Location of Warren Township inSomerset County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Somerset County inNew Jersey highlighted in black (left).
The township has been one of the state's highest-income communities. Based on data from theAmerican Community Survey for 2013–2017, Warren Township residents had amedian household income of $154,647, ranked 12th in the state among municipalities with more than 10,000 residents, more than double the statewide median of $76,475.[20]
In 2012,Forbes.com listed Warren as 334th in its listing of "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes", with a median home price of $842,750.[21]
Warren was originally inhabited by theLenape Native Americans and was colonized in the 1720s by European farmers. As early as 1900, it became a destination for wealthy residents looking to escape nearby New York City.[22] Warren was incorporated as a township by an act of theNew Jersey Legislature on March 5, 1806, from portions ofBernards Township andBridgewater Township. The south-eastern half of the original township (which was close to a railroad and contained most of the population) was separated off as North Plainfield Township (since renamed toGreen Brook Township) on April 2, 1872.[23]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 19.64 square miles (50.86 km2), including 19.57 square miles (50.68 km2) of land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km2) of water (0.36%).[1][2]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Coontown, Dock Watch Hollow, Gallia, Mount Bethel, Round Top, Smalleytown, Springdale, Union Village,[26] and Warrenville.[27][28]
The east–westSecond Watchung Mountain ridge bisects Warren, with the northern half of the township sloping northward to thePassaic River andDead River, and the southern half spanning theWashington Valley, between the First and Second Watchung Mountain ridges, through which runs the East Branch of theMiddle Brook. At the border with Bridgewater Township, the Second Watchung Mountain features a prominent cliff face at the now-abandonedDock Watch Quarry.
Warren Township, Somerset County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Of the 5,059 households, 42.7% had children under the age of 18; 75.8% were married couples living together; 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 15.3% were non-families. Of all households, 12.7% were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.30.[17]
27.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 18.5% from 25 to 44, 34.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 94.1 males.[17]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010American Community Survey showed that (in 2010inflation-adjusted dollars)median household income was $135,143 (with a margin of error of +/− $23,156) and the median family income was $162,083 (+/− $17,221). Males had a median income of $115,875 (+/− $15,861) versus $68,450 (+/− $13,300) for females. The per capita income for the township was $71,469 (+/− $6,664). About 0.8% of families and 0.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.[46]
As of the2000 United States census[14] there were 14,259 people, 4,629 households, and 3,939 families residing in the township. The population density was 725.0 inhabitants per square mile (279.9/km2). There were 4,718 housing units at an average density of 239.9 per square mile (92.6/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 86.28%White, 1.26%African American, 0.04%Native American, 10.67%Asian, 0.06%Pacific Islander, 0.41% fromother races, and 1.28% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 3.19% of the population.[41][42]
There were 4,629 households, out of which 45.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.3% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.9% were non-families. 12.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.33.[41][42]
In the township the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.[41][42]
The median income for a household in the township was $103,677, and the median income for a family was $121,264. Males had a median income of $80,231 versus $46,356 for females. The per capita income for the township was $49,475. About 0.7% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.[41][42]
Warren Township is governed under theTownship form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.[50] The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the votersat-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[6][51][52] At an annual reorganization meeting held in the first week of January, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor. Township Committee meetings are held at the municipal building on Thursdays.[53]
As of 2025[update], Township Committee members are Mayor Lisa Lontai (R, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2025), Deputy Mayor Daniel Croson (R, term on committee ends 2027; term as deputy mayor ends 2025), Lance Blick (R, 2027), Shaun Fine (R, 2026) and Vanessa Kian (R, 2026).[53][54][55][56][57][58]
Former Township Committee member Frank Salvato, who was re-elected in 2008, served until his death in 2011 at the age of 98, having been first elected to the Committee in the 1938 and served as mayor in 1939, the township's youngest.[59]
In 1975, the Township Committee created the position of Township Administrator, to serve a one-year term beginning in July of each year. The Township Administrator is Mark M. Krane, who has served in that post since 1986.[4]
The Historical Sites Committee was formed in 1971 and members are appointed by the governing body to administer municipally owned historic landmarks. The historical landmarks they have protected are theMount Bethel Baptist Meetinghouse, theKirch–Ford House, and two small family cemeteries. The Meetinghouse and the Kirch–Ford House are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.
Somerset County is governed by a five-memberBoard of County Commissioners, whose members are electedat-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held on the first Friday of January, the board selects a Director and deputy director from among its members.[67] As of 2025[update], Somerset County's County Commissioners are:
Constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Steve Peter (D,Somerville, 2027),[77][78]Sheriff Darrin Russo (D, Franklin Township, 2025)[79][80] and Surrogate Bernice "Tina" Jalloh (D, Franklin Township, 2025)[81][82][75]
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 10,466 registered voters in Warren Township, of which 1,875 (17.9% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered asDemocrats, 3,484 (33.3% vs. 25.7%) were registered asRepublicans and 5,102 (48.7% vs. 48.2%) were registered asUnaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered asLibertarians orGreens.[83] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 68.4% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 94.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide).[83][84]
Warren vote by party in presidential elections[85]
In the2016 presidential election, RepublicanDonald Trump received 53.1% of the vote (4,483 cast), ahead of DemocratHillary Clinton with 43.3% (3,656 votes), and other candidates received 3.6% (305 votes). A total of 8,444 ballots were cast. In the2012 presidential election, RepublicanMitt Romney received 63.0% of the vote (4,605 cast), ahead of DemocratBarack Obama with 36.1% (2,636 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (70 votes), among the 7,351 ballots cast by the township's 11,286 registered voters (40 ballots werespoiled), for a turnout of 65.1%.[86][87] In the2008 presidential election, RepublicanJohn McCain received 4,813 votes (58.5% vs. 46.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 3,259 votes (39.6% vs. 52.1%) and other candidates with 88 votes (1.1% vs. 1.1%), among the 8,222 ballots cast by the township's 10,367 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.3% (vs. 78.7% in Somerset County).[88] In the2004 presidential election, RepublicanGeorge W. Bush received 4,761 votes (60.5% vs. 51.5% countywide), ahead of DemocratJohn Kerry with 2,988 votes (38.0% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 65 votes (0.8% vs. 0.9%), among the 7,866 ballots cast by the township's 9,375 registered voters, for a turnout of 83.9% (vs. 81.7% in the whole county).[89]
United States Gubernatorial election results for Warren Township[90]
In the2013 gubernatorial election, RepublicanChris Christie received 77.8% of the vote (3,421 cast), ahead of DemocratBarbara Buono with 20.5% (899 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (75 votes), among the 4,444 ballots cast by the township's 11,430 registered voters (49 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 38.9%.[91][92] In the2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 3,782 votes (67.2% vs. 55.8% countywide), ahead of DemocratJon Corzine with 1,355 votes (24.1% vs. 34.1%), IndependentChris Daggett with 433 votes (7.7% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 30 votes (0.5% vs. 0.7%), among the 5,632 ballots cast by the township's 10,420 registered voters, yielding a 54.0% turnout (vs. 52.5% in the county).[93]
United States Senate election results for Warren Township1[94]
TheWarren Township Schools serve public school students inpre-kindergarten througheighth grade.[96] As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of five schools, had an enrollment of 1,525 students and 188.3 classroom teachers (on anFTE basis), for astudent–teacher ratio of 8.1:1.[97] Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from theNational Center for Education Statistics.[98]) are Central School[99] with 293 students in grades K-5, Mt. Horeb School[100] with 202 students in grades PreK-5, Angelo L. Tomaso School[101] with 248 students in grades K-5, Woodland School[102] with 229 students in grades K-5 and Warren Middle School[103] with 544 students in grades 6-8.[104][105][106][107]
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 126.65 miles (203.82 km) of roadways, of which 101.34 miles (163.09 km) were maintained by the municipality, 18.64 miles (30.00 km) by Somerset County and 6.67 miles (10.73 km) by theNew Jersey Department of Transportation.[113]
Interstate 78 is the most prominent highway serving Warren Township, running east-west for 6.7 miles (10.8 km) across the northern portion of the township.[114] Other significant roads which pass through the township includeCounty Route 525,County Route 527 andCounty Route 531.
^Raychaudhuri, Disha."The wealthiest towns in N.J., ranked", NJ Advance Media forNJ.com, June 7, 2019. Accessed November 4, 2019. "The median household income in N.J. is $76,475, recent Census data shows.... A note about the data: The data comes from 2013-2017 American Community Survey conducted by U.S. Census Bureau. Smaller towns with less than 10,000 residents were excluded from the list.... 12. Warren, Somerset County Median income: $154,647"
^Raum, John O.The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1, p. 260, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed February 14, 2013. "Warren township was formed in 1806, from Bedminster and Bernards. Its population in 1850 was 2,148; in 1860, 2,388; and in 1870, 2,705. In 1778–'9, a part of Washington's army encamped here in a fertile valley known as Washington's valley."
^History,Wagner Farm Arboretum. Accessed February 14, 2013. "On May 31, 2001, Warren Township purchased the Wagner Farm property for the purpose of preserving it as open space."
^abTownship Committee, Warren Township. Accessed July 23, 2025. "Warren Township is governed by a 5 member Township Committee, which is elected by the voters for staggered 3-year terms. The Township Committee is a collective executive and legislative body. A Mayor, Chairman of the Township Committee, is elected annually by the members of the Committee. The Mayor presides at the Township Committee meetings and votes as a member of the Committee."
^Staff."Remembering Frank Salvato",Echoes-Sentinel, October 14, 2011. Accessed April 5, 2012. "He would have completed his 10th consecutive three-year term on the Township Committee in December. Prior to that, he had been elected to nine consecutive three-year terms as one of Warren Township's representatives on the Watchung Hills Regional High School Board of Education. Oh, and before that he had been elected to another four terms on the Township Committee. During all that time, he served five times as mayor, seven times as high school board of education president and another seven times as board vice president."
^Warren Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Warren Township Schools. Accessed July 17, 2022. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Preschool through eight in the Warren Township School District. Composition: The Warren Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Warren."
^Board of Education, Watchung Hills Regional High School District. Accessed February 10, 2020.
^Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the Watchung Hills Regional School District,New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2018 Accessed February 10, 2020. "The Watchung Hills Regional High School District (the 'Board' or the 'District') is an instrumentality of the State of New Jersey, established to function as an education institution. The Board consists of nine elected officials from Warren Township, Long Hill Township and the Borough of Watchung and one appointed representative from Green Brook Board of Education."
^Park & Ride, Warren Township. Accessed January 20, 2025.
^Capuzzo, Jill P."Warren, N.J.: A 'More Interesting Option' for Telecommuters",The New York Times, April 28, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2025. "New Jersey Transit provides train service from Berkeley Heights, Gillette and Stirling to Penn Station; trains take just over an hour and run direct or with a stop in Summit or Newark."
^"Local Watchung Hills alum need votes to win 'Oscar' contest",Echoes-Sentinel, January 22, 2011. Accessed August 16, 2021. "Scott Braun and Alexandra Cotoulas, both of Warren Township and 2007 graduates of Watchung Hills Regional High School, are looking for votes to be chosen the MTV’s Red Carpet Correspondent Team at the Oscars."
^Pelter, Lorraine."Warren Youth Wins Speedway Honor",Echoes-Sentinel, June 15, 1972. Accessed February 13, 2024, viaNewspapers.com. "Warren - Ken Brenn Jr. of Mountainview Rd. has only been racing stock cars for two months, yet he was named last week as Remington Speedway's 1972 Rookie of the Year.... The 20 year-old-graduate of Watchung Hills Regional High School inherited his racing enthusiasm from his father, Kenneth Brenn Sr., who has been maintaining racing cars over the past 17 years."
^Coelho, Frank."Warren Township OKs design concept for 9-11 Memorial",Independent Press, August 19, 2010. Accessed October 21, 2015. "Heading the effort to collect donations will be ex-New Jersey Governor and current township resident, Donald DiFrancesco."
^Nemcek, Jake."Warren’s Edelman Named to U.S. U16 Men's National Team, Next Match Monday", TAP into North Plainfield - Green Brook - Watchung, November 17, 2019. Accessed July 20, 2020. "Warren Township’s Daniel Edelman, 16, was selected to the U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team and is playing in the 19th annual Nike International Friendlies at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, FL."
^Mike Ferguson,The Washington Post. Accessed April 14, 2011. "Ferguson and his wife, Maureen, have two young children and reside in Warren Township in Somerset County."
^Staff."More than 1,000 hear four governors praise Bob Franks, mentor and friend, at cathedral",Echoes-Sentinel, April 23, 2010. Accessed October 21, 2015. "Former U.S. Rep. Bob Franks of Warren Township, who had died eight days earlier of cancer at the age of 58, was remembered on Saturday, April 17, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Newark, in a 75-minute memorial attended by more than 1,000 people."
^abcCoelho, Frank."Warren once had its very own soprano",Independent Press, March 17, 2010. Accessed October 21, 2015. "Her name was Emma Fursch-Madi. She lived, sang and performed during the mid-nineteenth century, and died on Sept. 21, 1894 at her summer home, right here in Warren. According to various sources, over the years Warren Township has had its share of residents who are counted among the giants of the world of music. At some point in time or another, we could and still may today, count Ravi Shankar (the master Indian sitar player and composer) and Gloria Gaynor (the singer of 'I will Survive' fame) as two of our neighbors."
^BiographyArchived January 5, 2022, at theWayback Machine, Andrew Horowitz. Accessed May 22, 2023. "Horowitz is a native of Warren, New Jersey. He began piano studies at the age of five and was composing by eight."
^Kelly, Denis J."World-class singer charms audience, wins two encores at benefit for Warren Public Schools",Echoes-Sentinel, March 6, 2009. Accessed October 21, 2015. "Acclaimed Metropolitan opera star James Morris, who lives in Warren Township, charmed an audience of more than 250 on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the performing arts center at Watchung Hills Regional High School."
^Staff."Area residents win honors, awarded college degrees",New Jersey Hills, July 10, 2003. Accessed December 7, 2017. "Amber Skye Noyes of Warren, a sophomore at Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School in Kingston, Pa., has been named to the Dean's List High Honors for the spring academic term, announced H. Jeremy Packard, school president."
^DiCorcia, Bob."David Palmer: Q & A", The Steely Dan Reader, January 1, 1997. Accessed October 14, 2015. "Bob DiCorcia: Where were you born and raised? David Palmer: Born and raised in Warren township, Watchung, New Jersey which, despite being 45 minutes-an hour outside of Manhattan, was rural territory back then."
^abcNemcek, Brenda A."Raising Olympians: Warren's Three Reed Siblings Competing In Sochi Olympics", TAP into Warren, February 6, 2014. Accessed November 30, 2017. "Cathy Reed (born June 5, 1987) and Chris Reed (born July 7, 1989) are the 5-time Japanese national champions (2008 - 2011, 2013). Younger sister Allison Reed (born June 8, 1994) attended Warren Middle School and Watchung Hills Regional High School.... All three of the siblings are from Warren Township and now train in Hackensack."
^Spivey, Mark."Watchung Hills graduate shares Nobel Prize in physics"Archived May 23, 2016, at the Portuguese Web Archive,Daily Record, October 4, 2011. Accessed October 5, 2011. "Riess, who grew up in Warren, gave a shout-out to retired teacher Jeff Charney, saying his interest in science first was piqued at Watchung Hills."
^Retz, Christine."",Courier News, June 30, 1999. Accessed November 9, 2025, viaNewspapers.com. "Warren resident Meena Seshamani, who just completed her second-year of medical studies at the Brown University School of Medicine, won a Marshall Scholarship to study at Oxford University, Oxford, England, for the next two years."
^Tarrazi, Alexis."Former Giants Football Player To Coach Watchung Hills Team", Watchung-Green Brook, NJPatch, June 24, 2016. Accessed September 26, 2025. "Former New York Giants Lineman Rich Seubert has been named as the Watchung-Hills High School Football Coach, according to nj.com. Seubert, who lives in Warren, is very active in the local community as he has coached his oldest son in the Watchung Hills Jr Warrior Football program."
^"Warren Township",Courier News, March 13, 1941. Accessed May 13, 2024, viaNewspapers.com."Mrs. John Fleming Hayes and her daughter, Nancy Jean Hayes of Union Village, were guests at a birthday dinner celebration held in the home or Mr. and Mrs. William Oswald French in Plainfield Wednesday evening."
^Caldwell, Dave."Hockey; Wall Street Executive To Purchase Devils",The New York Times, March 3, 2004. Accessed October 21, 2015. "Vanderbeek said he had been a Devils season-ticket holder for about 15 years. Before he moved to Warren, N.J., Vanderbeek lived in South Orange, not far from the team training complex in West Orange."
^Parker-Magyar, Alex."Warren says goodbye to historic King George Inn",Echoes-Sentinel, May 22, 2019. Accessed January 14, 2020. "Warren Twp. - It took just a few work days to tear down Warren’s oldest building. The King George Inn, which stood in one form or another at the heart of the historic Mount Bethel Village for more than 200 years, was demolished last week to make way for upscale condominiums."
United States
New Jersey
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