Randolph is a township in southwestern 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 26,504, an increase of 770 (+3.0%) from the 2010 census count of 25,734, which in turn reflected an increase of 887 (+3.6%) from the 24,847 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.

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.Home page, Randolph Economic Development Committee. Accessed March 3, 2020.

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."Data, Randolph Economic Development Committee. Accessed March 3, 2020. Niche.com ranked Randolph amongst the Top 50 in its 2019 rankings of the "Best Places to Live" in New Jersey.Homas and Community, Randolph Economic Development Committee. Accessed March 3, 2020.

Established in 1968, the County College of Morris is located on more than in the northern part of the township along Route 10.Education, Randolph Economic Development Committee. Accessed March 3, 2020.

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.Get to Know Us: History, Township of Randolph. Accessed April 19, 2012. 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.Historical Timeline of Morris County Boundaries , Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1806, January 1. Randolph is established from Mendham. From PL 1805, p. 145." 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.Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 210. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed September 22, 2015. 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).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 196. Accessed May 30, 2024. 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.Our Grand Hotels, Township of Randolph. Accessed October 23, 2014. 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 (famed for its applejack) and the 1924 Millbrook School, now rehabilitated and in use as offices.Randolph Landmarks, Township of Randolph. Accessed April 20, 2012. The Liberty Tree (which dated back to 1720) was also one of the town landmarks until its removal due to deterioration on August 31, 2018.Randolph’s 300 Year Old Liberty Tree Lives Out Final Day; Removal to Take Place Aug. 31

The Randolph Historical Society has preserved the township's historical heritage in the Museum of Old Randolph.Historical Society, Township of Randolph. Accessed April 19, 2012 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. With

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 21.16 square miles (54.81 km2), including 20.91 square miles (54.14 km2) of land and 0.26 square miles (0.67 km2) of water (1.22%).

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.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 11, 2015.

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.Areas touching Randolph Township, MapIt. Accessed March 3, 2020.Morris County Municipalities Map, Morris County, New Jersey Department of Planning and Preservation. Accessed March 3, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

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.Record Temperatures for Randolph, NJ (07869), The Weather Channel. Accessed January 29, 2011.

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% (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 or Latino of any race were 10.17% (2,616) 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 (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.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Randolph township, Morris County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 19, 2012.

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.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Randolph township, Morris County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 19, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Randolph township, Morris County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 22, 2012.

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