West New York, New Jersey

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West New York is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the town population was 45,768.

West New York was incorporated as a town by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on July 8, 1898, replacing Union Township, based on the results of a referendum held three days earlier.[1]

West New York's Urban Enterprise Zone covers portions of Bergenline Avenue from 49th to 67th Street. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3½% Sales tax rate (versus the 7% rate charged statewide).

Contents

[edit] Geography

West New York is located at 40°47′18″N, 74°0′47″W (40.788400, -74.013090)GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.4 km² (1.3 mi²). 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (23.48%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1930 37,107
–
1940 39,439 6.3%
1950 37,683 -4.5%
1960 35,547 -5.7%
1970 40,627 14.3%
1980 39,194 -3.5%
1990 38,125 -2.7%
2000 45,768 20.0%
Est. 2005 46,667 [2] 2.0%
Population 1930 - 1990[3]

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 45,768 people, 16,719 households, and 11,034 families residing in the town. The population density was 17,324.6/km² (44,995.1/mi²). There were 17,360 housing units at an average density of 6,571.3/km² (17,066.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 60.09% White, 3.55% African American, 0.67% Native American, 2.93% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 25.16% from other races, and 7.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 78.74% of the population.

There were 16,719 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the town the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,980, and the median income for a family was $34,083. Males had a median income of $26,703 versus $22,326 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,719. About 16.1% of families and 18.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 22.3% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Commerce

West New York is in a state-established "Urban Enterprise Zone," which was implemented through a program designed to assist businesses in economically distressed communities across New Jersey. Businesses within the zone apply for a variety of incentives, including a sales tax reduction to customers of 3½% from the mandated 7% statewide sales tax, with no tax on clothing or on purchases made by merchants related to running their businesses. Revenue generated from the reduced sales tax is maintained in a special fund dedicated for use within the zone for specific economic development and physical improvement projects. The zone was established in February 1995 through the efforts of Assemblyman Raul “Rudy” Garcia, who later became the mayor of Union City. Between 1995 and 2000, over 150 businesses participated in the tax incentives and other advantages offered by the program.

Until the 1880s, the primary commercial area of West New York was Palisade Avenue. An influential citizen named Henry Kohlmeier who lived there objected to the noise created by horse-drawn public coaches, which led to the route being transferred two blocks west to what is now Bergenline Avenue (formerly Lewis Street), which runs parallel to Palisade Avenue, and which remains the city’s main commercial thoroughfare. Currently the longest commercial avenue in the state, boasting over 300 retail stores and restaurants, Bergenline runs through not only the entire length of West New York from north to south, but also through Union City, Guttenberg and North Bergen, making it the main commercial strip for North Hudson. Also known as the "Miracle Mile", Bergenline’s largest concentration of retail and chain stores begins at the intersection of 32nd Street in Union City, and continues north until 92nd Street in North Bergen. Bergenline Avenue is also used as the route for local parades, such as the annual Memorial Day Parade and different ethnic parades (e.g., Dominican and Puerto Rican Day).

[edit] Transportation

New Jersey Transit bus service is available to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan and to other New Jersey communities. With the addition of light rail services, many commuters can travel within Hudson County with connections to PATH train services to New York City.

The closest airport in New Jersey with scheduled passenger service is Newark Liberty International Airport, located 13.6 miles away in Newark / Elizabeth. New York City's LaGuardia Airport is 13.5 miles away in Flushing Queens via the Lincoln Tunnel.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

West New York is governed under the Walsh Act by a five-member commission. The Mayor of West New York is Silverio Vega, who took office when Albio Sires stepped to a seat in the United States House of Representatives[4] Vega will also represent West New York in the State Assembly's 33rd District. West New York's Town Commissioners include Gerald Lange Jr., José "Pepe" Miqueli (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance), Larry Riccardi (Commissioner of Public Works) and Silverio Vega (Commissioner of Public Safety).[5]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

West New York is in the 13th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 33rd Legislative District[6], which is represented in the State Assembly by the mayors of both West New York and Union City, currently Democrats Silverio Vega and Brian P. Stack.

New Jersey's Thirteenth Congressional District, covering portions of Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, and Union Counties, is now represented by Albio Sires (D, West New York), who won a special election held on November 7, 2006 to fill the vacancy the had existed since January 16, 2006. The seat had been represented by Bob Menendez (D), who was appointed to the United States Senate to fill the seat vacated by Governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine. New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 33rd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Bernard Kenny (D, Hoboken) and in the Assembly by Brian P. Stack (D, Union City) and Silverio Vega (D, West New York). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Hudson County's County Executive is Thomas A. DeGise. West New York is in Freeholder District 7 of the County's Board of Chosen Freeholders, and is represented by Gerald Lange Jr., who also represents Guttenberg and Weehawken.

[edit] Education

West New York is served by West New York School District. WNYSD is an Abbott District.It's school district is also one of the lowest ranking in the United States while it's local high school has a high ratio of pregnant teenage girls among the U.S.

All West New York residents are zoned to Memorial High School and West New York Middle School. Elementary schools in the district are Public School No. 1, Public School No. 2, Public School No. 3, Public School No. 4, Public School No. 5 and Harry L. Bain Elementary School.

[edit] Trivia

[edit] Noteworthy residents

  • Joseph Fenity, freelance journalist & former talk show host.
  • John Mollica, independent filmmaker & musician.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 149.
  2. ^ Census data for West New York town, United States Census Bureau, accessed March 1, 2007
  3. ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, accessed March 1, 2007
  4. ^ It's Mayor Vega Now: Ovation as WNY freeholder is sworn in replace Sires, Jersey Journal, November 11, 2006
  5. ^ 2004-2005 Hudson County County & Municipal Directory, accessed November 20, 2006
  6. ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 66, accessed August 30, 2006
  7. ^ [1], accessed April 22, 2007

[edit] External links

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Municipalities of Hudson County, New Jersey
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