West Orange, New Jersey

West Orange, New Jersey. Located in Essex County, New Jersey, it is a suburban township approximately 5 miles northwest of Newark, New Jersey, and about 13 miles west of New York City. The township is home to the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, which showcases the home and laboratory of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the phonograph and motion picture camera. The park is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the Presbyterian Manor and the West Orange Station.

Geography

The township of West Orange is situated in the New York metropolitan area and is bordered by the cities of Orange, New Jersey and East Orange, New Jersey to the east, Montclair, New Jersey to the north, Verona, New Jersey and Cedar Grove, New Jersey to the west, and South Orange, New Jersey and Maplewood, New Jersey to the south. The Watchung Mountains run along the western edge of the township, and the Passaic River forms the eastern border. The township has a total area of 12.17 square miles, of which 0.13 square miles is water, and is located near the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the South Mountain Reservation. The nearby Presidential Estate of Theodore Roosevelt's Sagamore Hill and the Brookdale Park are also notable geographic features.

History

The area that is now West Orange was originally settled by the Lenape Native American tribe, and was later colonized by settlers from England and Netherlands. The township was formed on April 10, 1863, from portions of Orange, New Jersey and South Orange, New Jersey, and was named after the Prince of Orange, William of Orange. During the American Revolutionary War, the area was a key location for the Continental Army, with George Washington and his troops encamped at the Jockey Hollow in nearby Morristown, New Jersey. The township is also home to the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, which preserves the home and laboratory of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb and phonograph, and features exhibits on the Industrial Revolution and the History of Science and Technology. The park is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the Presbyterian Manor and the West Orange Station.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the township's population was 48,435, with a population density of 3,981.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the township was 59.16% White, 20.55% Black or African American, 0.21% American Indian, 7.55% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 8.45% from other races, and 4.04% from two or more races. The median household income was $83,469, and the per capita income was $36,628. The township is home to a diverse population, with a significant number of residents commuting to nearby New York City for work, including to the New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The township is also home to the Seton Hall University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, which are both located in nearby South Orange, New Jersey and Newark, New Jersey.

Economy

The economy of West Orange is diverse, with a mix of industries including healthcare, education, and technology. The township is home to several major employers, including the Barnabas Health system, which operates the Saint Barnabas Medical Center and the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. The township is also home to several major companies, including Prudential Financial and PSE&G, which are both headquartered in nearby Newark, New Jersey. The township's economy is also driven by its proximity to New York City and the Port of New York and New Jersey, which is one of the busiest ports in the world. The township is also home to the Essex County Airport, which provides general aviation services and is a hub for several Federal Aviation Administration-certified flight schools.

Education

The West Orange Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, with a student body of over 7,000 students. The district operates several schools, including West Orange High School, Roosevelt Middle School, and Washington Elementary School. The township is also home to several private schools, including the Seton Hall Preparatory School and the Golda Och Academy. The nearby New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University-Newark also provide higher education opportunities for residents, with programs in engineering, business, and the arts and sciences. The township is also home to the West Orange Public Library, which provides a range of educational and cultural programs for residents.

Transportation

The township has a comprehensive transportation system, with several major roads and highways passing through it, including Interstate 280 and U.S. Route 46. The New Jersey Transit system provides bus and train service to nearby New York City and other destinations in New Jersey, including the Penn Station in Newark, New Jersey and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. The township is also served by the Essex County Airport, which provides general aviation services and is a hub for several Federal Aviation Administration-certified flight schools. The nearby Newark Liberty International Airport also provides air travel options for residents, with flights to destinations around the world, including John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. The township's transportation system is also connected to the New York City Subway system, with several bus routes providing service to the World Trade Center and other destinations in Manhattan.