Hampton is a borough in Hunterdon County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,438, an increase of 37 (+2.6%) from the 2010 census count of 1,401, which in turn reflected a decline of 145 (−9.4%) from the 1,546 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.

History What is now Hampton was originally incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature as Junction Borough on February 20, 1895, from portions of both Lebanon Township and Bethlehem Township, based on the results of a referendum held on the previous day. By a resolution of the borough council, the name was changed to Hampton as of February 11, 1909. In 1931, additional territory was annexed from both Glen Gardner and Bethlehem Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 155. Accessed May 28, 2024. As part of the 1931 settlement reached between the two municipalities to resolve a border dispute dating back to the borough of Glen Gardner's formation in 1919, Hampton paid Glen Gardner $4,000 (equivalent to $ in ) for of land that became part of the borough."Pact Reached In Hunterdon Co. Dispute", Courier News, April 8, 1931. Accessed March 3, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "A compromise having been effected between the boroughs of Hampton and Glen Gardner, Hunterdon county, over the annexation of a portion of the latter by Hampton, no opposition to the proposition was presented at a hearing on Senate Bill 344, introduced by Senator Horace G. Prall, before the Boroughs and Townships Committee here Monday. Anthony M. Houck, Jr., counsel for Hampton borough, explained the terms of the compromise reached by the neighboring boroughs, whereby Hampton will take about 20 acres of Glen Gardner territory instead of 46 acres claimed. The purpose of the annexation is to straighten out a long disputed boundary line question which has existed since Glen Gardner incorporated as a borough about 13 years ago.... The actual land value placed on the annexed portion by Borough Treasurer Waters was $200 an acre or approximately $4,000."

Located on the banks of the Musconetcong River, Hampton was first settled in 1800. In 1880, the town consisted of a store, hotel, cabinet manufacturer, blacksmith, wheelwright shop, grist mill, school house and about 25 dwellings. Hampton was once known as "Junction" because the Central Railroad of New Jersey and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad crossed through here.

The cremated remains of occultist Aleister Crowley were buried under a tree by O.T.O. successor Karl Germer at his home in Hampton.Aleister Crowley: The Last Ritual, Ashton Rare Books. Accessed March 3, 2023. "Crowley's ashes were sent to Karl Germer in the USA, who buried them in his garden in Hampton, New Jersey."

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.52 square miles (3.93 km2), including 1.51 square miles (3.90 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) of water (0.79%).

Hampton Junction is an unincorporated community within Hampton.

The borough borders the municipalities of Bethlehem Township, Glen Gardner Borough and Lebanon Township in Hunterdon County; and Washington Township in Warren County.Areas touching Hampton, MapIt. Accessed August 31, 2015.Map of County Municipalities, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed July 30, 2023.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,401 people, 570 households, and 368 families in the borough. The population density was 915.1 per square mile (353.3/km2). There were 612 housing units at an average density of 399.7 per square mile (154.3/km2). The racial makeup was 92.29% (1,293) White, 2.50% (35) Black or African American, 0.71% (10) Native American, 1.86% (26) Asian, 0.07% (1) Pacific Islander, 1.00% (14) from other races, and 1.57% (22) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.35% (75) of the population.

Of the 570 households, 29.3% had children under the age of 18; 50.4% were married couples living together; 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 35.4% were non-families. Of all households, 30.2% were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.11.

21.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 101.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 97.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $63,681 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,751) and the median family income was $82,396 (+/− $19,162). Males had a median income of $54,500 (+/− $9,914) versus $33,594 (+/− $8,886) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,468 (+/− $3,353). About 10.2% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Hampton borough, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,546 people, 559 households, and 377 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 574 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 91.01% White, 4.98% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.97% Asian, 0.78% from other races, and 1.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.85% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hampton borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hampton borough, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.

There were 559 households, out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 106.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $51,111, and the median income for a family was $64,583. Males had a median income of $45,096 versus $32,000 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $22,440. About 7.1% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government Hampton is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year 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. The borough form of government used by Hampton is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.

, the mayor of Hampton Borough is Republican Todd Shaner, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Hampton Borough Council are Council President Robert T. Wotanowski (R, 2023), Robert M. Celentano (R, 2023), John R. Drummond (R, 2025), Douglas E. Rega (R, 2024), Carroll L. Swenson (R, 2025) and Jeffrey A. Tampier (R, 2024).Borough Council, Hampton Borough. Accessed May 3, 2023.2021 Municipal Data Sheet, Hampton Borough. Accessed May 13, 2022.Borough of Hampton, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed May 3, 2023.2022 County and Municipal Directory, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed May 1, 2023.Hunterdon County District Canvass November 8, 2022, General Election, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.November 2, 2021 District Report Hunterdon County Official Results, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 12, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.November 3, 2020 District Report Hunterdon County Official Results, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.Hunterdon County District Canvass November 5, 2019, General Election, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 14, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.

In May 2013, the borough council selected James Cregar from a list of three candidates recommended by the Republican municipal committee to fill the vacant seat of Mayor Peter Winter following his resignation in May, at which time Cregar had become acting mayor.Borough of Hampton June 10, 2013, Meeting Minutes, Borough of Hampton, backed up by the Internet Archive as of January 19, 2015. Accessed August 14, 2018. "Mr. Walton provided a brief overview of the resignation of former Mayor Peter Winter. James Cregar has been the Acting Mayor as of May 14, 2013.... Due to statutory requirements for filling the vacancy, the recommendation of the Republican Committee is to appoint James Cregar as the Mayor of the Borough of Hampton."

Federal, state and county representation Hampton is located in the 7th Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. 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