Blairstown is a township in Warren County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 5,704, a decrease of 263 (−4.4%) from the 2010 census count of 5,967, which in turn reflected an increase of 220 (+3.8%) from the 5,747 counted in the 2000 census.
The area had been known as Smith's Mill and was later called Butts Bridge (variously spelled as "Butt's Bridge" and "Butts' Bridge"), named for a family that owned the eponymous crossing of the Paulins Kill.
Blairstown was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14, 1845, from portions of Knowlton Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. The township was named for John Insley Blair.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 30.78 square miles (79.71 km2), including 29.89 square miles (77.41 km2) of land and 0.89 square miles (2.30 km2) of water (2.88%). The township is located in the Kittatinny Valley which is a section of the Great Appalachian Valley that stretches for 700 miles (1,100 km) from Canada to Alabama.
Blairstown CDP (with a 2020 Census population of 493) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within the township. A portion of Hainesburg (with a 2020 Census population of 422), which is primarily located in Knowlton Township, falls within Blairstown's borders.
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Blair Lake, Cedar Lake, Cooks Pond, Jacksonburg, Kalarama, Lake Susquehanna, Mount Vernon, Paulina, Vail and Walnut Valley.
White Township borders the Warren County municipalities of Frelinghuysen Township, Hardwick Township, Hope Township and Knowlton Township.
Demographics
The township's economic data and that of Warren County is calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau as part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Carbon, Lehigh, and Northampton counties in eastern and northeastern Pennsylvania.
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 5,967 people, 2,124 households, and 1,703 families in the township. The population density was 193.6 per square mile (74.7/km2). There were 2,272 housing units at an average density of 73.7 per square mile (28.5/km2). The racial makeup was 96.03% (5,730) White, 1.12% (67) Black or African American, 0.12% (7) Native American, 1.14% (68) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.45% (27) from other races, and 1.14% (68) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.79% (226) of the population.
Of the 2,124 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18; 66.8% were married couples living together; 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.8% were non-families. Of all households, 15.8% were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.11.
23.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.8 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $82,952 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,269) and the median family income was $92,063 (+/− $14,594). Males had a median income of $73,818 (+/− $7,161) versus $54,959 (+/− $13,254) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $38,393 (+/− $7,342). About 4.1% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census, there were 5,747 people, 2,040 households, and 1,638 families residing in the township. The population density was 185.3 inhabitants per square mile (71.5/km2). There were 2,136 housing units at an average density of 68.9 per square mile (26.6/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 98.17% White, 0.26% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.98% of the population.
There were 2,040 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.6% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families. 15.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the township the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $64,809, and the median income for a family was $71,214. Males had a median income of $51,931 versus $33,646 for females. The per capita income for the township was $27,775. About 3.0% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government
Blairstown is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state. The Township Committee is composed 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. At a reorganization meeting held each year during the first week of January, the Committee members select one of their members to serve as Mayor and another to serve as Deputy Mayor.
As of 2025, the Blairstown Township Committee is comprised of Mayor Rob Moorhead (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2027, term as mayor ends 2025), Deputy Mayor Walter Orcutt (R, term on committee ends 2026; term as deputy mayor ends 2025), Karen Lance (R, 2025), G. Eric Lohman (R, 2026) and Giovanna "JoAnne" VanValkenburg (R, 2027).
Federal, state, and county representation
Blairstown Township is located in the 7th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district.
For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. (R, Westfield). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Andy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).
For the 2026–2027 session, the 23rd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Doug Steinhardt (R, Lopatcong Township) and in the General Assembly by John DiMaio (R, Hackettstown) and Erik Peterson (R, Franklin Township).
Warren County is governed by a three-member Board of County Commissioners, who are chosen at-large on a staggered basis in partisan elections with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as Commissioner Director and other as Deputy Director. As of 2025, Warren County's Commissioners are:
Deputy Director Jason J. Sarnoski (R, Lopatcong Township; 2025),
Lori Ciesla (R, Lopatcong Township; 2026), and
Director James R. Kern III (R, Pohatcong Township; 2027).
Constitutional officers of Warren County are:
Clerk Holly Mackey (R, Alpha; 2027),
Sheriff James McDonald Sr. (R, Phillipsburg; 2025) and
Surrogate Michael J. Doherty (R, Washington; 2025).
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,294 registered voters in Blairstown Township, of which 707 (16.5% vs. 21.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,882 (43.8% vs. 35.3%) were registered as Republicans and 1,702 (39.6% vs. 43.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 72.0% (vs. 62.3% in Warren County) were registered to vote, including 94.6% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 81.5% countywide).
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 1,654 votes (63.2% vs. 56.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 910 votes (34.8% vs. 40.8%) and other candidates with 28 votes (1.1% vs. 1.7%), among the 2,616 ballots cast by the township's 4,326 registered voters, for a turnout of 60.5% (vs. 66.7% in Warren County). In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 1,986 votes (60.7% vs. 55.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,192 votes (36.4% vs. 41.4%) and other candidates with 39 votes (1.2% vs. 1.6%), among the 3,271 ballots cast by the township's 4,332 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.5% (vs. 73.4% in Warren County). In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,141 votes (65.8% vs. 61.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 1,068 votes (32.8% vs. 37.2%) and other candidates with 33 votes (1.0% vs. 1.3%), among the 3,256 ballots cast by the township's 4,021 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.0% (vs. 76.3% in the whole county).
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 74.0% of the vote (1,335 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 23.7% (427 votes), and other candidates with 2.3% (42 votes), among the 1,850 ballots cast by the township's 4,338 registered voters (46 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.6%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,252 votes (63.5% vs. 61.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 489 votes (24.8% vs. 25.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 180 votes (9.1% vs. 9.8%) and other candidates with 24 votes (1.2% vs. 1.5%), among the 1,971 ballots cast by the township's 4,236 registered voters, yielding a 46.5% turnout (vs. 49.6% in the county).
Former mayors
- 2021 – Rob Moorhead (R)
- 2018–2020 – Stephen Lance (R)
- 2014–2017 – Herman Shoemaker (R)
- 2013 – Richard Mach (R)
- 2012 – Frank Anderson (R)
- 2009–2011 – Richard Mach (R)
- 2006–2008 – Stephen Lance (R)
- 2005 – Alfred Handy (R)
- 2004 – George Joest (R)
- 2003 – William Horsey (R)
- 2002 – George Joest (R)
- 2001 – William Seal (R)
- 2000 – Jane Santini (D)
- 1999 – Joseph DiGrazia (R)
- 1998 – Anita Ardia (I)
- 1996–1997 – Franklin D Shotwell (R)
- 1995 – Charles Eble (R)
- 1990–1994 – Walter Orcutt (R)
- 1989 – Frank Kelly (D)
- 1988 – Howard Mott Sr. (D)
Former committee members
- 2021–2023 – Walter Orcutt (R)
- 2019–2021 – Steven Sikkes (R)
- 2019–2021 – Rob Moorhead (R)
- 2017–2023 – Debra Waldron (R)
- 2016–2018 – Cynthia Dalton (R)
- 2015–2022 – JoAnne VanValkenburg (R)
- 2015 – Harold Price (R)
- 2014–2015 – Susan Price (R)
- 2013–2018 – Paul Avery (R)
- 2012–2017 – Herman Shoemaker (R)
- 2007–2012 – William Seal (R)
- 2006–2011 – Sal Lascari (R)
- 2006–2020 – Stephen Lance (R)
- 2005–2015 – Frank Anderson (R)
- 2005–2013 – Richard Mach (R)
- 2004–2006 – Gary Stevens (R)
- 2003–2005 – Alfred Handy (R)
- 2003–2005 – Raymond Davis (R)
- 2002–2004 – William Horsey (R)
- 2001–2005 – George Joest (R)
- 2001–2003 – JoAnne VanValkenburg (I)
- 1998–2001 – William Seal (R)
- 1997–2002 – Jane Santini (D)
- 1997–2002 – Anita Ardia (I)
- 1995–1997 – Fred Cook (D)
- 1995–1997 – Charles Eble (R)
- 1992–1994 – Robert Rokosz (R)
- 1990–1992 – Anthony Hipple (R)
- 1989–1994 – Walter Orcutt (R)
- 1988–1993 – Robert McElroy (D)
- 1984–1986 – George Wilhelm (R)
- 1981–1987 – Carl Race (R)
- 1979–1987 – Sal Simonetti (R)
- 1978–1983 – Elwyn Barker (R)
- 1975–1979 – Howard Mott Sr. (D)
- 1968–1989 – Frank Kelly (D)
Education
The Blairstown Township School District serves public school students in kindergarten through sixth grade at the Blairstown Elementary School. Students from Hardwick Township, a non-operating school district attend Blairstown Elementary School. As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 435 students and 42.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.4:1.