Generated by DeepSeek V3.2| Madison, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| Name | Madison, New Jersey |
| Settlement type | Borough |
| Nickname | The Rose City |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | New Jersey |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Morris |
| Established title | Settled |
| Established date | 1685 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated |
| Established date1 | March 1, 1889 |
| Government type | Borough |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Robert H. Conley |
| Leader title1 | Borough council |
| Area total km2 | 11.20 |
| Area land km2 | 11.10 |
| Area water km2 | 0.10 |
| Area total sq mi | 4.32 |
| Area land sq mi | 4.29 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.04 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 16637 |
| Population density km2 | 1499.1 |
| Population density sq mi | 3882.8 |
| Timezone | EST |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Elevation ft | 262 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 07940 |
| Area code | 973 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 34-42510 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0885285 |
| Website | www.rosenet.org |
Madison, New Jersey is a borough in Morris County, situated approximately 25 miles west of New York City. Known historically as "The Rose City" for its numerous greenhouses and floral industry, it is home to the main campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University and Drew University. The borough is characterized by its historic downtown, tree-lined residential streets, and a strong commuter connection via the Morristown Line of New Jersey Transit.
The area was originally inhabited by the Lenape people before European settlement began in the late 17th century, with land purchases from the Native Americans recorded by settlers from Elizabethtown. It was known as Bottle Hill during the colonial era and was a site of activity during the American Revolutionary War, with local militia participating in the Battle of Springfield. The community was part of Morristown before incorporating as a borough in 1889, adopting the name Madison in honor of President James Madison. The arrival of the Morris and Essex Railroad in the 19th century spurred growth, transforming the local economy from agriculture to a hub for floriculture and suburban development, with notable early residents including members of the Gibbons family.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 4.32 square miles, with the Passaic River forming part of its western border with Chatham Township. The terrain is part of the Piedmont region, featuring rolling hills and several small streams that feed into the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Madison is bordered by Florham Park to the north, Morris Township to the west, and Chatham Borough to the south. Major parks include the Madison Recreation Complex and the historic James Park.
As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,637, with a density of approximately 3,883 people per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly White (84.5%), with significant populations of Asian (8.1%) and Hispanic or Latino (6.8%) residents. The median household income was reported as $152,188, well above the state average, with a high percentage of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The borough is a popular residential community for professionals commuting to employment centers in New York City, Morristown, and along the I-287 corridor.
Public education is provided by the Madison Public Schools district, which includes Madison High School, and is overseen by the New Jersey Department of Education. The borough is also home to two major institutions of higher education: Drew University, a private liberal arts university founded in 1867 with historical ties to the United Methodist Church, and the Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus, located on the former estate of Florence Vanderbilt and Hamilton McKown Twombly. Private primary schools include the St. Vincent Martyr School, operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson.
Madison operates under the borough form of government, with a Mayor and a six-member Borough council elected at-large. Local services include a police department, a volunteer fire department, and a public works department. Key infrastructure includes the Madison station on New Jersey Transit's Morristown Line, providing direct rail service to New York Penn Station, and proximity to major highways like Route 24 and the Garden State Parkway. The borough is part of New Jersey's 11th congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Mikie Sherrill.
The borough hosts annual events such as the Madison Farmers Market and the "Bottle Hill Day" street fair, celebrating its colonial history. Cultural institutions include the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, located in a historic library building funded by philanthropist D. Willis James, and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey at Drew University. Notable current and former residents include actress Meryl Streep, former Governor Thomas Kean, baseball player and manager Gene Michael, author Judith Viorst, and chemist and Nobel laureate Osamu Shimomura.
Category:Boroughs in New Jersey Category:Morris County, New Jersey Category:Populated places established in 1889