[20] Periodically recognized as part of the Somerset Hills,[21][22][23][24][25] Chester Township is located in the Raritan Valley region[26] within the New York Metropolitan area.

[27] Located about 40 miles (64 km) west of New York City, Chester Township is a semi-rural residential community known for its agricultural and equestrian farms along with its country estates.

The township is characterized by undeveloped, residentially zoned areas that largely contain vast amounts of open space comprised of farmland — much of which is preserved — in addition to public parks.

[8] In 2010, Forbes ranked Chester Township at 321st in its listing of "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes," with a median home price of $823,691.

With the arrival of the Rogerenes in 1730, the area developed as an agricultural community, producing applejack, flax and wool, as well as raising cattle.

[31] A burst of economic activity occurred starting in 1875 with the discovery of iron ore in the area, which led to the construction of dozens of mines, a blast furnace and many of the commercial and residential structures in the township date to that era.

The discovery of far more abundant and productive mining sites in Minnesota's Mesabi Range ended that boom after nearly 15 years.

[32][33] It was established by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 1, 1799, from portions of both Roxbury and Washington Townships, based on the results of a referendum held that day.

[1][2] Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Hacklebarney, Horton, Milldale, Milltown, Mount Paul, Pleasant Hill and Upper Ironia.

There are nature reserves and parkland, but also agricultural property that is deed restricted under the state Farmland Preservation Program, which buys the development rights while allowing the farmer to retain title and continue working the land.

The township has developed this reputation by preserving farmland through public investment in open spaces.

Parks include: Development is highly constrained due to state and township ordinances.

This environmentally sensitive area supplies drinking water to two-thirds of the state's residents.

The mayor participates and votes in Council sessions and makes committee assignments to Councilmembers.

[55][56][57][58][59][60][61] In 2007, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine created incentives for municipalities with less than 10,000 inhabitants to combine with other communities.

The residents of the rural portions of the Township did not wish to financially support the construction and maintenance of a public sewer or water utility.

Concerns over the extension of utilities into the more rural Township with the resultant potential for large scale growth served as an impediment to consolidation.

Governor Corzine's plan to reduce or eliminate state aid had residents considering recombining towns.

[62] However, a merger vote planned for November 2, 2010, was delayed until 2011 due to Governor Christie's elimination of equalization funds that would ensure some taxpayers do not pay more due to the merger, as an analysis by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs estimated that township residents would see an annual increase of $128 on their property taxes while those in the borough would see an average decline of $570 in their taxes.

[66] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. (R, Westfield).

[112][113][114] Dickerson and Bragg Schools are located on County Route 510, east of Chester Borough; Black River Middle School is on County Route 513 (North Road), north of Chester Borough.

[118] The district's board of education is comprised of nine members who are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis.

[120] Gill St. Bernard's School, established in 1900, is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory day school, serving students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, located on a 200-acre (81 ha) campus along the Somerset-Morris county line between Peapack-Gladstone and Chester Township.