East Hanover Township is a township in Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 11,105, a decrease of 52 (−0.5%) from the 2010 census count of 11,157, which in turn reflected a decline of 236 (−2.1%) from the 11,393 counted in the 2000 census.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.
Located between the Passaic and Whippany rivers, East Hanover shares a border with four Essex County municipalities; but only has roadways that connect the township with neighboring Livingston and Roseland.
East Hanover is notably home to the North American headquarters of Mondelez International (parent company of Nabisco) and the pharmaceutical company Novartis.
History The Township of Hanover was established on December 7, 1720, and named in honor of the British King George I of the German dynastic House of Hanover.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed May 1, 2026.A Brief History of East Hanover, Township of East Hanover. Accessed July 28, 2022. The boundaries of East Hanover are defined by the joining of two rivers, the Whippany River to the west and north and the Passaic River to the east and north. This geographic effect led to the early name of East Hanover, "Hanover Neck." Since the creation of Hanover Township in 1720, its size has been considerably decreased as the population of the area has increased. Originally encompassing large portions of Morris County and parts of both Sussex and Warren County, Hanover Township became too unwieldy for a single local government and municipalities split off from the township over time.
East Hanover was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 12, 1928, from portions of Hanover Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 9, 1928, that split off both East Hanover Township and Parsippany–Troy Hills from Hanover Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. Accessed May 1, 2026.Staff. "New Montclair Board Organizes Next Week; C.G. Phillips Only Candidate to Get First Choice Majority--Three Re-elected at Long Branch.", The New York Times, May 10, 1928. Accessed September 17, 2019. "The electorate of the present Hanover Township near here turned out in force today and by a vote of 1,938 to 987 registered its approval of the proposal to split the township into three new townships. The present township will be divided into the townships of Parsippany-Troy Hills, East Hanover and Old Township."Historical Timeline of Morris County Boundaries , Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1928, March 12. East Hanover Township is established from Hanover Township."
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 8.10 square miles (20.98 km2), including 7.88 square miles (20.40 km2) of land and 0.23 square miles (0.58 km2) of water (2.79%).
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Cooks Bridge, Hanover, Hanover Neck and Swinefield Bridge.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
The township borders the Morris County municipalities Florham Park, Hanover Township, Montville, Parsippany–Troy Hills; and the Essex County municipalities of Fairfield Township, Livingston, Roseland, and West Caldwell.Areas touching East Hanover, MapIt. Accessed March 27, 2020.Morris County Municipalities Map, Morris County, New Jersey Department of Planning and Preservation. Accessed March 27, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
As of 2026, the township is a member of Local Leaders for Responsible Planning in order to address the township's Mount Laurel doctrine-based housing obligations.
Demographics
2020 census +East Hanover township, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000Pop 2010% 2000% 2010White alone (NH)9,9219,0428,45087.08%81.04%76.09%Black or African American alone (NH)66901410.58%0.81%1.27%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)3440.03%0.04%0.04%Asian alone (NH)1,2691,3221,42511.14%11.85%12.83%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)0000.00%0.00%0.00%Other race alone (NH)2715300.24%0.27%0.27%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)107841790.94%0.75%1.61%Hispanic or Latino (any race)3126008762.74%5.38%7.89%Total11,39311,15711,105100.00%100.00%100.0%
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 11,157 people, 3,893 households, and 3,149 families in the township. The population density was . There were 3,976 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 85.11% (9,496) White, 0.83% (93) Black or African American, 0.08% (9) Native American, 11.92% (1,330) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.94% (105) from other races, and 1.11% (124) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.38% (600) of the population.
Of the 3,893 households, 31.2% had children under the age of 18; 69.4% were married couples living together; 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.1% were non-families. Of all households, 16.3% were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.22.
21.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.9 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $116,528 (with a margin of error of +/− $16,406) and the median family income was $122,074 (+/− $5,756). Males had a median income of $74,054 (+/− $9,723) versus $42,500 (+/− $12,460) for females. The per capita income for the township was $49,755 (+/− $5,660). About 2.5% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for East Hanover township, Morris County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 7, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 11,393 people, 3,843 households, and 3,212 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 3,895 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 87.08% White, 0.58% African American, 0.03% Native American, 11.14% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.74% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for East Hanover township, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 7, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for East Hanover township, Morris County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 18, 2012.
As of the 2000 Census, 35.6% of East Hanover residents were of Italian ancestry, the 15th-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States, and sixth-highest in New Jersey, among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.Italian Communities , Epodunk. Accessed June 9, 2007.
There were 3,843 households, out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.6% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the township the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $82,133, and the median income for a family was $88,348. Males had a median income of $58,333 versus $36,069 for females. The per capita income for the township was $32,129. About 1.3% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.2% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government East Hanover operates within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under Small Municipality plan 3 form of New Jersey municipal government, as implemented as of January 1, 1992, based on the recommendations of a Charter Study Commission."The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities, July 2007. Accessed October 8, 2013. The township is one of 18 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government, which is only available to municipalities with fewer than 12,000 residents at the time of adoption.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body under the Small Municipality plan is comprised of the Mayor and the Township Council. The mayor is elected to a four-year term and four councilmembers are elected to three-year terms, all elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. Councilmembers are elected on a staggered basis in a three-year cycle, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 121."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 14. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
, East Hanover's Mayor is Republican Joseph Pannullo, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.Mayor Joseph Pannullo, East Hanover Township. Accessed May 5, 2024. He has been serving as mayor since January 1, 2008. The Township Council is comprised of Council President Michael Martorelli (R, 2027), Brian T. Brokaw Sr. (R, 2025), Frank A. DeMaio Jr. (R, 2026) and Carolyn Jandoli (R, 2026).Directory, East Hanover Township. Accessed May 5, 2024.2023 Municipal Data Sheet, East Hanover Township. Accessed May 5, 2024.Morris County Manual 2024, Morris County, New Jersey Clerk. Accessed May 1, 2024.Morris County Municipal Elected Officials For The Year 2024, Morris County, New Jersey Clerk, updated March 20, 2024. Accessed May 1, 2024.General Election November 7, 2023 Official Results, Morris County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 11, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.General Election November 8, 2022, Official Results, Morris County, New Jersey, updated November 28, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.General Election Winners For November 2, 2021, Morris County, New Jersey Clerk. Accessed January 1, 2022.