Wharton's housing stock reflects its mining-and-railroad heritage: a dense grid of older single-family homes and two-family houses near the downtown and river, with mid-century and newer construction on the borough's flanks. Lots are typically smaller than in Morris County's suburban townships, and the borough includes a substantial rental base alongside owner-occupied homes. This compact, established character, combined with the borough's location among Routes 15, 46, and 80, makes Wharton a practical, walkable alternative to the county's larger-lot suburban communities.

Wharton is a compact borough where neighborhoods blend into the downtown rather than separating into distinct subdivisions. The area around the Rockaway River and the historic center retains the oldest homes and the borough's commercial core, while residential streets fan out toward the Roxbury and Dover borders. The borough's small footprint means most homes are within walking distance of schools, parks, and the downtown, reinforcing a tight-knit, town-like feel in the midst of Morris County's suburbs.

Wharton is a close-knit, working-class-rooted borough with an active civic life. Its diverse population and compact, walkable layout support a community feel that shows up in local recreation programs, volunteer organizations, and borough events. The downtown offers everyday shops and services, and the Rockaway River and borough parks provide green space close to home. Picatinny Arsenal's presence brings a steady professional and technical workforce to the area, while Dover's downtown and rail station add dining and transit options just across the border.

The Wharton Borough School District serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade at Marie V. Duffy Elementary School, a single-school district enrolling about 775 students with a student-teacher ratio near 11 to 1. For high school, Wharton sends students to the Morris Hills Regional High School District, which operates Morris Hills and Morris Knolls high schools and also serves Denville, Rockaway Borough, and Rockaway Township. This structure gives Wharton families a full public K-12 pathway within the immediate area.

Wharton sits at the junction of three major corridors: Route 15 runs through the borough, while Routes 46 and 80 pass nearby, providing direct access to Dover, Rockaway, Parsippany, and the wider Morris County employment base. NJ Transit bus routes serve the borough, and Dover station on the NJ Transit Morris & Essex lines is the nearest rail stop, offering service toward Hoboken and New York City. The borough's central location makes it a practical base for both local and regional commuting.

The Rockaway River and the borough's neighborhood parks anchor outdoor life in Wharton. Local recreation programs, playgrounds, and sports fields serve families close to home, while the larger Morris County park system and the hiking trails of the nearby Highlands are a short drive away. The borough's walkable downtown and its proximity to Dover's shops and restaurants add to daily recreation, and the community's location at the edge of Picatinny Arsenal reflects the area's blend of natural and institutional landscapes.