Budd Lake, New Jersey

Budd Lake, which the community is named after, is the source of the South Branch Raritan River. A glacial lake at an elevation of 933 feet (284 m), Budd Lake has a surface area of 374 acres (1.51 km²).[17] It is 7–12 feet deep, and can have large algal blooms. The bog, created by thousands of years of decaying plant material, supports wetland plants such as black spruce and tamarack, which grow on the floating mass.[17] The lake is recharged through groundwater seepage through a series of wetlands, and serves as the headwaters of the Raritan River's South Branch.[18] It is closely bordered by U.S. Route 46 to the south, and Sand Shore Road to the east.[19]

Budd Lake was named for John Budd, who acquired 1,300 acres (530 ha) of land in the area in 1714.[20] Prior to that, it was called Hattacawanna Lake.[21]

The 2010 United States census counted 8,968 people, 3,232 households, and 2,385 families in the CDP. The population density was 1,647.5 per square mile (636.1/km²). There were 3,423 housing units at an average density of 628.8 per square mile (242.8/km²). The racial makeup was 80.88% (7,253) White, 6.39% (573) Black or African American, 0.16% (14) Native American, 7.71% (691) Asian, 0.09% (8) Pacific Islander, 2.39% (214) from other races, and 2.40% (215) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.08% (1,173) of the population.[12]

Of the 3,232 households, 39.6% had children under the age of 18; 59.0% were married couples living together; 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 26.2% were non-families. Of all households, 20.9% were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.24.[12]

26.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 100.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.0 males.[12]

Budd Lake parking lot at dusk

As of the 2000 United States Census[6] there were 8,100 people, 2,851 households, and 2,169 families living in the CDP. The population density was 534.6/km² (1,383.8/mi²). There were 2,994 housing units at an average density of 197.6/km² (511.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.11% White, 3.54% African American, 0.07% Native American, 5.80% Asian, 1.47% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.62% of the population.[13]

There were 2,851 households, out of which 43.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.25.[13]

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 37.5% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.[13]

The median income for a household in the CDP was $62,540, and the median income for a family was $70,585. Males had a median income of $44,631 versus $35,316 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,581. About 1.9% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.[13]