Home to William Paterson University and located less than 20 miles (32 km) from Midtown Manhattan, the township is a bedroom suburb of New York City and regional commercial hub of North Jersey.

[21][22] Points of interest include William Paterson University, Willowbrook Mall, Wayne Towne Center, High Mountain Park Preserve, and Dey Mansion.

In 1694, Arent Schuyler, a surveyor, trader and land speculator, was sent by the British into northwestern New Jersey to investigate rumors that the French were trying to incite the local Lenape Native Americans to rebel against them.

Schuyler reported his findings to the British and then convinced a group including Major Anthony Brockholst and Samuel Bayard to invest in the land he referred to as the Pompton Valley.

The group completed their purchase of 5,000 acres (20 km2) on November 11, 1695, and the area became part of what was then known as New Barbadoes Township in Bergen County.

During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington made his headquarters at the Dey Mansion, first in July 1780, and again in October and November 1780.

Troops and generals were spread throughout the area during encampments, including the township's namesake Anthony Wayne and the Marquis de Lafayette, who made his headquarters at the nearby Van Saun House.

On April 12, 1847, the first township organization meeting was held, and the citizens voted to split from Manchester and named the new municipality Wayne.

[28] Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries Wayne remained predominantly agricultural, with some industry in the form of grist, saw, and cider mills, blacksmiths, and a Laflin & Rand gunpowder plant.

Numerous farmsteads in the township employed slaves until gradual abolition began in New Jersey in 1804; however, the practice continued in some instances under the veil of "apprenticeship" until the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865.

[29] The Morris Canal ran through the southwestern part of Wayne, carrying produce to markets and coal from Pennsylvania.

In the early 20th century Wayne grew as a vacation retreat for wealthy New Yorkers who came by train to stay in bungalows along the area's lakes.

During World War II, summer bungalows were converted to year-round residences to accommodate people moving to Wayne to work in war-related industries.

Following the war, Wayne suburbanized as farmlands were turned into housing developments, and Interstate 80 was built through the southern part of the township.

[30][31][32] Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Barbours Mills, Barbours Pond, Lower Preakness, Mountain View, Packanack Lake, Pines Lake, Point View, Pompton Falls, Preakness and Two Bridges.

The Passaic River also flows through a portion of Wayne and often floods near Willowbrook Mall and riverside neighborhoods.

[43][44] Wayne was home to the Toys "R" Us United States corporate headquarters,[51] before it filed for Chaper 11 bankruptcy in September 2017 and ceased to operate as an independent, publicly-traded firm.

[52] The former Toys "R" Us headquarters at One Geoffrey Way is now home to medical device manufacturer Getinge, housing their United States sales, service and training operations.

[62] Noted golf course architect Willie Tucker designed the Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne.

[6][67] As of 2023[update], Wayne's mayor is Republican Christopher P. Vergano, whose term of office ends December 31, 2025.

[76] The Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad provides round the clock volunteer emergency medical services to the residents of Wayne, utilizing six ambulances, a mass casualty bus, a heavy rescue vehicle and boats, and operates out of 2 stations located in the township.

[79][80][81] Prior to the 2010 Census, Wayne had been part of the 8th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

[82] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 11th congressional district is represented by Mikie Sherrill (D, Montclair).

[83] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 9th congressional district is represented by Nellie Pou (D, North Haledon)[84] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Andy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).

[85] For the 2024-2025 session, the 40th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Kristin Corrado (R, Totowa) and in the General Assembly by Al Barlas (R, Cedar Grove) and Christopher DePhillips (R, Wyckoff).

[87] As of 2025[update], Passaic County's Commissioners are: Bruce James (D, Clifton, 2026),[88] Deputy Director Cassandra "Sandi" Lazzara (D, Little Falls, 2027),[89] Director John W. Bartlett (D, Wayne, 2027),[90] Orlando Cruz (D, Paterson, 2026),[91] Terry Duffy (D, West Milford, 2025),[92] Rodney DeVore (D, Paterson, 2027)[93] and Pasquale "Pat" Lepore (D, Woodland Park, 2025).

[106] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 65.2% (vs. 53.2% in Passaic County) were registered to vote, including 83.5% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.8% countywide).

[152] Passaic County Community College's Public Safety Academy (PSA) on Oldham Road offers training and facilities for fire fighting and emergency medical personnel.

Wayne is served by NJ Transit at the Mountain View[155] and Wayne Route 23 stations,[156] offering service to Hoboken Terminal, with connections to Midtown Direct trains to New York Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan on the Montclair-Boonton Line.