Fredon Township, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fredon Township, New Jersey
Township
Autumn landscape
Seal
Map of Fredon Township in Sussex County. Inset: Location of Sussex County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Fredon Township, New Jersey.
Fredon Township, New Jersey Location in Sussex County, New Jersey Show map of Sussex County, New Jersey Fredon Township, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Fredon Township, New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Sussex
Incorporated	February 24, 1904
Government
• Type	Township
• Body	Township Committee
Area
• Total	17.92 sq mi (46.40 km2)
• Land	17.64 sq mi (45.69 km2)
• Water	0.28 sq mi (0.71 km2)  1.53%
Area rank	160th of 565 in state 14th of 24 in county
Elevation	830 ft (250 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,235
• Estimate  (2023)	3,293
• Rank	440th of 565 in state 17th of 24 in county
• Density	183.4/sq mi (70.8/km2)
• Density rank	511th of 565 in state 17th of 24 in county
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code	07860 – Newton
Area code(s)	973
FIPS code	3403725140
GNIS feature ID	0882268

Fredon Township is a small community located in Sussex County, New Jersey. It's a quiet place with a population of about 3,235 people, based on the 2020 census. This makes it one of the smaller townships in the state.

History of Fredon Township

Fredon Township has an interesting past. In 1800, a man named Isaac V. Coursen opened a post office in his store, the Coursen House. He called the area "Coursen's Corners." Before he passed away in 1855, he changed the name to Fredon Village.

What Does "Fredon" Mean?

The name "Fredon" comes from the German word "fredonia." This word means "place of freedom." So, Fredon Township is a place that celebrates freedom!

When Was Fredon Township Formed?

Fredon Township officially became its own township on February 24, 1904. It was created from parts of several nearby townships. These included Andover Township, Green Township, Hampton Township, and Stillwater Township.

Exploring Fredon's Geography

Fredon Township covers an area of about 17.92 square miles (46.40 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part made up of water.

Local Communities and Features

Within Fredon Township, you'll find several smaller communities and natural spots. These include Hunts Pond, Muckshaw Pond, and Stillwater. These places add to the natural beauty of the township.

Neighboring Towns and Counties

Fredon Township shares its borders with several other towns. In Sussex County, it borders Andover Township, Green Township, Hampton Township, Newton, and Stillwater Township. It also borders Frelinghuysen Township in Warren County.

The Paulinskill Valley Trail

A historic railway, the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway, used to run through the Paulinskill Valley. This railway was active from 1872 to 1962. It helped transport farm products to New York City. Today, this old railway path has been turned into the Paulinskill Valley Trail. It's a great place for walking, biking, and enjoying nature. The trail is part of the Kittatinny Valley State Park.

Fredon's Population Over Time

Fredon Township has seen its population change over the years. In 2010, there were 3,437 people living here. By 2020, the population had slightly decreased to 3,235. Most residents are White, with smaller numbers of other racial and ethnic groups.

Who Lives in Fredon?

In 2010, there were 1,207 households in Fredon. Many of these were families, with 71.9% being married couples. About 35.6% of households had children under 18. The average household had about 2.84 people.

Age Groups in Fredon

The population in Fredon is made up of different age groups. About 25.7% of residents are under 18 years old. Many adults are between 45 and 64 years old, making up 33.6% of the population. The median age in Fredon is around 43.3 years.

Education in Fredon Township

Students in Fredon Township attend public schools. The school system is divided into two main parts.

Fredon Township School District

Younger students, from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, attend the Fredon Township School District. This district has one school, Fredon Township School. In the 2020–21 school year, about 178 students were enrolled. The school has a good student-to-teacher ratio, meaning smaller class sizes. Fredon School received the National Blue Ribbon Award for Academic Excellence in 2001. This is a very high honor for schools in the United States.

Kittatinny Regional High School

For students in seventh through twelfth grade, they attend Kittatinny Regional High School. This high school is located in Hampton Township. It serves students from Fredon and several other nearby townships. The high school is on a large 96-acre campus. In the 2020–21 school year, it had about 843 students. Kittatinny Regional High School was also recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 1997–1998.

Getting Around Fredon

Route 94 northbound in Fredon Township

Fredon Township has a network of roads to help people travel. As of 2010, there were over 51 miles of roadways. The township maintains most of these roads.

Main Roads in Fredon

The most important highway in Fredon Township is New Jersey Route 94. This road helps connect Fredon to other areas. Another key road is County Route 519. These roads are essential for daily travel in the township.

Notable People from Fredon

Fredon Township has been home to some interesting individuals.

• Delicate Steve (Steve Marion): He is a recording artist known for his unique music.
• Uli Derickson (1944–2005): She was a flight attendant who bravely helped protect passengers during a plane hijacking in 1985.
• Charles Joseph Fletcher (1922–2011): He was an inventor and business owner. He helped develop an early version of the hovercraft.