Stanhope is a borough located in the southernmost portion of Sussex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 3,526, a decrease of 84 (−2.3%) from the 2010 census count of 3,610, which in turn reflected an increase of 26 (+0.7%) from the 3,584 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.
Stanhope was formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 24, 1904, from portions of Byram Township.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.Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 263. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 9, 2015.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.09 square miles (5.42 km2), including 1.84 square miles (4.76 km2) of land and 0.26 square miles (0.66 km2) of water (12.25%).
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Lake Musconetcong.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
Stanhope borders the municipalities of Byram Township and Hopatcong in Sussex County; and Mount Olive Township, Netcong and Roxbury in Morris County.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
2020 census As of the 2020 census, Stanhope had a population of 3,526. The median age was 42.8 years. 18.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.4 males age 18 and over.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,432 households in Stanhope, of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.0% were married-couple households, 16.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 1,507 housing units, of which 5.0% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%.
+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 2,822 80.0% Black or African American 79 2.2% American Indian and Alaska Native 7 0.2% Asian 95 2.7% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 2 0.1% Some other race 207 5.9% Two or more races 314 8.9% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 492 14.0%
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 3,610 people, 1,396 households, and 958 families in the borough. The population density was 1,966.3 per square mile (759.2/km2). There were 1,472 housing units at an average density of 801.8 per square mile (309.6/km2). The racial makeup was 91.36% (3,298) White, 1.58% (57) Black or African American, 0.08% (3) Native American, 2.33% (84) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 2.63% (95) from other races, and 2.02% (73) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.50% (307) of the population.
Of the 1,396 households, 31.7% had children under the age of 18; 53.2% were married couples living together; 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.4% were non-families. Of all households, 25.1% were made up of individuals and 6.6% 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 3.11.
22.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.4 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $78,625 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,138) and the median family income was $94,545 (+/− $11,809). Males had a median income of $51,974 (+/− $7,042) versus $47,241 (+/− $3,337) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,934 (+/− $4,607). About 0.9% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Stanhope borough, Sussex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 21, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 3,584 people, 1,384 households, and 978 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,419 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 93.55% White, 1.34% African American, 0.06% Native American, 1.53% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.40% from other races, and 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.05% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Stanhope borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 16, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Stanhope borough, Sussex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 16, 2012.
There were 1,384 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.2% 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 3.10.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $63,059, and the median income for a family was $73,203. Males had a median income of $49,861 versus $36,545 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,535. About 1.7% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.7% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over. Government
Local government Stanhope 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. The 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. 110. The borough form of government used by Stanhope 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 Stanhope is Republican Gene Wronko, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the Borough Council are Council President William Thornton (R, 2024), Diana M. Kuncken (R, 2025), Anthony J. Riccardi (D, 2026), Thomas J. Romano (R, 2026), Tyler Simpson (R, 2024; appointed to serve an unexpired term) and Scott Wachterhauser (R, 2025; elected to serve an unexpired term).Mayor and Council, Stanhope Borough. Accessed May 24, 2024.2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Stanhope Borough. 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.
Tyler Simpson was appointed in January 2024 to serve the rest of the seat expiring in December 2024 that became vacant when Gene Wronko took office as mayor earlier that month.January 23, 2024 Regular Meeting, Borough of Stanhope. Accessed May 24, 2024. "On motion by Councilman Wachterhauser and seconded by Councilman Riccardi, Tyler Simpson was nominated for the temporary council member position. On motion by Councilman Romano and seconded by Councilwoman Kuncken, nominations were closed. As a result of the following unanimous roll call vote, Tyler Simpson was elected as the temporary council member."
In April 2023, Scott Wachterhauser was appointed to fill the seat expiring in April 2023 vacated following the resignation Michael Vance.April 25, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes, Borough of Stanhope. Accessed May 24, 2024. "Scott Wachterhauser was elected as Councilman for Stanhope Borough which was unanimously carried by the following roll call vote." Wachterhauser served on an interim basis until November 2023, when he was elected to serve the remainder of the term.
Michael Vance was chosen in June 2021 to fill the seat that had been held by Raymond Cipollini that expired in December 2022.Borough Council Meeting Minutes for June 22, 2021, Borough of Stanhope. Accessed August 15, 2022. "On motion by Councilman Romano and seconded by Councilman Thornton, Michael Vance was nominated for the temporary council member position. On motion by Councilman Romano and seconded by Councilman Thornton nominations were closed. Michael Vance was unanimously elected as temporary council member by the following roll call vote." In the November 2021 general election, Vance was elected to serve the remainder of the term of office.