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Hunterdon County, New Jersey

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136-463: Hunterdon County is a county located in the western section of the U.S. state of New Jersey . At the 2020 census , the county was the state's 4th-least populous county , with a population of 128,947, an increase of 598 (+0.5%) from the 2010 census count of 128,349. Its county seat is Flemington . The county is part of the Central Jersey region of the state. In 2015, the county had

272-1054: A city , town , or village . A few counties directly provide public transportation themselves, usually in the form of a simple bus system. However, in most counties, public transportation is provided by one of the following: a special district that is coterminous with the county (but exists separately from the county government), a multi-county regional transit authority, or a state agency. In western and southern states, more populated counties provide many facilities, such as airports, convention centers , museums, recreation centers , beaches, harbors, zoos, clinics, law libraries , and public housing . They provide services such as child and family services, elder services, mental health services, welfare services, veterans assistance services, animal control , probation supervision, historic preservation, food safety regulation, and environmental health services. They have many additional officials like public defenders , arts commissioners, human rights commissioners, and planning commissioners. There may be

408-446: A consolidated city-county or independent city exists, a city council usually governs city/county or city affairs. In some counties, day-to-day operations are overseen by an elected county executive or by a chief administrative officer or county administrator who reports to the board, the mayor, or both. In many states, the board in charge of a county holds powers that transcend all three traditional branches of government. It has

544-587: A per capita personal income of $ 80,759, the third-highest in New Jersey and ranked 33rd of 3,113 counties in the United States. The Bureau of Economic Analysis ranked the county as having the 19th-highest per capita income of all 3,113 counties in the United States (and the highest in New Jersey) as of 2009. In 2011, Hunterdon County had the second-lowest level of child poverty of any county in

680-427: A 59.6% turnout. In the 2013 gubernatorial election , Republican Governor Chris Christie received 73.5% of the vote (31,292 votes) to Democrat Barbara Buono 's 24.4% (10,425 votes). In the 2017 gubernatorial election , Democrat Phil Murphy received 39.0% of the vote (17,697 votes) to Republican Kim Guadagno 's 58.9% (26,708 votes). In the 2021 gubernatorial election , Democratic Governor Phil Murphy received 40.2% of

816-489: A Summer White House during his presidency. Somerset County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners , whose members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held on the first Friday of January, the board selects a Director and Deputy Director from among its members. In 2016, commissioners (then known as freeholders) were paid $ 21,902 and

952-424: A county fire department and a county police department – as distinguished from fire and police departments operated by individual cities, special districts, or the state government. For example, Gwinnett County, Georgia , and its county seat, the city of Lawrenceville , each have their own police departments. (A separate county sheriff's department is responsible for security of the county courts and administration of

1088-442: A female householder with no husband present and 28.1% were non-families. Of all households, 23.3% were made up of individuals and 8.5% 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 3.22. 25% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

1224-465: A few counties bear names of Native American , French, or Spanish origin. Counties are most often named for people, often political figures or early settlers, with over 2,100 of the 3,144 total so named. The most common county name, with 31, is Washington County , for America's first president, George Washington . Up until 1871, there was a Washington County within the District of Columbia , but it

1360-625: A high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −16 °F (−27 °C) was recorded in January 1984 and a record high of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in August 1955. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.84 inches (72 mm) in February to 4.83 inches (123 mm) in July. The county has a hot-summer humid continental climate ( Dfa ) except in lower areas along

1496-400: A land area of 20,057 square miles (51,947 km ). The least extensive county is Kalawao County, Hawaii , with a land area of 11.991 square miles (31.058 km ). The least extensive county equivalent in the 50 states is the independent city of Falls Church, Virginia , with a land area of 1.999 square miles (5.177 km ). If U.S. territories are included,

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1632-453: A large number of counties, and many Western states were sparsely populated when counties were created by their respective state legislatures. The five counties of Rhode Island and eight of the 14 counties of Massachusetts no longer have functional county governments, but continue to exist as legal and census entities. Connecticut abolished county governments in 1960, leaving its eight counties as mere legal and census entities. In 2022,

1768-459: A low of 19 °F (−7 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −18 °F (−28 °C) was recorded in January 1984 and a record high of 106 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 3.16 inches (80 mm) in February to 5.16 inches (131 mm) in July. The 2010 United States census counted 128,349 people, 47,169 households, and 34,339 families in

1904-888: A matter of U.S. state law , so the specific governmental powers of counties may vary widely between the states, with many providing some level of services to civil townships , municipalities , and unincorporated areas . Certain municipalities are in multiple counties ; New York City is uniquely partitioned into five counties, referred to at the city government level as boroughs . Some municipalities have been consolidated with their county government to form consolidated city-counties , or have been legally separated from counties altogether to form independent cities . Conversely, counties in Connecticut and Rhode Island , eight of Massachusetts's 14 counties , and Alaska's Unorganized Borough have no government power, existing only as geographic distinctions. The United States Census Bureau uses

2040-566: A popular area for country homes built by wealthy industrialists. The area continues to be the home of wealthy people who own businesses. In 1917, Somerset County, in cooperation with Rutgers University , hired its first agricultural agent to connect local farmers with expert advice. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County, located in Bridgewater, serves residents in the areas of agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, and family and community health sciences. In

2176-415: A population over 100,000; 137 counties have a population over 500,000; 45 counties have a population over 1,000,000; and 14 counties have a population over 2,000,000. At the other extreme, 35 counties have a population under 1,000; 307 counties have a population under 5,000; 709 counties have a population under 10,000; and 1,492 counties have a population between 10,000 and 50,000. At the 2000 U.S. Census ,

2312-497: A total of 262,410 registered voters in Somerset County, of whom 92,921 (35.4%) were registered as Democrats , 66,455 (25.3%) were registered as Republicans and 100,367 (38.2%) were registered as unaffiliated . There were 2,667 voters (1.0%) registered to other parties. Among the county's 2010 Census population, 67.1% were registered to vote, including 75.% of those ages 18 and over. In the 2008 , Barack Obama became

2448-550: A turnout of 80.5%. However, in 2016 , the margin of victory for Republican presidential candidates decreased 17.8 percent in 2012 to 13.7 percent, despite the Democrats national popular vote margin shrinking from 3.9 points to 2.1 points. In 2020 , Joe Biden came closer than any Democratic nominee to carrying the county since Lyndon B. Johnson ’s win in 1964, losing by 4.4 percent to Donald Trump . Hunterdon County supported Steve Lonegan for Governor over Chris Christie in

2584-428: Is Lake . Words from Native American languages, as well as the names of Native American leaders and tribes, lend their names to many counties. Quite a few counties bear names of French or Spanish origin, such as Marquette County being named after French missionary Father Jacques Marquette . The county's equivalent in the state of Louisiana, the parish (Fr. paroisse civile and Sp. parroquia ) took its name during

2720-572: Is 343 sq mi (890 km ), whereas in Utah it is 2,427 sq mi (6,290 km ). The most extensive county or county equivalent is the Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska , with a land area of 145,505 square miles (376,856 km ). All nine of the most extensive county equivalents are in Alaska. The most extensive county is San Bernardino County, California , with

2856-586: Is Frederick Brown, who was reelected to a second three-year term in 2013. He was preceded by Republican Deborah Trout who served one term starting in November 2007. On December 22, 2008, state investigators seized computers and other records related to Sheriff Deborah Trout's hiring of undersheriffs and other personnel without the usual background checks and qualifications. In 2010, a grand jury indicted then-sheriff Deborah Trout and two under-sheriffs on 43 counts of official misconduct and other charges. The indictment

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2992-928: Is Michael H. Robertson of the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township , who was nominated by the Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie in September 2016. Somerset County is a part of Vicinage 13 of the New Jersey Superior Court (along with Hunterdon County and Warren County ), which is seated at the Somerset County Courthouse in Somerville ; the Assignment Judge for Vicinage 15 is Thomas C. Miller. The 7th and 12th Congressional Districts cover

3128-408: Is Renée M. Robeson, who was nominated by Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy in 2021. Hunterdon County is a part of Vicinage 13 of the New Jersey Superior Court (along with Somerset County and Warren County ), which is seated at the Somerset County Courthouse in Somerville , the county seat of Somerset County; the Assignment Judge for Vicinage 15 is Yolanda Ciccone. The Hunterdon County Courthouse

3264-897: Is a botanical garden of the county. In addition, the Commission manages natural parks such as the Washington Valley Park (with biking and hiking trails) and the Sourland Mountain Preserve (hiking and mountain biking trails). The southeastern portion of Somerset County in Franklin Township includes Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, which provides hiking, biking and boating. The Parks Commission operates five public golf courses. Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster , an exclusive golf club owned by Donald Trump , that he used as

3400-518: Is an exurb on the western edge of New Jersey and home to commuters to New York City and Philadelphia . The county seat, Flemington , is noted as the site of the Lindbergh kidnapping trial which convicted Bruno Hauptmann of the murder of aviator Charles Lindbergh 's son. With growing towns and shopping areas, as well as relaxing rural areas, Hunterdon County is a far stretch from the urban areas stereotypically associated with New Jersey. Due to

3536-421: Is an unusual case because it encompasses multiple entire counties in one city. Each of those counties is coextensive with one of the five boroughs of the city: Manhattan (New York County), The Bronx (Bronx County), Queens (Queens County), Brooklyn (Kings County), and Staten Island (Richmond County). Somerset County, New Jersey Somerset County is a county located in the north-central part of

3672-500: Is either done at the state level or at the municipal level. In Connecticut and parts of Massachusetts, regional councils have been established to partially fill the void left behind by the abolished county governments. The regional councils' authority is limited compared with a county government—they have authority only over infrastructure and land use planning, distribution of state and federal funds for infrastructure projects, emergency preparedness, and limited law enforcement duties. In

3808-511: Is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members who serve three-year terms of office at-large on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held each January, the Commissioners select one member to serve as the board's director and another to serve as deputy director. The Commissioner Board

3944-399: Is greater than the populations of 41 U.S. states, and is only slightly smaller than the combined population of the 10 least populous states and Washington, D.C. It also makes the population of Los Angeles County 17.4 times greater than that of the least populous state, Wyoming. The second most populous county is Cook County, Illinois , with a population of 5,275,541. Cook County's population

4080-633: Is in Flemington. In June 2022, the commissioners appointed Jeff Kuhl to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Mike Holt until he resigned from office. Kuhl will serve on an interim basis until the November 2022 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office. Democrats have not won a countywide office in Hunterdon County since 1982. Hunterdon County falls entirely within

4216-455: Is larger than that of 28 individual U.S. states and the combined populations of the six smallest states. The least populous county is Loving County, Texas , with 64 residents in 2020. Eight county equivalents in the U.S. territories have no human population: Rose Atoll , Northern Islands Municipality , Baker Island , Howland Island , Jarvis Island , Johnston Atoll , Kingman Reef , and Navassa Island . The remaining three islands in

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4352-719: Is no formal level of government (municipality, public education, or otherwise) existing below that of the county in the state. In most Midwestern and Northeastern states, counties are further subdivided into townships or towns , which sometimes exercise local powers or administration. Throughout the United States, counties may contain other independent, self-governing municipalities . In New England, counties function at most as judicial court districts and sheriff's departments (presently, in Connecticut only as judicial court districts—and in Rhode Island , they have lost both those functions and most others but they are still used by

4488-410: Is rarely a county responsibility, execution of capital punishment is never a county responsibility, and the state's responses to prisoners' appeals are the responsibility of the state attorney general , who has to defend before the state appellate courts the prosecutions conducted by locally elected district attorneys in the name of the state. Furthermore, county-level trial court judges are officers of

4624-562: Is simultaneously a city, which is a municipality (municipal corporation), and a county, which is an administrative division of a state, having the powers and responsibilities of both types of entities. The city limit or jurisdiction is synonymous with the county line, as the two administrative entities become a non-dichotomous single entity. For this reason, a consolidated city-county is officially remarked as name of city – name of county (i.e., Augusta–Richmond County in Georgia). The same

4760-410: Is the center of legislative and administrative responsibility and, as such, performs a dual role. As legislators, they draw up and adopt a budget, and in the role of administrators they are responsible for spending the funds they have appropriated. As of 2024, Hunterdon County's Commissioners are (with terms for director and deputy director ending every December 31): Pursuant to Article VII Section II of

4896-506: Is true of the boroughs of New York City , each of which is coextensive with a county of New York State. For those entities in which the city uses the same name as the county, city and county of name may be used (i.e., City and County of Denver in Colorado). Similarly, some of Alaska 's boroughs have merged with their principal cities, creating unified city-boroughs. Some such consolidations and mergers have created cities that rank among

5032-401: The 2008 presidential election , Barack Obama defeated John McCain by a 7.2% margin nationally, but Obama defeated McCain in New Jersey by a 15.5% margin. Republican John McCain received 55.5% of the vote (39,092 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 42.3% (29,776 votes) and other candidates with 1.4% (981 votes), among the 70,409 ballots cast by the county's 87,460 registered voters, for

5168-441: The 2017 gubernatorial election , Republican Kim Guadagno received 47.9% of the vote (44,231 ballots cast) to Democrat Phil Murphy with 49.8% (45,935 votes), marking the first Democratic win in the county since 1989. In the 2021 gubernatorial election , Republican Jack Ciattarelli received 47.7% of the vote (54,264 ballots cast) to Democrat Phil Murphy's 51.5% (58,585 votes), this made Somerset, along with neighboring Hunterdon,

5304-652: The Alaska Constitutional Convention wanted to avoid the traditional county system and adopted their own unique model with different types of boroughs varying in powers and duties. In some states, these powers are partly or mostly devolved to the counties' smaller divisions usually called townships , though in New York, New England and Wisconsin they are called "towns". The county may or may not be able to override its townships on certain matters, depending on state law. The newest county in

5440-458: The City and County of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; City and County of San Francisco, California ; and Lynchburg-Moore County, Tennessee A consolidated city-county may still contain independent municipalities maintaining some governmental powers that did not merge with the rest of the county. For example, the government of Jacksonville–Duval County, Florida , still provides county-level services to

5576-603: The Mid-Atlantic and Midwest , counties typically provide, at a minimum, courts, public utilities , libraries, hospitals, public health services, parks, roads, law enforcement, and jails. There is usually a county registrar, recorder, or clerk (the exact title varies) who collects vital statistics , holds elections (sometimes in coordination with a separate elections office or commission), and prepares or processes certificates of births, deaths, marriages, and dissolutions (divorce decrees). The county recorder normally maintains

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5712-652: The Morris County line, both reaching approximately 1,060 feet (320 m) above sea level. The first is at Smith on the Morris County line and the second is north of the area called Little Brook. This area is known as the Highlands of New Jersey. The lowest elevation is where the Mercer County line reaches the Delaware River , approximately 50 feet (15 m) above sea level. The county is drained by

5848-623: The New Jersey State Constitution , each county in New Jersey is required to have three elected administrative officials known as "constitutional officers." These officers are the County Clerk and County Surrogate (both elected for five-year terms of office) and the County Sheriff (elected for a three-year term). Constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis, are: The Somerset County Prosecutor

5984-414: The New Jersey State Constitution , each county in New Jersey is required to have three elected administrative officials known as "constitutional officers." These officers are the County Clerk and County Surrogate (both elected for five-year terms of office) and the County Sheriff (elected for a three-year term). Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are: The Hunterdon County Prosecutor

6120-566: The New York City Borough of Manhattan), with 72,033 persons per square mile (27,812 persons/km ) in 2015. The Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska , is both the most extensive and the least densely populated county or county equivalent with 0.0380 persons per square mile (0.0147 persons/km ) in 2015. In the 50 states (plus the District of Columbia), a total of 981 counties have a population over 50,000; 592 counties have

6256-576: The Province of Maine founded York County . Massachusetts followed in 1643. Pennsylvania and New York delegated significant power and responsibility from the colony government to county governments and thereby established a pattern for most of the United States, although counties remained relatively weak in New England . When independence came, the framers of the Constitution left

6392-437: The U.S. Minor Outlying Islands ( Midway Atoll , Palmyra Atoll and Wake Island ) have small non-permanent human populations. The county equivalent with the smallest non-zero population counted in the census is Swains Island, American Samoa (17 people), although since 2008 this population has not been permanent either. The most densely populated county or county equivalent is New York County, New York (coextensive with

6528-457: The U.S. state of New Jersey . As of the 2020 census , the county was the state's 13th-most-populous county , with a population of 345,361, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 21,917 (+6.8%) from the 2010 census count of 323,444. Somerset County constitutes part of the New York metropolitan area . Its county seat is Somerville . The most populous place in the county

6664-582: The USGS counts Guam's election districts (villages) as county equivalents. The U.S. Census Bureau counts the 3 main islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands as county equivalents, while the USGS counts the districts of the U.S. Virgin Islands (of which there are 2) as county equivalents. Common sources of county names are names of people, geographic features, places in other states or countries, and animals. Quite

6800-552: The United States , a county or county equivalent is an administrative or political subdivision of a U.S. state or other territories of the United States which consists of a geographic area with specific boundaries and usually some level of governmental authority. The term " county " is used in 48 states, while Louisiana and Alaska have functionally equivalent subdivisions called parishes and boroughs , respectively. Counties and other local governments exist as

6936-689: The United States Census Bureau and some other federal agencies for some federal functions), and most of the governmental authority below the state level is in the hands of towns and cities . In several of Maine's sparsely populated counties, small towns rely on the county for law enforcement, and in New Hampshire several social programs are administered at the state level. In Connecticut, Rhode Island, and parts of Massachusetts, counties are now only geographic designations, and they do not have any governmental powers. All government

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7072-471: The county seat ("parish seat" in Louisiana, "borough seat" in Alaska, or " shire town " in several New England counties). The county seat usually resides in a municipality. However, some counties may have multiple seats or no seat. In some counties with no incorporated municipalities, a large settlement may serve as the county seat. The power of county governments varies widely from state to state, as does

7208-478: The median land area of U.S. counties was 622 sq mi (1,610 km ), which is two-thirds of the median land area of a ceremonial county of England , and a little more than a quarter of the median land area of a French département . Counties in the western United States typically have a much larger land area than those in the eastern United States. For example, the median land area of counties in Georgia

7344-699: The 1960s, townships which were once exclusively agricultural were quickly developed as suburban residential communities. Examples include Bridgewater Township and the Watchung Hills communities of Watchung , Green Brook and Warren Township . The growth was aided by the development of the county's very strong pharmaceutical and technology presence. Warren Township used to be considered "the greenest place in New Jersey." More recently, there has been an influx of New York City commuters who use NJ Transit 's Raritan Valley Line and Gladstone Branch or use Interstate 78 . In 1996, Nicholas L. Bissell Jr. ,

7480-405: The 2009 Republican primary, by a 4.0% margin. Although in the 2009 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 64.9% of the vote (33,360 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 25.1% (12,893 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 8.0% (4,098 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (387 votes), among the 51,372 ballots cast by the county's 86,186 registered voters, yielding

7616-451: The 50 states and District of Columbia. There are an additional 100 county equivalents in the territories of the United States . The average number of counties per state is 62, with a range from the three counties of Delaware to the 254 counties of Texas . Southern and Midwestern states generally tend to have more counties than Western or Northeastern states, as many Northeastern states are not large enough in area to warrant

7752-461: The 50 states and the District of Columbia. If the 100 county equivalents in the U.S. territories are counted, then the total is 3,244 counties and county-equivalents in the United States. The idea of counties originated with the counties of England . English (after 1707, British ) colonists brought to their colonies in North America a political subdivision that they already used in

7888-424: The 7th congressional district. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. ( R , Westfield ). The 26 municipalities of Hunterdon County are represented by three Legislative Districts. Anthony Verrelli (D) Roy Freiman (D) Erik Peterson (R) The Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office includes about 43 sworn officers. The current sheriff

8024-997: The British metropole : the counties. Counties were among the earliest units of local government established in the Thirteen Colonies that would become the United States. Virginia created the first counties in order to ease the administrative workload in Jamestown . The House of Burgesses divided the colony first into four "incorporations" in 1617 and finally into eight shires (or counties) in 1634: James City , Henrico , Charles City , Charles River , Warrosquyoake , Accomac , Elizabeth City , and Warwick River . America's oldest intact county court records can be found at Eastville, Virginia , in Northampton (originally Accomac) County , dating to 1632. Maryland established its first county, St. Mary's in 1637. In 1639,

8160-975: The Delaware Nation lived in Hunterdon County especially along the Delaware River and in the Flemington area. These tribes were agricultural in nature, growing corn, beans and squash. Those that lived along the South Branch of the Raritan River fished and farmed. There was a Native American trail that went along the South Branch of the Raritan River (Philhower 1924). Land purchases from Native Americans occurred from 1688 to 1758. Large land purchases from Native Americans occurred in 1703, 1709 and 1710. Over 150,000 acres (610 km) were bought with metal knives and pots, clothing, blankets, barrels of rum or hard cider, guns, powder and shot allowing for European settlers to enter into Hunterdon County in

8296-596: The Delaware River in West Amwell Township. Average monthly temperatures in Clinton range from 29.0 °F in January to 74.0 °F in July, while in Flemington they range from 30.0 °F in January to 74.8 °F in July and in Lambertville they range from 31.1 °F in January to 75.7 °F in July. [1] In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Flemington have ranged from

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8432-734: The Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees in 2021. Somerset County parks are under the administration of the Somerset County Parks Commission. General parks are Natirar , Duke Island Park , Lord Stirling Park (part of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge ), Colonial Park , North Branch Park, Skillman Park , East County Park and a park in development called Raritan River Greenway . Leonard J. Buck Garden

8568-570: The Highlands. Piedmont includes the Hunterdon Plateau and the Raritan Valley Lowlands which are 150 to 300 feet (46 to 91 m) above sea level. Piedmont is made up of shale and sandstone. Hunterdon has a humid continental climate which is hot-summer ( Dfa ) except in some higher northern areas where it is warm-summer ( Dfb ). The hardiness zone is mainly 6b except for some 6a in higher northern areas and 7a along

8704-472: The Library System). As of 2024 , Somerset County's County Commissioners are (with terms for director and deputy director ending every December 31): Democrats captured their first countywide office in 2018 since 1979, and in 2019 won a majority on the county commission for the first time since 1964. Republicans have not won a county-wide office since 2017. Pursuant to Article VII Section II of

8840-473: The Musconetcong River in the north. The river flows in a southwest direction. The Lamington River drains the county in the east. The central portion of the county is drained by the South Branch of the Raritan River. The Delaware River drains the western side of the county. Around 500 million years ago, a chain of volcanic islands shaped like an arch collided with proto North America and rode over

8976-501: The Raritan River from Bound Brook downstream where the climate is now humid subtropical ( Cfa ). The hardiness zone is 7a except in a few small higher areas in the north which are 6b. [2] As of the 2020 United States census , the county's had 345,361 people, 122,606 households, and 88,540 families. The population density was 1,144.3 inhabitants per square mile (441.8/km ). There were 131,822 housing units at an average density of 436.77 per square mile (168.6/km ). The racial makeup

9112-655: The U.S. Census Bureau began to also count Connecticut's Councils of Governments , which took over some of the regional powers from the state's former county governments, as county equivalents. Territories of the United States do not have counties; instead, the United States Census Bureau also divides them into county equivalents. The U.S. Census Bureau counts American Samoa 's districts and atolls as county equivalents. American Samoa locally has places called "counties", but these entities are considered to be " minor civil divisions " (not true counties) by

9248-473: The U.S. Census Bureau recognized the state's nine Councils of Governments as replacement for the state's eight legacy counties for all statistical purposes; full implementation was completed in 2024. The average U.S. county population was 104,435 in 2019, while the median county, which is Nicholas County, West Virginia , had a population of 25,965 in 2019. The most populous county is Los Angeles County, California , with 10,014,009 residents in 2020. This number

9384-479: The U.S. Census Bureau treats American Samoa's three districts and two atolls as county equivalents). American Samoa's counties are treated as minor civil divisions. Most territories are directly divided into municipalities or similar units, which are treated as equivalent of counties for statistical purposes: The U.S. Census Bureau counts all of Guam as one county equivalent (with the FIPS code 66010), while

9520-690: The U.S. Census Bureau. The number of counties per state ranges from the three counties of Delaware to the 254 counties of Texas . County populations also vary widely: in 2017, according to the Census Bureau, more than half the U.S. population was concentrated in just 143 of the more than 3,000 counties, or just 4.6% of all counties; the five most populous counties, ordered from most to least, are Los Angeles County, California ; Cook County, Illinois ; Harris County, Texas ; Maricopa County, Arizona ; and San Diego County, California . As of 2022 , there are 3,144 counties and county-equivalents in

9656-489: The United States is the city and county of Broomfield, Colorado , established in 2001 as a consolidated city-county , previously part of four counties. The newest county equivalents are the Alaskan census areas of Chugach and Copper River , both established in 2019, and the Alaskan boroughs of Petersburg established in 2013, Wrangell established in 2008, and Skagway established in 2007. A consolidated city-county

9792-906: The United States. Geographically, much of the county lies in the Delaware Valley . Local businesses and the Delaware Valley Regional High School carry the name. However, it is part of the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island metropolitan statistical area (MSA) and part of the larger New York-Newark Combined Statistical Area (CSA). Hunterdon County was established on March 11, 1714, separating from Burlington County , at which time it included all of present-day Morris , Sussex , and Warren counties. The rolling hills and rich soils which produce bountiful agricultural crops drew Native American tribes and then Europeans to

9928-467: The United States. Somerset County, as of the 2000 Census, was the seventh wealthiest county in the United States by median household income at $ 76,933 (third in New Jersey behind Hunterdon County at $ 79,888 and Morris County at $ 77,340), fourth in median family income at $ 90,655 (second in New Jersey behind Hunterdon County at $ 91,050) and ranked seventh by per capita income at $ 37,970 (highest in New Jersey). The Bureau of Economic Analysis ranked

10064-636: The area. Hunterdon County was named for Robert Hunter , a colonial governor of New Jersey. As language changes over time and location, so by the stemming of [s], and a [t] → [d] lenition of the name of his family seat of "Hunterston" in Ayrshire , Scotland, the name "Hunterdon" was derived. Paleo Indians moved into Hunterdon County between 12,000 BCE and 11,000 BCE. The area was warming due to climate change. The Wisconsin Glacier in Warren and Sussex County

10200-468: The autism spectrum by utilizing the principles of applied behavior analysis . In 2024, a local ShopRite store started selling salads grown by and packed by students in the school's hydroponics career training program. The 21 municipalities in Somerset County (with 2010 Census data for population, housing units, and area) are listed below. Other unincorporated communities in the county are listed alongside their parent municipality (or municipalities, as

10336-402: The board. These positions may include county clerk , county treasurer , county surrogate, sheriff , and others. District attorneys or state attorneys are usually state-level as opposed to county-level officials, but in many states, counties and state judicial districts have coterminous boundaries. The site of a county's administration, and often the county courthouse , is generally called

10472-507: The case may be). These areas include census-designated places (CDPs), which the United States Census Bureau created for enumeration purposes within a township . Other communities, historical areas, unincorporated areas, and enclaves that exist within a municipality are also listed. Somerset County is served by a number of different routes. As of May 2010 , the county had a total of 1,714.99 miles (2,760.01 km) of roadways, of which 1,370.80 miles (2,206.09 km) were maintained by

10608-410: The city and the county at least nominally exist, they are properly classified as counties in their own right. Likewise, the boroughs of New York City are coextensive with counties and are therefore by definition also not county equivalents. There are technically no counties in U.S. territories. American Samoa has its own counties , but the U.S. Census Bureau does not treat them as counties (instead,

10744-580: The commissioner director was paid an annual salary of $ 22,902. The Commissioners employ a full-time County Administrator who manages the day-to-day operations of the county government. The County Administrator is Colleen Mahr. The Clerk of the County Commissioners oversees the work of their offices. Department heads are appointed in accordance with statute and by resolution of the board. Somerset County currently has approximately 1,100 full-time and 130 part-time employees in 52 divisions (including

10880-421: The county (which merely implements state law). A typical criminal defendant will be arraigned and subsequently indicted or held over for trial before a trial court in and for a particular county where the crime occurred, kept in the county jail (if he is not granted bail or cannot make bail), prosecuted by the county's district attorney, and tried before a jury selected from that county. But long-term incarceration

11016-666: The county are Route 27 (only in Franklin ) and Route 28 . U.S. Routes in the county are U.S. Route 22 , U.S. Route 202 and U.S. Route 206 . The two Interstates which pass through Somerset County are Interstate 78 and Interstate 287 . It was planned for Interstate 95 to run along the Somerset Freeway from its proposed southern end in Hopewell Township , Mercer County to Franklin Township at I-287 in

11152-459: The county as having the 11th-highest per capita income of all 3,113 counties in the United States (and the highest in New Jersey) as of 2009. In 2012, 49.8 percent of Somerset County residents were college graduates, the highest percentage in the state. Somerset County was recently ranked number 3 of 21 NJ counties as one of the healthiest counties in New Jersey, according to an annual report by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. Somerset County

11288-585: The county had a total of 1,412.33 miles (2,272.92 km) of roadways, of which 1,059.23 miles (1,704.67 km) were maintained by the local municipality, 237.73 miles (382.59 km) by Hunterdon County and 114.79 miles (184.74 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 0.58 miles (0.93 km) by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission . Many important roads pass through

11424-463: The county jail.) In several southern states, public school systems are organized and administered at the county level. As of 2024 , there were 2,999 counties, 64 Louisiana parishes , 19 organized boroughs and 11 census areas in Alaska, 9 Councils of Government in Connecticut, 41 independent cities , and the District of Columbia for a total of 3,144 counties and county equivalents in

11560-497: The county on several occasions and slept in many of the homes located throughout the area. Somerset County also played an important part during both World War I and World War II . Weapons depots were established here, and factories manufactured the army's woolen blankets. For much of its history, Somerset County was primarily an agricultural county. In the late 19th century, the Somerset Hills area of Somerset County became

11696-399: The county prosecutor, was charged with embezzlement , tax fraud , and abuse of power . He fled to Laughlin, Nevada southeast of Las Vegas , and killed himself when the federal authorities attempted to arrest him. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of 304.95 square miles (789.8 km ), of which 301.87 square miles (781.8 km )

11832-399: The county voted more Democratic than the state as a whole for the first time since 1912. In the 2009 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 56% of the vote, defeating Democrat Jon Corzine , who received around 34%. In the 2013 gubernatorial election , Republican Governor Chris Christie received 67.6% (58,981 votes) to Democrat Barbara Buono's 30.8% (26,913 votes). In

11968-419: The county's southeast corner. In the 2012 presidential election , the county was carried by Barack Obama , winning 52.8% of the vote to Mitt Romney 's 47.2%, a 5.6% gap that represented a 0.5% drop off for Obama from his 2008 margin of victory in the county. In 2016, the county voted as Democratic as the state, and in 2020, Joe Biden won the largest share of the vote in the county for a Democrat since 1964, as

12104-544: The county. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. ( R , Westfield ). For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 12th congressional district is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman ( D , Ewing Township ). The 21 municipalities of Somerset County are represented by five legislative districts. Roy Freiman (D) Joseph Danielsen (D) Nancy Munoz (R) Linda S. Carter (D) Erik Peterson (R) As of October 1, 2021, there were

12240-467: The county. The population density was 300 per square mile (120/km). There were 49,487 housing units at an average density of 115.7 per square mile (44.7/km). The racial makeup was 91.36% (117,264) White , 2.69% (3,451) Black or African American , 0.13% (167) Native American , 3.26% (4,181) Asian , 0.03% (37) Pacific Islander , 1.22% (1,570) from other races , and 1.31% (1,679) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.24% (6,722) of

12376-555: The county. They include state routes, such as Route 12 , Route 29 , Route 31 , Route 173 and Route 179 . Two U.S. Routes pass through the county, which are U.S. Route 22 and U.S. Route 202 . The only limited access road that passes through is Interstate 78 . Limited rail service to the northern part of the county from Newark Penn Station / Pennsylvania Station is provided to High Bridge , Annandale , Lebanon and Whitehouse Station by NJ Transit 's Raritan Valley Line . The Norfolk Southern Railway 's Lehigh Line (formerly

12512-572: The early 18th century. After 1760, nearly all Native Americans left New Jersey and relocated to eastern Canada or the Mississippi River area. The first European settlers were Col. John Reading who settled in Reading Township in 1704 they called him Sir Reading of Readington and John Holcombe who settled in Lambertville in 1705. Hunterdon County was separated from Burlington County on March 11, 1714. At that time Hunterdon County

12648-400: The first Democratic presidential nominee to carry the county since Lyndon Johnson in 1964 , and only the second since 1936. Obama won Somerset by a 6.1% margin over John McCain , with Obama carrying the state by 15.5% over McCain. Somerset's growing Democratic trend at the presidential level has largely been spurred by the rapid growth of the overwhelmingly Democratic Franklin Township in

12784-399: The four independent municipalities within its borders: Atlantic Beach , Baldwin , Jacksonville Beach , and Neptune Beach . The term county equivalents is used by the United States Census Bureau to describe divisions that are comparable to counties but called by different names: Consolidated city-counties are not designated county equivalents for administrative purposes; since both

12920-461: The general law of the state or by a charter specific to that county. States may allow only general-law counties, only charter counties, or both. Generally, general-law local governments have less autonomy than chartered local governments. Counties are usually governed by an elected body, variously called the county commission , board of supervisors , commissioners' court , county council , county court , or county legislature . In cases in which

13056-626: The geographically largest cities in the world, though often with population densities far below those of most urban areas. There are 40 consolidated city-counties in the U.S., including Augusta–Richmond County; the City and County of Denver, Colorado; the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii ; Indianapolis–Marion County, Indiana ; Jacksonville–Duval County, Florida ; Louisville–Jefferson County, Kentucky ; Lexington–Fayette County, Kentucky ; Kansas City–Wyandotte County, Kansas ; Nashville–Davidson County, Tennessee ; New Orleans–Orleans Parish, Louisiana ;

13192-566: The glacier southward depositing rock and sediment. Hunterdon County has two geophysical provinces. The first is the Highlands which is the western section of the county. The other is the Piedmont which is the eastern and southern section of the county. The Highlands account for one-third of the area and Piedmont accounts for two-thirds of the county. The Highlands are part of the Reading Prong. Limestone and shale over igneous rock comprise

13328-553: The igneous rock to bend, thus Hunterdon County was born. The African plate which later collided with North America created more folding and faulting, especially in the southern Appalachians. Then the African and North America plates tore and drifted away from each other. The Wisconsin glacier that entered into New Jersey around 21,000 BCE and then melted around 13,000 BCE did not reach Hunterdon County. However, there are glacial outwash deposits from streams and rivers that flowed from

13464-659: The incumbent Governor Christine Todd Whitman . All five County Commissioners are Republicans, as are all countywide elected officers and the majority of township committee and borough council members. The county has only gone Democratic in a presidential election twice since 1920 , in the national Democratic landslides of 1936 and 1964 . As of October 1, 2021, there were a total of 107,101 registered voters in Hunterdon County, of whom 29,256 (27.3%) were registered as Democrats , 41,836 (39.1%) were registered as Republicans and 35,077 (32.8%) were registered as unaffiliated . There were 932 voters (0.9%) registered to other parties. In

13600-405: The judicial branch of the state government rather than county governments. In many states, the county controls all unincorporated lands within its boundaries. In states with a township tier, unincorporated land is controlled by the townships. Residents of unincorporated land who are dissatisfied with county-level or township-level resource allocation decisions can attempt to vote to incorporate as

13736-560: The least extensive county equivalent is Kingman Reef , with a land area of 0.01 square miles (0.03 km ). In some states, a municipality may be in only one county and may not annex territory in adjacent counties, but in the majority of states, the state constitution or state law allows municipalities to extend across county boundaries. At least 32 states include municipalities in multiple counties . Dallas , for example, contains portions of five counties, while numerous other cities comprise portions of four counties. New York City

13872-416: The legislative power to enact laws for the county; it has the executive power to oversee the executive operations of county government; and it has quasi-judicial power with regard to certain limited matters (such as hearing appeals from the planning commission if one exists). In many states, several important officials are elected separately from the board of commissioners or supervisors and cannot be fired by

14008-431: The local municipality, 234.23 miles (376.96 km) by Somerset County and 109.96 miles (176.96 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation . Major county roads that pass through include County Route 512 , County Route 514 , County Route 518 , County Route 523 , County Route 525 , County Route 527 , County Route 529 , County Route 531 and County Route 533 . The two state routes which traverse through

14144-742: The mainline of the Lehigh Valley Railroad ), runs through Hunterdon County. In addition, The Hunterdon County LINK operates demand-response service across the county, as well as fixed-route service in Flemington. Trans-Bridge Lines also provides service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan , as well as several towns/cities west in Pennsylvania. Stops include Clinton, Flemington, Lambertville, and Frenchtown. Hunterdon County

14280-686: The matter to the states. Subsequently, state constitutions conceptualized county governments as arms of the state. Louisiana instead adopted the local divisions called parishes that dated back to both the Spanish colonial and French colonial periods when the land was dominated by the Catholic Church . In the twentieth century, the role of local governments strengthened and counties began providing more services, acquiring home rule and county commissions to pass local ordinances pertaining to their unincorporated areas . In 1955, delegates to

14416-521: The next most common source of county names are geographic features and locations, with some counties even being named after counties in other states, or for places in other countries, such as the United Kingdom (the latter is most common in the area of the original Thirteen Colonies in the case of the United Kingdom, or in places which had a large number of immigrants from a particular area for other countries). The most common geographic county name

14552-417: The ninth-highest average federal income tax liability per return in the country. Average tax liability was $ 16,502, representing 16.8% of adjusted gross income . The Somerset Patriots are a professional baseball team that plays at the 6,100-seat TD Bank Ballpark, located on the border of Bridgewater and Bound Brook. They played in the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball until they became

14688-424: The official record of all real estate transactions. Other key county officials include the coroner / medical examiner , treasurer , assessor , auditor , comptroller , and district attorney . In most states, the county sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer in the county. However, except in major emergencies where clear chains of command are essential, the county sheriff normally does not directly control

14824-513: The only county to shift to the left in this election, despite Ciattarelli representing the county in the state assembly. School districts include: Somerset County is home to two colleges : Alma White College (which operated from 1921 to 1978) was a private college located in Zarephath. Beginning in 1931 the college operated WAWZ 1380 on the AM radio dial. The station continued to 1984 after

14960-448: The police departments of city governments, but merely cooperates with them (e.g., under mutual aid pacts). Thus, the most common interaction between county and city law enforcement personnel is when city police officers deliver suspects to sheriff's deputies for detention or incarceration in the county jail. In most states, the state courts and local law enforcement are organized and implemented along county boundaries, but nearly all of

15096-422: The population were under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 34.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 98.1 males. The Bureau of Economic Analysis calculated that the county's gross domestic product was $ 7.1 billion in 2021, which

15232-413: The population. Of the 47,169 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18; 62.8% were married couples living together; 7% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.2% were non-families. Of all households, 22% were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.1. 23.5% of

15368-504: The presence of natural habitats with many homes in wooded settings, Hunterdon County was recently found to have the third highest case rate of Lyme disease out of all counties in the United States. On December 24, 2020, The Hunterdon County Library System announced that the library system will be joining the MAIN Library System which covers libraries in Morris County and parts of Somerset and Warren counties, this merger

15504-409: The provinces of West Jersey and East Jersey . Hunterdon County was reduced in area on February 22, 1838, with the formation of Mercer County from portions of Burlington County , Hunterdon County and Middlesex County . In February 1839, the remaining portion of Hopewell Township was annexed to Mercer County. On March 13, 1844, Hopewell Township returned to Hunterdon County while Tewksbury Township

15640-582: The relationship between counties and incorporated cities. The powers of counties arise from state law and vary widely. In Connecticut and Rhode Island , counties are geographic entities, but not governmental jurisdictions. At the other extreme, Maryland counties and the county equivalent City of Baltimore handle almost all services, including public education , although the state retains an active oversight authority with many of these services. Counties in Hawaii also handle almost all services since there

15776-589: The school closed. The building is now occupied by Somerset Christian College. Private schools in the county include Gill St. Bernard's School (in Gladstone), Immaculata High School (Somerville), Mount St. Mary Academy , Watchung), Pingry School , Martinsville), Purnell School , Pottersville), and * Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset). Somerset Hills Learning Institute, founded in 1998 and located in Bedminster Township, educates children on

15912-556: The state's French and Spanish colonial periods. Before the Louisiana Purchase and granting of statehood, government was often administered in towns where major church parishes were located. Of the original 19 civil parishes of Louisiana that date from statehood in 1807, nine were named after the Roman Catholic parishes from which they were governed. The structure and powers of a county government may be defined by

16048-421: The substantive and procedural law adjudicated in state trial courts originates from the state legislature and state appellate courts. In other words, most criminal defendants are prosecuted for violations of state law, not local ordinances, and if they, the district attorney, or police seek reforms to the criminal justice system, they will usually have to direct their efforts towards the state legislature rather than

16184-399: The term "county equivalent" to describe places that are comparable to counties, but called by different names. Louisiana parishes, the organized boroughs of Alaska, independent cities, and the District of Columbia are equivalent to counties for administrative purposes. Alaska's Unorganized Borough is further divided into 11 census areas that are statistically equivalent to counties. In 2024,

16320-493: The top of the North American plate. The rock from the islands created the highlands of Hunterdon County as there was a shallow sea where Hunterdon County is now located. Then around four hundred million years ago, a small continent that was long and thin, collided with proto North America. This collision created compression, which caused heat. The Paleozoic sediment of shale and sandstone folded and faulted. The heat allowed

16456-435: The vote (22,820 votes) to Republican Jack Ciattarelli 's 58.9% (33,459 votes), making it just one of two counties (along with Somerset) to shift to the left in that election. The following 26 municipalities are located in Hunterdon County (with 2010 Census data for population, housing units and area): Other unincorporated places within Hunterdon County include: School districts include: County (United States) In

16592-415: Was Franklin Township , with 68,364 residents at the time of the 2020 census, while Hillsborough Township , with 55.00 square miles (142.4 km ), covered the largest total area of any municipality. The county is part of the Central Jersey region of the state. In 2015, Somerset County had a per capita personal income of $ 86,468, the second highest in New Jersey and ranked 25th of 3,113 counties in

16728-475: Was $ 111,587, and the median family income was $ 135,129. About 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over. The 2010 United States census counted 323,444 people, 117,759 households, and 84,669 families in the county. The population density was 1,071.7 per square mile (413.8/km ). There were 123,127 housing units at an average density of 408 per square mile (158/km ). The racial makeup

16864-412: Was 40.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.8 males. The Bureau of Economic Analysis calculated that the county's gross domestic product was $ 39.8 billion in 2021, which was ranked sixth in the state and was a 5.6% increase from the prior year. Based on IRS data for the 2004 tax year, Somerset County taxpayers had

17000-499: Was 61.0% White , 10.0% African American , 0.2% Native American , 18.5% Asian , and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 15.2% of the population. Of the 122,606 households, of which 21.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present and 27.8% were non-families, and 9.3% had someone living alone who

17136-400: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.16. About 21.5% of the population was under age 18, 8.4% was from age 18 to 24, 36.3% was from age 15 to 44, and 16.2% was age 65 or older. The median age was 42.2 years. The gender makeup was 49.2% male and 50.8% female. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. The median household income

17272-441: Was 70.06% (226,608) White , 8.95% (28,943) Black or African American , 0.17% (556) Native American , 14.11% (45,650) Asian , 0.03% (94) Pacific Islander , 4.13% (13,360) from other races , and 2.55% (8,233) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 13.01% (42,091) of the population. Of the 117,759 households, 35.9% had children under the age of 18; 58.8% were married couples living together; 9.5% had

17408-493: Was annexed by Somerset County but in February 1845 both of these changes were repealed. Since then, the county boundaries have remained the same. Hunterdon County was being affected by industrialization in the state and nation, mining speculation in northwest New Jersey, and competitors constructing railroads . The Elizabethtown and Somerville Railroad leased a section to White House just south of Tewksbury Township in 1848. Transitioning from rural to suburban, Hunterdon County

17544-511: Was completed on January 11, 2021. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of 437.4 square miles (1,133 km), of which 427.84 square miles (1,108.1 km) was land (97.8%) and 9.56 square miles (24.8 km) was water (2.2%). Much of the county is hilly, with several hills rising to 1,000 feet (300 m) in elevation. The highest points are two areas in Lebanon Township , one on

17680-587: Was created on May 14, 1688, from portions of Middlesex County . Somerset County is one of America's oldest counties, and is named after the English county of Somerset . The area was first settled in 1681 in the vicinity of Bound Brook , and the county was established by charter on May 22, 1688. Most of the early residents were Dutch . During the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington and his troops marched through

17816-440: Was dissolved by the District of Columbia Organic Act . Jefferson County , for Thomas Jefferson , is next with 26. The most recent president to have a county named for him was Warren G. Harding , reflecting the slowing rate of county creation since New Mexico and Arizona became states in 1912. The most common names for counties not named after a president are Franklin (25), Clay (18), and Montgomery (18). After people,

17952-539: Was land (99%) and 3.09 square miles (8.0 km ) was water (1%). The high point is on Mine Mountain in Bernardsville, at approximately 860 feet (260 m) above sea level. The lowest point is just above sea level on the Raritan River at the Middlesex County line. In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Somerville have ranged from a low of 18 °F (−8 °C) in January to

18088-496: Was large, going from Assunpink Creek near Trenton to the New York State line which at that time was about 10 miles (16 km) north of Port Jervis, New York . On March 15, 1739, Morris County (which at the time included what would later become Sussex County and Warren County) was separated from Hunterdon County. The boundary between Hunterdon and Somerset counties is evidence of the old Keith Line which separated

18224-601: Was later suppressed when new state officials were appointed by incoming Governor Chris Christie . The propriety of the investigation, the indictment and its aftermath are the subject of a number of legal actions. Hunterdon County is considered a Republican stronghold and has traditionally elected some of the most conservative members of the New Jersey legislature. It has also provided big votes for independent conservative third party candidates opposing liberal and moderate Republicans, particularly in 1997, when 13% of county voters backed two conservative independent candidates against

18360-562: Was ranked 16th in the state and was a 5.3% increase from the prior year. Hunterdon County ranked as the 19th among the highest-income counties in the United States with a 2010 per capita income of $ 67,053. It ranks fourth among U.S. counties for household income according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Hunterdon County's median household income was $ 105,186, behind only Loudoun County and Fairfax County in Virginia, and Howard County, Maryland . As of May 2010,

18496-426: Was retreating northward. The area was that of Taiga/Boreal forests. Paleo Indians traveled in small groups in search of game and edible plants. They used spears made of bone, jasper or black chert. Their camp sites are difficult to find as they are many feet below the present surface. Native Americans moved into the area but the time they arrived is unknown. Most have come from the Mississippi River area. Many tribes of

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