Hampton Township is a township in Sussex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 4,893, a decrease of 303 (−5.8%) from the 2010 census count of 5,196, which in turn reflected an increase of 253 (+5.1%) from the 4,943 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

Hampton Township was formed from portions of Sussex County by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 11, 1864.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 230. Accessed May 28, 2024. The township was named for Jonathan Hampton, who donated land in 1769 to the Episcopal Church of Newton.Staff. "Hampton Township named for possible Loyalist" , KWWL, May 31, 2012. Accessed August 31, 2015. "When Hampton Township was authorized by the state legislators on March 10, 1864, it acquired its name from Robert Hamilton, who named the newly formed township in honor of Capt. Jonathan Hampton.... In 1769, Hampton gave 27 acres of land to the Christ Episcopal Church in Newton for a rectory and parsonage." State legislator Robert Hamilton, an Episcopalian, appreciated Hampton's generosity, and gave the township its name.Snell, James P. (1881) History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. (Centennial ed., Harmony, NJ: Harmony Press, 1981) p. 454. Portions of the township were taken on February 24, 1904, to form Fredon Township.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, Hampton township had a total area of 25.48 square miles (66.00 km2), including 24.57 square miles (63.63 km2) of land and 0.91 square miles (2.36 km2) of water (3.58%). The township is located in the Kittatinny Valley, a section of the Great Appalachian Valley that stretches from Quebec to Alabama.

Crandon Lakes (with a 2010 Census population of 682 in Hampton Township, out of a CDP total of 1,178DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Crandon Lakes CDP, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 20, 2013.) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) split between Hampton Township and Stillwater Township.GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Sussex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 20, 2013.2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 20, 2013.New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed February 20, 2013. Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Balesville, Emmons Station, Halsey, Lake Kemah, Little Swartswood Lake, Mecca Lake, Myrtle Grove, Paulins Kill Lake, Smiths Hill, Spring Lake and Washingtonville.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed March 18, 2015.

Smiths Hill is a hill located at in the Kittatinny Valley of the Appalachian Mountains. The summit rises to .Smiths Hill, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed July 6, 2015.

The township borders the Sussex County municipalities of Frankford Township, Fredon Township, Lafayette Township, Newton and Stillwater Township.Sussex County Map, Sussex County, New Jersey. Accessed February 23, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 5,196 people, 2,021 households, and 1,445 families in the township. The population density was 213.2 per square mile (82.3/km2). There were 2,200 housing units at an average density of 90.3 per square mile (34.9/km2). The racial makeup was 96.44% (5,011) White, 0.83% (43) Black or African American, 0.08% (4) Native American, 1.19% (62) Asian, 0.02% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.44% (23) from other races, and 1.00% (52) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.85% (200) of the population.

Of the 2,021 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18; 60.0% were married couples living together; 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.5% were non-families. Of all households, 23.6% were made up of individuals and 9.6% 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 3.03.

21.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 35.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.9 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $77,639 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,453) and the median family income was $86,795 (+/− $7,981). Males had a median income of $63,168 (+/− $9,682) versus $37,682 (+/− $3,054) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $32,953 (+/− $3,286). About 3.0% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Hampton township, Sussex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 20, 2013.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 4,943 people, 1,857 households, and 1,413 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 2,026 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 97.29% White, 0.97% African American, 0.02% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 1.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hampton township, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 31, 2016.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hampton township, Sussex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 20, 2013.

There were 1,857 households, out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.2% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% were non-families. 20.7% 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 2.65 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the township the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $60,698, and the median income for a family was $67,386. Males had a median income of $48,882 versus $36,500 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,353. 2.0% of the population and 1.2% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.0% of those under the age of 18 and 2.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Government

Local government Hampton Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The Township Committee is comprised 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.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 110."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.

, members of the Hampton Township Committee are Mayor Timothy S. Dooley (R, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2024), David S. Hansen (R, 2026), Eileen Klose (R, 2025), Ed Ramm (R, 2024) and Philip L. Yetter (R, 2026).Meet the Committee, Hampton Township. Accessed May 24, 2024.2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Hampton Township. Accessed May 24, 2024.Summary Results Report Official Results November 7 2023 General Election, Sussex County, New Jersey, November 22, 2023. Accessed February 1, 2024.Sussex County, New Jersey General Election November 8, 2022, Official Results Summary Report, Sussex County, New Jersey, dated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.Summary Results Report November 2, 2021 General Election Official Results, Sussex County, New Jersey, updated November 22, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.

In January 2015, the township committee selected Scott MacKenzie to fill the vacant seat of Keith Gourlay expiring in December 2016.Staff. "Assembly, freeholder top June primary races as candidates file" , KWWL (TV), March 30, 2015, updated May 31, 2015. Accessed June 23, 2015. "Republican Scott McKenzie filed petitions for the unexpired term (through Dec. 31, 2016) of Keith Gourlay. McKenzie was appointed to fill the vacancy on the committee pending the November election." MacKenzie served on an interim basis until the November 2015 general election, when he was elected to serve the one year remaining on the term of office, while Keith Gourlay—who had left office earlier—was elected to a term expiring in December 2018.Sussex County General Election November 3, 2015 Summary Report Official Results, Sussex County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 6, 2015. Accessed August 1, 2016.

The township passed an ordinance that prohibits short-term rentals below 150 days as of May 2021, targeting people using companies such as Airbnb."An Ordinance To Amend The Revised General Ordinances Of The Township Of Hampton, County Of Sussex, State Of New Jersey, To Add New Chapter 84, Entitled “Short-Term Residential Rental Property Regulations", Hampton Township. Accessed December 21, 2023. "No dwelling unit shall be rented or let for occupancy by a person for a period of less than 150 consecutive days."

Federal, state and county representation Hampton Township is located in the 5th Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 24th state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.

Politics