Sussex County

Sussex County is an administrative area in northern New Jersey that covers rolling hills, farmland, several lakes, and wooded areas. The territory includes rural communities and small towns with extensive protected natural areas and public recreation spaces.

The region was officially designated a county in 1753 and named after Sussex in England, where many early settlers originated. Over the centuries, the area shifted from isolated farmsteads to connected communities with industry and craft trades.

Many town centers preserve the layout and architecture from earlier farming settlements, with old barns and fieldstone walls marking property lines. Farmers markets and roadside stands continue to sell locally grown produce, reflecting the working agricultural heritage that shaped community life here.

Visitors reach the different towns through a network of rural roads, with some sections winding through the hills. Many public parks and recreation areas offer access to trails and waterways, most pleasant to explore during spring and fall.

The Franklin Mineral Museum displays minerals from former zinc mines that occur nowhere else on Earth. Some specimens glow in unusual colors under ultraviolet light, drawing collectors from many countries.

Location: New Jersey

Inception: June 8, 1753

Capital city: Newton

Shares border with: Passaic County, Morris County, Warren County, Monroe County, Pike County, Orange County

Website: https://sussex.nj.us

GPS coordinates: 41.14000,-74.69000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:08