New Milford is a borough in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 16,923, an increase of 582 (+3.6%) from the 2010 census count of 16,341, which in turn reflected a decline of 59 (−0.4%) from the 16,400 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.

New Milford was authorized to be incorporated as a borough on March 11, 1922, from what remained of Palisades Township, subject to approval in a referendum (which took place on April 18, 1922). With the creation of New Milford, Palisades Township (which had been created in 1871) was dissolved.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 194. Accessed May 30, 2024.Bergen County New Jersey Municipalities, Dutch Door Genealogy. Accessed September 13, 2006.Staff. Acts of the One Hundred and Forty-Sixth Legislature of the State of New Jersey, pp. 304-308. New Jersey Secretary of State, 1922. Accessed October 17, 2015. "An Act to incorporate the borough of New Milford, in the county of Bergen " The borough is believed to have been named for Milford, Pennsylvania.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 9, 2015.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.32 square miles (6.02 km2), including 2.28 square miles (5.91 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.11 km2) of water (1.77%).

The borough borders the Bergen County municipalities of Bergenfield, Dumont, Oradell, River Edge and Teaneck.Areas touching New Milford, MapIt. Accessed March 1, 2020.Bergen County Map of Municipalities, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

New Milford—together with River Edge and Teaneck—is home to historic New Bridge Landing.Welcome to New Bridge Landing , Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission. Accessed April 20, 2016. "New Bridge Landing was the site of a pivotal bridge crossing the Hackensack River, where General George Washington led his troops in retreat from British forces. The area is now a New Jersey historic site in portions of New Milford, River Edge and Teaneck in Bergen County, New Jersey."

New Bridge, Old Bridge and Peetzburgh are unincorporated communities located within New Milford.Historic New Milford, New Jersey: Birthplace of Bergen County, Borough of New Milford. Accessed September 9, 2015. "In 1922, the Borough of New Milford was incorporated, and New Bridge, Old Bridge and Peetzburgh lost their identities as separate communities."

During Hurricane Irene on August 28, 2011, the Hackensack River crested at , the second-highest recorded height and almost above flood stage, forcing flooding homes to be evacuated. The record height at the New Milford flood gauge is set during a storm on April 16, 2007, and the previous second-highest level of had been set during Hurricane Floyd on September 16, 1999.Hackensack River flood gauge at New Milford, National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service. Accessed August 29, 2011.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, New Milford had a population of 16,923. The median age was 41.5 years. 19.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.3 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 6,276 households in New Milford, of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 54.5% were married-couple households, 16.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 6,432 housing units, of which 2.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 2.4%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 9,502 56.1% Black or African American 869 5.1% American Indian and Alaska Native 41 0.2% Asian 3,446 20.4% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 0.0% Some other race 1,343 7.9% Two or more races 1,722 10.2% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 3,304 19.5% The following table shows racial and ethnic composition trends from the 2000, 2010, and 2020 censuses.

+New Milford borough, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000Pop 2010Pop 2020% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)12,00810,1608,83073.22%62.17%52.18%Black or African American alone (NH)3965077962.41%3.10%4.70%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)131460.08%0.09%0.04%Asian alone (NH)2,4023,1633,42014.65%19.36%20.21%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)4200.02%0.01%0.00%Other race alone (NH)12301390.07%0.18%0.82%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)2392384281.46%1.46%2.53%Hispanic or Latino (any race)1,3262,2273,3048.09%13.63%19.52%

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 16,341 people, 6,141 households, and 4,207 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 6,362 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 70.51% (11,522) White, 3.72% (608) Black or African American, 0.12% (20) Native American, 19.39% (3,169) Asian, 0.02% (4) Pacific Islander, 3.59% (586) from other races, and 2.64% (432) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.63% (2,227) of the population.

Of the 6,141 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18; 54.6% were married couples living together; 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.5% were non-families. Of all households, 27.2% were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.24.

20.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $75,075 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,822) and the median family income was $96,885 (+/− $5,032). Males had a median income of $62,817 (+/− $4,265) versus $51,630 (+/− $2,640) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $37,491 (+/− $2,896). About 2.5% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.3% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for New Milford borough, Bergen County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 19, 2012.

Same-sex couples headed 37 households in 2010, more than double the 16 counted in 2000.Lipman, Harvy; and Sheingold, Dave. "North Jersey sees 30% growth in same-sex couples", The Record, August 14, 2011, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 3, 2013. Accessed October 8, 2014.

2000 census As of the 2000 census, there were 16,400 people, 6,346 households, and 4,277 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 6,437 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 78.59% White, 2.62% African American, 0.12% Native American, 14.76% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.86% from other races, and 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.09% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Midland Park borough , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 20, 2011.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for New Milford borough, Bergen County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 16, 2012.

There were 6,346 households, of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18, 55.9% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.4% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $59,118, and the median income for a family was $77,216. Males had a median income of $46,463 versus $36,987 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,064. About 1.7% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture Musical groups from the borough include The Fontane Sisters, a musical group that included three sisters.Hammerston, Claude. "Two Gypsy Folk Tales", Ottawa Citizen, August 8, 1949. Accessed January 23, 2011.

Government

Local government New Milford 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. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members, who are elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in November.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 165. The borough form of government used by New Milford 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.