Morris Township is a township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township’s population was 22,306, reflecting an increase of 510 (+2.3%) from the 21,796 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 1,844 (+9.2%) from the 19,952 counted in the 1990 Census. It is known as the “doughnut” around Morristown since it completely encapsulates it, and has at least five times the area, though near Morris Plains the width of Morris Township is less than a mile.
Morris Township was originally formed as of March 25, 1740. Portions of the township were taken on December 24, 1740, to form Roxbury Township and on March 29, 1749, to form Mendham Township. Morris Township was incorporated as a township by the Township Act of 1798 by the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as part of the state’s initial group of 104 townships. Portions of the township were taken to create Chatham Township (February 12, 1806), Morristown (April 6, 1865, fully independent in 1895) and Passaic Township (on March 23, 1866, now Long Hill Township). The township was named for Lewis Morris, colonial governor of New Jersey.
In 1992, Arthur Seale and his wife kidnapped Exxon executive Sidney Reso, a township resident, from his home. The Seals sought a ransom of $18.5 million, but Reso died in captivity. The case received nationwide attention.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 15.762 square miles (40.823 km2), including 15.618 square miles (40.449 km2) of land and 0.144 square miles (0.374 km2) of water (0.92%).
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Convent Station, Gillespie Hill, Loantaka Terrace, Normandy Heights, Normandy Park and Washington Valley.
Morris Township completely surrounds Morristown, making it part of 21 pairs of “doughnut towns” in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another. The township borders the Morris County municipalities of Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, Morris Plains and Hanover Township to the north, Harding Township to the south, Mendham Township and Randolph to the west and Florham Park and Madison to the east.
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 22,306 people, 8,128 households, and 5,771 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,428.3 per square mile (551.5/km2). There were 8,502 housing units at an average density of 544.4 per square mile (210.2/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 85.28% (19,022) White, 5.65% (1,261) Black or African American, 0.10% (23) Native American, 5.12% (1,141) Asian, 0.03% (6) Pacific Islander, 1.99% (444) from other races, and 1.83% (409) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.55% (1,683) of the population.
Source: Wikipedia
