Randolph, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Randolph, New Jersey
Township
Township of Randolph
David Tuttle Cooperage
Motto(s):  Where Life is Worth Living
Location in Morris County and the state of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Randolph, New Jersey
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Morris
Incorporated	January 1, 1806
Government
• Type	Faulkner Act (council–manager)
• Body	Township Council
Area
• Total	21.16 sq mi (54.81 km2)
• Land	20.91 sq mi (54.14 km2)
• Water	0.26 sq mi (0.67 km2)  1.22%
Area rank	133rd of 565 in state 8th of 39 in county
Elevation	994 ft (303 m)
Population  (2010 Census)
• Total	25,734
• Estimate  (2019)	25,378
• Rank	97th of 566 in state 3rd of 39 in county
• Density	1,235.9/sq mi (477.2/km2)
• Density rank	357th of 566 in state 24th of 39 in county
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code	07869 - Randolph 07845 - Ironia 07970 - Mount Freedom
Area code(s)	973
FIPS code	3402761890
GNIS feature ID	0882201

Randolph is a township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 25,734, reflecting an increase of 887 (+3.6%) from the 24,847 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 4,873 (+24.4%) from the 19,974 counted in the 1990 Census.

According to the 2010 Census, Randolph was the 3rd most-populous municipality in Morris County and its 21 square miles (54 km²) land area is the 8th 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 220+ acres 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 1,000 acres (4.0 km²) 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, the 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 (June 26, 1895, now Wharton), Mine Hill Township (March 2, 1923) and Victory Gardens (June 20, 1951).

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 Liberty Tree (which dates back to 1720), the 1869 Bryant Distillery (famed for its applejack) and the 1924 Millbrook School, now rehabilitated and in use as offices.

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.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 21.071 square miles (54.574 km²), including 20.822 square miles (53.929 km²) of land and 0.249 square miles (0.645 km²) of water (1.18%).

Land in Randolph ranges from 551 feet (168 m) to 1,120 feet (340 m) above sea level. Randolph Township 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, Calis, Center Grove, 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 borders Mine Hill, Dover, Rockaway Township and Victory Gardens to the north, Mendham Township to the south, Denville Township and Morris Township to the east, Chester Township to the southwest and Roxbury to the west all of which are located in Morris County. It is a suburb of New York City.

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

As of the census of 2010, there were 25,734 people, 9,013 households, and 7,075 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,235.9 per square mile (477.2/km²). There were 9,343 housing units at an average density of 448.7 per square mile (173.2/km²)^*. The racial makeup of the township was 82.44% (21,215) White, 2.68% (690) Black or African American, 0.11% (28) Native American, 10.46% (2,691) Asian, 0.01% (3) Pacific Islander, 2.27% (584) from other races, and 2.03% (523) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.17% (2,616) of the population.

There were 9,013 households out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.6% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% were non-families. 17.8% of all households 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.

In the township, the population was spread out with 28.0% 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 there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 95.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $123,041 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,800) and the median family income was $144,069 (+/- $7,473). Males had a median income of $100,895 (+/- $2,256) versus $65,011 (+/- $5,834) for females. The per capita income for the township was $56,879 (+/- $3,318). 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.

Parks and recreation

The Brundage Park Recreation Complex covers 232 acres (94 ha). Facilities include six lighted tennis courts, four lighted softball fields, two lighted basketball courts, a tennis practice wall, a Skate Park, a 4 miles (6.4 km) paved walking and jogging trail, Brundage Park Playhouse, a playground, a picnic pavilion, a lacrosse/soccer field, a pond (for fishing or ice skating), a softball field, and a multipurpose area for soccer and other field sports.

Freedom Park covers 172 acres (70 ha). Facilities include (all lighted): a football field, a lacrosse field (complete with two defibrillators, after a player was hit with a lacrosse ball in the heart), 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 41 acres (17 ha). 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 44 acres (18 ha). 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 30 acres (12 ha). This park is used as a day camp during the summer months (June - August) 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 1.8 acres (0.73 ha). 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 51 acres (21 ha) 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 111 acres (45 ha). The township's 16-mile (26 km) trail system cuts through the park, connecting to Brundage Park and Freedom Park.

Transportation

Route 10 westbound in Randolph

Roads and highways

As of May 2010^[update], the township had a total of 144.95 miles (233.27 km) of roadways, of which 119.53 miles (192.36 km) were maintained by the municipality, 19.62 miles (31.58 km) by Morris County and 5.80 miles (9.33 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Route 10, Dover-Chester Road (County Route 513), and Sussex Turnpike (County Route 617) pass through township lines.

Public transportation

The NJ Transit 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. 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.

Recreation programs are available for children, teenagers and adults.

Summer camps are available for Kindergarteners - Grade 12 in various locations. Organizations are as follows: Grades K-2: Budding stars theatre camp (Brundage Park Playhouse) Grades K-5: Summer day camp Grades 6-8: Teen travel camp Ages 8–14: Summer stages (Brundage Park Playhouse) Grades 7-11: Advanced performance workshop (Brundage Park Playhouse) Grades K-12: Artworks studio summer camp

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 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of six schools, had an enrollment of 4,314 students and 382.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.3:1. Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Center Grove Elementary School with 466 students in grades PreK-5, Fernbrook Elementary School with 498 students in grades K-5, Ironia Elementary School with 436 students in grades K-5, Shongum Elementary School with 416 students in grades K-5, Randolph Middle School with 1,009 students in grades 6-8 and Randolph High School with 1,475 students in grades 9-12.

Established in 1968, the main campus of the County College of Morris is located on a 218-acre (88 ha) campus in Randolph Township. 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 (Formerly Hebrew Academy of Morris County) 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.

Notable people

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

• Bryce Aiken (born 1996), college basketball player for the Seton Hall Pirates.
• Bill Armstrong (born 1955), former defensive back who played two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
• Frank Beltre (born 1990), defensive lineman who has played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.
• Emily Chang (born 1980), actress who has appeared in The Vampire Diaries.
• Antonio Cromartie (born 1984), professional football player for the New York Jets.
• Doug Dale, host of the Comedy Central series TV Funhouse.
• Robby Foley (born 1996), racing driver who competes in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
• Sidney Gish (born 1997), singer-songwriter.
• Kendra Goodwin (born 1982), ice dancer.
• Mike Groh (born 1971), college football coach and former player who is wide receivers coach for the Indianapolis Colts.
• Garry Howatt (born 1952), professional hockey player for the New York Islanders, who owned a local golf complex (Mt. Freedom Golf) for 21 years.
• Jon Hurwitz (born 1977), screenwriter whose credits include Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Scary Movie 3 (rewrite).
• Jennifer Jones (born 1967), dancer and actress, who in 1987 became the first African-American Radio City Music Hall Rockette.
• Payal Kadakia (born 1983), founder and chairman of ClassPass.
• Liz Katz (born 1988), cosplayer and actress whose credits include Guest House and Borderlands 3 was born and raised in Randolph and graduated from Randolph High School in 2006.
• Michael Lansing (born 1994), professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for AC Horsens in the Danish Superliga.
• Tom MacArthur (born 1960), businessman and politician who served in the United States House of Representatives for New Jersey's 3rd congressional district from 2015 to 2019 and previously served as Mayor of Randolph.
• Amanda Magadan (born 1995), member of the United States women's national field hockey team starting in 2017.
• Brendan Mahon (born 1995), guard for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL.
• George Parros (born 1979), hockey player for the Montreal Canadiens.
• Chris Pennie (born 1977), drummer for The Dillinger Escape Plan and Coheed and Cambria.
• Sherry Ross (born c. 1954), sports broadcaster and journalist who is a color commentator for the New Jersey Devils radio broadcasts.
• Lee Saltz (born 1963), former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League who played for the Detroit Lions and the New England Patriots.
• Hayden Schlossberg (born 1978), screenwriter whose credits include Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Scary Movie 3 (rewrite).
• Bob Van Dillen (born 1972), meteorologist on HLN's Morning Express with Robin Meade.
• Drew Willy (born 1986), professional quarterback.

Images for kids

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  Entering Randolph on Patriots Path

See also

In Spanish: Randolph (Nueva Jersey) para niños