NJ Town Among 50 Best Places To Live For Families, New Ranking Says

NEW JERSEY — The best place in New Jersey to plant roots for a lifetime is Morristown, according to Fortune’s new ranking of the nation’s 50 Best Places to Live for Families.

The Morris County town was 9th on the list, with Fortune highlighting its deep connections to the Revolutionary War period, the number of job opportunities in the area, and a strong local economy.

In the analysis, Fortune noted that Morristown, which has a population of 20,567 residents, has been growing steadily over the past decade and is a town "rich in history."

"Look no further than the 200-year-old 'green' in the middle of downtown that once served as a courthouse square or Morristown National Historical Park, where George Washington spent the 'cold hard winter' of 1779–80," the study said.

In a Facebook post, Mayor Tim Dougherty said the town"should be #1, but I guess we’ll settle for 9."

The publication said it analyzed more than 2,000 cities and nearly 200 data categories, which included livability, financial health, resources for aging adults, education and wellness.

The cities chosen, one for each state, are sustainable for both their youngest and oldest residents and include fast-growing suburbs and edge cities that find creative ways to improve people’s well-being, Fortune said.

Fortune said this list reflects qualities people look for when they decide where to raise families and retire.

“A great place to live not only supports families in the present but also serves them in the long term," the news outlet said. "With a growing portion of Americans caring for both children and aging parents, more people want to live where multigenerational families can thrive."

And for older adults who may not be able to afford retirement yet, or who want to keep working, Fortune said that "finding a place to live that provides a strong job market has never been more critical.”

You can see the entire list here.