Tewksbury Township is a township located in Hunterdon County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey and is located within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 5,870, a decrease of 123 (−2.1%) from the 2010 census count of 5,993, which in turn reflected an increase of 452 (+8.2%) from the 5,541 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 has been one of the state's highest-income communities. Based on data from the 2012–2016 American Community Survey (ACS), NJ.com ranked the township as having the fifth-highest income in the state, with a median household income of $173,473.Petenko, Erin. "The 19 wealthiest towns in New Jersey, ranked", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 12, 2018, updated May 15, 2019. Accessed February 27, 2020. "A note about the data: The source of this data is median household income in the 2012-2016 American Community Survey snapshot, compared with the 2007-2011 ACS snapshot.... 3. Mendham township, Morris County Median income: $176,875" Based on data from the 2014–2018 ACS, the township residents had a median household income of $162,037, more than double the statewide median of $79,363.QuickFacts Tewksbury township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey; New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 30, 2020.

Located within the Raritan Valley region, Tewksbury is situated in northeastern Hunterdon County bordering both Morris and Somerset (along the Lamington River) counties. The township's name is thought to be from Tewkesbury, England. Since 2003, the two communities have been twinned.History, Tewksbury Township. Accessed March 5, 2023. "The Township traces its origins to George Willocks' purchase of land from Lenape Indians in 1708 and to the West Jersey Society purchase of one hundred thousand acres two years later.... The name, Tewksbury, is believed to have originated from a connection with Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, England. The two townships established a sister city relationship in 2003."Capuzzo, Jill P., et al. "16 Small Towns We Love", New Jersey Monthly, August 27, 2019. Accessed March 5, 2023. "The township is thought to be named after Tewkesbury, England; the two established a sister-city relationship in 2003."

History The area was originally settled by the Lenape Native Americans. European settlement began in 1708, when George Willocks acquired land from the Lenape in the area, followed by an acquisition by the proprietors of West Jersey of a tract covering .

The township was first mentioned as holding a township meeting on March 11, 1755, as having been formed partly from Lebanon Township, though the exact circumstances of its formation by charter are unknown. Tewksbury was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken to form Califon borough (April 2, 1898). Portions of the township were acquired from Readington Township in 1832 and 1861, and portions were transferred to Clinton Township in 1871 and 1891.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 154. Accessed May 30, 2024.

The earliest European settlers were of English extraction and were followed by a large German contingent who began to settle in the area around 1749 and became the strongest influence around the time Tewksbury became a township. Their community was known as New Germantown, a name that survived until World War I when prejudice against Germans led residents to change the community's name to Oldwick. The more than 100 structures and its mixture of Victorian, Federal, New England and Georgian style homes in Oldwick is protected by its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form for Oldwick Historic District, National Park Service, received September 30, 1988. Accessed November 21, 2019. "The Oldwick Historic District is composed of 127 contributing buildings and outbuildings, 12 contributing structures and 1 contributing site (church cemetery).... them, the Georgian/Federal, Greek Revival, and Italianate styles appear to have been most widely adapted by district builders." Established in 1714 and granted a Royal Charter in 1767, Zion Lutheran Church in Oldwick is the oldest German Lutheran parish in New Jersey.Staff. "1767 charter is restored for Zion Lutheran in Tewksbury", September 18, 2011, updated March 31, 2019. Accessed November 21, 2019. "The Royal Charter, which was granted to Zion in 1767 by King George III, is on parchment and measures about 20" x 28".... Zion Lutheran Church is the oldest Lutheran congregation in New Jersey. Most of the charter members of the church had fled from the Palatinate area of Germany and its long series of wars and severe tax burdens. The first service was led by Justus Falckner on Aug. 1, 1714, at the home of Aree van Guinee, a freed slave."

Oldwick is home to Mane Stream, a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) Premier Accredited Center for therapeutic horseback riding.About, Mane Stream. Accessed September 22, 2014.

On April 5, 2024, the township was the epicenter of the 2024 New Jersey earthquake, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake that was felt throughout the Northeastern United States including New York City and Philadelphia.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of , including of land and of water (0.41%).

Tewksbury Township borders Califon, Clinton Township, Lebanon Township and Readington Township in Hunterdon County; Chester Township and Washington Township in Morris County; and Bedminster Township in Somerset County.Areas touching Tewksbury Township, MapIt. Accessed March 11, 2020.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.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Apgar's Corner, Bissell, Cokesbury (located on the order of Tewksbury Township and Clinton Tonwship), Fairmount, Farmersville, Fox Hill, Laurel Farms, Lower Fairmount, Mountainville, New Germantown, Oldwick, Pottersville (split between Tewksbury Township and Bedminster), Sutton and Vernoy.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed December 20, 2014.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 5,993 people, 2,189 households, and 1,769 families in the township. The population density was 190.1 per square mile (73.4/km2). There were 2,323 housing units at an average density of 73.7 per square mile (28.5/km2). The racial makeup was 94.16% (5,643) White, 0.83% (50) Black or African American, 0.03% (2) Native American, 2.92% (175) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.82% (49) from other races, and 1.23% (74) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.49% (209) of the population.

Of the 2,189 households, 34.9% had children under the age of 18; 73.0% were married couples living together; 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.2% were non-families. Of all households, 15.3% were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.05.

25.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 15.2% from 25 to 44, 38.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.7 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $160,224 (with a margin of error of +/− $13,609) and the median family income was $189,833 (+/− $21,901). Males had a median income of $128,177 (+/− $22,406) versus $90,833 (+/− $32,868) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $91,644 (+/− $13,544). About 0.9% of families and 1.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Tewksbury township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 5,541 people, 1,986 households, and 1,662 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 2,052 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 96.82% White, 0.52% African American, 1.88% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.53% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Tewksbury township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Tewksbury township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.

There were 1,996 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.2% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.3% were non-families. 12.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the township the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 33.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $135,649, and the median income for a family was $150,189. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $57,500 for females. The per capita income for the township was $65,470. About 1.6% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation Tewksbury Township hosts part of a rail trail that was created out of the former Central Railroad of New Jersey High Bridge Branch. The trail is maintained by Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation and is called the Columbia Trail, which includes a scenic area known as the Ken Lockwood Gorge.Columbia Trail, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Division of Parks and Recreation. Accessed March 3, 2023.A Gorgeous Ride: The Columbia Trail, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed March 3, 2023.

Government

Local government