Location of Rockaway inMorris County circled and highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Morris County inNew Jersey highlighted in orange (left).
Rockaway was formed as a borough on June 19, 1894, from portions ofRockaway Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.[22][23] Additional portions of Rockaway Township were annexed by the borough in 1908.[24]
The borough shares its name with theRockaway River and the neighboring township. The name is derived from aNative American term, variously said to mean "place of sands",[25][26] "creek between two hills"[27] or "bushy" / "difficult to cross".[28]
The First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway was founded in 1758. Many veterans of theAmerican Revolutionary War are buried in its cemetery. The current brick church was built in 1832.[29]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.12 square miles (5.49 km2), including 2.07 square miles (5.37 km2) of land and 0.05 square miles (0.12 km2) of water (2.22%).[1][2]
Of the 2,443 households, 31.2% had children under the age of 18; 51.7% were married couples living together; 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.2% were non-families. Of all households, 24.6% were made up of individuals and 7.7% 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 3.20.[19]
22.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 30.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.0 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010American Community Survey showed that (in 2010inflation-adjusted dollars)median household income was $77,861 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,631) and the median family income was $108,776 (+/− $9,129). Males had a median income of $57,770 (+/− $13,090) versus $37,868 (+/− $9,230) for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $37,636 (+/− $4,186). About 6.3% of families and 6.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 1.6% of those age 65 or over.[41]
As of the2000 United States census[16] there were 6,473 people, 2,445 households, and 1,709 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,098.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,196.5/km2). There were 2,491 housing units at an average density of 1,192.5 per square mile (460.4/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 87.75%White, 1.41%African American, 0.20%Native American, 6.36%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 2.98% fromother races, and 1.27% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 9.39% of the population.[39][40]
There were 2,445 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% weremarried couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.16.[39][40]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.[39][40]
The median income for a household in the borough was $61,002, and the median income for a family was $66,997. Males had a median income of $44,673 versus $35,956 for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $26,500. About 3.0% of families and 5.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.[39][40]
Rockaway is governed under theborough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[42] The governing body is composed of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions electedat-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[6] The borough form of government used by Rockaway is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor canveto ordinances subject to anoverride by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[43][44]
As of 2023[update], the mayor of Rockaway isRepublican Keion Andrews Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.[45] Members of the Rockaway Borough Council are Council President Melissa Burnside (R, 2023), Thomas J. Haynes III (R, 2024), James R. Hurley (R, 2024), Patrick McDonald (R, 2023), Thomas Slockbower (R, 2025) and Robert Smith (R, 2025).[3][46][47][48][49][50][51][52]
In October 2019, the borough council appointed Patrick McDonald to fill the term expiring in December 2020 that became vacant following the death of Joyce Kanigel the previous month.[53] In January 2020, the borough council selected Melissa Burnside from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that became vacant when Thomas Mulligan resigned to take office as mayor.[54]
Morris County is governed by aBoard of County Commissioners comprised of seven members who are electedat-large in partisan elections to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with either one or three seats up for election each year as part of the November general election.[64] Actual day-to-day operation of departments is supervised by County Administrator Deena Leary.[65]
The county's constitutional officers are County Clerk Ann F. Grossi (R,Parsippany–Troy Hills, 2028),[80][81]Sheriff James M. Gannon (R, Boonton Township, 2025)[82][83] and Surrogate Heather Darling (R,Roxbury, 2029).[84][85]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,911 registered voters in Rockaway, of which 838 (21.4%) were registered asDemocrats, 1,359 (34.7%) were registered asRepublicans and 1,710 (43.7%) were registered asUnaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered asLibertarians orGreens.[92]
In the2012 presidential election, RepublicanMitt Romney received 51.4% of the vote (1,464 cast), ahead of DemocratBarack Obama with 47.8% (1,362 votes), and other candidates with 0.8% (22 votes), among the 2,872 ballots cast by the borough's 4,103 registered voters (24 ballots werespoiled), for a turnout of 70.0%.[93][94] In the2012 presidential election, RepublicanMitt Romney received 51.2% of the vote (1,464 cast), while DemocratBarack Obama received 47.6% (1,362 votes) and other candidates collected 1.2% (34 votes), among the 2,872 ballots cast by the borough's 4,103 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.0%.[95] In the2008 presidential election, RepublicanJohn McCain received 53.0% of the vote (1,625 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 45.3% (1,388 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (28 votes), among the 3,067 ballots cast by the borough's 4,007 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.5%.[96] In the2004 presidential election, RepublicanGeorge W. Bush received 58.6% of the vote (1,715 ballots cast), outpolling DemocratJohn Kerry with 40.3% (1,180 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (24 votes), among the 2,926 ballots cast by the borough's 3,938 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 74.3%.[97]
United States Gubernatorial election results for Rockaway[98]
In the2013 gubernatorial election, RepublicanChris Christie received 69.1% of the vote (1,146 cast), ahead of DemocratBarbara Buono with 28.7% (476 votes), and other candidates with 2.2% (36 votes), among the 1,685 ballots cast by the borough's 4,071 registered voters (27 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.4%.[99][100] In the2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 59.9% of the vote (1,188 ballots cast), ahead of DemocratJon Corzine with 28.9% (573 votes), IndependentChris Daggett with 8.4% (167 votes) and other candidates with 1.3% (26 votes), among the 1,984 ballots cast by the borough's 3,962 registered voters, yielding a 50.1% turnout.[101]
United States Senate election results for Rockaway1[98]
Divine Mercy Academy, operated by theRoman Catholic Diocese of Paterson, is the only private school in Rockaway. It opened in September 2016 with the merger of the two Catholic schools in Rockaway, Sacred Heart of Jesus School and St. Cecilia School.[115][116]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 25.88 miles (41.65 km) of roadways, of which 20.16 miles (32.44 km) were maintained by the municipality, 3.53 miles (5.68 km) by Morris County and 2.19 miles (3.52 km) by theNew Jersey Department of Transportation.[117]
Interstate 80 clips the northeast corner of the borough. Access is provided via Exit 37 (County Route 513).U.S. Route 46 passes through the southern end of the borough.
Many scenes (the train tracks, Main Street and The Mill Lane Tavern) from the 2003 movie,The Station Agent, were filmed in Rockaway. The film starred actorPeter Dinklage.
^abMayor & Council, Borough of Rockaway. Accessed April 27, 2023. "The Borough of Rockaway government consists of an elected mayor and six elected council members. The mayor serves a four-year term, and each year two council members are elected to three-year terms."
^Administration, Borough of Rockaway. Accessed April 27, 2023.
^Historical Timeline of Morris County Boundaries, Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1894, June 19. Rockaway Borough is established from Rockaway Township. This area was previously known as Rockaway Village."
^"Indian Place Names in New Jersey" from the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration 1938-1939 Series, Bulletin 12. Accessed September 24, 2015. "Rockaway - Possibly from Powawachne, creek between two hills"
^Council Meeting Minutes for October 24, 2019, Borough of Rockaway. Accessed March 4, 2020. Presentation of nominees for council vacancy.... A motion was made by Councilman Haynes to appoint Patrick McDonald as Councilman to fill the unexpired term ending December 31, 2020, seconded by Councilwoman Burnside. Patrick McDonald was sworn in by the Borough Clerk/Administrator."
^Regular Meeting Minutes for January 9, 2020, Borough of Rockaway. Accessed March 4, 2020. "Mayor Mulligan called for nominations for member of the Council. Councilman Greuter nominated Melissa Burnside, seconded by Councilman Haynes, to fill the council vacancy.... Melissa Burnside was sworn in by Mayor Mulligan."
^Board of County Commissioners, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed January 19, 2025. "Morris County is governed by a seven-member Board of County Commissioners, who serve three-year terms."
^"Morris County Appoints Deena Leary Acting Administrator", Morris County, New Jersey, August 1, 2022. Accessed January 19, 2025. "Assistant Morris County Administrator Deena Leary has been appointed Acting Administrator by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, placing her at the helm of county operations and ready to assume the post when long-time Administrator John Bonanni officially retires at year’s end."
^Stephen H. Shaw, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed January 3, 2026.
^John Krickus, Morris County, New Jersey. January 3, 2026.
^Board of Education District Policy - Identification, Rockaway Borough Public Schools. Accessed March 3, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the Rockaway Borough School District.. Composition: The Rockaway Borough School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Rockaway Borough."
^Morris Hills High School 2015 Report Card Narrative,New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed May 30, 2016. "Morris Hills High School is a comprehensive, four-year public school located in the heart of Morris County. The school is part of a regional school district that includes our sister school, Morris Knolls High School. There are over 1,300 students enrolled in grades 9-12. The school serves the local communities of Wharton, Rockaway Township, and Rockaway Borough where the school resides."
^Home pageArchived March 4, 2016, at theWayback Machine, Morris Hills High School. Accessed March 7, 2015. "Morris Hills is home to the Academy of Mathematics, Science and Engineering, a partnership with Morris County School of Technology."
^"Two School Communities Become One",Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson, September 15, 2016. Accessed October 16, 2019. "Divine Mercy Academy opened Sept. 7 during a blessing and dedication service and ribbon cutting ceremony. The opening was attended by the school community that included administration, faculty, students and parents. The new school merges the two Catholic schools in Rockaway that closed at the end of the 2015-2016 year: St. Cecilia’s and Sacred Heart."
^Fagan, Matt."St. Brendan Catholic School in Clifton to close, merge with St. James in Totowa",The Record, June 5, 2019. Accessed October 16, 2019. "Diocese officials noted that the merger model was most recently used with the closing of two Catholic schools in Rockaway — St. Cecilia School and Sacred Heart of Jesus School — which is now the Divine Mercy Academy, according to diocese officials."
^Bruce Bannon, database Football. Accessed November 25, 2007.
^DiFulco, Pasquale."WPC coach home again;Returns to site of playing days",Herald News, January 7, 1989. Accessed March 28, 2023. "A Hollywood scriptwriter couldn't do it any better. Gerry Gallagher grew up in Rockaway and attended Morris Catholic High School in the late 1960s."
^Staff."Alumni Profile: Clifford Lawrence Meth",FDU Magazine, Fall / Winter 1998, backed up by theInternet Archive as of October 19, 1999. Accessed January 10, 2018. "Born and raised in Rockaway, N.J., Meth began writing poetry at age 12 and hasn't stopped."
^Staff."President of HBO, Rockaway's Sue Naegle guest speaker for Morris Chamber.",Daily Record, September 19, 2012. Accessed July 2, 2013. "Former Rockaway resident and Morris Hills High School graduate, Sue Naegle, c, now the president of Time Warner's HBO Entertainment was the guest speaker during the Morris County Chamber of Commerce Women in Business, 'Defining Moments on the Journey to Success' event at the Madison Hotel."
^Havsy, Jane."China next destination on Morris trio's soccer journey",Daily Record,May 24, 2015. Accessed March 20, 2025. "Bryan Machado and Rodrigo Santiago grew up playing soccer together, their fathers friends in their native Uruguay.... 'I still remember the Morris Hills days, the good ol' days,' said Santiago, now 25 and living back at home with his mother and sisters in Rockaway."
^Staff."June Walker, 74, Chaired Presidents Conference",The Forward, July 31, 2008. Accessed September 24, 2015. "Walker, of Rockaway, N.J., led Hadassah, the national women's Zionist organization, from 2003 to 2007. Last year, she became the second woman ever to lead the Presidents Conference, the umbrella organization of American Jewish groups."
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