Union Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Union Township, New Jersey
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Township
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Presbyterian Church in Grandin
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Location of Union Township in Hunterdon County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Hunterdon County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
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Census Bureau map of Union Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
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 Union Township, New Jersey
Location in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Union Township, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Union Township, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  New Jersey |
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| County |  Hunterdon |
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| Incorporated | February 17, 1853 | |
| Named for | Union Furnace | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Township | |
| • Body | Township Committee | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 20.63 sq mi (53.43 km2) | |
| • Land | 18.77 sq mi (48.60 km2) | |
| • Water | 1.86 sq mi (4.83 km2) 9.03% | |
| Area rank | 138th of 565 in state 14th of 26 in county |
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| Elevation | 407 ft (124 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,507 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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6,391 | |
| • Rank | 327th of 565 in state 4th of 26 in county |
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| • Density | 346.8/sq mi (133.9/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 465th of 565 in state 15th of 26 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
08827 – Hampton
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| Area code(s) | 908 | |
| FIPS code | 3401974420 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882188 | |
| Website | ||
Union Township is a township located in Hunterdon County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It's a place with a rich history and a growing community.
The township was officially created on February 17, 1853. It was formed from parts of Bethlehem Township. The name "Union" comes from Union Furnace, an old iron-making site. This furnace was active from 1742 until the 1780s.
During the Revolutionary War, Union Furnace played an important role. It produced cannonballs for the war effort. The furnace also made horse and ox shoes, plus tools for farms. As trees were cut down to fuel the furnace, farms and fields began to appear. This led to a farming community, along with industries like basket making and tanning.
In 2008, New Jersey Monthly magazine recognized Union Township. It was ranked 21st among the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.
Contents
Exploring Union Township's Geography
Union Township covers a total area of about 20.63 square miles (53.43 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part made up of water.
The township has different types of land. The southwest part is on the Hunterdon Plateau. The northwest corner includes the Musconetcong Ridge. The northeast section is part of the lower Newark Basin, near the Spruce Run Reservoir.
Communities and Neighboring Towns
Several smaller communities and places are found within Union Township. These include:
- Coles Mills
- Grandin
- Hensfoot
- Jutland
- Kingtown
- Mechlings Corner
- Mount Salem
- Norton
- Pattenburg
- Perryville
- Polktown
- Van Syckel
Pittstown is another community that is partly in Union Township. It also extends into Alexandria Township and Franklin Township.
Union Township shares its borders with several other towns in Hunterdon County. These are:
Understanding Union Township's Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 1,217 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,051 | −13.6% | |
| 1880 | 1,167 | 11.0% | |
| 1890 | 1,134 | −2.8% | |
| 1900 | 918 | −19.0% | |
| 1910 | 930 | 1.3% | |
| 1920 | 834 | −10.3% | |
| 1930 | 1,152 | 38.1% | |
| 1940 | 1,303 | 13.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,557 | 19.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,717 | 10.3% | |
| 1970 | 2,351 | 36.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,971 | 68.9% | |
| 1990 | 5,078 | 27.9% | |
| 2000 | 6,160 | 21.3% | |
| 2010 | 5,908 | −4.1% | |
| 2020 | 6,507 | 10.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 6,391 | 8.2% | |
| Population sources: 1860–1920 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
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As of the 2020 United States census, Union Township had a population of 6,507 people. This was the highest number of people ever counted in the township. It showed an increase of 599 people from the 2010 census.
It's important to know that Union Township has two large state facilities. These are the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women and the Hunterdon Developmental Center. Many residents counted in the census live in these facilities. This can make the population numbers look a bit different from other towns. For example, there are more females than males counted in the township.
Population Details from 2010
The 2010 United States census counted 5,908 people in Union Township. Most of the people were White (83.21%). Other groups included Black or African American (9.06%) and Asian (4.13%). About 6.08% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average household had about 2.57 people. The average family had about 3.12 people. About 18.4% of the population was under 18 years old. About 9.6% of the population was 65 years or older. The average age in the township was 43.7 years.
Education in Union Township
Students in Union Township attend schools run by the Union Township School District. This district serves students from pre-kindergarten up to eighth grade.
The district has two schools:
- Union Township Elementary School: This school teaches students in grades K-4.
- Union Township Middle School: This school teaches students in grades 5-8.
After eighth grade, students go to high school at North Hunterdon High School. This high school is located in Annandale. It serves students from Union Township and several other nearby towns.
North Hunterdon High School is part of a larger district called the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District. This district also includes Voorhees High School.
Students in eighth grade from all over Hunterdon County have another option. They can apply to the high school programs at the Hunterdon County Vocational School District. This district offers special career and technical training. There is no cost for students to attend these programs.
Getting Around Union Township
Union Township has a good network of roads for travel.
Main Roads and Highways
The most important roads passing through Union Township are Interstate 78 and U.S. 22. These two major highways run together through the township.
Other important roads include:
- Route 173: This road goes through the center of the township.
- County Route 513: This road runs along the southeastern edge.
- County Route 579: This road runs along the southwestern edge.
_from_the_overpass_for_Rupell_Road_in_Union_Township,_Hunterdon_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Train Service
The Norfolk Southern Railway's Lehigh Line also runs through Union Township. This line was once the main route for the Lehigh Valley Railroad.
Famous People from Union Township
Many interesting people have connections to Union Township. Here are a few:
- Scott Bradlee (born 1981): A talented musician, pianist, and composer. He is famous for his online videos, especially with his group Postmodern Jukebox.
- Daniel Karcher (born 1964): An NPR host and filmmaker. He is well-known for his work at WBGO radio station.
- John Penn (1729–1795): He was the last colonial governor of Pennsylvania.
- Charles Rinehart (1875–1933): A football player, engineer, and businessman. He was honored by being chosen for the College Football Hall of Fame in 1964.
- Lloyd Wescott (1907–1990): An agricultural expert, public servant, and generous giver.
- Glenway Wescott (1911–1987): A novelist who wrote in the 1920s and 1930s. He was part of a group of American writers living in Paris during that time.
