Cliffside Park, New Jersey

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.963 square mile (2.493 km²), all of which was land. Located atop the Hudson Palisades, Anderson Avenue and Palisade Avenue are the town's major north-south thoroughfares, the latter offering views of the Hudson River and New York City skyline.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Grantwood and Shadyside.

The borough borders the Bergen County municipalities of Edgewater, Fairview, Fort Lee and Ridgefield, as well as North Bergen in Hudson County.

Grantwood is named for Grant's Tomb, located on the opposite shore of the river. Gorge Road runs along the face of the cliff to the Edgewater waterfront.

2010 Census

The 2010 United States Census counted 23,594 people, 9,948 households, and 6,178 families residing in the borough. The population density was 24,508.7 per square mile (9,462.9/km²). The borough contained 10,665 housing units at an average density of 11,078.5 per square mile (4,277.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 70.11% (16,541) White, 3.29% (776) Black or African American, 0.32% (75) Native American, 13.78% (3,252) Asian, 0.05% (11) Pacific Islander, 8.65% (2,042) from other races, and 3.80% (897) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 28.41% (6,704) of the population.

Out of a total of 9,948 households, 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the borough, 17.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females the census counted 93.4 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 91.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $67,856 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,782) and the median family income was $80,856 (+/- $5,828). Males had a median income of $53,529 (+/- $4,598) versus $52,134 (+/- $5,805) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,157 (+/- $2,000). About 7.3% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

Same-sex couples headed 56 households in 2010, a decline from the 72 counted in 2000.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 23,007 people, 10,027 households, and 6,036 families residing in the borough. The population density was 23,847.7 people per square mile (9,253.2/km²). There were 10,375 housing units at an average density of 10,754.1 per square mile (4,172.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 77.85% White, 1.83% African American, 0.25% Native American, 12.05% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.97% from other races, and 3.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.16% of the population.

As of the 2000 Census, 3.6% of Cliffside Park's residents identified themselves as being of Armenian American ancestry. This was the highest percentage in New Jersey, and the seventh-highest percentage of Armenian American people in any place in the United States with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry. Additionally, according to the 2000 Census, 1.3% of Cliffside Park identified themselves as Turkish American, the sixth-highest of any municipality in the United States and four-highest in the state.

There were 10,027 households out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the borough the population was spread out with 16.9% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $46,288, and the median income for a family was $54,915. Males had a median income of $40,114 versus $36,100 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,516. About 8.5% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

As of 2011, slightly over 75% of the citizens of Cliffside Park view themselves as being affiliated with a formal religious body. A majority of the borough is Roman Catholic (52.60%), many of whom attend the Roman Catholic Church of the Epiphany on Knox Avenue. 8.12% Jewish; 1.21% Lutheran; 1.20% Episcopalian; 0.84% Methodist; 0.88% Muslim; 0.62% Baptist; 0.46% Pentecostal; and 0.02% Eastern Orthodox Christian.

Local government

Cliffside Park is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The governing body consists of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. 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 in a three-year cycle. The borough form of government used by Cliffside Park, the most common system used in the state, is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body, with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.

As of 2016, the Mayor of Cliffside Park is Democrat Thomas Calabrese, who was appointed to serve a term of office ending December 31, 2019. Members of the borough council are Council President Kenneth J. Corcoran (D, 2016), Larry J. Bongard (D, 2017), Peter Colao (D, 2016; elected to serve an unexpired term), Bernard J. Fontana (D, 2018), Dana Martinotti (D, 2017) and Donna M. Spoto (D, 2018).

In May 2015, the borough council selected Thomas Calabrese from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the vacant mayoral seat. Calabrese replaced his father, Gerald Calabrese, who was elected to the borough council in 1955 and had served continuously as mayor of Cliffside Park from 1965 until his death in April 2015, making him the longest-serving mayor in state history. In June 2015, Peter Colao was appointed to fill the vacant council seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Calabrese before he was selected to fill the vacancy as mayor.

Federal, state, and county representation

Cliffside Park is located in the 9th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 36th state legislative district. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Cliffside Park had been in the 38th state legislative district.

New Jersey's Ninth Congressional District is represented by Bill Pascrell (D, Paterson). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).

For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 36th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Paul Sarlo (D, Wood-Ridge) and in the General Assembly by Marlene Caride (D, Ridgefield) and Gary Schaer (D, Passaic). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Bergen County is governed by a directly elected County Executive, with legislative functions performed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. As of 2015, the County Executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus; term ends December 31, 2018). The seven freeholders are elected at-large in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year, with a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairman Pro Tempore selected from among its members at a reorganization meeting held each January. Bergen County's Freeholders are Freeholder Chairwoman Joan Voss (D, 2017; Fort Lee), Vice Chairman Steve Tanelli (D, 2015; North Arlington) Chairman Pro Tempore John A. Felice (R, 2016; River Edge), David L. Ganz (D, 2017; Fair Lawn), Maura R. DeNicola (R, 2016; Franklin Lakes) Thomas J. Sullivan Jr., (D, Montvale, 2015; serving the unexpired term of office that had been occupied by James Tedesco before he was sworn in as County Executive) and Tracy Silna Zur (D, 2015; Franklin Lakes). Countywide constitutional officials are County Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale), Sheriff Michael Saudino (R) and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill).

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 11,107 registered voters in Cliffside Park, of which 4,749 (42.8% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,166 (10.5% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 5,185 (46.7% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 7 voters registered to other parties. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 47.1% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 56.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).

National elections

In recent years, Cliffside Park has leaned strongly toward the Democratic Party.

In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 5,474 votes (61.1% vs. 54.2% countywide), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 3,119 votes (34.8% vs. 41.1% countywide) and other candidates with 221 votes (2.5% vs. 3.0% countywide), among the 8,953 ballots cast by the borough's 12,979 registered voters for a turnout of 68.9% (vs. 73% in Bergen County). In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 5,410 votes (66.0% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 2,627 votes (32.0% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates with 64 votes (0.8% vs. 0.9%), among the 8,203 ballots cast by the borough's 11,870 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.1% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County). In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 5,348 votes (61.9% vs. 53.9% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 3,095 votes (35.8% vs. 44.5%) and other candidates with 88 votes (1.0% vs. 0.8%), among the 8,636 ballots cast by the borough's 11,775 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.3% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County). In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 5,024 votes (60.0% vs. 51.7% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 3,232 votes (38.6% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 62 votes (0.7% vs. 0.7%), among the 8,374 ballots cast by the borough's 11,341 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.8% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).

State elections

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 52.0% of the vote (2,298 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 47.0% (2,077 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (47 votes), among the 4,639 ballots cast by the borough's 11,249 registered voters (217 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.2%.

In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 3,305 ballots cast (59.8% vs. 48.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 1,914 votes (34.6% vs. 45.8%), Independent Chris Daggett with 202 votes (3.7% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 24 votes (0.4% vs. 0.5%), among the 5,529 ballots cast by the borough's 11,381 registered voters, yielding a 48.6% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).

Local elections

In the 2010 General Election, Democratic incumbents Thomas Calabrese (3,167 votes) and Kenneth Corcoran (3,111 votes) were re-elected to three-year terms of office after being challenged by Republican Party candidates Eric Soto (1,835 votes) and Michelle Talamo (1,836 votes).

In the 2009 General Election, Democratic incumbents Bernard J. Fontana (2,943 votes) and Donna M. Spoto (2,983 votes) were re-elected over Republican Party candidates John Mitchell (2,040 votes) and Eric Soto (2,004 votes).

Education

The Cliffside Park School District serves public school students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2011-12 school year, the district's six schools had an enrollment of 2,792 students and 178.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 15.69:1. Schools in the district (with 2011-12 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Number 3 School with 330 students in grades K-6, Number 4 School with 492 students in grades PreK-6, Number 5 School with 197 students in grades K-6, Number 6 School with 707 students in grades K-8, Cliffside Park Middle School grades 7 and 8 (enrollment not listed) and Cliffside Park High School with 1,066 students in grades 9-12. Students from Fairview attend the district's high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Fairview Public Schools.

Public school students from the borough, and all of Bergen County, are eligible to attend the secondary education programs offered by the Bergen County Technical Schools, which include the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, and the Bergen Tech campus in Teterboro or Paramus. The district offers programs on a shared-time or full-time basis, with admission based on a selective application process and tuition covered by the student's home school district.

For generations, the borough was the home of Epiphany School, an elementary school of the Roman Catholic Church of the Epiphany. Built in 1929, under the direction of Msgr. Anthony J. Ferretti, the school was staffed by the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth (Convent Station, New Jersey). In 2005, due to changing demographics and low enrollment, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark decided to merge Epiphany School with Christ the Teacher Interparochial School in Fort Lee, New Jersey, which is jointly sponsored by Epiphany RC Church, Madonna RC Church (Fort Lee), Holy Trinity RC Church (Fort Lee) and Holy Rosary RC Church (Edgewater).

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 24.47 miles (39.38 km) of roadways, of which 20.29 miles (32.65 km) were maintained by the municipality and 4.18 miles (6.73 km) by Bergen County.

Palisade Avenue and Anderson Avenue are the main north-south roads of Cliffside Park.

Public transportation

NJ Transit bus lines 156, 159 and 181 offer service to and from Manhattan; the 22 route serves Jersey City; and the 751 and 755 offer local service.

Popular culture

Scenes from Cop Land, directed by James Mangold and starring Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel and Ray Liotta were filmed in Cliffside Park.

Scenes from the 1988 film Big, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Penny Marshall, were filmed in Cliffside Park.

The exterior shown for the Heffernan house that was used in CBS sitcom The King of Queens is in Cliffside Park.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Cliffside Park include: