| Borough of Closter, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| — Borough (New Jersey) — | |
| Nickname(s): "Hub of the Northern Valley" | |
| Map highlighting Closter's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey | |
| Census Bureau map of Closter, New Jersey | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Bergen |
| Incorporated | January 1, 1904 |
| Government[1] | |
| • Type | Borough (New Jersey) |
| • Mayor | Sophie Heymann (R, term ends 2014)[2] |
| • Administrator | Quentin Wiest[3] |
| Area[4] | |
| • Total | 3.29 sq mi (8.5 km2) |
| • Land | 3.17 sq mi (8.2 km2) |
| • Water | 0.12 sq mi (0.3 km2) 3.65% |
| Elevation[5] | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Population (2010 Census)[6][7] | |
| • Total | 8,373 |
| • Density | 2,545/sq mi (985.1/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 07624[8] |
| Area code(s) | 201/551 |
| FIPS code | 34-13810[9][10] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0875515[11] |
| Website | http://www.closterboro.com |
Closter (pronounced KLO-ster, with a long o[12]) is a Borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,373.[6][7] After the turn of the century, Closter changed from being sprawling estates and farms into a middle and upper middle class suburban town.
Closter, settled in 1704, was formed by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 1, 1904, from portions of Harrington Township. On March 29, 1904, Harrington Park was created from portions of Closter, Harrington Township and Washington Township.[13][14]
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Closter is located at .[15]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 3.29 square miles (8.5 km2), of which, 3.17 square miles (8.2 km2) of it is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2) of it (3.65%) is water.[4]
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 1,057 |
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| 1910 | 1,483 | 40.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,840 | 24.1% | |
| 1930 | 2,502 | 36.0% | |
| 1940 | 2,603 | 4.0% | |
| 1950 | 3,376 | 29.7% | |
| 1960 | 7,767 | 130.1% | |
| 1970 | 8,604 | 10.8% | |
| 1980 | 8,164 | −5.1% | |
| 1990 | 8,094 | −0.9% | |
| 2000 | 8,383 | 3.6% | |
| 2010 | 8,373 | −0.1% | |
| Population sources:1910-1930[16] 1900-1990[17][18] 2000[19] 2010[6][7][20] |
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The 2010 United States Census reported that there were 8,373 people, 2,747 households and 2,328 families residing in the borough. The racial makeup of Closter was 64.2% (5,373) White, 1.3% (110) African American, 0.0% (4) Native American, 31.6% (2,650) Asian, 0.0% (1) Pacific Islander, 1.5% (129) from other races, and 1.3% (106) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.0% (501).[6][20]
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 8,383 people, 2,789 households, and 2,320 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,644.3 people per square mile (1,021.0/km2). There were 2,865 housing units at an average density of 903.7 per square mile (349.0/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 75.32% White, 0.93% African American, 0.10% Native American, 21.56% Asian, 0.81% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.09% of the population.[19]
As of the 2000 Census, 12.75% of Closter's residents identified themselves as being of Korean ancestry, which was the seventh highest in the United States and fifth highest of any municipality in New Jersey, for all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.[21] As of the 2010 Census, 21.2% residents (1,771 people) indicated that they were of Korean ancestry.[6]
There were 2,789 households out of which 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.9% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.8% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.30.[19]
In the borough the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.[19]
The median income for a household in the borough was $83,918, and the median income for a family was $94,543. Males had a median income of $65,848 versus $39,125 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $37,065. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.[19]
Closter was inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans. The Dutch arrived in the early 17th century, with records dating back to 1669 showing that Balthaser De Hart was granted a property by Governor Philip Carteret between the Hudson River and the Tiena Kill (perhaps the Tenakill Brook). What is now Closter was part of property between the Hudson and the Hackensack River that was deeded by the Tappan tribe to David Des Marets in 1677. The borough's name is said to derive from Frederick Closter, who was the recipient of a grant from King Charles I of England.[22] The first English language teacher in the town was Benjamin Blackledge (d. 1783).[22]
In November 1776, a farmer from Closter witnessed British troops landing at Closter Dock on the Hudson River and rode to Fort Lee to warn Continental Army General Nathaniel Greene, allowing the Americans the opportunity to retreat to Hackensack at New Bridge Landing ahead of the British along with the remnants of General George Washington's troops after the failed Battle of Fort Washington.[23] It is this unnamed rider who is recognized on the seal of the Borough of Closter.[22] During the American Revolutionary War, no battles took place in present-day Closter, though the residents were seen largely as supporters of the rebels and became the target of British foraging and reprisal raids.[22]
The arrival of the Northern Branch in the late 1850s, followed by additional train service from what became the West Shore Railroad, brought residents to the community who could commute to Manhattan via the ferry across the Hudson River at the railroad's Weehawken depot.[23] Closter's central location earned it the nickname "Hub of the Northern Valley".[22]
Closter is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.[1]
As of 2011[update], the Mayor of Closter Borough is Sophie Heymann (Republican Party, term ends December 31, 2014). Members of the Closter Borough Council are Council President David Barad (R, 2011), Victoria Amitai (R, 2013), Arthur Dolson (R, 2012), John C. Glidden, Jr. (R, 2013), John Kashwick (R, 2011) and Alissa Latner (R, 2012).[24]
In the 2011 general election, incumbent Councilmembers John Kashwick and David Barad were re-elected to three-year terms of office after running unopposed.[25]
In the 2010 general election, Mayor Sophie Heymann (1386 votes) was elected to a new, four-year term over former Councilwoman Linda Albelli (913 votes) while Councilman John C. Glidden, Jr. (1402 votes) and Councilwoman Victoria R. Amitai (1401 votes) were elected to new, three-years terms over former Councilman Michael "Jack" Kelly.[26]
In the 2009 election incumbents Tom Hennessey and Cynthia Tutoli dropped out of the race in September and were replaced by former Councilman Arthur Dolson and newcomer Alissa Latner. On November 3, Dolson (1,183 votes) and Latner (1,119) defeated former Councilwoman Linda Albelli (1,093 votes) and former Councilman Michael "Jack" Kelly (1,032).[27]
In the 2008 General Election, Republican incumbents David H. Barad (1,616 votes) and John Kashwick (1,590) won re-election to new, three-year terms in office, fending off Democratic challengers Leonard J. Asch (1,541) and running mate Michael "Jack" Kelly (1,453).[28]
The Borough Administrator is Quentin Wiest.[3]
Closter is in the 5th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 39th state legislative district.[29] The legislative district was kept unchanged by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission based on the results of the 2010 Census.[7]
New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
39th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Gerald Cardinale (R, Demarest) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Bob Schroeder (R, Washington Township) and Charlotte Vandervalk (R, Hillsdale).[30] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[31] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[32]
Bergen County's County Executive is Kathleen Donovan (R, Rutherford; term ends December 31, 2014).[33] The Board of Chosen Freeholders is the county's legislative body and its seven members are elected at-large on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year.[34] As of 2011, Bergen County's Freeholders are Chairman John Driscoll, Jr. (R, 2012; Paramus),[35] Vice-Chairwoman Maura DeNicola (R, 2013; Franklin Lakes),[36] Chair Pro Tempore John D. Mitchell (R, 2013; Cliffside Park)[37] John A. Felice (R, 2013; River Edge),[38] David L. Ganz (D, 2011; Fair Lawn),[39] Robert G. Hermansen (R, 2012; Mahwah)[40] and Bernadette P. McPherson (D, 2011; Rutherford).[41][42] Other countywide constitutional officials are Sheriff Michael Saudino (R), Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill) and County Clerk Elizabeth Randall (R, Westwood).[43]
As of Election Day, November 2008, there were 4,712 registered voters. Of registered voters, 1,346 (28.6%) were registered as Democrats, 1,067 (22.6%) were registered as Republicans and 2,299 (48.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[44]
In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 54.1% of the vote here, defeating Republican John McCain, who received 44.9% of the vote, with 75.6% of registered voters participating.[44] In the 2004 election, Democrat John Kerry received 53% of the vote here, defeating Republican George W. Bush, who received around 46%.[45]
The Closter Public Schools serve students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[46]) are Hillside Elementary School (with 592 students in grades K-4) and Tenakill Middle School (with 546 students in grades 5-8).
Public school students in grades 9-12 attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest in Demarest, together with students from Demarest and Haworth.[47] The high school is part of the Northern Valley Regional High School District, which also serves students from Harrington Park, Northvale, Norwood and Old Tappan. Local students had attended Closter High School until Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest opened in 1955, whereupon the Closter school was closed.[22]
The New Jersey Transit 167 bus route provides service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.[48] Coach USA's Red and Tan Lines also provides service from Closter to the Port Authority Bus Terminal via the 20 and 14E bus routes, with limited service to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal offered on the 84 route.[49]
County Route 501, County Route 502 and County Route 505 travel through Closter.
Notable current and former residents of Closter include:
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