Mansfield 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 7,781, its highest decennial census count ever, and an increase of 56 (+0.7%) from the 2010 census count of 7,725, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,072 (+16.1%) from the 6,653 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.
What is now Mansfield Township was formed on May 30, 1754, as Mansfield-Woodhouse Township from portions of Greenwich Township, while the area was still part of Sussex County, and was incorporated as Mansfield Township on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature. The township became part of the newly formed Warren County on November 20, 1824. Portions of the township were taken to form Franklin Township (April 8, 1839) and Washington Township (April 9, 1849).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 township was named after William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield.Snell, James P. History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, p. 726. Everts & Peck, 1881. Accessed September 4, 2015. "The township was formed out of Greenwich in 1754. It received its name in honor of Lord Mansfield, of London, who was a prominent jurist on the Queen's Bench at that time."
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 29.69 square miles (76.90 km2), including 29.59 square miles (76.63 km2) of land and 0.11 square miles (0.27 km2) of water (0.35%).
Anderson (with a 2020 Census population of 306), Beattystown (4,701) and Port Murray (227) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDPs) 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.
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Karrsville, Mount Bethel, Penwell, Rockport and Stephensburg.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed April 5, 2015.
The township borders the municipalities of Hackettstown, Independence Township, Liberty Township, Oxford Township and Washington Township in Warren County; Lebanon Township in Hunterdon County; and Washington Township in Morris County.Municipal Directory, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed July 30, 2023.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Demographics
The Township's economic data (as is all of Warren County) is calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau as part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area.
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 7,725 people, 2,972 households, and 2,000 families in the township. The population density was 259.1 per square mile (100.0/km2). There were 3,316 housing units at an average density of 111.2 per square mile (42.9/km2). The racial makeup was 86.73% (6,700) White, 4.89% (378) Black or African American, 0.18% (14) Native American, 3.21% (248) Asian, 0.03% (2) Pacific Islander, 3.06% (236) from other races, and 1.90% (147) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.94% (845) of the population.
Of the 2,972 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18; 51.8% were married couples living together; 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.7% were non-families. Of all households, 25.5% 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 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.
22.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.6 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 $74,063 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,316) and the median family income was $87,434 (+/− $8,330). Males had a median income of $56,567 (+/− $5,612) versus $41,583 (+/− $1,597) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $32,259 (+/− $2,751). About 5.1% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Mansfield township, Warren County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 10, 2013.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 6,653 people, 2,334 households, and 1,750 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 2,415 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 90.91% White, 4.51% African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.22% Asian, 1.59% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.37% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Mansfield 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 Mansfield township, Warren County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 10, 2013.
There were 2,334 households, out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% 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 3.18.
In the ownship the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $61,763, and the median income for a family was $76,102. Males had a median income of $50,295 versus $35,737 for females. The per capita income for the township was $26,277. About 2.7% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government Mansfield 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. 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 conducted 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 Mansfield Township Committee are Mayor Joseph E. Watters (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2022), Deputy mayor Glen McGuinness (R, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2022; elected to serve an unexpired term), Desiree Mora Dillon (R, 2022) and Joseph D. Farino (R, 2023) and Ronald Hayes (R, 2023).Municipal Government, Mansfield Township. Accessed May 30, 2024. "Under the current township government laws, the Township Committee remains the backbone of the municipality’s government. Voters elect, at-large, the Township Committee comprising five members. The elections are partisan and the committee members serve staggered three-year terms. The Township Committee elects the mayor for a one-year term."2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Mansfield Township. Accessed June 21, 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 January 2020, Tony Cardell, who had been elected as a Republican in November 2019, announced that he would not be taking office for the seat expiring in December 2022.Reorganization Meeting Minutes for January 1, 2020, Township of Mansfield. Accessed February 26, 2020. "Ms. Hrebenak stated that a letter of resignation was received from Mr. Tony Cardell, this causes a vacancy on the Township Committee and will be referred to the Municipal County Committee." Glen McGuinness was elected in November 2021 to fill the balance of the term of office.
Federal, state, and county representation Mansfield Township is located in the 7th Congressional District2022 Redistricting Plan, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 8, 2022. and is part of New Jersey's 23rd 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 As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,443 registered voters in Mansfield Township, of which 779 (17.5% vs. 21.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,784 (40.2% vs. 35.3%) were registered as Republicans and 1,877 (42.2% vs. 43.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were three voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.Voter Registration Summary - Warren, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed June 10, 2013. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 57.5% (vs. 62.3% in Warren County) were registered to vote, including 74.6% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 81.5% countywide).GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 10, 2013.