Roxbury 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 22,950, a decrease of 374 (−1.6%) from the 2010 census count of 23,324, which in turn reflected a decline of 559 (−2.3%) from the 23,883 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 located approximately west-northwest of New York City, west-northwest of Newark, New Jersey and east of the Delaware Water Gap on the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Roxbury was formed on December 24, 1740, from portions of Morris Township.Historical Timeline of Morris County Boundaries, Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1740, December 24. Roxbury is established. Roxbury includes Kenvil (previously known as McCainsville), Landing (previously known as Drakesville), Ledgewood, Port Morris, and Suckasunny/Succasunna (its name is changed in 1888)." It was formally incorporated by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as part of the state's initial group of 104 townships. Portions of the township were taken to form Mendham Township (March 29, 1749), Washington Township (April 2, 1798), Chester Township (April 1, 1799), Jefferson Township (February 11, 1804), Mount Olive Township (March 22, 1871), Mount Arlington (November 3, 1890) and Netcong (October 23, 1894).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 197. Accessed May 30, 2024.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 21.98 square miles (56.93 km2), including 20.85 square miles (54.01 km2) of land and 1.13 square miles (2.93 km2) of water (5.14%).
Kenvil (2020 Census population of 1,806), Landing (4,296), Ledgewood (4.903), Lower Berkshire Valley (617), Port Morris (754), and Succasunna (10,338) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDPs) within the 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 22, 2012.2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 22, 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 22, 2012. Previously, as of the 2000 United States census, the Succasunna and Kenvil communities had been consolidated as Succasunna-Kenvil, which had a 2000 Census population of 12,569.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Succasunna-Kenvil CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 7, 2012.
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Baker Mill Pond, Bertrand Island, Carys, Lake Junction, Lake Rogerene, Port Morris Landing, Rustic and Shippenport.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
Roxbury borders the municipalities of Chester Township, Jefferson Township, Mine Hill Township, Mount Arlington, Mount Olive Township, Netcong, Randolph Township, Wharton in Morris County; and both Hopatcong and Stanhope in Sussex County.Areas touching Roxbury Township, MapIt. Accessed March 4, 2020.Morris County Municipalities Map, Morris County, New Jersey Department of Planning and Preservation. Accessed March 4, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Demographics
2020 census +Roxbury township, Morris County, New Jersey – Racial and Ethnic Composition (NH = Non-Hispanic)Race / EthnicityPop 2010Pop 2020% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)19,04116,86581.64%73.49%Black or African American alone (NH)4966472.13%2.82%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)680.03%0.03%Asian alone (NH)1,3301,2925.70%5.63%Pacific Islander alone (NH)320.01%0.01%Some Other Race alone (NH)291090.12%0.47%Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)3366871.44%2.99%Hispanic or Latino (any race)2,0833,3408.93%14.55%Total23,32422,950100.00%100.00%
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 23,324 people, 8,292 households, and 6,484 families in the township. The population density was . There were 8,582 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 88.21% (20,573) White, 2.34% (546) Black or African American, 0.09% (22) Native American, 5.77% (1,346) Asian, 0.05% (12) Pacific Islander, 1.55% (362) from other races, and 1.99% (463) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.93% (2,083) of the population.
Of the 8,292 households, 36.0% had children under the age of 18; 65.6% were married couples living together; 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 21.8% were non-families. Of all households, 18.2% were made up of individuals and 8.0% 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 3.19.
24.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 32.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.5 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $95,676 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,626) and the median family income was $110,538 (+/− $6,156). Males had a median income of $75,417 (+/− $7,299) versus $47,556 (+/− $4,775) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $38,576 (+/− $2,305). About 2.5% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Roxbury township, Morris County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 7, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 23,883 people, 8,364 households, and 6,532 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 8,550 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 92.57% White, 1.91% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 3.58% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 4.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Roxbury township, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 7, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Roxbury township, Morris County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 22, 2012.
There were 8,364 households, out of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the township the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $72,982, and the median income for a family was $83,409. Males had a median income of $59,488 versus $36,353 for females. The per capita income for the township was $30,174. About 2.1% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
Crime According to the 2008 New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Report, crime had declined in Roxbury versus 2007 data.New Jersey Municipal-County Offense & Demographic Data, New Jersey State Police. Accessed May 7, 2012. There was an uptick in crime for 2009.
+ Crime for 2009 (Source: FBI) Population Violent crime Murder and non-negligent man-slaughter Forcible rape Robbery Aggravated assault Property crime Burglary Larceny-theft Motor vehicle theft Arson 23,311 17 0 3 3 11 299 56 230 13 0
Economy Ledgewood Mall (with a gross leasable area of Directory of Major Malls: Ledgewood Mall , International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed May 7, 2012.) and Roxbury Mall (with a GLA of Directory of Major Malls: Roxbury Mall , International Council of Shopping Centers. Accessed May 7, 2012.) are regional shopping malls located within the township.
Government
Local government Roxbury operates under the Council-Manager form of Government under the Faulkner Act. The township is one of 42 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The Township Council is comprised of seven elected officials, with three seats elected from the entire township at-large and one elected from each of the four wards. Council members are elected for four-year terms on a staggered basis in partisan elections held in odd-numbered years, with the three at-large seats selected together and the four ward seats up for election at the same time two years later. The mayor and deputy mayor are chosen from within the council by the members of the council at a reorganization meeting held each year during the first week in January to serve one-year terms of office.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 116."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 12. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. The manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations associated with all municipal activities. The manager directs, administers and coordinates the activities of the municipality in full support of policies, goals and objectives established by the governing body.
, the members of Roxbury's Township Council are:
Mayor Shawn Potillo (R, Ward 1, Term expires December 31, 2027, Mayoral term expires at time of annual reorganization meeting first week of January 2026); Deputy Mayor Mark Crowley (R, Councilman-at-Large, Term expires December 31, 2027, Deputy Mayoral term expires at time of annual reorganization meeting first week of January 2026); James "Jim" Rilee (R, Councilman-at-Large, Term expires December 31, 2025); Robert "Bob" DeFillippo (R, Councilman-at-Large, Term expires December 31, 2025); Jacqueline "Jaki" Albrect (R, Ward 2, Term expires December 31, 2027); Thomas "Tom" Carey (R, Ward 4, Term expires December 31, 2027), and