Mount Olive Township is a township in western Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.Explore Southwestern Morris County, Morris County Tourism Authority. Accessed April 10, 2024. "Southwestern Morris County includes a multitude of farms, farmers markets and community-supported agriculture offering fresh produce and festivals throughout the growing season throughout its communities of Mount Olive, Washington Township (Long Valley), Roxbury, Chester, Chester Township, Mount Arlington, Mendham, Mendham Township, Randolph and Netcong." As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 28,886, its highest decennial census count ever and an increase of 769 (+2.7%) from the 2010 census count of 28,117, which in turn reflected an increase of 3,924 (+16.2%) from the 24,193 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 of Mount Olive was formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 22, 1871, from portions of Roxbury Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 195. Accessed May 30, 2024.The History of Mt. Olive, Mount Olive Township. Accessed December 25, 2016. "The beginning of the first hundred years was on March 22, 1871, when Mt. Olive was created through the splitting of the area then known as Roxbury Township.... Mt. Olive was separated from Roxbury on March 11, 1871."Historical Timeline of Morris County Boundaries, Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1871, March 11. Mt. Olive Township is established from Roxbury. From PL 1871, p. 695." Netcong was formed from portions of the township on October 23, 1894. The township was named for Benjamin Olive, a colonial-era Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey who donated land for the sites of churches constructed in the area.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 8, 2015.Gustines, George Gene. "In Brief; Baedaker: Joy, Misery and Olive: Matching a Place and a Name", The New York Times, October 1, 1995. Accessed September 8, 2015. "The new township, a prosperous center of forges and iron works, was named after Benjamin Olive, a Lieutenant Governor in the early 1700s (when the state still had lieutenant governors). A major landholder, Olive dedicated a portion of his estate for the construction of the township's two churches."

The township comprises the unincorporated communities of Budd Lake and Flanders.Profile, Mount Olive Township. Accessed May 28, 2024. "Located in scenic northwest New Jersey, Mount Olive covers a landscape of ridgelines and river valleys enfolding the communities of Budd Lake and Flanders." Located within the Raritan Valley region, Mount Olive is situated in western Morris County bordering both Sussex and Warren counties along the Musconetcong River.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 31.24 square miles (80.92 km2), including 29.62 square miles (76.71 km2) of land and 1.63 square miles (4.21 km2) of water (5.21%).

Budd Lake (with a 2020 Census population of 9,784) and Flanders (9,832) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDP) located within Mount Olive Township.GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Morris County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 20, 2012.2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 20, 2012.New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed December 20, 2012.

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Bartley, Saxton Falls and Waterloo.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

The township borders the municipalities of Chester Township, Netcong, Roxbury, and Washington Township in Morris County; Stanhope in Sussex County; and Allamuchy and Hackettstown in Warren County.Areas touching Mount Olive Township, MapIt. Accessed February 28, 2020.Morris County Municipalities Map, Morris County, New Jersey Department of Planning and Preservation. Accessed February 28, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2020 census +Mount Olive township, Morris County, New Jersey – Racial and Ethnic Composition (NH = Non-Hispanic)Race / EthnicityPop 2010Pop 2020% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)20,52218,39972.99%63.70%Black or African American alone (NH)1,5141,8075.38%6.26%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)40120.14%0.04%Asian alone (NH)2,2973,0258.17%10.47%Pacific Islander alone (NH)530.02%0.01%Some Other Race alone (NH)711410.25%0.49%Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)4311,0391.53%3.60%Hispanic or Latino (any race)3,2374,46011.51%15.44%Total28,11728,886100.00%100.00%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 28,117 people, 10,690 households, and 7,323 families in the township. The population density was . There were 11,244 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 80.66% (22,679) White, 5.74% (1,614) Black or African American, 0.20% (55) Native American, 8.23% (2,315) Asian, 0.04% (12) Pacific Islander, 2.86% (805) from other races, and 2.27% (637) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.51% (3,237) of the population.

Of the 10,690 households, 36.9% had children under the age of 18; 55.7% were married couples living together; 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.5% were non-families. Of all households, 25.8% were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.22.

26.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 94.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $77,243 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,287) and the median family income was $102,448 (+/− $8,454). Males had a median income of $70,532 (+/− $5,545) versus $52,205 (+/− $4,050) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $37,758 (+/− $1,723). About 3.8% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Mount Olive township, Morris County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 20, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 24,193 people, 9,068 households, and 6,374 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 9,311 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 86.69% White, 3.79% African American, 0.17% Native American, 6.00% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.53% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.97% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Mount Olive township, Morris County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 20, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Mount Olive township, Morris County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 20, 2012.

There were 9,068 households, out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 37.6% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $64,515, and the median income for a family was $75,189. Males had a median income of $50,653 versus $35,882 for females. The per capita income for the township was $28,691. About 1.7% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government Effective January 1, 1972, the voters in the Township approved a change to a Mayor-Council form of government, governed by a directly elected mayor and a seven-member Township Council elected on an at-large basis. The mayor operates the government with the assistance of a Township Administrator, with the Council performing a legislative role. Starting from its inception in 1871, Mount Olive had been governed under the Township form of municipal government, by a three-person Township Committee, which was expanded to five members in 1968.