Essex County
Essex County www.essex-countynj.org
Located just 12 miles west of Manhattan, Essex County is comprised of some of the state’s most desirable and thriving suburban communities. It is highly regarded as a prime destination for corporate executives and their families as well as people involved in the arts, entertainment, communications, banking and finance working in both Manhattan and New Jersey. It is home to eight colleges and universities, art museums, performing arts centers and several sports teams.
Settled in 1666 and officially designated a county in 1682, Essex County has a population of approximately 760,000 (the second largest in the state) in 21 communities and covers 127 square miles including nearly 6000 acres of parkland. In 1895 it became the first county in the United States to establish a countywide park system with 20 of the county’s 25 parks designed by Frederick Law Olmstead who also designed New York’s Central Park.
Newark's Liberty International Airport, Port Newark and Newark Penn Station make Essex County a major national transportation hub with a superior network of rail, highway, air and sea transportation and are home to one of the world's largest containerized shipping ports.
With excellent schools, charming homes, tree lined streets, beautiful parks, cultural offerings and fine restaurants, the towns in the “West Essex” area of the county comprise an area that the Wall Street Journal and New York Magazine have called one of the most desirable and fastest-appreciating places to live in the nation.
