Morris Plains, New Jersey

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Morris Plains, New Jersey
—  Borough  —
Motto: "The Community of Caring"
Morris Plains highlighted in Morris County. Inset map: Morris County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Morris Plains, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°50′28″N 74°28′22″W / 40.841134°N 74.472877°W / 40.841134; -74.472877Coordinates: 40°50′28″N 74°28′22″W / 40.841134°N 74.472877°W / 40.841134; -74.472877[1][2]
Country United States
state New Jersey
County Morris
Incorporated April 15, 1926
Government[3]
 • Type Borough
 • Mayor Frank J. Druetzler (term ends December 31, 2014)[4]
 • Clerk June R. Uhrin[5]
Area[2]
 • Total 2.594 sq mi (6.718 km2)
 • Land 2.557 sq mi (6.623 km2)
 • Water 0.037 sq mi (0.095 km2)  1.42%
Area rank 369th of 566 in state
30th of 39 in county[2]
Elevation[6] 430 ft (130 m)
Population (2010 Census)[7][8][9]
 • Total 5,532
 • Rank 363rd of 566 in state
29th of 39 in county[10]
 • Density 2,163.5/sq mi (835.3/km2)
 • Density rank 279th of 566 in state
14th of 39 in county[10]
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (EDT) (UTC-4)
ZIP code 07950[11]
Area code(s) 862/973
FIPS code 3402748210[12][2][13]
GNIS feature ID 0885308[14][2]
Website http://www.morrisplainsboro.org/

Morris Plains, billing itself "the Community of Caring," is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 5,532,[7][8][9] reflecting an increase of 296 (+5.7%) from the 5,236 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 17 (+0.3%) from the 5,219 counted in the 1990 Census.[15]

Morris Plains was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1926, from portions of Hanover Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 15, 1926.[16]

Morris Plains serves as a bedroom community, with many residents traveling to work in New York City. The Morristown Line of New Jersey Transit provides commuters with direct access to New York Penn Station and to Hoboken Terminal.

Morris Plains is also a major base of operations for Pfizer, previously the headquarters for Warner-Lambert. Pfizer also sponsors the Health and Medical Science Academy at Morristown High School and has an annual 5k race around Morris Plains.

Contents

Geography [edit]

Morris Plains is located at 40°50′28″N 74°28′22″W / 40.841134°N 74.472877°W / 40.841134; -74.472877 (40.841134,-74.472877). According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.594 square miles (6.718 km2), of which, 2.557 square miles (6.623 km2) of it is land and 0.037 square miles (0.095 km2) of it (1.42%) is water.[1][2]

Demographics [edit]

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1930 1,713
—
1940 2,018 17.8%
1950 2,707 34.1%
1960 4,703 73.7%
1970 5,540 17.8%
1980 5,305 −4.2%
1990 5,219 −1.6%
2000 5,236 0.3%
2010 5,532 5.7%
Est. 2011 5,561 [17] 0.5%
Population sources:1930[18]
1930-1990[19] 2000[20][21] 2010[7][8][9]

Census 2010 [edit]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,532 people, 2,131 households, and 1,485 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,163.5 inhabitants per square mile (835.3 /km2). There were 2,197 housing units at an average density of 859.2 per square mile (331.7 /km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 89.44% (4,948) White, 2.73% (151) Black or African American, 0.09% (5) Native American, 4.97% (275) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.07% (59) from other races, and 1.70% (94) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.68% (314) of the population.[7]

There were 2,131 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.12.[7]

In the borough the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.1 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.[7]

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $103,688 (with a margin of error of +/- $12,744) and the median family income was $127,614 (+/- $20,257). Males had a median income of $91,908 (+/- $21,398) versus $67,232 (+/- $24,331) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $45,165 (+/- $10,332). About 0.4% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.0% of those under age 18 and 0.6% of those age 65 or over.[22]

Census 2000 [edit]

As of the 2000 United States Census[12] there were 5,236 people, 1,955 households, and 1,477 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,018.7 people per square mile (780.6/km2). There were 1,994 housing units at an average density of 768.8 per square mile (297.3/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 92.91% White, 1.34% African American, 0.06% Native American, 4.32% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.69% of the population.[20][21]

There were 1,955 households out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.0% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% 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 3.05.[20][21]

In the borough the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The average age is 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.[20][21]

The median income for a household in the borough was $84,806, and the median income for a family was $98,333. Males had a median income of $75,040 versus $44,554 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,553. About 1.5% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.[20][21]

Government [edit]

Local government [edit]

Morris Plains is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.[3]

As of 2012, the Mayor of Morris Plains is Frank J. Druetzler (R, term ends December 31, 2014). Members of the Borough Council (with party, term-end year and committee chairmanship listed in parentheses) are Council President Roman Zabihach (R, 2012; Ordinance and Public Utilities), George J. Coogan (R, 2014; Public Works), Laurie Fu (R, 2012; Public Buildings and Grounds), Jason C. Karr (D, 2013; Finance), Frank Mangravite (D, 2014; Public Welfare, Sanitation and Sewers) and Suzanne B. McCluskey (R, 2013; Public Safety).[5][23]

Police Department [edit]

The Morris Plains Police Department has 17 sworn officers. The command structure has a chief, two lieutenants, five sergeants, nine patrolmen and six civilians.[24] They are dispatched through the Morris County Communication Center who dispatches for the police, fire and first aid departments. The police department handled over 29,000 calls for the year 2010.[25]

Federal, state and county representation [edit]

Morris Plains is located in the 11th Congressional District[26] and is part of New Jersey's 26th state legislative district.[8][27][28]

New Jersey's Eleventh Congressional District is represented by Rodney Frelinghuysen (R, Harding Township).[29] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 26th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Joseph Pennacchio (R, Montville) and in the General Assembly by Jay Webber (R, Morris Plains).[30] Republican Alex DeCroce, who had been the longest-serving member of the Assembly, died at the New Jersey State House on January 9, 2012, the day before he would have taken office for his next term.[31] On January 25, 2012, his widow, BettyLou DeCroce, was selected by the Morris County Republican Committee to replace him in the Assembly until a November 2012 special election is held.[32] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township).[33] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[34]

Morris County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, who are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year.[35] As of 2011, Morris County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director William J. Chegwidden (Wharton),[36] Deputy Freeholder Director Douglas R. Cabana (Boonton Township),[37] Gene F. Feyl (Denville),[38] Ann F. Grassi (Parsippany-Troy Hills),[39] Thomas J. Mastrangelo (Montville),[40] John J. Murphy (Morris Township)[41] and Hank Lyon (Montville Township),[42][43]

Politics [edit]

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 3,935 registered voters in Morris Plains, of which 853 (21.7%) were registered as Democrats, 1,695 (43.1%) were registered as Republicans and 1,381 (35.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 6 voters registered to other parties.[44]

In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 52.3% of the vote here (1,725 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 45.8% (1,511 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (27 votes), among the 3,297 ballots cast by the borough's 3,994 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.5%.[45] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 55.9% of the vote here (1,783 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 42.8% (1,365 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (31 votes), among the 3,191 ballots cast by the borough's 3,921 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 81.4.[46]

In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 58.6% of the vote here (1,337 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 31.5% (719 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 8.4% (191 votes) and other candidates with 0.4% (10 votes), among the 2,283 ballots cast by the borough's 3,898 registered voters, yielding a 58.6% turnout.[47]

Education [edit]

The Morris Plains Schools educate public school students from kindergarten through 8th grade. Schools in the district (with 2010-11 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[48]) are Mountain Way School for grades K-2 (207 students) and Borough School for grades 3-8 (378 students).

Students in public school for grades 9-12 attend Morristown High School, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Morris School District which also serves the communities of Morristown and Morris Township (for grades K-12).[49]

St. Virgil School,[50] a Catholic school serving grades PreK-8 (including PreK3 and PreK4), operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson.[51]

TV & Movies [edit]

Notable people [edit]

Notable current and former residents of Morris Plains include:

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f Gazetteer of New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 29, 2012.
  3. ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 121.
  4. ^ 2013 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed May 12, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Employee Directory, Borough of Morris Plains. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  6. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Borough of Morris Plains, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 8, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d e f DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Morris Plains borough, Morris County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d Municipalities Grouped by 2011-2020 Legislative Districts, New Jersey Department of State, p. 12. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Morris Plains borough, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  10. ^ a b GCT-PH1 Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  11. ^ Look Up a ZIP Code for Morris Plains, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  12. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008. 
  13. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed October 29, 2012.
  14. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008. 
  15. ^ 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 December 19, 2012.
  16. ^ 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 October 29, 2012.
  17. ^ Census Estimates for New Jersey April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 26, 2012.
  18. ^ "Fifteenth Census of the United States: 1930 - Population Volume I", United States Census Bureau, p. 717. Accessed September 23, 2012.
  19. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 2, 2009. Accessed September 23, 2012.
  20. ^ a b c d e Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Morris Plains borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  21. ^ a b c d e DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Morris Plains borough, Morris County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  22. ^ DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Morris Plains borough, Morris County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  23. ^ Morris County Manual 2012, p. 47. Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  24. ^ Police Organization, Morris Plains Police Department. Accessed February 10, 2008.
  25. ^ Statistics, Morris Plains Police Department. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  26. ^ Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  27. ^ 2012 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 61, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  28. ^ Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  29. ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 5, 2012.
  30. ^ Legislative Roster 2012-2013 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2012.
  31. ^ Wright, Peggy. "Alex DeCroce Morris stalwart passes away", Daily Record (Morristown), January 11, 2012. Accessed January 11, 2012.
  32. ^ Dan Goldberg (2012-01-26). "BettyLou DeCroce to assume N.J. Assembly seat, succeed husband in 2 weeks". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2012-01-26. 
  33. ^ "About the Governor". State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  34. ^ "About the Lieutenant Governor". State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  35. ^ What is a Freeholder?, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed January 5, 2011.
  36. ^ William J. Chegwidden, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed January 9, 2011.
  37. ^ Douglas R. Cabana, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed January 9, 2011.
  38. ^ Gene F. Feyl, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed January 9, 2011.
  39. ^ Ann F. Grossi, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed January 9, 2011.
  40. ^ Thomas J. Mastrangelo, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed January 9, 2011.
  41. ^ John J. Murphy, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed January 9, 2011.
  42. ^ Hank Lyon, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed January 9, 2011.
  43. ^ Meet the Freeholders, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed January 9, 2011.
  44. ^ Voter Registration Summary - Morris, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  45. ^ 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Morris County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  46. ^ 2004 Presidential Election: Morris County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  47. ^ 2009 Governor: Morris County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  48. ^ Data for the Morris Plains Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 19, 2012.
  49. ^ Morristown High School 2011 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed December 19, 2012. "Since 1869, Morristown High School maintains a proud history as a comprehensive secondary school serving the intellectual, social, athletic and career needs of its students.... Comprised of 1,478 ethnically diverse students speaking more than 20 different languages, the educational program serves the students entrusted to the school by its communities: Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains."
  50. ^ St. Virgil School
  51. ^ Morris County Elementary / Secondary Schools, Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson. Accessed July 26, 2008.
  52. ^ Manochio, Matt. "Morris Plains' Raceway: Where Phil got whacked", The Daily Record (Morristown), June 12, 2007. Accessed December 19, 2012. "The scene was filmed in Morris Plains, and Route 10's surroundings were clearly visible, including the Barnes & Noble, which stood as a backdrop to some vomiting gas station customers who witnessed Phil's murder."
  53. ^ Legislative webpage for Robert J. Martin, accessed May 6, 2007.
  54. ^ Assemblywoman Carol J. Murphy, New Jersey Legislature, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 25, 1998. Accessed June 11, 2010.
  55. ^ Garcia, Alfa. "Morris Plains-based metal rockers The Dillinger Escape Plan will perform in Manhattan", The Record (Bergen County), March 11, 2010. Accessed January 20, 2011.
  56. ^ King, Peter. "In wake of signing/trade frenzy, a reminder: Free agency is overrated", Sports Illustrated, March 9, 2010. Accessed January 13, 2011. "This was the enjoyable part of the weekend: having lunch with Paul Zimmerman and his wife Linda in Morris Plains, N.J., Saturday."

External links [edit]

Municipalities and communities of Morris County, New Jersey, United States
Boroughs
Towns
Townships
CDPs
Unincorporated
communities
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