In addition to the borough, West Orange is part of Essex County, New Jersey. The township has a T1 Census Class Code, which indicates that the community is a part of an active county subdivision but not an incorporated place. There are various types of neighborhoods in West Orange, including those that have primarily residential or commercial development, and those that are characterized by group quarters, such as nursing facilities and college residents halls.
The borough's western section is situated along the eastern slope of Second Watchung Mountain and includes large areas of the South Mountain Reservation. These neighborhoods have a similar housing stock to the adjacent suburban towns of Livingston and Millburn. The west side of West Orange is characterized by a mixture of historic architecture, modern housing and apartment complexes. In the early 1900s, the city's population grew to over one million people.
The median household income in West Orange is $109,993, a number that is slightly higher than the national average and is in the 96th percentile. Income is correlated most closely with education, with 49% of adults completing a bachelor's degree in West Orange, compared to 31% nationally. Although the city's median household income is less than other cities nearby, it is still considerably higher than the national average. Some neighborhoods have higher incomes than others, and some areas have lower incomes.
The percentage of foreign born residents living in West Orange is slightly lower than the state average. Foreign born residents make up approximately 11% of the total population. The town's public school system is comprised of West Orange Public Schools, and the second largest school district is Private. There are seventeen different elementary schools and high schools in the town. All in all, there are nearly 50,000 people in West Orange. The area is home to Thomas Edison, a famous inventor.