Lebanon Township (pronounced "LEB-uh-nin")Franco, Judi. "20 town names in NJ with crazy pronunciations that make no sense Read More: 20 NJ town names with crazy pronunciations that make no sense", WKXW, June 29, 2023. Accessed February 5, 2025. "Case in point: Another Hunterdon County favorite is Lebanon Township. Yes, if you’re referring to the Middle Eastern country, 'Lebanon,' you’ll pronounce the last syllable 'On,' as in the opposite of 'Off.' Don’t make that mistake here, though! Our Jersey Lebanon is 'LEB-uh-nin.'" is the northernmost township in Hunterdon County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 6,195, a decrease of 393 (−6.0%) from the 2010 census count of 6,588, which in turn reflected an increase of 772 (+13.3%) from the 5,816 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.

Located within the Raritan Valley region, the township is situated in the northernmost part of Hunterdon County bordering both Morris and Warren counties. When Lebanon Township was created in 1731, its original borders extended from the Musconetcong River to Readington Township.History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, New Jersey With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, pg. 445. Everts & Peck, 1881. Accessed November 20, 2019.

History Lebanon Township was first mentioned on October 26, 1731, as having been formed partly from the now-defunct Amwell Township, though the exact circumstances of its formation are unknown. Lebanon Township was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township have been taken to form Tewksbury Township (March 11, 1755), Clinton Township (April 12, 1841), High Bridge borough (February 19, 1898), Junction borough (February 20, 1895, now known as Hampton borough), Califon borough (April 2, 1898) and Glen Gardner borough (March 26, 1919).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 154. Accessed May 29, 2024.

Spruce Run Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church, a member of the New Jersey Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was established in 1774 by a group of 13 families. The church's current facility was constructed in 1870."Glen Gardner church celebrates 240th anniversary with pig roast", Hunterdon County Democrat, May 19, 2015, updated March 29, 2019. Accessed January 19, 2020. "This year, Spruce Run Evangelical Zion Lutheran Church in Glen Gardner is celebrating over 240 years of active worship and service in the community. In December 1774, thirteen families gathered in a farm house at Spruce Run to worship and organize their own church. In January 1775, with the help of New Germantown (Oldwick) Lutheran Church, Spruce Run Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church was organized. The present church building on West Hill Road was built in 1870, making 2015 its 145th year of use by members of Spruce Run Lutheran." The Mt. Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church and Cemetery, popularly known as the Swack Church, is a historical Lutheran church; the burial ground of which houses plots dating as early as 1801.

In April 2024, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck New Jersey, with its epicenter in Lebanon Township.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 31.68 square miles (82.05 km2), including 31.43 square miles (81.40 km2) of land and 0.25 square miles (0.66 km2) of water (0.80%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Anthony, Bunnvale, Changewater, Hampton Junction, Hoffmans, Little Brook, Lower Valley, Mount Lebanon, New Hampton, Newport, Penwell, Red Mill, Saint Nicholas Village, Scrappy Corner, Spruce Run, Stone Mill, The Point and Woodglen.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

The township borders Bethlehem Township, Califon, Clinton Township, Glen Gardner, Hampton, High Bridge, Tewksbury Township and Union Township in Hunterdon County; Washington Township in Morris County; and Mansfield Township and Washington Township in Warren County.Areas touching Lebanon Township, MapIt. Accessed February 25, 2020.Map of County Municipalities, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed July 30, 2023.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 6,588 people, 2,296 households, and 1,761 families in the township. The population density was 209.4 per square mile (80.8/km2). There were 2,439 housing units at an average density of 77.5 per square mile (29.9/km2). The racial makeup was 95.01% (6,259) White, 1.68% (111) Black or African American, 0.06% (4) Native American, 1.47% (97) Asian, 0.11% (7) Pacific Islander, 0.59% (39) from other races, and 1.08% (71) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.11% (205) of the population.

Of the 2,296 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18; 66.7% were married couples living together; 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.3% were non-families. Of all households, 18.4% were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.11.

22.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 35.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 98.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $96,489 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,123) and the median family income was $110,893 (+/− $29,973). Males had a median income of $78,056 (+/− $22,457) versus $56,346 (+/− $14,410) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $43,424 (+/− $5,347). About 4.4% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 1.6% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Lebanon township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 5,816 people, 1,963 households, and 1,556 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 2,020 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 96.97% White, 0.81% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.72% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Lebanon township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Lebanon township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.

There were 1,963 households, out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.1% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.7% were non-families. 15.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $77,662, and the median income for a family was $86,145. Males had a median income of $58,306 versus $40,474 for females. The per capita income for the township was $30,793. About 1.0% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture Musical groups from the township include the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, a bluegrass trio of the Mizzone brothers: Jonny (banjo), Robbie (fiddle) and Tommy (guitar)Nutt, Bill. "Bluegrass music fest funds to benefit people of Appalachia", Daily Record, July 1, 2011. Accessed July 28, 2011. "Some of this year's acts are dyed-in-the-wool bluegrass acts. One such group is the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, which consists of the three Mizzone brothers: Tommy (13), Robbie (11) and Jonny Mizzone (8), who hail from Lebanon Township in Hunterdon County. The trio recently appeared on The David Letterman Show."

Parks and recreation Lebanon Township hosts part of a rail trail that was created out of the former Central Railroad of New Jersey High Bridge Branch. The trail is maintained by Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation and is called the Columbia Trail, which includes a scenic area known as the Ken Lockwood Gorge.Columbia Trail, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Division of Parks and Recreation. Accessed March 3, 2023.A Gorgeous Ride: The Columbia Trail, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed March 3, 2023.

Government

Local government Lebanon Township is governed under the Township form of government, a form used by 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The Township Committee, comprised of five members, is elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election 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. 103."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At an annual reorganization meeting held during the first week of January, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.