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West New York, New Jersey

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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: 40°47′09″N 74°00′34″W / 40.78583°N 74.00944°W / 40.78583; -74.00944Coordinates: 40°47′09″N 74°00′34″W / 40.78583°N 74.00944°W / 40.78583; -74.00944
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Hudson
Incorporated July 8, 1898
Government[1]
 - Type Walsh Act (New Jersey)
 - Mayor Felix Roque
Area
 - Total 1.3 sq mi (3.4 km2)
 - Land 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km2)
 - Water 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)
Elevation[2] 151 ft (46 m)
Population (2010)[3]
 - Total 49,708
 - Density 44,995.1/sq mi (17,372.7/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 07093
Area code(s) 201
FIPS code 34-79610[4][5]
GNIS feature ID 0885438[6]
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.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Park on Boulevard East at 60th Street, with the Manhattan skyline in the background.

West New York is located at 40°47′18″N 74°00′47″W / 40.788400°N 74.013090°W / 40.788400; -74.013090 (40.788400, -74.013090).[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), of which, 1.0 square miles (2.6 km2) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km2) of it (23.48%) is water. 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.[8] Its Hudson waterfront has been known as Bulls Ferry since pre-revolutionary times. 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.[9]

[edit] History

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.[10] 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".[11]

The town was populated mainly with Italian-Americans and German-Americans.[12][13] In the 1960s, due to the influx of Cuban émigrés, the area became kown as "Havana on the Hudson"[14], and since has become one the United States cities with a majority Hispanic population. Simultaneously, highrises were built along Boulevard East,[15][16] 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.

[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%
2010 49,708 8.6%
Population 1930 - 1990[17]

As of 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates there were 46,963 people, 17,906 households, and 11,463 families residing in the town. The average household size was 2.6 people. The town was 79.1 percent Hispanic (of any race). Of the total population, 68.4 percent was white, 5.6 percent black, 1.2 percent Native American, 3.4 percent Asian, and 19.5 percent other races. In comparison, the 2000 census recorded 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.[citation needed]

As of the 2010 United States Census, West New York contains 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.[18]

There were 17,906 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30 percent lived alone.[citation needed]

In 2000, 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 36.0% 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 median age was 35.5 years.[citation needed]

The median income for a household was $41,459, and the median income for a family was $39,904, compared to $31,980, $34,083 in 2000, respectively. About 17.1 percent of the population in 2007 was below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 30.6% of those age 65 or over. About 19% of the town's employed residents work in New York City.[citation needed]

West New York is ranked as #52 on a list of cities with the highest percentage of renters.[19] 80.1% of West New York residents live in renter-occupied housing units, vs. 33.8% nationwide.[20]

[edit] Commerce

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).[21]

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.[22] 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).

[edit] Transportation

This New York Waterway ferry named West New York is not used on the routes which serve the town.

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.[23]

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. [24]

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 City Hall.

West New York has been governed under the Walsh Act form of New Jersey municipal government, by a five-member commission since 1931. 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).[25] 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.[26] 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.[27]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

West New York is in the 13th Congressional District. 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).

West New York is also part of the 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).[28]

West New York is in Hudson County's 7th Freeholder District.The Hudson County Executive, elected at-large, is Thomas A. DeGise.[29] Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders District 7 comprises Weehawken, West New York, and Guttenberg[30] and is represented by Jose C. Muñoz.[31][32]

[edit] Education

Harry L Bain school

West New York is served by West New York School District. The district is one of 31 Abbott Districts statewide.[33]

Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[34]) are Early Childhood School for Pre-K (1,094 students), six K-6 elementary schools (except as indicated) — Public School No. 1 (748), Public School No. 2 (363), Public School No. 3 (388), Public School No. 4 (599), Public School No. 5 (765; K-7) and Harry L. Bain School (667) — West New York Middle School for grades 7 and 8 (837) and Memorial High School (1,734).

Private schools in West New York include St. Joseph of the Palisades Grammar School.

West New York has a bilingual medical school: American Training School for Medical Professionals founded in 1998 by Professor Dante Joa.

[edit] Emergency services

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.

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.[35]

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.[36][37]

[edit] Media and culture

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,[38] a former daily,[39] The West New York Reporter, which is part of the Hudson Reporter group of local weeklies, and the Spanish language El Especialito.[40] 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.[41]

[edit] Notable residents

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 142.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Town of West New York, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed January 4, 2008.
  3. ^ 2010 Census Populations for Weehawken and West New York, Asbury Park Press, accessed April 20, 2011.
  4. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  5. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
  6. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  8. ^ Hudson High Point
  9. ^ Hudson County New Jersey Street Map. Hagstrom Map Company, Inc. 2008. ISBN 0-8809-7763-9. 
  10. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 149.
  11. ^ "Commercial Growth in New Jersey Town on Heights has Doubled Population within Last Five Years". December 20, 1914. pp. New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F10C1FFA3B5A12738FDDA90A94DA415B848DF1D3. Retrieved 2011-01-31. 
  12. ^ Martin, Lydia. "Cuban cool" The Star-Ledger; August 9, 1995; Pages 41 & 54.
  13. ^ Juri, Carmen. "Jersey's Cuban flavors", The Star-Ledger, August 9, 1995; Pages 41 & 54.
  14. ^ Trillin, Calvin (June 30, 1975). "Observations while Eating Carne Asada on Bergenline Avenue". The New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1975/06/30/1975_06_30_094_TNY_CARDS_000317996#ixzz1CVY26uxX. Retrieved 2011-01-27. 
  15. ^ Norman, Micheal (July 4, 1982). "Palisades: New York's Other West Side". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/04/realestate/palisades-new-york-s-other-west-side.html?scp=1&sq=PALISADES:%20NEW%20YORK'S%20OTHER%20WEST%20SIDE&st=cse. Retrieved 2011-01-31. 
  16. ^ Cheslow, Jerry (October 9, 2005). "Blending Two Cities into One". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/09/realestate/09living.html?_r=1&scp=33&sq=Bergen%20line%20new%20jersey&st=cse. Retrieved 2011-01-31. 
  17. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  18. ^ Cullen, Deanna. “Growing influence”, The Union City Reporter, February 13, 2011, pages 1 and 15
  19. ^ Top 100 Cities with Highest Percentage of Renters (pop. 5000+), City-Data. Accessed July 14, 2007.
  20. ^ West New York, New Jersey Census 2000 Demographic Profile Highlights, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 14, 2007.
  21. ^ Geographic & Urban Redevelopment Tax Credit Programs: Urban Enterprise Zone Employee Tax Credit, State of New Jersey, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 25, 2009. Accessed March 12, 2011.
  22. ^ Rosero, Jessica. "Smelliest town? Most bumpy? Hudson County municipalities hold unusual distinctions", Hudson Reporter, February 26, 2006. Accessed March 12, 2011. "Slicing through both towns is Bergenline Avenue, also known as the 'Miracle Mile,' said to the longest commercial avenue in the state and shared by neighboring Guttenberg and North Bergen."
  23. ^ Hudson County Bus Service, New Jersey Transit. Accessed June 13, 2007.
  24. ^ Ferry Schedules, NY Waterway.
  25. ^ Mestanza, Jean-Pierre (May 18, 2011). "Dr. Felix Roque, four other new commissioners take oaths in West New York Town Hall, then Roque is picked to be mayor". The Jersey Journal. http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/westny/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1305700814232490.xml&coll=3. Retrieved May 18, 2011. 
  26. ^ Staff. "Roque slate sweeps West New York election, ousts Vega and incumbents", The Jersey Journal, May 11, 2011. Accessed May 17, 2011.
  27. ^ Mestanza, Jean-Pierre. "Hours after he's sworn in, new West New York mayor fires police director", The Jersey Journal, May 17, 2011. Accessed May 17, 2011.
  28. ^ "Legislative Roster: 2010-2011 Session". New Jersey Legislature. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp. Retrieved 2010-07-05. 
  29. ^ Thomas A. Degise, Hudson County Executive, Hudson County, New Jersey. Accessed January 5, 2011.
  30. ^ Freeholder District 7, Hudson County, New Jersey. Accessed January 15, 2011.
  31. ^ Bichao, Sergio (June 03, 2008). "Hudson County results". nj.com. http://www.nj.com/elections/index.ssf/2008/06/hudson_county_results.html. Retrieved 2011-01-15. 
  32. ^ Freeholder Biographies, Hudson County, New Jersey. Accessed January 15, 2011.
  33. ^ Abbott Districts, New Jersey Department of Education, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 15, 2009. Accessed May 13, 2011.
  34. ^ Data for the West New York School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 13, 2011.
  35. ^ Sanabria, Santo. "Breaking ground" The Union City Reporter, May 15, 2011, page 3
  36. ^ "'Miracle on the Hudson' survivors to return to waterfront", The Union City Reporter, July 26, 2009, Page 4
  37. ^ Tricia Tirella. "A pat on the back", The Union City Reporter, Pages 5 and 17
  38. ^ Hudson Dispatch Weekly; May 13, 2010
  39. ^ Good, Philip. "Recalling the Glory Days of The Hudson Dispatch" The New York Times; October 27, 1991
  40. ^ El Especial's official website
  41. ^ Mary Paul and Caren Matzner. "Scores of artists find a place in N. Hudson" The Union City Reporter, April 17, 2008, pages 1, 6 and 19
  42. ^ Oscar Louis Auf der Heide, United States Congress. Accessed June 29, 2007.
  43. ^ "Tyson Beckford injured in New Jersey truck accident", USA Today, June 7, 2005. Accessed September 23, 2007. "Beckford, a West New York resident, was taken to the Jersey City Medical Center, where he was treated for head trauma and cuts, O'Keeffe said."
  44. ^ Cullen, Deanna. "A lifetime of secure investments", The Union City Reporter, December 12, 2010, page 3
  45. ^ "Braddock, Who Beat Baer for Title, Dies; Diffident Demeanor", The New York Times, November 30, 1974. "NORTH BERGEN, N. J., Nov. 29 (AP) James J. Braddock, who won the world heavyweight championship in 1935 by outpointing Max Baer in one of boxing's biggest upsets, died today at, his home here. He was 68 years old.... When he was a child his family moved to West New York, N. J., just the other side of the Hudson River."
  46. ^ Amanda Staab. "From Communist Russia to WNY", The Union City Reporter, March 1, 2009, Pages 3 and 8
  47. ^ 1010 WINS News; July 20, 2010 11:48am EST broadcast
  48. ^ Wuebben, Joe. "The new king: unassuming? Humble? Quiet? What happened to King Kamali? We spent a couple of days with him to get to know the man who would be king", Muscle & Fitness, July 2004. Accessed October 6, 2008. "At least, that seemed to be the case when I spent a few days hanging out with him at his home in West New York, New Jersey, a few weeks out from the 2004 Arnold Classic."
  49. ^ Staff. "Maack, 'Iron Man' Tackle, Elected Captain Of Columbia Football Team for Next Fall", The New York Times, December 6, 1940. Accessed January 27, 2011.
  50. ^ John Mahnken profile, Basketball Reference. Accessed August 7, 2007.
  51. ^ Cerbo, Toni-Ann. "Edward James Olmos has fond memories of living in West New York while he built stage career". The Jersey Journal. http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/westny/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1291188339100940.xml&coll=3. Retrieved December 1, 2010. 
  52. ^ Disbato, Pat. "NFL / Roehl living out a dream", The Star (Tinley Park), February 1, 2004. Accessed October 6, 2008. "'I lived in New Jersey, a little town called West New York,' said Roehl, who calls teammate Jeremy Shockey one of his closest friends."
  53. ^ Staff. "After Months of Running, Marathon Ends Tuesday; Heading Toward Finish Line at the Statehouse", The New York Times, November 2, 1997. Accessed June 6, 2010.
  54. ^ "The Revenge Of Jeremy Shockey" by S.L. Price, Sports Illustrated, July 28, 2003; accessed October 18, 2008. "...[Shockey's] West New York, N.J., condo overlooking the Hudson River..."
  55. ^ Gerard Way photo, The New York Times Agency, October 19, 2007. Caption: "Gerard Way, lead singer of My Chemical Romance, near his home in West New York, N.J., on Sept. 24, 2007."
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