Hopewell Township is a township in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Located at the cross-roads between the Delaware Valley region to the southwest and the Raritan Valley region to the northeast, the township considered an exurb of New York City in the New York metropolitan area as defined by the United States Census Bureau,New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 28, 2014. while also directly bordering the Philadelphia metropolitan area, being a part of the Federal Communications Commission's Philadelphia Designated Market Area.- Philadelphia Market Area Coverage Maps, Federal Communications Commission. Accessed December 28, 2014. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 17,491, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 187 (+1.1%) from the 2010 census count of 17,304, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,199 (+7.4%) from the 16,105 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.

The township dates back to February 20, 1700, when the area was still part of Burlington County. One of the earliest European settlers before 1710 was George Woolsey, formerly of Jamaica, Queens (in present-day New York City), whose father was one of the earliest pre-1650 settlers of what was New Amsterdam. His descendants maintained the family farm for over 200 years.Seabrook, Jack and Lorraine. Hopewell Junction, Arcadia Publishing, 2000

The township was formerly the name for one of two portions of of land purchased in 1714 by William Trent, and was formally set off to Hunterdon County, when that county was created on March 11, 1714. Trenton Township was formed out of this estate on June 3, 1719, later to become the City of Trenton. Hopewell Township was incorporated by Royal charter on March 1, 1755, and was re-incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of the state's initial group of 104 townships. Hopewell Township became part of Mercer County at its creation on February 22, 1838. Portions of the township were taken to form Marion Township (February 22, 1838, reverted to Hopewell Township on February 14, 1839), the Borough of Pennington (January 31, 1890) and Hopewell Borough (April 14, 1891), with additional portions of the township transferred to both Pennington and Hopewell Borough in 1915.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 162. Accessed May 29, 2024.

History Hopewell Township includes the location (now known as Washington Crossing) along the east side of the Delaware River to which George Washington and the Continental Army crossed from Pennsylvania. Once in Hopewell Township, the army marched to Trenton on December 26, 1776. The Battle of Trenton followed. Today, Washington Crossing State Park commemorates this important milestone in American history.

Hopewell Township was also the location where—two months after being abducted from his home in neighboring East Amwell—the body of Charles Lindbergh Jr. was discovered on May 12, 1932.Gill, Barbara. "Lindbergh kidnapping rocked the world 50 years ago; Worldwide Story Was Hometown News For Hunterdon" , Hunterdon County Democrat, 1981. Accessed September 1, 2014. "When the body of the baby identified as the Lingbergh child was finally discovered in Hopewell Township well away from the county line the story appeared on Page 4 of the Democrat's May 19, 1932, issue."

In May 2023, a home in the township had its roof pierced by a stony chondrite meteorite weighing . After analysis, it was found to be one of 1,100 known meteorites with an unusually low iron content.Avril, Tom. "A strange rock crashed through the roof of a New Jersey house, and scientists have now confirmed it’s a meteorite No one was home when the blackish hunk of rock slammed into the house in Hopewell Township.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 11, 2023. Accessed May 15, 2023. "Why two holes in the ceiling? The rock apparently fell from the sky at such great speed that it tore through the roof of the house in Hopewell Township, Mercer County, then bounced off the hardwood floor and hit the ceiling before landing on the floor again, the physicist said.... Using a scanning electron microscope, they identified the rock as a type of meteorite called a stony chondrite, based partly on the presence of telltale grains called chondrules. It measures 4-by-6 inches and weighs 984 grams, a shade over 2 pounds."

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 58.95 square miles (152.67 km2), including 58.07 square miles (150.40 km2) of land and 0.87 square miles (2.26 km2) of water (1.48%).

The topography of the township is one of rolling hills, with The Sourlands encompassing the northern and western portions of the township and flatter terrain further southeast. Baldpate Mountain, in the western part of the township, is the highest hill, at above sea level.New Jersey County High Points , Peakbagger.com. Accessed October 5, 2013. The lowest elevation is between 20 and 40 feet, located where Jacobs Creek joins the Delaware River in the southwestern corner of the township.

The township completely surrounds Hopewell Borough and Pennington, making it part of two of the 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another, and the only municipality that surrounds two others.DeMarco, Megan. "Voters to decide whether to merge two Princetons into one", The Star-Ledger, November 3, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2017. "There are 22 sets of 'doughnut towns' in New Jersey, those where one town wraps around the other town". Note that following voter approval of the Princeton, New Jersey merger, 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" remain. The township borders Ewing Township, Lawrence Township and Princeton in Mercer County; East Amwell Township and West Amwell Township in Hunterdon County; Montgomery Township in Somerset County; and Solebury Township and Upper Makesfield Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, across the Delaware River.Areas touching Hopewell Township, MapIt. Accessed February 24, 2020.Municipalities within Mercer County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed November 15, 2019.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Ackors Corner, Baldwins Corner, Bear Tavern, Centerville, Coopers Corner, Federal City, Glenmoore, Harbourton, Harts Corner, Marshalls Corner, Moore, Mount Rose, Pleasant Valley, Stoutsburg, Titusville, Washington Crossing and Woodsville are unincorporated communities, localities and place names located within Hopewell Township.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed December 13, 2014. Some neighborhoods in the township include Hopewell Hunt, Brandon Farms and Elm Ridge.Neighborhoods in Mercer County New Jersey, Living Places. Accessed January 11, 2015.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 17,304 people, 6,282 households, and 4,925 families in the township. The population density was . There were 6,551 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 86.74% (15,010) White, 2.10% (364) Black or African American, 0.07% (12) Native American, 8.89% (1,539) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.52% (90) from other races, and 1.66% (288) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.31% (573) of the population.

Of the 6,282 households, 39.0% had children under the age of 18; 69.1% were married couples living together; 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 21.6% were non-families. Of all households, 17.8% were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.14.

26.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 34.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.4 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $132,813 (with a margin of error of ±$15,634) and the median family income was $151,394 (±$9,062). Males had a median income of $106,431 (±$9,830) versus $66,285 (±$11,820) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $55,219 (±$3,466). About 0.6% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 1.3% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Hopewell township, Mercer County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 23, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 16,105 people, 5,498 households, and 4,431 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 5,629 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 77.30% White, 15.83% African American, 0.12% Native American, 3.97% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.66% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.45% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hopewell township, Mercer County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 23, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hopewell township, Mercer County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 23, 2012.

There were 5,498 households, out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.6% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.4% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the township the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $93,640, and the median income for a family was $101,579. Males had a median income of $66,849 versus $47,701 for females. The per capita income for the township was $43,947. About 0.9% of families and 1.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation

Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed AssociationAbout Us , Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association. Accessed November 19, 2012. Washington Crossing State Park is a state park covering in portions of both Hunterdon County and Mercer County that commemorates "one of the pivotal events of the American Revolution."Washington Crossing State Park, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed November 27, 2019. St. Michaels Farm Preserve, which was first preserved in 2010, is a area of farm fields and forested land.St. Michaels Farm Preserve, D&R Greenway Land Trust. Accessed December 12, 2020. Woolsey Park

Government

Local government