Officially established in October 1666, Essex County, New Jersey was one of the four original counties of present day New Jersey.   Already prosperous by the time of the American Revolution, Essex County experienced unprecedented industrial growth afterwards. The completion of the New Jersey Railroad, the Morris Canal, and the establishment of the Morris and Essex Railroad and the employment promised by these and new factories attracted waves of immigrants from Europe.   Essex County, New Jersey (Population about 778,000 and area of 127 square miles) has been able to control its growth since the 1980's.  The City of Newark, Essex County's seat of government, is still the state’s most populous municipality, however, with 273,546 residents as of 2000.

Essex County was the first County in the United States to create a Countywide park system (1895). The first park site was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New York's Central Park. Today's Essex County Park System of vast reservations, developed parks, golf courses, tennis courts, ice and roller skating complexes and a zoo is a major community resource for the entire state of New Jersey.

Newark International Airport  is the crown jewel in a county transportation system that connects Essex County to the world.  Beginning with trolley lines and commuter railroads at the turn of the century (connecting to  Irvington, East Orange, Orange, Bloomfield, South Orange, Maplewood, Millburn, Glen Ridge, Montclair and Manhattan), Essex County then built Route 280 across First and Second Mountains to connect Livingston, Fairfield, Roseland, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells and the Caldwells.  Today, with Port Newark and a superior network of rail, highway, air and sea transportation (including of the world's largest containerized shipping ports), Essex County is a major national transportation hub.

Industrial and professional office parks, hi-tech centers, luxury condominiums and townhouses, have helped make Essex County the industrial and financial hub of New Jersey.  The economy continues to shift from a manufacturing base to a service oriented economy.  Many corporate giants as PSE&G, Bell Atlantic, ADP, and Prudential make Essex County their home.

 The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (music and dance showcasing the nation's and the world's best artists) and a soccer stadium complex (also hosting minor league baseball) ensures diverse culture and entertainment for all residents.

Essex County, New Jersey's municipalities consist of Ampere,  Belleville,  Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, East Orange, Essex Falls, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Livingston, Maplewood,  Millburn, Montclair, Newark, North Caldwell, Nutley, Orange, Roseland, Short Hills, South Orange, Upper Montclair, Verona, West Caldwell, and West Orange.

Essex County Links

Essex County Airport

Essex County One Stop Career Centers

Essex County Department of Health and Rehabilitation

History of Newark from 1666 Settlement by Horseneck Founders

History of The Old Newark Burying Ground

Discover New Jersey's Hidden Treasures!

Libraries of Essex County

Libraries of Rutgers University-Newark

Criminal Justice/NCCD Collection

John Cotton Dana Library

Institute of Jazz Studies

Rutgers Law Library-Newark

Saint Barnabas Health Care System (SBHCS) – Toms River

Irvington General Hospital – Irvington

Clara Maass Medical Center – Belleville

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center – Newark

Saint Barnabas Medical Center – Livingston

Mountainside Hospital of Atlantic Health System