Sandyston Township is a small rural township in Sussex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is located in the northwestern part of the state near the Pennsylvania border. The township is surrounded by and part of many national and state parks. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 1,977, a decrease of 21 (−1.1%) from the 2010 census count of 1,998, which in turn reflected an increase of 173 (+9.5%) from the 1,825 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. Sandyston's growth in recent years has been attributed to the influx of people from more urban parts of the state and even New York City, located less than away.
New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Sandyston Township 26th on its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey."Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100" , New Jersey Monthly, February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.
Sandyston was first formed by royal charter on February 26, 1762, from portions of Walpack Township. Sandyston was incorporated as a township on February 21, 1798, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature as part of the initial group of 104 townships incorporated in the state.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 232. Accessed May 30, 2024.
Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 42.06 square miles (108.94 km2), including 41.33 square miles (107.05 km2) of land and 0.73 square miles (1.89 km2) of water (1.74%).
The township ranges from above sea level. A ridge runs along the eastern half of the township called the Kittatinny Mountains. The highest point in the township is Sunrise Mountain in Stokes State Forest. The lowest point is around the Delaware River in the western half of the township.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Abertown, Bevans, Centerville, Dingmans Ferry, Hainesville, Kittatinny Lake, Lake Ashroe, Layton, Namanack Island, Normanock, Peters Valley, Shaytown, Stoney Lake and Tuttles Corner.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed April 14, 2015.
Sandyston Township borders the Sussex County municipalities of Frankford Township, Montague Township and Walpack Township.Sussex County Map, Sussex County, New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Demographics
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,998 people, 788 households, and 561 families in the township. The population density was . There were 988 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 97.45% (1,947) White, 0.40% (8) Black or African American, 0.10% (2) Native American, 0.55% (11) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.30% (6) from other races, and 1.20% (24) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.40% (68) of the population.
Of the 788 households, 29.9% had children under the age of 18; 58.8% were married couples living together; 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.8% were non-families. Of all households, 22.6% were made up of individuals and 7.6% 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 3.01.
22.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 36.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 98.6 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $73,750 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,449) and the median family income was $96,071 (+/− $15,669). Males had a median income of $62,071 (+/− $9,210) versus $41,875 (+/− $7,589) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $40,921 (+/− $9,604). About 2.5% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Sandyston township, Sussex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 25, 2013.
2000 census As of the 2000 U.S. census, there were 1,825 people, 693 households, and 503 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 907 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 97.86% White, 0.38% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Sandyston township, Sussex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 25, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Sandyston township, Sussex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 25, 2013.
There were 793 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the township, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $55,667, and the median income for a family was $65,774. Males had a median income of $46,167 versus $30,660 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,854. About 3.6% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
Parks and recreation
Brau Kettle karstDalton, Richard F. Caves of New Jersey, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - New Jersey Geological Survey. Accessed February 25, 2013. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Stokes State Forest cover more than two-thirds of the townshipA Brief History of Sandyston, Sandyston Township. Accessed July 24, 2013. "Sandyston Township measures only 42 square miles and includes Stokes State Forest and the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area, which renders 70 percent of the township tax exempt." Peters Valley School of Craft
Government Local government Sandyston 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 governing body is comprised of the three-person Township Committee, whose members are elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election.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 meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.
, members of the Sandyston Township Committee are Mayor George B. Harper Jr. (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2026; term as mayor ends 2024), Deputy Mayor Kamala M. "Kammy" Hull (R, term on committee ends 2025; term as deputy mayor ends 2024) and Ronald E. Green (R, 2024).Township Committee, Sandyston Township. Accessed May 24, 2024.2024 Municipal User Friendly Budget, Sandyston Township. Accessed May 24, 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.
In January 2016, the Township Committee selected Kamala "Kammy" Hull from three names nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by William J. Leppert until his resignation effective the previous month; Hull will serve on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when voters will select a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.Reorganization Meeting Minutes January 4, 2016, Sandyston Township. Accessed August 2, 2016. "With the resignation of William J. Leppert from the Township Committee, effective December 31, 2015, the Clerk presented a list of three names prepared by the Sandyston Township Municipal Committee to fill the unexpired term set to expire December 31, 2016. The three names presented were Kamala M. Hull, Kelly Hanlon and Keith Utter. Mayor Harper stated Mayor Harper made a motion to appoint Kamala Hull to fill the unexpired term of William J. Leppert, left vacant by his resignation, seconded by Deputy Mayor MacDonald and unanimously carried."Comstock, Lori. "Sandyston incumbent beats out challenger", New Jersey Herald, June 8, 2016. Accessed August 2, 2016. "Kamala Hull had been appointed to the Township Committee in January to fill the unexpired term of William J. Leppert, who had resigned in December."
Federal, state and county representation Sandyston 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 1,349 registered voters in Sandyston Township, of which 193 (14.3% vs. 16.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 662 (49.1% vs. 39.3%) were registered as Republicans and 492 (36.5% vs. 44.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered as either Libertarians or Greens.Voter Registration Summary - Sussex, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed February 25, 2013. Among the township's 2010 census population, 67.5% (vs. 65.8% in Sussex County) were registered to vote, including 87.1% 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 25, 2013.