Edgewater, New Jersey

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Borough of Edgewater, New Jersey
Map highlighting Edgewater's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey
Map highlighting Edgewater's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Edgewater, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Edgewater, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°49′48″N 73°58′26″W / 40.83, -73.97389
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Bergen
Incorporated December 7, 1894
Government
 - Type Borough (New Jersey)
 - Mayor Nancy Merse (D; 2007)
 - Administrator Gregory S. Franz[1]
Area
 - Total 2.4 sq mi (6.3 km²)
 - Land 0.9 sq mi (2.2 km²)
 - Water 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Elevation [2] 33 ft (10 m)
Population (2006)[3]
 - Total 9,628
 - Density 9,060.6/sq mi (3,487.2/km²)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 07020
Area code(s) 201
FIPS code 34-20020[4]
GNIS feature ID 0876101[5]
Website: http://www.edgewaternj.org

Edgewater is a borough located on the Hudson River in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 7,677. As of the 2006 Census estimate, the borough had a population of 9,628.[3]

Edgewater was originally formed on December 7, 1894, from portions of Ridgefield Township as the Borough of Undercliff, at the height of the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County. The name was changed to Edgewater on November 8, 1899.[6][7]

Contents

[edit] Geography

Edgewater is located at 40°49′48″N, 73°58′26″W (40.829893, -73.973911)[8].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.3 km²), of which, 0.9 square miles (2.2 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (64.88%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1900 1,006
—
1910 2,655 163.9%
1920 3,530 33%
1930 4,089 15.8%
1940 4,028 −1.5%
1950 3,952 −1.9%
1960 4,113 4.1%
1970 4,987 21.2%
1980 4,628 −7.2%
1990 5,001 8.1%
2000 7,677 53.5%
Est. 2006 9,628 [3] 25.4%
Population 1930 - 1990[9][10]

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 7,677 people, 3,836 households, and 1,971 families residing in the borough. The population density was 9,060.6 people per square mile (3,487.2/km²). There were 4,277 housing units at an average density of 5,047.8/sq mi (1,942.8/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 67.12% White, 3.52% African American, 0.21% Native American, 23.12% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.94% from other races, and 3.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.45% of the population.

There were 3,836 households out of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.70.

In the borough the population was spread out with 15.4% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 46.7% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $63,455, and the median income for a family was $72,692. Males had a median income of $50,795 versus $49,238 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $42,650. About 6.2% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2000 census, 11.83% of Edgewater's residents identified themselves as being of Korean ancestry, which was the ninth highest in the United States and seventh highest of any municipality in New Jersey, for all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.[11] In the same census, 3.22% of Edgewater's residents identified themselves as being of Japanese ancestry, which was the third highest of any municipality in New Jersey, behind Fort Lee (6.09%) and Demarest (3.72%).[12]

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

Edgewater is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.[13][14]

The Mayor of Edgewater is Agnes "Nancy" Merse (D), whose term expires on December 31, 2011. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Juanita "Neda" Rose (D; 2009), James Delaney (D; 2009), Denis Gallagher (I; 2008), David Jordan (D; 2010), Beatrice M. Robbio (I; 2008) and David Weschler (I; 2010).[15][1]

In elections held on November 6, 2007, voters filled a four-year term for mayor and two three-year seats on the Borough Council. Incumbent Democratic Mayor Agnes "Nancy" Merse (861 votes) won re-election to a second term in office, defeating Independent Valory T. Bardinas (803), a former councilmember. In the council race, Democrat David B. Jordan (815) won re-election and Independent David W. Weschler (796) won a first term, outrunning Democratic incumbent Maureen Holtje (760), Independent Mary C. Hogan (742) and Republican Ayelet Ann Weiss (147). The 2008 council taking office in January will be split evenly between Democrats and Independents, with the Democratic Party mayor having a tiebreaking vote.[16][17]

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, in the race for two three-year seats on the Borough Council, Democratic Party newcomer James Delaney (1,224 votes) obtained his first term on the Council, followed by Democratic incumbent Neda Rose (1,180) who earned her fifth term in office. Independent incumbent Valory Bardinas was in third (1,134), falling short in her bid for re-election to a third term, and fellow Independent Mary Hogan came in fourth (1,123) in her attempt for office after previously serving three terms on the Council. Delaney's victory gives the Democrats control of the Council by a 4-2 margin, breaking a 3-3 deadlock.[18][19][20]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Edgewater is in the Ninth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 38th Legislative District.[21]

New Jersey's Ninth Congressional District, covering the southern portion of Bergen County and sections of Hudson County and Passaic County, is represented by Steve Rothman (D, Fair Lawn). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 38th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Robert M. Gordon (D, Fair Lawn) and in the Assembly by Joan Voss (D, Fort Lee) and Connie Wagner (D, Paramus).[22] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[23]

Bergen County's County Executive is Dennis McNerney (D).[24] The executive, along with the seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders administer all county business. As of 2008, Bergen County's Freeholders are Chairman Tomas J. Padilla (D, Park Ridge), Vice-Chairman Elizabeth Calabrese (D, Wallington), James M. Carroll (D, Demarest), David L. Ganz (D, Fair Lawn), Bernadette P. McPherson (D, Rutherford), Julie O'Brien (D, Ramsey) and Vernon Walton (D, Englewood).[25]

Other countywide elected officials are Sheriff Leo McGuire (D), Surrogate Court Judge Mike Dressler (D, Cresskill) County Clerk Kathleen Donovan (R, Rutherford).[26]

[edit] Politics

As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 9,358 in Edgewater, there were 4,829 registered voters (51.6% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 1,463 (30.3% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 349 (7.2% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 3,016 (62.5% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There was one voter registered to another party.[27]

On the national level, Edgewater leans toward the Democratic Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 65% of the vote here, defeating Republican George W. Bush, who received around 34%.[28]

On the local level, Edgewater has its own two-party system, split between the Democratic Party and the Independent Coalition for a Better Edgewater. The Republican Party has minimal presence and doesn't always run a slate in local elections. The perennial local political issue is managing growth.

[edit] Education

The Edgewater Public Schools serves public school students in Kindergarten through sixth grade. Eleanor Van Gelder School,the lone school in the district, had an enrollment of 421 students in the 2005-06 school year.[29]

For grades 7 - 12, public school students are sent to the Leonia Public Schools as part of a sending/receiving relationship.[30] Students attend Leonia Middle School for grades 7 and 8 (a school with a total of 443 students in grades 6 - 8), and Leonia High School which has had 630 students in grades 9 - 12, all as of 2005-06.[31]

[edit] Japantown

The Japantown in Edgewater features, among other places of interest, a strip mall containing a Mitsuwa Marketplace which features products aimed at the Japanese American market. Located in the building is a food court with stores such as Hide-chan's Ramen and Italian Tomato, with a sitting area with a view of the Hudson River. The mall also features other business aimed at the Japanese consumer and those seeking Japanese products.

Shuttle buses run daily from Manhattan, bringing Japanese shoppers, as well as those just interested in Japanese products. Fort Lee also contains several Japanese (and Korean) oriented businesses.

[edit] Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Edgewater include:

[edit] Sources

  • "History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630-1923;" by "Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858-1942."
  • "Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties)" prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "County of Bergen: 2007 County and Municipal Directory", Bergen County, New Jersey, p. 40.
  2. ^ USGS GNIS: Borough of Edgewater, Geographic Names Information System, accessed April 16, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c Census data for Edgewater, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  4. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  6. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 87.
  7. ^ "History of Bergen County" Vol. 1, p. 353.
  8. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  9. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  10. ^ Historical Population Trends in Bergen County (1900 - 2000), Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed December 23, 2007.
  11. ^ Korean Communities, Epodunk. Accessed December 10, 2007.
  12. ^ Japanese Communities, Epodunk. Accessed June 28, 2006.
  13. ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 160.
  14. ^ GOVERNING BODY, Borough of Edgewater. Accessed August 23, 2006.
  15. ^ GOVERNING BODY: EDGEWATER COUNCIL, accessed June 13, 2007.
  16. ^ "Edgewater election results", The Record (Bergen County), November 6, 2007. Accessed November 18, 2007.
  17. ^ Bergen County election results, The Record (Bergen County), November 7, 2007. Accessed November 10, 2007.
  18. ^ Edgewater election results, The Record (Bergen County), November 8, 2006.
  19. ^ Edgewater Election, The Record (Bergen County), November 8, 2006.
  20. ^ Bergen County 2006 General Election Results, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2007.
  21. ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 56. Accessed August 30, 2006.
  22. ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  23. ^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  24. ^ Bergen County Executive, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 25, 2008.
  25. ^ Freeholder Home Page, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 25, 2008.
  26. ^ Constitutional Officers, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 25, 2008.
  27. ^ "County of Bergen: Voter Statistics by Municipality, Ward & District," dated April 1, 2006.
  28. ^ 2004 Presidential Election results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety: Division of Elections, dated December 13, 2004.
  29. ^ Data for the Edgewater Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 19, 2008.
  30. ^ Questions and Answers About Leonia Schools, Leonia Public Schools. Accessed July 8, 2007. "The district currently has 1730 students enrolled in three schools. Leonia is a receiving district for Edgewater students beginning in Grade 7."
  31. ^ Leonia Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 22, 2007.
  32. ^ a b c Weiner, Jonah. "Miss Thing: Boasting a smash single, a hit album and the finest legs in pop, Amerie is R&B’s It girl. What’s more, she’s lethal with an assault rifle", Blender (magazine), June 2005. Accessed July 3, 2007. "She says she dreams of starring in an action movie (“I’d love to play Angelina Jolie’s arch-nemesis in Tomb Raider 3”), but her real extracurricular obsession involves elves, faeries and codpieces. When she’s not playing 12-hour Sims marathons at her house in Edgewater, New Jersey—the tony suburb that is also home to Tyson Beckford and Q-Tip—she’s working on writing her own Lord of the Rings–style series. "
  33. ^ Keith Bulluck player profile, National Football League Players Association. Accessed July 24, 2007. "Single, splits time between Nashville and Edgewater, New Jersey."
  34. ^ "This Week's Winners and Losers: JoJo", The Record (Bergen County), August 2, 2004. Accessed July 14, 2007. "At 13, the Edgewater resident is the youngest solo artist to receive an MTV Video Music Award nomination."
  35. ^ Dietsche, Erica. "Local 'Dancing' pro, Ali all about fancy footwork", The Record (Bergen County), March 19, 2007. Accessed December 25, 2007. "Fans of "Dancing With the Stars" on ABC, which begins its fourth season tonight, haven't seen much of Edgewater-based dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy."
  36. ^ "Geraldo Rivera sues over housing dispute", USA Today, September 13, 2004. Accessed July 3, 2007. "The Fox News senior correspondent owns two homes in the 26-acre Edgewater Colony, where residents own their homes but share ownership of the land.... 'I intend living here always, hopefully in peace and loving my neighbors.'"
  37. ^ Jenkins, Lee. "Global Warning: Born in Britain, nurtured in Nigeria and baptized for football in Alabama, Osi Umenyiora is ready to rock the Patriots' world", Sports Illustrated, January 29, 2008. Accessed March 7, 2008. "'I feel like I come from everywhere,' says Umenyiora, who now splits time between Atlanta and Edgewater, N.J."
  38. ^ Ron Villone, New York Yankees. Accessed September 22, 2007. "Ronald Thomas Villone, Jr... resides in Edgewater, NJ with his wife Brooke"
  39. ^ Kinkhabwala, Aditi. "Wang at ease in two worlds", The Record (Bergen County), May 31, 2007. Accessed July 3, 2007. "He likes walking around New York City ('nobody knows me') and he loves living in Edgewater ('everything there')."

[edit] External links

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Municipalities and communities of
Bergen County, New Jersey
County seat: Hackensack
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