Andover Township is a township in Sussex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 5,996, a decrease of 323 (−5.1%) from the 2010 census count of 6,319, which in turn reflected an increase of 286 (+4.7%) from the 6,033 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.

Andover was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 11, 1864, from portions of Newton Township, which was split up on that date and dissolved. Portions of the township were taken to form Fredon Township (February 24, 1904) and Andover borough (March 25, 1904). Portions of the township were ceded to Newton town in both 1869 and 1927.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 230. Accessed May 1, 2026.

The township was suggestively named after the existing village of Andover, whose name origin is not certain,Snell, James P. (1881) History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers. (Centennial ed., Harmony, NJ: Harmony Press, 1981) p. 445. though sources indicate that the name comes from Andover, Hampshire, England.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 26, 2015. In the years before World War II, Andover Township was home to Camp Nordland, a retreat and gathering place covering owned and operated by the German American Bund, an American Nazi organization devoted to promoting a favorable view of Nazi Germany. Camp Nordland was shut down by the federal government after Germany declared war on the United States and sold at auction in 1944.Staff. "'Camp Nordland' Sold; Bund's N.J. Training Center Is Bought by Real Estate Man", The New York Times, June 12, 1944. Accessed August 23, 2013. The property eventually was acquired by Andover Township and is now called Hillside Park with a recreational hall and sports fields.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 20.79 square miles (53.85 km2), including 20.05 square miles (51.92 km2) of land and 0.75 square miles (1.93 km2) of water (3.59%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Brighton, County Road Camp, Davis Pond, Drakes Pond, Garders Lake, Iliffs Lake, Lake Aeroflex, Lake Iliff, Lake Lenape, Long Pond, Mulford, New Waywayanda Lake, Pinkneyville, Redings Pond, Springdale, Stickle Pond, Sussex Mills, Whitehall and Whites Pond.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 22, 2015.

The township borders the Sussex County municipalities of Andover, Byram Township, Fredon Township, Green Township, Hampton Township, Lafayette Township and Sparta Township.Sussex County Map, Sussex County, New Jersey. Accessed March 10, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 6,319 people, 2,070 households, and 1,590 families in the township. The population density was 316.6 per square mile (122.2/km2). There were 2,181 housing units at an average density of 109.3 per square mile (42.2/km2). The racial makeup was 91.64% (5,791) White, 3.37% (213) Black or African American, 0.17% (11) Native American, 2.60% (164) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.73% (46) from other races, and 1.49% (94) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.14% (325) of the population.

Of the 2,070 households, 34.9% had children under the age of 18; 64.8% were married couples living together; 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.2% were non-families. Of all households, 19.2% were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.10.

22.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 34.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $95,313 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,064) and the median family income was $105,554 (+/− $13,995). Males had a median income of $72,066 (+/− $10,198) versus $47,750 (+/− $8,020) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $38,284 (+/− $4,082). About 2.3% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 18, 2013.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 6,033 people, 1,889 households, and 1,499 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 1,968 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 94.45% White, 1.86% African American, 0.08% Native American, 2.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.25% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Andover township, Sussex County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 18, 2013., United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 18, 2013.

There were 1,889 households, out of which 39.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.9% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.6% were non-families. 16.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $75,748, and the median income for a family was $78,439. Males had a median income of $57,098 versus $36,268 for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,180. About 1.3% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government Andover 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. 110."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At an annual reorganization held in January, the council selects a mayor and a deputy mayor from among its members.

, members of the Andover Township Committee are Mayor Thomas D. Walsh Jr. (R, term on township committee ends December 31, 2026; term as mayor ends 2025), Deputy Mayor Eric Karr (R, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2024), Ellsworth E. Bensley Jr. (R, 2025), Michael Lensak (R, 2026) and Janis L. McGovern (R, 2024).Township Committee, Andover Township. Accessed May 20, 2024. "Andover Township is governed by a Mayor and Committee who are chosen through partisan elections held in annually November. The Mayor and the four Committee members handle legislative functions. A full-time Administrator assists the Mayor and Committee and coordinates the operations of government departments."2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Andover Township. Accessed May 20, 2024.Summary Results Report Official Results November 7 2023 General Election, Sussex County, New Jersey, November 22, 2023. Accessed February 1, 2024.Sussex County, New Jersey General Election November 8, 2022, Official Results Summary Report, Sussex County, New Jersey, dated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.Summary Results Report November 2, 2021 General Election Official Results, Sussex County, New Jersey, updated November 22, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.

Federal, state and county representation Andover Township is located in the 5th Congressional districtPlan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 24th 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 3,979 registered voters in Andover Township, of which 606 (15.2% vs. 16.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,813 (45.6% vs. 39.3%) were registered as Republicans and 1,552 (39.0% vs. 44.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 8 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.Voter Registration Summary - Sussex, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed February 18, 2013. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 63.0% (vs. 65.8% in Sussex County) were registered to vote, including 80.8% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 86.5% countywide).GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 18, 2013.