

The township's name derives from the burn ( Scottish for a stream) that powered mills in the area. Earlier known variously as Milltown, Millville, Rum Brook, and Vauxhall, the name "Millburn" was adopted before the township was established. Millburn was created as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 20, 1857, from portions of Springfield Township, when Union County was formed.

Short Hills, with a 2020 population of 14,422, is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Millburn that is home to most of the township's population. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 21,710, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 1,561 (+7.7%) from the 20,149 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn had reflected an increase of 384 (+1.9%) from the 19,765 counted at the 2000 census. state of New Jersey, and part of the New York metropolitan area. Millburn is a suburban township in southwestern Essex County, within the U.S.
