Oxford Township is a township in Warren County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 2,444, a decrease of 70 (−2.8%) from the 2010 census count of 2,514, which in turn reflected an increase of 207 (+9.0%) from the 2,307 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.
Oxford Township was formed from portions of Greenwich Township on May 30, 1754, while the area was still part of Sussex County. It was incorporated on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's initial group of townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature. Mansfield Township became part of the newly formed Warren County on November 20, 1824. Over the centuries since its creation, portions of the township were taken to form Knowlton Township (February 23, 1763), Franklin Township, Harmony Township and Hope Township (all on April 8, 1839), Belvidere (April 7, 1845) and White Township (April 9, 1913).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 247. Accessed May 30, 2024.
The origin of the name and the exact date of the township's creation is in dispute. One source says that the township was named for the University of Oxford in England, and was formed in either 1753 or 1755,Snell, James P. (1881) History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Vol. 2 (Centennial ed., Harmony, NJ: Harmony Press, 1981) pg. 606 but other sources claim that the township was named after an early settler named John Axford, who came to settle in the area with others between 1735 and 1739, and affirms that the township's creation was in 1755.Harpster, Richard E. Historical Sites of Warren County. (Warren County Tercentenary Committee and Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders, New Jersey, 1965) pg. 127Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 16, 2015.
Oxford Furnace, constructed in 1741, was the third furnace in Colonial New Jersey and the first constructed at a site where iron ore was mined. Other furnaces used ore extracted from bogs in South Jersey, impure deposits called bog iron. Oxford Furnace operated the longest of any of the Colonial-era furnaces, not being "blown out" until 1884. In 1835, it was the site of America's first successful use of the hot blast in which preheated air was blown into the furnace, cutting production time. Though worn down by time, much of the site still stands. Oxford Furnace is listed on the State and the National Register of Historic Places.Stabilization of the Oxford Furnace, Warren County Cultural & Heritage Commission. Accessed June 10, 2013.
Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 6.06 square miles (15.70 km2), including 5.96 square miles (15.43 km2) of land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km2) of water (1.67%).
Oxford CDP (with a 2020 Census population of 1,033) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within the township.GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Warren County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 10, 2013.2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 10, 2013.New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, p. III-5, August 2012. Accessed June 10, 2013. Oxford CDP and Oxford Township are not coextensive, with the CDP covering 11.7% of the of the township as a whole.
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Pequest.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed April 8, 2015.
The township borders the Warren County municipalities of Mansfield Township, Washington Township and White Township.Municipal Directory, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed July 30, 2023.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Climate Being in the Northeast U.S., Oxford experiences all four seasons with hot humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
Demographics
The township's economic data (as is all of Warren County) is calculated by the US Census Bureau as part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area.
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 2,514 people, 950 households, and 675 families in the township. The population density was 434.5 per square mile (167.8/km2). There were 1,033 housing units at an average density of 178.5 per square mile (68.9/km2). The racial makeup was 94.99% (2,388) White, 1.63% (41) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 1.51% (38) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.68% (17) from other races, and 1.19% (30) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.78% (95) of the population.
Of the 950 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18; 56.1% were married couples living together; 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.9% were non-families. Of all households, 22.6% were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.13.
24.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 31.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.7 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $66,268 (with a margin of error of ± $3,864) and the median family income was $76,186 (± $8,432). Males had a median income of $56,731 (± $11,282) versus $36,816 (± $5,060) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,948 (± $2,220). About 1.5% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Oxford township, Warren County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 10, 2013.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census, there were 2,307 people, 886 households, and 618 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 938 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 96.58% White, 1.21% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.65% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.47% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Oxford township, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 10, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Oxford township, Warren County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 10, 2013.
There were 886 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the township the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $53,359, and the median income for a family was $63,750. Males had a median income of $45,667 versus $31,210 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,515. About 2.6% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government Local government Oxford 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 three 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 one seat 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. 103."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At an annual reorganization meeting held during the first week of January, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another to serve as Deputy Mayor.
, members of the Oxford Township Committee are Mayor Gerald S. Norton (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2022), Deputy Mayor Georgette Miller (R, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2022) and Linda Koufodonetes (R, 2023; elected to serve an unexpired term).Township Directory, Oxford Township. Accessed March 2, 2022.Reorganization Meeting Minutes for January 5, 2022, Township of Oxford. Accessed March 2, 2022. "Richard Wenner swore in Gerald Norton as Mayor for 2022.... Richard Wenner swore in Georgette Miller as Deputy Mayor for 2021."2021 Municipal Data Sheet, Oxford Township. Accessed March 2, 2022.Summary Results Report 2021 General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Warren County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.Warren County 2020 General Election November 20, 2020 Official Results, Warren County, New Jersey, updated November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.General Election November 5, 2019, Warren County Official Tally, Warren County, New Jersey, updated November 12, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.
In August 2021, the committee selected Linda Koufodontes to fill the vacant seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Robert Nyland until he resigned from office. Koufodontes served on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election, when she was chosen to serve the balance of the term of office.July 7, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes, Oxford Township. Accessed October 27, 2021. "Bob Nyland submitted and read his letter of resignation from the Township Committee effective August 1, 2021."August 4, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes, Oxford Township. Accessed October 27, 2021. "Georgette Miller moved to nominate Linda Koufodontes as Committee Member. Seconded by Mayor Norton and passed unanimously on roll call vote. Ayes: 2, Nays: 0, Abstain: 0, Absent: 0. Swearing in of new Committee Member: Rich Wenner swore in Linda Koufodontes as Committee Member."