New Providence is a borough on the northwestern edge of Union County, New Jersey, United States. It is located on the Passaic River, which forms the county boundary with Morris County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 12,171, reflecting an increase of 264 (+2.2%) from the 11,907 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 468 (+4.1%) from the 11,439 counted in the 1990 Census.
The written history of New Providence begins in 1664 when James, Duke of York and brother to King Charles II, purchased the land that became known as the Elizabethtown Tract from the Lenape Native Americans. Its first European settlers were members of a Puritan colonyestablished in 1720, which was the first permanent settlement of its type. The settlement was originally called “Turkey” or “Turkey Town”, due to the presence of wild turkeys in the area.
On April 14, 1794, Springfield Township was formed, which included the present-day township, along with the towns of Summit, New Providence, and Berkeley Heights. Growth continued in the area, and on November 8, 1809, New Providence Township was formed from within Springfield Township. It included what is now Summit, New Providence, and Berkeley Heights. On March 23, 1869, Summit withdrew from the New Providence Township and reincorporated as a township without any other town.
New Providence is bordered to the north by Chatham Township, across the Passaic River. Berkeley Heights lies to the southwest and south, and Summit to the east. Much of the Murray Hill community lies in New Providence, with the remainder in Berkeley Heights; Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names within the borough include Tall Oaks, Johnsons Bridge and West Summit.
The borough lies on the western slope of Second Watchung Mountain.
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 12,171 people, 4,408 households, and 3,337 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,343.4 per square mile (1,290.9/km2). There were 4,537 housing units at an average density of 1,246.3 per square mile (481.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 85.98% (10,465) White, 1.27% (155) Black or African American, 0.10% (12) Native American, 9.78% (1,190) Asian, 0.04% (5) Pacific Islander, 1.22% (148) from other races, and 1.61% (196) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.43% (783) of the population.
Source: Wikipedia
