Springfield is a township in Union County, New Jersey, situated on a ridge in north-central New Jersey within the Raritan and Rahway valleys of the New York metropolitan area. The 2020 census counted 17,178 residents, the highest figure in the township's history. It lies roughly 25 miles west of Manhattan, surrounded by the more transit-dense towns of the region, and formed as a township on April 14, 1794, from portions of Elizabeth and Newark townships. The township's identity is steeped in Revolutionary War history. The Battle of Springfield was fought here on June 23, 1780, when Continental forces turned back a British advance, and the township preserves sites such as the Cannon Ball House, struck by a cannonball during the fighting. The community also has a connection to Jonathan Dayton, a signer of the United States Constitution, for whom the local high school is named. Springfield is perhaps best known nationally for Baltusrol Golf Club, a private course designated a National Historic Landmark that has hosted numerous major championships, including multiple U.S. Opens and PGA Championships. The club's presence gives the township a touch of golfing prestige and shapes part of its landscape, though the community itself is a practical, family-oriented suburb. The township is served by the Springfield Public Schools, with Jonathan Dayton High School anchoring the secondary level. Its economy is rooted in local retail and professional services, supplemented by substantial commuter flows into New York and the surrounding employment centers of Union, Essex, and Morris counties. Springfield suits families and commuters who want strong schools, a quiet residential setting, and a manageable New York commute at a more accessible price than the wealthier neighboring towns. It appeals especially to those who value history, community character, and suburban comfort over a bustling downtown or rail-at-the-door convenience.