Bethlehem Township, New Jersey

Before European settlement, the land was settled by the Lenape Native Americans, whose presence remains in the names of places and bodies of water in the township.Kreis, Anthony M. [https://bethlehemnj.org/history/ "Early History of Bethlehem Township"], Township of Bethlehem. Accessed March 2, 2023. "The first residents of Bethlehem Township were Native Americans of the Lenni Lenape tribe. The colonists would later rename these people the Delaware. The Lenape have left their mark on present-day Bethlehem Township, most notably, perhaps, in the names of local landmarks. Two local bodies of water bear names which originate with the Natives, the Musconetcong River and the Mulhockaway Creek. The Musconetcongs were a group of Lenni Lenapes of the Minsi tribe that lived in the Sourland and Cushetunk mountains and the plateau region north of Flemington."

Bethlehem was first mentioned in official records dating back to 1730, though details of its formation are uncertain.Snyder, John P. [https://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/bulletin67.pdf The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968], Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 153. Accessed October 25, 2012. Bethlehem 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 were taken to form Kingwood Township (1749, date uncertain), Alexandria Township (March 5, 1765), Union Township (February 17, 1853), Junction borough (February 20, 1895, now known as Hampton borough), Bloomsbury (March 30, 1905) and Glen Gardner (March 26, 1919).

The township was named for the city of Bethlehem.Hutchinson, Viola L. [http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/356/nj_place_names_origin.pdf#page=8 The Origin of New Jersey Place Names], New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 27, 2015.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 20.80 square miles (53.87 km²), including 20.68 square miles (53.57 km²) of land and 0.12 square miles (0.30 km²) of water (0.56%). The township is an exurb of New York City, lying on the western fringe of the New York metropolitan area, as part of the Newark-Union, NJ-PA Metropolitan Division, which is in turn a part of the New York City Metropolitan Area.

The Musconetcong River forms the township's northern border with Warren County. The northern half of the Township consists of the Musconetcong Valley while the southern half is covered by the Musconetcong Mountains. The southwest corner of the township lies on what is known as the Hunterdon Plateau. The landscape is mainly rural in nature, featuring farms and forests, scattered with newer housing developments and older farm homes.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Charlestown, Jugtown, Ludlow, Polktown, Swinesburg, Valley and West Portal.[http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search], State of New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2015.

The township borders the municipalities of Alexandria Township, Bloomsbury, Glen Gardner, Hampton, Holland Township, Lebanon Township, Union Township in Hunterdon County; and Franklin Township, Pohatcong Township and Washington Township in Warren County.[https://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/1085186/touches.html Areas touching Bethlehem Township], MapIt. Accessed November 15, 2019.[https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/880/Municipalities Map of County Municipalities], Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed July 30, 2023.[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries], New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Residents and businesses in Bethlehem Township have mailing addresses to nearby towns including Bloomsbury, Clinton, Glen Gardner, Hampton, and even Asbury (which is located in neighboring Warren County), as "Bethlehem Township" itself is not a mailing address.[https://bethlehemnj.org/overview/ Get to Know Bethlehem Township], Bethlehem Township. Accessed November 15, 2019.

{{Weather box |metric first =

|location = Bethlehem Township, NJ

|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 71.0

|Feb record high F = 76.0

|Mar record high F = 85.0

|Apr record high F = 93.0

|May record high F = 96.0

|Jun record high F = 98.0

|Jul record high F = 100.0

|Aug record high F = 100.0

|Sep record high F = 102.0

|Oct record high F = 91.0

|Nov record high F = 82.0

|Dec record high F = 73.0

|Jan high F = 35.8

|Feb high F = 39.1

|Mar high F = 48.5

|Apr high F = 59.4

|May high F = 70.6

|Jun high F = 78.6

|Jul high F = 83.5

|Aug high F = 82.0

|Sep high F = 74.8

|Oct high F = 64.1

|Nov high F = 51.9

|Dec high F = 40.5

|year high F= 60.7

|Jan record low F = -23.0

|Feb record low F = -24.0

|Mar record low F = -6.0

|Apr record low F = 9.0

|May record low F = 25.0

|Jun record low F = 33.0

|Jul record low F = 38.0

|Aug record low F = 35.0

|Sep record low F = 25.0

|Oct record low F = 18.0

|Nov record low F = 2.0

|Dec record low F = -14.0

|Jan low F = 17.5

|Feb low F = 19.0

|Mar low F = 27.2

|Apr low F = 36.4

|May low F = 46.5

|Jun low F = 55.4

|Jul low F = 60.9

|Aug low F = 59.5

|Sep low F = 51.7

|Oct low F = 39.7

|Nov low F = 31.5

|Dec low F = 23.3

|year low F= 39.1

|Jan precipitation inch = 4.30

|Feb precipitation inch = 3.35

|Mar precipitation inch = 4.18

|Apr precipitation inch = 4.54

|May precipitation inch = 4.93

|Jun precipitation inch = 4.78

|Jul precipitation inch = 5.03

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.78

|Sep precipitation inch = 4.31

|Oct precipitation inch = 5.09

|Nov precipitation inch = 4.05

|Dec precipitation inch = 4.32

|year precipitation inch = 53.66

|source 1 = {{cite web |url=https://www.idcide.com/weather/nj/bloomsbury.htm |title=Bloomsbury, NJ Weather |author=BELVIDERE BRIDGE Weather station |publisher=Open Publishing |year=2009 |work=Bloomsbury, NJ Weather Data |access-date=December 1, 2009}}

|date=August 2010

}}

Bethlehem Township falls under the "Northern New Jersey" climate zone. According to the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist at Rutgers University, the Northern climate zone covers about one-quarter of New Jersey and consists mainly of elevated highlands and valleys which are part of the Appalachian Uplands. Surrounded by land, this region can be characterized as having a continental climate with minimal influence from the Atlantic Ocean, except when the winds contain an easterly component. Prevailing winds are from the southwest in summer and from the northwest in winter. Being in the northernmost portion of the state, and with small mountains up to {{convert|1800|ft}} in elevation, the Northern Zone normally exhibits a colder temperature regime than other climate regions of the State of New Jersey. This difference is most dramatic in winter when average temperatures in the Northern Zone can be more than ten degrees Fahrenheit cooler than in the Coastal Zone. Annual snowfall averages {{convert|40|to|50|in}} in the northern zone as compared with an average of {{convert|10|to|15|in}} in the extreme south.[http://climate.rutgers.edu/stateclim/?section=uscp&target=NJCoverview ONJSC], Rutgers University. Accessed December 1, 2009.

Bethlehem Township falls under the USDA 6a Plant Hardiness zone.[http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/# USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map], United States Department of Agriculture / Agricultural Research Center, PRISM Climate Group Oregon State University. Accessed January 10, 2015.

Various animals are native to central-western New Jersey, including red fox (vulpes vulpes),[http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/speciesinfo_fox.htm Foxes in New Jersey], New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish & Wildlife. Accessed November 14, 2012. black bear, groundhogs, wild turkeys, deer, squirrels, chipmunks, a variety of birds, and a wide variety of insects and vegetation.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} There are also some fish in the streams of the county.

Trees include deciduous varieties and evergreen varieties.

Black bears are the largest land mammals in New Jersey and are known to be most abundant in the northern-western regions of the state, including Bethlehem Township.

{{US Census population

| 1790= 1335

| 1810= 1728

| 1820= 2002

| 1830= 2032

| 1840= 2370

| 1850= 2746

| 1860= 1859 | 1860n=*

| 1870= 2211

| 1880= 2830

| 1890= 2308

| 1900= 1634 | 1900n=*

| 1910= 980 | 1910n=*

| 1920= 798 | 1920n=*

| 1930= 735

| 1940= 791

| 1950= 857

| 1960= 1090

| 1970= 1385

| 1980= 3045

| 1990= 3104

| 2000= 3820

| 2010= 3979

| 2020= 3745

| estimate=3756

| estyear=2023

| estref=[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/mcds/totals/SUB-MCD-EST2023-POP-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023], United States Census Bureau, released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.

| footnote=Population sources:
1800–1920[https://dspace.njstatelib.org/xmlui/handle/10929/25218?show=full Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905], New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed August 21, 2013. 1840Bowen, Francis. [https://books.google.com/books?id=DnUFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA231 American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year 1843], p. 231, David H. Williams, 1842. Accessed August 21, 2013. Source shows population of 2,371, which is one more than shown in other sources. 1850–1870Raum, John O. [https://books.google.com/books?id=5qZ4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA266 The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1], p. 266, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed August 21, 2013. "Bethlehem township was incorporated in 1798 and contains the towns of Bethlehem, Charlestown, Bloomsbury and Junction. The New Jersey Central Railroad runs through the entire length of the township. The population in 1850 was 2,746; in 1860, 1,859; and in 1870, 2,211."
1850Debow, James Dunwoody Brownson. [https://books.google.com/books?id=25TicJOdU0AC&pg=PA139 The Seventh Census of the United States: 1850], p. 139. R. Armstrong, 1853. Accessed August 21, 2013. 1870Staff. [https://books.google.com/books?id=gNwIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA260 A compendium of the ninth census, 1870], p. 260. United States Census Bureau, 1872. Accessed August 21, 2013. 1880–1890Porter, Robert Percival. [https://books.google.com/books?id=8gUkQkJdLpsC&pg=PA98 Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75], p. 98. United States Census Bureau, 1890. Accessed November 13, 2012.
1890–1910[https://books.google.com/books?id=T9HrAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA337 Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890], United States Census Bureau, p. 337. Accessed November 13, 2012. 1910–1930[https://books.google.com/books?id=kifRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA716 Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I], United States Census Bureau, p. 716. Accessed November 13, 2012.
1940–2000[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2kpub/njsdcp3.pdf#page=27 Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000], Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023. 2000
2010[https://archive.today/20200212112525/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3401905650 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Bethlehem township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey], United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 13, 2012.[http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_hun/bethlehem1.pdf Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Bethlehem township] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316084834/http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_hun/bethlehem1.pdf |date=2018-03-16 }}, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed November 13, 2012. 2020[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_Mun/MCD%200_All.pdf Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities], New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.
* = Lost territory in previous decade

}}

{{update|section|date=March 2023|reason=Newer information is available from the 2020 census report}}

The 2010 United States census counted 3,979 people, 1,344 households, and 1,148 families in the township. The population density was 192.1 per square mile (74.2/km²). There were 1,386 housing units at an average density of 66.9 per square mile (25.8/km²). The racial makeup was 95.65% (3,806) White, 0.98% (39) Black or African American, 0.10% (4) Native American, 1.88% (75) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.50% (20) from other races, and 0.88% (35) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.02% (160) of the population.

Of the 1,344 households, 41.1% had children under the age of 18; 77.0% were married couples living together; 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 14.6% were non-families. Of all households, 11.9% were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.22.

27.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 18.1% from 25 to 44, 38.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 100.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 100.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $127,540 (with a margin of error of +/− $12,090) and the median family income was $130,580 (+/− $16,200). Males had a median income of $95,694 (+/− $16,468) versus $70,069 (+/− $27,112) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $44,477 (+/− $4,087). About 0.6% of families and 1.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.[https://archive.today/20200212084720/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3401905650 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Bethlehem township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey], United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 21, 2012.

As of the 2000 United States census there were 3,820 people, 1,266 households, and 1,092 families residing in the township. The population density was {{convert|183.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,303 housing units at an average density of {{convert|62.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the township was 97.51% White, 0.86% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.62% of the population.[http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603401905650.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Bethlehem township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050410201647/http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603401905650.pdf |date=2005-04-10 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 13, 2012.[https://archive.today/20200212091943/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3401905650 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Bethlehem township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey], United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 13, 2012.

There were 1,266 households, out of which 43.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.3% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.7% were non-families. 10.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the township the population was spread out, with 29.5% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $88,048, and the median income for a family was $92,768. Males had a median income of $69,063 versus $41,806 for females. The per capita income for the township was $35,298. None of the families and 1.0% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 10.0% of those over 64.

Most common first ancestries reported in Bethlehem Township were German (25.2%), Italian (14.7%), Irish (14.4%), Polish (9.2%), English (7.6%), United States or American (6.1%), French (except Basque) (3.3%).[http://www.city-data.com/township/Bethlehem-Hunterdon-NJ.html Bethlehem township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey], City-Data. Accessed November 14, 2012.

The most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents were India (22%), Germany (18%), United Kingdom (12%), Austria (9%), Russia (7%), Poland (5%), Netherlands (4%).

Covering more than {{convert|2000|acres}}, Spruce Run State Park and Reservoir, part of the New Jersey State Park system, is located near Bethlehem Township in close by Clinton Township. It is possible to walk or bike to Spruce Run from Bethlehem Township.[https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/spruce.html Spruce Run Recreation Area], New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Paks and Forestry. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Bethlehem 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.[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf 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 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. 103.[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=7 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"], p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.

{{As of|2024}}, members of the Bethlehem Township Committee are Mayor Paul J. Muir (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2026; term as mayor ends 2024), Deputy Mayor Judy Nelson (R, term on committee ends 2026; term as deputy mayor ends 2024), Steve Keefe (R, 2024), Robert G. Kenny (R, 2025) and Paul Lenzi Jr. (R, 2024).[https://bethlehemnj.org/remote-meetings/ Township Committee], Township of Bethlehem. Accessed October 10, 2024.[https://d369gx05woxg8v.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/03141303/ADOPTED__2024-BUDGET.pdf 2024 Municipal Data Sheet], Township of Bethlehem. Accessed October 10, 2024.[https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/899/Bethlehem-Township Township of Bethlehem], Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed October 10, 2024.[https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/13706/2023-County-Directory?bidId=#page=44 2023 County and Municipal Directory], Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2024.[https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/13515/2023-General-Election-Official-Results-PDF?bidId= 2023 Official Statement of Results General Election November 7, 2023], Hunterdon County, New Jersey, November 17, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.[https://co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/9118/G2022-Official-SOV-PDF Hunterdon County District Canvass November 8, 2022, General Election], Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.[https://co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/6226/2021-General-Election-Official-Results-by-Municipality-PDF November 2, 2021 District Report Hunterdon County Official Results], Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 12, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.

At a special meeting in July 2015, The Township Committee selected Jose Medeiros to fill the seat expiring in December 2017 that was vacated earlier that month following the resignation of John Graefe, who was moving out of the township.[https://d369gx05woxg8v.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/29105617/July-28-2015-Special-Meeting.pdf Special Township Meeting Minutes July 28, 2015], Bethlehem Township. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Bethlehem Township's municipal buildings are located on Mine Road.

File:Bethlehem Township, NJ municipal complex (1), June 2023.jpg|Bethlehem Township Municipal Complex

File:BTNJMunicipalSign.jpg|Sign indicating municipal buildings of Bethlehem Township, NJ

Bethlehem Township is located in the 7th Congressional District[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report], New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district.[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District], New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.[https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf 2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government], New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#23 Districts by Number for 2011-2020], New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.

{{NJ Congress 07}} {{NJ Senate}}

{{NJ Legislative 23}}

{{NJ Hunterdon County Freeholders}}

As of March 2011, there were a total of 2,814 registered voters in Bethlehem Township, of which 514 (18.3%) were registered as Democrats, 1,113 (39.6%) were registered as Republicans and 1,186 (42.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-hunterdon-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Hunterdon], New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 14, 2012.

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 61.2% of the vote (1,323 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 37.0% (800 votes), and other candidates with 1.8% (38 votes), among the 2,172 ballots cast by the township's 2,954 registered voters (11 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 73.5%.{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-hunterdon.pdf |title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Hunterdon County |date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-hunterdon.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Hunterdon County|date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}} In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 58.9% of the vote here (1,380 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 38.2% (896 votes) and other candidates with 2.2% (51 votes), among the 2,343 ballots cast by the township's 2,927 registered voters, for a turnout of 80.0%.[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-hunterdon.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Hunterdon County], New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 14, 2012. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 61.6% of the vote here (1,380 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 37.1% (830 votes) and other candidates with 1.3% (36 votes), among the 2,239 ballots cast by the township's 2,692 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 83.2.[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_hunterdon_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Hunterdon County], New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 14, 2012.

{{PresHead|place=Bethehem Township|source={{Cite web |title=NJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Results Archive |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-information-results.shtml |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=nj.gov}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|1,463|1,041|48|New Jersey}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|1,492|1,150|62|New Jersey}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|1,340|829|106|New Jersey}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,323|800|38|New Jersey}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|1,380|896|51|New Jersey}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,380|830|36|New Jersey}}

|}

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 73.8% of the vote (985 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 23.1% (309 votes), and other candidates with 3.1% (41 votes), among the 1,349 ballots cast by the township's 2,934 registered voters (14 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 46.0%.{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-hunterdon.pdf |title=Governor - Hunterdon County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-hunterdon.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Hunterdon County|date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}} In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 66.4% of the vote here (1,130 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 21.9% (373 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 8.9% (151 votes) and other candidates with 1.2% (20 votes), among the 1,703 ballots cast by the township's 2,855 registered voters, yielding a 59.6% turnout.[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-hunterdon.pdf 2009 Governor: Hunterdon County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017230346/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-hunterdon.pdf |date=2012-10-17 }}, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed November 14, 2012.

File:ThomasBConleyElementarySchool.jpg

Students in public school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade attend the schools of the Bethlehem Township School District.[https://www.straussesmay.com/seportal/Public/DistrictPolicy.aspx?policyid=0110&id=07e9906a88ab474789a2352b84ca40c3 Bethlehem Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification], Bethlehem Township School District. Accessed September 11, 2024. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eighth in the Bethlehem Township School District. Composition The Bethlehem Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Bethlehem Township." As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 357 students and 32.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.9:1.[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3401710&DistrictID=3401710 District information for Bethlehem Township School District], National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024. Schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3401710 School Data for the Bethlehem Township School District], National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2024.) are

Thomas B. Conley Elementary School[https://www.btschools.org/index-thomas.php Thomas B. Conley Elementary School], Bethlehem Township School District. Accessed September 11, 2024. with 225 students in grades PreK–5 and

Ethel Hoppock Middle School[https://www.btschools.org/index-Ethel.php Ethel Hoppock Middle School], Bethlehem Township School District. Accessed September 11, 2024. with 130 students in grades 6–8.[https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/13295/2023-2024-Public-School-Directory-PDF#page=12 2023-2024 Public School Directory], Hunterdon County Department of Education. Accessed March 1, 2024.[https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/19/0370 School Performance Reports for the Bethlehem Township School District], New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.[https://homeroom6.doe.state.nj.us/directory/school/districtid/0370 New Jersey School Directory for the Bethlehem Township School District], New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.

Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend North Hunterdon High School in Annandale, which also serves students from Clinton Town, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Lebanon Borough and Union Township.[http://www.nhvweb.net/index.php/choice-of-district-school/ Information Regarding Choice of District School], North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District. Accessed November 13, 2013. "In the past, parents and students of the North Hunterdon High School sending districts were able to select either North Hunterdon High School or Voorhees High School as their school of choice.... As our student population continued to grow and our two high schools reached, and exceeded, 90% capacity, the option of choosing Voorhees was eliminated in the 2005-2006 school year for the North Hunterdon sending districts (Bethlehem Township, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Lebanon Borough and Union Township – Clinton Town students still have choice as they are classmates at Clinton Public School with Glen Gardner students, who attend Voorhees)." As of the 2022–23 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,237 students and 118.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.4:1.[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3411610&ID=341161003024 School data for North Hunterdon High School], National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024. The school is part of the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District, which also includes students from Califon, Glen Gardner, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon Township and Tewksbury Township, who attend Voorhees High School.[http://www.nj.gov/education/pr/1415/narrative/19/3660/060.html Voorhees High School 2015 Report Card Narrative], New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 3, 2016. "Voorhees High School has consistently ranked among the top high schools in New Jersey and was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2015. With an enrollment of 1,095 students in grades 9-12, the school serves the communities of Califon, Glen Gardner, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon Township, and Tewksbury Township."[http://co.hunterdon.nj.us/pdf/schools/Directory.pdf#page=57 Public School Directory 2015-2016] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705154622/http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/pdf/schools/Directory.pdf#page=57 |date=July 5, 2016 }}, p. 55. Hunterdon County Department of Education. Accessed June 3, 2016.[http://www.nhvweb.net/index.php/boe-district-services/about/ About the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District], North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District, updated November 16, 2015. Accessed June 3, 2016. "North Hunterdon High School educates students from: Bethlehem Township, Clinton Town, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Lebanon Borough, Union Township; Voorhees High School educates students from: Califon, Glen Gardner, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon Township, Tewksbury Township"

Eighth grade students from all of Hunterdon County are eligible to apply to attend the high school programs offered by the Hunterdon County Vocational School District, a county-wide vocational school district that offers career and technical education at its campuses in Raritan Township and at programs sited at local high schools, with no tuition charged to students for attendance.Heyboer, Kelly. [https://www.nj.com/education/2017/05/how_to_get_your_kid_into_one_of_njs_elite_high_sch.html "How to get your kid a seat in one of N.J.'s hardest-to-get-into high schools"], NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 2017. Accessed November 18, 2019. "Hunterdon County's vo-tech district has three academies for high-achieving students, all operating in partnerships with local high schools.... The academies are open to all students in the county. Students in the 8th grade are required to submit an application, schedule an interview and take a placement exam."

File:2018-06-14 14 13 38 View west along Interstate 78 and U.S. Route 22 (Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway) between Exit 11 and Exit 7 in Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.jpg / U.S. Route 22 in Bethlehem Township]]

{{As of|2010|5}}, the township had a total of {{convert|57.76|mi}} of roadways, of which {{convert|42.26|mi}} were maintained by the municipality, {{convert|7.86|mi}} by Hunterdon County and {{convert|7.64|mi}} by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Hunterdon.pdf Hunterdon County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction], New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 13, 2013.

Bethlehem Township is well-connected to major metropolitan areas and cities (such as the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania and New York City) via Interstate 78 / U.S. Route 22[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000078__-.pdf#page=3 Interstate 78 Straight Line Diagram], New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated March 2016. Accessed March 2, 2023. and Route 173.[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000173__-.pdf#page=2 Route 173 Straight Line Diagram], New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated May 2018. Accessed March 2, 2023. While I-78/US 22 pass through without any interchanges, the nearest exit is just outside the township in bordering Bloomsbury (Exit 7) and Union Township (Exit 11).[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/gis/maps/Hunterdon.pdf Hunterdon County Highway Map], New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed March 2, 2023.

Anderson Road, located within Bethlehem Township, begins in neighboring Union Township and ends in Bethlehem Township as a dead-end, or cul-de-sac. Consequently, Anderson Road cannot be accessed internally through Bethlehem Township; it can only be accessed through Union Township.

Public transportation is limited to The LINK, a public bus service which serves Hunterdon County. Fares range from about $2.00 to $10.00. Funding for operation of the Hunterdon County LINK System is provided by Hunterdon County, NJ Transit and the Federal Transit Administration.[http://www.ridethelink.com/ LINK Hunterdon County Transportation], Hunterdon County Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

The Norfolk Southern Railway's Lehigh Line (formerly the mainline of the Lehigh Valley Railroad), runs through Bethlehem Township on its way to Phillipsburg, New Jersey.[https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/pdf/hcpb/publications/HC%20SLRail%20Study%201998.pdf#page=9 Hunterdon County Short Line Rail Study] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120050147/https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/pdf/hcpb/publications/HC%20SLRail%20Study%201998.pdf#page=9 |date=January 20, 2022 }}, p. 9. Hunterdon County, New Jersey Planning Board, September 1998. Accessed November 15, 2019. "The Lehigh Line is a major regional line that connects the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton (PA) metropolitan hub with the Newark (NJ) metropolitan area. The Lehigh Line enters the County at the Borough of Bloomsbury and passes through the Townships of Bethlehem, Union, Franklin, Clinton, and Raritan before exiting the County at the southern tip of Readington Township."

{{Category see also|People from Bethlehem Township, New Jersey}}

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Bethlehem Township include:Kreis, Anthony M. [http://bethlehemnj.org/history.php "By perseverance and fortitude: A Brief History of People and Events of the Township of Bethlehem"], Township of Bethlehem. Accessed November 13, 2013.

• John T. Bird (1829–1911), member of the United States House of Representatives from 1869 to 1873Gnichtel, Frederick W. [http://www.trentonhistory.org/His/Courts.html A History of Trenton: 1679-1929 Chapter XII - The Courts, Judges and Lawyers; Medicine and Doctors"], Trenton Historical Society. Accessed November 13, 2013. "John T. Bird was born in Bethlehem, Hunterdon County, and studied law in the office of A. G. Richey in Trenton, but practised in Flemington where he became one of the leaders of the Bar."
• Johnston Cornish (1858–1920), represented New Jersey's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1893 to 1895[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000786 Johnston Cornish biography], Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed August 12, 2007.
• Anne Marie Letko (born 1969), long-distance runner who competed in the Summer Olympics in 1996 and 2000
• Daniel Morgan (1736–1802), Revolutionary War general and a United States Representative from the State of Virginia
• James Parker (1776–1868), member of the House of Representatives from New Jersey
• Bennet Van Syckel (1830–1921), Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1869 to 1904Sackett, William Edgar; and Scannell, John James. [https://books.google.com/books?id=EZVQAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA511 Scannell's New Jersey First Citizens: Biographies and Portraits of the Notable Living Men and Women of New Jersey with Informing Glimpses Into the State's History and Affairs, Volume 1], p. 511. J. J. Scannell, 1917. Accessed July 13, 2016. "Bennet Van Syckel— Trenton.— Jurist. Born in Bethlehem, Hunterdon Co., April 17, 1830."

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Bethlehem Township, New Jersey}}

• [https://www.bethlehemnj.org Official Municipal Website]
• [https://co.hunterdon.nj.us/899/Bethlehem-Township Hunterdon County page for Bethlehem Township]
• [http://www.btschools.org/ Bethlehem Township School District]
• {{NJReportCard|19|0370|0|Bethlehem Township School District}}
• [https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3401710 School Data for the Bethlehem Township School District], National Center for Education Statistics
• [http://www.nhvweb.net/ North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20190402105034/http://www.hlta.org/ Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance]

{{Geographic Location

| Centre = Bethlehem Township

| North = Hampton
Washington Township (Warren)

| Northeast = Glen Gardner

| East = Lebanon Township

| Southeast = Union Township

| South = Alexandria Township

| Southwest = Holland Township
Pohatcong Township (Warren)

| West = Bloomsbury

| Northwest = Franklin Township

}}

{{Hunterdon County, New Jersey}}

{{Raritan River}}

Category:1798 establishments in New Jersey

Category:Populated places established in 1798

Category:Township form of New Jersey government

Category:Townships in New Jersey

Category:Townships in Hunterdon County, New Jersey