Wayne is a township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States less than 20 miles from Midtown Manhattan. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 54,717, reflecting an increase of 648 from the 54,069 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 7,044 from the 47,025 counted in the 1990 Census.Wayne was formed as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 12, 1847, from portions of Manchester Township. Totowa was formed from portions of Wayne and Manchester Township on March 15, 1898.The township is home to Willowbrook Mall, Wayne Towne Center, High Mountain Park Preserve and William Paterson University.