Morris Plains is a borough in Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 6,153, an increase of 621 (+11.2%) from the 2010 census count of 5,532, which in turn reflected an increase of 296 (+5.7%) from the 5,236 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.

Morris Plains was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1926, from portions of Hanover Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 15, 1926.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 195. Accessed May 30, 2024.Historical Timeline of Morris County Boundaries, Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1926, March 15. Morris Plains Borough is established from Hanover Township." The borough's name comes from Lewis Morris, colonial governor of New Jersey.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 8, 2015.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 215. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed September 8, 2015.

Morris Plains serves as a bedroom community, with many residents traveling to work in New York City. The Morristown Line of NJ Transit provides commuters with direct access to New York Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.59 square miles (6.71 km2), including 2.55 square miles (6.61 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.09 km2) of water (1.35%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Littleton.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

The borough borders the Morris County municipalities of Hanover Township, Morris Township and Parsippany–Troy Hills.Areas touching Morris Plains, MapIt. Accessed February 28, 2020.Morris County Municipalities Map, Morris County, New Jersey Department of Planning and Preservation. Accessed February 28, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Climate The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Morris Plains has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.Climate Summary for Morris Plains, New Jersey, Weatherbase.com.

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Morris Plains had a population of 6,153. The median age was 41.8 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.3 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 2,432 households in Morris Plains, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 57.5% were married-couple households, 12.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,527 housing units, of which 3.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 4,779 77.7% Black or African American 232 3.8% American Indian and Alaska Native 0 0.0% Asian 487 7.9% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 0.0% Some other race 216 3.5% Two or more races 439 7.1% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 590 9.6%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 5,532 people, 2,131 households, and 1,485 families in the borough. The population density was 2,163.5 per square mile (835.3/km2). There were 2,197 housing units at an average density of 859.2 per square mile (331.7/km2). The racial makeup was 89.44% (4,948) White, 2.73% (151) Black or African American, 0.09% (5) Native American, 4.97% (275) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.07% (59) from other races, and 1.70% (94) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.68% (314) of the population.

Of the 2,131 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18; 61.3% were married couples living together; 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 30.3% were non-families. Of all households, 24.9% were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.12.

24.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.4 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $103,688 (with a margin of error of +/− $12,744) and the median family income was $127,614 (+/− $20,257). Males had a median income of $91,908 (+/− $21,398) versus $67,232 (+/− $24,331) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $45,165 (+/− $10,332). About 0.4% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 0.6% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Morris Plains borough, Morris County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 19, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 5,236 people, 1,955 households, and 1,477 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,994 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 92.91% White, 1.34% African American, 0.06% Native American, 4.32% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.69% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Morris Plains borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 19, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Morris Plains borough, Morris County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 19, 2012.

There were 1,955 households, out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.0% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% 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 3.05.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $84,806, and the median income for a family was $98,333. Males had a median income of $75,040 versus $44,554 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,553. About 1.5% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over. Economy The borough has been a major base of operations for Pfizer, previously the headquarters for Warner-Lambert. Pfizer has sponsored the Health and Medical Science Academy at Morristown High School and an annual 5k race around Morris Plains. In 2012, a property owned by Pfizer on the west side of Route 53 was acquired by M&M Realty Partners, which plans to redevelop the site for a mixed use development that would include 500 housing units and for retail use.Pfizer Property News, Borough of Morris Plains. Accessed October 22, 2013.

In 2015, Honeywell moved into a headquarters on a campus, after relocating from AlliedSignal headquarters in Morristown.Bergeron, Tom. "Honeywell opens 'truly awesome building' in Morris Plains", NJBiz, November 16, 2015. Accessed May 19, 2016. "Honeywell Chairman and CEO David Cote formally opened the company's new global headquarters in Morris Plains on Monday morning by talking about the future. The 40-acre campus and 475,000-square-foot building, he said, will give Honeywell the space it needs to continue as one of New Jersey's most important corporations."

Government

Local government Morris Plains 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.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. 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 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.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 121. The borough form of government used by Morris Plains 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.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.

, the mayor of Morris Plains is Democrat Jason C. Karr, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Salvatore F. "Sal" Cortese (R, 2026), Art J. Bruhn, Jr. (R, 2026), Bill Houston (D, 2027), Michael Ivey (D, 2025), Tyler J. Pontier (D, 2027), and Nancy Verga (D, 2025).Governing Body, Borough of Morris Plains. Accessed April 26, 2023. "The Borough of Morris Plains was incorporated by the State Assembly on January 15, 1926 and operates under a Borough form of government. The Borough form of government consists of a Mayor and six council members all of whom are elected at-large. The Mayor is the head of the governing body and is elected to a four-year term. Council members to a three-year term."

The Morris Plains Municipal Court judge is Michael A. Carlucci.Municipal Court, Borough of Morris Plains. Accessed April 26, 2023.

Police department