Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey
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| Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Springfield Township |
| Settlement type | Township |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | New Jersey |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Union County |
| Established title | Incorporated |
| Established date | April 14, 1794 |
| Government type | Mayor–Council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Christopher Capodice (D, term ends December 31, 2024) |
| Leader title1 | Administrator |
| Leader name1 | Ziad Shehady |
| Leader title2 | Clerk |
| Leader name2 | Susan C. McDonough |
| Area total km2 | 9.20 |
| Area land km2 | 9.15 |
| Area water km2 | 0.05 |
| Area total sq mi | 3.55 |
| Area land sq mi | 3.53 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.02 |
| Population as of | 2020 Census |
| Population total | 17147 |
| Population density km2 | 1873.8 |
| Population density sq mi | 4853.3 |
| Timezone | EST |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 07081 |
| Area code | 908/640 |
| Website | www.springfield-nj.us |
Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey is a suburban township located in north-central New Jersey. Incorporated in 1794, it is historically significant as the site of the Battle of Springfield during the American Revolutionary War. The township is governed under the Mayor–Council system and is part of the New York metropolitan area.
History
The area was originally settled by the Lenape people before European colonization. Springfield was officially incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14, 1794, from portions of Elizabeth Township. Its most notable historical event was the Battle of Springfield on June 23, 1780, a pivotal conflict where Continental Army forces, including the New Jersey Brigade, repelled a major British and Hessian attack. The First Presbyterian Church, used as an observation post during the battle, still stands today. The township developed as a commuter suburb in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the expansion of the Rahway Valley Railroad and other rail lines.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 3.55 square miles, with 3.53 square miles of land and 0.02 square miles of water. It is bordered by Millburn in Essex County to the north, Union to the east, Cranford to the southeast, Kenilworth to the south, and Mountainside to the west. Major waterways include the Rahway River, which flows along its southern border. Topographically, it features the eastern slopes of the Watchung Mountains.
Demographics
The 2020 U.S. Census reported a population of 17,147, with a population density of 4,853.3 inhabitants per square mile. The racial makeup was approximately 70.5% White, 5.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 17.5% Asian, and 4.8% identifying as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 8.8% of the population. The median household income was $137,188, with a per capita income of $65,195. Notable residential areas include the historic Houdaille Quarry neighborhood.
Government
Springfield operates under the Mayor–Council form of municipal government. The Mayor is elected at-large, while the five-member Township Council is elected from wards. As of 2024, the mayor is Democrat Christopher Capodice. The township is part of New Jersey's 7th congressional district, represented by Thomas Kean Jr., and is located in the 21st and 22nd districts of the New Jersey Legislature. Locally, it is patrolled by the Springfield Police Department.
Education
Public school students in grades K–12 are served by the Springfield Public Schools district. Schools include Jonathan Dayton High School, which is named for Jonathan Dayton, a signer of the U.S. Constitution. The district also includes Springfield Middle School and several elementary schools. The Wardlaw+Hartridge School, a private pre-K through 12 institution, is located within the township. Higher education access is provided by nearby institutions like Kean University and Union County College.
Transportation
Major roadways serving the township include U.S. Route 22, Route 82, and Route 124 (Morris Avenue). Public transportation is provided by NJ Transit bus service, with routes connecting to Newark, Elizabeth, and New York City. The township is near several major rail lines, though it does not host its own station; the nearest NJ Transit rail stations are in Millburn on the Morris & Essex Lines and in Cranford on the Raritan Valley Line.
Notable people
Notable current and former residents include Danny DeVito (actor), Jerry Lewis (comedian and actor), Nathan Lane (actor), United States Senator and his son of America's "Category: Jonathan Dayton, New Jersey) and filmmaker), and director of the Elder (bJersey Jonathan Dayton, New Jersey (s of the United States) and the United States , and the United States and the United States (United States and the United States United States and the United States and United States and the United States and United States United States and the United States United States United States United States United States and the United States and the United and the United and the United States United States United States United States United States United States United and the United States and the United and the United StatesUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited States United United StatesUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited States United StatesUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited States.