Randolph, New Jersey


Randolph is a township in southwestern Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 26,504, an increase of 770 from the 2010 census count of 25,734, which in turn reflected an increase of 887 from the 24,847 counted in the 2000 census.
According to the 2020 Census, Randolph was the 3rd most-populous municipality in Morris County and its land area was the eighth-largest in the county. The New Jersey State Planning Commission designates Randolph as half rural, half suburban. The community maintains a diverse population of nearly 26,000 residents.
In 2013, in the Coldwell Banker edition of “Best Places to Live in New Jersey for Booming Suburbs,” Randolph was the number one ranked town in Morris County and fourth overall in the state citing "job growth, high percentage of home ownership, good schools, access to local shopping and community safety." Niche.com ranked Randolph amongst the Top 50 in its 2019 rankings of the "Best Places to Live" in New Jersey.
Established in 1968, the County College of Morris is located on more than in the northern part of the township along Route 10.

History

The earliest known inhabitants of what is now Randolph were the Lenni Lenape Native Americans. The earliest European settlers of what is now Randolph were Quakers and one of the pioneering landowners was Hartshorne Fitz-Randolph, who purchased of what would become the township in the Mine Hill area in 1753, later becoming the namesake of the township. New Jersey's first iron mine was established in Randolph in 1713, and for hundreds of years the mines fostered the development of the township, providing the raw materials for weapons used by the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. During the war, this area was a supply point for George Washington's army during their winter encampment in nearby Jockey Hollow.
Randolph was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 1, 1806, from portions of Mendham Township. Portions of the township were taken on April 1, 1869, to create Dover Town within the township, which became an independent municipality as of March 5, 1896. Other portions of the township were taken to create Port Oram, Mine Hill Township and Victory Gardens. The creation of Victory Gardens created a small triangular exclave of the township, surrounded by Victory Gardens to the southeast and Dover to the northwest.
Randolph became a vacation haven in the early part of the 20th century, known for its woods, ponds, lakes and air. Through the 1950s, farms, large hotels and bungalow colonies dotted the community. Performers such as Phil Silvers, and Frank Sinatra appeared at the hotels. Boxers Max Baer, Floyd Patterson, James J. Braddock and Rocky Marciano trained or fought at the Saltz Hotel.

Landmarks

Randolph's township historical landmarks include the 1869 Bryant Distillery and the 1924 Millbrook School, now rehabilitated and in use as offices. The Liberty Tree was also one of the town landmarks until its removal due to deterioration on August 31, 2018.
The Randolph Historical Society has preserved the township's historical heritage in the Museum of Old Randolph. One of Randolph's oldest streets, Gristmill Road, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Combs Hollow Historic District was added to the NRHP in 1996 for its significance in industry from to 1927.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 21.16 square miles, including 20.91 square miles of land and 0.26 square miles of water.
Land in Randolph ranges from to above sea level. Randolph has been designated half rural, half suburban by the New Jersey State Planning Commission.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Black River Pond, Calais, Center Grove, Fernbrook, Ironia, Mill Brook, Mount Fern, Mount Freedom, Shongum and Youngstown.
Situated upstream of the Black River, the South Branch of the Raritan River, the Whippany River and the Rockaway River, the hills of Randolph attracted settlers and its streams provided power for industry.
The township is a suburb of New York City. Randolph borders the Morris County municipalities of Mine Hill, Dover, Rockaway Township and Victory Gardens to the north, Mendham Township to the south, Denville and Morris Township to the east, Chester Township to the southwest and Roxbury to the west.

Geology

The township is located within the New Jersey Highlands, one of New Jersey's four major physiographic provinces. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, the Highlands are characterized by alternating flat-topped ridges and deep-striking valleys.

Climate

On average, the warmest month is July. The highest recorded temperature was 102 °F in 1953. On average, the coolest month is January, while the maximum average precipitation occurs in September. The lowest recorded temperature was −24 °F in 1943.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 25,734 people, 9,013 households, and 7,075 families in the township. The population density was. There were 9,343 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup was 82.44% White, 2.68% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 10.46% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.27% from other races, and 2.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.17% of the population.
Of the 9,013 households, 42.3% had children under the age of 18; 68.6% were married couples living together; 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 21.5% were non-families. Of all households, 17.8% were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.26.
28.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.3 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $123,041 and the median family income was $144,069. Males had a median income of $100,895 versus $65,011 for females. The per capita income for the township was $56,879. About 1.8% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 24,847 people, 8,679 households, and 6,804 families residing in the township. The population density was. There were 8,903 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the township was 85.70% White, 2.30% African American, 0.06% Native American, 9.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.31% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.86% of the population.
There were 8,679 households, out of which 44.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.2% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the township the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $97,589, and the median income for a family was $115,722. Males had a median income of $80,120 versus $45,455 for females. The per capita income for the township was $43,072. About 1.0% of families and 1.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation

The Brundage Park Recreation Complex covers. Facilities include six lighted tennis courts, four lighted softball fields, two lighted basketball courts, a tennis practice wall, a paved walking and jogging trail, Brundage Park Playhouse, a playground, a picnic pavilion, a lacrosse/soccer field, a pond, a softball field, and a multipurpose area for soccer and other field sports.
Freedom Park covers. Facilities include : a football field, a lacrosse field, a Little League field, a Babe Ruth baseball field, a multipurpose area, a softball field, a picnic pavilion, a sand volleyball court, and a playground area.
Randolph Park covers. It has a beach. Other facilities include a beach house with a changing room, a refreshment stand, a picnic facilities, a playground area, a permanent docks for lap swimming, a volleyball court and a basketball court.
Heistein Park covers. Facilities include 6 soccer fields, 4 Little League/softball fields, a picnic pavilion, restrooms, a refreshment stand, and a lake for fishing and ice skating. Soccer tournaments are held here for travel team soccer.
Stonybrook Park covers. This park is used as a day camp during the summer months and is divided by a local street to create east and west sections. Facilities include a field in the western portion, while the eastern portion hosts the day camp with a swimming pool, a small tot-lot, and various buildings for camp activities.
Kiwanis Park contains. Facilities include a playground, an open play area and picnic tables.
Rosenfarb Park facilities include a half-court basketball court and a picnic area.
Hidden Valley Park contains of rolling hills, a pond and natural walking trails. The township's walking and biking trail cross the site.
Cohen Farm Park consists of an undeveloped. The township's trail system cuts through the park, connecting to Brundage Park and Freedom Park.

Government

Local government

The Township Council is the legislative body of Randolph, operating under the Council-Manager form of government within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law. The township is one of 42 municipalities statewide that use this form of government. The Township Council is comprised of seven members, who are elected at-large in partisan elections to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either three or four seats up for election in even-numbered years as part of the November general election. The council selects one of its members to serve as mayor and another as deputy mayor, at a reorganization meeting conducted each year. The council represents the public and develops and adopts policies, resolves public issues, formulates township policy through motions, resolutions and ordinances which reflect the needs of the public, and maintains a working knowledge of intergovernmental issues and how they will affect the Township of Randolph. Thirteen separate advisory boards and committees assist policy formulation of the council. The Township Council is similar to a corporate board of directors and is assisted by the Township Attorney, who prepares ordinances and advises on legal issues, the Township Clerk, who prepares resolutions, and the Township Manager, who functions much like the CEO of a corporation.
, members of the Randolph Township Council are Mayor Joe Hathaway, Deputy Mayor Mark H. Forstenhausler, Christine Carey, Helene Elbaum, Lou Nisivoccia, Marie Potter and Joanne Veech.
Mark Forstenhausler was selected in February 2014 to fill the vacant seat expiring in December 2014 of Tom MacArthur, who resigned from office after announcing that he was moving out of the township.

Federal, state and county representation

Randolph Township is located in the 11th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 25th state legislative district.

Education

The Randolph Township Schools educate children in public school for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, as well as special-needs preschoolers. As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of six schools, had an enrollment of 4,220 students and 373.0 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 11.3:1. Schools in the district are
Center Grove Elementary School with 533 students in grades PreK–5,
Fernbrook Elementary School with 498 students in grades K–5,
Ironia Elementary School with 479 students in grades K–5,
Shongum Elementary School with 437 students in grades K–5,
Randolph Middle School with 922 students in grades 6–8 and
Randolph High School with 1,349 students in grades 9–12.
Established in 1968, the main campus of the County College of Morris is located on a campus in Randolph. Rutgers University has a partnership with County College of Morris that allows students who have earned an associate degree to complete a bachelor's degree through the off-campus Rutgers courses taken at the County College of Morris campus in Randolph.
The Gottesman RTW Academy is a coeducational Jewish day school for students in preschool through eighth grade, serving approximately 225 children. The school has been recognized as a recipient of the National Blue Ribbon School Award by the United States Department of Education.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the township had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Morris County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Route 10, Dover-Chester Road, and Sussex Turnpike pass through township lines.

Public transportation

The NJ Transit List of [NJ Transit bus routes (800-880)#Morris local service|875] route serves the township.
NJ Transit offered local bus service on the MCM2 and MCM7 routes which were eliminated due to budget constraints.

Community

Randolph has organized events, including high school sports, senior citizen gatherings, and various group activities. The public library schedules reading groups and other programs. Recreation programs are available for children, teenagers and adults. Games and socials are held at the Senior Citizen Center at the Brundage Park Playhouse, which presents plays and musicals with youth and adult performers.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Randolph include: