It is considered to be one of the more affluent parts of the county, as opposed to the eastern Essex cities such as Newark, East Orange, and Irvington.
Most of the municipalities have typically been white ethnically, where Newark and its bordering cities all have black majorities.
The other four communities each have their own school district through sixth grade, however, students from all four communities attend West Essex Regional Junior High School and West Essex High School, both in North Caldwell, from seventh through twelfth grade.
The six municipalities are covered by hyperlocal news site West Essex Now.
Fairfield and West Caldwell share control over the Essex County Airport, which lies partially in both boroughs.