Ethnic diversity in Summit, Chatham, Florham Park?

[RhysNJ]

I'm not sure if this answers your question but the site that hosts this forum has a lot of information on each town from the past few years, in addition to this:

Races in Florham Park:

• White Non-Hispanic (92.4%)
• Hispanic (2.1%)
• Chinese (1.9%)
• Black (1.0%)
• Asian Indian (0.8%)
• Two or more races (0.7%)

Disclosure: I've lived here most of my life.

Races in Summit:

• White Non-Hispanic (80.1%)
• Hispanic (10.2%)
• Black (4.3%)
• Other race (1.7%)
• Two or more races (1.6%)
• Asian Indian (1.5%)
• Chinese (1.2%)
• Filipino (0.6%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races) [/LEFT]


Races in Chatham:

• White Non-Hispanic (93.6%)
• Hispanic (2.6%)
• Chinese (1.4%)
• Two or more races (0.7%)
• Asian Indian (0.7%)

Rhys

[STrapani1105]

Originally Posted by NJ49

We are looking at moving from south jersey to northern jersey and have shortlisted three towns (Summit, Chatham and Florham Park) primarily based on school system (we are an asian family with two kids who go to elementary school) and proximity to our work place. Our inclination is towards Chatham or Summit.

However, ethnic diversity is also one of our key criteria and these town do not seem to be very diverse.

Does anybody, who has recently moved to these towns or staying there, has any experience/ suggestions that would be helpful for us?

The most diverse out of all of those towns is Summit. They probably have the largest Asian population too. Florham Park is a nice town as well with a few Asian families. The good thing about Florham Park is that you border a few towns with decent Asian populations. You share a high school with East Hanover, which is known for it's Italian population in Morris County, but it also has a good number Asian families too, specifically Chinese families. 12% if that high school's student population is Asian. Also apparently Whippany has a lot of Asians according to other posts in this thread, which I never knew of. But if it's true, then that's also close to Florham Park.

You picked three very good towns. Chatham probably has the best schools, but the least diversity. Summit High School can't be that bad, considering how expensive Summit is. Summit's also got the most diversity. Florham Park is probably the most affordable, but the high school is only ok. It also has close proximity to other Asian families in other towns.

[CHL208]

When you look at the housing prices and property tax bills in towns like Summit or Chatham you are not going to find much diversity.

[ksasaki8]

Chatham is not currently diverse by any means but as an asian, I can tell you they are VERY welcoming. We love it. Have not had a single bad experience with regard to this issue. And frankly, the way the world is moving I would say ethnic diversity will occur more rapidly over the coming years. As for the other towns, yes there is diversity but you may want to consider pending budget adjustments and subsequent tax hikes. Chatham is better managed than most. So the coveted education in our town will likely be less compromised due to such factors

[Kracer]

You won't find any other place more diverse than NJ.

Please be aware of ethnic vs racial diversity.

There are pockets of both but you would need to seek out those concentrations and those places would not qualify as diverse.

If someone comes from another country where homogeneous racial and ethnic groups are the rule, the questions re diversity are understandable. NJ is diverse on all counts.