Springfield Township is a township in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is located on a ridge in northern-central New Jersey, within the Raritan Valley and Rahway Valley regions in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 17,178, the highest recorded at any decennial census, an increase of 1,361 (+8.6%) from the 2010 census count of 15,817, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,388 (+9.6%) from the 14,429 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.
Springfield was formed as a township on April 14, 1794, from portions of Elizabeth Township and Newark Township, while the area was still part of Essex County, and was incorporated as one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. It became part of the newly formed Union County on March 19, 1857, with portions remaining in Essex County used to create Millburn. Other portions of the township have been taken to form New Providence Township (November 8, 1809, now known as Berkeley Heights), Livingston (February 5, 1813), Summit (March 23, 1869) and Cranford (March 14, 1871).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 240. Accessed May 30, 2024. The township's name derives from springs and brooks in the area.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 9, 2015.
The Battle of Springfield was fought here, the last of many battles of the American Revolutionary War to be fought in New Jersey.
Springfield is the home of the Baltusrol Golf Club, which was the host to the 2016 PGA Championship. It has also hosted other golf major championships, including the U.S. Open, held on seven occasions at Baltusrol, most recently in 1993. Golfweek magazine ranked Baltusrol as the 36th best in its 2010 rankings of the "Best Classic Courses" in the country."2010 Golfweek's Best Classic Courses", Golfweek Magazine, March 11, 2010. Accessed March 16, 2010.
New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Springfield as the 85th best place to live in New Jersey in its 2010 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey."Best Places to Live 2010", New Jersey Monthly, February 11, 2010. Accessed March 16, 2010.
History
Springfield is celebrated as the site of a Battle of Springfield between the American Continental Army and British forces on June 23, 1780. The British, under Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen, advanced from Elizabethtown about 5 o'clock in the morning. They were opposed by General Nathanael Greene, but owing to the superior number of the enemy he was compelled to evacuate Springfield, which was then burned by the British. During the action the Rev. James Caldwell, chaplain in the New Jersey brigade, is said to have distributed the Watts hymn books from the neighboring Presbyterian Church among the soldiers for wadding, saying at the same time, "Now put Watts into them, boys." This battle prevented further advance on the part of the British. The American loss was about 15 and that of the British about 150."The Final Invasion" The 225th Anniversary of the Battle of Springfield June 25-26, 2005, The Third New Jersey Regiment. Accessed October 20, 2013.
Some historical landmarks from the Revolution still stand: the Cannon Ball House, which has since been converted into a museum, was (according to the township's official website) "Built circa 1741 and served as a farmhouse at the time of the Revolutionary War. During the Battle of Springfield (June 23, 1780) the British used it as a hospital. ... It was one of only three buildings left standing when all others including the Presbyterian Church where Reverend James Caldwell had taken Watts hymnbooks for rifle wadding, were set on fire. ... In later years the house became a tavern to serve travelers on Morris (Ave) Turnpike. The farmland was later sold off, and it served then as a private residence. The property was acquired by the Springfield Historical Society in 1955. It has become known as The Cannon Ball House because a cannonball was found on the west side embedded in a beam. ... The Cannon Ball House has five revolutionary era rooms, some American Civil War items, early tools, a Battle diorama and a colonial garden. It has just been (1998) renovated to its original appearance and color."Township of Springfield History, Township of Springfield. Accessed December 4, 2005.
After being burned down by the British, First Presbyterian Church was rebuilt. A statue of a Continental soldier was erected in 1903 at the site of the smallest state park in New Jersey.About Springfield, Township of Springfield. Accessed June 30, 2015. "Springfield's First Presbyterian Church, which had been burned by the British, was rebuilt, using much of the original structure. It remains at 210 Morris Avenue to this day. The statue of a Continental Soldier out front is the smallest state park in New Jersey."History Of The First Congregation Of The Presbyterian Church At Springfield, Springfield Presbyterian. Accessed June 30, 2015. "1903 (June 23rd) Continental Soldier statue erected by the State of New Jersey, making this the smallest State Park in New Jersey."
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 5.17 square miles (13.40 km2), including 5.16 square miles (13.36 km2) of land and 0.02 square miles (0.04 km2) of water (0.31%).
The Township of Springfield is located on the northern edge of Union County and is bordered by Millburn to the north in Essex County, by Union Township to the east, by Kenilworth to the southeast, by Westfield and Cranford to the south, by Mountainside to the southwest and by Summit to the northwest.Areas touching Springfield, MapIt. Accessed March 11, 2020.Union County Municipal Profiles, Union County, New Jersey. Accessed March 11, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Baltusrol, Branch Mills and Milltown.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed April 15, 2015. Springfield's downtown is a census-designated place.
Parks and recreation The Rahway River Parkway greenway along the Rahway River runs through the township.Our Parks, Rahway River Parkway. Accessed November 17, 2022.
Parks include: Briant Park, which crosses into SummitBriant Park, Union County, New Jersey. Accessed November 17, 2022. Lenape Park, which covers and also includes portions of Cranford, Kenilworth, Union Township and WestfieldLenape Park, Union County, New Jersey. Accessed November 17, 2022.
Demographics
2020 census +Springfield township, Union County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000Pop 2010Pop 2020% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)12,49111,92211,14086.57%75.37%64.85%Black or African American alone (NH)5369681,5043.71%6.12%8.76%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)2870.01%0.05%0.04%Asian alone (NH)6751,1961,5414.68%7.56%8.97%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)0010.00%0.00%0.01%Other race alone (NH)18241310.12%0.15%0.76%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)1101976190.76%1.25%3.60%Hispanic or Latino (any race)5971,5022,2354.14%9.50%13.01%Total14,42915,81717,178 100.00%100.00%100.00%
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 15,817 people, 6,511 households, and 4,265 families in the township. The population density was 3,057.2 per square mile (1,180.4/km2). There were 6,736 housing units at an average density of 1,302.0 per square mile (502.7/km2). The racial makeup was 82.46% (13,042) White, 6.25% (989) Black or African American, 0.06% (10) Native American, 7.70% (1,218) Asian, 0.01% (2) Pacific Islander, 1.75% (277) from other races, and 1.76% (279) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.50% (1,502) of the population.
Of the 6,511 households, 29.0% had children under the age of 18; 53.6% were married couples living together; 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.5% were non-families. Of all households, 29.6% were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.05.
21.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 88.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 84.7 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $84,038 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,139) and the median family income was $111,359 (+/− $8,121). Males had a median income of $74,335 (+/− $7,959) versus $62,859 (+/− $6,250) for females. The per capita income for the township was $46,393 (+/− $3,175). About 2.9% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 12, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 14,429 people, 6,001 households, and 4,014 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 6,204 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 89.72% White, 3.72% African American, 0.02% Native American, 4.69% Asian, 0.96% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.14% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Springfield township, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 31, 2016., United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 20, 2013.
There were 6,001 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the township the population was spread out, with 20.6% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $73,790, and the median income for a family was $85,725. Males had a median income of $55,907 versus $39,542 for females. The per capita income for the township was $36,754. About 1.8% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
Government Local government