Planning and Preservation

We provide staff to the Morris County Planning Board and are responsible for programs that preserve farmland, open space, historic resources, assist in the buyout of flood-prone residential properties and fund trail construction projects. We also:

Develop county master plan, review subdivisions of land and site plans, advise commissioners on planning matters, and provide information for individual citizens, industries, public service groups, and government officials
Acts as the depository for U.S. Census data
Manage the various and diverse planning related programs conducted by the County

Programs

State Plan and Cross-Acceptance

More Information

Latest News

New Interactive StoryMap Explores Nearly 240 Years of Morris County Growth

On Sept. 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed, providing the framework for a new nation and directing Congress to conduct a census.

Nearly 240 years later, the census continues to help tell the story of America, including the remarkable transformation of Morris County from the boundaries defining five towns in 1787 to 39 thriving communities today.

In recognition of Constitution Day, the Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation has launched an interactive online ArcGIS StoryMap® -- “Morris County & the Census” -- tracing nearly a quarter millennium of population growth and community development, from the county's first U.S. Census count in 1790 to the present day. It’s a product of the Constitution requiring an enumeration every 10 years to determine the apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The census is one of the few ways we can look across generations and see how communities have changed. The information collected every 10 years helps shape decisions that affect transportation, education, health care, emergency services and countless other public investments that benefit our residents,” said Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw. “This StoryMap brings that history together in a way that makes the data more accessible and helps demonstrate why the census remains important today.”

The “Morris County & the Census” StoryMap combines historical narratives, population data, interactive maps, photographs and other information to show how Morris County has evolved over the past 240 years.

Explore the Morris County Census StoryMap!

Morris County was created in 1738, nearly 40 years before the American Revolution, by an act of the state legislature that divided the larger Hunterdon County. By 1790, Morris County had a population of 16,216 with multiple villages and settlements encompassed within five recognized municipalities -- Hanover Township, Morris Township, Pequannock Township, Roxbury and Mendham Township. The first Census based its enumeration of Morris County population on a survey of these five municipalities.

Visitors to the StoryMap can move through each census decade to see how the county's population and municipal boundaries changed while major national and local events unfolded.

“One of the most interesting things about this StoryMap is being able to see how the Morris County we know today developed over generations,” said Joe Barilla, director of the Office of Planning and Preservation. “Residents can explore the history of their own communities, see how our county has grown and better understand how the census has documented that change over time.”

Morris County's population grew gradually through the 19th and early 20th centuries before accelerating dramatically after World War II. The county's population reached 164,371 in 1950 and more than doubled over the next three decades, reaching 407,630 in 1980. The 2020 Decennial Census recorded 509,285 residents, while the U.S. Census Population Estimates Program estimated the county's 2025 population at 524,251.

That growth was accompanied by the creation of the communities that make up Morris County today. By 1930, the number of towns had grown to 37, and by 1960 all 39 of the county's current municipalities had been established. The StoryMap’s interactive maps allow visitors to explore individual communities and see how the county's geography changed as those new municipalities were created.

In addition to documenting population trends, the StoryMap explores the history of Morris County itself, from its separation from Hunterdon County and naming after Colonial Governor Lewis Morris to its role as the “Military Capital of the American Revolution.” It also examines the origins and symbolism of the county's Coat of Arms and motto, Tandem Vincitur (“At last it is conquered”).

The StoryMap also traces the evolution of the census as well. The first census recorded information including the head of each family, free white males and females, other free persons and enslaved people. Over time, census questions evolved to collect increasingly detailed demographic, housing and economic information.

Today, census data help to determine congressional apportionment and political district boundaries, how federal funding is distributed, guide government and business planning, support emergency responses and provide a foundation for other federal surveys.

“The ‘Morris County & the Census’ StoryMap is the latest addition to Morris County's growing collection of online historical and educational resources, using GIS technology to make the county's history more accessible through interactive storytelling, maps and multimedia content,” said Commissioner Tom Mastrangelo, liaison to the Office of Planning and Preservation. “We encourage everyone to explore this valuable resource and other county StoryMaps.”

2026 Historic Preservation Grant Awards

On July 8, 2026, the Board of County Commissioners approved $4.92 million in grants from the county’s 2026 Preservation Trust Fund to support the restoration and protection of 35 historic projects in 20 municipalities across Morris County.

Please see 2026 Historic Preservation Grant Awards.

Street Histories Updated to a StoryMap

Our previously released Street Histories project has been updated to an interactive StoryMap. The street names listed in this application reflect the history of what were once byways of industries, structures or farms no longer extant; pay homage to U. S. presidents and allies and local citizens who played an important part in Morris County History. Some of our streets remember those in service who gave the last, full measure and are indicated as such with a Gold Star.

Updated StoryMap: Street Histories

If you have additional history regarding how a street in Morris County got its name, please submit a photo of the street sign and history to Jan Williams: jwilliams@co.morris.nj.us

2026 Trail Grant Program Application Process Open

Welcome to the 2026 Trail Construction Grant Program! The following are Mandatory steps and absolute deadlines in order to be considered for a 2026 Grant.

Step 1: Schedule and Attend a Pre-Application Meeting prior to Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Contact Karl Klingener, Special Projects Manager
MCTrailGrantProgram@morrisparks.net
Office: 862-325-7739 (Monday-Friday 07:30a.m. - 4:00p.m.)

Step 2: Register and Attend the Workshop on Tuesday, March 24, 2026

The Morris County Trail Construction Grant Program Will Host an Application Workshop on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., to review the overall 2026 program and application process. The Workshop will be held virtually via Webex. Please register to attend by completing the Workshop Registration Form.

Step 3: Submit a Letter of Intent(PDF, 376KB) by 12:00 PM, Friday, May 1, 2026

Step 4: Complete and submit theApplicationthat applies to your projectby 12:00 PM, Friday, June 19, 2026

Morris County Updates Official County Map

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners has formally adopted a new and updated official Morris County Map, an important tool for planning and decision making at all levels of government.

Updated from a 2007 version, the new Official Morris County Map outlines and identifies significant aspects of the county’s current landscape. It includes highways, roadways, parks, greenways and sites for public buildings or public works efforts under county jurisdiction, as well as locations where the county has participated or may be called upon to participate in acquisition, financing or construction.

Download a digital copy of the Official Morris County Map

For additional information see the full press release: Morris County Updates Official County Map – Morris County, NJ

NJDEP and FEMA Release Revised Flood Maps for Morris County

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have released revised preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (pFIRMs) and an updated Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Morris County, formally beginning the federal map adoption process.

Once adopted, the revised flood maps will be used to determine flood insurance requirements and eligibility for disaster relief and mitigation funding. The maps also serve as the most reliable source of flood risk information for communities, particularly when evaluating future development and planning decisions.

NJDEP and FEMA will hold a Consultation Coordination Officer meeting with municipal officials and consultants on Jan. 8, 2026. That meeting will be followed by two public open houses where residents can speak directly with state and federal officials about updated flood hazard information. The first open house will be held Jan. 8, 2026 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 500 W. Hanover Ave., Morristown. A second open house will be held Jan. 13, 2026 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Chester Library, 250 West Main Street, Chester.

For more information and to identify affected areas see the press release.

New Census Data Demonstrates Morris County's Strength in Income, Housing Value and Educational Attainment

The Census Bureau has released its 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates for geographic areas with a population of 65,000 or more.* The 2024 ACS includes estimates for various topics including income, educational attainment, housing and transportation. Highlights include:

At $137,623, Morris County had the highest median household income among all 21 counties in New Jersey.
At 33.2%, Morris County had the highest percentage of households with incomes of $200,000 or more among all the counties in the state.
At $639,200, Morris County had the third highest median housing value among all the counties in the state.
At 58.2%, Morris County had the second highest percentage of the population age 25 and over with a bachelor’s degree or higher among all the counties in the state.

Updates pertaining to these and other topics have been posted to the Data and Statistics page of this website.

*There are no municipalities in Morris County with a population of 65,000 or more, so for Morris County, this data applies at the county level only.