| Secaucus, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
| Location of Secaucus within Hudson County. Inset: Location of Hudson County highlighted in the State of New Jersey. | |
| Census Bureau map of Secaucus, New Jersey | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Hudson |
| Incorporated | March 12, 1900 as borough |
| Reincorporated | June 5, 1917 as town |
| Government[1] | |
| • Type | Town (New Jersey) |
| • Mayor | Michael J. Gonnelli (2013)[2] |
| Area[3] | |
| • Total | 6.599 sq mi (17.090 km2) |
| • Land | 5.822 sq mi (15.078 km2) |
| • Water | 0.777 sq mi (2.012 km2) 11.77% |
| Elevation[4] | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Population (2010 Census)[5][6][7] | |
| • Total | 16,264 |
| • Density | 2,793.7/sq mi (1,078.7/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 07094, 07096[8] |
| Area code(s) | 201/551 |
| FIPS code | 34-66570[9][10] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885392[11] |
| Website | http://www.secaucusnj.org |
Secaucus (/ˈsiːkɔːkəs/) is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 16,264.[6] Located within the New Jersey Meadowlands, it is the most suburban of the county's municipalities, though large parts of the town are dedicated to light manufacturing, retail, and transportation uses, as well as protected areas.[12]
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Secaucus is a derivation of the Algonquian words for "black" (seke or sukit) and "snake" (achgook), or "place of snakes.[13] The town's name is pronounced "SEE-kaw-kus" (/ˈsiːkɔːkəs/), with the accent on the first syllable, not the second as often used by non-natives.[14][15]
Secaucus is located at (40.781958,-74.067649). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town had a total area of 6.599 square miles (17.090 km2), of which, 5.822 square miles (15.078 km2) of it is land and 0.777 square miles (2.012 km2) of it (11.77%) is water.[16][3]
At the southern end of Secaucus is Snake Hill (officially known as Laurel Hill), an igneous rock diabase intrusion jutting up some 150 feet (46 m) from the Meadowlands below, near the New Jersey Turnpike.[17]
Being partly surrounded by the Hackensack Meadowlands, Secaucus provides opportunities to observe the recovery of natural marshes in the town's post industrial, post agricultural age. Some marsh areas in the northeast part of town have been filled to provide a new commercial area, and some to build footpaths for nature walks with signs illustrating birds and other wildlife to be seen there.[18]
Secaucus has different districts:[18]
Sikakes, once an island, was part of the territory purchased by Director-General of New Netherland, Peter Stuyvesant in 1658.[18] The territory was part of what is considered to the oldest municipality in the state of New Jersey which was first chartered in 1660 as Bergen[19] in the province of New Netherland and, in 1683, became Bergen Township.
Settlement had begun by at least 1733 by the Smith family, whose namesake Abel I. Smith Burial Ground is part of the lore of Secaucus.
Secaucus was originally formed as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 12, 1900, from portions of North Bergen. On June 7, 1917, Secaucus was incorporated as a town, replacing Secaucus borough, based on the results of a referendum held on June 5, 1917.[20]
Before the 1950s, Secaucus was home to a number of pig farms,[21] rendering plants, and junk yards, which gave the town a reputation for being one of the most odorous in the New York metropolitan area.[22] In 1963, debris from the demolition of Pennsylvania Station was dumped in the Secaucus Meadowlands. In later decades Secaucus became more a commuter town. In a non-binding referendum in 1969, 90% of voters in Secaucus chose to leave Hudson County and join Bergen County, as that county was more similar in character and had lower taxes.[23] Today it is the still the most suburban town in Hudson County.[21]
New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Secaucus as its 11th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.[24]
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 4,740 |
|
|
| 1920 | 5,423 | 14.4% | |
| 1930 | 8,950 | 65.0% | |
| 1940 | 9,754 | 9.0% | |
| 1950 | 9,750 | 0% | |
| 1960 | 12,154 | 24.7% | |
| 1970 | 13,228 | 8.8% | |
| 1980 | 13,719 | 3.7% | |
| 1990 | 14,061 | 2.5% | |
| 2000 | 15,931 | 13.3% | |
| 2010 | 16,264 | 2.1% | |
| Population sources:1910-1930[25] 1930-1990[26] 2000[27][28] 2010[5][6][29][7] |
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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 16,264 people, 6,297 households, and 4,112 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,793.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,078.7 /km2). There were 6,846 housing units at an average density of 1,175.9 per square mile (454.0 /km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 68.40% (11,125) White, 4.11% (668) African American, 0.20% (32) Native American, 20.40% (3,318) Asian, 0.04% (6) Pacific Islander, 4.38% (713) from other races, and 2.47% (402) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.60% (3,025) of the population.[6]
There were 6,297 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 29.1% 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 2.46 and the average family size was 3.09.[6]
In the town the population was spread out with 19.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.[6]
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $82,289 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,523) and the median family income was $96,475 (+/- $10,189). Males had a median income of $58,902 (+/- $7,548) versus $54,665 (+/- $4,626) for females. The per capita income for the town was $38,375. About 4.7% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.[30]
According to the 2000 census,[9] there were 15,931 people, 6,214 households, and 3,945 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,706.7 people per square mile (1,044.3/km2). There were 6,385 housing units at an average density of 1,084.8 per square mile (418.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 68.54% White, 14.45% African American, 0.11% Native American, 11.80% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.79% from other races, and 2.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.26% of the population.[27][28]
There were 6,214 households out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.08.[27][28]
In the town the population was spread out with 19.2% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.2 males.[27][28]
The median income for a household in the town was $59,800, and the median income for a family was $72,568. Males had a median income of $49,937 versus $39,370 for females. The per capita income for the town was $31,684. About 3.9% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.[27][28] About 20% of the town's employed residents commute to New York City to work.
Secaucus is governed under the Town form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Town Council made up of six council members elected from three wards. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters. The Town Council consists of six members elected to serve four-year terms on a staggered basis.[1]
As of 2011[update], the Mayor of the Town of Secaucus is Michael Gonnelli. He succeeded Richard Steffens who stepped in to finish the term of Dennis Elwell, who resigned amid corruption charges on July 28, 2009.[31] The current members of the Secaucus Town Council are Deputy Mayor John Bueckner, James Clancy, Robert Constantino, Gary Jeffas, William McKeever and Susan Pirro.[32]
Secaucus is in the 9th Congressional district. New Jersey's Ninth Congressional District is represented by Steve Rothman (D, Fair Lawn). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
Secaucus is in the 32nd District, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Nicholas Sacco (D, North Bergen) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Vincent Prieto (D, Secaucus) and Joan M. Quigley (D, Jersey City).[33][29]
Parts of the town are encompassed by either of Hudson County's 8th or 9th freeholder districts. Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders District 9, comprising the West Hudson towns of Kearny, Harrison, and East Newark and most of Secaucus,[34] is represented by Albert Cifelli.[35][36] Freeholder District 8, compromised of North Bergen, the North End of Secaucus and northernmost tip of Jersey City near Transfer Station.[37] is represented by Thomas Liggio.[35][36] The Hudson County Executive, elected at-large, is Thomas A. DeGise.[38]
Students in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade are educated by the Secaucus Board of Education. The schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[39]) are Clarendon Elementary School (grades preK-6; 635 students), Huber Street Elementary School (preK-6; 584), Secaucus Middle School (7-8; 306) and Secaucus High School (9-12; 621). The athletic teams of Secaucus High School are nicknamed the "Patriots."
Immaculate Conception School, the town's only Catholic private day school, serving grades pre-K through 8th grade, closed in 2009.
The Nicholas G. Hayek Watchmaking School is also located in Secaucus.
Secaucus has exceptionally good road and rail transportation. The town is divided into four by the intersecting roads of NJ 3, which runs east and west, and the eastern spur of the New Jersey Turnpike (part of Interstate 95), which runs north-south, with an interchange (16E/17) at NJ Route 3 and a new interchange 15X, near the Secaucus Junction Station , which opened in late 2005.[40]
Because of this, many shipping warehouses and truck freight transfer stations are located in Secaucus, both for shipping companies such as UPS and for numerous retailers. For example, Barnes & Noble's "same day delivery" service to Manhattan operates from a warehouse in Secaucus. The town also has a large rail yard and multimode terminal run by CSX and Norfolk Southern where loads are switched between trains or transferred to or from trucks.
Secaucus is also the site of New Jersey Transit's Frank R. Lautenberg Secaucus Junction train station, peculiarly named since there is no actual track junction. As the station is in the south end of Secaucus, access from the rest of Secaucus is limited via County Avenue or Meadowlands Parkway or NJ Turnpike Interchange 15X.
Numerous New Jersey Transit bus operations serve Secaucus, including the 124, 129, 190 and 320 buses to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, the 78 to Newark, the 2 and 85 to Jersey City and local service provided on the 772 route.[41] There is a bus park-and-ride at the northeast corner of Secaucus.
In the first half of the 20th Century the Jersey City, Hoboken and Rutherford Electric Railway operated a trolley line through the then main business district of Secaucus, on Paterson Plank Road from Jersey City and across the Hackensack River to East Rutherford. The extent to which the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will resurrect this service is undecided.
The closest airport with scheduled passenger service is Newark Liberty International Airport, which straddles Newark and Elizabeth.
There are several large retail areas in Secaucus. Secaucus Plaza is the "downtown" area of Secaucus, just off of NJ-3. The Outlets are a collection of outlet shops selling discounted name-brand merchandise in southwest Secaucus. Many factory retail outlets are scattered throughout the Harmon Cove industrial section, often located in warehouses or converted factories. Harmon Cove Outlet Center is the largest outlet mall, on Enterprise Avenue. The Mill Creek Mall is a mall on NJ-3 on the west side of the Turnpike. Harmon Meadow Plaza is a large hotel, restaurant and shopping complex that features gyms, a pool hall, the Meadowlands Convention Center, a 14-screen Showplace Theatres and a Wal-Mart and Sam's Club located east of the New Jersey Turnpike, near NJ 3 and Interchange 16E. Best Buy, Raymour & Flanigan, Ashley Furniture, Home Depot and Daffy's are located on Paterson Plank Rd off Interchange 16E.[42] National Retail Systems is another large employer.[43] Secaucus is home to several corporate headquarters, including My Network TV's flagship station WWOR-TV,[44] Goya Foods,[45] The Children's Place[46] and Hartz Mountain.[47]
In 2011, two companies announced that they would be leaving Secaucus. The Manischewitz Company announced that it would relocate its administrative offices to Newark after being located in Secaucus for seven years.[48] Panasonic's North American headquarters had been located in town since 1973.[49] After searching for a new location in New York, California, and Georgia the company announced it would relocate to Newark.[50] Panasonic received an Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit of $102 million from the State of New Jersey for the relocation.[50] The company also cited the environmental benefits possible by reducing the need of 1,000 employees to drive to work.[51] Their Consumer Affairs Division, however, remains in Secaucus.[52]
The warehouse at 10 Enterprise Avenue was used as the primary filming location for the short-lived hospital drama Mercy, which aired on NBC from 2009-2010.[53]
Sports companies headquartered in Secaucus include Red Bull New York,[54] MLB Network,[55] NBA Entertainment[56][57][58] and the NBA Draft Lottery.[59] It is also home to men's soccer team Secaucus FC, which is part of the Garden State Soccer League, and was founded in 2003 by Nick Farinola.[60]
Secaucus was the headquarters of Major League Lacrosse for the first four seasons of the league.[61] The headquarters have since moved to Boston, Massachusetts.[62]
(B) denotes that the person was born in Secaucus.
Secaucus has been the subject of numerous artistic works. Poetry by Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes and Charles Bukowski has focused on the natural beauty of Secaucus. The three-stanza, free verse poem "Secaucus", published by Bukowski in 1981, is inscribed on a plaque in the main lobby of city hall.
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