| West New York, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
| Map highlighting West New York within Hudson County. Inset: Location of Hudson County highlighted in the State of New Jersey. | |
| Census Bureau map of West New York, New Jersey | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Hudson |
| Incorporated | July 8, 1898 |
| Government[1] | |
| • Type | Walsh Act (New Jersey) |
| • Mayor | Felix Roque (term ends April 30, 2014)[2] |
| Area[3] | |
| • Total | 1.329 sq mi (3.444 km2) |
| • Land | 1.007 sq mi (2.609 km2) |
| • Water | 0.322 sq mi (0.835 km2) 24.24% |
| Elevation[4] | 151 ft (46 m) |
| Population (2010 Census)[5][6][7][8] | |
| • Total | 49,708 |
| • Density | 49,341.7/sq mi (19,050.9/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 07093[9] |
| Area code(s) | 201/551 |
| FIPS code | 34-79610[10][11] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885438[12] |
| Website | http://westnewyorknj.org/ |
West New York is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States, situated upon the New Jersey Palisades. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 49,708.[5]
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West New York is located at (40.786032,-74.009507). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town had a total area of 1.329 square miles (3.444 km2), of which, 1.007 square miles (2.609 km2) of it is land and 0.322 square miles (0.835 km2) of it (24.24%) is water.[13][3]
The ZIP code for West New York is 07093. West New York is part of the New York metropolitan area and is at the heart of the North Hudson, New Jersey region. West New York is bordered on the north by Guttenberg, on the east by the Hudson River, on the south by Union City and Weehawken, and on the west by North Bergen.
West New York is one of North Hudson's communities atop the Hudson Palisades, and home to the highest point in the county.[14] Its Hudson waterfront has been known as Bulls Ferry since before the American Revolutionary War. Bergenline Avenue is its main commercial thoroughfare, while the wide two-way 60th Street is a major cross-town thoroughfare, and site of Town Hall. More than half of US Presidents have streets bearing their name in the town.[15]
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.[16] West New York underwent a massive growth at the beginning of the 20th century, driven by development of textile industries that made North Hudson the "Embroidery Capital of the United States".[17]
The town was populated mainly with Italian Americans and German Americans.[18][19] In the 1960s, due to the influx of Cuban émigrés, the area became kown as "Havana on the Hudson"[20], and since has become one of the United States cities with a majority Hispanic population. Simultaneously, highrises were built along Boulevard East,[21][22] adding to the population of the town, giving it one of highest population densities in the country. Since the 1980s the Hudson waterfront, which had been part of the Weehawken Terminal has been redeveloped from industrial to residential and recreational uses, including the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 5,267 |
|
|
| 1910 | 13,560 | 157.5% | |
| 1920 | 29,916 | 120.6% | |
| 1930 | 37,107 | 24.0% | |
| 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% | |
| 2010 | 49,708 | 8.6% | |
| Population sources:1910-1930[23] 1900-1990[24] 2000[25][26] 2010[5][7][6] |
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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 49,708 people, 18,852 households, and 11,783 families residing in the town. The population density was 49,341.7 inhabitants per square mile (19,050.9 /km2). There were 20,018 housing units at an average density of 19,870.5 per square mile (7,672.0 /km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 62.04% (30,839) White, 4.60% (2,289) African American, 1.50% (744) Native American, 6.01% (2,986) Asian, 0.05% (24) Pacific Islander, 20.19% (10,038) from other races, and 5.61% (2,788) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 78.08% (38,812) of the population.[5]
There were 18,852 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.6% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.23.[5]
In the town the population was spread out with 21.0% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.8 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.[5]
As of the 2010 United States Census, West New York had the third-highest percentage of Hispanics in the state, at 78.1%, and accounts for 2.5% of the state’s Hispanic population. Though Native Americans comprise less than 1% of the city’s population, they doubled in the 2000s, and combined with Union City’s Native American’s comprise 38% of the county’s Native American population.[27]
As of the census of 2000, there were 45,768 people, 16,719 households, and 11,034 families residing in the town. The population density was 44,995.1/mi² (17,324.6/km²). There were 17,360 housing units at an average density of 17,066.8/mi² (6,571.3km²). 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. 78.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[25][26]
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 woman whose husband does not live with her, and 34.0% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.30.[25][26]
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.[25][26]
The median income for a household in the town is $31,980, and the median income for a family is $34,083. Males have a median income of $26,703 versus $22,326 for females. The per capita income for the town is $16,719. 18.9% of the population and 16.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 25.4% are under the age of 18 and 22.3% are 65 or older.[25][26]
As of the 2000 Census West New York was ranked as #52 on a list of cities with the highest percentage of renters.[28] 80.1% of West New York residents live in renter-occupied housing units, vs. 33.8% nationwide.[29]
Bergenline Avenue is the main shopping district of North Hudson. West New York's Urban Enterprise Zone covers portions of Bergenline Avenue from 49th to 67th Streets. 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).[30]
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.[31] Bergenline Avenue is also used as the route for local parades, such as the annual Memorial Day Parade and different ethnic parades (e.g., Cuban and Dominican).
New Jersey Transit bus service is available to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 128, 154, 156, 158, 159, 165, 166 and 168 routes. The 181 and 188 routes offer service to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal. Travel to other New Jersey communities, including Jersey City, is offered on the 22, 23, 84, 86, 88 and 89.[32]
The Bergenline Station of Hudson-Bergen Light Rail is located at the city line with Union City, while the Weehawken Port Imperial is located on the Weehawken waterfront at the foot of Pershing Road near the NY Waterway ferry terminal. Regular ferry crossings of the Hudson River run daily.[33]
The closest airport in New Jersey with scheduled passenger service is Newark Liberty International Airport, located 13.6 miles (21.9 km) away in Newark / Elizabeth. New York City's LaGuardia Airport is 13.5 miles (21.7 km) miles away in Flushing, Queens via the Lincoln Tunnel.
Since 1931, West New York has been governed under the Walsh Act form of New Jersey municipal government by a five-member commission. Commission members are elected at-large in nonpartisan elections to serve four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis. Each Commissioner is assigned to head one of five departments. The Commission selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.[1]
The five members of the West New York Town Commission are Felix Roque (Commissioner of Public Safety), Fior D'Aliza Frias (Commissioner of Public Affairs), Ruben Vargas (Commissioner of Parks and Public Property), Caridad Rodriguez (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance) and Count Wiley (Commissioner of Public Works).[34] In the May 2011 municipal election, the "Together We Can" slate of five candidates led by Roque took all five seats on the Town Council, knocking off the slate of incumbents led by then-mayor Silverio Vega.[35] Af the town council's reorganization meeting, the five commissioners unanimously voted to appoint Roque to a four-year term as Mayor of West New York.[36]
West New York is in the 13th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 33rd state legislative district.[37] The borough was relocated to the 32nd state legislative district by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission based on the results of the 2010 Census.[7] The new district was in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected in November 2011 taking office in the new district as of January 2012.[37] In Congressional redistricting following the 2010 Census, West New York has been reassigned to the 8th congressional district, which will be in effect for the June 2012 primary and the November 2012 general election, with the representative elected in November 2012 taking office in the new district as of January 2013.[38]
New Jersey's Thirteenth Congressional District is represented by Albio Sires (D, West New York). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
33rd Legislative District, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Brian P. Stack (D, Union City) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Ruben J. Ramos (D, Hoboken) and Caridad Rodriguez (D, West New York).[39] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[40] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[41]
West New York is in Hudson County's 7th Freeholder District.The Hudson County Executive, elected at-large, is Thomas A. DeGise.[42] Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders District 7 comprises Weehawken, West New York, and Guttenberg[43] and is represented by Jose C. Muñoz.[44][45]
West New York is served by West New York School District. The district is one of 31 Abbott Districts statewide.[46]
Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[47]) are Early Childhood School for Pre-K (1,098 students), six K-6 elementary schools (except as indicated) — Public School No. 1 (723), Public School No. 2 (546), Public School No. 3 (444), Public School No. 4 (644), Public School No. 5 (638; K-7) and Harry L. Bain School (674) — West New York Middle School for grades 7 and 8 (816) and Memorial High School (1,764).
Private schools in West New York include St. Joseph of the Palisades Grammar School, which is overseen by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.[48]
West New York has a bilingual medical school: American Training School for Medical Professionals founded in 1998 by Professor Dante Joa.
West New York does not have its own fire department, but is one of five towns served by the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue.[49]
The West New York Emergency Medical Squad consists of (as of May 2011) 26 people, at the EMS house on 62nd Street, which houses four trucks, to which each is assigned two workers. The Squad's second, larger facility, at 66th Street, opened May 11, 2011.[50]
West New York's Emergency Medical Services was among the many Hudson County agencies that responded to the January 2009 crash of Flight 1549, for which they received accolades from the survivors.[51][52]
In 1898 the Brooklyn Bridegrooms played three games in West New York.[53]
West New York is located within the New York media market, with most of its daily papers available for sale or delivery. The Jersey Journal is a local daily paper based in Jersey City. Local weeklies include the free bilingual paper, Hudson Dispatch Weekly,[54] a former daily,[55] The West New York Reporter, which is part of the Hudson Reporter group of local weeklies, and the Spanish language El Especialito.[56] River View Observer is a monthly newspaper that covers the Hudson County waterfront market.
In the late 2000s, West New York, Weehawken, Union City and North Bergen came to be dubbed collectively as "NoHu", a North Hudson haven for local performing and fine artists, many of whom are immigrants from Latin America and other countries, in part due to lower housing costs compared to those in nearby art havens such as Hoboken, Jersey City and Manhattan.[57]
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