Cities & Towns in Essex County, NJ

Situated just west of New York City, Essex County contains a mix of major urban centers and quaint suburban towns. This diverse collection of cities each boasts its own culture and identity despite the proximity to a major metropolis. Some of the most prominent cities in Essex County include Newark, Irvington, Orange is known for its many parks and green spaces, its many historical sites, and its many attractions, such as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the East Orange Public Library.">East Orange, West Orange, and Montclair.

As the most populated city in the state, Newark serves as Essex County's urban hub. Neighboring Irvington provides industry along the New Jersey Turnpike. East Orange and West Orange reflect the suburbanization of the 20th century. And Montclair presents a trendy arts scene.

Newark

Newark is the largest city in Essex County, with a population of about 311,000 people It’s also the most populous city in New Jersey and the 73rd-most populous city in the United States Newark is located in the east part of the county, along the Passaic River and Newark Bay. Newark was founded in 1666 by Puritan settlers from Connecticut, who named it after Newark-on-Trent in England. Newark is known as a major industrial, commercial and cultural center, as it hosts several businesses, institutions and attractions, such as Prudential Financial, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark Liberty International Airport and the Prudential Center.

Newark is a historic and vibrant city with many attractions for visitors. You can visit the Newark Museum of Art, which is the largest museum in New Jersey and features art collections and exhibits from various cultures and periods4 You can also visit the Branch Brook Park, which is the nation’s first county park and the site of the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the U.S4 For some arts and entertainment, you can visit the New Jersey Performing Arts Center or the Symphony Hall.

East Orange

East Orange is the second-largest city in Essex County, with a population of about 65,000 people It’s located in the north part of the county, near Newark. East Orange was incorporated as a city in 1899, after separating from Orange Township. East Orange is known for its residential and diverse neighborhoods, such as Ampere, Elmwood Park and Presidential Estates. East Orange is also known for its education and health care facilities, such as East Orange Campus High School, East Orange STEM Academy and East Orange General Hospital.

East Orange is a suburban and friendly city with many attractions for visitors. You can visit the Soverel Park Historic District, which is a historic district that features Victorian and Colonial Revival houses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You can also visit the Elmwood Park Zoo, which is a small zoo that offers animal encounters and educational programs. For some shopping and dining, you can visit the Central Avenue Business District or the Main Street Corridor.

Irvington

Irvington is the third-largest city in Essex County, with a population of about 54,000 people It’s located in the south part of the county, near Hillside. Irvington was founded in 1692 by Robert Treat Jr., who named it Camptown. Irvington became a city in 1922, after changing its name to Irvington in honor of Washington Irving. Irvington is known for its historic and cultural landmarks, such as the Clinton Cemetery, where Stephen Crane is buried; the Irvington Town Hall Theater; and Olympic Park, where many amusement rides were located.

Beyond these larger municipalities, Essex County also contains unique college towns like South Orange, affluent suburbs like Millburn, and historic enclaves like Orange. From the Arthur Kill to the Passaic River, each city and town in Essex County tells its own story through diverse architecture, public art, cuisine and more.

With so many cities packed into just 126 square miles, Essex County presents endless options to explore distinctive corners of New Jersey, each with its own flavor.