New Vernon is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Harding Township, Morris County, New Jersey, United States. New Vernon is the location of the governmental offices for Harding Township. As of the 2020 census, the population of New Vernon was 825. United States Postal Service ZIP Code 07976 (New Vernon) serves the majority of the CDP, As of the 2010 United States Census, the population for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 07976 was 754. while 07920 (Basking Ridge) and 07960 (Morristown) serve more rural parts of the community. Forbes magazine ranked the New Vernon ZIP Code — 07976 — as one of the 25 most "expensive" ZIP Codes in the country.

History

Abraham Canfield moved to the area c. 1740 and established a country store, blacksmith shop, and cider mill. The community was first called "New Vernon" in a newspaper printed in 1808 at Morristown. The New Vernon Presbyterian Church was established in 1833.

Historic district

The New Vernon Historic District is a 46 acre historic district located along Lee's Hill, Village, Mill Brook and Glen Alpin roads in the community. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 8, 1982, for its significance in architecture and exploration/settlement. The district has 24 contributing buildings. The First Presbyterian Church of New Vernon was built in 1833 and features Federal and Gothic Revival styles. The church manse is a brick house built in the 1930s with Tudor architecture. The church education building is also built of brick and features a tower and spire. The contributing Tunis–Ellicks House is home to the Harding Township Historical Society.

Geography

New Vernon is in southeastern Morris County, in central Harding Township. It is bordered to the east by unincorporated Green Village. Morristown, the county seat, is 4 mi to the north, and Basking Ridge is the same distance to the southwest. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the New Vernon CDP has a total area of 3.57 sqmi, of which 0.01 sqmi, or 0.34%, are water. The community sits on a hill which drains in all directions to Great Brook, which flows through the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge along the southern edge of the community. New Vernon is within the Passaic River watershed.

Demographics

New Vernon was first listed as a census-designated place prior to the 2020 United States census.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with New Vernon include: