108-586: Edison is a township located in Middlesex County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey . Situated in Central New Jersey within the core of the state's Raritan Valley region , Edison is a commercial hub (home to Menlo Park Mall and Little India ) and is a bedroom community of New York City within the New York metropolitan area . As of the 2020 United States census , the township
216-403: A Humid Subtropical climate (Cfa) with abundant rainfall throughout the year although the late summer months tend to have more rain. Summers tend to be hot and humid with a lot of rain and Winters tend to be cool to cold with snow being an annual occurrence with snow falling multiple times every winter. Edison hosts one of the region's main centers of Asian American cultural diversity. The township
324-581: A Republican against incumbent Mayor Thomas Lankey. Lankey was re-elected with 12,032 votes to Hahn's 8,574 votes. In June 2016, the Township Council selected Joseph Coyle from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2019 that had been held by Robert Karabinchak , until he stepped down from office to take a vacant seat in
432-530: A branch post office. The West Orange Public Library is located on Mount Pleasant Avenue in this section, just west of Main Street. Downtown West Orange is laid out in the pattern of a traditional town, and is formed around the western termini of two major east–west arteries of the Newark street grid: Central Avenue and Park Avenue. Downtown West Orange has the most urban character of the township's neighborhoods, while
540-500: A challenger won the Democratic primary. An article in The American Prospect details aspects that Choi brought together in his 2005 mayoral campaign, including 1. attracting new voters into the process, 2. a good government message, 3. anti- Wal-Mart or economic justice theme and 4. an effective Internet-based progressive mobilization. In the general election, Jun Choi declared victory, leading in unofficial results with
648-497: A diverse and international community. Many of the industries that had made West Orange grow, left the area by the 1960s. This left some urban blight and abandoned warehouses in the Valley, in contrast to wealthy communities on top of the mountains. It is currently home to Kessler Institute, where actor Christopher Reeve rehabilitated, and Daughters of Israel. It is also home to many Jewish synagogues and Korean churches. According to
756-505: A four-year term. Each member of the council is elected to a four-year term of on a staggered basis, with either three council seats or two seats and the mayoral seat up for election in even-numbered years. Township elections are nonpartisan , with all seats chosen on an at-large basis. In December 2013, the Township Council approved an ordinance that shifted municipal elections from May to the November general election, citing savings from
864-561: A greater share of government aid to municipalities classified as townships. The township derives its name from William III of England or William IV, Prince of Orange , which in turn is derived from the city of Orange. The Eagle Rock Reservation covers 400 acres (160 ha) in West Orange, Montclair and Verona . It was home to many eagles. It currently is the trail head for the Lenni Lenape Trail. Rock Spring
972-482: A large Jewish community next to Highland Park , with multiple synagogues located in Edison. Edison also has a growing Indian community and a number of temples serving the religious needs of the community. Reflecting the number of Edison's residents from India and China , the township has sister city arrangements with Shijiazhuang , China, and Baroda , India. Edison was ranked the 28th most-livable small city in
1080-431: A mechanical vote counter, the alkaline storage battery including one for an electric car, and the first commercial electric light. The Menlo Park lab was significant in that was one of the first laboratories to pursue practical, commercial applications of research. It was in his Menlo Park laboratory that Thomas Edison came up with the phonograph and a commercially viable incandescent light bulb filament. Christie Street
1188-482: A mixture of Victorian, Jazz Age , and Tudor-style houses; large estates; garden apartments; and post-World War II modern houses. The Victorian enclave of Llewellyn Park , one of America's first planned residential communities, is also located on the First Mountain, having been created in 1853 as a site for country homes for the wealthy from New York City. Many blocks on the First Mountain have sweeping views of
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#17327980530011296-535: A park ended a real estate development controversy. Roosevelt Park , located between Parsonage Road and Route 1, west of the Mall, covers 196 acres (79 ha), including the 8-acre (3.2 ha) Roosevelt Park Lake. The park was established in 1917, making it the oldest county park in Middlesex County. Edison State Park and Dismal Swamp are also located in the township. Edison Township operates within
1404-619: A political entity, a township in New Jersey is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town , city , borough , or village . They collect property taxes and provide services such as maintaining roads, garbage collection, water, sewer, schools, police and fire protection. The Township form of local government is used by 27% of New Jersey municipalities; however, slightly over 50% of the state's population resides within them. Townships in New Jersey differ from townships elsewhere in
1512-401: A turnout of 35.8%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election , Democrat Jon Corzine received 59.3% of the vote (8,168 ballots cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 32.9% (4,530 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.2% (858 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (100 votes), among the 13,773 ballots cast by the township's 29,898 registered voters, yielding a 46.1% turnout. West Orange
1620-426: A two-level super regional shopping mall , opened on U.S. Route 1 . Edison has been one of the fastest-growing municipalities in New Jersey. As of the 2000 United States Census , it was the fifth most-populated municipality in the state , after the cities of Newark , Jersey City , Paterson , and Elizabeth . Edison is primarily a middle-class community with more than 75 ethnic communities represented. Edison has
1728-433: A vote of 12,126 to 11,935; a recount effort was unsuccessful. On January 1, 2006, at age 34, Choi was sworn in by Governor Jon Corzine as the youngest mayor in Edison history. Recent politics in Edison have concerned plans for zoning the township to facilitate the creation of "walkable" communities that will attract businesses, while still maintaining open spaces and parks and easy access to commuter transit. This strategy
1836-629: Is $ 69,746, and the median income for a family was $ 77,976. Males had a median income of $ 53,303 versus $ 36,829 for females. The per capita income for the township was $ 30,148. About 3.3% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over. A number of production facilities in and around the area, included Edison Assembly , Ford Motor Company 's production plant for Rangers, Mustangs, Pintos, Mercurys, and Lincolns. Other notable companies included Frigidaire 's air-conditioner plant in Edison, Siemens in Edison. Starting in
1944-648: Is about halfway between Midtown Manhattan , and New Jersey's capitol, Trenton, being about 27 miles from both. While the Township's topography is mostly flat, there are some hillier areas, especially along the Perth Amboy Moraine, which forms an arc across the township, left by the southern limit of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. The highest point is on Grandview Avenue, which reaches a maximum elevation of about 220 feet. The lowest elevation in
2052-643: Is also home to a sizable Orthodox Jewish community. Finally, the westernmost section of West Orange lies along the eastern face of the Second Watchung Mountain , and includes large portions of the South Mountain Reservation . The housing stock in this neighborhood resembles that of Pleasantdale, as well as those of the adjacent suburban townships of Millburn and Livingston . The 2010 United States census counted 46,207 people, 16,790 households, and 11,753 families in
2160-657: Is an outdoor mall with stores that include ShopRite, restaurants and an AMC Theatres Fork and Screen dine-in movie theater. The 350,000-square-foot (33,000 m ) mall, the largest of its type in Essex County, was purchased in 2016 by Clarion Partners . The Jersey Rockhoppers hockey team of the Eastern Professional Hockey League , formed for the 2008–09 season, played home games at the Richard J. Codey Arena . The arena also used to be
2268-658: Is approximately 12 miles (19 km) west of Manhattan . West Orange was home to the inventor Thomas Edison , who also maintained a laboratory and workshop in town. West Orange was originally part of the Native American Hackensack clan 's territory, for over 10,000 years. The Hackensack were a phratry of the Unami tribe of the Lenni Lenape . In their language, "Leni Lenape" means, "the original people." The Acquackanonk sub-tribe were located along
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#17327980530012376-648: Is governed by a directly elected county executive , with legislative functions performed by the Board of County Commissioners . As of 2024 , the County Executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. ( D , Roseland ), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026. The county's Board of County Commissioners is composed of nine members, five of whom are elected from districts and four of whom are elected on an at-large basis. They are elected for three-year concurrent terms and may be re-elected to successive terms at
2484-578: Is located at the bottom of the Turtle Back Rocks—currently at the corner of Northfield Avenue and Walker Road, West Orange. The water from the spring was considered to have healing powers since Native American times. By the 19th century, visitors from New York City would come to West Orange to drink the water from this spring for its supposed curative powers. West Orange became a resort or country retreat—with boating, fishing, and an Amusement Park at Crystal Lake near Eagle Rock Reservation. In 1901,
2592-724: Is located at the peak of the Watchung Mountains. This vantage point over the valleys east to Manhattan had a strategic value for Lenni Lenape warriors, and later George Washington's troops during the American Revolution. The wooded South Mountain Reservation has rocks shaped like the backs of large turtles. The area is now known as "Turtle Back Rock Picnic Area" and gives its name to the Turtle Back Zoo . The Turtle Back Rocks were considered sacred to
2700-578: Is located in Edison, as is the headquarters of the e-commerce companies Boxed and Bare Necessities . Plainfield Country Club is a private country club that has hosted the 1987 U.S. Women's Open and The Barclays golf tournament, the first PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoff event, in both 2011 and 2015. Oak Tree Pond is the site of the Battle of Short Hills , a minor battle of the American Revolutionary War and whose conversion into
2808-400: Is meant to encourage "Smart Growth". Politics in Edison since the 2005 mayoral election have been polarized by an attempt by retail giant Walmart to open a store in central Edison near the junction of Interstate 287 and New Jersey Route 27 . Even though Jun Choi stated in his mayoral campaign that he would stop Walmart from being built, Walmart filed suit and won, and Choi was there to cut
2916-403: Is often abbreviated TWP or Twp . Some official documents abbreviate it as "Twsp." Historically, a variety of legislation has been passed by the state legislature that has defined and refined the township form of municipal government: The Township Act of 1798 was the first state legislation to incorporate municipalities. The government defined was a form of direct democracy , similar to
3024-731: Is on the east side of Raritan Valley (a line of communities in central New Jersey), along with Plainfield , and completely surrounds the borough of Metuchen , making it part of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another. The township borders the municipalities of East Brunswick , Highland Park , New Brunswick , Piscataway , Sayreville , South Plainfield and Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County; Clark , Plainfield and Scotch Plains in Union County . Edison has numerous sections and neighborhoods . Unincorporated communities , localities and place names located partially or completely within
3132-548: Is set off by two large parks: the South Mountain Reservation along its southwestern borders with Maplewood , Millburn and South Orange , and the Eagle Rock Reservation along its northeastern borders with Montclair and Verona . The township straddles the transition between the low-lying Newark Bay basin and the high terrain of the Watchung Mountains . Fishing and kayaking is available on
3240-552: Is split between the 10th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 27th state legislative district. Prior to the 2010 Census, West Orange had been split between the 8th Congressional District and the 10th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections. In
3348-540: Is the largest and most diverse South Asian cultural hub in the United States. In Middlesex County, election ballots are printed in English, Spanish , Gujarati , Hindi , and Punjabi . As part of the 2020 Census, 34.9% of Edison residents identified themselves as being Indian American , an increase from 28.3% in 2010. In the 2000 Census, 17.75% of Edison residents identified themselves as being Indian American,
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3456-417: The 1967 Newark riots and Civil Rights Era led to further settlement of West Orange. The 1970 opening of Interstate 280 made West Orange a popular "bedroom community" suburb for commuters to New York City. This coincided with changes to immigration laws re-opening the country to Asian immigration in 1965, and 1980s desegregation of American suburbs. By the 1990s, West Orange had become a "melting pot", home to
3564-560: The 2000 United States census there were 44,943 people, 16,480 households, and 11,684 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,708.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,431.9/km ). There were 16,901 housing units at an average density of 1,394.7 per square mile (538.5/km ). The racial makeup of the township was 67.6% White , 17.5% African American , 0.14% Native American , 8.09% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 3.52% from other races , and 3.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 10.04% of
3672-495: The 2000 United States census there were 97,687 people, 35,136 households, and 25,881 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,243.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,252.1/km). There were 36,018 housing units at an average density of 1,195.7 per square mile (461.7/km). The racial makeup of the township was 59.49% White, 29.27% Asian, 6.89% African American, 0.14% Native American, .04% Pacific Islander, 2.02% from other races, and 2.15% from two or more races. 6.37% of
3780-409: The 2012 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 71.3% of the vote (15,214 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 27.9% (5,950 votes), and other candidates with 0.8% (177 votes), among the 21,491 ballots cast by the township's 32,061 registered voters (150 ballots were spoiled ), for a turnout of 67.0%. In the 2008 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 67.8% of
3888-623: The Faulkner Act , formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Mayor-Council form of government, which was implemented as of January 1, 1958, based on the recommendations of a Charter Study Commission . The township is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide governed under this form. Edison's governing body is comprised of the mayor and the seven-member Township Council. Members of
3996-611: The New Jersey General Assembly . Coyle served on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when voters elected him to fill the balance of the term of office. Running on a good government platform and a call to reform the Democratic Party , Jun Choi won the June 2005 primary by a 56–44% margin, defeating longtime incumbent Mayor George A. Spadoro , the first time in Edison history that
4104-544: The Nixon Nitration Works . It was the site of the 1924 Nixon Nitration Works disaster , a massive explosion and resulting fire that killed 20 people and destroyed several square miles of the township. In 1954, the township's name was changed to honor inventor Thomas A. Edison . Also on the ballot in 1954 was a failed proposal to change the community's name to Nixon. In 1959, the Menlo Park Mall ,
4212-573: The Passaic River . They were part of the Algonquin language family, and known as "Delaware Indians" by the 18th century. They identified themselves with the totem of the Turtle. They were hunter-gatherers, matrilineal, and had cultural traditions such as wedding ceremonies. Northfield Avenue and Old Indian Road in West Orange, remain as original Hackensack trails. Their main settlement was where
4320-641: The Rahway River originates at Crystal Lake and passes through the township in South Mountain Reservation . West Orange borders the Essex County communities of Essex Fells , Livingston , Millburn , Maplewood , Montclair , Orange , Roseland , South Orange and Verona . Unincorporated communities , localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Crestmont, Crystal Lake, Llewellyn Park , Pleasantdale , and Saint Cloud. The township has an eclectic mix of neighborhoods and housing types, which roughly correspond to
4428-406: The Rahway River . West Orange is governed by Plan B of the Mayor-Council system of municipal government pursuant to the Faulkner Act , as implemented on July 1, 1962, by direct petition. The township is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a five-member township council. The mayor is directly elected to
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4536-630: The Raritan indigenous people . Portions of the township were taken to form Metuchen on March 20, 1900, and Highland Park on March 15, 1905. The name was officially changed to Edison Township on November 10, 1954, in honor of inventor Thomas Edison , who had his main laboratory in the Menlo Park section of the township. The earliest residents of the area were the Raritan people of the Lenape Native Americans , who lived in
4644-415: The U.S. state of New Jersey . As of the 2020 United States census , the township's population was 48,843, an increase of 2,636 (+5.7%) from the 2010 census count of 46,207, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,264 (+2.8%) from the 44,943 counted in the 2000 census . West Orange is both an inner-ring suburb of New Jersey's largest city, Newark , and a commuter suburb of New York City ; it
4752-496: The United States Census Bureau , the township had a total area of 12.13 square miles (31.41 km ), including 12.00 square miles (31.09 km ) of land and 0.12 square miles (0.32 km ) of water (1.01%). It is located approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) west of downtown Newark and 12 miles (19 km) west of New York City . West Orange is in the New York metropolitan area . The West Branch of
4860-766: The United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). For the 2024-2025 session , the 27th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by John F. McKeon ( D , West Orange ) and in the General Assembly by Rosy Bagolie (D, Livingston ) and Alixon Collazos-Gill (D, Montclair ). Essex County
4968-611: The 1500s and 1600s, the territory was disputed and transferred many times between the Hackensack, Dutch, Scottish, Swedes, and English colonists. Due to the wars between the Native Americans and European settlers, most European settlers stayed East of the Hudson River. In 1664, the English took possession of Dutch New Netherland . On October 28, 1664, The English purchased 780 square miles (2,000 km ) of land from
5076-420: The 20,933 ballots cast by the township's 28,418 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 73.7. In the 2013 gubernatorial election , Democrat Barbara Buono received 56.0% of the vote (6,350 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 42.9% (4,863 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (125 votes), among the 11,580 ballots cast by the township's 32,390 registered voters (242 ballots were spoiled), for
5184-522: The 2000s, manufacturing began to leave Central Jersey, and many facilities closed and moved overseas. The Ford plant was demolished by 2008 and was replaced by Sam's Club , Topgolf and Starbucks . Majesco Entertainment , a video game company, has its corporate headquarters in Edison. Other companies have warehouse operations within Edison. These companies include the Italian food producer and importer Colavita , an Amazon fulfillment center , as well as
5292-636: The Hackensack tribe disputed this purchase, and said it was not included in the Elizabethtown Purchase. On July 11, 1667, Treat settled the purchase through Samuel Efsal, a Lenni Lenape interpreter. He then founded "New Ark" or Newark , establishing it as a Puritan theocracy, as had been done in Milford, CT. The Newark territory kept extending West as the English overthrew the Dutch and claimed or purchased more Hackensack territory. This expansion
5400-710: The Hackensack, from Staten Island to the Passaic River on the North to the Raritan River on the South, for about 154 English pounds. This is known as the "Elizabethtown Purchase." In 1666, Puritan Captain Robert Treat moved south to New Jersey from Connecticut and purchased a tract of land from Governor Carteret , west of the Passaic River and 8 miles (13 km) east of what is currently West Orange. However,
5508-809: The National Register in 1988), the Benjamin Shotwell House (listed 1987) and the Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge (liste 1995), are buildings from the colonial era included in National Register of Historic Places listings in Middlesex County . The community was previously known as "Raritan Township", not to be confused with the current-day Raritan Township in Hunterdon County . In 1876, Thomas Edison set up his home and research laboratory in New Jersey on
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#17327980530015616-480: The Native Americans. The Native Americans were hunter-gatherer tribes who would overlap territories and occasionally had tribal wars, but did not "own" land. They believed in taking only what was immediately necessary from nature, and considering the needs of the next seven generations. This hospitality at first benefited the European settlers, who struggled in the wilderness after reaching North America's shores. In
5724-546: The New England town meeting , in which the vote was available to all white males, at least 21 years old, who were citizens of New Jersey, and residents of the township for at least six months; and who paid taxes in the township, or who owned land, or rented a home in the township for a rent of at least five dollars a year. A group of five freeholders was elected to one-year terms on the Township Committee, which
5832-513: The Newark and New York City skylines. Beyond the high ridge traced by Prospect Avenue, West Orange becomes a patchwork of post-World War II suburban neighborhoods, interspersed with pockets of older Victorian homes, as well as golf courses, professional campuses, and shopping centers. Pleasantdale, a walkable business district in this part of the township, includes a number of restaurants, office buildings, stores, and houses of worship. Pleasantdale
5940-451: The Township Council are Council President Nishith Patel (D, 2025), Council Vice President Margot Harris (D, 2025), Richard Brescher (D, 2027), Joseph Coyle (D, 2027), Ajay Patil (D, 2027) and John Poyner (D, 2025) and Asaf Shmuel (D, 2027). The first (and to-date, only) female mayor of Edison was Antonia "Toni" Ricigliano, whose term of office ended on December 31, 2013. Former Edison Democratic Chair and Detective Keith Hahn ran for mayor as
6048-463: The United States by CNN Money magazine, and second in New Jersey in 2006 in Money magazine's "Best Places To Live". In 2008, two years later, Money ranked the township 35th out of the top 100 places to live in the United States. In the 2006 survey of America's Safest Cities, the township was ranked 23rd, out of 371 cities included nationwide, in the 13th annual Morgan Quitno survey. In 2009, Edison
6156-522: The United States. In many states, townships can be an intermediate form of government, between county government and municipalities that are subordinate parts of the township, with different government responsibilities allocated at each level. In New Jersey, there are no subordinate municipalities located within a township, as townships are equivalent to all other forms of local municipalities. Municipalities in New Jersey may be classified into one of five types , of which townships are one. Townships may retain
6264-552: The Valley is home to a growing arts district, the West Orange Arts Center, Luna Stage and a sizable African American community. West of Downtown, the neighborhoods of West Orange become increasingly suburban as one ascends the steep hill of the First Watchung Mountain along Northfield, Mount Pleasant, or Eagle Rock Avenue. The housing stock in the neighborhoods of Hutton Park and Gregory is
6372-621: The area and travelled through it to the shore. In 1646, Chief Matouchin led a group of 1,200 warriors. Edison Township, which was formed from sections of Piscataway and Woodbridge townships, was settled (by Europeans) in the 17th century. The earliest village was Piscatawaytown , which is centered around St. James Church and the Piscatawaytown Common, near the intersection of Plainfield and Woodbridge Avenues in South Edison. The Laing House of Plainfield Plantation (listed on
6480-401: The city of Hackensack is today. They would travel to the ocean or mountains to hunt for food. The Passaic River runs in an upside-down V shape—8 miles (13 km) west and east, and 13 miles (21 km) north of West Orange. In the centuries prior to industrial development, the Passaic River and Watchung Mountains were major geographic landmarks amidst the untouched wilderness. West Orange
6588-472: The combined elections estimated as much as $ 100,000 per cycle. As of 2023 , the Mayor of West Orange is Susan McCartney, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Township Council are Michelle Casalino (2024), Asmeret Ghebremicael (2026), H. William Rutherford (2024), Susan Scarpa (2026) and Tammy Williams (2024). In September 2015, the Township Council selected Michelle Casalino to fill
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#17327980530016696-408: The committee selects one of its elected members to serve as mayor and preside at meetings. The other members of the township committee serve as commissioners of various township departments, overseeing the work of those areas along with overall legislative issues. Some mayors in this form of government also oversee specific departments. The mayor in this form of government is primarily ceremonial and has
6804-482: The council are elected at-large in partisan elections held as part of the November general election to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three or four seats coming up for election in odd-numbered years, with the mayoral seat up for vote at the same time that three seats are expiring. As of 2024, the Mayor of Edison is Democrat Samip "Sam" Joshi, whose term of office ends December 31, 2025. Members of
6912-550: The farm decades later, to reunite with his mother Mary. Nathaniel and Amos never returned. Nathaniel died of smallpox in New York. A plaque to Mary Williams was erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1922. West Orange was initially a part of Newark township, and remained so until November 27, 1806, when the territory now encompassing all of The Oranges was detached to form Orange Township . On April 13, 1807,
7020-453: The first government was elected. On January 31, 1860, Orange was incorporated as a town , and on April 3, 1872, it was reincorporated as a city. Almost immediately, Orange began fragmenting into smaller communities, primarily because of local disputes about the costs of establishing paid police, fire and street departments. South Orange was organized on April 1, 1861, Fairmount Township (an independent municipality for less than one year that
7128-536: The first uphill automobile test took place called the Eagle Rock Hill Climb. Llewellyn Park , the first planned community in America, is located within West Orange, and was designed by entrepreneur Llewellyn Haskell and architect Alexander Jackson Davis in 1857. Llewellyn Park is considered among the best examples of the "Romantic Landscape" movement of that period. Thomas Edison was one of
7236-670: The highest percentage of Indian-American people of any municipality in the United States with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry. Edison also has a significant Chinese population. The town contains several Chinese-language schools and cultural associations. The area near the borders with Highland Park and the Livingston Campus at Rutgers University in Piscataway , has a number of Chinese food establishments, including Kam Man Food , 99 Ranch Market , and various dim sum, dumpling, dessert, and tea shops as well as
7344-460: The industry spread to Fort Lee, New Jersey , in 1907, which offered inexpensive land for movie production studios that could be located in close proximity to New York City . In response to the demands by the Edison Trust for royalties from studios, independent studios located in the Fort Lee area started to relocate to what is now Hollywood, California , where they could operate in good weather year-round, out of reach of Edison and his trust. In
7452-431: The late 1800s, the Valley region of West Orange was home to 34 hat factories, known as the hat making capital of the country. It is currently under redevelopment as 'Hat City' or 'The Valley Arts District'. Until its closure in 1983, the Orange Quarry Company was located in West Orange, where bluestone was mined. Post-World War II, there was a real estate development boom in West Orange. In the 1960s, " white flight " from
7560-492: The many residents. Thomas Edison's Laboratory , currently a National Historical Park , was where he developed the inventions that earned more than 1,000 patents, including the light bulb, stock ticker and recorded sound. The laboratory grounds also include the Black Maria —America's first movie studio, the birthplace of Hollywood. The whole idea of a movie industry was first born in West Orange. The town's movie industry rapidly began to spreading to surrounding areas. Eventually
7668-432: The mountains—in what is now Llewellyn Park. It was still untouched wilderness. In 1702, New Jersey became a royal colony of England. By 1706 what is now West Orange—was considered part of Essex County in the East Jersey territory. By the 1700s West Orange was known as part of the Newark Mountains. During the American Revolution, the valleys were populated by farms and mills. The area on Main Street now known as "Tory Corner"
7776-425: The much-amended Act of 1899. It retains a three or five member township committee serving staggered terms, whose members are generally elected at-large. The committee elects a mayor from among its members to serve a one-year term. Partisan elections are allowed under this law. Voters may initiate a referendum to change the membership to consist of either 3 or 5 members. While many township committees directly supervise
7884-473: The operation of their municipality, the revised act allows the committee to delegate all or a portion of its responsibilities to an appointed municipal administrator. A number of municipalities changed to the Township type, or the Township form of government, between 1979 and 1982. A federal law, The State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 provided funding to the states to be divided between state and municipal governments. In 1981, states were removed from
7992-479: The pan-Asian Korean-founded supermarket, H Mart . Other Chinese operations in Edison include Sino Monthly magazine and Chinese News Weekly. The township's Lunar New Year parade typically travels northbound from Division Street to festivities in Papaianni Park by the lake and township municipal building. The 2010 United States census counted 99,967 people, 34,972 households, and 26,509 families in
8100-430: The population was under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.8 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income
8208-429: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 35,136 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
8316-432: The population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 88.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 83.2 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income
8424-399: The population. There were 16,480 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
8532-420: The population. Of the 16,790 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18; 53.1% were married couples living together; 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 30.0% were non-families. Of all households, 25.5% were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.28. 23.7% of
8640-416: The population. Of the 34,972 households, 36.4% had children under the age of 18; 62.3% were married couples living together; 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 24.2% were non-families. Of all households, 20.4% were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.26. 22.7% of
8748-778: The practice facility for the New Jersey Devils from 1986 to 2007. The New Jersey Daredevils, a special needs hockey team formed in 2002 that plays in the SHI (Special Hockey International League), uses the arena for home games and practices. Annually in October, the Daredevils host a Halloween themed tournament for Special Hockey International teams (including the Daredevils themselves) called Frankenfest. Frankenfest has been going on every October since 2009. The New Jersey Devils Youth Hockey team also plays here as well. The township
8856-473: The program and the law was amended to provide direct grants to the most popular form of local government in the United States - townships. In Essex County alone, 11 municipal governments changed their form or name to take advantage of the program. There are a total of 240 townships in the state, including: West Orange, New Jersey West Orange is a suburban township in Essex County , in
8964-399: The redistricting that took effect in 2013, 18,122 residents in the eastern third of the township were placed in the 10th district, while 28,085 residents in the western portion of the township were placed in the 11th District. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 10th congressional district is represented by LaMonica McIver ( D , Newark ). New Jersey is represented in
9072-622: The regional hubs for FedEx , UPS , and Newegg . In addition Edison is home to the state's largest private convention center, the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, located within the Raritan Center Business Park. Raritan Center itself is the largest industrial park on the east side of the Mississippi River. The United States headquarters of the international company Zylog Systems
9180-435: The same power as other township committee members. The mayor does hold the powers vested in all mayors under state law One township committee member is elected deputy mayor each year. Some towns with this form of government rotate the mayor's office each year, while others elect the same mayor for 2–3 consecutive years. Out of the 240 townships in the state, the township form of government is used by 140. On road signs, township
9288-529: The seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Patty Spango until her resignation from office. On November 8, 2016, Councilwoman Casalino was elected to a four-year term. Officers of the municipal court as of 2014 were: As of March 2011, there were a total of 30,561 registered voters in West Orange, of which 14,166 (46.4%) were registered as Democrats , 3,273 (10.7%) were registered as Republicans and 13,108 (42.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated . There were no voters registered to other parties. In
9396-593: The site of an unsuccessful real estate development in Raritan Township called " Menlo Park ", (currently located in Edison State Park ). While there he earned the nickname "the Wizard of Menlo Park". Before his death at age 83 in 1931, the prolific inventor amassed a record 1,093 patents for creations including the phonograph , a stock ticker, the motion-picture camera, the incandescent light bulb ,
9504-399: The town was $ 69,254, and the median income for a family was $ 83,375. Males had a median income of $ 52,029 versus $ 39,484 for females. The per capita income for the township was $ 34,412. About 4.6% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over. Developed by Sol Atlas , Essex Green Shopping Center
9612-467: The township form of government, or adopt one of the modern forms of government, which are not restricted to a particular type of municipality. In New Jersey, a municipality's name (such as X Township) is not necessarily an indication of its form of government. In New Jersey, the township form of government consists of a three to five-member township committee usually elected at-large in partisan elections. At its organization meeting, held after an election,
9720-424: The township include Bonhamtown , Briarwood East , Camp Kilmer, Centerville, Clara Barton , Eggert Mills, Greensand, Haven Homes, Lahiere, Lincoln Park, Lindenau, Martins Landing, Menlo Park , Millville, New Dover , New Durham , Nixon , North Edison, Oak Tree, Phoenix, Potters , Pumptown , Raritan Arsenal, Raritan Manor, Sand Hills, Silver Lake, Stelton , Stephenville , Valentine, and Washington Park. Edison
9828-713: The township is on sea level on the Raritan River . The Robinsons Branch of the Rahway River flows through Edison en route to the Robinson's Branch Reservoir . Extreme temperatures in Edison have ranged from −17 °F (−27 °C), recorded in February 1934, to 106 °F (41 °C), recorded in July 1936 and August 1949. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Edison has
9936-527: The township's geographic features. Generally, the township has four distinct neighborhoods: The oldest and most densely populated part of the township is Downtown West Orange, which lies in the low basin along the township's eastern border with the city of Orange and Montclair . Main Street, in this section, is home to the Thomas Edison National Historical Park , as well as the municipal building, police headquarters, and
10044-491: The township. The population density was 3,339.0 per square mile (1,289.2/km). There were 36,302 housing units at an average density of 1,212.5 per square mile (468.1/km). The racial makeup was 44.10% (44,084) White , 7.05% (7,046) Black or African American , 0.23% (229) Native American , 43.19% (43,177) Asian , 0.04% (36) Pacific Islander , 2.72% (2,718) from other races , and 2.68% (2,677) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 8.11% (8,112) of
10152-494: The township. The population density was 3,836.0 per square mile (1,481.1/km ). There were 17,612 housing units at an average density of 1,462.1 per square mile (564.5/km ). The racial makeup was 57.15% (26,406) White , 26.58% (12,284) Black or African American , 0.38% (174) Native American , 7.96% (3,680) Asian , 0.02% (10) Pacific Islander , 4.82% (2,227) from other races , and 3.09% (1,426) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 16.20% (7,487) of
10260-448: The vote (15,423 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 29.3% (6,667 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (154 votes), among the 22,740 ballots cast by the township's 30,260 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.1%. In the 2004 presidential election , Democrat John Kerry received 64.7% of the vote (13,535 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 34.0% (7,118 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (186 votes), among
10368-557: The yellow ribbon when the store was opened. The town is served by the full-time Edison Division of Police, led by Chief Thomas Bryan and employing 168 officers as of 2012, assisted by the Edison Auxiliary Police. The department is striving to overcome a history of widespread officer misconduct. Township (New Jersey) A township , in the context of New Jersey local government , refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government . As
10476-492: Was the state's sixth-most-populous municipality , with a population of 107,588, an increase of 7,621 (+7.6%) from the 2010 census count of 99,967, which in turn reflected an increase of 2,280 (+2.3%) from the 97,687 counted in the 2000 census . What is now Edison Township was originally incorporated as Raritan Township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1870, from portions of both Piscataway and Woodbridge Township . The township got its original name from
10584-424: Was $ 86,725 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 3,000) and the median family income was $ 100,008 (+/− $ 2,624). Males had a median income of $ 66,898 (+/− $ 4,094) versus $ 50,953 (+/− $ 1,462) for females. The per capita income for the township was $ 36,464 (+/− $ 1,184). About 3.5% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over. As of
10692-425: Was $ 88,917 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 4,480) and the median family income was $ 106,742 (+/− $ 5,256). Males had a median income of $ 65,854 (+/− $ 4,548) versus $ 43,223 (+/− $ 2,769) for females. The per capita income for the township was $ 43,368 (+/− $ 2,021). About 4.9% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over. As of
10800-410: Was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.19. In the township the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males. The median income for a household in
10908-404: Was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.19. In the township 22.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.8% was from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males. The median household income in the township
11016-506: Was 50.0% ethnically Asian by population as of the 2020 Census. Oak Tree Road is a South Asian-focused commercial strip in Middlesex County, the U.S. county with the highest concentration of Asian Indians . The Oak Tree Road strip runs for about one-and-a-half miles through Edison and neighboring Iselin in Woodbridge Township , near the area's sprawling Chinatown and Koreatown , running along New Jersey Route 27 . It
11124-669: Was called Williamstown, after two brothers Nathaniel and Benjamin Williams. Nathaniel and his two eldest sons were Loyalists to the British crown, and gathered other Loyalists for meetings. Nathaniel took his eldest sons James and Amos to join the British Army in 1777, and never returned. Meanwhile, Nathaniel's wife Mary Williams stayed on the farm with her younger children. Her farm house had been built in 1720. She gave freely to Washington's revolutionary troops. James finally returned to
11232-452: Was effected primarily by individual property owners, who would purchase tracts of land bit by bit. Sometimes they would name it after themselves or where they were from in Europe. Often the borders were not clearly defined, and few if any maps remain. In 1678, Anthony Olive became the first European to settle in what is now West Orange. He was of Dutch origin. He started a farm at the base of
11340-401: Was later to become part of West Orange) on March 11, 1862, and East Orange on March 4, 1863. West Orange (including what had been the briefly independent municipality of Fairmount) was incorporated as a township on April 10, 1863, and was reformed as a town on February 28, 1900. In 1980, West Orange again became a township to take advantage of federal revenue sharing policies that allocated
11448-510: Was ranked as one of "America's 10 Best Places to Grow Up" by U.S. News & World Report . The rankings focused on low crime, strong schools, green spaces, and abundance of recreational activities. In 2014, parenting.com ranked Edison as the top safest city in America. According to the United States Census Bureau , the township had a total area of 30.69 square miles (79.49 km), including 30.06 square miles (77.86 km) of land and 0.63 square miles (1.63 km) of water (2.05%). Edison
11556-569: Was responsible to oversee the expenditure of revenue in between town meetings. The Township Act of 1899 abolished the town meeting and strengthened the role of the Township Committee, which was initially set at three and amended to allow for expansion to five members. Members were elected for staggered three-year terms. The Home Rule Act of 1917 legally defined the term "municipality" and recognized five types of government: borough , township, city , town , and village and granted each equal legal standing. The Township Act of 1989 simplified
11664-445: Was the first street in the world to use electric lights for illumination. Edison subsequently left Menlo Park and moved his home and laboratory to West Orange in 1886. Near Piscatawaytown village, a portion of the township was informally known as " Nixon ", after Lewis Nixon , a manufacturer and community leader. Soon after the outbreak of World War I , Nixon established a massive volatile chemicals processing facility there, known as
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