The Hidden Valley ski resort, which opened in 1976 and occupied a 140-acre (57 ha) property that included one of New Jersey's three remaining downhill skiing facilities, closed at the end of the 2013 season and could find no buyers at an auction held that year;[22] it has since reopened as the National Winter Activity Center.

Opened in 1972 at a cost of $20 million (equivalent to $145.7 million in 2023), featuring 700 rooms and 27 holes of golf, the hotel was sold to Americana in 1982 and later was resold to Metairie Corp. which branded the property as the Legends Resort and Country Club.

In 2017, the township started eviction proceedings against low-income residents who had been living in the defunct resort on a permanent basis.

However, the population of Vernon, which was 1,548 people as recently as 1950, has steadily grown since the 1960s, when the ski industry was introduced to the area.

Additional growth has come as home prices have soared in the inner suburbs of New York City and property buyers seek the better values available from real estate developments in the area.

It is not known how Vernon Township got its name, but a number of theories have been offered by author Ronald J. Dupont Jr.: Dupont Jr. also writes that in the late 19th century two places named Vernon existed, one in Sussex County and another in Essex County.

[36][37] Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include:[38][39] Glenwood and McAfee are located in the western portion of the township, McAfee to the South and Glenwood to the North.

Originally built as a slope-side vacation housing development with 1,356 units, the village is no longer affiliated with the ski resort and is operated by real estate investor Andrew Mulvihill.

Village residents, who pay $5.5 million in condominium fees to cover services, have argued that Mulvihill and affiliated businesses have used their control of the community's board of directors to direct contracts to affiliated vendors.

[40] The 2010 United States census counted 23,943 people, 8,622 households, and 6,596 families in the township.

[52] As of the 2000 United States census[16] there were 24,686 people, 8,368 households, and 6,610 families residing in the township.

[8][58] Under the current plan, Vernon has a "strong mayor" system of government in which the mayor heads the executive branch, overseeing township functions, enforcing all ordinances and other regulations, appoints department heads and prepares a budget, with the assistance of a business administrator.

The Township Council is the legislative branch, responsible for enacting ordinances, approving the mayor's department head appointments, can remove employees for cause and can modify the mayor's budget by majority vote, though budget increases require a ⅔ majority.

[59] As of 2024[update], the Mayor is Anthony L. Rossi, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.

[62] In November 2022, the council appointed Joe Tadrick to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Harry Shortway the previous month due to health issues.

[66][67] In October 2021, the Township Council selected Michael Furrey to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Kelly Weller until she stepped down from office earlier that month after announcing that she was moving out of the township.

[63] The Township Council selected Toni Cilli in January 2021 to fill the seat held by Jean Murphy running to December 2021.

[75] Since 2024, Vernon Emergency Medical Services (formed from the merger of the Vernon Township Ambulance Squad and the Glenwood Pochuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps) is split between three stations buildings situated to best serve the township.

[78][79][80] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 5th congressional district is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Wyckoff).

[83] For the 2024-2025 session, the 24th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Parker Space (R, Wantage Township) and in the General Assembly by Dawn Fantasia (R, Franklin) and Mike Inganamort (R, Chester Township).

At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Commissioner Director and Deputy Director from among its members, with day-to-day supervision of the operation of the county delegated to a County Administrator.

[95] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 64.6% (vs. 65.8% in Sussex County) were registered to vote, including 85.4% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 86.5% countywide).

[citation needed] The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway passes through Vernon, but only freight service is offered.