West New York, New Jersey

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 Silverio Vega
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 (2007)[3]
 - Total 46,425
 - 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 United States 2000 Census, the town population was 45,768.

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.[7]

Contents

Geography

West New York is located at (40.788400, -74.013090).[8] 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 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.[9] 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.[10]

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%
Est. 2007 46,425 [3] 1.4%
Population 1930 - 1990[11]

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.

West New York was populated mainly with Italian-Americans and German-Americans until 1959, when many Cubans settled the area after Fidel Castro took power in Cuba. West New York, as well as other neighboring cities such as Union City, has experienced a profound cultural impact as a result of this, as seen in such aspects of local culture as its cuisine, fashion, music, entertainment and cigar-making.[12][13]

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.

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.

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.

West New York is ranked as #52 on a list of cities with the highest percentage of renters.[14] 80.1% of West New York residents live in renter-occupied housing units, vs. 33.8% nationwide.[15]

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).[16]

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. 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).

Transportation

This NY 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.[17]

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. [18]

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.

Government

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 Silverio Vega (Commissioner of Public Affairs), Lawrence Riccardi (Commissioner of Public Safety), Alberto Rodriguez (Commissioner of Public Works), Michelle Fernandez Lopez (Commissioner of Parks and Public Property), and Gerald Lange, Jr. (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance).[19] In November 2006, the West New York Town Commission reorganized & appointed Silverio A. Vega as acting Mayor. In May 2007, The West New York Town Commission unanimously voted to appoint Silverio A. Vega to a full four-year term as Mayor of West New York. Mayor Vega has been a member of the West New York Town Commission for over 16 years.

Federal, state and county representation

West New York is in the 13th Congressional District, which is represented by Albio Sires (D, West New York), who won a special election held on November 7, 2006 to fill the vacancy the had existed since January 16, 2006. It is also part of New Jersey's 33rd Legislative District,[20] which is represented in the New Jersey Legislature in the State Senate[21] by Caridad Rodriguez of West New York.

West New York is in Freeholder District 7 of the County's Board of Chosen Freeholders, and is represented by Jose C. Muñoz, who also represents Guttenberg and Weehawken.

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.[22]

Public schools

Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[23]) are Early Childhood School for Pre-K (308 students), six K-6 elementary schools — Public School No. 1 (903), Public School No. 2 (483), Public School No. 3 (375), Public School No. 4 (407), Public School No. 5 (646) and Harry L. Bain Elementary School (681) — West New York Middle School for grades 7 and 8 (864), and Memorial High School (1,739).

Private schools

Emergency services

Fire

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.[24][25]

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of West New York include:

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 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. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Census data for West New York town, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 29, 2007.
  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. ↑ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 149.
  8. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  9. ↑ Hudson High Point
  10. ↑ Hudson County New Jersey Street Map. Hagstrom Map Company, Inc. 2008. ISBN 0-8809-7763-9. 
  11. ↑ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  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. ↑ Top 100 Cities with Highest Percentage of Renters (pop. 5000+), City-data.com. Accessed July 14, 2007.
  15. ↑ West New York, New Jersey Census 2000 Demographic Profile Highlights, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 14, 2007.
  16. ↑ Geographic & Urban Redevelopment Tax Credit Programs: Urban Enterprise Zone Employee Tax Credit, State of New Jersey. Accessed July 28, 2008.
  17. ↑ Hudson County Bus Service, New Jersey Transit. Accessed June 13, 2007.
  18. ↑ Ferry Schedules, NY Waterway.
  19. ↑ Directory of Hudson County Elected Officials, Hudson County, New Jersey. Accessed July 28, 2008.
  20. ↑ 2008 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 66. Accessed September 30, 2009.
  21. ↑ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  22. ↑ Abbott Districts, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2008.
  23. ↑ Data for the West New York School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 15, 2008.
  24. ↑ "'Miracle on the Hudson' survivors to return to waterfront" The Union City Reporter; July 26, 2009; Page 4
  25. ↑ Tricia Tirella. "A pat on the back" The Union City Reporter; Pages 5 & 17
  26. ↑ Oscar Louis Auf der Heide, United States Congress. Accessed June 29, 2007.
  27. ↑ "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."
  28. ↑ "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."
  29. ↑ Amanda Staab. "From Communist Russia to WNY" The Union City Reporter; March 1, 2009; Pages 3 & 8
  30. ↑ 1010 WINS News; July 20, 2010 11:48am EST broadcast
  31. ↑ 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."
  32. ↑ John Mahnken profile, Basketball Reference. Accessed August 7, 2007.
  33. ↑ 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."
  34. ↑ 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.
  35. ↑ "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..."
  36. ↑ 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."

External links

Municipalities and communities of Hudson County, New Jersey
County seat: Jersey City
Cities
Borough

East Newark
Towns

Guttenberg | Harrison | Kearny | Secaucus | West New York
Townships

North Bergen | Weehawken