Long Hill Township is a township in Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 8,629, a decrease of 73 (−0.8%) from the 2010 census count of 8,702, which in turn reflected a decline of 75 (−0.9%) from the 8,777 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

The township is situated in the southernmost part of Morris County bordering both Somerset and Union counties. It is bounded by the Passaic River to the south and west and to the north by the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge which covers of land overseen by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.The Great Swamp, Township of Long Hill. Accessed June 24, 2015. Refuge lands also lie within neighboring Chatham and Harding townships.

Originally incorporated as Passaic Township in the 1860s, residents voted to change the town's name to Long Hill Township in 1992. It includes the communities of Gillette, Stirling, Millington, Meyersville and Homestead Park. NJ Transit rail service is available at the Gillette,Gillette station, NJ Transit. Accessed September 19, 2014. MillingtonMillington station, NJ Transit. Accessed September 19, 2014. and StirlingStirling station, NJ Transit. Accessed September 19, 2014. stations.

History

Long Hill Township was incorporated as Passaic Township on March 23, 1866. On September 1, 1922, part of what was then Passaic Township was taken to form Harding Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 193 (re Harding) and 195 (re Long Hill). Accessed May 29, 2024.Historical Timeline of Morris County Boundaries, Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1866, March 23. Passaic Township is established from Morris Township. The name is changed to Long Hill Township in 1992; additionally, there are sections within Long Hill Township named Stirling and Millington. From PL 1866, p. 666." On November 3, 1992, by a 1,901 to 1,821 margin, the voters elected to change the name of the municipality to Long Hill Township, a change largely driven by the desire to avoid confusion with the City of Passaic, some away.Nieves, Evelyn. "How Green Was My Passaic, Now Long Hill", The New York Times, December 3, 1992. pg. B1. Accessed September 8, 2013. "No one used to mind when the City of Passaic and the Township of Passaic, 22 miles away, were confused.... Now, Passaic Township, incorporated in 1866, is history. On Election Day, voters rechristened its 12 square miles Long Hill Township."General Information, Long Hill Township. Accessed September 3, 2015. 'Long Hill Township was incorporated as Passaic Township in 1866. In November 1992 the voters elected to change the name of the municipality to Long Hill."

Garden State Fireworks, a firm based in Millington that dates back to 1890, has produced the annual July 4 fireworks show in Washington, D.C., on the National Mall.Kuperinsky, Amy. "Go behind the scenes with N.J. fireworks family", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, July 2, 2015. Accessed September 3, 2015. "Manganelli, 58, hails from a fireworks dynasty, the family behind Garden State Fireworks, a Millington manufacturer of fireworks and purveyor of pyrotechnic displays that has called New Jersey home since 1890." The Raptor Trust is a wild bird rehabilitation center located in Millington.History, The Raptor Trust. Accessed September 3, 2015.

Clover Hill Swimming Club a club surrounding a lake in Millington, was the subject of lawsuit in which the Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled in 1966 that the club could not discriminate against an African American applicant for membership on the basis of the club being private.Clover Hill Swimming Club, Inc. v. Goldsboro, Justia. Accessed September 3, 2015.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 12.06 square miles (31.22 km2), including 11.80 square miles (30.55 km2) of land and 0.26 square miles (0.67 km2) of water (2.14%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Gillette, Millington, Stirling, Meyersville and Homestead Park a subdivision that was first developed in the 1920s.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge covers of land overseen by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and includes portions east of New Vernon Road that is unmanaged and accessible by visitors, while areas west of New Vernon Road are managed intensively and are not available to the public.

The township is located in the most southern part of Morris County. It is bounded by the Passaic River on the south and west and by the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge on the north. It borders both Somerset and Union counties. The township borders the municipalities of Chatham Township and Harding Township in Morris County; Bernards Township and Warren Township in Somerset County, and Berkeley Heights in Union County.Areas touching Long Hill Township, MapIt. Accessed February 26, 2020.Morris County Municipalities Map, Morris County, New Jersey Department of Planning and Preservation. Accessed February 25, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2020 census The 2020 United States census counted 8,629 people in 3,021 households. The median household income was $136,542.

+Long Hill Township, Morris County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition (NH = Non-Hispanic)Race / EthnicityPop 2000Pop 2010% 2000% 2010White alone (NH)7,9167,3856,57690.19%84.87%76.21%Black or African American alone (NH)3148730.35%0.55%0.85%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)10460.11%0.05%0.07%Asian alone (NH)4205206934.79%5.98%8.03%Pacific Islander alone (NH)1140.01%0.01%0.05%Some Other Race alone (NH)314660.03%0.16%0.76%Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)931162991.06%1.33%3.47%Hispanic or Latino (any race)3036149123.45%7.06%10.57%Total8,7778,7028,629100.00%100.00%100.00%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 8,702 people, 3,105 households, and 2,434 families in the township. The population density was 734.3 per square mile (283.5/km2). There were 3,226 housing units at an average density of 272.2 per square mile (105.1/km2). The racial makeup was 90.61% (7,885) White, 0.62% (54) Black or African American, 0.09% (8) Native American, 5.98% (520) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 1.06% (92) from other races, and 1.63% (142) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.06% (614) of the population.

Of the 3,105 households, 37.7% had children under the age of 18; 67.6% were married couples living together; 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 21.6% were non-families. Of all households, 18.3% were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.19.

25.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 20.3% from 25 to 44, 33.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 94.7 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $120,691 (with a margin of error of ± $11,097) and the median family income was $142,059 (± $14,704). Males had a median income of $91,509 (± $24,098) versus $75,558 (± $11,204) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $54,508 (± $4,818). About 1.7% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 1.6% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 17, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 8,777 people, 3,139 households, and 2,457 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 3,206 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 92.75% White, 0.39% African American, 0.17% Native American, 4.79% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Long Hill township, Morris County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 17, 2012., United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 17, 2012.

There were 3,139 households, out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.6% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 18.2% 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 was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the township the age distribution of the population shows 26.3% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $84,532, and the median income for a family was $103,037. Males had a median income of $71,827 versus $46,100 for females. The per capita income for the township was $42,613. About 2.3% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government Long Hill 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.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. 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.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 94."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At an annual reorganization meeting held during the first week of January, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as deputy mayor.Form of Government, Long Hill Township. Accessed April 26, 2023. "NJSA:40A:63-1 et. seq. VOTERS ELECT Township Committee has 5 members, elected at-large. Staggered, 3 year terms. Partisan ORGANIZATION OF GOVERNING BODY First week in January MAYOR Elected by Township Committee for 1 year term."