Kingwood Township is a township in Hunterdon County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, located on the Hunterdon Plateau. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 3,802, a decrease of 43 (−1.1%) from the 2010 census count of 3,845, which in turn reflected an increase of 63 (+1.7%) from the 3,782 counted in the 2000 census.
History
Kingwood Township is one of the westernmost townships of Hunterdon County. Kingwood was originally established around 1746 when it was created from Bethlehem Township, though the exact details are uncertain. Kingwood was incorporated by Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships. Portions of the township were taken to form Franklin Township on April 7, 1845. Frenchtown borough acquired portions of the township in 1876.
Kingwood Township was the home of Daniel Bray, the local captain who rounded up the boats for George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War. The portion of Route 29 that runs through the township along its western edge is named for him.
In late 1981, Dick Siano became the first Libertarian Party candidate to win a partisan election outside of Alaska by winning a committee seat in the township. In the November election, he and the Democratic tied in the general election placing the incumbent Republican mayor in third place. Siano won the runoff election held on December 22.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 35.62 square miles (92.24 km2), including 35.01 square miles (90.66 km2) of land and 0.61 square miles (1.58 km2) of water (1.71%).
The township borders the municipalities of Alexandria Township, Delaware Township, Franklin Township and Frenchtown in Hunterdon County; and the communities of Plumstead Township and Tinicum Township in Bucks County, across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania. Most of the township lies on the Hunterdon Plateau, a geologic plateau averaging in elevation though approaching the Delaware River, the elevation drops sharply to about at the banks of the river. Exposed rock can be seen on portions of Route 29 in the township between the River and the plateau.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Baptistown, Barbertown, Byram, Idell, Milltown, Point Breeze, Treasure Island, Tumble and Tumble Falls.
Frenchtown Solar is a group of three photovoltaic arrays owned by Consolidated Edison that forms one of the largest solar farms in the state, covering with a total of 68,500 solar panels and a 20.1 megawatt generating capacity. Two arrays are located just outside Baptistown on Route 12. The third and largest is to the south off County Route 519.<ref>Rojas, Cristina. "Kingwood gives preliminary OK to solar field on Route 519", Hunterdon County Democrat', October 19, 2011. Accessed April 21, 2015.</ref>
Demographics
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 3,845 people, 1,446 households, and 1,103 families in the township. The population density was . There were 1,569 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 96.51% (3,711) White, 0.65% (25) Black or African American, 0.03% (1) Native American, 1.09% (42) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.52% (20) from other races, and 1.20% (46) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.39% (92) of the population.
Of the 1,446 households, 32.2% had children under the age of 18; 64.2% were married couples living together; 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.7% were non-families. Of all households, 18.1% were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.04.
23.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 37.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 103.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 99.1 males.