Draft_October 2025_West Orange_HEFSP_with Appendices

Township of West Orange October 2025 Essex County, New Jersey Draft Housing Element and Fair Share Plan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART 1. HOUSING ELEMENT DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS Population Table 1 below depicts the population trends experienced in West Orange, Essex County, and the State of New Jersey in the 93-year period between 1930 and 2023. In 2023, there were 48,276 residents in West Orange, which indicates a decrease of 567 people (-1.2%) from 2020. West Orange has experienced population fluctuation over the past 93 years, with the largest increase between 1950 and 1960 (39.5%) and the biggest decrease occurring between 1970 to 1980 (-9.6%). Overall, the Township has seen a growth of 23,949 residents during this time frame, reflecting a 98.4% net increase in its population. While population growth in the State of New Jersey has been steady during this time period, Essex County and West Orange have seen some similar fluctuations. The Township’s overall growth (98.4%) has proportionally exceeded that of the County (2.1%), but not that of the State (129.2%). Year 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2023 Total Change Table 1: Population Trends, 1930-2023 West Orange, Essex County, and New Jersey West Orange Essex County New Jersey Change Change Change Population Population Population Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent 24,327 833,513 4,041,334 25,662 1,335 5.5% 837,340 3,827 0.5% 4,160,165 118,831 2.9% 28,605 2,943 11.5% 905,949 68,609 8.2% 4,835,329 675,164 16.2% 39,895 11,290 39.5% 923,545 17,596 1.9% 6,066,782 1,231,453 25.5% 43,715 3,820 9.6% 932,526 8,981 1.0% 7,171,112 1,104,330 18.2% 39,510 -4,205 -9.6% 851,304 -81,222 -8.7% 7,365,011 193,899 2.7% -407 -1.0% 778,206 -73,098 -8.6% 7,730,188 365,177 5.0% 39,103 5,840 14.9% 44,943 793,633 15,427 2.0% 8,414,350 684,162 8.9% 1,264 2.8% 46,207 783,969 -9,664 -1.2% 8,791,894 377,544 4.5% 2,636 5.7% 48,843 863,728 79,759 10.2% 9,288,994 497,100 5.7% -567 -1.2% 48,276 851,117 -12,611 -1.5% 9,261,699 -27,295 -0.3% - 23,949 98.4% - 17,604 2.1% - 5,220,365 129.2% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census and 2023: ACS 5-Year Estimates Table S0101 Population Composition by Age The median age of the residents in West Orange in 2020 was 42.2

,220,365 129.2% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census and 2023: ACS 5-Year Estimates Table S0101 Population Composition by Age The median age of the residents in West Orange in 2020 was 42.2 years, which shows a 3.9% increase from the 2010 median age of 40.6 years. Analysis of age group characteristics provides insight into the actual changes in population. This comparison is helpful in determining the impact these changes have on housing needs, community facilities and services for the municipality. As detailed in Table 2 below, the entire composition of West Orange experienced notable shifts in the years between 2010 and 2020. The 15