Glen Gardner is a borough in Hunterdon County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,682, a decrease of 22 (−1.3%) from the 2010 census count of 1,704, which in turn reflected a decline of 198 (−10.4%) from the 1,902 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

Glen Gardner is located at the extreme western border of Lebanon Township and was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 26, 1919, from portions of both Lebanon Township and Bethlehem Township based on the results of a referendum held that same day. Portions of the borough were ceded to Hampton borough in 1931.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 155. Accessed October 25, 2012.

History Originally settled by the Lenape Native Americans, European settlement began around the time of the American Revolutionary War.About, Borough of Glen Gardner. Accessed November 18, 2019. "The Borough of Glen Gardner gets its name from 'Glen' the area in which the town is situated, between two mountains with a stream (Spruce Run) running through the center and 'Gardner' the name of the family of five inventive and business-minded brothers who put the town on the map. The first inhabitants were the Lenni Lenape Indians with the first European settlers arriving just before the American Revolution."

The area that is now Glen Gardner had been known as Eveland's Tavern for tavernkeeper John Eveland. Later, the area was variously called Spruce Run Mills and Sodom. The name of both the community and post office were officially changed to Glen Gardner in 1871 to mark the glen of the Spruce Run and in honor of the Gardner brothers who owned a chair and frame factory in the area.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 31, 2015.Herman, Jennifer New Jersey Encyclopedia, p. 280. State History Publications, 2008. . Accessed August 31, 2015.

As part of the 1931 settlement reached between the two municipalities to resolve a border dispute dating back to the borough of Glen Gardner's formation in 1919, Hampton paid Glen Gardner $4,000 (equivalent to $ in ) for of land that officially became part of the borough of Hampton."Pact Reached In Hunterdon Co. Dispute", Courier News, April 8, 1931. Accessed March 3, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "A compromise having been effected between the boroughs of Hampton and Glen Gardner, Hunterdon county, over the annexation of a portion of the latter by Hampton, no opposition to the proposition was presented at a hearing on Senate Bill 344, introduced by Senator Horace G. Prall, before the Boroughs and Townships Committee here Monday. Anthony M. Houck, Jr., counsel for Hampton borough, explained the terms of the compromise reached by the neighboring boroughs, whereby Hampton will take about 20 acres of Glen Gardner territory instead of 46 acres claimed. The purpose of the annexation is to straighten out a long disputed boundary line question which has existed since Glen Gardner incorporated as a borough about 13 years ago.... The actual land value placed on the annexed portion by Borough Treasurer Waters was $200 an acre or approximately $4,000."

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.55 square miles (4.01 km2), all of which was land.

Bells Crossing and Clarksville are unincorporated communities located within Glen Gardner.

The borough borders the Hunterdon County municipalities of Bethlehem Township, Hampton Borough and Lebanon Township.Areas touching Glen Gardner, MapIt. Accessed November 18, 2019.Map of County Municipalities, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed July 30, 2023.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,704 people, 768 households, and 434 families in the borough. The population density was 1,117.8 per square mile (431.6/km2). There were 825 housing units at an average density of 541.2 per square mile (209.0/km2). The racial makeup was 94.54% (1,611) White, 1.76% (30) Black or African American, 0.06% (1) Native American, 1.82% (31) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.35% (6) from other races, and 1.47% (25) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.28% (90) of the population.

Of the 768 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18; 45.1% were married couples living together; 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 43.5% were non-families. Of all households, 35.3% were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.97.

21.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 34.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $73,750 (with a margin of error of +/− $15,026) and the median family income was $98,693 (+/− $9,105). Males had a median income of $62,434 (+/− $12,072) versus $49,417 (+/− $13,970) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $37,184 (+/− $4,006). About 1.2% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Glen Gardner borough, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.

2000 census At the 2000 United States census, there were 1,902 people, 805 households and 474 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 829 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 95.69% White, 0.89% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.47% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.42% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Glen Gardner borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Glen Gardner borough, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.

There were 805 households, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.07.

Age distribution was 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 41.2% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median household income was $59,917, and the median family income was $75,369. Males had a median income of $50,776 versus $40,179 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,647. About 4.2% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Glen Gardner is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, which is the state's most common form of government.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council has six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year 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. The borough form of government used by Glen Gardner is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. This seven-member governing body enacts local ordinances, levies municipal taxes and conducts the affairs of the borough. The mayor and borough council conducts all of its business during monthly meetings open to the public.Form of Government , Borough of Glen Gardner. Accessed July 10, 2016.

, the mayor of Glen Gardner is Republican Mattias E. Schroeter, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Michael Gronau (R, 2023), James Ayotte (R, 2025), Jason Hollenstein (R, 2025), Richard J. Mitterando (R, 2024), Don Robertella (R, 2023) and Sue Welch (R, 2024).Borough Council, Glen Gardner Borough. Accessed May 3, 2023.2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Glen Gardner Borough. Accessed May 3, 2023.Borough of Glen Gardner, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed May 3, 2023.2022 County and Municipal Directory, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed May 1, 2023.Hunterdon County District Canvass November 8, 2022, General Election, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.November 2, 2021 District Report Hunterdon County Official Results, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 12, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.November 3, 2020 District Report Hunterdon County Official Results, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.Hunterdon County District Canvass November 5, 2019, General Election, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 14, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.