Mahwah, New Jersey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Township of Mahwah, New Jersey | |
 |
|
 |
|
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Bergen |
| Incorporated | November 7, 1944 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) |
| - Mayor | Richard J. Martel (R, 2008) |
| - Administrator | Brian T. Campion.[1] |
| Area | |
| - Total | 26.2 sq mi (67.9 km²) |
| - Land | 25.9 sq mi (67.2 km²) |
| - Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Elevation [2] | 249 ft (76 m) |
| Population (2006)[3] | |
| - Total | 24,560 |
| - Density | 927.9/sq mi (358.3/km²) |
| Time zone | U.S. EST (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | U.S. EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 07430 |
| Area code(s) | 201 |
| FIPS code | 34-42750[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882312[5] |
| Website: http://www.mahwahtwp.org | |
Mahwah is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 24,062. The name Mahwah is derived from the Lenni Lenape word "mawewi" which means "Meeting Place" or "Place Where Paths Meet".[6][7]
The area that is now Mahwah was originally formed as Hohokus Township on April 9, 1849, from portions of Franklin Township. On November 7, 1944, the area was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature as the Township of Mahwah, based on the results of a referendum held that day, replacing Hohokus Township. [8]
New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Mahwah as its 9th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.[9]
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 26.2 square miles (67.9 km²), of which, 25.9 square miles (67.2 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²) of it (1.03%) is water. It is the largest municipality in Bergen County by area.
Mahwah is near the Ramapo Mountains and the Ramapo River. Interstate 287 passes through Mahwah, but the only point of access is at the New Jersey-New York border where 287 meets Route 17. Historic U.S. Route 202 also runs through Mahwah from Oakland, New Jersey, to Suffern, New York.
Mahwah is bordered by the towns of Upper Saddle River, Ramsey, Allendale, Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes, and Oakland in Bergen County, New Jersey; Ringwood in Passaic County, New Jersey; and Ramapo in Rockland County, New York.
Several state and county parks are located in Mahwah, due to its large size and scenic terrain. They include Campgaw Mountain Reservation, Darlington County Park, Ramapo Mountain Reservation, and Ramapo Mountain State Forest. The Ramapo River runs through the western section of Mahwah.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 1,220 |
|
|
| 1910 | 1,881 | 54.2% | |
| 1920 | 2,081 | 10.6% | |
| 1930 | 3,536 | 69.9% | |
| 1940 | 3,908 | 10.5% | |
| 1950 | 4,880 | 24.9% | |
| 1960 | 7,376 | 51.1% | |
| 1970 | 10,800 | 46.4% | |
| 1980 | 12,127 | 12.3% | |
| 1990 | 17,905 | 47.6% | |
| 2000 | 24,062 | 34.4% | |
| Est. 2006 | 24,560 | [3] | 2.1% |
| Population 1900 - 1990.[10][11] | |||
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 24,062 people, 9,340 households, and 6,285 families residing in the township. The population density was 927.9 people per square mile (358.3/km²). There were 9,577 housing units at an average density of 369.3/sq mi (142.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 87.93% White, 2.16% African American, 0.70% Native American, 6.31% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.50% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.27% of the population.
There were 9,340 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $79,500, and the median income for a family was $94,484. Males had a median income of $62,326 versus $42,527 for females. The per capita income for the township was $44,709. About 1.2% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
Mahwah is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) system of municipal government by a mayor and a seven-member Township Council. The legislative power of the municipality is exercised by a seven-member Township Council. Officials are elected at non-partisan elections, held every other May in even years, for four-year terms. [12]
The Mayor of Mahwah is Richard J. Martel (R, term ends June 30, 2008).[13]
Members of the Mahwah Township Council are Council President H. Lisa DiGiulio (R, 2008), Council Vice President John Roth (R, 2008), Samuel Alderisio (R, 2008), John DaPuzzo (R, 2010), Robert Hermansen (R, 2010), Allan R. Kidd (R, 2010) and Roy Larson (2008).[14][15]
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Mahwah is in the Fifth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 40th Legislative District.[16]
New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, covering the northern portions of Bergen County, Passaic County and Sussex County and all of Warren County, is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). 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 40th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Kevin J. O'Toole (R, Cedar Grove) and in the Assembly by Scott Rumana (R, Wayne) and David C. Russo (R, Ridgewood).[17] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[18]
Bergen County's County Executive is Dennis McNerney (D).[19] 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).[20]
Other countywide elected officials are Sheriff Leo McGuire (D), Surrogate Court Judge Mike Dressler (D, Cresskill) County Clerk Kathleen Donovan (R, Rutherford).[21]
[edit] Politics
As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 24,682 in Mahwah, there were 14,204 registered voters (57.5% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 1,736 (12.2% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 3,443 (24.2% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 9,019 (63.5% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were six voters registered to other parties.[22]
On the national level, Mahwah leans toward the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 58% of the vote, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received around 41%.[23]
[edit] Highlands protection
In 2004, the New Jersey Legislature passed the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, which regulates the New Jersey Highlands region. Mahwah was included in the highlands preservation area and is subject to the rules of the act and the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, a division of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.[24] Some of the territory in the protected region is classified as being in the highlands preservation area, and thus subject to additional rules.[25]
[edit] Education
[edit] Public schools
The Mahwah Township Public Schools provides public education in Mahwah. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[26]) are:
Elementary Schools
- Betsy Ross (K-3; 317 students)
- George Washington School (K-3; 276 students)
- Joyce Kilmer School (4-5; 584)
- Lenape Meadows (PreK-3; 489)
Middle School
- Ramapo Ridge Middle School (6-8; 846)
High School
- Mahwah High School (9-12; 880)
[edit] Private school
- Young World Day School (K-5)
[edit] Higher education
[edit] Vocational schools
- Lincoln Technical Institute
- Tax Training School
- O'Brien's Professional Travel School
[edit] Corporate residents
- Inserra Supermarkets, a member of the ShopRite retail cooperative, operating approximately 22 stores. It is a family owned business and is one of the 500 largest private companies in the United States.
- Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, book publisher.
- Stryker Corp.'s orthopedic business is based in Mahwah.
- Radware Inc. American headquarters is based in Mahwah.
- DialAmerica Marketing corporate headquarters is based in Mahwah.[27]
- Sharp Electronics, USA[28]
[edit] Transportation
Interstate 287 and Route 17 merge in Mahwah, and U.S. Route 202 also passes through. The interchange for Exit 66 is unique, since all traffic wishing to use Route 17 south must merge onto 287 south, and then keep left before the split for NJ 17 and I-287. The northern terminus of County Route 507 is also in Mahwah.
New Jersey Transit rail service to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, Hoboken Terminal, and Newark is available from the Mahwah station on the Main Line and Bergen County Line. Shortline bus service to NYC and points between is available from several locations.
[edit] History
The Ramapough Mountain Indians were the original inhabitants of Mahwah and surrounding area, and now number approximately 5,000 people living around the Ramapo Mountains of northern New Jersey and southern New York. The tribe is officially recognized by the states of New Jersey and New York, but does not have federal recognition.[29] Their tribal office is located on Stag Hill Road in Mahwah, and the Chief of the Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation is Dwaine Perry (as of March 2007).[30]
For 25 years Mahwah hosted the A&P Tennis Classic, a tune up for the U.S. Open tennis tournament held at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens.
In August 1997, due to personal debt, then-Mayor David J. Dwork shot and killed himself in the town's mayoral offices. There were also unverified allegations of corruption.[31] Dwork was memorialized with a tree dedicated to him at the site of the Mahwah Public Library.
The definitive history book of Mahwah is "From Pioneer Settlement to Suburb, A History of Mahwah, New Jersey, 1700-1976" by Henry Bischoff and Mitchell Kahn L.C 78-55451ISBN0-498-02218-8. Originally published by A.S. Barnes and Company, a re-print was issued in 2005 by the Mahwah Historical Society. The book is 469 pages long.
Ford Motor Company operated an assembly plant in Mahwah from 1955 to 1982. At the time of its completion, it was the largest motor vehicle assembly plant in the United States. The Ford plant, along with other businesses such as American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company, helped contribute to the economic development of the town and its reputation for low home property taxes. The Mahwah town sports teams remain named Thunderbirds in honor of the Ford plant.
Mahwah, and the closure of the Ford plant, is mentioned in the opening line of the Bruce Springsteen song "Johnny 99".[32]
[edit] Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Mahwah include:
- Foxy Brown (1979-), rapper.[33]
- Frank Chamberlin (1978-), NFL linebacker.[34]
- Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918) and his family lived in Mahwah until his service and death in World War I.[35]
- Leonard Marshall (1961-), former defensive end for the New York Giants.[36]
- Les Paul (1915-), guitarist and inventor.[37]
- Chris Wragge, CBS News New York.[38]
- Jane Wyatt (1910-2006), actress known for her role in Father Knows Best.[39]
- Walt Zembriski (1935-), golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour.[40]
[edit] References
- ^ Contacts Directory, Township of Mahwah. Accessed October 1, 2007.
- ^ USGS GNIS: Township of Mahwah, Geographic Names Information System, accessed October 1, 2007.
- ^ a b Census data for Mahwah, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 1, 2007.
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ If You're Thinking of Living in: Mahwah, The New York Times, June 2, 1991.
- ^ Mahwah High School Mission Statement, Mahwah High School. Accessed October 9, 2006.
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 81.
- ^ "Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100", New Jersey Monthly, February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.
- ^ Historical Population Trends in Bergen County (1900 - 2000), Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed December 23, 2007.
- ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 169.
- ^ Mayor, Township of Mahwah. Accessed September 23, 2007.
- ^ Township Council, Township of Mahwah. Accessed August 1, 2007.
- ^ "County of Bergen: 2007 County and Municipal Directory", Bergen County, New Jersey, p. 51.
- ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 60. Accessed August 30, 2006.
- ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ Bergen County Executive, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 25, 2008.
- ^ Freeholder Home Page, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 25, 2008.
- ^ Constitutional Officers, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 25, 2008.
- ^ "County of Bergen: Voter Statistics by Municipality, Ward & District," Bergen County, New Jersey, dated April 1, 2006.
- ^ 2004 Presidential Election results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Elections, dated December 13, 2004.
- ^ Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly, No. 2635 (PDF) pp. 15-16. New Jersey Legislature (2004-06-07). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
- ^ Highlands Municipalities. NJDEP (August 23, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
- ^ Data for the Mahwah Township Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 12, 2008.
- ^ Locations, DialAmerica. Accessed October 25, 2007.
- ^ Sharp USA facilities, Sharp Corporation. Accessed March 19, 2008. "Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC) is the U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation. SEC was established in the U.S. marketplace in 1962 and today the company's 500,000 sq. ft. headquarters is located in Mahwah, New Jersey."
- ^ Kelley, Tina. "New Jersey Tribe Member Dies After Police Shooting at a Back-Roads Party", The New York Times, April 11, 2006. Accessed October 24, 2007. "New York and New Jersey recognize the Ramapoughs as a tribe, but the tribe has failed to obtain federal recognition. It has about 5,000 members."
- ^ Salazar, Carolyn; and Markos, Kibret. "Two Ramapoughs also charged in Mahwah encounter", The Record (Bergen County), March 28, 2007. Accessed October 24, 2007. "Caption: Fran Mann, Emil Mann's sister-in-law, hugging Ramapough chief Dwaine Perry after learning of the indictment Tuesday."
- ^ Debt Drove A Mayor To Suicide, Widow Says, The New York Times, August 26, 1997.
- ^ "Johnny 99" Lyrics, BruceSpringsteen.net. Accessed June 13, 2008. "Well they closed down the auto plant in Mahwah late that month"
- ^ Maull, Samuel. "Foxy Brown Sentenced to a Year in Jail", The Washington Post, February 7, 2007. Accessed [[{April 12]], 2008.
- ^ Frank Chamberlin player profile, accessed April 5, 2007.
- ^ Joyce Kilmer (1886 - 1918) - Author of Trees and Other Poems, accessed April 5, 2007.
- ^ Sturken, Barbara. "Off the Field, Giants Call New Jersey Home", The New York Times, March 31, 1991. Accessed February 5, 2008.
- ^ Fredrix, Emily. "Guitarist Les Paul plays for hometown", Yahoo! News via Associated Press, May 10, 2007. Accessed May 11, 2007. "Paul, who lives in Mahwah, N.J., has donated many artifacts and memorabilia for the planned exhibit, a $3 million project expected to open in 2010."
- ^ [http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/press/article/0,,DIY_13703_2279238,00.html Chris Wragge, DIY Network. Accessed April 12, 2008.
- ^ 'Father Knows Best' Actress Jane Wyatt Dies, NewsMax.com. October 23, 2007. Accessed September 2, 2007. "Wyatt was born in Campgaw, N.J., into a wealthy family in 1910, according to McDonald, her publicist."
- ^ Cavanaugh, Jack. "GOLF;Trevino Tied With No Ordinary Amateur", The New York Times, July 31, 1994. Accessed November 3, 2007. "WALT ZEMBRISKI, the 59-year-old former steelworker from Mahwah, N.J., who finished tied for second last year, shot a 75 and was at nine-over 153."
[edit] External links
- Mahwah Township official website
- Mahwah Township Public Schools
- Mahwah Township Public Schools's 2006-07 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Data for the Mahwah Township Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
- Guide to Mahwah in Bergen County, NJ
|
||||||||||||||||||||
