Edison is a township located in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 census, Edison had a total population of 106,819, making it the fifth-most populous municipality in New Jersey. The town was originally known as “Raritan Township”, and was incorporated as Edison Township on March 17, 1954 in honor of inventor Thomas Edison, who had his main laboratory in the Menlo Park section of the township.
History
Edison traces its earliest history to land purchases made in the 17th century. Henry Greenland purchased land around 1670-1674 which would become part of the township. The Menlo Park section of Edison is the site of Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Laboratory, which is considered the invention factory that gave rise to the modern technological and industrial age. Edison set up his home and laboratory complex in 1876 and it was the site of many of his most famous inventions. The complex was relocated in 1887 to West Orange, New Jersey.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 106,819 people living in Edison. The racial makeup of Edison was:
- 44.3% White
- 4.2% Black or African American
- 46.8% Asian
- 0.1% Native American
- 2.0% Other races
- 2.7% Two or more races
38.9% of residents were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the Asian population, Edison has large Indian and Chinese communities. There were 36,302 households, and the average household size was 2.70 persons. The median age was 40.7 years.
For population data, Edison ranks as the 17th largest municipality in New Jersey. Edison is also the fifth most densely populated municipality with over 100,000 residents in the United States, trailing only four municipalities across Hudson County, all of which border Edison.
Economy and Major Employers
Edison has a thriving commercial district and economy. Some of the top employers in Edison include:
- Hackensack Meridian Health – healthcare network
- GE Global Research – General Electric research center
- Fidelity National Information Services – financial services technology company
- Siemens Corporation – technology company
- Amazon – e-commerce and cloud computing company
In addition to major employers, Edison has many restaurants, shops, hotels, and other businesses along Route 1 and elsewhere in the township. It serves as a regional commercial center.
Attractions and Landmarks
Some of the top attractions and landmarks in Edison include:
- Menlo Park Museum – Museum located at Edison’s old Menlo Park laboratory site.
- Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park – Interpretive center about Edison’s innovations at his Menlo Park lab.
- In the Meadow Park – Large public park with sports fields, walking trails, and more.
- Edison Township Animal Shelter – Municipal animal shelter that also houses exotic animals and birds.
- Lake Papaianni – Large recreational lake with fishing and boating.
- Edison Townhip Entertainment Center – Entertainment complex with mini golf, bowling, arcade, sports bar, and more.
Edison offers many cultural events and recreational activities for residents and visitors to enjoy throughout the year.
Local Government
Edison Township operates under a Faulkner Act form of municipal government known as a Mayor-Council-Administrator system. Edison is governed by a mayor and a seven-member township council. The current mayor is Sam Joshi. The town hall address is 100 Municipal Boulevard, Edison, NJ 08817.
For more information about Edison’s local government, visit the Township of Edison website.
Visitor Information
For those looking to visit or learn more about Edison, NJ, check out the following resources:
- The Edison Chamber of Commerce – Provides information on local businesses and events.
- Visit Edison – Edison’s tourism website with information on things to do, places to stay, events, and more.
- Edison Township Facebook – Get updates and connect with the community.
Sports
Edison is home to some great local sports teams that the community enthusiastically supports. The Edison Chargers offer programs including football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and more.
Watching a Chargers game is a fun way to experience some hometown spirit and excitement!