| Montclair, New Jersey | |||
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| — Township — | |||
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| Map of Montclair in Essex County. Inset: Location of Essex County in the State of New Jersey. | |||
| Census Bureau map of Montclair, New Jersey | |||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | United States | ||
| State | New Jersey | ||
| County | Essex | ||
| Incorporated | April 15, 1868 | ||
| Government[1] | |||
| • Type | Faulkner Act (Council-Manager) | ||
| • Mayor | Jerry Fried | ||
| • Manager | Marc D. Dashield[2] | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 6.3 sq mi (16.3 km2) | ||
| • Land | 6.3 sq mi (16.3 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) | ||
| Elevation[3] | 302 ft (92 m) | ||
| Population (2010) | |||
| • Total | 37,669 | ||
| • Density | 5,979.2/sq mi (2,311.0/km2) | ||
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) | ||
| ZIP codes | 07042-07043 | ||
| Area code(s) | 973 | ||
| FIPS code | 34-47500[4][5] | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1729720[6] | ||
| Website | http://www.montclairnjusa.org/ | ||
Montclair ( /mɒntˈklɛər/ or /mɒŋˈklɛər/) is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. It is the 50th largest municipality in New Jersey by population. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 37,669.
Montclair was first formed as a Township on April 15, 1868, from portions of Bloomfield Township,[7] so that a railroad could be built to Montclair. After a referendum held on February 21, 1894, Montclair was reincorporated as a Town, effective February 24, 1894.[8] In the late 1970s, after protesting for years at the inequities built into the formulas, Montclair joined several other communities to qualify for a pool of federal aid allocated only to Townships, that allowed townships to receive as much as double the revenue-sharing aid per capita received by the four other types of New Jersey municipalities — Borough, City, Town or Village.[9][10]
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Montclair has a temperate climate, with warm/hot humid summers and cool/cold winters, according to the Köppen climate classification humid subtropical climate. January tends to be the coldest month, with average high temperatures in the upper 30s Fahrenheit and lows averaging 21. July, the warmest month, features high temperatures in the mid 80s and lows in the 70s, the average high is at 86 Fahrenheit. From April to June and from September to early November, Montclair experiences temperatures from the lower 60s to the lower 70s.
Montclair, NJ, gets on average 44 inches (1100 mm) of rain per year, above the US average of 37 inches. Snowfall is common from December to early March, at about 30 inches annually. The number of days each year in Montclair with any measurable precipitation is 90; the area has an average of 202 sunny days.
Montclair is one or two degrees warmer than the neighboring towns of Verona and Cedar Grove because of the mountain between them, which sometimes blocks winds and clouds, including warmer air from the ocean to the east.
Montclair is located at (40.822249, -74.211989).[11]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16 km2).
Montclair is located on the First Mountain of the Watchung Mountains. Most of the town stands on the east side of this ridge. Thus, many locations provide excellent views of the surrounding area and of the New York City skyline about 12 miles (19 km) away. Since the formation of Montclair, the western border on that mountain with Verona, West Orange, and Cedar Grove has moved slightly eastward, making the town slightly smaller.
Montclair citizens use two different main ZIP codes, the central and southern parts of the town are designated 07042. The portion of town from Watchung north has a separate ZIP code, 07043, and is known as Upper Montclair. Because the ZIP codes do not exactly match municipal boundaries, a few homes near the borders with neighboring towns fall into the ZIP codes for those towns (likewise, a few homes in some adjoining towns use one of the two ZIP codes assigned to Montclair, as does Mountainside Hospital (07042), even though it is completely located just over the border in Glen Ridge). Small areas in the southeast of town fall into the Glen Ridge ZIP code, 07028
Several streams flow eastward through Montclair: Toney's Brook in the center, Nishuane Brook in the southeast, the Wigwam Brook in the southwest, the Pearl Brook in the northwest, and the Yantacaw Brook in the northeast - all in the Passaic River watershed. The Yantacaw and Toney's brooks are dammed in parks to create ponds. The Wigwam, Nishuane, and Toney's brook flow into the Second River, and the others flow into the Third River. Formerly, north of Bloomfield Avenue between Grove Street and Pine Street there was another dam and another pond, powering a factory. Montclair is just north of the southern border of the Rahway River watershed.
The Southern border of Montclair is a straight line between the Eagle Rock, on the ridge of the First Watchung Mountain, and the point where Orange Road crosses the Nishuane Brook. The western border runs roughly along the ridge of the First Watchung Mountain between the Eagle Rock and the Essex County/Passaic County Border. The northern border is the same as the border between those two counties.
| Little Falls | Clifton | Clifton | ||
| Verona and Cedar Grove | Glen Ridge and Bloomfield | |||
| Montclair | ||||
| West Orange | Orange | East Orange |
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | under 1,400 |
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| 1870 | 2,853 |
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| 1880 | 5,147 | 80.4% | |
| 1910 | 21,559 |
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| 1920 | 28,772 | 33.5% | |
| 1930 | 42,017 | 46.0% | |
| 1940 | 39,807 | −5.3% | |
| 1950 | 43,927 | 10.3% | |
| 1960 | 43,129 | −1.8% | |
| 1970 | 44,043 | 2.1% | |
| 1980 | 38,321 | −13.0% | |
| 1990 | 37,729 | −1.5% | |
| 2000 | 38,977 | 3.3% | |
| 2010 | 37,669 | −3.4% | |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[12][13] 1830 data.[14] | |||
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 38,977 people, 15,020 households, and 9,687 families residing in the township. The population density was 6,183.6 people per square mile (2,388.7/km2). There were 15,531 housing units at an average density of 2,464.0 per square mile (951.8/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 59.77% White, 32.06% African American, 3.15% Asian,0.19% Native American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.77% from other races, and 3.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.12% of the population. Montclair has long highlighted its diversity, a feature that has attracted many to the community.[15]
There were 15,020 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males.
According to a 2007 estimate,[16] the median income for a household in the township was $92,988, and the median income for a family was $119,850. Males had a median income of $64,151 versus $43,520 for females. The per capita income for the township was $44,870. About 3.9% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2007, 35.29% of the population are Catholic; 9.60% in Montclair are Jewish; 2.74% affiliate with Islam; 9.3% are with another Christian sect.; with a small percentages of others.[17] Proportionally, there are more Muslims, Jews, and Catholics than the country's average.
Montclair has attracted many who work for major media organizations in New York City, including The New York Times and Newsweek. A March 11, 2007, posting in the blog Gawker.com listed some of those who work in the media and live in Montclair.[18] In it also live many commuters to New York City and the Metro Area.
Montclair is governed under the Council-Manager form of municipal government under the Faulkner Act, whose originator was a former mayor of Montclair. The government consists of a mayor and a six-member Township Council. The mayor and council are all elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections on a concurrent basis. The mayor and two council seats are elected at-large, with four council seats elected from each of four wards.[1]
Though the Mayor has no executive powers, the Mayor presides over council meetings and has both a voice and vote in its proceedings. The Mayor appoints members to many local governing groups, most notably the board of education.[19]
As of 2011[update], members of the Montclair Township Council are Mayor of Montclair, New Jersey Jerry Fried, Deputy Mayor Kathryn Weller-Demming (At-Large), Cary Africk (Second Ward), Dr. Renée E. Baskerville (Fourth Ward), Nick Lewis (Third Ward), Rich Murnick (First Ward) and Roger S. Terry (At-Large).[20]
In elections held on May 13, 2008, Jerry Fried won election as mayor, defeating councilmembers Joyce Michaelson and Ted Mattox. Fried's Unity Montclair running mates also won office, with Kathryn Weller taking one of the at-large seats, Cary Africk winning the 2nd Ward and Nick Lewis taking the 3rd Ward. Partnership Montclair's Roger Terry won an at-large seat and Rich Murnick won in the 1st Ward. The new council takes office on July 1, 2008. The 4th ward was won by Dr. Renée Baskerville, who ran as an independent.[21]
Montclair is split between the 8th Congressional district in the north and 10th Congressional district in the south and is part of New Jersey's 34th State legislative district.[22]
New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District is represented by Bill Pascrell (D, Paterson). New Jersey's Tenth Congressional District is represented by Donald M. Payne (D, Newark). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
34th District of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Nia Gill (D, Montclair) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Thomas P. Giblin (D, Montclair) and Sheila Y. Oliver (D, East Orange).[23] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[24] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[25]
Essex County's County Executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.[26] The executive, along with the Board of Chosen Freeholders administer all county business. The county's Board of Chosen Freeholders consists of nine members, four elected on an at-large basis and one from each of five wards, who serve terms of office on a concurrent basis.[27] As of 2011 Essex County's Freeholders are Freeholder President Blonnie R. Watson (at large)[28], Freeholder Vice President Ralph R. Caputo (District 5)[29], Rufus I. Johnson (at large)[30], Donald M. Payne, Jr. (at large)[31], Patricia Sebold (at large)[32], Samuel Gonzalez (District 1)[33], D. Bilal Beasley (District 2)[34], Carol Y. Clark (District 3)[35] and Linda Lordi Cavanaugh (District 4).[36][37]
On the national level, Montclair leans strongly toward the Democratic Party. In 2008, Democrat Barack Obama received 83% of the vote here, defeating Republican John McCain. About 70% of people in Montclair are Democrats.
Montclair hosts many art institutions and theaters, and despite its relatively small size, has many art venues. It has its own art museum, the Montclair Art Museum and several small galleries. Montclair also hosts two theaters that showcase movies and films, both originally live theaters, having been later converted. Clearview Cinemas has two locations in Montclair, the Bellevue Theater located in Upper Montclair and the Clairidge Cinema, located on Bloomfield Avenue. While the Bellevue Cinema mostly shows main-stream Hollywood films, the Clairidge Cinema shows different types of movies from documentaries to small scale indie films. Live theaters include, but are not limited to, The Montclair Opretta Company, the Wellmont Theatre, Montclair State University's Kasser Theater, Montclair State University's theater in Life Hall, and the Studio Playhouse. On Bloomfield Avenue there is a public stage used for concerts and other events. Dotted around Montclair there are also many art galleries, though most are centered in the Bloomfield Avenue Downtown Area.[38][39] Concerts are held at the Wellmont Theatre and at several churches and auditoriums sponsored by Outpost in the Burbs, a community-based organization.
Montclair has six distinct commercial zones scattered around the town:
New Jersey Transit and DeCamp Bus Lines are the providers of public transportation in Montclair. Montclair is considered a commuter town of New York City. The average Montclair commute is 38 minutes each way. 24% of commuters travelers take mass transit, while 59% drive alone. Twelve times more Montclair commuters take mass transit than the national average.[40]
NJ Transit buses 11, 28, 29, 34, 97, 191 and 705 run through Montclair, most going along the main street, Bloomfield Avenue. The New Jersey transit bus routes are:
All of these routes except #97, #191, and #705 were trolley lines originally, operated by the Public Service Railway. A trolley Garage existed on Bloomfield Avenue. In the 1930s and 1950s the trolleys were destroyed and replaced with buses.
DeCamp Bus Lines routes 33 and 66 run through Montclair to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City, carrying primarily commuters.
Montclair State University has shuttle buses going around its campus.
The township of Montclair operates a jitney in the evening from the Bay Street train station to the southern end of Montclair.
Running through Montclair is the Montclair-Boonton Line, which goes between New York City / Hoboken and Hackettstown. There are seven railway stations serving Montclair: Bay Street, Walnut Street, Watchung Avenue, Upper Montclair, Mountain Avenue, and Montclair Heights in Montclair, and Montclair State University Station in the Great Notch area of Little Falls, New Jersey. Only Bay Street station has weekend train service. Montclair has a long history of railroads. The first railroad was built to Montclair in 1856 by the Newark and Bloomfield Railroad. It terminated at a station in Downtown Montclair. First the Morris and Essex Railroad, then the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad leased the line.
In 1868, the Montclair Railway built another line through Montclair, which caused disputes leading to Montclair's separation from Bloomfield. Shortly afterward it was taken over by the New York and Greenwood Lake Railway, a subsidiary of the Erie Railroad. A third railroad to Morristown was planned in 1860 and construction began, but the Panic of 1873 ended the project. In 1912 the Lackawanna Railroad built a large terminal at the end of their line. The Erie and Lackawanna Railroads later merged, forming the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad, which operated both lines for many decades. They were next operated by Conrail for approximately one year, after which NJ Transit took over passenger operations and Conrail continued freight operations. Meanwhile, the 1912 terminal was closed in 1981 and converted into shops. In 2002, the two railway lines were connected with the construction of the Montclair Connection.
Montclair is 13 miles (21 km) from Newark Liberty International Airport, 42 miles (68 km) from JFK Airport and 31 miles (50 km) from LaGuardia Airport. The Garden State Parkway to the east, U.S. Route 46 and New Jersey Route 3 to the north, and New Jersey Route 23 to the west are slightly past the town's borders. The main road through Montclair is Bloomfield Avenue.
There is a taxi stand off of Bloomfield Avenue in eastern Montclair, in front of Lackawanna Plaza, formerly the Montclair train station.
The median price for a house in Montclair is $670,400, more than three times the national average. The cost of living is also 48.37% percent higher than the USA's average. The median age of a house in Montclair is 51 years old.
Montclair is noted for its historic architecture. It is home to six historic districts listed on the Register of Historic Places of both the state and country as a whole, 92 individually listed landmarks, and two locally designated commercial districts. Works by significant architects include designs by Van Vleck and Goldsmith, Charles Follen McKim, McKim, Mead, and White, Henry Hudson Holly, Charles A. Platt, Alexander Jackson Davis, Dudley Van Antwerp, Effingham R. North, and Frances Nelson, among others.
The Montclair Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[41]) are seven elementary schools (K-5, except as noted, with enrollment and magnet program listed in parentheses) — Bradford (498 students, Magnet Theme: The University Magnet), Bullock (325, Environmental Science; was Rand), Edgemont (309, Montessori), Hillside (3-5; 630, Gifted and Talented), Nishuane (K-2; 562, Gifted and Talented), Northeast (401, Global Studies) and Watchung (440, Science and Technology) — Glenfield (694, Visual and Performing Arts), Mount Hebron (579, Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) and Renaissance at Rand (247, Liberal Arts) for grades 6-8, along with Montclair High School (1,951) for grades 9-12.
Montclair is home to Montclair State University.
Montclair is also home to a host of private and parochial schools, including: Montclair Kimberley Academy, Lacordaire Academy, Immaculate Conception High School, St. Cassian's School, Virginia Harkness Sawtelle Learning, Maria Montessori Early Learning, Montclair Cooperative School, Trinity Academy, and Deron School II.
Montclair is home to many parks and nature reserves.
In Montclair there are many parks, such as Edgemont Memorial Park, Essex Park, Glenfield Park, Nishuane Park, Tuers Park, Rand Park, Graz Park, Canterbury Park, Watchung Park, Eagle Rock Reservation, Brookdale Park, Anderson Park, Yantacaw Brook Park, the Bonsal Nature Reserve, Mountainside Park, the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens, and Mills Reservation. There are also many sports fields, some public, like in the parks, or some school owned, like the Essex Park fields or Montclair State University's Sprague Field. In total Montclair has 153.86 acres (0.6226 km2) of township park land spread around 18 parks and 123.76 acres (0.5008 km2) of county park land consisting of five parks.[42]
There are also 18 public tennis courts, four skating rinks (two of which are indoor) and 3 public swimming pools, which are the Mountainside pool, the Nishuane pool, and the Essex pool.[43]
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Montclair has its own local newspaper, the Montclair Times. In addition, there is a radio station on the campus of Montclair State University, WMSC. Montclair State University is also the major broadcasting site for NJTV in Northern New Jersey. Locals also subscribe to The Star-Ledger of Newark, New Jersey, and The New York Times. The township has a municipal public service television channel, Channel 34, where town council meetings and school board meetings are broadcast. Montclair High School has its own paper the Mountaineer, and Montclair State University has its own student-run paper, the Montclarion. WVRM (Village Radio Montclair) has served the community since 1997 at 1620 AM, 91.9FM and on Comcast 34.
Montclair is twinned with the following cities:[44]
Montclair is home to the following locations on the National Register of Historic Places:
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