Rockaway, NJ

Rockaway, New Jersey

Introduction to Rockaway, New Jersey

Rockaway, New Jersey, in Morris county, is 5 miles NW of Parsippany, New Jersey (center to center) and 21 miles NW of Newark, New Jersey. The town has a population of approximately 6,473.

Rockaway History

The first settlers arrived in the early 1700s, at which time the settlement was known as "Rockaway Village". By the 1760s, the area was a center for manufacturing, trade, and religion. It had a grist mill and a saw mill, and there were also numerous mines that necessitated roads to be constructed in order to access. During the Revolutionary War, the village had numerous farmers, miners, and forgemen. Rockaway was an important iron manufacturing area, and following the British enactment of the Mercantile Acts, considerable Revolutionary activity occurred in the community. In the 1830s, the Morris Canal was constructed, and Rockaway Borough was incorporated in 1894.

Rockaway and Nearby Attractions

• Hackettstown Historical Museum
• Edison National Historic Site
• Campgaw Mountain Reservation
• Reeves-Reed Arboretum
• New Jersey Botanical Garden
• Turtle Back Zoo

Things To Do In Rockaway

Morris Museum, Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morris Plains Museum, Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, and Whippany Railway Museum showcase exhibits which reflect the historical and cultural background of the region. The Edison National Historical Site includes Thomas Alva Edison's laboratory, while Morristown National Historical Park preserves the area occupied by the Continental Army during the Revolution. Tourne County Park, Silas Condict Park, Hopatcong State Park, and Hedden County Park are several of the popular parks in the area. They feature nature trails and provisions for camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and picnicking. Wild West City, a theme park, is another popular attraction. In addition, Rockaway offers easy access to Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary, Glen Rock Arboretum, Reeves-Reed Arboretum, and Turtle Back Zoo.

Rockaway Transportation

The closest major airport is Newark Liberty International Airport.

Rockaway Higher Education

Colleges near Rockaway include the County College of Morris, Drew University, William Paterson University of New Jersey, and Seton Hall University.

High Points

Rockaway strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in New Jersey):

Category	Trophy
Well-Paid Single Women (vs. Peers)	Top 14%
Well-Paid Single Men (vs. Peers)	Top 16%
Racial Diversity (vs. Peers)	Top 18%

Comparative Profile of Rockaway, NJ

Comparing Rockaway to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in New Jersey (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Well-Paid Single Women
Well-Paid Single Men
Racial Diversity
Male Share of the Population
Age of the Population
Children Under 5 Years Old
Female Share of the Population
Senior Citizens

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Median Family Income
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Public Transportation Use
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
People Living Alone
Housing Recently Built
Affordability of Rents
Affordability of Property Taxes
Seasonal and Vacation Housing

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Violent Crime
Low Property Crime

Rockaway Almanac

Rockaway Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Rockaway Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Nearby Cities and Towns

Rockaway High Schools (2004)

MORRIS KNOLLS HIGH
50 KNOLL DRIVE
973-664-2201
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 1,563 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 13.3

MORRIS HILLS HIGH
520 WEST MAIN STREET
973-664-2301
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 1,088 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 12

MATHSCIENCEENGINEERING
520 WEST MAIN STREET
973-664-2301
A Vocational School
Serves 69 students.

Rockaway Colleges

(List of All New Jersey Colleges)

NEW: Community Comments below!