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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- most significant shift occurred in the population aged 65 and over, which collectively saw an 1,853-person (25.2%) increase. Simultaneously, the Township experienced a significant decrease in its population under 5 years old (-16.8%) and between the ages 35 to 54 (-3.4%). This data suggests that a larger portion of the Township’s residents are transitioning into the senior citizen age range, which will require the Township to consider planning tools and approaches that encourage aging-in-place. Table 2: Population by Age, 2010 to 2020 West Orange Population 2010 2020 Change (2010 to 2020) Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Under 5 years 3,056 6.6% 2,542 5.2% -514 -16.8% 5 to 14 5,955 12.9% 5,932 12.1% -23 -0.4% 15 to 24 5,225 11.3% 5,849 12.0% 624 11.9% 25 to 34 5,113 11.1% 5,389 11.0% 276 5.4% 35 to 44 6,755 14.6% 6,500 13.3% -255 -3.8% 45 to 54 6,934 15.0% 6,727 13.8% -207 -3.0% 55 to 64 5,807 12.6% 6,689 13.7% 882 15.2% 65 and over 7,362 15.9% 9,215 18.9% 1853 25.2% Total population 46,207 100.0% 48,843 100.0% 2636 5.7% Median Age 40.6 - 42.2 - 1.6 3.9% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census, Tables DP1, P12 and P13 Essex County experienced population fluctuation as well. The County also saw the greatest shift of roughly 27% in its population aged 65 and over, which was proportionally slightly higher than the increase experienced at the Township level. The County experienced a decrease in its population aged 5 and below (-4.0%), mirroring shifting age trends occurring in the Township, but saw an increase in the 35 to 54 age range (3.6%). This data is displayed in Table 3 below. 16