Orange
Compact, historic and transit-connected, the City of Orange Township combines a traditional Main Street, neighborhood business corridors, rail access, one of Essex County's historic parks, a landmark public library and an industrial past that once made Orange one of America's great hat-making centers.
Orange Overview
The City of Orange Township sits in central Essex County between Newark, East Orange, West Orange and the South Orange–Maplewood area. At only a little over two square miles, Orange is one of New Jersey's more densely settled communities, with residential neighborhoods, commercial streets, civic institutions and transportation packed into a small geographic area.
History & the Hat City Legacy
Orange began as part of Newark and was historically known as Newark Mountains. Residents adopted the name Orange in 1780, and the area became a separate township in 1806. South Orange, East Orange and West Orange later separated from the original Orange territory.
Orange became one of the nation's leading hat-manufacturing centers. By the late nineteenth century, thousands of workers were employed in local hat factories producing millions of hats each year.
Orange also developed important shoe, brewery, calculator, office-products and manufacturing businesses, giving the city a strong industrial identity.
Orange remains closely connected geographically and historically with East Orange, West Orange and South Orange, a group commonly known as “the Oranges.”
Business & Shopping
Orange has a dense neighborhood business environment rather than a single suburban shopping center. The city's own business directory currently includes dozens of retailers, restaurants, professional services, health-related businesses, supermarkets, automotive services and other local establishments.
The city's traditional commercial spine, lined with shops, services, restaurants, mixed-use buildings and civic destinations including the Orange Public Library.
A major east-west corridor connecting Orange with East Orange and West Orange, with neighborhood retail, restaurants and services along the route.
A north-south corridor serving neighborhood retail, food, services and access toward Highland Avenue Station and South Orange.
The Valley corridor connects neighborhoods in Orange with West Orange and South Orange and is also a focus of redevelopment planning.
Food & Dining
Orange's restaurant scene is built around neighborhood dining rather than a single destination district. Main Street, Central Avenue, Scotland Road and nearby commercial streets offer Caribbean, Italian, American, Latin, takeout, bakery, café and everyday family dining.
The city's diverse population is reflected in Caribbean and international food options throughout neighborhood commercial areas.
Orange has several established restaurants that have remained part of the city's identity across generations.
These corridors provide a concentration of casual restaurants, takeout counters, cafés and food retailers.
Transportation & Commuting
Orange is well positioned for commuters. Two NJ Transit rail stations are located within the city on the Morris & Essex network, and Interstate 280 provides regional highway access just north of the central business area.
Located at Lincoln Avenue and Essex Street, Orange Station serves the downtown area and provides Morris & Essex rail service. Parking and bicycle facilities are available.
Located at Scotland Road and Highland Avenue, this neighborhood station provides additional rail access for the southern and western parts of Orange.
I-280 provides east-west access toward Newark and regional highways, as well as west toward the rest of Essex County.
NJ Transit bus routes connect Orange with Newark and surrounding Essex County communities, complementing rail service for local travel.
Parks & Recreation
Orange combines neighborhood recreation facilities with one of the historic landscapes of the Essex County Park System. City recreation programs include youth and adult sports, swimming, camps, arts and additional seasonal activities.
The 47.63-acre Essex County park includes athletic fields, a jogging path, fishing pond, lighted basketball, softball, playground facilities and a community center. It is one of the original Olmsted-designed landscapes in the county system.
Located on Day Street, Colgate Park includes basketball, playground space, picnic facilities and a swimming pool.
Located on Valley Street, Metcalf Park includes baseball and softball, basketball, a playground, picnic tables, a pool and restrooms. Orange pursued additional Green Acres improvements for the park in 2026.
Orange recreation programs range from baseball, soccer and tennis to swimming, camps, arts, dance and other activities for youth and adults.
Orange Public Library & Community Life
The Orange Public Library at 348 Main Street is one of the city's architectural and civic landmarks. The original building was designed by the renowned firm McKim, Mead & White around 1900 in Beaux-Arts and Classical Revival styles.
Orange's library tradition dates to 1883. Residents voted in 1945 to establish the institution as a publicly supported free library.
The library provides books, e-books, databases, computer access, reference services, children's and teen resources and community programming.
Its location on Main Street makes the library both a community resource and a visible part of the historic downtown streetscape.
Real Estate & Redevelopment
Redevelopment is a major part of present-day Orange. Former industrial properties and underused commercial sites are being repositioned for residential and mixed-use development, particularly near transit and the city's major corridors.
The city maintains redevelopment and rehabilitation plans for Main Street, North Main Street and Upper Main Street, reflecting the corridor's continued importance.
Orange has dedicated redevelopment plans for the central city and Valley corridor to guide new investment and neighborhood improvements.
Planning around Lincoln Avenue and Highland Avenue connects redevelopment with one of the city's two rail stations.
Current city planning also identifies Reock Street, Vose Avenue and other properties for redevelopment activity.
Living & Visiting Orange
Orange is primarily a residential and working city rather than a conventional tourist destination, but its industrial history, historic architecture, parks, food, transit access and relationship to the other Oranges make it worth exploring.
Two rail stations, bus service and nearby I-280 provide multiple transportation options for Newark, New York City and regional employment centers.
Neighborhood parks, pools, recreation programs, the public library and city services provide important year-round community infrastructure.
The city's industrial past, Main Street buildings, historic library and older residential architecture reveal layers of Orange's development.
Jobs, Business & Opportunity
Orange's local economy includes retail, restaurants, manufacturing, construction, healthcare and social services, transportation, government, education and professional services. Redevelopment also creates opportunities in construction, property management and building services.
The City of Orange Township maintains official job postings and municipal career opportunities through its website.
Orange's dense population and neighborhood commercial corridors create a substantial customer base for independently owned businesses and services.
Ongoing construction and redevelopment can support employment in contracting, skilled trades, maintenance, property services and related fields.
Future NJTGO Orange Guides
This all-in-one guide gives Orange a complete NJTGO destination immediately. If we expand the city later, these categories can become dedicated pages without changing this main overview.
Main Street, Central Avenue, Scotland Road and local services.
Future ExpansionRestaurants, cafés, bakeries and neighborhood dining.
Future ExpansionHousing, redevelopment, rentals and property resources.
Future ExpansionTransit, nearby lodging and regional visitor planning.
Future ExpansionCommunity marketplace and local notices.
Future ExpansionEmployers, municipal opportunities and career resources.
Future ExpansionOfficial Orange Resources
Continue Exploring Essex County
Information reviewed August 2026. NJTGO.com is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with the City of Orange Township, Essex County, NJ Transit, the Orange Public Library or any local business. Transportation, redevelopment, recreation and public-service information can change; verify time-sensitive details with the appropriate official source.