Orange, NJ: Industrial Roots, Black Resilience, and a City Built on Everyday Greatness

Nestled in the heart of Essex County and often overlooked by outsiders, Orange, New Jersey is a city that holds multitudes. It’s a place where the echoes of jazz legends still reverberate down Central Avenue. Where corner stores, church choirs, and public murals carry the weight of cultural memory. And where Black and brown families continue to build joy, resistance, and community—in the face of structural disinvestment and rising pressure from all sides.

This isn’t just a city. It’s a story still being written.

Origin and History

Orange’s story is built on movement—of goods, people, and power.

• Lenape Homeland: Before colonization, this land was home to the Lenape people, who lived along the meadows, rivers, and forested ridgelines now known as Orange and its neighboring towns.
• From Newark to Orange Township: Settled by Puritans in the late 1600s as part of Newark, Orange became its own township in 1806. By the late 1800s, it was a manufacturing center for hats, beer, and textiles.
• Incorporation & Industry: Orange was incorporated as a city in 1872. Its growth was fueled by immigrants from Italy, Ireland, Germany, and later by Black migrants from the South during the Great Migration.
• Black Cultural Power: Orange quickly developed one of the most significant Black communities in New Jersey, with roots in activism, religion, jazz, and public service that continue today.

Demographics

Orange is proudly and powerfully Black, brown, and global.

• Population: Approx. 34,000 residents (2020 U.S. Census)
• Cultural Composition: About 70% Black or African American (including African American, Afro-Caribbean, and African immigrant), 20% Latinx (primarily Dominican and Central American), and 10% multiracial or other backgrounds.
• Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Yoruba, and Patois are widely spoken in homes, schools, and storefronts.
• Immigrant Strength: Immigrants make up nearly one-third of Orange’s population, bringing resilience, culture, and entrepreneurial energy.

Geographic Location and Size

Orange is compact, dense, and hyper-connected to North Jersey’s economic engine.

• Size: 2.2 square miles
• Borders: Surrounded by East Orange, South Orange, West Orange, and Newark—making it part of the “Oranges” collective but fully distinct in identity.
• Transit Access: Orange is served by two NJ Transit train stations (Orange and Highland Avenue), multiple bus routes, and quick access to I-280—making it a commuter hub with real city energy.

Where We Thrive

Orange shines in its creativity, spiritual centers, grassroots networks, and hometown pride.

• Public Schools: Orange Public Schools serve over 5,500 students, with a focus on STEAM education, Black excellence, and community engagement. Orange Prep and Orange High School produce scholars, athletes, and artists alike.
• Faith & Culture: Churches like St. Matthew AME, Mount Zion Baptist, and a host of Pentecostal and Afro-Caribbean congregations double as community centers and cultural keepers.
• Arts & Murals: Local initiatives like the Valley Arts District and community murals throughout the South Ward celebrate Orange’s Black and immigrant heritage.
• Youth & Community Work: Organizations like HANDS Inc., the HUUB at First UU Church, and local rec centers are creating leadership pathways and safe spaces for young people to thrive.

Fun Facts and Local Gems

• Home of Jazz Legend Sarah Vaughan: “The Divine One” was born in Newark but raised in Orange—her legacy is still felt in local music programming and public art.
• Hat Capital of the U.S.: In the 19th century, Orange was known for producing more hats than anywhere else in the nation.
• Orange Reservoir (South Mountain Reservation): Though technically in West Orange, it’s a favorite weekend destination for Orange families.
• The Orange Public Library: A historic and heavily used civic resource—central to learning, job hunting, and cultural programming.

Challenges and Change

Orange’s brilliance exists despite systemic neglect—not because the system works.

• Disinvestment: Like many majority-Black cities, Orange has faced decades of redlining, underfunding, and broken promises—particularly in infrastructure and education.
• Housing Pressure: While more affordable than nearby suburbs, rising costs, landlord neglect, and a lack of tenant protections threaten long-time residents.
• Youth Needs: Young people in Orange need more safe spaces, mental health resources, and opportunities for paid work and leadership—not just sports or policing.
• Political Cynicism: Despite recent gains, residents remain frustrated with corruption, transparency issues, and city planning that too often leaves communities out.

Community Voices

“Orange is soul food. Not just the music or the meals—but the spirit. We’ve survived so much—and we still show up for each other every day.”
— Ms. Lorna G., East Ward resident and lifelong volunteer

Why Orange Matters

Orange is more than a “transit town.” It’s a city of stories, of Black women who built movements, of Caribbean aunties who raised generations, of teenagers starting collectives in corner stores. If New Jersey wants to talk equity, reparations, and justice, it must start with cities like Orange—not afterthoughts, but as blueprints.

HFYC uplifts Orange because visibility is a form of justice—and this city has been shining in the dark for too long.

Call to Action

Are you from Orange? Know a youth leader, elder, pastor, artist, educator, barber, or organizer who deserves the mic?

Let us help tell their story.
Submit a feature, nominate a changemaker, or reflect on what Orange means to you—from your church pew to the train platform.