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West Milford is a township in northwestern Passaic County, New Jersey, occupying a large, rugged portion of the New Jersey Highlands near the New York state line. It is one of the largest municipalities in the state by land area, yet its 2020 census population of about 24,900 is spread thinly across a landscape of forested ridges, wetlands, and lakes — a striking contrast to the densely developed communities of eastern Passaic County. The township's identity is inseparable from its water: Greenwood Lake, which straddles the New York border, is the largest and best known of the many lakes that give West Milford its character. The area's history is rooted in iron. The Highlands were New Jersey's early iron-making district, and the Long Pond Ironworks, now a state park within the region, preserves the furnaces and village of an 18th- and 19th-century ironmaking enterprise. The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway later carried passengers and freight through the area, and the hamlet of Newfoundland grew up along its tracks and along Route 23. That rail and industrial heritage has since given way to a primarily residential, recreation-oriented community. Today West Milford functions largely as a residential and outdoor-recreation township. Many residents commute via Route 23 toward Interstate 80, Interstate 287, and employment centers in northern New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area, while the township itself supports small retail, services, and the West Milford Township Public Schools, a compact district of about seven schools. The community calendar is anchored by traditions such as the Autumn Lights Festival and the Greenwood Lake Air Show. Recreation is the township's defining amenity. Greenwood Lake supports boating and fishing; the Apshawa Preserve offers hiking; the Wanaque River draws paddlers; and Long Pond Ironworks State Park, Abram S. Hewitt State Forest, Ringwood State Park, and the nearby Appalachian Trail provide an extensive network of preserved open space. For homebuyers, West Milford offers lakefront and lake-community living, wooded acreage, and genuine four-season recreation, all within commuting reach of the region's larger job centers.

Population 24,862

County Passaic County

Active Listings 399

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Frequently Asked Questions

What county is West Milford, New Jersey in?

West Milford is a township in Passaic County, New Jersey, located in the northwestern part of the county near the New York state border. It is one of the largest municipalities in New Jersey by land area.

Is West Milford a lake community?

Yes. West Milford is known for its lake communities, including Greenwood Lake, which straddles the New Jersey–New York border, and numerous smaller private and public lakes. Boating, swimming, and fishing are central to the township's lifestyle.

What school district serves West Milford?

Public schools are provided by the West Milford Township Public Schools district, which operates about seven schools serving roughly 3,000 students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district's small size contributes to a notably low student-to-teacher ratio.

How far is West Milford from New York City?

West Milford lies roughly 40 miles northwest of Manhattan in New Jersey's Highlands. Route 23 provides the main highway connection toward Interstate 80 and other regional routes, making it a base for commuters to northern New Jersey employment centers and New York City.

What is there to do in West Milford, New Jersey?

Outdoor recreation defines the area, including boating and fishing on Greenwood Lake, hiking at the Apshawa Preserve, kayaking on the Wanaque River, and trails at Long Pond Ironworks State Park, Abram S. Hewitt State Forest, and nearby Ringwood State Park.

What is the population of West Milford?

West Milford's population was 24,862 at the 2020 census, a modest decline from prior decades. The township covers a large, mostly forested area, so the population is spread across lake communities, hamlets such as Newfoundland, and rural residential roads.

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