Garwood is a borough in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,454, an increase of 228 (+5.4%) from the 2010 census count of 4,226, which in turn reflected an increase of 73 (+1.8%) from the 4,153 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.
History Garwood was incorporated as a borough on March 19, 1903, from portions of Cranford and Westfield Town.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 239. Accessed October 25, 2012.
Garwood developed in the late 19th century as an industrial and residential community between Cranford and Westfield. Its growth was closely tied to the Jersey Central Railroad and local manufacturers including Hall Signal Company, Hercules Tube Works, and the Aeolian Company. The borough was named for Samuel Garwood, president of a railroad-affiliated land company.
Dissatisfaction with municipal services provided by Cranford and Westfield led residents to seek local self-government. Disputes over roads, fire protection, policing, and schools fueled the movement. In 1903, it became an independent borough after approval by the New Jersey Legislature despite opposition from Cranford. Following incorporation, the borough established its own institutions, including Jefferson School and its first municipal building, completed in 1915.
The Westwood event venue opened in the early 1900s as Britz's Garwood Hotel, and was later known as Scandia Hall.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.65 square miles (1.68 km2), all of which was land.
The borough is roughly bisected by the tracks of NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line, originally built as part of the Jersey Central railroad. On the north side of the railroad, most of the streets are numbered, while on the south side of Garwood most of the streets are named after trees.
Garwood borders the Union County municipalities of Cranford and Westfield.Areas touching Garwood, MapIt. Accessed August 3, 2016.Union County Municipal Profiles, Union County, New Jersey. Accessed February 21, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Demographics
Racial and ethnic composition +Garwood borough, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000Pop 2010Pop 2020% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)3,8513,6663,43692.73%86.75%77.14%Black or African American alone (NH)1542690.36%0.99%1.55%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)0110.00%0.02%0.02%Asian alone (NH)55861191.32%2.04%2.67%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)0000.00%0.00%0.00%Other race alone (NH)117320.02%0.40%0.72%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)24411270.58%0.97%2.85%Hispanic or Latino (any race)2073736704.98%8.83%15.04%Total4,1534,2264,454 100.00%100.00%100.00%
2020 census As of the 2020 census, Garwood had a population of 4,454. The median age was 42.5 years. 17.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.3 males.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,920 households in Garwood, of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.2% were married-couple households, 18.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 2,016 housing units, of which 4.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.6%.
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 4,226 people, 1,778 households, and 1,118 families in the borough. The population density was 6,362.7 per square mile (2,456.7/km2). There were 1,870 housing units at an average density of 2,815.5 per square mile (1,087.1/km2). The racial makeup was 93.23% (3,940) White, 1.06% (45) Black or African American, 0.02% (1) Native American, 2.04% (86) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.80% (76) from other races, and 1.85% (78) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.83% (373) of the population.
Of the 1,778 households, 23.9% had children under the age of 18; 47.5% were married couples living together; 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 37.1% were non-families. Of all households, 29.9% were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.
19.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.3 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $72,254 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,274) and the median family income was $86,959 (+/− $8,603). Males had a median income of $58,258 (+/− $3,197) versus $43,455 (+/− $3,625) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,753 (+/− $2,821). About 0.9% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Garwood borough, Union County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 1, 2013.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 4,153 people, 1,731 households, and 1,125 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,782 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 95.91% White, 0.36% African American, 1.32% Asian, 1.54% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.98% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Garwood borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 13, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Garwood borough, Union County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 13, 2013.
There were 1,731 households, out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 20.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $52,571, and the median income for a family was $64,053. Males had a median income of $50,951 versus $36,538 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,944. About 3.5% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over. Government
Local government
Garwood is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year 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. 95. The borough form of government used by Garwood is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
, the mayor of Garwood is Democrat Jen Blumenstock, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Garwood Borough Council are Council President Karina Boto (D, 2026), Kathleen Annarelli (D, 2028), Stephanie Bianco (D, appointed to an unexpired term ending 2027), Clarissa Nolde (D, 2028), Chase Padusniak (D, 2027), and Hursh Sureka (D, appointed to an unexpired term ending 2026).Mayor and Council, Borough of Garwood. Accessed January 19, 2026. "The Borough of Garwood is a Borough form of Government with a Mayor and six (6) Council people elected by the citizens. There are four (4) districts in the Borough of Garwood and the Governing Body is elected by the citizens at large."Union County Elected Officials, Union County, New Jersey Clerk. Accessed January 19, 2026.General Election November 4, 2025 Official Results, Union County, New Jersey, updated December 5, 2025. Accessed January 19, 2026.General Election November 5, 2024 Official Results, Union County, New Jersey, updated November 22, 2024. Accessed January 18, 2025.General Election November 7, 2023 Official Results, Union County, New Jersey, updated November 22, 2023. Accessed January 3, 2024.
The Borough Administrator is John Arthur. The Borough Clerk is Nicole Kotiga.
Federal, state, and county representation Garwood is located in the 10th Congressional District2022 Redistricting Plan, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 8, 2022. and is part of New Jersey's 21st state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
Politics