New Providence

About New Providence

New Providence is a leafy suburban borough located in the northwestern part of Union County bordering Morris County. This popular town gets high marks for easy access to New York City, excellent schools and a friendly small-town feeling. Measuring 3.6 square miles, New Providence was settled in 1720 and has a population of about 12,000. Known as a family-oriented community, there are no bars in New Providence and no liquor licenses are issued for restaurants, although many have a bring-your-own-bottle policy.

Situated on the second slope of the Watchung Mountains, New Providence borders Chatham Township, Summit and Berkeley Heights. A large portion of Murray Hill is within New Providence, while the balance is in Berkeley Heights. Convenient for commuters, it is about 15 miles from Newark and less than 30 miles from Manhattan.  
    
New Providence was known as Turkeytown during Colonial times due to a large population of wild turkeys. In recognition of those early days, a turkey is featured on the town’s police uniform emblems. New Providence’s name was established after a balcony collapsed at the Presbyterian church, and churchgoers concluded that nobody was hurt due to divine providence, leading them to call it New Providence.