Independence Township is a quiet Warren County community
Independence Township is a peaceful community with just shy of 5,500 residents. “There are differing degrees of rural in Warren County,” Broker Joan O’Brien with Re/Max Town & Valley, who is a 42-year Warren County resident, jokes. “Independence Township is not quite as rural.” The area features significant suburban development, but there isn’t a large commercial presence here. However, Hackettstown and U.S. Interstate 80 are a short drive away, allowing residents to run errands or commute to work in surrounding areas. But close to home, streets are secluded, and mature trees shade grassy front lawns. “Once I got used to the quiet, I never wanted to leave,” O’Brien says.
Housing options from single-family homes to condos
Some homes in Independence Township sit in established subdivisions, where curbs line the streets and grassy lawns are well-maintained. Others dot farmland and have long driveways leading to their garages. Potential homebuyers can find townhouses, the type of residence with the most inventory, or condos for about $250,000 to $420,000. Ranch-style homes can cost $380,000 to $440,000, while Colonial revivals typically run in the $500,000 to $900,000 range. Prices depend on a property’s size, age and condition.
Recreation complex in town, state parks and forests out of town
The Field of Dreams Recreation Complex features multiple ball fields, courts, a picnic pavilion, a disc golf course and a dedicated outdoor pickleball court. The facility is free for all residents to use. The township’s parks and recreation department also hosts youth and adult sporting events and leagues throughout the year. Residents can also enjoy nearby scenic natural areas. To the north, Jenny Jump State Forest spans over 4,400 acres. Its Summit Trail offers views of the Highlands, the Kittatinny Mountains, the Delaware Water Gap and the Pequest Valley. Visitors can camp, fish on Ghost and Mountain lakes or hike along wooded trails. The forest’s observatory, open April to October, sits under one of the state’s few “dark sky” sites, offering minimal light pollution and views of the stars and celestial objects. Stephens State Park is east of Independence Township. Stretching over 800 acres, the park offers trout fishing, hiking, picnicking and camping. There are also remnants of the historic Morris Canal lock and towpath in the park, nodding to its 19th-century industrial heritage.
Students zoned for Great Meadows Regional School District
The Great Meadows Regional School District serves Independence Township. Students can attend Central Elementary School, which Niche gives a B and ranks as the second-best elementary school in Warren County. Next, they can attend Great Meadows Middle, which also gets a B, before Hackettstown High, which receives a B-minus. The high school also offers dual enrollment with Warren County Community College.
Shopping and dining in nearby Hackettstown
While a few gas stations and small markets are throughout Independence Township, residents will need to travel to nearby areas to shop or dine. The closest option is Hackettstown, about 5 miles east of the community’s center. “Hackettstown is like its own little city with a police department, library and downtown area,” O’Brien says. Folks can visit big-box retailers like Walmart Supercenter, Target and Lowe’s Home Improvement. Shoppers will also find a Weis Market grocery store, Dollar General and dining options, especially along Main Street. Marley’s Gotham Grill has an extensive menu featuring everything from burgers and pizza to chicken parmesan and shrimp tacos. Nearby Czig Meister Brewing is a go-to on the weekends, with a wide selection of beer and a large indoor taproom and outdoor patio. Greene’s Beans is popular for a cup of coffee in the morning.
Getting around Independence Township
Independence Township is car-dependent. U.S. Route 46 runs through the community, extending from the Delaware Water Gap to the George Washington Bridge. It’s a roughly 7-mile drive to reach U.S. Interstate 80, which runs east-west from San Francesco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey. It’s a 5-mile drive to the Hackettstown train station, which is served by the Morristown Line and Montclair-Boonton Line. The closest station with direct service to Manhattan, about 60 miles east, is in Mount Arlington, about 18 miles northeast. For air travel, Newark Liberty International Airport is about 55 miles east.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
