Madison, New Jersey

Pre-settlement

Native Americans occupied present-day Madison and most of New Jersey for several thousand years, following the retreat of the Wisconsin Glacier. Lenape settlements in present-day Madison were agriculturally-based following matrilineal lines. The protected lands nearby, Jockey Hollow, are what is remaining of the settlement. Occupation changed with the seasons, the variable nature of the climate, and to preserve the fertility of the rich soil. Their fishing and hunting territories were wide-ranging and similarly divided among the three clans of the matrilineal culture in this Eastern Woodland environment. Trade with these native peoples for food and furs was conducted by the Dutch during the period of colonization of New Netherland. Although the European principle of land ownership was not recognized by the Lenape, Dutch West India Company policy required their colonists to purchase land that they settled, but typically, trading relationships were established in this area, rather than Dutch settlements.

18th century

During the British colonial period of the 17th and 18th centuries, the earliest settlers arriving in Madison were of European descent in what was then the colonial-era Province of New Jersey. Traditional native trails and pathways were followed as settlement began. Pressures upon the Lenape constantly drove them westward.

In or around 1715, Bottle Hill, a village, was established at the crossing of Ridgedale Avenue and Kings Road. Village governance principles followed the British model. The Luke Miller house at 105 Ridgedale Avenue is thought to be the oldest remaining home, having been built around 1730.^[28] During British colonial rule, Kings Road was a toll road that assessed fees levied by the government appointed by the English king. Farther south was the Shunpike, a road with a parallel path that was used by colonists to avoid the fees.^[29]

In 1739, Morris County, New Jersey was founded and was divided into three townships. The portion of the village north of Kings Road was put under the governance of Hanover Township and the portion to the south, under the governance of Morris Township. A meeting house for the Presbyterian Church of South Hanover, as Madison was then called, was started in 1747 where the Presbyterian Cemetery still exists between Kings Road and Madison Avenue. With the Treaty of Easton in 1758, the Lenape were required to vacate their lands in colonial New Jersey and to move westward. Their leaders allied with the colonists during the American Revolutionary War in hopes of regaining former lands, but those hopes were never realized.

Following the American Revolution, changes to governing the former colonies occurred gradually as the new nation organized. The state of New Jersey formed its government and debated best policies.

19th century

During a reorganization of Morris County in 1806, Chatham Township was established and included all of present-day Chatham Township and the three pre-Revolutionary War villages of Chatham, Florham Park, and Madison, which were still governed by Chatham Township, and ended the governmental division of Bottle Hill.^{[citation needed]}

In 1834, the name of the settlement was changed to Madison.^[30] As a tribute to the name every year there is a fair that is called Bottle Hill Day.

In 1838, the Morris and Essex Railroad was founded, connecting Newark and Hoboken and providing transportation for farm produce grown in Madison. The railroad made possible the establishment of a flourishing rose growing industry, still commemorated in Madison's nickname, The Rose City.^[31] The rail service connected the commerce to the markets of Manhattan. Madison's growth accelerated after the Civil War and the Morris and Essex Lines became one of America's first commuter railroads, attracting well-to-do families from Manhattan (many of whom already owned large parcels land in the area for farming, hunting, and recreation) and contributing to the development of "Millionaire's Row", which stretched from downtown Madison to downtown Morristown. Greenhouses dotted the countryside. Talented horticulturalists were attracted to the area for employment at the many wealthy estates in the immediate area and to establish related businesses. One of the first grand houses to be built on "Millionaire's Row" was the Ross Estate.^{[citation needed]} In 1893, Florence Adele Vanderbilt and her husband Hamilton McKown Twombly began to build the impressive Florham estate. The estate name is a portmanteau of their first names, Florence and Hamilton.^[32] Home to Fairleigh Dickinson University, Florham is a Gilded Age mansion and the 9th largest house in the United States.^[33]

On December 27, 1889, based on the results of a referendum passed on December 24, 1889, the village seceded from Chatham Township and adopted the newly created, borough government (when it first became available), to develop a local water supply system for its population of 3,250. Madison annexed additional portions of Chatham Township in 1891, and again each year from 1894 to 1898, which was followed by an exchange of certain lands in 1899 with Chatham Township.^[34][35]

Madison's historic railroad station was funded by the community, which passed an ordinance authorizing $159,000 for railroad improvement bonds. The result, with the cooperation of the D.L. & W.R.R. in the planning, was completed in 1916. The tracks were elevated through the downtown so that no established roadways were hindered by crossing delays. Mrs. D. Willis James financed much of the road grading caused by the elevation of the tracks. The station included baggage and cargo facilities readily accessible by wagon, as well as the stationmaster offices, a newsstand, and waiting facilities featuring extensive banks of high-backed wooden seating. Weeping mulberry trees were planted among the landscaping and in natural areas in the parking area.^{[citation needed]}

The rose industry and the large estates in the area attracted working-class people of all kinds. As a result, Madison developed a diverse population very early, both in terms of socioeconomic status and ethnic background. The original settlers were of British stock; French settlers came after the American Revolution; African Americans have been members of the community from early in the nineteenth century; Irish came in the mid-nineteenth century; and then Germans and Italians arrived around the turn of the twentieth century. To this day there is a substantial population of Italian descent in Madison. Madison remains a diverse community, with recent newcomers arriving from Central America, South America, and Asia. Madison is a railroad suburb of New York City.^{[citation needed]}

20th century

The Evergreen Cemetery was mentioned in Weird NJ for an incident in 1902, when after a downpour, bodies were found on the streets.^[36]

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,937 people, 5,745 households, and 3,931 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,927.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,516.2/km²).^[10]

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 15,845 people, 5,485 households, and 3,675 families in the borough. The population density was 3,767.9 per square mile (1,454.8/km²). There were 5,775 housing units at an average density of 1,373.3 per square mile (530.2/km²). The racial makeup was 86.75% (13,746) White, 2.96% (469) Black or African American, 0.12% (19) Native American, 5.51% (873) Asian, 0.01% (2) Pacific Islander, 2.34% (371) from other races, and 2.30% (365) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.87% (1,406) of the population.^[20]

Of the 5,485 households, 34.5% had children under the age of 18; 56.0% were married couples living together; 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.0% were non-families. Of all households, 27.2% were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.19.^[20]

23.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 13.6% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 89.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 85.3 males.^[20]

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $106,070 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,499) and the median family income was $139,886 (+/− $18,117). Males had a median income of $100,289 (+/− $12,722) versus $64,684 (+/− $10,127) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $54,518 (+/− $4,561). About 1.1% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.^[49]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census^[17] there were 16,530 people, 5,520 households, and 3,786 families. The population density was 3,935.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,519.5/km²). There were 5,641 housing units at an average density of 1,343.1 per square mile (518.6/km²). The racial makeup of the population was 89.69% White, 3.00% African American, 0.13% Native American, 3.77% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 1.55% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.97% of the population.^[47][48]

There were 5,520 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.05.^[47][48]

The age distribution of the population shows 20.6% under the age of 18, 17.6% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.^[47][48]

The median income for a household was $82,847 and the median income for a family was $101,798. Males had a median income of $62,303 versus $42,097 for females. The per capita income was $38,416. About 2.0% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.^[47][48]

Local government

Madison is governed under the borough 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.^[59] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The Mayor of Madison 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.^[4] The borough form of government used by Madison, the most common system used in the state, 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 can veto ordinances subject to an override 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.^[60][61]

The Madison Municipal Building is the location since 1935 of a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, attributed to German immigrant artist W.F.K. Travers, painted from life in 1865. The painting, one of three known full-length paintings of Lincoln, is 9-foot (2.7 m) high,^[62] and was loaned to the National Portrait Gallery in February 2023^[63] until December 2027.^[64]

As of 2025^[update], the mayor of Madison is Democrat Robert H. Conley, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the borough council are Council President Rachel F. Ehrlich (D, 2025), John Forte (D, 2026), Thomas Haralampoudis (D, 2025), Melissa Honohan (D, 2027), Robert E. Landrigan (D, 2026) and Eric Range (D, 2027).^[5]

Federal, state, and county representation

Madison is located in the 11th Congressional District^[72] and is part of New Jersey's 25th state legislative district.^[73]

For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 11th congressional district is represented by Mikie Sherrill (D, Montclair).^[74] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Andy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).^[75]

For the 2024-2025 session, the 25th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Anthony M. Bucco (R, Boonton Township) and in the General Assembly by Christian Barranco (R, Jefferson Township) and Aura K. Dunn (R, Mendham Borough).^[76]

Morris County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners comprised of seven members who are elected at-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.^[77] Actual day-to-day operation of departments is supervised by County Administrator Deena Leary.^[78]

As of 2025^[update], Morris County's Commissioners (with all terms ending December 31) are Director Tayfun Selen (R, Chatham Township, 2026),^[79] Deputy Director Stephen H. Shaw (R, Mountain Lakes, 2027),^[80] Douglas Cabana (R, Boonton Township, 2025),^[81] John Krickus (R, Washington Township, 2027),^[82] Thomas J. Mastrangelo (R, Montville, 2025),^[83] Christine Myers (R, Harding Township, 2025)^[84] and Deborah Smith (R, Denville Township, 2027).^{[85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92]}

The county's constitutional officers are County Clerk Ann F. Grossi (R, Parsippany–Troy Hills, 2028),^[93][94] Sheriff James M. Gannon (R, Boonton Township, 2025)^[95][96] and Surrogate Heather Darling (R, Roxbury, 2029).^[97][98]

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 9,769 registered voters in Madison, of which 2,577 (26.4%) were registered as Democrats, 3,312 (33.9%) were registered as Republicans and 3,869 (39.6%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 11 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.^[105]

In the 2024 presidential election, Democrat Kamala Harris received 60.8% of the vote (5,378 cast), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 37.4% (3,309 votes), and other candidates with 1.9% (165 votes), among the 8,993 ballots cast cast by the borough's 12,442 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.0%^[106][107] In the 2020 presidential election, Democrat Joe Biden received 62.6% of votes cast (5,838 cast), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 35.8% (3,340 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (148 votes), among the 9,503 ballots cast cast by the borough's 12,284 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.0%^[108][109] In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton received 55.0% of the vote (4,421 cast), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 37.1% (2,980 votes), and other candidates with 4.5% (359 votes), among the 8,032 ballots cast by the borough's 11,073 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.0%.^[110][111] In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 50.3% of the vote (3,715 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 48.6% (3,589 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (76 votes), among the 7,416 ballots cast by the borough's 10,438 registered voters (36 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 71.0%.^[112][113]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 65.2% of the vote (3,051 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 33.0% (1,544 votes), and other candidates with 1.8% (83 votes), among the 4,778 ballots cast by the borough's 10,249 registered voters (100 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 46.6%.^[114][115]

Public schools

The Madison Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.^[116] As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of five schools, had an enrollment of 2,485 students and 225.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.0:1.^[117] Schools in the district (with 2023–24 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics^[118]) are Central Avenue School^[119] with 498 students in grades PreK–5, Kings Road School^[120] with 292 students in grades K–5, Torey J. Sabatini School^[121] with 292 students in grades K–5, Madison Junior School^[122] with 557 students in grades 6–8 and Madison High School^[123] with 816 students in grades 9–12.^{[124][125][126][127]} Students from Harding Township attend the district's high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Harding Township School District.^[128]

Private schools

St. Vincent Martyr School (SVMS) is a Catholic parochial school, established in 1848, that serves students in grades Pre-K–3 through eight, operated under the auspices of the Saint Vincent Parish and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson.^[129][130] SVMS is a recipient of the No Child Left Behind National Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence for 2005–2006.^[131] Rainbow Montessori School, founded in 1981, is a Montessori school teaching children in Pre-K and kindergarten.^[132]

Higher education

Seton Hall College (now Seton Hall University) was established in Madison in 1856 and relocated to its location in South Orange, New Jersey, in the late 19th century.^[133]

Drew University was founded in 1867 and continues to operate in Madison, on a wooded campus near downtown that was previously a private residence.^[134]

Fairleigh Dickinson University's Florham Campus is located in Madison on the former Twombly estate.^[135]

Landmark Conference, an NCAA Division III conference, is based in Madison.

Saint Elizabeth University is located just outside Madison, in Convent Station in Morris Township.

Roads and highways

As of May 2010^[update], the borough had a total of 54.73 miles (88.08 km) of roadways, of which 46.38 miles (74.64 km) were maintained by the municipality, 4.76 miles (7.66 km) by Morris County and 3.59 miles (5.78 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.^[136]

The main thoroughfare is Route 124 which connects with Morris Township in the northwest and Chatham Borough to the southeast.^[137]

Route 24 is the only limited access road to pass through the borough, doing so briefly for 0.47 miles (0.76 km), but the closest exit is in neighboring Florham Park.^[138]

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides trains service at the Madison station.^[139] Commuter service is available on the Morristown Line, with trains heading to Hoboken Terminal, and to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan via the Kearny Connection.^[140]

NJ Transit provides local bus service on the 873 route,^[141][142] replacing service that had been offered on the MCM3 until subsidies to the local providers were eliminated in 2010 as part of budget cuts.^[143][144]

Madison also has a private commuter bus line run by Boxcar Transit that operates five days a week, running directly to and from Midtown Manhattan.^[145]

A low-cost campus/downtown shuttle bus operates along Madison Avenue and Main Street during afternoon and evening hours.^[146]