The amount paid in federal incomes taxes has increased more than seven fold since 1976.
Forty years ago, when Hunterdon County residents were putting the final touches to their income tax returns, the amount they paid to run the federal government in 1975-76 was estimated at $89 million.
That year there were 80,829 people living in Hunterdon County and the federal budget was $921 billion.
By 2015, the federal budget had increased to $3.8 trillion and the county's population had reached 126,067, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The estimated amount owed by Hunterdon County residents in federal income taxes for 2015 is $645 million, based on federal data. That number is not the amount paid as that varies based on deductions, and that amount won't be known until well after April 15.
Here is more news from the Hunterdon County Democrat archives:
1976
Violent crime increased by 13% in Hunterdon last year and non-violent crime went up by 6.6%, but the county still had the lowest total number of crimes in New Jersey, according to a report issued by the State Police.
Courses in hang gliding and balloon aviation will be offered during the spring semester of Hunterdon County Adult Education. The course will offer both ground and in-flight instruction in the popular activity.
It didn't snow much in Hunterdon
Three schools in Raritan Township have again been vandalized. Most seriously hit was Hunterdon Central High School, where vandalism resulted in damages in excess of $200. Last Thursday night the Robert Hunter School was broken into and about $100 in cash stolen from various rooms. Sometime on Sunday, Barley Sheaf School was broken into by tampering with a window lock and $8 stolen from a soda machine.
1876
The farmers of old Hunterdon are waking up. A Grange was organized in Sergeantsville March 6 with 19 men and 11 women, and on the 29th Pittstown formed a Grange with 16 men and 9 women.
By fits and jerks our ice man has succeeded in gathering about 600 tons of ice which he thinks will see our citizens over the summer.
1901
The woman's club is discouraged at the lack of cooperation of the males in helping them to form a public library. All men interested in having a free library in Flemington and believing that the women should be assisted should meet and form an association.
The Glen Gardner Avalanche is proud that the great fire there was photographed, engraved and printed under its roof in less than 2 days. Few newspapers in small cities could do as well.
1926
The trolley car has reached as far as West Portal, and no doubt will reach Clinton soon. Some in Clinton think they've been faked again by a West Portal Will of the Wisp.
'We are in the age of profanity'
High Bridge schools have opened again after being closed 2 weeks due to an outbreak of diphtheria.
1951
A proposal to fluorinate Flemington's water system has been tabled indefinitely by Boro Council, pending further evidence that there is any merit in the plan. Flemington Woman's Club has suggested the plan might prove practical, since there is some belief that fluorination helps prevent tooth decay in children, but Council has found that medical authorities differ as to whether this chemicalization is beneficial.
West Amwell Township voted last week to spend $185,000 for a new school, boosting the total committed for new Hunterdon educational plants to nearly $2 million. Architect William Hunt of Lambertville estimated his plans for the 6-room, concrete block, brick and glass building of contemporary architecture, will be completed the latter part of April.
Striving for the unique first prize of an ice cream treat for 5 days, Clinton Elementary School children turned out in force for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. Second and third prizes were ice cream treats for 3 and 2 days respectively. Teachers explained that the winner was given 5 tickets, each good for a 10-cent dip of ice cream or a popsicle at the cafeteria.
One of the most valuable evidences of inflation we have seen is the truck now being used to transport money between the post office and the local banks. Time was when one of the clerks could carry it.
Advertised as new for 1951 from Philco is a revolutionary 2-door refrigerator with true, honest automatic defrost. Models cost as little as $209.95 and up, with up to 65 weeks to pay.
Before an audience of 200 Saturday night, Clinton's new fire truck was christened ''Scrappy'' in recognition of the fact that more than $2,000 has been raised by selling scrap to help pay for the $12,000 piece of equipment.
A collector of internal revenue visiting Clinton last week, asked to see its churches, but appeared rather disappointed following a tour of the town's places of worship. From the deductions for contributions by its taxpayers he expected to find them in a much more prosperous condition.