Lopatcong Township () is a township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 8,776, an increase of 762 (+9.5%) from the 2010 census count of 8,014, which in turn reflected an increase of 2,249 (+39.0%) from the 5,765 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.

History What is now Lopatcong Township was created as Phillipsburg Township on March 7, 1851, by an act approved by the New Jersey Legislature from portions of Greenwich Township and Harmony Township. After Phillipsburg was incorporated as an independent municipality on March 8, 1861, the township changed its name to Lopatcong as of March 18, 1863, after the Lopatcong Creek in the area.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 247. Accessed May 29, 2024.

The name of the creek and township, Lopatcong, has its origin in four words of the Lenape Native Americans, "Lowan peek achtu onk," which means "winter watering place for deer".Poncavage, Joanna. "Lenape language Legacy; In towns, creeks and more, Indian nation left its mark on our region", The Morning Call, November 14, 2008. Accessed September 21, 2012. "Lopatcong - From Lenape words: Lowan peek achtu onk Meaning: Winter water place for deer"Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 3, 2015.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 7.38 square miles (19.10 km2), including 7.32 square miles (18.95 km2) of land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km2) of water (0.81%).

Delaware Park (2020 Census population of 739) and Lopatcong Overlook (692) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDPs) located within the township.GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Warren County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 6, 2013.2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 6, 2013.New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, p. III-5, August 2012. Accessed June 6, 2013.

The township borders the Warren County municipalities of Greenwich Township, Harmony Township, Phillipsburg and Pohatcong Township.Municipal Directory, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed July 30, 2023.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Lopatcong Township is northeast of Allentown and west of New York City.

Demographics

The Township's economic data (as is all of Warren County) is calculated by the United States Census Bureau as part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area.New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 1, 2022.

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 8,014 people, 3,136 households, and 2,089 families in the township. The population density was . There were 3,420 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 87.22% (6,990) White, 6.03% (483) Black or African American, 0.14% (11) Native American, 4.18% (335) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.81% (65) from other races, and 1.61% (129) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% (480) of the population.

Of the 3,136 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18; 55.7% were married couples living together; 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.4% were non-families. Of all households, 29.3% were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.09.

23.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 88.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 82.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $77,320 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,889) and the median family income was $89,317 (+/− $6,056). Males had a median income of $61,771 (+/− $6,980) versus $49,338 (+/− $4,584) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $33,633 (+/− $2,586). About 0.7% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Lopatcong township, Warren County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 21, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census, there were 5,765 people, 2,143 households, and 1,523 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 2,429 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 96.27% White, 1.13% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.63% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Lopatcong township, Warren County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 21, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Lopatcong township, Warren County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 21, 2012.

There were 2,143 households, out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.5% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the township, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $50,918, and the median income for a family was $65,545. Males had a median income of $52,540 versus $30,967 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,333. About 4.7% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government Local government Lopatcong Township is governed by the Small Municipality form of government, which is available under the terms of the Faulkner Act only for those municipalities with a population below 12,000 at the time of adoption. The township is one of 18 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.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 four-member Township 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 three-year term of office. Council members are elected to serve a term of three years on a staggered basis, so that two seats come up for election in the two years that the mayor is not up for election.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. 14. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.

, members of the Lopatcong Township Council are Mayor James Mengucci (R, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2020), Council President William D. Wright (R, 2022), Louis Belcaro (R, 2024), Richard McQuade (R, 2024) and James Palitto (R, 2022).Council, Lopatcong Township. Accessed March 2, 2022.2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Lopatcong Township. Accessed June 21, 2022.Summary Results Report 2021 General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Warren County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.Warren County 2020 General Election November 20, 2020 Official Results, Warren County, New Jersey, updated November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.General Election November 5, 2019, Warren County Official Tally, Warren County, New Jersey, updated November 12, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.

In June 2016, the Township Council unanimously selected Yvonne Reitemeyer from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that became vacant following the resignation of Donna Schneider.Novak, Steve. "Meet Lopatcong Township's newest councilwoman", The Express-Times, June 28, 2016. Accessed August 8, 2016. "Lopatcong Township has a new councilwoman, though only for the next six months. Yvonne Reitemeyer, 46, was unanimously selected by the council Monday night to fill the rest of the term left by Councilwoman Donna Schneider's resignation this month."Special Meeting Minutes June 27, 2016, Township of Lopatcong. Accessed August 8, 2016. "Council Vacancy: - Council President Pryor made a motion to appoint Yvonne Reitemeyer to fill the Council vacancy, seconded by Councilman Belcaro. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Belcaro, Councilwoman McCabe, Council President Pryor, Mayor McKay; NAYS: None. Yvonne Reitemeyer was sworn in as Councilwoman."

In the November 2012 general election, Lori Ciesla, who ran as part of the independent slate of Responsible Lopatcong Leadership, won election, as did Maureen McCabe who won an unexpired one-year term when she defeated Republican incumbent Andrew Horun who had been appointed earlier in the year to fill the vacant seat of H. Matthew Curry.Foster, David. "Independents take two seats, Republican one on Lopatcong Township Council, according to unofficial results", The Express-Times, November 7, 2012. Accessed June 10, 2013. "Independent candidate Lori Ciesla secured a nod for the three-year seat along with Republican Louis Belcaro.... Independent Maureen McCabe squeaked out a win by four votes over incumbent Andrew Horun for the one-year term. Horun was appointed by council in April to fill a vacancy left by H. Matthew Curry."

Federal, state and county representation Lopatcong Township is located in the 7th Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013. Prior to the 2010 Census, Lopatcong Township had been part of the , a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government , p. 60, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed May 22, 2015.

Politics