Montague, New Jersey

Montague Township is a township in Sussex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, in the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 3,792, a decrease of 55 (−1.4%) from the 2010 census count of 3,847, which in turn reflected an increase of 435 (+12.7%) from the 3,412 counted in the 2000 census. High Point, within Montague Township, is the highest elevation within New Jersey at an altitude of above sea level. It is the northernmost town in 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.Snyder, John P
''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''
Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 231. Accessed May 30, 2024.

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 46.63 square miles (120.77 km²), including 45.23 square miles (117.15 km²) of land and 1.40 square miles (3.62 km²) of water (3.00%).

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

The Tri-States Monument marks the northwest end of the New Jersey and New York boundary and the north end of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania boundary. It is also the northernmost point of New Jersey.

Montague Township borders the municipalities of Sandyston Township and Wantage Township in Sussex County; and New York State.

In 2019 only about 30% of the land was available for development, as the federal government and the State of New Jersey collectively own 70% or more of the land in the township.

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

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.

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 3,847 people, 1,535 households, and 1,045 families in the township. The population density was . There were 1,802 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup 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 or Latino of any race were 6.39% (246) of the population.

Of the 1,535 households, 26.8% had children under the age of 18; 53.0% were married couples living together; 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.9% were non-families. Of all households, 25.9% 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.

22.8% of the population were 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, the population had 100.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older 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.

2000 census

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 . There were 1,588 housing units at an average density of . 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.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Montague township, Sussex County, New Jersey
United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 24, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Montague township, Sussex County, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 24, 2013.

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.

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 had used the stations to get less inexpensive fuel, as fuel in New York State is more expensive.

Parks and recreation

According to Richard Innella, who served as mayor, previously a softball team for women in Pennsylvania took Montague Township residents.

Government

Local government

Montague Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state. The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are 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. 110. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor, each serving terms of one year.

, members of the Montague Township Committee are Mayor George E. Zitone ( R, term on committee ends December 31, 2026; term as mayor ends 2024), Deputy Mayor Joseph Krumpfer (R, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2024), Richard E. Innella (R, 2025), James LeDonne (R, 2024) and Fred Merusi (R, 2026).Mayor & Township Committee
Montague Township. Accessed May 24, 2024. "Montague Township operates under a 'Township' form of government, consisting of 5 members of a Township Committee, elected at-large for staggered 3-year terms. Elections are held annually.... The Mayor is appointed to a 1-year term by the Committee Members at the Reorganization Meeting, which is held in January each year."Summary Results Report Official Results November 7 2023 General Election
Sussex County, New Jersey