[19] Hampton Township was formed from portions of Sussex County by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 11, 1864.

[20] The township was named for Jonathan Hampton, who donated land in 1769 to the Episcopal Church of Newton.

[21] State legislator Robert Hamilton, an Episcopalian, appreciated Hampton's generosity, and gave the township its name.

[29][30] The 2010 United States census counted 5,196 people, 2,021 households, and 1,445 families in the township.

[40] As of the 2000 United States census[14] there were 4,943 people, 1,857 households, and 1,413 families residing in the township.

[7][42] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.

As of 2024[update], members of the Hampton Township Committee are Mayor Timothy S. Dooley (R, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2024), David S. Hansen (R, 2026), Eileen Klose (R, 2025), Ed Ramm (R, 2024) and Philip L. Yetter (R, 2026).

[3][43][44][45][46] In January 2015, the township committee selected Scott MacKenzie to fill the vacant seat of Keith Gourlay expiring in December 2016.

[48] The township passed an ordinance that prohibits short-term rentals below 150 days as of May 2021, targeting people using companies such as Airbnb.

[51][52][53] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 5th congressional district is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Wyckoff).

[56] For the 2024-2025 session, the 24th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Parker Space (R, Wantage Township) and in the General Assembly by Dawn Fantasia (R, Franklin) and Mike Inganamort (R, Chester Township).

At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Commissioner Director and Deputy Director from among its members, with day-to-day supervision of the operation of the county delegated to a County Administrator.

[68] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 69.3% (vs. 65.8% in Sussex County) were registered to vote, including 87.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 86.5% countywide).

[86] Students in seventh through twelfth grade for public school attend Kittatinny Regional High School located in Hampton Township, which serves students who reside in Fredon, Hampton, Sandyston, Stillwater and Walpack townships.

[87][88] The high school is located on a 96-acre (39 ha) campus in Hampton Township, about seven minutes outside of the county seat of Newton.