View source for Vernon Township, New Jersey

{{short description|Township in Sussex County, New Jersey, US}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Vernon Township, New Jersey
|official_name            = 
|settlement_type          = [[Township (New Jersey)|Township]]
|nickname                 =
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Vernon Mcafee.JPG
|imagesize                = 250x200px
|image_caption            = Along [[County Route 517 (New Jersey)|CR 517]] and [[New Jersey Route 94|NJ 94]]
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               = Vernon_Seal_Michael_Xavier_Markowycz.png

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = vernon_twp_nj.png
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Map of Vernon Township in [[Sussex County, New Jersey|Sussex County]]. Inset: Location of Sussex County highlighted in the State of [[New Jersey]].
|image_map1               = Census_Bureau_map_of_Vernon_Township,_New_Jersey.png
|mapsize1                 = 250x200px
|map_caption1             = Census Bureau map of Vernon Township, New Jersey
|pushpin_map              = USA New Jersey Sussex County#USA New Jersey#USA
|pushpin_label            = Vernon Township
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in [[Sussex County, New Jersey|Sussex County]]##Location in [[New Jersey]]##Location in the United States
|pushpin_relief           = yes

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|New Jersey}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in New Jersey|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[File:Flag of Sussex County, New Jersey (free).png|22px]] [[Sussex County, New Jersey|Sussex]]
|government_footnotes     = <ref name=DataBook/>
|government_type          = [[Faulkner Act (mayor–council)]]
|governing_body           = Township Council
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Anthony Rossi (term ends December 31, 2027)<ref name=Mayor/><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/dca/home/2023mayors.pdf 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory], [[New Jersey Department of Community Affairs]], updated February 8, 2023. Accessed February 10, 2023.</ref>
|leader_title1            = [[City manager|Administrator]]
|leader_name1             = Vacant<ref>[https://www.vernontwp.com/index.php/government/administrator Business Administrator], Vernon Township. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref><ref>Zummo, Mike. [https://www.advertisernewsnorth.com/news/local-news/vernon-council-reaches-release-settlement-with-business-administrator-BK2286892 "Vernon council reaches release, settlement with business administrator"], ''Advertiser-News North'', November 29, 2022. Accessed March 12, 2023. "The Vernon Township Council on Nov. 21 avoided litigation with Business Administrator Charles Voelker when it unanimously approved a release and settlement agreement, after having previously issued him a Rice Notice that it sought his removal and would be discussing his employment."</ref>
|leader_title2            = [[Municipal clerk]]
|leader_name2             = Marcy Gianattasio<ref>[https://www.vernontwp.com/index.php/government/township-clerk Township Clerk], Vernon Township. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>
|established_title        = Established
|established_date         = April 8, 1793
|established_title1       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date1        = February 21, 1798

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name=CensusArea>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_cousubs_34.txt 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed July 1, 2020.</ref>
|area_magnitude           =
|area_total_km2           = 181.19
|area_land_km2            = 175.07
|area_water_km2           =   6.12
|area_total_sq_mi         =  69.96
|area_land_sq_mi          =  67.60
|area_water_sq_mi         =   2.36
|area_water_percent       =   3.38
|area_rank                = 15th of 565 in state<br>1st of 24 in county<ref name=CensusArea/>

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/>
|population_total         = 22358
|population_rank          = 124th of 565 in state<br>1st of 24 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/dmograph/est/mcd/density.xlsx Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref>
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = 330.8
|population_density_rank  = 469th of 565 in state<br>12th of 24 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density/>
|population_est           = 22711
|pop_est_as_of            = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst/>

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = −05:00
|timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|Eastern (EDT)]]
|utc_offset_DST           = −04:00
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{Gnis|882258|Township of Vernon}}, [[Geographic Names Information System]]. Accessed March 14, 2013.</ref>
|elevation_m              =
|elevation_ft             = 571
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR1">[https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref>
|coordinates              = {{coord|41.195198|-74.488755|region:US-NJ_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 07462<ref>[http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=vernon&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Vernon, NJ], [[United States Postal Service]]. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref> (Vernon)<br>07422 (Highland Lakes)<br>07418 (Glenwood)<br>07428 (McAfee)
|area_code                = [[Area codes 862 and 973|973]]<ref>[http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCity=Vernon&frmCounty=Sussex Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Vernon, NJ], Area-Codes.com. Accessed October 29, 2014.</ref>
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 3403775740<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR2">[https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey], Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0882258<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR3">[http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names], [[United States Geological Survey]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.vernontwp.com/}}
|footnotes                =
}}

'''Vernon Township''' is a [[Township (New Jersey)|township]] in [[Sussex County, New Jersey|Sussex County]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]]. It is located about a one hour drive from [[New York City]] and is part of the [[New York metropolitan area]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the township's population was 22,358,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 1,585 (−6.6%) from the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] count of 23,943,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 743 (−3.0%) from the 24,686 counted in the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]].<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2010/2010data/table7cm.xls Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]], February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> It is both the most populous municipality<ref name=LWD2020/> and the largest in area in the county.<ref name=CensusArea/>

Vernon is home to [[Mountain Creek]] (formerly Great Gorge and Vernon Valley), a ski resort and [[Mountain Creek Waterpark|water park]] as well as the Crystal Springs Resort's Minerals Hotel and Elements Spa. The [[Hidden Valley (New Jersey)|Hidden Valley]] ski resort, which opened in 1976 and occupied a {{convert|140|acres|adj=on}} property that included one of New Jersey's three remaining [[Downhill (ski competition)|downhill]] skiing facilities, closed at the end of the 2013 season and could find no buyers at an auction held that year;<ref>De Poto, Tom. [http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2013/10/hidden_valley_ski_resort_fails.html "Hidden Valley Ski Resort fails to sell at auction"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', October 1, 2013. Accessed December 14, 2014. "Hidden Valley Ski Resort, which was on the auction block this morning, is still in search of a new owner.... The 140-acre resort in Vernon closed at the end of last season after 36 years of operation. It is one of only three down hill ski slopes in New Jersey."</ref> it has since reopened as the National Winter Activity Center. The Great Gorge Playboy Club was located in the Vernon community of McAfee, but was sold and turned into a hotel called the [[Legends Resort & Country Club]]. Opened in 1972 at a cost of $20&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|20|1972|fmt=c|r=1}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|US}}), featuring 700 rooms and 27 holes of golf, the hotel was sold to Americana in 1982 and later was resold to Metairie Corp. which branded the property as the Legends Resort and Country Club. In 2017, the township started eviction proceedings against low-income residents who had been living in the defunct resort on a permanent basis.<ref>Genader, Ann. [http://www.northjersey.com/story/life/columnists/2017/08/30/remembering-hugh-hefners-great-gorge-playboy-club/615832001/ "Remembering Hugh Hefner's Great Gorge Playboy Club"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', August 30, 2017. Accessed November 5, 2017. "The hotel was sold to the Americana chain in 1982. Reports at the time said the resort had been losing money for years. Later, sold again it was turned into the Seasons Hotel. Still later Seasons was sold to Metairie Corp. which turned into the Legends Resort and Country Club. The hotel has been derelict and permanently closed to public operations for many years. In February 2017 Vernon Township began to evict low-income full-time residents of the hotel. Township officials said the owner rented rooms out illegally and that health and safety issues had to be addressed."</ref>

==History==
The independent township of Vernon was established on April 8, 1793, from portions of [[Hardyston Township, New Jersey|Hardyston Township]], and the township was formally incorporated on February 21, 1798.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. [https://nj.gov/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/bulletin67.pdf ''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''], Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 232. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref> The {{convert|68|sqmi|km2}} which marked the town's borders over 200 years ago have not changed since. However, the population of Vernon, which was 1,548 people as recently as 1950, has steadily grown since the 1960s, when the ski industry was introduced to the area. Additional growth has come as home prices have soared in the [[inner suburb]]s of [[New York City]] and property buyers seek the better values available from real estate developments in the area.

Iron mining in the town of Vernon was prevalent during the mid-to-late 19th century. Mines such as the Canistear Mine, Williams Mine, and the Pochuk Mine created industry which spawned local businesses, and brought rail travel to the town.

It is not known how Vernon Township got its name, but a number of theories have been offered by author Ronald J. Dupont Jr.:

*Admiral [[Edward Vernon]]. Dupont writes that this is very possible because of two things: 1. the township was created in 1792, the year that [[George Washington]] was reelected as president, and 2. because Vernon Township's first [[Masonic Lodge]] in 1820 was named Mount Vernon (Washington was also a [[List of Freemasons|Freemason]] during his life), likely after Washington's Virginia residence. The residence, in turn, got its name because Washington's brother [[Lawrence Washington (1718-1752)|Lawrence Washington]] served with Admiral Vernon.<ref name="Dupont Jr.">Dupont Jr., Ronald J. ''Vernon 200--A Bicentennial History of the Township of Vernon, New Jersey:  1792-1992''. (The Friends of the Dorothy E. Henry Library, McAfee, NJ, 1992) pg. 53</ref><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. [http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/356/nj_place_names_origin.pdf#page=31 ''The Origin of New Jersey Place Names''], New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 18, 2015.</ref>
*A family named Vernon. Not likely, Dupont says, although he notes that a Nathaniel Vernon was a licensed tavernkeeper in Sussex County in 1756. However, the tavern was likely elsewhere, and not in what is now Vernon.<ref name="Dupont Jr."/>
*The Latin root "Vernus." One form of "vernus" is "vernal," as in [[March equinox|vernal equinox]] ("spring"), and so Vernon "had connotations of spring: green, lush, fresh, fertile, etc., and hence was an attractive name for a place."<ref name="Dupont Jr."/>

Dupont Jr. also writes that in the late 19th century ''two'' places named Vernon existed, one in Sussex County and another in [[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex County]]. When the Essex County community was granted a post office, they found out that another Vernon existed, and so they eventually named the community [[Verona, New Jersey|Verona]].<ref>[http://www.firstbaptistbloomfield.org/verona.htm Verona New Jersey Historical Photographs and History], First Baptist Church of Bloomfield. Accessed June 13, 2006.</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the township had a total area of 69.96 square miles (181.19&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), including 67.60 square miles (175.07&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of land and 2.36 square miles (6.12&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of water (3.38%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

[[Highland Lakes, New Jersey|Highland Lakes]] (2010 Census population of 4,933<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US3431405 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Highland Lakes CDP, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212140037/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US3431405 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed June 5, 2012.</ref>), [[Vernon Center, New Jersey|Vernon Center]] (2010 Census population of 1,713<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US3475745 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Vernon Center CDP, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212153826/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US3475745 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed June 5, 2012.</ref>) and [[Vernon Valley, New Jersey|Vernon Valley]] (1,626 as of 2010<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US3475750 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Vernon Valley CDP, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212134526/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US3475750 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed June 5, 2012.</ref>) are [[Local government in New Jersey#Unincorporated communities|unincorporated communities]] and [[census-designated place]]s (CDPs) located within Vernon Township.<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US34037 GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Sussex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212202539/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US34037 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www2.census.gov/acs2010_5yr/summaryfile/UserTools/Geography/NJ.xls 2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref><ref name=CPH232>[https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-32.pdf New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32)], [[United States Census Bureau]], August 2012. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref>

The township is bordered by the municipalities of [[Hardyston Township, New Jersey|Hardyston Township]] and [[Wantage Township, New Jersey|Wantage Township]] in Sussex County; [[West Milford, New Jersey|West Milford Township]] in [[Passaic County, New Jersey|Passaic County]]; and the [[Warwick, New York|Town of Warwick]] in [[Orange County, New York|Orange County]].<ref>[https://www.sussex.nj.us/FCpdf/Sussex%20County%20Map%20-%207-1-03.pdf Sussex County Map], [[Sussex County, New Jersey]]. Accessed March 10, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Elevation varies greatly due to the valleys, rolling hills, and mountains. The [[United States Geological Survey]] places Glenwood at {{convert|580|ft|m}}, McAfee at {{convert|435|ft|m}}, and Highland Lakes at {{convert|1260|ft|m}}.

The township is located in the [[Kittatinny Mountains|Kittatinny Valley]] which is a section of the [[Great Appalachian Valley]] that stretches {{convert|700|mi}} from Canada to Alabama.

The City of [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] in [[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex County]] owns {{convert|5400|acres}} of land in the township that are part of their [[Pequannock River]] Watershed, which provides water to the city from a total area of {{convert|35000|acres}} that also includes portions of [[Hardyston Township, New Jersey|Hardyston Township]], [[Jefferson Township, New Jersey|Jefferson Township]], [[Kinnelon, New Jersey|Kinnelon]], [[Rockaway Township, New Jersey|Rockaway Township]] and [[West Milford, New Jersey|West Milford]].<ref>Primerano, Jane. [http://www.northjersey.com/community-news/newark-appealing-watershed-taxes-against-jefferson-1.1329222 "Newark appealing watershed taxes against Jefferson"], ''AIM Jefferson'', May 8, 2015. Accessed July 2, 2015. "Besides West Milford and Jefferson, Newark owns watershed land in Hardyston, Vernon, and Rockaway Townships and Kinnelon Borough, Leach said."</ref><ref>[http://www.leagle.com/decision/1980911NJTax90_180.xml/CITY%20OF%20NEWARK%20v.%20VERNON%20TP. ''City of Newark v. Vernon Tp.''], Leagle from Tax Court of New Jersey, April 1, 1980. Accessed July 2, 2015. "The City of Newark appeals the denial of the Sussex County Tax Board of its claim for a reduction of assessments of 5,424 acres of vacant watershed land in the Township of Vernon for the years 1973, 1974 and 1976.... Generally, the lands are part of the 35,000-acre Pequannock Watershed (approximately two times the size of Newark), which was purchased by Newark at the turn of the century to provide a water supply. The watershed, which contains five major bodies of water, is located in Vernon and Hardyston in Sussex County, Jefferson, Rockaway and Kinnelon in Morris County, and West Milford in Passaic County."</ref>

===Communities and neighborhoods===
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include:<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search], State of [[New Jersey]]. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref><ref name=About>[http://www.vernontwp.com/about_vernon/overview/ About Vernon], Vernon Township.Accessed June 19, 2020. "Communities within the township include Glenwood, Highland Lakes, McAfee, Vernon Valley, Barry Lakes and Lake Wallkill."</ref>
*Barry Lakes
*Canistear Reservoir
*Cedar Ridge
*Cliffwood Lake
*DeKays
*[[Glenwood, New Jersey|Glenwood]]
*Great Gorge
*High Breeze
*[[Highland Lakes, New Jersey|Highland Lakes]]
*Independence Corners
*Kampe P.O.
*Lake Conway
*Lake Panorama
*Lake Pochung
*Lake Wanda
*Lake Wallkill
*Lake Wilderwood
*Maple Grange
*[[McAfee, New Jersey|McAfee]]
*Mud Pond
*Owens
*Pleasant Valley Lake
*Prices Switch
*Scenic Lake
*Vernon Village "Town Center"
*Vernon Valley a.k.a. "The Valley"
*Vernon Valley Lake
*Wawayanda
*Wawayanda Lake

Glenwood and McAfee are located in the western portion of the township, McAfee to the South and Glenwood to the North. Highland Lakes is in the Eastern portion of the township. Pleasant Valley Lake is in the southwest portion of the township. Four of these sections have a post office. Vernon also has many developments.

Vernon is home to many lake communities, including [[Highland Lakes, New Jersey|Highland Lakes]], Barry Lakes, Cliffwood Lake, High Breeze, Lake Conway, Lake Wanda, Laurel Lake, Lake Wildwood, Lake Panorama, Lake Pochung, Lake Wallkill, Pleasant Valley Lake, Scenic Lakes, and Vernon Valley Lake.

The township's largest housing complex is Great Gorge Village. Originally built as a slope-side vacation housing development with 1,356 units, the village is no longer affiliated with the ski resort and is operated by real estate investor Andrew Mulvihill. Village residents, who pay $5.5 million in condominium fees to cover services, have argued that Mulvihill and affiliated businesses have used their control of the community's board of directors to direct contracts to affiliated vendors.<ref>Obernauer, Eric. [http://www.njherald.com/20170625/great-gorge-village-residents-air-complaints#// "Great Gorge Village residents air complaints"], ''[[New Jersey Herald]]'', June 25, 2017. Accessed November 5, 2017. "With residents of the 1,356-unit Great Gorge Village in an uprising against resort and real estate magnate Andrew Mulvihill and his associates, who together hold a majority of seats on the condominium community's board of directors, a showdown could be looming when the board — known as the master council — holds its next meeting July 12, 7 p.m. at Minerals Sports Club. Residents of the village, which collects nearly $5.5 million in dues from condo owners each year for management and upkeep, are openly complaining of bid-rigging and backroom deals with vendors controlled by Mulvihill."</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1810= 1708
| 1820= 2096
| 1830= 2380
| 1840= 2395
| 1850= 2649
| 1860= 2190
| 1870= 1979
| 1880= 1811
| 1890= 1756
| 1900= 1738
| 1910= 1675
| 1920= 1433
| 1930= 1279
| 1940= 1407
| 1950= 1548
| 1960= 2155
| 1970= 6059
| 1980=16302
| 1990=21211
| 2000=24686
| 2010=23943
| 2020=22358
| estimate=22711
| estyear=2023
| estref=<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/mcds/totals/SUB-MCD-EST2023-POP-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023], [[United States Census Bureau]], released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.</ref>
|footnote=Population sources:<small><br>1810–1920<ref>[https://dspace.njstatelib.org/xmlui/handle/10929/25218?show=full ''Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905''], [[New Jersey Department of State]], 1906. Accessed July 22, 2013.</ref> 1840<ref>[[Francis Bowen|Bowen, Francis]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=DnUFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA231 ''American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year 1843''], p. 231, David H. Williams, 1842. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref> 1850–1870<ref>Raum, John O. [https://books.google.com/books?id=5qZ4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA271 ''The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1''], p. 271, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed February 26, 2013. "Vernon is the extreme north-eastern township. It is extremely mountainous, the Pochuck, Hamburgh and Wawayanda mountains passing through its entire length from north to south. Its population in 1850 was 2,619; in 1860, 2,190; and in 1870, 1,979."</ref><br>1850<ref>[[J. D. B. De Bow|Debow, James Dunwoody Brownson]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=25TicJOdU0AC&pg=PA141 ''The Seventh Census of the United States: 1850''], p. 141. R. Armstrong, 1853. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref> 1870<ref>Staff. [https://books.google.com/books?id=gNwIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA260 ''A compendium of the ninth census, 1870''], p. 260. [[United States Census Bureau]], 1872. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref> 1880–1890<ref>Porter, Robert Percival. [https://books.google.com/books?id=8gUkQkJdLpsC&pg=PA99 ''Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75''], p. 99. [[United States Census Bureau]], 1890. Accessed July 24, 2012.</ref><br>1890–1910<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=T9HrAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA339 ''Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890''], [[United States Census Bureau]], p. 339. Accessed June 5, 2012.</ref> 1910–1930<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=kifRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA719 ''Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I''], [[United States Census Bureau]], p. 719. Accessed June 5, 2012.</ref><br>1940–2000<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2kpub/njsdcp3.pdf#page=27 Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000], Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> 2000<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/><br>2010<ref name=Census2010>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3403775740 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Vernon township, Sussex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212102539/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3403775740 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref><ref name=LWD2010>[http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_sus/vernon1.pdf Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Vernon township] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520210206/http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_sus/vernon1.pdf |date=May 20, 2013 }}, [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref> 2020<ref name=Census2020>[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/vernontownshipsussexcountynewjersey/ QuickFacts Vernon township, Sussex County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed February 23, 2023.</ref><ref name=LWD2020>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_Mun/MCD%200_All.pdf Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref></small>
}}

===2010 census===

The [[2010 United States census]] counted 23,943 people, 8,622 households, and 6,596 families in the township. The [[population density]] was {{convert|350.9|/sqmi}}. There were 10,958 housing units at an average density of {{convert|160.6|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup was 95.18% (22,790) [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 1.39% (332) [[Black (U.S. census)|Black or African American]], 0.17% (40) [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 0.78% (186) [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.03% (8) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.10% (263) from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census#Race|other races]], and 1.35% (324) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 6.41% (1,534) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 8,622 households, 35.6% had children under the age of 18; 63.0% were married couples living together; 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.5% were non-families. Of all households, 19.0% were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.18.<ref name=Census2010/>

24.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 34.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 102.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 101.2 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 [[American Community Survey]] showed that (in 2010 [[inflation adjustment|inflation-adjusted]] dollars) [[median household income]] was $81,129 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,949) and the median family income was $87,215 (+/− $4,152). Males had a median income of $62,462 (+/− $3,163) versus $41,917 (+/− $2,121) for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $32,649 (+/− $1,365). About 3.2% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3403775740 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Vernon township, Sussex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212085100/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3403775740 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed June 5, 2012.</ref>

===2000 census ===
As of the [[2000 United States census]]<ref name="GR2" /> there were 24,686 people, 8,368 households, and 6,610 families residing in the township. The population density was {{convert|360.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 9,994 housing units at an average density of {{convert|146.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the township was 96.56% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.76% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.09% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.70% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.79% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.07% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.60% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>[http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603403775740.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Vernon township, Sussex County, New Jersey]{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed June 5, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3403775740 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Vernon township, Sussex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212095526/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3403775740 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed July 24, 2012.</ref>

There were 8,368 households, out of which 45.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.0% were non-families. 16.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.35.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $67,566, and the median income for a family was $72,609. Males had a median income of $50,084 versus $33,292 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the township was $25,250. About 2.8% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

==Economy==
The primary satellite [[uplink]] [[earth terminal]] facility for [[Sirius XM Radio]] is located in Vernon,<ref>[http://www.dbstv.com/coverage/SiriusRadio Sirius Radio Service] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130121143324/http://www.dbstv.com/coverage/SiriusRadio |date=January 21, 2013 }}, Houston Media Systems. Accessed June 5, 2012. "Another limitation on service for Sirius' system is the satellite uplink (what Sirius is sending to the satellites). The satellite uplink from Sirius comes from Vernon, NJ, USA."</ref> as is the Vernon Valley uplink facility for SES Worldcom.

==Parks and recreation==
* [[Appalachian National Scenic Trail]]
* [[Mountain Creek]] Ski Resort and [[Mountain Creek Waterpark]]
* [[Hidden Valley (New Jersey)|Hidden Valley Resort]] – Since January 2016, the area has been repurposed as the National Winter Activity Center, which provides education and ski / snowboard instruction to groups that might not have access to winter sports.<ref>Obernauer, Eric. [http://www.njherald.com/article/20160120/ARTICLE/301209985#// "Educational ski center up and running at former Hidden Valley Ski Resort"], ''[[New Jersey Herald]]'', January 20, 2016. Accessed October 23, 2017. "A new educational ski center, which includes more than $12 million in upgrades and renovations, has opened at the 140-acre former site of the Hidden Valley Ski Resort off Breakneck Road. The nonprofit venture, which opened last weekend as the National Winter Activity Center, is targeted to improving the lives, health and fitness of youth through participation in winter sports activities."</ref>

==Government==

===Local government===
In a November 2010 referendum, 70% of voters approved a change from the [[Faulkner Act (council–manager)]] form of government to the [[Faulkner Act (mayor–council)|mayor–council]] form. Under the new plan, a mayor [[direct election|directly elected]] by the voters oversees the day-to-day operation of the township with the aid of a business manager, subject to the oversight of a five-member Township Council. The Mayor and Council took office after elections in May 2011, replacing the previously existing council.<ref>Molnar, Phillip. [http://www.njherald.com/story/news/03VERNONRESULT "Vernon votes for change in form of government"]{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''[[New Jersey Herald]]'', November 2, 2010. Accessed July 25, 2011. "A May election will now decide an elected mayor and a new five-person council. The new Township Council will be seated July 1, and would appoint a new township administrator. Vernon's current Faulkner Act council-manager form of government, in which the township manager makes most decisions for the township (after council approval), will now become a mayor-council form, in which an elected mayor will be the executive in the township."</ref> The township is one of 42 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.<ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf ''Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey''], [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> Under the terms of an ordinance passed in August 2011, the township's elections were shifted from May to November, with the council citing savings from eliminating the standalone municipal election.<ref>[http://www.vernontwp.com/government/ordinances/n11_19/ Ordinance No. 11-19], Vernon Township. Accessed October 29, 2014. "An ordinance establishing the Vernon Township municipal elections on the same day as November general elections held and extending the terms of office for the existing mayor and council members pursuant to law."</ref>

The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the five-member Township Council, who are directly elected by the voters on an [[at-large]] basis to staggered four-year terms of office on a [[non-partisan democracy|non-partisan]] basis, with either two or three seats up for election in odd-numbered years as part of the November general election. Three council seats come up for election together and the two other council seats and the mayoral seat are up for vote together two years later.<ref name=DataBook>''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', [[Rutgers University]] [[Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy]], March 2013, p. 109.</ref><ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=10 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"], p. 10. [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> Under the current plan, Vernon has a "[[strong mayor]]" system of government in which the mayor heads the [[executive branch]], overseeing township functions, enforcing all ordinances and other regulations, appoints department heads and prepares a budget, with the assistance of a business administrator. The Township Council is the [[legislative branch]], responsible for enacting ordinances, approving the mayor's department head appointments, can remove employees for cause and can modify the mayor's budget by majority vote, though budget increases require a ⅔ majority. The mayor has the option to attend and speak at council meetings but is not given a vote.<ref>[https://www.vernontwp.com/index.php/government/about-town-hall About Town Hall], Vernon Township. Accessed June 7, 2022. "On July 1, 2011, following a November 2010 referendum, Vernon Township’s form of government changed from a Faulkner Act council-manager form of government to a nonpartisan Faulkner Act mayor-council form. Under this form of government, also known as the “strong mayor” form, voters directly elect a mayor who serves as the chief executive.... The township council serves as the legislative branch of the township. Jointly, its five members are responsible for all policy-making, such as enacting ordinances, approving the mayor’s appointments and appointment of the township clerk."</ref>

{{As of|2024}}, the Mayor is Anthony L. Rossi, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.<ref name=Mayor>[https://www.vernontwp.com/index.php/government/mayors-office Mayor's Office], Vernon Township. Accessed February 1, 2024. "Under Vernon’s mayor-council form of government, the mayor is elected directly by the voters and serves as the township’s chief executive."</ref> Members of the Vernon Township Council are Council President Patrick Rizzuto (2025), Council Vice President Natalie Buccieri (2025), Jessica DeBenedetto (2025; elected to serve an unexpired term), William J. Higgins (2027) and Bradley D. Sparta (2027).<ref name=Council>[https://www.vernontwp.com/index.php/government/township-council/about Township Council: About], Vernon Township. Accessed April 23, 2023. "The township council is the elected governing body responsible for legislative functions in Vernon Township. It is comprised of five members, all of whom are elected at-large. Subsequent to the implementation of Vernon’s new form of government on July 1, 2011, initial council terms are staggered—three members serve for two years and two members serve for four years. Going forward, all will serve for a term of four years."</ref><ref>[https://www.vernontwp.com/images/2024_introduction_budget.pdf#page=9 2024 Municipal Data Sheet], Vernon Township. Accessed May 24, 2024.</ref><ref name=Sussex2023>[https://sussexcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Nov-7-2023-GE-OFFICIAL-summary-rpt-with-write-ins-suppressed.pdf Summary Results Report Official Results November 7 2023 General Election], [[Sussex County, New Jersey]], November 22, 2023. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Sussex2022>[https://sussexcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/NOV-8-2022-GE-Official-County-Summary.pdf Sussex County, New Jersey General Election November 8, 2022, Official Results Summary Report], [[Sussex County, New Jersey]], dated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Sussex2021>[https://sussexcountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/official-11-22-21.pdf Summary Results Report November 2, 2021 General Election Official Results], [[Sussex County, New Jersey]], updated November 22, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

In February 2023, Peg Distasi was appointed to the seat expiring in December 2025 that had been held by Bryan Lynch; the seat will come up for election in November 2023 for the balance of the term.<ref>Zummo, Mike. [https://www.advertisernewsnorth.com/news/local-news/distasi-chosen-to-fill-vacant-council-seat-YG2392247 "Distasi chosen to fill vacant council seat"], ''Advertiser-News North'', February 13, 2023. Accessed April 23, 2023. "Peg Distasi was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Vernon Township Council at its Feb. 6 meeting. Former council president Brian Lynch resigned his seat in January.... Voters will elect a candidate in November to fill the rest of Lynch’s term, which ends Dec. 31, 2025."</ref> In the November 2023 general election, Jessica DeBenedetto was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref name=Sussex2023/>

In November 2022, the council appointed Joe Tadrick to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Harry Shortway the previous month due to health issues.<ref>Zummo, Mike. [https://www.advertisernewsnorth.com/news/local-news/shortway-resigns-from-vernon-council-EA2244017 "Shortway resigns from Vernon council"], ''Advertiser-News North'', October 17, 2022. Accessed April 23, 2023. "Vernon Township Councilman Harry Shortway on Oct. 15 officially resigned his position due to health reasons."</ref><ref>Zummo, Mike. [https://www.advertisernewsnorth.com/news/local-news/tadrick-appointed-to-vernon-council-FE2273502 "Tadrick appointed to Vernon council"], ''Advertiser-News North'', November 14, 2022. Accessed April 23, 2023. "The Vernon Township Council on Nov. 10 appointed Joe Tadrick to fill the vacancy created by last month’s resignation of Councilman Harry Shortway. Shortway resigned his seat on Oct. 15 after announcing he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer for the second time. Tadrick will fill the remaining term, which is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2023."</ref>

In October 2021, the Township Council selected Michael Furrey to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Kelly Weller until she stepped down from office earlier that month after announcing that she was moving out of the township.<ref>Zummo, Mike. [https://www.advertisernewsnorth.com/news/local-news/utilities-chair-mike-furrey-fills-vacancy-on-vernon-council-YB1829652 "Utilities chair Mike Furrey fills vacancy on Vernon council"], ''Advertiser-News'', October 22, 2021. Accessed June 7, 2022. "Mike Furrey will replace Kelly Weller on the Vernon Township Council until the next general election next year.... Weller submitted her resignation on Oct. 1. She is moving out of Vernon Township.... Furrey will fill Weller’s seat until Nov. 8, 2022, when voters will elect the person who will fill the remainder of her term, set to expire on Dec. 31, 2023."</ref> Furrey served on an interim basis until the November 2022 general election, when Bradley D. Sparta was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref name=Sussex2022/>

The Township Council selected Toni Cilli in January 2021 to fill the seat held by Jean Murphy running to December 2021.<ref>Zummo, Mike. [https://www.advertisernewsnorth.com/news/local-news/toni-cilli-to-fill-jean-murphy-s-seat-on-vernon-council-YG1484809 "Toni Cilli to fill Jean Murphy’s seat on Vernon council"], ''Advertiser-News'', January 22, 2021. Accessed June 7, 2022. "The Vernon Township Council on Jan. 11 unanimously appointed Toni Cilli to fill the remainder of former Councilwoman Jean Murphy’s term. Murphy, who announced her resignation via a letter read by Township Council Vice President John Auberger on Jan. 1, was scheduled to serve until Dec. 31."</ref>

Andrew Pitsker took office in July 2020 after being chosen to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that had been held until Mark Van Tassel left office the previous month.<ref>[https://www.njherald.com/story/news/2020/07/14/vernon-appoints-andrew-pitsker-to-open-council-seat/42256025/ "Vernon appoints Andrew Pitsker to open council seat"], ''[[New Jersey Herald]]'', July 14, 2020. Accessed June 7, 2022. "The Township Council appointed Andrew Pitsker to its open seat Monday night following a 30-minute discussion, two nominations and the reading of private emails that put a council member at odds with the mayor. Pitsker fills the seat left empty by Mark Van Tassel’s resignation last month with a 3-2 vote."</ref> Pitsker served on an interim basis until the November 2020 general election, when he was elected to serve the remainder of the term.<ref name=Sussex2020>[https://sussexcountyclerk.org/docs/elections/2020/General/Official/Amended-SUMMARY.html Election Summary November 3, 2020 General Election Official Amended Results], [[Sussex County, New Jersey]], updated December 10, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref>

Four members of the governing body were elected in May 2011 and took office on July 1, 2011, Jean Murphy was elected in November 2014 just beating Edward Dunn.<ref name=Sussex2013>[http://sussexcountyclerk.org/docs/elections/2013/EL45A-SUMMARY-OFFICIAL.HTML Sussex County General and School Election November 5, 2013 Summary Report Official Results], [[Sussex County, New Jersey]] Clerk, updated November 7, 2013. Accessed August 1, 2016.</ref><ref>Molnar, Phillip. [http://www.njherald.com/story/news/vernon-polls-close "Marotta wins Vernon race for mayor"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808115123/http://www.njherald.com/story/news/vernon-polls-close |date=August 8, 2011 }}, ''[[New Jersey Herald]]'', May 10, 2011. Accessed July 25, 2011.</ref><ref name=Sussex2011Vernon>[http://www.sussexcountyclerk.com/election_results/Faulkner%20Munic%20Election%20Results/Vernon%205-10-11%20OFF%20RSLTS.pdf Vernon Municipal Election - May 10, 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115105043/http://www.sussexcountyclerk.com/election_results/Faulkner%20Munic%20Election%20Results/Vernon%205-10-11%20OFF%20RSLTS.pdf |date=November 15, 2012 }}, [[Sussex County, New Jersey]] Clerk, run date May 11, 2011. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref>

====Emergency services====
Vernon Township is serviced by the Vernon Police Department, one ambulance squad and four fire departments.  All of the emergency services are made up of volunteers, except for the police department.

Vernon Fire Department covers a significant portion of "the Valley", Highland Lakes Fire Department covers "the mountain", McAfee Fire Department covers the Pleasant Valley Lake area and Pochuck Valley covers most of the Glenwood section.<ref>[http://www.vernontwp.com/public_safety/fire_department/ Fire Department], Vernon Township. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref>

Since 2024, Vernon Emergency Medical Services (formed from the merger of the Vernon Township Ambulance Squad and the Glenwood Pochuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps) is split between three stations buildings situated to best serve the township.<ref>[https://www.vernontwp.com/index.php/public-safety/ambulance-squad Ambulance Squad], Vernon Township. Accessed February 19, 2024. "Vernon Emergency Medical Services (VEMS) is the unified organization that has evolved from the merger of two volunteer-run ambulance squads—Vernon Township Ambulance Squad (VTAS) and the Glenwood Pochuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps (GPVAC)—as of 2024.... Strategically positioned across the township, VEMS operates three stations to optimize response times and coverage."</ref>

===Federal, state and county representation===
Vernon Township is located in the 5th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report], [[New Jersey Redistricting Commission]], December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 24th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>[https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf ''2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''], New Jersey [[League of Women Voters]]. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#24 Districts by Number for 2011-2020], [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

{{NJ Congress 05}} {{NJ Senate}}

{{NJ Legislative 24}}

{{NJ Sussex County Commissioners}}

===Politics===
As of March 2011, there were a total of 15,476 registered voters in Vernon Township, of which 2,425 (15.7% vs. 16.5% countywide) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], 5,489 (35.5% vs. 39.3%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 7,538 (48.7% vs. 44.1%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|Unaffiliated]]. There were 24 voters registered as [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarians]] or [[Green Party (United States)|Greens]].<ref name=VoterRegistration>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-sussex-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Sussex], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 64.6% (vs. 65.8% in Sussex County) were registered to vote, including 85.4% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 86.5% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTP7.ST16?slice=GEO~0400000US34 GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212202223/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTP7.ST16?slice=GEO~0400000US34 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref>

In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012 presidential election]], Republican [[Mitt Romney]] received 6,111 votes (56.8% vs. 59.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[Barack Obama]] with 4,322 votes (40.2% vs. 38.2%) and other candidates with 281 votes (2.6% vs. 2.1%), among the 10,753 ballots cast by the township's 15,729 registered voters, for a turnout of 68.4% (vs. 68.3% in Sussex County).<ref>[http://www.sussexcountyclerk.com/election_results/General%20Election%20Results/Amended-2GNJSUSS-District-Detailed.html General Election November 6, 2012: District Report - Group Detail] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606114607/http://www.sussexcountyclerk.com/election_results/General%20Election%20Results/Amended-2GNJSUSS-District-Detailed.html |date=June 6, 2013 }}, [[Sussex County, New Jersey]] Clerk, run date November 30, 2012. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008 presidential election]], Republican [[John McCain]] received 6,778 votes (58.3% vs. 59.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[Barack Obama]] with 4,603 votes (39.6% vs. 38.7%) and other candidates with 184 votes (1.6% vs. 1.5%), among the 11,620 ballots cast by the township's 15,195 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.5% (vs. 76.9% in Sussex County).<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-sussex.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Sussex County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004 presidential election]], Republican [[George W. Bush]] received 6,826 votes (62.4% vs. 63.9% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[John Kerry]] with 3,921 votes (35.8% vs. 34.4%) and other candidates with 149 votes (1.4% vs. 1.3%), among the 10,939 ballots cast by the township's 14,249 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.8% (vs. 77.7% in the whole county).<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_sussex_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Sussex County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref>

In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013|2013 gubernatorial election]], Republican [[Chris Christie]] received 69.0% of the vote (4,445 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barbara Buono]] with 27.0% (1,740 votes), and other candidates with 4.0% (257 votes), among the 6,498 ballots cast by the township's 15,896 registered voters (56 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 40.9%.<ref name=2013Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-sussex.pdf |title=Governor - Sussex County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-sussex.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Sussex County|date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009|2009 gubernatorial election]], Republican Chris Christie received 4,441 votes (59.5% vs. 63.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] with 2,106 votes (28.2% vs. 25.7%), Independent [[Chris Daggett]] with 732 votes (9.8% vs. 9.1%) and other candidates with 124 votes (1.7% vs. 1.3%), among the 7,458 ballots cast by the township's 15,109 registered voters, yielding a 49.4% turnout (vs. 52.3% in the county).<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-sussex.pdf 2009 Governor: Sussex County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606051254/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-sussex.pdf |date=June 6, 2013 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed February 26, 2013.</ref>

==Education==
The [[Vernon Township School District]] serves [[state school|public school]] students in [[pre-kindergarten]] through [[twelfth grade]].<ref>[https://www.straussesmay.com/seportal/Public/DistrictPolicy.aspx?policyid=0110&id=793dd52c4b724ce1a5e58162e55c18e1 Vernon Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification], Vernon Township School District. Accessed August 31, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-K through twelve in the School District of Vernon Township. Composition: The Vernon Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Vernon Township."</ref> As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of six schools, had an enrollment of 3,012 students and 296.2 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 10.2:1.<ref name=NCES>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3416710&DistrictID=3416710 District information for Vernon Township School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed April 1, 2020.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the [[National Center for Education Statistics]]<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3416710 School Data for the Vernon Township School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed April 1, 2020.</ref>) are 
Walnut Ridge School<ref>[http://www.vtsd.com/walnut-ridge-school/ Walnut Ridge School], Vernon Township School District. Accessed August 31, 2020.</ref> with 96 students in Pre-K, 
Cedar Mountain Primary School<ref>[https://www.vtsd.com/cedar-mountain-primary-school/ Cedar Mountain Primary School], Vernon Township School District. Accessed August 31, 2020.</ref> with 374 students in grades K–1, 
Rolling Hills Elementary School<ref>[https://www.vtsd.com/rolling-hills-primary-school/ Rolling Hills Primary School], Vernon Township School District. Accessed August 31, 2020.</ref> with 429 students in grades 2–3, 
Lounsberry Hollow School<ref>[https://www.vtsd.com/lounsberry-hollow-school Lounsberry Hollow School], Vernon Township School District. Accessed August 31, 2020.</ref> with 410 students in grades 4–5, 
Glen Meadow Middle School<ref>[https://www.vtsd.com/glen-meadow-middle-school Glen Meadow Middle School], Vernon Township School District. Accessed August 31, 2020.</ref> with 680 students in grades 6–8 and 
[[Vernon Township High School]]<ref>[https://www.vtsd.com/vernon-township-high-school Vernon Township High School], Vernon Township School District. Accessed August 31, 2020.</ref> with 995 students in grades 9–12.<ref>[https://www.vtsd.com/schools/ Schools], Vernon Township School District. Accessed August 31, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://homeroom6.doe.state.nj.us/directory/school/districtid/5360 New Jersey School Directory for the Vernon Township School District], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

==Transportation==

===Roads and highways===
[[File:2021-09-18 15 42 25 View south along New Jersey State Route 94 (McAfee-Vernon Road) from the pedestrian overpass between Sand Hill Road and Columbus Drive in Vernon Township, Sussex County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|right|[[New Jersey Route 94|Route 94]] southbound in Vernon Township]]
{{As of|2010|5}}, the township had a total of {{convert|126.12|mi}} of roadways, of which {{convert|85.21|mi}} were maintained by the municipality, {{convert|32.31|mi}} by Sussex County and {{convert|8.60|mi}} by the [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]].<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Sussex.pdf Sussex County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>

The main highway serving Vernon Township is [[New Jersey Route 94]]. Other significant roads passing through Vernon Township include [[County Route 515 (New Jersey)|County Route 515]], [[County Route 517 (New Jersey)|County Route 517]] and [[County Route 565 (New Jersey)|County Route 565]]. [[County Route 644 (Sussex County, New Jersey)|County Route 644]] and [[County Route 641 (Sussex County, New Jersey)|County Route 641]] also pass through the township. In addition, direct access to [[Interstate 80 in New Jersey|Interstate 80]] is offered via [[New Jersey Route 94|Route 94]], and [[County Route 565 (New Jersey)|County Route 565]] to [[New Jersey Route 23|Route 23]] to [[Interstate 84 (east)|Interstate 84]] in New York.

Vernon is the site of a [[Concurrency (road)#Wrong-way concurrencies|wrong-way concurrency]] at the intersection of Route 94 and County Route 517 in McAfee.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

===Public transportation===
The [[New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway]] passes through Vernon, but only freight service is offered.

==In popular culture==
* Portions of the 1989 film ''[[See No Evil, Hear No Evil]]'' were filmed and shot in Vernon at the former Playboy Club, referred to as simply the "Great Gorge Resort" in the movie.<ref>Barbati, Carl. [https://www.njherald.com/sports/20170330/return-to-glory-new-owner-brings-great-gorge-golf-course-back-to-life "Return to glory: New owner brings Great Gorge golf course back to life"], ''[[New Jersey Herald]]'', March 30, 2017. Accessed December 20, 2020. "In 1989, the movie ''See No Evil, Hear No Evi''” was filmed here, starring Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder."</ref>
* In 2020, the former [[Action Park]] was preserved through its legacy in two memoir adaptations. On June 30, [[Penguin Random House]] published the book ''Action Park'' by Andy Mulvihill and Jake Rossen, and two months later, [[HBO Max]] released the documentary film ''[[Class Action Park]]'' about the life, times and dangers of the former Action Park.<ref>Syme, Rachel. [https://www.newyorker.com/culture/on-television/the-thrills-and-horrors-of-hbos-class-action-park "The Thrills and Horrors of HBO’s ''Class Action Park''"], ''[[The New Yorker]]'', September 10, 2020. Accessed December 20, 2020. "I thought about the Beach again—and how a day there always provoked a giddy mix of elation and dread—when I watched the new HBO Max original documentary, 'Class Action Park.' It turns out that my home-town park was tame compared to what was going on in the nineteen-seventies and eighties at Action Park, in Vernon, New Jersey."</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{Category see also|People from Vernon Township, New Jersey}}
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Vernon Township include:
* [[Rebekah Bruesehoff]] (born 2007), LGBTQ rights activist, social media influencer, and author<ref>Maag, Christopher. [https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/columnists/christopher-maag/2019/02/01/preteen-can-now-change-gender-listed-her-nj-birth-certificate/2724614002/ "The day arrives when New Jersey preteen can change gender on her birth certificate"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', February 1, 2019. Accessed January 6, 2024. "Rebekah Bruesehoff became an internationally famous transgender activist by accident. It was 2017, and Rebekah and her mother traveled from their home in Vernon, Sussex County, to Jersey City to protest the Trump administration’s decision to rescind rules protecting transgender youth in schools."</ref>
* [[Bobby Ellsworth]] (born 1959), lead singer of thrash metal band [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]]<ref>[https://blabbermouth.net/news/overkills-bobby-blitz-ellsworth-ive-had-black-bear-hibernate-on-my-property-now-for-15-years "Overkill's Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth: 'I've Had Black Bear Hibernate On My Property Now For 15 Years'"], BlabberMouth.net, March 12, 2023. Accessed March 12, 2023."Overkill singer Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth spoke to the ''Appetite For Distortion'' podcast about his current residence in Vernon, New Jersey, saying (as transcribed by BlabberMouth.net): "I'm approximately 60 miles west of the George Washington Bridge. So I live up in northwest Jersey. I'm closer to Pennsylvania than I am to New York City; I'm only about 20 miles from PA. But this is what they call the Skylands."</ref>
* [[Helena Rutherfurd Ely]] (1858–1920), author, garden writer and creator of Vernon's Meadowburn Farm<ref>Druse, Ken, via ''The New York Times News Service''. [http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040711/news_1hs11elygar.html "Pioneering gardener's planting style lives on"], ''[[U-T San Diego]]'', July 11, 2004. Accessed March 11, 2013.</ref>
* [[Nicolas de Gunzburg]] (1904–1981), [[editor in chief]] of ''[[Town & Country (magazine)|Town & Country]]'' and fashion editor at ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'' and ''[[Harper's Bazaar]]''<ref>Dupont, Ronald J.; and Dupont Jr., Ronald J. [https://books.google.com/books?id=B6jJrUvEBWAC&pg=PA96 ''Vernon Township''], p. 96. via [[Google Books]], [[Arcadia Publishing]], 2002, {{ISBN|0-7385-1110-2}}. Accessed October 18, 2015.</ref>
* [[Daniel Haines]] (1801–1877), attorney, jurist, and politician who served as the 14th [[Governor of New Jersey]] in nonconsecutive terms in office from 1843 to 1845 and 1848 to 1851.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110812152200/http://slic.njstatelib.org/slic_files/imported/NJ_Information/Digital_Collections/Governors_of_New_Jersey/GHAIN.pdf "Daniel Haines"], [[New Jersey State Library]], backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of August 12, 2011. Accessed February 23, 2023. "A Federalist who became an ardent supporter of Andrew Jackson, Haines began his political life by securing Jackson all the votes cast in the small township of Vernon, in which he reside."</ref>
* [[Brett Hearn]] (born 1958), [[Modified stock car racing|modified stock car]] driver<ref>[http://bretthearn.com/about/brett-hearn-biography/ Brett Hearn Biography], BrettHearn.com. Accessed August 7, 2015. "Residence: Vernon, New Jersey"</ref>
* [[Katie Henry]], [[blues rock]] singer, guitarist, pianist and songwriter<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/katie-henry-mn0001321158|title=Katie Henry Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=October 28, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Ryan Izzo]] (born 1995), football [[tight end]] for the [[Houston Roughnecks (2024)|Houston Roughnecks]]<ref>Stein, Peter. [http://www.njherald.com/story/29996357/sussex-seminole-vernon-resident-pope-john-grad-ryan-izzo-starts-at-te-for-florida-state# "Sussex Seminole: Vernon resident, Pope John grad Ryan Izzo starts at TE for Florida State"], ''[[New Jersey Herald]]'', September 9, 2015. Accessed January 4, 2018. "Vernon resident and 2014 Pope John graduate Ryan Izzo did start at tight end for Florida State and did catch a 13-yard touchdown pass from Golson in the Seminoles’ 59-16 victory over Texas State Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla."</ref>
* [[Danny Kass]] (born 1982), professional [[snowboarding|snowboarder]] who won a silver medal in men's halfpipe in [[Snowboarding at the 2002 Winter Olympics]]<ref>[https://www.westmilfordmessenger.com/news/vernon-grown-danny-kass-is-living-the-good-life-IDWM20070314303149789 "Vernon-grown Danny Kass is living the good life"], ''West Milford Messenger'', September 29, 2011. Accessed February 15, 2024. "Danny Kass had his epiphany at the age of 17, although it’s doubtful he used that word to describe the moment when he beheld his future and saw that it was totally cool.... He grew up in the Scenic Lakes section of Vernon. Because he had a Hamburg mailing address, that borough claimed him on signs at the town border, but, he says, he’s only lived in Vernon."</ref>
* [[Brad Leone]] (born 1985), chef for ''[[Bon Appétit]]'' star of show ''It's Alive''<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBlEtLWtNzw Brad and Matty Matheson Make Fish Tacos- It's Alive - Bon Appétit], [[YouTube]], July 12, 2018. Accessed April 6, 2020. Starting at ~ 14:00 - [Brad] "I've never been south of San Francisco. [Matty] Where are you from? [Brad] New Jersey. [Matty] Short Hills. [Brad] No, Vernon."</ref>
* [[John Winans]] (1831–1907), U.S. Representative from Wisconsin<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000627 John Winans biography], ''[[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]]''. Accessed August 2, 2007.</ref>
* [[Ross Winans]] (1796–1877), inventor, mechanic, and builder of locomotives and railroad machinery<ref>Hager, Guy W. [http://www.friendsoforiandahouse.com/images/RossWinans.pdf Ross Winans], Friends of Orianda House. Accessed January 4, 2018. "Place of Birth: Vernon, Sussex County, NJ"</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{portal|New Jersey}}

==External links==

{{commons category}}
*[http://www.vernontwp.com Vernon Township website]
*[https://www.vtsd.com Vernon Township School District]
*{{NJReportCard|37|5360|0|Vernon Township School District}}
*[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3416710 School Data for the Vernon Township School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]
*[http://www.aimvernon.com Aim Vernon – Vernon's local newspaper]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081122125822/http://www.advertiser-news.com/ The Advertiser News, community newspaper]
*[http://www.pleasantvalleylake.com Pleasant Valley Lake's website]
*[http://www.vernonweb.com VernonWeb]
*[http://www.vernon411.com Vernon NJ Business Directory]
*[http://www.barrylakes.org Barry Lakes]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120306231150/http://strausnews.com/articles/2008/04/17/advertiser_news/news/47.txt Vernon creates law to limit sex offenders, Advertiser-News, April 2008]

{{Geographic location
| Centre = Vernon Township
| North =
| Northeast = [[Warwick, New York|Warwick, NY]]
| East =
| Southeast = [[West Milford, New Jersey|West Milford]]
| South =
| Southwest = [[Hardyston Township, New Jersey|Hardyston Township]]
| West =
| Northwest = [[Wantage Township, New Jersey|Wantage Township]]
| image =
}}

{{Sussex County, New Jersey}}
{{Hudson River}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Vernon Township, New Jersey| ]]
[[Category:1793 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Faulkner Act (mayor–council)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1793]]
[[Category:Townships in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Townships in Sussex County, New Jersey]]