kids encyclopedia robot

Montague Township, New Jersey facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Montague Township, New Jersey
Township
Township of Montague
High Point State Park
Nickname(s): 
"The Top of New Jersey"
Map of Montague Township in Sussex County. Inset: Location of Sussex County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Map of Montague Township in Sussex County. Inset: Location of Sussex County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Montague Township, New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Montague Township, New Jersey.
Montague Township, New Jersey is located in Sussex County, New Jersey
Montague Township, New Jersey
Montague Township, New Jersey
Location in Sussex County, New Jersey
Montague Township, New Jersey is located in New Jersey
Montague Township, New Jersey
Montague Township, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Montague Township, New Jersey is located in the United States
Montague Township, New Jersey
Montague Township, New Jersey
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State  New Jersey
County Sussex
Royal patent March 26, 1759
Incorporated February 21, 1798
Government
 • Type Township
 • Body Township Committee
Area
 • Total 46.63 sq mi (120.77 km2)
 • Land 45.23 sq mi (117.15 km2)
 • Water 1.40 sq mi (3.62 km2)  3.00%
Area rank 38th of 565 in state
3rd of 24 in county
Elevation
1,066 ft (325 m)
Population
 • Total 3,847
 • Estimate 
(2019)
3,648
 • Rank 418th of 566 in state
13th of 24 in county
 • Density 87.4/sq mi (33.7/km2)
 • Density rank 547th of 566 in state
22nd of 24 in county
Time zone UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code
07827
Area code(s) 973 Exchanges: 293, 948
FIPS code 3403747430
GNIS feature ID 0882256

Montague Township is a township in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States, in the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 3,847, reflecting an increase of 435 (+12.7%) from the 3,412 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 580 (+20.5%) from the 2,832 counted in the 1990 Census. High Point, within Montague Township, is the highest elevation within New Jersey at an altitude of 1,803 feet (550 m) above sea level. Montague is also the northernmost municipality in the state of New Jersey.

Most of the area of Montague Township is public lands, primarily High Point State Park, Stokes State Forest, and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Montague is known for its scenery and wildlife; summer sports in the area include hiking, biking, camping (both public and private campgrounds are available), and fishing.

The derivation of the township's name is uncertain, though suggestions include that it was named after the George Montagu, 4th Duke of Manchester, as suggested by King George II, who approved the royal patent on March 26, 1759; for Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, an author who was popular at the time; or for solicitor John Montague. Montague was incorporated on February 21, 1798, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships.

The township borders both New York and Pennsylvania, the only municipality in New Jersey to border both states; it is a rural community that does not have any traffic lights. Before Montague Township was granted its own post office in the 1980s, residents had all of their mail delivered through the 12771 ZIP code for Port Jervis, New York, leading to situations where residents had New Jersey driver's licenses with a New York State mailing address.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 45.380 square miles (117.533 km2), including 43.997 square miles (113.951 km2) of land and 1.383 square miles (3.582 km2) of water (3.05%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Brick House, Duttonville, High Point, High Point Park, Lake Marcia, Mashipacong Island, Mashipacong Pond, Millville and Minisink Island.

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Montague Township has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1810 661
1820 964 45.8%
1830 990 2.7%
1840 1,025 3.5%
1850 1,010 −1.5%
1860 983 −2.7%
1870 932 −5.2%
1880 1,022 9.7%
1890 797 −22.0%
1900 710 −10.9%
1910 621 −12.5%
1920 534 −14.0%
1930 581 8.8%
1940 621 6.9%
1950 602 −3.1%
1960 879 46.0%
1970 1,131 28.7%
1980 2,066 82.7%
1990 2,832 37.1%
2000 3,412 20.5%
2010 3,847 12.7%
2019 (est.) 3,648 −5.2%
Population sources: 1810-1920
1840 1850-1870 1850 1870
1880-1890 1890-1910 1910-1930
1930-1990 2000 2010

In 2019 over 50% of the people living in the township first settled in the 1980s and 1990s. Rob Jennings of NJ Advance Media described Montague as racially homogeneous.

Census 2010

As of the census of 2010, there were 3,847 people, 1,535 households, and 1,045 families residing in the township. The population density was 87.4 per square mile (33.7/km2). There were 1,802 housing units at an average density of 41.0 per square mile (15.8/km2)*. The racial makeup of the township was 92.33% (3,552) White, 2.63% (101) Black or African American, 0.23% (9) Native American, 1.01% (39) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.46% (56) from other races, and 2.34% (90) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.39% (246) of the population.

There were 1,535 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the township, the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 100.2 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $64,526 (with a margin of error of +/- $9,763) and the median family income was $68,542 (+/- $13,778). Males had a median income of $44,105 (+/- $14,473) versus $33,996 (+/- $5,832) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,411 (+/- $2,961). About 7.3% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 3,412 people, 1,286 households, and 910 families residing in the township. The population density was 77.5 people per square mile (29.9/km2). There were 1,588 housing units at an average density of 36.1 per square mile (13.9/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 95.25% White, 1.79% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 1.08% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.28% of the population.

There were 1,286 households, out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $45,368, and the median income for a family was $50,833. Males had a median income of $39,569 versus $25,221 for females. The per capita income for the township was $20,676. About 8.5% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

2018-07-27 09 19 46 View south along U.S. Route 206 and Sussex County Route 521 just south of Old Mine Road and Sussex County Route 650 (Deckertown Turnpike) in Montague Township, Sussex County, New Jersey
US 206 and CR 521 southbound in Montague Township

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 55.97 miles (90.07 km) of roadways, of which 25.50 miles (41.04 km) were maintained by the municipality, 23.85 miles (38.38 km) by Sussex County and 6.13 miles (9.87 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 0.49 miles (0.79 km) by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.

One U.S., state, and major county route each traverses the township. U.S. Route 206 passes through in the western part and crosses the Delaware River at the Milford-Montague Toll Bridge. Route 23 passes through the eastern part and serves as the entrance road to High Point State Park and ends at the New York border just south of Interstate 84. County Route 521 enters Montague concurrent with US 206, separates from US 206 just south of the Milford-Montague Toll Bridge, then heads northeast through the northwest portion of the township before ending at the New York state boundary.

The closest limited access road is Interstate 84 and is immediately over the state line in Deerpark, New York.

In the northernmost section of the township along Route 23, there are several gasoline stations, most likely because gas had historically been significantly less expensive in New Jersey than in Matamoras, Pennsylvania or Port Jervis, New York.

Economy

The central business district, which had five gas stations as of 2019, is on New Jersey Route 23. Business at the gas stations declined after a New Jersey tax increase in 2016 since drivers from New Jersey Route 23 used the stations to get less inexpensive fuel, as fuel in New York State is more expensive.

Education

Students in public school for kindergarten through eighth grade attend the Montague Township School District. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 253 students and 25.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.1:1.

Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend High Point Regional High School. They may enroll at Sussex County Technical School, which accepts students on a selective basis, and to the middle school charter program in Sparta Township.

Tim Capone, the superintendent of the Montague district, stated that in 2019 there were to be more Montague students attending Sussex Technical than High Point Regional. Additionally as of 2014 some Montague high school students use the New Jersey interdistrict choice program to attend Kittatinny Regional High School. The report "Montague Township School District High School Route Evaluation" stated that 85 Montague Township students went to High Point Regional and nine attended Port Jervis High.

Prior to September 2014, Montague Township district sent students across state lines to attend middle school and high school at Port Jervis Middle School and Port Jervis High School, of the Port Jervis City School District, in nearby Port Jervis, New York. That month Montague Township's high school students began attending High Point Regional High, in a shift from Port Jervis that was to take four years to complete. High Point also serves students from Branchville Borough, Frankford Township, Lafayette Township, Sussex Borough and Wantage Township (where the school is located). As of the 2018–19 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 893 students and 81.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.9:1. The district expanded to covering middle school with students designated to attend Montague Township School for grades 7-8 instead of Port Jervis Middle effective fall 2016.

Notable people

See also (related category): People from Montague Township, New Jersey

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Montague Township include:

  • Ed Banach (born 1960), athlete who won a gold medal in Freestyle Wrestling in the 198-pound-weight (heavyweight) class at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
  • Lou Banach (born 1960), athlete who won a gold medal in Freestyle Wrestling in the 220-pound-weight (heavyweight) class at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
  • John Westbrook Hornbeck (1804–1848), Whig Party member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1847 to 1848.
  • Daniel Myers Van Auken (1826–1908) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1867 to 1871.
  • Kinuyo Yamashita, video game music composer and sound producer best known for her soundtrack for Konami's Castlevania.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Municipio de Montague (Nueva Jersey) para niños

kids search engine
Montague Township, New Jersey Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.