Franklin Township is a township in central Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township’s population was 3,195, reflecting an increase of 205 (+6.9%) from the 2,990 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 139 (+4.9%) from the 2,851 counted in the 1990 Census. Most of the township lies on the Hunterdon Plateau with only the eastern section along the South Branch Raritan River being on the lower part of the Newark Basin.
Franklin Township was established by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 7, 1845, when it was created from portions of Kingwood Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. Portions of the township were taken to form Clinton town on April 5, 1865. The township was named for Benjamin Franklin.
In its early days, Franklin was a Quaker settlement. The most reliable records that are available about the early days of the Township are found in the minutes of the Friends’ Meeting in Quakertown.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 22.998 square miles (59.563 km2), including 22.803 square miles (59.058 km2) of land and 0.195 square miles (0.505 km2) of water (0.85%).
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Allens Corner, Alvater Corner, Cherryville (previously known as Dogtown), Grandin, Kingtown, Lansdowne, Littletown, Oak Grove, Pittstown, Quakertown (previously known as Fairview), Sidney and Sunnyside. Pittstown, previously known as Hoffs, is also spread across Alexandria Township and Union Township.
The Capoolong Creek, which runs through Pittstown, was an attraction to early settlers and they soon established three of the oldest churches in present-day Hunterdon: Thomas Episcopal, established in 1723, Bethlehem Presbyterian, organized in 1730 and the Quaker Church in 1733.
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 3,195 people, 1,137 households, and 908.5 families residing in the township. The population density was 140.1 per square mile (54.1/km2). There were 1,204 housing units at an average density of 52.8 per square mile (20.4/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 96.84% (3,094) White, 0.69% (22) Black or African American, 0.16% (5) Native American, 1.25% (40) Asian, 0.09% (3) Pacific Islander, 0.44% (14) from other races, and 0.53% (17) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.44% (110) of the population.
Source: Wikipedia
