New Jersey | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | New Jersey | ||
| County | Monmouth | ||
| Established | October 31, 1693 | ||
| Incorporated | February 21, 1798 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Type | Township | ||
| - Mayor | Eugene B. Golub | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 38.5 sq mi (99.8 km²) | ||
| - Land | 38.5 sq mi (99.6 km²) | ||
| - Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²) | ||
| Elevation [1] | 157 ft (48 m) | ||
| Population (2006)[2] | |||
| - Total | 33,953 | ||
| - Density | 820.2/sq mi (316.7/km²) | ||
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) | ||
| ZIP code | 07728 | ||
| Area code(s) | 732 | ||
| FIPS code | 34-25230[3] | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0882116[4] | ||
| Website: http://twp.freehold.nj.us | |||
Freehold Township is a Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 31,537.
Freehold Township was first formed on October 31, 1693, and was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of Freehold Township were taken to form Upper Freehold Township (c. 1731), Millstone Township (February 28, 1844), Jackson Township (March 6, 1844), Atlantic Township (February 18, 1847; now Colts Neck Township), Marlboro Township (February 17, 1848) and Manalapan Township (March 9, 1848).[5]
The Battle of Monmouth was fought in what has been preserved as Monmouth Battlefield State Park, which is in Freehold Township and Manalapan. Freehold Township is sometimes incorrectly credited as the hometown of American Rock and Roll legend Bruce Springsteen, who actually spent his childhood in Freehold Borough, the downtown district at the heart of the township.
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[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 38.5 square miles (99.8 km²), of which, 38.5 square miles (99.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.21%) is water. Freehold Township shares borders with Marlboro, Manalapan, Colts Neck Township, Millstone, Jackson, Howell, and Freehold Borough. The borough is entirely surrounded by the township.
East Freehold (2000 Census population of 4,936) and West Freehold (12,498) are census-designated places and unincorporated areas located within Freehold Township.
The township is located approximately 75 miles south of New York City and 25 miles northeast of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Many residents of Freehold Township work in Newark and commute to the city daily. Freehold Township is also just 20 miles from Belmar which is located on the Jersey Shore and is a popular summer destination for beach goers from North Jersey,Philadelphia,Delaware and Maryland.
[edit] History
On 12 April 1782, at Middletown Point, on the southern coast of Sandy Hook Bay, Joshua Huddy was hanged by British Loyalists under the direction of Richard Lippincott. Patriots discovered Huddy's body hanging from the gallows the following morning, cut it down and brought it to Freehold Township, where he was buried at Old Tennent Church in an unmarked grave.[6]
[edit] Nomenclature
The township's title, 'freehold', was manifestly adapted from the English noun (occasionally utilized as an adverb) meaning 'the tenure of property held in fee simple for life '.
[edit] Climate
Freehold Has a Humid Sub-tropical Climate placing it in Zone 7B which extends from Monmouth County ,NJ To Northern Georgia,Because of its sheltered location and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean,Some Palm Trees such as Windmill Palm,Sabal Louisiana,Sabal Birmingham,Sabal Palmetto Can Survive with minimal winter protection.Also many Southern Magnolias,and Crepe Myrtles can be seen throughout Commercial,and Private Landscapes.
[edit] Freehold Bypass
Route 33 once ran through the heart of Freehold, but congestion led to the study of a new freeway alignment. After several years, the freeway was downsized to merely a bypass of Freehold. Construction from near Sweetmans Lane (CR 527) to U.S. Route 9 was finished in 1972. Eventually construction began again and the bypass was extended to Halls Mill Road in 1989. For decades traffic was detoured, and congestion just kept getting worse. The delay was lengthened when an endangered species was found in the path of the proposed roadway. Finally, after nearly 30 years of waiting, the bypass was fully completed in January of 2003. Since then, the congestion on Route 33 and Route 33 Business has considerably lessened.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 1,720 |
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| 1940 | 2,459 | 43.0% | |
| 1950 | 3,442 | 40.0% | |
| 1960 | 4,779 | 38.8% | |
| 1970 | 13,185 | 175.9% | |
| 1980 | 19,202 | 45.6% | |
| 1990 | 24,710 | 28.7% | |
| 2000 | 31,537 | 27.6% | |
| Est. 2006 | 33,953 | [2] | 7.7% |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[7] | |||
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 31,537 people, 10,814 households, and 8,283 families residing in the township. The population density was 820.2 people per square mile (316.7/km²). There were 11,032 housing units at an average density of 286.9/sq mi (110.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 87.09% White, 5.12% African American, 0.14% Native American, 5.15% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.19% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.19% of the population.
There were 10,814 households out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $77,185, and the median income for a family was $89,845. Males had a median income of $62,545 versus $36,668 for females. The per capita income for the township was $31,505. About 2.8% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
Freehold Township is governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year.[8] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.
This Township Committee enacts local ordinances, levies municipal taxes and conducts the affairs of this community. In almost all cases, it can review and approve the actions of other Freehold Township boards, committees and agencies. The Township Committee conducts all of its business during monthly meetings open to the public.[9]
The members of the Township Committee are Mayor Dr. Eugene B. Golub, Deputy Mayor David M. Salkin, Anthony J. Ammiano, Dorothy H. Avallone and Raymond A. Kershaw.[10] All the current members of the township committee are members of the Republican Party.[citation needed]
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Freehold Township is split between the Fourth and Twelfth Congressional Districts, and is part of New Jersey's 12th Legislative District.[11]
New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District, covering portions of Burlington County, Mercer County, Monmouth County and Ocean County, is represented by Christopher Smith (R). New Jersey's Twelfth Congressional District, covering all of Hunterdon County and portions of Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, and Somerset County, is represented by Rush D. Holt Jr. (D). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 12th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Jennifer Beck (R, Red Bank) and in the Assembly by Caroline Casagrande (R, Colts Neck Township) and Declan O'Scanlon (R, Little Silver).[12] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[13]
Monmouth County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. As of 2008, Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry (R, Matawan), Freeholder Deputy Director Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan), William C. "Bill" Barham (R, Monmouth Beach), John D'Amico, Jr. (D, Oceanport) and Barbara McMorrow (D, Freehold Township).[14]
[edit] Education
Public school students in Kindergarten through eighth grade are educated by the Freehold Township Elementary and Middle Schools. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[15]) are five K-5 elementary schools: C. Richard Applegate School (544 students), Joseph J. Catena School (615), Laura Donovan School (582), Marshall W. Errickson School (627) and West Freehold School (606); Then, in grades 6-8, most students in Applegate and Catena go to Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School (767) and most students in Laura Donovan and West Freehold go to Clifton T. Barkalow Middle School (850). Errickson is split between Eisenhower and Barkalow.
Students in public school for grades 9-12 attend either Freehold Township High School or Freehold High School (based on home address), as part of the Freehold Regional High School District. The Freehold Regional High School District also serves students from Colts Neck, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro.[16] High school students in Freehold Township have the opportunity of going to Vocational Schools such as Biotechnology High School, High Technology High School and the Academy of Allied Health & Science, which are part of the Monmouth County Vocational School District, which are available to all students in Monmouth County on a selective basis. Freehold Township is also home the the Contemporary Global Studies Learning Center (formerly International Studies) that admits talented students from all over the Freehold Regional High School District.
[edit] Recreation
Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Turkey Swamp Park, and Michael J. Tighe Park (formerly known as Liberty Oak Park) are all located within the township and provide assorted recreational opportunities. The southernmost segment of the Henry Hudson Trail also starts in the township and is used by walkers, runners, and bicyclists. The township also boasts other smaller parks such as Durand Park, Whittier Oaks Park, Opatut Park, Wynnefield Park, Stonehurst Park, Sandy Brook Park, Duchess Court Park, Greentree Park, Medford Park, Woodgate Park, Woodcrest Park, Orchard Hills Park, and Sargent Park.
Freehold Raceway offers horse lovers and bettors an opportunity to see harness racing, while the large Freehold Raceway Mall is, in addition to a large-scale shopping area, a venue for mall walkers in the mornings and a teenage hangout center in the evenings. As of January 2007, the mall is undergoing a major expansion project.
In 2004, the Freehold Township Senior League baseball team won the Senior League World Series. Led by manager Mike Brach of Freehold Township, the team became the first from Freehold Township to make it to the World Series, let alone win it.[17]
[edit] Points of interest
- Maplewood Cemetery
- Michael J. Tighe Park (formerly Liberty Oak Park)
[edit] Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Freehold Township include:
- Kal Penn (1977-), actor of Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.[citation needed]
- Val Majewski (1981-), center fielder who played for the Baltimore Orioles.[18]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ USGS GNIS: Township of Freehold, Geographic Names Information System, accessed October 21, 2007.
- ^ a b Census data for Freehold township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 15, 2007.
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 179-180.
- ^ The Joshua Huddy era, Monmouth County. Accessed December 14, 2006.
- ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 110.
- ^ Township Committee: General Information, Freehold Township. Accessed March 30, 2007.
- ^ Township Committee Members, Freehold Township. Accessed April 28, 2008.
- ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 57. Accessed August 30, 2006.
- ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 29, 2008.
- ^ Data for the Freehold Township Elementary and Middle Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 28, {[2008]].
- ^ Freehold Regional High School District 2007 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 28, 2008. "Freehold Regional High School District, the largest high school district in New Jersey, has six high schools with almost 12,000 students and over 1,500 employees.... District members include the Townships of Colts Neck, Freehold, Howell, Manalapan, and Marlboro, and the Boroughs of Englishtown, Farmingdale, and Freehold."
- ^ Jersey’s best standing tall at World Series, North Brunswick Sentinel by Tim Morris, August 19, 2004.
- ^ "Several factors have led to township’s LL success: League has produced three state champions in last two years", News Transcript, August 20, 2002. Accessed June 8, 2007. "The camp not only features Piccola and an outstanding coaching staff, but ex-Township Little Leaguers, such as Val Majewski who is now playing in the Baltimore Orioles minor league chain in Fredricksburg [sic] , Va., who come back and instruct the kids the same way they were instructed."
[edit] External links
- Freehold Township website
- Freehold Township Elementary and Middle Schools website
- Freehold Township Elementary and Middle Schools's 2006-07 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Data for the Freehold Township Elementary and Middle Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
- Freehold Boro High School
- Freehold Township High School
- Freehold Regional High School District
- Freehold Regional High School District's 2006-07 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Monmouth Battlefield State Park
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