A community rich in history with a constant striving for a better tomorrow.
Location of Morris Township in Morris County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Morris County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (left).
The township is the "doughnut" around Morristown and completely surrounds it, with at least five times the area, though near Morris Plains the width of Morris Township is less than a mile. For 115 years, Morristown was part of Morris Township. The initial separation of Morristown from Morris Township occurred on April 6, 1865.[25] A confusing state of affairs followed for nearly thirty years. On February 18, 1895, the separation was officiated.[26]
Morris Township was originally formed as of March 25, 1740. The township was named for Lewis Morris, colonial governor of New Jersey.[21][22]
Portions of the township were taken on December 24, 1740, to form Roxbury Township and on March 29, 1749, to form Mendham Township. Morris Township was incorporated as a township by the Township Act of 1798 by the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as part of the state's initial group of 104 townships.
Portions of the township were later taken to create Chatham Township (February 12, 1806), Morristown (April 6, 1865, fully independent in 1895) and Passaic Township (on March 23, 1866, now Long Hill Township).[25][28]
Notable neighborhoods include Bradwahl, Cromwell Hills, and the Normandy Park Historic District. The Morris Township Municipal Building and the Morris Township Police Headquarters are located in Convent Station. The community is home to the Morris County Golf Club and the Morris Museum.[31]
Sidney Reso kidnapping
In 1992, Arthur Seale and his wife kidnapped Exxon executive Sidney Reso, a township resident, from his home. The Seales' sought a ransom of $18.5 million, but Reso died in captivity. The case received nationwide attention.[32]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 15.81 square miles (40.96 km2), including 15.68 square miles (40.62 km2) of land and 0.13 square miles (0.34 km2) of water (0.83%).[1][2]
The 2020 United States census[49] counted 22,974 people, 8,172 households, and 6,111 families in Morris Township. The population density was 1,465.2 per square mile (565.6/km2). There were 8,498 housing units at an average density of 542.0 per square mile (209.2/km2). The racial makeup was 76.82% (17,648) white, 4.64% (1,066) black or African-American, 0.21% (49) Native American or Alaska Native, 5.98% (1,373) Asian, 0.04% (10) Pacific Islander, 3.63% (833) from other races, and 8.68% (1,995) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 8.0% (1,793) of the population.
Of the 8,172 households, 28.2% had children under the age of 18; 64.4% were married couples living together; 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 21.4% were comprised of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.0.
19.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 19.4% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 91.2 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey[50] estimates show that the median household income was $160,611 (with a margin of error of +/- $15,788) and the median family income was $191,722 (+/- $15,040). Males had a median income of $90,208 (+/- $20,972) versus $60,833 (+/- $8,436) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $70,712 (+/- $6,520). Approximately, 2.3% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under the age of 18 and 5.3% of those ages 65 or over.
Of the 8,128 households, 31.0% had children under the age of 18; 61.3% were married couples living together; 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.0% were non-families. Of all households, 23.9% were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.08.[18]
22.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 94.4 males.[18]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $132,191 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,204) and the median family income was $154,265 (+/− $8,489). Males had a median income of $108,448 (+/− $5,932) versus $64,753 (+/− $12,368) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $65,335 (+/− $4,396). About 1.0% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.[51]
The township has been one of the state's highest-income communities. Based on data from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey, Morris Township had a per capita income of $65,335 (ranked 36th in the state), compared to per capita income in Morris County of $47,342 and statewide of $34,858.[52]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 21,796 people, 8,116 households, and 5,949 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,383.0 inhabitants per square mile (534.0/km2). There were 8,298 housing units at an average density of 526.5 per square mile (203.3/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 88.63% White, 5.46% African American, 0.15% Native American, 3.90% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.91% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.81% of the population.[47][48]
There were 8,116 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.6% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.99.[47][48]
In the township the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 64.9 males.[47][48]
The median income for a household in the township was $101,902, and the median income for a family was $116,866. Males had a median income of $80,946 versus $50,864 for females. The per capita income for the township was $54,782. About 2.1% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.[47][48]
Culture and tourism
Morris Museum
Actively running since 1913, the Morris Museum is the second largest museum in New Jersey at 75,524 square feet (7,016.4 m2). The museum is fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
Since 1972, Fosterfields Living Historical Farm has been a state protectedliving history park and museum covering more than 200 acres (81 ha) in Morris Township. A 1915 farmhouse and 1854 Revere mansion owned by the families of Caroline Rose Foster are preserved. Activities such as educational programs, historical reenactments, storytellers, and public concerts are open to the general public throughout the year.[55][56][57]
Economy
Honeywell used to have its headquarters in Morris Township.[58]
Morris Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.[61] The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[7][62] The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are selected by the Township Committee from among its members at a reorganization meeting held in the first week of January each year.
As of 2023[update], members of the Morris Township Committee are Mayor Mark Gyorfy (D, term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Bud Ravitz (D, term on committee ends 2023; term as deputy mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor for Public Outreach Cathy Wilson (D, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2023), Jeff Grayzel (D, 2025) and Donna J. Guariglia (D, 2024; elected to serve an unexpired term).[3][63][64][65][66][67][68]
In August 2022, the township committee appointed Donna Guariglia to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Tara Olivo-Moore until she resigned from office to move out of state.[69] Guariglia served on an interim basis until the November 2022 general election, when she was chosen by voters to serve the remainder of the term of office.[66]
Federal, state, and county representation
Morris Township is located in the 11th Congressional District[70] and is part of New Jersey's 25th state legislative district.[71][72][73]
Morris County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are elected at-large in partisan elections to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with either one or three seats up for election each year as part of the November general election.[78] Actual day-to-day operation of departments is supervised by County Administrator Deena Leary.[79]: 8 As of 2025[update], Morris County's Commissioners are:
The county's constitutional officers are:
Clerk Ann F. Grossi (R, Parsippany–Troy Hills, 2028),[87][88]
Sheriff James M. Gannon (R, Boonton Township, 2025)[89][90] and
Surrogate Heather Darling (R, Roxbury, 2029).[91][92]
Politics
As of October 2017, there were a total of 17,566 registered voters in Morris Township, of which 5,458 (31.1%) were registered as Democrats, 5,694 (32.4%) were registered as Republicans and 6,353 (36.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 61 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[93]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 51.4% of the vote (6,133 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 47.6% (5,679 votes), and other candidates with 0.9% (113 votes), among the 11,990 ballots cast by the township's 16,497 registered voters (65 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 72.7%.[94][95] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 50.9% of the vote (6,509 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 47.9% (6,129 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (81 votes), among the 12,797 ballots cast by the township's 16,201 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.0%.[96] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 51.9% of the vote (6,488 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 47.1% (5,884 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (88 votes), among the 12,503 ballots cast by the township's 16,466 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 75.9.[97]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 66.7% of the vote (5,033 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 31.5% (2,380 votes), and other candidates with 1.8% (135 votes), among the 7,674 ballots cast by the township's 16,239 registered voters (126 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 47.3%.[98][99] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 55.1% of the vote (5,059 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 36.0% (3,309 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.9% (730 votes) and other candidates with 0.3% (30 votes), among the 9,185 ballots cast by the township's 15,846 registered voters, yielding a 58.0% turnout.[100]
Education
Students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade attend the schools of the Morris School District, which also serves public school students from the communities of Morristown (K–12) and Morris Plains (9–12).[101][102][103] As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of 10 schools, had an enrollment of 5,216 students and 441.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.8:1.[104] Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[105]) are
Lafayette Learning Center[106] (102 students; in grade Pre-K),
Alexander Hamilton School[107] (293; 3–5),
Hillcrest School[108] (288; K–2),
Thomas Jefferson School[109] (314; 3–5),
Normandy Park School[110] (302; K–5),
Sussex Avenue School[111] (301; 3–5),
Alfred Vail School[112] (297; K–2),
Woodland School[113] (289; K–2),
Frelinghuysen Middle School[114] (1,081; 6–8) and
Morristown High School[115] (1,860; 9–12).[116][117] The nine elected seats on the board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with five seats assigned to Morris Township.[118]
The Rabbinical College of America, one of the largest Chabad LubavitchChasidicyeshivas in the world is located in Morristown. The Rabbinical College of America has a baal teshuva yeshiva for students of diverse Jewish backgrounds, named Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim.[122] The New Jersey Regional Headquarters for the worldwide Chabad Lubavitch movement is located on the campus.
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 126.51 miles (203.60 km) of roadways, of which 106.11 miles (170.77 km) were maintained by the municipality, 13.96 miles (22.47 km) by Morris County and 6.44 miles (10.36 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[123]
NJ Transit offers local bus service on the 871, 872, 873, 875, 878 and 880 routes,[126][127] replacing service that had been offered on the MCM1, MCM2, MCM3, MCM4, MCM8 and MCM10 routes until 2010, when subsidies to the local provider were eliminated as part of budget cuts.[128][129]
The Morris County Traction Company began trolley service in downtown Dover in July 1904, and expanded over the years until the system was completed in 1914 all the way to Newark, via Morristown and Summit, including service in Morris Township. The trolleys were replaced with buses in 1928.
^Historical Timeline of Morris County Boundaries, Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1740, March 25. Morris County is established. Morris County includes Morris Township, Pequannock (also referred to as Poquanick or Peqannoc), Hanover Township, and 'Morris Town.' From the Court of Common Pleas."
^Scheireik, Susan. "If You're Thinking of Living in: Convent Station", The New York Times, March 14, 1993. Accessed May 17, 2023. "Convent Station owes its name to the nuns who provided funds in the 1870's for a train station next to St. Elizabeth's Academy for girls, a forerunner of one of the first women's colleges in New Jersey."
^Nieves, Evelyn. "Portrait of 2 Accused of Kidnapping: Ardent, Hapless Pursuit of Affluence", The New York Times, June 28, 1992. Accessed November 5, 2018. "Mr. Seale, an ex-police officer and Exxon security manager, and Mrs. Seale, known as Jackie, are charged with kidnapping the president of Exxon International, Sidney J. Reso, from the driveway of his Morris Township home on April 29 and demanding $18.5 million in ransom."
^DeMarco, Megan. "Voters to decide whether to merge two Princetons into one", The Star-Ledger, November 3, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2017. "There are 22 sets of 'doughnut towns' in New Jersey, those where one town wraps around the other town". Note that following voter approval of the Princeton merger, 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" remain.
^"Way Back When, Every Day Was Ladies Day At Morris County G.C.", New Jersey State Golf Association, December 20, 2012. Accessed July 8, 2022. "When the Morris County Golf Club in Convent Station was founded in 1894, it held a unique distinction of being the only club in the country organized and managed by women, this at a time 24 years before the passage of the 19th amendment that gave women the right to vote."
^Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morris County Tourism. Accessed May 12, 2022. "The fascinating 213-acre Fosterfields Living Historical Farm transports visitors back to the late 1800s, when it was Charles Foster’s gentleman’s farm."
^Historical TimelineArchived March 26, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, The Seeing Eye. Accessed December 19, 2012. " 1962 – The school acquires property for new campus in Morris Township, N.J.... 1965 – The school moves to the Morris Township location, opens an exhibit at the World's Fair, and is assigned its first zip code."
^Coughlin, Kevin. "It’s official: Guariglia appointed to Morris Township Committee", MorristownGreen, August 18, 2022. Accessed January 16, 2023. "Vowing to help build 'a better future for everyone,' Donna Guariglia took her virtual oath of office Wednesday as Morris Township’s new Committeewoman. 'To you, the residents of Morris Township, I want to say thank you, and it’s time to get to work,' she said, after the governing body unanimously appointed her to replace Tara Olivo-Moore, a Democrat who resigned last month to move to Massachusetts."
^Board of County Commissioners, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022. "Morris County is governed by a seven-member Board of County Commissioners, who serve three-year terms."
^Morris Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Morris School District. Accessed June 7, 2020. "Purpose The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Morris School District. Composition The Morris School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of the Township of Morris and Morristown. The Morris School District operates as an all purpose regional Pre-Kindergarten through twelve district."
^Morristown High School 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 7, 2020. "Comprised of 1,848 ethnically diverse students speaking more than 20 different languages, the educational program serves the students entrusted to the school by its communities: Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains."
^Morris Plains Borough School 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed May 16, 2017. "Borough School continues its collaboration with the Morris School District, strengthening and supporting the send-receive relationship between the two districts. As Borough students graduate from eighth grade and enroll in Morristown High School, it is important for them to have all of the same opportunities to connect with curriculum requirements that their high school classmates had as students in the Morris School District."
^What is the Board of Education?, Morris School District. Accessed June 7, 2020. "The Morris School District Board of Education is an elected, unpaid group of 10 citizens (5 from Morris Township, 4 from Morristown, and one from Morris Plains) who serve as representatives of their community."
^HistoryArchived August 20, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Academy of St. Elizabeth. Accessed July 28, 2013. "Our first students entered in 1860 - the Registration Ledger of September 1 still resides in the principal's office, as do the records of every succeeding year. In 1865, the new Academy building was completed and its first commencement exercises were held on the growing campus."
^History OverviewArchived July 28, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Saint Elizabeth University. Accessed July 28, 2013. "Founded in 1899 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, the College of Saint Elizabeth is the oldest four-year Catholic liberal arts college for women in the State of New Jersey, and one of the first Catholic women's colleges in the United States."
^Home Page, Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim. Accessed May 12, 2022.
^Fowler, Linda. "'Cash Cabbie' is a Jersey Driver", Inside Jersey, July 16, 2009. Accessed December 19, 2012. "As host of the Cash Cab game show on Discovery Channel, the Morris Township resident's job is to give unsuspecting contestants in Manhattan a real pick-me-up -- he's also a stand-up comedian -- while negotiating trivia questions and traffic jams. Think of it as Win Ben Bailey's Money -- or as much of it as possible before getting dropped off."
^Izzo, Michael. "Cannabis Cocktails the focus of Morristown mixologist’s book", Daily Record, June 12, 2016. Accessed September 1, 2019. "Morristown 'Cocktail Whisperer' Warren Bobrow's Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails, and Tonics: The Art of Spirited Drinks and Buzz-Worthy Libations debuted earlier this month, and is a guide to adding marijuana to mixed drinks.... Bobrow, who grew up in Morris Township and went to Morristown-Beard, said he was raised with an emphasis on natural healing."
^Staff. "Del Tufo Enters Race for Governor", The New York Times, February 21, 1985. Accessed September 4, 2014. "The 51-year-old lawyer, who lives in Morris Township, said that if elected, he would 'wage war' against organized crime.... Former State Senator Stephen B. Wiley, who also lives in Morris Township, announced his candidacy in November."
^Canfarotta, Michael. "SJU's homegrown Red Bull", Times Ledger, December 16, 2011. Accessed July 18, 2012. "On Dec. 5, it was announced that Lade signed a contract with his hometown club. The Convent Station, N.J. native — from just outside Morristown — native was thrilled that he would be getting an opportunity to play for the team he grew up watching."
^Hague, Jim. "Morris' Molnar living his dream with Notre Dame", Daily Record, February 24, 2010. Accessed August 19, 2012. "At age 48, after coaching stops all over the country, the former kid from Morris Township is fulfilling a dream.... After graduating from the now-defunct Bayley-Ellard in 1979, Molnar went to Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania, where he played football and went right from the gridiron to the school's coaching staff."
^Staff. "Morris Township basks in reflected glory of Super Bowl star", Morris NewsBee, February 3, 2014. Accessed February 20, 2017. "The defensive coordinator for the Super Bowl Champions Seattle Seahawks, Dan Quinn, is a native son of Morris Township, a Morristown High School graduate and the brother of Township Administrator Timothy Quinn."
^Morris Parks: A Fascinating Presentation of Pirates and the Gold Rush, Morris County, New Jersey. May 7, 2017. Accessed May 12, 2022. "On Sunday, May 21, from 1 to 3 p.m., noted author, educator, and historian William R. Chemerka, portrays General Joseph Warren Revere in a captivating presentation at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris Township. In 1852, Revere purchased 88-acres and contracted to build the impressive Gothic Revival-style house, The Willows, to overlook his farm."
^Perlez, Jane. "5 Democrats In Jersey Governor Race Strive For Recognition", The New York Times, April 23, 1985. Accessed September 4, 2014. "Mr. Del Tufo, a former United States Attorney from Morris Township, is considered the least-known candidate. He is joined in the race by Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson of Newark; the State Senate majority leader, John F. Russo of Toms River; the Essex County Executive, Peter Shapiro, and former State Senator Stephen B. Wiley of Morris Township."